Southern Indiana (and thereabouts) Casinos

I got a call from the wife of my oldest friend tonight wanting me to travel up to Indianapolis for a surprise birthday party for my buddy. Sadly, the party is the weekend I had planned on hitting Vegas. But I love the guy to death and haven't seen him in ages, so I can't flake out (despite the fact that I loathe his wife...yes, I am an awful person - never claimed otherwise).

But I figure I can still get my gambling fix by bookending the trip with a few nights at one of the joints in the Louisville or Cincinnati areas.

So, my question to our Midwest VMB degenerates is...which one? Which casino in that neck of the woods has the best casino+hotel+restaurants package? All casinos in the SE portion of Indiana, and Cincy, are fair game.

Thanks!

 

I've only been to one. Horseshoe S. Indiana, and it's alright, but really out in the middle of nowhere. And also thanks to an engineering issue the hotel is significantly far from the casino. The property used to be a Caesars, and the pool is indoors, still has the Caesars fixtures, and is quite nice. If you are a non-smoker, I probably look into Horseshoe Cincy. Ohio bans smoking in casinos. Either state you have to pay for drinks.

 

I go to the horseshoe once a month. I really like it.

 

As a non-smoking Libertarian, I don't know whether this makes me more or less likely to go that route!

Any decent beer at Horseshoe, Tring? I've been there a few times, but both times were long ago (once when it was still Caesars).

 

LEGENDS always has some decent beer on tap. They had Fat Tire a week ago.

 

Thanks. Anything good in the casino?

 

Unfortunately I didn't make a huge effort to find out back then. Price tags tend to make me drink less at casinos... annoying midwest. I think I paid $4.50 for a damn Budweiser at some point at S. Indiana. Also the fact that Cincy is "newer" makes me think beer selection might be better. But that's pure guess/speculation. Cleveland has a "TAG lounge" actually...but only 30 beers...for purchase of course...lol

And totally understand the Libertarian thing, but just smell your clothes when you leave Horseshoe Cincy! You won't regret that! Hell, that law is the ONLY thing I like about Illinois casinos. :evillaugh

Either Horseshoe will offer 100X odds on craps if putting big odds on pass line bets appeal to you.

Also more Indiana casinos near Cincy too to check out. Also you can stop by Indiana Grand racino in Shelbyville on the way from Indy to Cincy. But, Indiana Grand only has e-table games only if that bugs you.

I had this local IPA there that was pretty good. Daredevil Liftoff IPA. It's at their restaurant/pub/OTB area.

 

I am intimately familiar with both. Horseshat Cincy is gonna have nicer new casino, higher limits on weekend, but a pretty awesome central bar and better restaurants.
Its non smoking and on one level, and the clientele are a little nicer. No hotel attached to the property which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Horseshat SI is smokey, spread across multiple floors, meager restaurants (except for Legends), and the majority of clientele shall we say could be extras on Green Acres or Breaking Bad.
I liked SI back when it was Caesars SI, the move to Horseshat was a major downgrade for the property. I will say that good VP and low table limits are available depending on the time of day,
they also added a faux nightclub on the second deck which brings out the eyecandy on weekends.

Neither is a Vegas substitute. BTW you know you have Indiana Grand nearby in Indy.

http://indianagrand.com/

 

Lmao @ Horseshat.....#FunnyCuzItsTrue

 

Thanks for the info.

@Funkhouser - I forgot about Indiana Grand. Last time I was up that way it was just being announced. I thought it was just a slot parlor though. Are there any table games or VP? I'm perfectly capable of donking off plenty on the "good" games...last think I need is to get a slot addiction as well. (Edit: just re-read Tinglomane's post...guess no live tables.)


How about Belterra or the Hollywood place across the river from Cincy? Anyone been to either of those joints lately?

 

My biggest Blackjack win was at Belterra back in 2011. I havent been there since but I thought it was nicer than the Horseshoe at the time.

 

I really dislike Horseshoe Southern Indiana. It's like a seven mile walk from the parking garage to the casino. The casino feels extremely cramped and smokey. It's a very dated property overall. Horseshoe Hammond on the other hand, now that's my joint.

 

Without question, I would go here.... http://www.frenchlick.com/ and maybe stay at the resort or it's sister property.... http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/westBaden/

2 hrs from Indy and 1 hr from Louisville

 

I second that, if you are going to make the Trek Baden springs hotel is really nice along with French Lick resort. The golf is great too!

 

Yeah no live tables unfortunately at Indiana Grand (probably Hoosier Park as well). Guessing that's a state law issue. Decent amount of people playing the e-tables. I didn't get a chance to double check rules though. I'd assume standard Midwest rules in a pinch (6d, H17, no surrender ~0.65%)

VP was surprisingly decent though considering there is no major competition. I was there just one month ago, and 9/5 JoB (98.45%) everywhere for quarters thru dollars. And 9/6 JoB at the $5 level (99.52% as a SF pays $1195 instead of $1250).

Also their Double STP machine for dollars had 9/6 DDB (98.98%; 99.48% w/DSTP). It's a 3 play, but you can play one line and bet 5 (7 w/Double STP).

It was built in 2009, so the place also looks pretty nice, imo. It only trails Horseshoe Hammond in state revenue, so they're doing pretty well.