I'm rating the Horseshoe in Bossier City 4 because I reserve the top rating for Caesar's Palace in Vegas. I visit this casino on the average of once every six weeks to 2 months.

Rooms - very spacious and comfortable. Top quality matresses and bedding. The suites have 3 TV's and a refridgerator. They also have a nice sitting area for entertaining, although it is built together with the sleeping area. The "Gold" suites include a Jaccuzi tub.

Casino - crowded and noisy on weekend nights. The casino is much more comfortable in the wee hours and on week days. They have a wide range of table limits and slot denominations from 1 cent to 100 dollars.

Comps - Horseshoe is different from the other Total Rewards properties. They don't give bonus points and they don't participate in the Great Gift Wrap-up like Vegas. They do give you cash back on the spot, so make sure you go by the Total Rewards desk on the way out - you'll always have gas money! Food and room comps are also handled differently. They are fair and open about their comps, it's just a little different than the other Total Rewards properties in that you get the cash back on the spot rather than in the mail (but the Horseshoe also sends vouchers in the mail). Every weekend features some tournament and/or give away and they have a drawing for a car about every other weekend.

Dining - Binnion's Steakhouse is among the best. Service is top notch and the prime rib is just right. The buffet is average - nothing special, but plenty of choices. The Cafe is a craps shoot - sometimes the service is great, sometimes it's not and I've been there when the cleaning crew needed to be called out - the food is usually what you would expect. They also have an Asian resturant I have not tried.

Security - Very good. Security at the entrance to the hotel elevators at night and plenty of security in the casino, including EMT/Security personnel.

Casino Hosts - I have hosts at all of the Harrah's properties in Vegas and in several others scattered around the country. My host at Bossier City is the best of them all. She has yet to deny a request and usually does better than expected. In April 2007 she came up with front row seats for my parents at a Kenny Rogers concert .

Entertainment - Live band most nights at an open bar near the resturants. Weekends often feature big name older country and 70's bands (Willie Nelson, etc.). The patrons of the concerts I have attended in the River Dome are well behaved. Security is evident and people are kept in their seats until the last number, when people are allowed to approach the stage.

The Caste System - everyone can earn a comp based on play. It's easier to earn comps playing the machines than the table games. The Diamond lounge is not nearly as good as those in Vegas. There is also a lounge open to everyone off of the high limits room upstairs. There are Diamond and 7 Stars lines for the casino cages and the Total Rewards areas. Those people who don't like that, might consider a little loyalty to a place in order to earn preferential treatment. There is a 7 Stars self-parking area very near the front door to the hotel. Diamond members can expect a room comp for just about anytime - with 2 or 3 weekend days blocked out per month. 7 Stars members can always get a room comped. In addition to comps earned as you play, the Diamond members get about $100 in food credit per month and 7 Stars members get about $150 per month - spend it at the steakhouse.