Way to Russia Talk Lounge

JahRomo · Just Starting Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

I will be traveling to Moscow next month to explore possibility of a job. The company has offered to allow me to stay some extra time on their nickel to explore. Looks like I will have one week total, with two days of interviews.

I am not really into the arts and such, nor am I necessarily a bar hound. That being said I am looking for somewhere that plays darts. Wouldn't mind getting in a few games with locals.

Also interested in which casinos would be the best for a few hours of poker.

Of course I want to check more than just a dart bar and casino, but those are things you don't want to waste your in town time searching for.

Thanks
Jah

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

I could not imagine anyone spending a week in the beautiful and exciting city of Moscow spending their time playing darts and gambling.
I know there's a casino there because I've seen it, but can't help you with the dart game....maybe you could do a google search on dart games in Moscow and maybe someone on WTR can point you in the direction of the dart games.
Enjoy your visit to Moscow...

Tuller

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 520

Bleachers has darts:

http://www.waytorussia.net/Moscow/PubsBars.html

And there was a casino right above it last time I was there. Has that gambling ban come into effect yet?

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 611 Location: Moscow

This will surely be a conservative point of view and of course there are other perspectives....

Gambling in 'kazinos' here is different than what you are probably used to. Just for starters you have to pay to get in, I think the fee at many of the more prominent casinos is $50 and up. They give you back part of the entry fee in chips. But it's not free to walk in and play.

In Moscow there are dress codes. You will need to be at least nice/casual to get in the door. Tee shirts, tennis shoes, jeans and shorts are not ok. There are door goons who will turn you away if they don't like your look, no matter how much money you've got.

And finally there is the little issue of organized crime. All casinos here are run by some really ugly mafia, no matter how high end the casino looks. Russian mafia, Chechen mafia, whatever. It's a very nasty business. It is also part and parcel of a huge business in prostitution. Prostitution, human trafficking, and gambling are all the same business here. It is all run in a brutal criminal underworld system. Consider whether you want to be a part of that.

There are beautiful parks and places to go here, especially in the summer, without entering the rancid world of Russian organized crime.

JahRomo · Just Starting Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks Greg....actually had bleachers on a google search. Problem with those searches is (at least when it comes to darts) is they often are out of date. I spent 3 nights in Manilla just going to places that were listed but ended up with no boards or players. So I usually like to do some checking beforehand. Saves a lot of time.

Any feedback on a place named Marco Polo?

Appreciate the "advice" on the gambling. I realize it is a beutiful city and there is plenty to do, so please don't judge me on asking a simple question on how to kill a couple hours one or two nights.