The Holland Casino Zandvoort is located directly on the beach boulevard. In the evening, we were drawn there for dinner and gambling. A visit to a casino – a first for me and an unforgettable experience.
From the outside, the casino looks rather unattractive. Directly on Strandboulevard, the dark building looks more like a foreign body. No light penetrates from the inside to the outside and, as I found out later, it’s the same in the other direction.
Through a revolving door you enter an entrance area. This is where the checkroom is located. Jackets and larger bags must be left there. There are two counters where you can pay your entrance fee. Visitors to the Holland Casino must be at least 18 years old and have a valid ID. After paying your entrance fee (€5), you will receive a Favorites Card on your first visit. This offers exclusive benefits and the opportunity to win additional winnings. For visitors who are 23 years old or younger, an Xperience Card is available at the first visit. This allows, similar to the Favorites Card, an accelerated access to the casino.
This card is valid in all Holland Casinos and is required for entry and later also when leaving the casino.
But even before I pass the entrance, the employees imperceptibly inspect my clothes. There is namely a dress code!
Is there a dress code?
Elegant, yet casual – that’s the dress code at Holland Casino. The casino attaches great importance to the visitor’s stylish and well-groomed appearance in order to underline the special ambience offered by the establishment. The relaxed, yet exclusive atmosphere is intended to offer a balance between upscale entertainment and exciting leisure activities.
The dress code is quite flexible and does not require sacco, tie or evening gown from its visitors. However, there are some criteria to be observed when entering the casino. For example, are prohibited:
- Clothing with offensive or inappropriate text: This includes shirts or accessories with vulgar, offensive or otherwise unacceptable messages.
- Jackets and thermal vests for outdoors: Since this is an indoor event, outdoor garments are not encouraged.
- Men’s Sleeveless T-shirts: A minimum level of formality is ensured by prohibiting sleeveless tops.
- Sportswear: This emphasizes the informal dress code, which is far from gym casual.
- Overly revealing or transparent clothing: To maintain respectful and classy interactions, choose garments that are not too revealing.
- Beachwear: Beach shorts, bikinis and similar apparel are not permitted in the casino.
- Thongs and bathing sandals: closed shoes contribute to the desired elegance, open shoes are undesirable.
- Work clothes: A casino visit is a leisure activity and therefore work clothes are not appropriate.
If these dress codes are not followed, there is a possibility that entry will be denied.
My clothes were apparently well chosen and so I could enter the casino.
What kind of games are offered at Holland Casion in Zandvoort?
A curved corridor leads into the heart of the casino. My first impression: lots of noises, lots of colorful light, buzz of voices and my first thought…what an unknown world.
In the stylish rooms of the casino, American roulette, punto banco, blackjack and poker can be played at the numerous tables. Every day from 15-03.00 croupier/dealers stand at the tables and wait for the players.
In addition, there is the possibility to try your luck at many slot machines. Daily from 12-03.00 o’clock the machines flash and flash invitingly. For example, slot machines, video slot machines, video poker, electronic bingo and roulette are offered.
For all games, of course, the corresponding stake in the form of game chips is required. There are notes on the tables and machines about how high the stake is. So first it’s off to the cashier to exchange money. We have contested our game evening with a try out package.
Try Out Package – what is that?
The “Try Out” package is designed to offer new visitors an easy introduction to the casino world. It offers the opportunity to try out different games without taking a big risk, and at the same time enjoy the amenities of the casino.
I received a try out package worth €25. I immediately opened the small cardboard box with curiosity and took a look at the contents.
The Holland Casino “Try Out” package included the following vouchers:
- Game credits:The package contains a game credit that can be used on the various games in the casino. In my package the game credit was 20,-€.
- Drink: Vouchers for a drink at the bar were also included. For this you could get soft drinks, a glass of wine or beer.
- Snack: In addition, there was also a voucher for a snack in the package.
- Game instructions: To help newcomers get started, QR codes are included in the package so that you can download the game instructions for individual games.
The vouchers for the game credits are exchanged at the cash desk. I received 3 game chips worth 5,-€ each and a voucher with a barcode worth 5,-€. You can’t exchange the received game credit back into money. Only if you win something, the exchange is possible (the game chips are visually different from the other chips).
Let’s play – the gamer’s night begins
So the evening could begin. But there was still a problem, not only I had no idea how to play blackjack or roulette. Yes, and the machines look great, but I had never operated anything like that.
We were lucky enough to be given a crash course in blackjack at an unoccupied table.
How to play blackjack?
Blackjack is a popular card game that is played a lot in Holland Casino. The goal of the game is to have a card value that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s card value. The important thing is that the value must not exceed 21. Blackjack is a game that requires a mixture of luck and strategy.
A super short explanation of the game:
- Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards at the beginning.
- Players’ cards are usually visible face up, while the dealer has one card face up and one face down.
- Number cards (2-10) count their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) count 10 points each.
- Aces can count for either 1 point or 11 points, whichever is more favorable for the course of the game.
- The main goal is to have a total card value that is higher than the dealer’s without going over 21 points.
- Alternatively, you win if you get exactly 21 points with your first two cards and the dealer does not.
- After the first two cards are dealt, each player has the choice of taking another card or staying with their current score.
- Players can take as many cards as they want as long as they don’t go over 21 points.
- After all players have made their moves, the dealer shows his face-down card.
- If you are closer to 21 points than the dealer, you win.
More detailed information can be found on the Website of the Holland Casinos.
With this information, I could have tried my luck at one of the tables. I chose the alternative and went to one of the video slots where you can play online for much less.
For this game I needed the voucher with the barcode, which was read by the machine. Then, as I had just learned, I could place my bet, get cards and play against the dealer.
I found it super exciting and with each subsequent game I understood more and tried to develop tactics. As in real life, of course, you win and lose in online blackjack. And so every now and then I caught myself thinking – one more round, then I’ll stop… I was able to stop and made 7,-€ out of a 5,-€ bet.
Moving on to roulette
Holding the winnings tightly in my hand, I went to a roulette table. I remembered that I used to have a roulette game when I was a kid and we always played according to our rules. Some of them were even “real” rules, others we made to fit us back then.
I had to make some room for myself, the big gentlemen in the front row were reluctant to let me pass. At this table, you place your bets with chips. So I had three chances with my three chips.
On a blackboard you can see which numbers have fallen in the last throws. Some people believe that with a little probability calculation you can predict which number will fall. Between you and me, I haven’t seen anyone at the table win with a number. My first guess – black. Just for starters. And what happened … black! I had already doubled my bet. The 5€ chip I won immediately went into the “winning hand” and the chip moved to a new field.
Only when all three chips of my try out package were gambled away, I stopped betting. I had won 20,-€ at the roulette.
With the chips and the playing card of the slot machine I went to the cashier. There I really got paid 27, – €.
Restaurant Holland Casino
In the casino there is a possibility of excellent food. It is recommended to book a table in advance.
My tip, enjoy the food before playing. While playing, you quickly forget the time and suddenly the kitchen is closed.
The food is very diverse and varied. I was pleased with an extra salad (thanks to the kitchen) and enjoyed a dreamlike tiramisu at the end. A cocktail was then the stylish start for the evening at the Holland Casino.
Address:
Holland Casino Zandvoort
Badhuisplein 7
2042 JB Zandvoort, Holland
The visit to Holland Casino was an item on the agenda of a press trip with Visit Zandvoort.
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