Connecticut Native American Casino Report

[Mets]

Hi Everyone, I played at both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos, both on Indian Reservations in Connecticut on July 17th. I mostly want to discuss Mohegan Sun, because they recently changed from a six deck game to an eight deck game.

In the past, you may have read Mohegan Sun was a below average game. Mohegan Sun used to offer LS, DAS, 3:2 and six decks. However, with the six deck game, Mohegan Sun Dealers typically offered terrible penetration. I saw most dealers cut off at least 2.5 to 3 decks on a six deck shoe. On July 17th, it was an improved game. Mohegan Sun has gone to eight decks. However, with the increase to eight decks, I regularly enjoyed 80 to 85 percent penetration. Most dealers cut between 1.25 and 1.75 decks. I was very pleased. Pleasantly surprised. All the rules are the same. However, with the better penetration, I played with the 'advantage" more often compared to the six deck game and poor penetration.

Foxwoods has offered an eight deck game for a while now. Foxwoods offers even better penetration than Mohegan Sun. I saw dealers cut 1.25 decks regularly. Other than penetration, the rules are the same as Mohegan Sun: 3:2 naturals, Late Surrender, DAS, H17.

The main issue with these Native American Casinos: they do not have the government oversight like at the casinos in PA, Atlantic City and Nevada. I trust the casinos regulated by the government a little bit. I trust the Native American Casinos somewhat less.

[paymypush]

While at Mohegan Sun which casinos did you play? Was it Earth, Sky or Wind? What were the table minimums?

[Mets]

I played at both Earth and Sky (non smoking). I could not find a $10 minimum table and was forced to play at a $15 table

[BoSox]

I played at both Earth and Sky (non smoking). I could not find a $10 minimum table and was forced to play at a $15 table

I hope you won, but you were not forced to do anything.

[Yule]

Both Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods have basically zero oversight from anyone. The Gaming Commissions & Tribal Councils are stocked with their own people who make very biased rulings that are heavily in the casino's favor. All of the police are tribal police now (since the recent agreement with the Connecticut governor).

As far as BJ goes, the games are still good. I suggest you play as a refusal. These casinos are not dumb. Some of the dealers and pit critters have 20+ years experience. Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods back-off and ban plenty of Advantage Players.

[Three]

Both Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods have basically zero oversight from anyone. The Gaming Commissions & Tribal Councils are stocked with their own people who make very biased rulings that are heavily in the casino's favor. All of the police are tribal police now (since the recent agreement with the Connecticut governor).

At Foxwoods I always got the ruling I was after but often had to go over the Floor's head. There is an art to negotiating with the casino. Very rarely have I had to go to casino enforcement with a complaint. Except in Pa (My opinion is PA has corrupt casino oversight, but I have successfully negotiated with casino management many times. The key to successful negotiation is to understand who is at liberty to accommodate you and who isn't) I have won every complaint and most casinos that wouldn't resolve the issue to my satisfaction were made to paid a hefty price by the casino enforcement arm for what I had an issue with. Of course in one of these indian casinos the latter is pretty much a dead end option, but I never had to go that route at Foxwoods. Going over the Floor's head was all that was necessary.

A side note: I did get 86ed upon return to one casino that had been tolerating my counting because of an unsuccessful negotiation. I made the mistake of not going to the casino commission over it. Had I done that taking action against me would have constituted a punitive attack for posting a grievance. That is something the casino commission takes very seriously. On retrospect I should have taken the hint it was time to leave and not complained about being cheated, or posted a complaint with the casino commission. If I had done either I am sure they would still have tolerated me. They had known I was counting for almost 2 years. Making too big a fuss over the incident ended their tolerance. The threat of being 86ed adds more to the art of negotiation. I got too emotional and carried things to far. It just really pissed me off.

[Mets]

At Foxwoods I always got the ruling I was after but often had to go over the Floor's head. There is an art to negotiating with the casino. Very rarely have I had to go to casino enforcement with a complaint. Except in Pa (My opinion is PA has corrupt casino oversight, but I have successfully negotiated with casino management many times. The key to successful negotiation is to understand who is at liberty to accommodate you and who isn't) I have won every complaint and most casinos that wouldn't resolve the issue to my satisfaction were made to paid a hefty price by the casino enforcement arm for what I had an issue with. Of course in one of these indian casinos the latter is pretty much a dead end option, but I never had to go that route at Foxwoods. Going over the Floor's head was all that was necessary.

A side note: I did get 86ed upon return to one casino that had been tolerating my counting because of an unsuccessful negotiation. I made the mistake of not going to the casino commission over it. Had I done that taking action against me would have constituted a punitive attack for posting a grievance. That is something the casino commission takes very seriously. On retrospect I should have taken the hint it was time to leave and not complained about being cheated, or posted a complaint with the casino commission. If I had done either I am sure they would still have tolerated me. They had known I was counting for almost 2 years. Making too big a fuss over the incident ended their tolerance. The threat of being 86ed adds more to the art of negotiation. I got too emotional and carried things to far. It just really pissed me off.

I assume you were referring to catching the dealer in the act of cheating? I wonder if I have ever been a victim of dealer cheating and what I can do to prevent it.

[ZeeBabar]

I assume you were referring to catching the dealer in the act of cheating? I wonder if I have ever been a victim of dealer cheating and what I can do to prevent it.

In my younger years, I might have complained to higher ups but at my age, I am a cynic who does not believe it's worth my time to complain to change things. The process is often too stressful and the odds of success are low. Maybe the younger ones see themselves still playing BJ 20 years from now. Maybe they hope for success.

Be it climate change, peace on earth or BJ, it ain't happening. Change ain't a coming. The good Lord planted a deadly virus when he created this universe and its called Humans.

[Halbruno]

Mr Mets, I see that you didn't notice that MS has switched to H17 on all games. I think that the $50+ high limit tables are still S17. Plus, the low end $10 tables are all now 6:5 blackjack. The penetration you mentioned is not really worth playing in an 8 deck game. From what I have seen the penetration there is still dealer dependent. Some dealers still cut off 2 decks. In that case the 3:2 tables with H17 are not worth it. Foxwoods is still the best. Dealers will cut off one deck and you are guaranteed to find ALL games at 3:2.

The tables that pay 3:2 at Mohegan are now fewer since they opened a 6:5 pit for the $10 players. The $10 players who used play the 24 hour Earth casino have moved to those junk games. This leaves many 3:2 games in the Earth empty especially during the week. So, they close them down. They have even installed another 7th roulette table taking up space which was once occupied by blackjack.

At Foxwoods you'll still find in the high limit pits 6D, S17 with roughly one deck cut off! Mohegan SUCKS!
Moral of the story: GO TO FOXWOODS!