Resorts World

I have always been one to like to take chances.  What better way to take a chance and at the same time have the possibility of winning some money.  For the past few weekends, a couple of friends and I have been visiting one of Manila's newest Casino Hotels - Resorts World.


Sorry I have no pictures of the establishment, since the casino does not allow cameras.

This Resorts World complex is impressive although still under construction.  The facilities are well designed and laid out and I must say, the place is very attractive. Upon entering, you will notice that the design is mirrored after the Venetian Hotel/Casino in an attempt to mimic the high class design.

In the middle of the casino is a bar and a stage where there is usually a live band performing.  I did not spend much time there however since my pure intention for visiting was to gamble.  


Each of my visits to the casino have been fairly pleasant.  The food at both restaurants (Noodle Works and Mercado) have been fairly enjoyable.   I say fairly because the Noodles (Noodle Works) although good were crazy spicy.  I love Spicy food, but I also like it edible.  I'm not a big fan of eating something so spicy that it makes the end of your hair follicles tingle and causes your vision to blur.  Mercado's on the other hand was a great experience.  I loved everything I ate, and I ate a lot.


Regardless of winning or losing, I was just there to have a good time.  If I lost I lost, If I won... Yahoo!!  the first 2 times I went, I nearly broke even, but that's OK. I had fun.  The 3rd visit I won 9K... Yahoo!! Although I started the 3rd visit on an unpleasant note... Generally the staff is super friendly and helpful, the experience was different this past weekend.  Generally I get money via my Visa check card which debits straight from my US checking account (but works as a credit card) in order to play.  Each time I visit I do this (generally has a 3% charge) with no issues.  This 3rd time, the guy working at the cashier cage (either because he was too lazy or just did not care) would not do it.  He kept insisting that they could not accept Debit Cards, regardless of the numerous times I told him to charge it as a credit card since it functions as both.  True, not many banks have Visa Debit Cards here in Manila, but then again, I'm not from Manila.  Anyways... I finally convince him to try it out and within 1 minute he returns telling me that the machine advised him "not to honor" the card.  Knowing the credit system, the little portable machine does not say that.  It just says "declined." I tell him to run it again with a lesser amount knowing that I have more then enough in the bank for it to approve.  Again within 1 minute he returns saying the same thing.  I ask him for the receipt showing the declined transaction and he replies by saying it doesn't print out receipts for a decline. BS...  I take my card back and walk away steamed... 


To test the my theory out, I walk to the cashier's cage on the other end of the casino and try.  The girl behind the cage more willingly takes my request and even asks me is this debit card a Visa. and I happily tell her yes.  Within 2 minutes of running the card through the credit card machine the transaction is approved and I have my "play money" in hand.  Anyone who knows me knows I don't get disturbed or upset easily, but I seriously hate people who lie to my face (even more when it's over and over.)  With my money and the receipt in hand I storm back to the other cage and confront the first cashier.  My intention was not to give him a hard time, but to let him know that I was not happy with the service that he had provided.  Also to avoid this from happening to anyone else.  Incidentally his manager said they also on occasionally had credit card connectivity issues.  A reason I happily understand, but incidentally the reason I also called my bank to confirm and make sure that he had not even swiped the card in which I told the manager which left her speechless. Gotcha!!


Anyways... past all that I refused to let that situation ruin my night.  My friends and I sat down at the first Pontoon table (like blackjack but with different rules) we came to and started playing.  Instantly within the first hour I was up 5K.  Yea!! we decide to quit while we are up and head upstairs to check out the rest of the casino.  Bad Choice... we sit down at the first blackjack table and Im not sure if it was trauma or not, but the next thing I know Im out 2k of the 5k I won.  I think the dealer won 13 out of the 15 hands we played. We hit 20's, she hit 21.  We hit 21, she hit's 21.  It wasn't all too bad since the dealer was fun to talk to and kept us entertained. 


Tired of losing, I go downstairs to play CRAPS.  For me its a game that I like to play because it involves no thinking.  You just throw the dice and you either win or lose.   You place your bet and you just stand there.  I just recently started to understand how to play the entire game and how to bet on everything - previously I just bet on the passline and maybe the field if I felt the numbers would come up.  Within 30 min and the first roller I was up 2K.  He kept hitting everything we needed to win.


Anyways, long story short I had a great time.   I definitely plan to go back, but after a few weeks to a month since I don't want it to become a habit or addiction.