It’s 11:00 a.m. and I am writing from the parking lot of the HoChunk casino in Black River, WI. If you had not read my trip report of the 1st. Day, I had left my home, drove up north, playing at 3 poor to mediocre 6 deck games. I basically, played 2 hours, drove around 7 hours and ended up staying the night, last night, at a motel in Dubuque, IA (near Diamond Jo Casino). I won $130 but my expenses were close to $200. I considered returning home but, encouraged by MWP, decided to head north.


On an overcast Saturday morning, I headed out of Dubuque, IA, crossed into WI. For a while the scenery was similar, flat, corn growing all over, boring. An hour into WI, drive got interesting with more hills, the beginning of change in tree colors, etc. off and on, drizzle. Driving alone gives you time to think about life, especially for old guys like me. There would occasionally be an Amish family on horse and buggy (wonder how they could live without modern amenities). Felt sorry for the horse pulling those buggies on concrete roads, cars whizzing by. The horse too probably wonders why the f#$&k these people take a car and let him graze on the green hill sides. Saw lots of cheese signs, cows and such. In any case, gotta step out and go inside the casino. I have my doubts. Middle of nowhere, red chippers. More later. Sheet, walked in at 11:30, they say table Games don’t open till Noon every single day. Does not look too good.

I hung around for 45: minutes before, as is their posted practice, they started opening tables. Two tables were simultaneously opened. Yes, they spread the cards. One was a $5 6 deck and the other was the $15 DD. Game. Apparently, I was not the only one waiting for the tables to open. I sat down at the DD table, a bunch of ploppies ran out from the slot machines and occupied all 6 seats of the 6 deck. The DD shoe started with me and one older lady. By the middle of the shoe, two others joined in but had to wait as NMSE. I played for 45 minutes, another ploppy joined and I quit, down $100. I asked if they would be opening more tables but they stated it would not be till 5:00 p.m., shortage of dealers.

It was a waste of time. I had planned on a visit to Turtle Creek, WI but was so deflated, that I just started driving to MN. Around 5:00 p.m., I drove into Treasure Island Resort and casino. Apparently, they had a major concert this Saturday evening, the place was jam packed. Beautiful resort casino. I played a $25 min. DD heads up thru the first shoe, won $200 but table was quickly full. I quit. The HL room had $50 minimum tables that were mostly empty but I don’t yet have the ability and confidence to play it.

I drove to Mystic Lake casino, ended there at 7:30 p.m. Huge crowd and full tables. Did not play, left to find hotel but everything seemed full all over MN. Nothing, no motel 6, no Super 8, no roadside motel had any rooms. It was very frustrating. I finally found a Quality Inn about 30+ miles away for $155!!

I won $100 today, expenses were around $300 with tonight’s room and gas, etc.

Lessons learned so far is that casinos in the middle of nowhere have $5 tables and, on weekends, often get full. Bigger casinos in bigger cities are preferable but if you want to play heads up or with just 1-2 others, it’s only the HL rooms on weekends.

Think this is the last driving trip for a while. Most likely head home in the morning.