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Potowatomie: Fail

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Polemarch28, Jun 27, 2012.

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  1. Polemarch28

    Polemarch28 Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Took a trip to Potowatomie last night. This is a decently-sized casino in downtown Milwaukee - was in town with my girlfriend last night, looking for some after-dinner gambling. We've been here together a number of times, but I've never given them any reasonable action.

    Walked in and asked a pit boss for the location of the high limit room. This is apparently a state secret, and after checking my account (to confirm I am somewhat of a known player, I suppose), I was personally walked to the elevator and checked into their high limit area.

    This was all well and good, until I discovered that it was not really a high-limit area. It was more of a players' lounge for their higher tier in the rewards program, and it happened to have some blackjack tables. The only perk of playing in here was the fact they dealt true double-deck pitch, except the rules of the game were pretty awful, and thus negated any advantage to the experience. Hit soft 17, can't resplit anything, only double on 10 and 11. Sigh.

    Blackjack:

    The table had a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $500. So not even high limit. I plopped down $2,400, and started to go on a very nice run. Since my initial was $200, I very quickly hit the table max, and asked to have it raised. Raising the limits required several calls from the pit to some decision maker somewhere. They again had to decide if I was a legitimate player (and would not hit and run on them). After waiting for a couple more shuffles, they finally approved a grudging increase to $50 - $1,000. I was up a sizable amount at that point (stack up to $7,000), so I welcomed the increase, but at this point the heat was over. Fairly rapidly, I gave it all back.

    Overall summary of high-limit area: It wasn't really a high limit area, it didn't really have good games, and it was a hassle to get to. I don't know why anyone would bother.

    Roulette:

    Went downstairs and decided to play some roulette. I went to an empty table, and noticed the limits were at $10. I asked if they would raise it for me to $100, since I didn't want to mix it up with randoms betting $1 chips. The table didn't have a chip stacker, so I really didn't want to wait for long, drawnout payouts, and have people crawling on me. Eventually, they agreed to raise it to $25 (woo), but I went ahead and played anyway.

    Popped down $2,500, got a mix of black and green. I typically play the same numbers (4, 10, 12, 17, 19, 20, 29, 31), and this time, I started with $25/number. First 7 or 8 rolls were duds, but eventually I hit two out of three, and was back in the game. Played for a while longer and slowly got out of the hole. Eventually pressed to $50/number, and added the 1 for good measure (now at $450/spin). Up and down for a long time, but gradually built a nice stack. Played the outside thirds a little too.

    Everything was going fine. Toked the dealer $25 bet on a third every time one of my inside bets hit. A couple of his bets hit, so he got to keep $150 for the crew. Everyone was having a nice time. Until...

    I decided to switch to an outside bet and threw $500 on the first third (1-12). The dealer went ahead and spun, and a few seconds later, he had a funny look on his face. Turned around to the supervisor and floorman behind him (who apparently sweat the money at this level), and one of them gave him what appeared to be a nod. He looked back at me, then looked at the wheel, and it hit 12. $1,000 payday for me right?

    No. Because apparently, the table max for outside bets is a total payout of $500. So the max bet for a third would be $250 (since it pays 2 to 1). They decided after the fact to not accept the bet, and only paid me $500 for my win.

    I was livid. Had they said something, anything, before the ball dropped, I would have been totally fine with it. But they waited until after I won to inform me that my bet was invalid, and that I would only be paid short. The mood changed on a dime - I angrily yelled at the pit boss and floorman, stated my case, and when it became clear they would not reconsider their position, I dismissively asked them to color me up.

    Except....they don't have purple chips at this table. Nothing over a black. Seriously. The table max was $100 any way to the number, which would translate to a $3,500 payout - but they don't have purples. The floorman actually thought I should just walk my 50 black chips to the cage. He didn't even initially seem to realize I would need a rack for that, but eventually brought me one. Pathetic.

    And what's with the table limits? You're content to let me bet around $500 a spin inside for an hour, but you sweat the money to such an extent that you can't handle a $500 bet outside? You're fine with paying me $1,750 over and over on inside hits, but $1,000 is too much heat? Idiotic.

    So, I walked my $5,000 to the cage and cashed out. While they were counting up my money, I asked them for a strap (i.e. a paper band that says $5,000). I was told that they can't give me one. It's against their policy. I told them it didn't need to say $5,000 - I just wanted the paper band. They offered me a rubber band. My literal words were "so, you're telling me you will get fired if you give me a worthless little scrap of paper?" And the response was "yes".

    Summary:

    Clearly, this is an establishment that is incapable of handling anything beyond red action with a dash of green. I'm surprised they even bother with table games at all.
     
  2. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I have a couple friends that are Floor Supervisors there, and yes, they sweat everything. Being the only "real" casino in 100 miles in any direction, they clearly play the role of being the only game in town.
     
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  3. sbcfrank

    sbcfrank Newbie

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    perfect timing

    how appropriate I saw this thead today. I'm a long time member who never had a reason to post. This morning I was banned at potowatomi and walked out by security. My Crime? Using my brother's player card and getting caught hitting a taxable jackpot. According to head of security, I am commiting fraud by using his card. I only use his card after I have put in 25000 points/month which is $100000 coin in. I usually play $20-60/hand vp. This is the 2nd time I was caught. They are sweating the $20 free play he has been getting based on my play. Really? It's $20!

    Oh well. I go vegas once a month and Horseshoe in Indiana frequently so it's Potowatomi's loss.

    Have to agree. The solstice lounge is nothing to brag about. average food and crappy dd bj. The 6 deck shoe game looks playable. Haven't played bj in years since I started playing vp 10 yrs ago.

    I was told the ban committee will review my crime- case- and send me a letter within a few weeks letting me know if I am officially banned or not. Bye-bye poto!
     
  4. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Hmm. maybe all the new casinos they want to put in Illinois will have a customer base to draw from after all.
     
  5. Polemarch28

    Polemarch28 Tourist

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    I can't really blame them for stopping you from using someone else's card - you'd be racking up points for a different member, so it is technically a type of fraud.

    That being said, it's a bad business decision on their part to ban someone who provides that level of action, for what is essentially a petty offense. If I were them, I would instead provide whatever status/benefits you were trying to get for your friend, and simply ask you never to do that again. Because there would really be no incentive.

    Moving on-

    Pot. is a large enough casino that I wouldn't understand why they would sweat the action at my level. Purple action won't break them. Now if we're talking $25,000 bets, okay sweat it. It's not Vegas. But my type of betting should be too low for them to worry about.

    And since I live in the Chicago area, I do have many alternatives.
     
  6. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Potawatami is 35 miles from my house.

    My options are go there or not gamble until I'm in Vegas.

    Vegas wins every time.:thumbsup: The place just has the wrong vibe everywhere.:nono:

    I don't think adding a 380 room hotel is going to help.
     
  7. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

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    i'll take the hotel, gives me another option when I stay in the downtown area
     
  8. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I think that hotel is going to attract baseball game business and convention business.
     
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  9. NickPapageorgio

    NickPapageorgio OG of the Sal Sagev Hotel

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    Honestly, you are surprised by this? It is what it is, man. It ain't the Bellagio.

    Nick:beer:
     
  10. jpete1966

    jpete1966 Tourist

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    :haha::haha: Great read. This is my local casino and words can't even describe how much I hate it. I don't go that often but when I do I always walk thru the door and immediately think "Why did I come here?" I normally try to win a little and leave. Casinos like this in Wisconsin are the reason I always fly to Las Vegas, Denver, St. Louis etc... It's funny since I get a lot of grief because I'm "always gambling" by taking trips out of state but in reality I only go 5 or 6 times a year and it's mainly because of Potowatomi. What I wouldn't give to have a local Caesar's or MGM property to rack up useful comps and tier levels.

    The only positive at this place are the nachos at the fire pit sports bar & grill. I highly reccomend for anyone that finds themselves at this casino.

    It's funny you mention the purple chips there. I was playing baccarat a month or two ago and when I cashed out they gave my a $1,000 chip. I just kind of looked at it for a few minutes. I couldn't believe that Potowatomi actually had a $1,000 chip. That was the one and only time I've seen them.
     
  11. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    The Blackjack Burger, too (cajun blackened 1/2# burger w/ red peppers and cole slaw on a ciabatta bun).

    Too bad the Fire Pit is closed for remodeling with the seating moving to the vacant Woodlands Room across from the OTB. Unfortunately, they have a really limited menu and it does not include the Blackjack Burger.
     
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  12. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Thanks for the heads-up. Coming up from northern Illinois to do a pick-up and drop-off at the Milwaukee airport on two separate days in July. The Potowatomie was going to be a pit stop with some gambling thrown in. Don't think so now.
    Do think I'll check out Summerfest on Wednesday. It will be first time since late 70s for me.
     
  13. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Bring a fat wallet for SF.
     
  14. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Joe,
    As a 54-year old non-drinking type, is it worth it for me to check it out?
     
  15. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    If you like music and food, it is definitely worth checking out.
    Parking will run you $10 and admission is another $9-16 depending on the time, but people watching alone is worth it. Speaking as an almost 60 year old, I would never go at night, but we usually go at least once every year during the day.
    My biggest complaint is if there is a headline performer on one of the many side stages that you want to see, you have to get there hours before the gig starts in order to get a seat.
    EDIT: I don't know if the Milwaukee Journal Sunday edition is available near you, but they have a BOGO in today's paper. Noon-3PM on Wednesday only. Two for $9
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2012
  16. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I am not a "Get off my lawn" person when it comes to Summerfest. A tourist gem? Sure. I big drunk for local young adults? Yup. A marketing goldmine for everybody involved? Uh-huh. But its not for me.

    Last year, Meat Loaf was on a side stage on opening night for a 9:30 PM show. My wife and I got there at 6:30 and the venue already was half full. We did manage to get in the fourth row, but then had to sit there for three hours watching a horrible cover band before Meat Loaf took the stage. The only bit of the festival that I got was the two beer runs I made.

    The concert was great, so in that context, I am glad I went. But I still don't quite get the whole fascination with walking around all day on a 90+degree day with 100K other people listening to (mostly awful) cover bands and paying market prices for food and beer. After a couple of hours, I'd be hot, miserable, tired, bored and $100 poorer.
     
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  17. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    C'mon mjames, you're sounding like an old fart!:peace:

    I still like going to Summerfest, at least once a year. The same for State Fair, although I admit I like State Fair much more. I also admit we would never pay full price to get into Summerfest. We go only when it's free or like on the 4th, with the BOGO.

    It also holds a little sentimental value for me. My brother was the technical director when the fest started and was held in tents on the War Memorial grounds, before it moved to the current site. He did that job for 7 years and hired me. I worked there for 3 years in the off season painting the trash barrels, painting old barracks, a bit of everything.

    Trivia: The current grounds were an old NIKE Air Force site and the main drag down the center was a runway back then. There were barracks, motorpool misc other buildings and we could still go down into the missile silos that were underground, but mostly flooded by then. All of those buildings are gone and the missile silos were filled in, but it is still cool to remember crap like that.

    Those missiles were going to protect us from the missile attach coming in from Lake Michigan!:evillaugh
     
  18. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    mjames,
    I think you just talked me out of going. My thinking was kinda leaning that way and you pretty much verified what my experience would likely have entailed.
     
  19. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    Nothing like putting the weight of the world on my shoulders... :blink:
     
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  20. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

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    I'll be at Summerfest on Thursday, probably paying full price (gasp!) and everything :thumbsup: Ever since they removed Bo Black as director the crowds are alot less than say 10-15 years ago
     
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