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Hollywood Casino Columbus, OH.

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by captainron62, Dec 26, 2012.

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  1. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    The girlfriend and I made a Christmas Night trip to the recently opened Hollywood Casino located in Columbus, OH.

    We arrived about 730pm or so, it turned out to be a 45 min drive from our home. First impression when you pull up, the Casino is big, no hotel yet, but the Casino itself appears pretty large. The property is landscaped nicely and appears well thought out. Entrance was a breeze, we used the valet for $5.

    Upon entry we signed up for the player card and received a $5 promo slot play. A quick tour of the Casino revealed a surprising "Vegas vibe". The slots are all new and modern and the place was really clean and well designed. Didnt at all feel like a cheesy local joint, felt like a Station Casino, nicely done but obviously not Bellagio over the top or anything like that.

    We decided to have a drink at the bar in the center of the Casino, its an Ohio State Buckeye themed round bar. I ordered a Columbus IPA draft beer and a chardonnay for the lady, $9. The bartender served the drinks and then apologized for serving in plastic cups, said Casino policy no glass on the Casino floor. The part of the bar we were sitting at was considered "the floor", however about 3 feet away from us the floor was elevated a couple feet and roped off and was not considered "the floor" I did not immediately notice, but later noticed I was getting served in 12oz. plastic cups, while the folks in the roped off section were drinkin out of 16oz glass.

    I put a hundo into the VP paying 9/5 and began to fire it up looking for the 4OAK. I noticed on the machine a Royal would pay about $5400. I remember thinking that would be a nice Christmas payout. I got quite a bit of play out of my hundo, put managed nothing more exciting than a few 3OAK before my money ran out. We ordered another round and the GF went off to the restroom, I put another $20 in and had a few nice hits including a full house. Played that $20 up to $80 before it ran out. I put another $50 in and again had a lot of play before zeroing out.

    We then hit the Casino floor, first observation the tables were pretty well jam packed, the Casino was not at all, but the tables were jammed. We decided to dump another hundo into some random slots, played it down to $55 without any decent hits before cashing out. Walking around the Casino the GF asks whats up with the "High Limit room", I say come on, I will show you. I put the $55 ticket in a Wheel of Fortune machine and max bet at $15 a spin, on the third spin the maching lights up for a $515 hit!! We cashed out and went back to the bar!! That hit put me up about $345 and that was good enough for me!!

    We went back to the bar and sat in the roped off area and ordered another round, we chatted with two cocktail waitresses that we knew from their prior bartending jobs near where we live. I began to talk to a younger fellow next to me, seemed to be a nice guy, kinda odd, said he didnt gamble because he "didnt have to". I told him I didnt "have to" gamble, but kinda enjoyed it. HAHA.

    I slightly noticed a kid all gangstered out a few chairs down, he was with a girl and another guy, I wasnt really paying attention. I girlfriend went to the restroom and I was just at the bar people watching. The gang guy came up to me and asked what I was doing and what I was watching, I said just people watching and he went onto say he didnt like the place, the music, the people, blah blah blah. I told him I actually did and was enjoying the night, he seemed kind of offended that I didnt agree. The GF came back and was getting pretty nervous that I was even talking to the guy. He didnt say anything out of line, but there was an oddly tense vibe coming from him, kinda like he was checking us out. We were dressed pretty nicely, I was wearing a nice watch and I think he was looking for an easy mark. My GF gave me quite the lecture on the way home about even talking to him and how stupid a thing that was to even do. I didnt see it as a big deal at the time, but I guess it was pretty odd.

    We left shortly after that. In summary, we enjoyed out trip, they have a nice selection of craft beer at the center bar and prices are about what would be expected. I didnt try any table games, but would like to in the future. This trip I just enjoyed a few drinks and showing the GF a little about gambling before our Feb. Vegas trip. Hopefully a buffet coupon will be heading our way and I can check out the food which I have been told by friends is really good.

    :beer:
     
  2. habs0nut

    habs0nut VIP Whale

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    The thought of hitting a casino last night crossed my mind as well as we were having a pretty quiet Christmas. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I wanted to play craps and that meant an hour drive to Niagara.

    Congrats on the WOF hit!
     
  3. wormhole

    wormhole VIP Whale

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    I was there earlier this month and noticed the same thing about the table games. They were crowded, even at the $15 and $25 minimums they all were set at. Too rich for my bankroll. I can't speak about the bars because I don't drink. I did manage to hold my own on the slots, but like to play the table games, too, but won't be going back unless they drop some of the table minimums down to the $5 and $10 level.

    The facility is nice and only about a 1 hour drive from my house.
     
  4. NeonTurtle14

    NeonTurtle14 I Run the Vegas Hotdog Stand

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    I've went a few times now... I really like the action in the poker room. Most rooms have a set max buy-in at the tables - for example, at the $1/$2 No Limit game most rooms have a $200 or $300 max buy in. In their room, the max buy-in at any poker game/table is the max stack at the table... so if you sit down at a $1/$2 No Limit game, and someone sitting at that table has $1500 some how, that's your max buy-in. Huge pots, lots of action and money moving around in there. Can't wait to play it again.

    As far as the rest of the casino, I'd rather play/drink/eat at Hollywood Toledo, which looks almost identical to Columbus, but with far less people and much lower table limits. While the poker is better in Columbus, everything else to me is better in Toledo (can't believe I'm saying that).

    In a few months of play at Toledo plus the few times I've been in Columbus, I've gotten my Marquee Rewards card up to the Producer (red) level. Wonder if that translates into anything in Vegas - wasn't sure if they even had any affiliated Vegas resorts.
     
  5. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    In a few months of play at Toledo plus the few times I've been in Columbus, I've gotten my Marquee Rewards card up to the Producer (red) level. Wonder if that translates into anything in Vegas - wasn't sure if they even had any affiliated Vegas resorts.[/QUOTE]

    It says on the website that COMPS can only be used at their properties with "Hollywood Casino" in the name, such as Toledo. I checked the corporate website and it lists "M" resort in LV as one of their properties. Too bad you can take advantage of that relationship!
     
  6. NeonTurtle14

    NeonTurtle14 I Run the Vegas Hotdog Stand

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    I much prefer the Hollywood casinos to the one 30 minutes from me downtown Cleveland (Horseshoe / Caesars). They did a pretty poor job planning that. The multiple floors thing just makes every floor look small and cramped. Non-attached parking in the midwest winter was a terrible decision.

    The Final Cut restaurant at the Hollywoods is really good... I've had steak and seafood here, ordered higher-end liquor (Johnnie Walker Blue), and have always gotten great food and service. I recommend this place if you don't mind spending a little on dinner (or if you hit the high limit slot on the first pull :) ).

    Ron you look familiar... have we run into each other in the past, on another chat board? Perhaps a non-Vegas one where your work occupation is/was discussed?
     
  7. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    I think we may try the restaurant as early as this weekend. I have heard from a buddy of mine that the food is "Vegas quality", his words, not mine. Hes a good source though.

    You do look a bit familiar, not where from though?? I have not really been on any job type boards. I am on a bowhunting board from time to time, but havent even done that in a year or so.
     
  8. bratkar

    bratkar Low-Roller

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    In defense of Horseshoe Cleveland, (not that I am much of a fan either) Cleveland wouldn't allow a walkover to be built, because of the historical building (stupid!!!), But I also heard they are running shuttles?. I work just down the street and I dont even visit as much as I thought I would. Found out that I'd much rather save up and go some place I can relax and have a good time. I just cant seem to find that vibe there.

    And this is only the temp building of the Cleveland Casino (so they say). Sometime in the future they are building a new one in what was the flats.... (I'll believe it when it happens)
     
  9. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Nice report.

    Working at Hollywood Columbus, its nice to see the reviews being positive. I am not allowed to play there but agree the tables are set too high, but they run with supply and demand and right now, as you can tell, usually they are full. We are told they may go down after Presidents day, but we will see, Toledo waited about 6 months before lowering their tables.

    As for the M Resort, Penn just aquired that a year or two ago and they are still working on getting the players cards linked, as I posted elseware, I get my dads mail since he passed away and his latest mailing from Hollywood Lawrenceburg (he passed before Columbus opened) is for some M resort comps (see images attached) which I found to be a pleasent suprise considering he passed in April and I think he had not been to Hollywood since Jan or Feb.

    As for the gangsta guy, we get tons of them, most of them play at the craps tables over by the gift shop, they are annoying but we deal with them and if they cause issues, we remove them from the property. If you are there and are ever concerend see security (gold jackets, thats my department until I can tranfter to be a dealer, which I am doing for more money only) and we will address the situation very quickly, most of the gangsta guys have leanred we are a force that wont play around and we have full support of the Columbus Police, which we have several on staff 12 hours a day in uniform.
     

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  10. tara

    tara Low-Roller

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    I had to comment after your gangster run in. I live 10 minutes from Hollywood Columbus and we go several times a week when I get off work, late night. My friend Matt summed it up the best, walking into that place that time of night (and quite a bit during the day), you see all of the Columbus underground money. The drug dealers, strippers, pimps and ho's. It always cracks me up.

    While I do think the table limits are a bit high, I'd rather see it stay $15 or $25 tables than $5 ones. There's enough trash on the west side of Columbus, they don't need to be in there ruining the place for the people who can afford to appreciate it.

    As for Final Cut, we went the first week the casino was open and it was a horrible experience. I'm hoping they've gotten their crap together because the only good thing about the steakhouse was the martini's. Burnt steaks and cold sides. I could go to Applebee's for 1/4 the price and get the same quality. The manager comped our meals, but it was a major letdown that we waited over an hour for food and ended up leaving hungry and more than a little drunk. I'm hoping to try it again in the future, but for now I'll stick to one of the many other excellent steakhouses in town.
     
  11. Buckeye Bob

    Buckeye Bob Low-Roller

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    I have been there twice now on my visits to Columbus. Agree with everything being said although the nights I have been there I have not noticed any issues with the people. Thought it had a good vibe and a lot of people having fun. Then again, I have spent a lot of time at the Horseshoe just outside Gary, IN and nothing matches that crowd!

    Biggest surprise is that table limits aren't lower but if people are playing them, then they have no reason to change. I had one bad night at Blackjack and one big win so feel pretty good in the gambling area. Poker room is nice and they run a good game. I will definitely be going back there next time I am in Columbus.

    Buckeye Bob
     
  12. buckeyetodd

    buckeyetodd High-Roller

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    i'll add my updates. have been to casino probably about 15 times or so. every time but once it has been during the day. went on a saturday night with my wife and it was very crowded and had a band playing that was way too loud (although they were very good, eagles tribute band hotel california).

    i have run into some dealers and pit personel who i really enjoy playing with but there are still others who should definately not be a service industry job. my actual favorite dealer and pit boss actually work the early morning shift getting off at noon so i've only played with them a few times.

    when i was there saturday night, i definately saw the "gangster" crowd. for god sakes take off some of the cheap jewelry and pull up your freakin pants.

    i've only eaten once there at the grill and the food was average at best.

    overall, i would like to see some lower table minimums. yes that might bring in some trash but management can always take out the trash if it becomes a problem. the dealers are getting better. some of the horrible ones from the first month are gone. they need to beef up personel. i stopped in this past friday night at 6:30 pm to kill an hour playing pai gow and they only had one table open with people standing around that table waiting. i asked the pit boss why the other table wasn't open and she said they didn't have enough pit people to cover the tables. really, on a friday night?

    still like having it here though, hope to stop in again on thursday

    todd
     
  13. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    They definantly need to clean up the crowd a bit. We went Friday night w another couple and sat at the O-H. Bar, the cast of characters coming up to the bar was hilarious. Im used to relaxing with vacationers in Vegas, not dealing with trash and thugs while in a Casino trying to have a drink.

    I went to the bathroom and while in there a couple we didnt even know witnessed a guy come up behind my gf who was sitting down and intentionally spill his drink on her back to strike up conversation. My GF wasnt even going to tell me, the couple next to me did. There was a whole tribe of ***** guys harrassing any decent looking girl who approached the bar.

    It wont stop us from going back at this point, we are not thin skinned, but its a bit annoying for sure. I guess it s to be expected on the wild, wild west side. No clue why they built there and didnt see this coming!!!

    A good friend of mine who has gone on two Vegas trips was with me, hes business guy and sits on one of the boards at Ohio State, def a guy they would want in their Casino. Some idiot went up to his girl and just would not leave her alone, even after she tried to be polite and pointed out that she had a boyfriend, he just wouldnt take no until I walked over and basically cut him off.

    Were just not used to that kind of stuff on a night out. Its like going back to college years, really trashy college years.
     
  14. CYaInVegas

    CYaInVegas Tourist

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    It says on the website that COMPS can only be used at their properties with "Hollywood Casino" in the name, such as Toledo. I checked the corporate website and it lists "M" resort in LV as one of their properties. Too bad you can take advantage of that relationship![/QUOTE]

    We got an offer for M thru Hollywood that we took advantage of last January. We ended up in a SUITE. It was fabulous. They don't even have prices on the internet for those suites. We play at Hollywood in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It's a very nice place but we never win there. We do win at Rising Star which is about 15 more miles further. It's smaller but we like it better. They always have $5 tables.

    Now I'm looking forward to Horseshoe in Cincinnati opening in March. Its much closer. One of these days I want to get to the Columbus Hollywood. But it's about 115 miles for me.
     
  15. buckeyetodd

    buckeyetodd High-Roller

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    i was told by a friend who works at hollywood columbus that they are getting ready to lose alot of dealers and pit personel.

    looks like some people are disechanted with management and are going to the new horseshoe in cincinnati and to a new casino in baltimore maryland.

    he told me after february 11 they will be very shorthanded staff wise.
     
  16. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    wow that is a bizarre situation. they don't have the casino security type guys taking a look at that?

    I guess I should be happy with the Rivers casino in Rosement (near Chicago O'Hare 5 minutes from my house), its not really in a neighborhood per se as that area is mostly convention and hotel stuff, but the closest suburbs and that part of the city are nice, so there is zero ghetto clientelle.
     
  17. CenterfieldNine

    CenterfieldNine High-Roller

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    I've noticed that too, and am surprised at how well it's stayed sane now that they have the shuttle from the Chicago "El" trains.(5 minutes from the casino.... but BeeJay surely doesn't live at the trains station :p)

    I don't think they would put up with anything even close to this at Rivers, security is everywhere and they are strict about everything, right down to me not bringing in my Mcdonalds coffee for my Morning session of VP (before i stopped going there for other reasons).

    I still can't wait to get to Ohio to visit this casino though, but thats because I love to visit casinos ive never been to before.
     
  18. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    Oddly enough this came up, and not by me at a lunch with my co workers yesterday. One of my friends was shocked by the thug clientele when he visited, and he brought it up, not me. A gf of a co-worked is a City police Det., she states they just increased the police security detail by 30%, apparently the Casino was trying to manage inside without the police as much as possible, but that clearly is not working.

    Also, they built the Casino in the worst part of the city as far as thugs and violence are concerned, so its not so surprising.
     
  19. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    Just told the same thing by a cocktail waitress, said they are hiring as aggressively now as when they were opening. She said losing a lot that cannot adapt to the hours and lifestyle.
     
  20. buckeyetodd

    buckeyetodd High-Roller

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    "Also, they built the Casino in the worst part of the city as far as thugs and violence are concerned, so its not so surprising".

    i've said this from day one. what an idiotic mistake on placement of this casino. i think the city was hoping something like the casino would revitalize the west side. i don't think it ever will. luckily i go mostly during the day so i don't really have to deal with the trash.

    you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.

    todd
     
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