The addition of the Asian Gaming Room in Southern California’s Pala Casino Spa & Resort was fueled by the popularity of pai gow poker and baccarat. But also by changes in interests that were noticed by casino management when it reopened in May after being closed for several months due to Covid-19.
The new non-smoking glass enclosed room that opened in September has nine tables that offer a variety of Asian games ranging from mini-baccarat, to face up pai gow poker, double deck blackjack and queens dragon pai gow poker.
The converted poker room doesn’t just offer Asian games, it features Asian décor and motifs and lots of bamboo and earth tone color schemes.
Pala advertising manager Coley McAvoy told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “When we reopened in May, following our two-month closure, we noticed a growing interest in different table games, particularly pai gow poker and baccarat, which can be played with a limited number of players at a safe distance.” Poker, on the other hand, is harder to stage with safe spacing.
The interest in the Asian games didn’t dissipate over time, so the casino reconfigured the room in traditional style while bringing on a new executive host with experience in Asian gaming.
The host, also known as the room’s ambassador, Chau Ly, said, “Our goal is to provide an area with exciting table game action in a clean, safe and Asian-friendly environment, where guests can find all of their favorite games in one convenient and beautiful location.”
Pala has also adopted policies to lessen the density in its casino, dining area, entertainment areas etc. It removed slot machines to create more social distancing between machines, and closed some intimate dining spaces and its spa. Some restaurants limit dining to hotel guests only.
The property will continue to provide live music and other entertainment, but safely, which means fewer guests attending. Outdoor concerts have been cut from 2,000 guests to fewer than 600, while guests are separated by a minimum of six feet.
