As someone who loves playing casino games, I’ve always been fascinated by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel, “The Gambler.”
Yes, it’s fiction, but much of what happened in that book was inspired by the author’s experience with the highs and lows of gambling. As someone who also enjoys gambling, it’s one of the stories that kept me grounded and even responsible.
Since the story is heavily inspired by Dostoevsky’s experience in places like Baden-Baden, I just had to go there. It became sort of a life mission to experience gambling at the Baden-Baden German casino, and the time has finally come.
So, join me as I explore what Baden Baden is all about.
My First Impressions of Baden Baden
As soon as I got to Baden Baden, I understood why their tagline was “the good-good life.” I felt it was exactly what they were offering. It’s a walkable city with classic architecture, rich greenery, and warm weather – at least during my visit.
When visiting, I could feel how touristy this spot truly is – the streets are filled with visitors, families, or solo travelers. While walking around, I always wondered who was a tourist and who was not, and I noticed that locals didn’t look like they were soaking up the whole experience.
They’re either resting on a bench or enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant’s al fresco. They also seem friendly and chill, probably because they do have that good-good life.
Since arriving in the afternoon, I didn’t do much on my first day. I just walked around and browsed the shops. I’ve seen plenty of trinket shops in the area, but they also have posh places like Wagener and luxury stores like Longchamp and Hermès.
City and Casino Guided Tour
Baden Baden Casino itself offers a tour of the casino, and you can email or call them for this. However, I was interested in seeing both the city and having a deeper understanding of the casino’s history and architecture.
I decided to look outside the website to see if there are any tours available that cover both, and there are! I booked an English tour for €173 by Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus.
That alone was a splurge, but I was excited to see Baden-Baden as soon as I saw some photos online while trying to book the tour. I didn’t mind spending as much because the casino itself was already screaming luxury. I might as well go all out for this trip.
The tour I booked was for 10:30 AM, and I was at the meeting place near the Tourist Information Center an hour early. I didn’t mind because I wanted to explore and walk around the area before the tour started.
The city tour only took about an hour and a half. The tour guide mostly focused on historical landmarks, like the magnificent Belle Epoque building, which was once a spa and casino.
We also visited the Trinkhalle (Pump Room), which has interesting frescoes that illustrate local legends and myths. If I weren’t on a guided tour, I could spend a few hours just enjoying coffee and a book in this place.
Casino Baden-Baden Dress Code
After a few more buildings and walking around, we finally ended up at the casino. At some point during the city tour, I got nervous about my attire because I thought we had to wear formal clothing when entering the casino.
Thankfully, the tour guide clarified that there is no dress code to follow if you’re visiting the casino for a tour or just viewing in the morning. However, if you want to play at the casino at night (which I will), you must change into formal attire as part of the Baden-Baden casino dress code.
Women are required to wear something elegant, like cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Men should wear dark suits, tuxedos, or sports jackets. But if, for some reason, you forgot to bring any of that, they’ll offer men to rent a sports jacket for €10.
Casino Baden-Baden Tour
The Baden Baden casino Germany tour went on, and we were guided through the opulent halls and rooms of the casino. It was exactly what I imagined it to be: palace-like. It’s a classical-style spa palace modeled on ancient Roman buildings, so it’s pure posh.
There were plenty of massive chandeliers and intricate moldings. Gold was everywhere, a common theme since the casino doors had gold details. I can’t help but wonder how much work went into making everything look so picture-perfect.
The inside is not just a casino, too, since there’s a concert hall and The Grill restaurant. The tour guide mentioned that plenty of popular artists have performed in the concert hall, including Johannes Brahms, Jenny Lind, and modern singers like Calum Scott.
Games I Played at Baden-Baden Casino
The casino tour gave me an idea of how I should be spending my evening there. I went home excited and got ready to dress up. The casino looked more elegant when I arrived in the afternoon, especially with the classical music. I only presented an ID at the entrance and the admission fee of €5 to join the tables.
I went to the slots room first because they still offer old-school machines – yes, those with the classic lever or one-armed bandits. Many modern casinos no longer have them, so I had to enjoy them. I didn’t even care if I didn’t win because the nostalgia was already fun.
Later, I headed to the tables and started with a few rounds of roulette. I guess I got lucky since there was an available table. I had some decent wins, and eventually, I went to a blackjack table.
For blackjack, the minimum bet is €5, while the maximum is €1,000 on Sundays to Thursdays, and there will only be three tables. More tables will be available on the weekend, Friday, and Saturday, and some of those tables have higher stakes since the minimum bet is €10.
They also follow a schedule for poker games. They have Texas Hold’em No Limit and Ultimate Poker. Texas Hold’em is only available from Sundays to Thursdays, and there are only limited tables, so it’s best to reserve your spot as soon as you get to the casino.
Is It the Best Casino in Germany?
Did I get lucky? I can say so, but I didn’t exactly win big. I didn’t get to play much in the first place because of the limited tables. At the very least, I had decent wins with their slot machines.
However, I was in Casino Baden-Baden, and I didn’t care much about winning. It would have been nice, for sure, but ultimately, I came there for the experience.
I thought of Dostoevsky countless times. It was surreal to explore a city where he had been and play in the very casino where he struggled with losses. If you love visiting luxurious casinos, the one in Baden-Baden is indeed one of the best.
Baden Baden Casino, Germany – FAQs
Are There Other Casinos in Germany Like Baden-Baden?
Yes, there are more German casinos you can visit, like Casino Berlin, Casino Duisburg, and Spielbank Bad Homburg, but there’s nothing like the grandeur and elegance of Casino Baden-Baden. Some would say nothing in Dubai would even compare to it.
What’s the Baden-Baden Casino Dress Code?
If you’re planning on hitting the casino tables at Baden-Baden, you need to wear formal attire. However, the dress code in the slot machines area is more relaxed, but it’s still recommended to wear casual, smart clothes.
Can I Take Photos Inside the Casino?
Photos are not allowed inside the gaming rooms, but you are welcome to take pictures in the other areas of the casino.