Palace Guide and Review

Located in the vibrant city of Cancun, Palace Casino offers a range of gaming experiences, from slot machines to poker and sports betting. However, recent visitor feedback paints a picture of contrasting experiences, highlighting both notable strengths and significant areas for improvement.

👍 The Good: Friendly Staff & Poker Action

• Exceptional Staff: Many visitors consistently praise the staff, describing them as "super smiling," "helpful," and "pleasant." This positive interaction contributes significantly to a welcoming atmosphere for many patrons.
• Poker Hub: For poker enthusiasts, Palace is noted as a place to find action. While cash games might start later than initially advertised (around 9:30 PM instead of the stated 5:00 PM poker room opening), tournaments are available. One reviewer specifically enjoyed a tournament with a 450 peso buy-in, rebuys through round 10, and a 400 peso add-on. This indicates a structured and engaging poker scene once games get underway.
• Favorable Exchange Rate: Some visitors have found the exchange rate between US dollars and Mexican pesos to be beneficial, which is a small but welcome perk for international guests.

👎 The Not-So-Good: Comfort & Operational Issues

• Major Air Conditioning Problem: A recurring and critical complaint, particularly in recent reviews, is the severe lack of air conditioning. This leads to an uncomfortably hot environment, with employees reportedly fanning themselves and visitors hurrying through their visits due to the heat. This significantly impacts comfort and can diminish the gaming experience.
• Non-Functional Slot Machines: Directly linked to the A/C issue, a significant portion – reportedly half – of the slot machines were not working due to the extreme heat. This severely limits gaming options and detracts from the overall experience for slot players.
• Sports Betting Disputes: At least one visitor reported a negative experience with sports betting, alleging that the casino refused to pay out on a straight bet for a soccer game that went to a shootout. This was considered a "rip-off" and not in line with "generally accepted practices," raising concerns about fairness in sports betting.
• Poker Cash Game Timing: While poker is a draw, potential players should be aware that cash games might not begin promptly at the poker room's opening time (5:00 PM), often starting much later after tournaments conclude. This requires patience for those looking specifically for cash game action.

🤔 Things to Consider Before Your Visit

• If you are primarily interested in poker tournaments, Palace seems to be a viable option, but be prepared for cash games to begin later in the evening.
• For slot machine players, it's advisable to verify the operational status of the machines and the air conditioning before committing your time and money, especially given recent reports of widespread non-functionality and heat.
• Exercise caution and understand the rules thoroughly if engaging in sports betting, as there have been reports of payout disagreements.

Overall Verdict:

Palace Casino in Cancun presents a mixed experience. While the staff is generally praised for their friendliness and there's a good poker scene, significant issues with air conditioning and operational slot machines, alongside concerns about sports betting payouts, can severely detract from the overall enjoyment. It appears to be a decent spot for dedicated poker players, but those seeking a comfortable environment with a wide range of fully functional slot machines might want to consider alternative options or at least call ahead to inquire about the A/C status.