New table game at Horseshoe Hammond
September 18th, 2011 at 10:06:52 PM
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I never saw this one: "Play Four Poker". I couldn't find much about it on line: "King's Gaming Inc", invented by Kenny, James T. (Shorewood, IL, US) and Kekempanos, Larry (Oak Lawn, IL, US) in 2003, and a sample layout:
I didn't get a good look at the pay table. It looks like dealer and player get the same number of cards.
Horseshoe Hammond is pretty nice. It's HUGE. The dealers are friendly. I did OK, bought in with $500, cashed out $702 but gave Mrs Mosca $200 to play with after she dumped her $$ in slots. So as a team we broke even. We're going to give Rivers in Des Plaines a try tomorrow.
I didn't get a good look at the pay table. It looks like dealer and player get the same number of cards.
Horseshoe Hammond is pretty nice. It's HUGE. The dealers are friendly. I did OK, bought in with $500, cashed out $702 but gave Mrs Mosca $200 to play with after she dumped her $$ in slots. So as a team we broke even. We're going to give Rivers in Des Plaines a try tomorrow.
A falling knife has no handle.
September 19th, 2011 at 5:03:25 AM
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Quote: MoscaI never saw this one: "Play Four Poker". I couldn't find much about it on line: "King's Gaming Inc", invented by Kenny, James T. (Shorewood, IL, US) and Kekempanos, Larry (Oak Lawn, IL, US) in 2003, and a sample layout:
I didn't get a good look at the pay table. It looks like dealer and player get the same number of cards.
This was a game created by two of the pit bosses at Horseshoe years ago. A dealer at Horseshoe told me they tried to get it off the ground, but Shufflemaster was already working on their version(s) with Four Card Poker and Crazy Four. What surprises me the most is that Indiana Gaming approved it, especially back then. While much easier than Illinois, you still have to jump through quite a few hoops to get a game approved.
It plays VERY similarly to 3-card poker. It's actually not a bad game, if you can get over the higher table limits. I played it once, but got bored with it after a while.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 10:00:49 AM
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Thanks. Do you know the pay table, the odds?
The only thing we didn't like about Horseshoe was that there were no non-smoking sections. It would be nice to have the choice to play with the smoke or without the smoke, rather than choose play with smoke or not play.
There was a promotion for "play 30 minutes get a free buffet"... all that meant to us was that the buffet line was going to be long, and it was. We didn't want to wait, so we went to the sports bar. Food in the sports bar was pretty damn good. We each had a different sandwich; I had a burger, Mrs had a pot roast sub, John had an Italian beef and Bard had a ribeye steak sandwich. Those were damn good, each one. We stopped back at the buffet around 9:30 for dessert and coffee, and it looked seriously good. Is it worth an hour wait? You decide, that's a Disney World type of wait.
The only thing we didn't like about Horseshoe was that there were no non-smoking sections. It would be nice to have the choice to play with the smoke or without the smoke, rather than choose play with smoke or not play.
There was a promotion for "play 30 minutes get a free buffet"... all that meant to us was that the buffet line was going to be long, and it was. We didn't want to wait, so we went to the sports bar. Food in the sports bar was pretty damn good. We each had a different sandwich; I had a burger, Mrs had a pot roast sub, John had an Italian beef and Bard had a ribeye steak sandwich. Those were damn good, each one. We stopped back at the buffet around 9:30 for dessert and coffee, and it looked seriously good. Is it worth an hour wait? You decide, that's a Disney World type of wait.
A falling knife has no handle.
September 19th, 2011 at 10:49:34 AM
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Quote: MoscaThanks. Do you know the pay table, the odds?
I don't remember the odds on the game. I know a "Royal Flush" is 200-1 on the bonus bet, but I figure it would fall in the 4% HE range, simply because you get 5 cards to make a four card hand, and the time they made it, 3-card still paid 4-1 on the flush (Actually, even in 2008 Horseshoe Hammond still paid 4-1 on the flush).
Quote: Mosca
The only thing we didn't like about Horseshoe was that there were no non-smoking sections. It would be nice to have the choice to play with the smoke or without the smoke, rather than choose play with smoke or not play.
There was a promotion for "play 30 minutes get a free buffet"... all that meant to us was that the buffet line was going to be long, and it was. We didn't want to wait, so we went to the sports bar. Food in the sports bar was pretty damn good. We each had a different sandwich; I had a burger, Mrs had a pot roast sub, John had an Italian beef and Bard had a ribeye steak sandwich. Those were damn good, each one. We stopped back at the buffet around 9:30 for dessert and coffee, and it looked seriously good. Is it worth an hour wait? You decide, that's a Disney World type of wait.
This is a "Horseshoe" brand promotion. I think each property gets the machines to process it, then sends them to another property later on... just a guess, but they all seem to do the promotion, all at different times. I have always been impressed with Horseshoe buffets, and the Paula Deen Buffet at HSI is fantastic... those Hoe cakes are SOO good, and I'm not a fan of peach cobbler, but theirs is spectacular.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 10:53:16 AM
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It's kind of funny... if you have the American Casino Guide, and you read about the Chicagoland casinos article, they mention Play Four Poker along with Boston 5 and some other games you won't find there. The article makes it sound like Play Four is all over the place... to my knowledge, it's in ONE casino, Horseshoe Hammond... as I said, Shufflemaster had their two versions out around the same time, and I'm sure "King's Gaming" couldn't compete with them.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 11:55:49 AM
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Next time play Baccarat in the Asian room for 45 minutes (if you can stand the smoke) to earn a noodle bar comp for two. Excellent noodles and dumplings.
Those Hoe Cakes are so greasy you could rub them on the wall to make it transparent, a la "The Simpsons!"
Those Hoe Cakes are so greasy you could rub them on the wall to make it transparent, a la "The Simpsons!"
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
September 19th, 2011 at 4:24:58 PM
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Quote: teddysNext time play Baccarat in the Asian room for 45 minutes (if you can stand the smoke) to earn a noodle bar comp for two. Excellent noodles and dumplings.
That's something the Indiana casinos have really perfected; the art of the "Asian Room." They have good service, food and drinks available right there, and the games tend to be lower house edge games (Bacc, S17 BJ, Pai Gow Tiles).
Quote: teddys
Those Hoe Cakes are so greasy you could rub them on the wall to make it transparent, a la "The Simpsons!"
Yeah, every time I leave the Paula Deen Buffet I have to lay down in my room and let the food digest. It's all buttery and greasy, and PHENOMENAL!!!
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 5:00:50 PM
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Did you happen to notice whether they had Sic bo? The fact that they've got both tiles and big table Baccarat has me about ready to book a room. I'd been wanting to check out Southern Indiana anyway.
I noticed on their website that the table max for big table Baccarat is $100K. Nice!
I noticed on their website that the table max for big table Baccarat is $100K. Nice!
September 19th, 2011 at 5:09:33 PM
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Quote: heatherDid you happen to notice whether they had Sic bo? The fact that they've got both tiles and big table Baccarat has me about ready to book a room. I'd been wanting to check out Southern Indiana anyway.
I noticed on their website that the table max for big table Baccarat is $100K. Nice!
Horseshoe HAMMOND is different from Horseshoe Southern Indiana. HSI is near Louisville, KY, with a hotel. Hammond doesn't have a hotel; you'd have to book at a nearby hotel, which I wouldn't recommend staying in Hammond. Stay in a nicer hotel in downtown Chicago (about a 20 minute drive) or nearby East Chicago's Ameristar (an old Harrah's hotel that's really pretty nice).
HSI nor Hammond has Sic Bo. HSI doesn't have a noodle bar, but discretionary comps are really easy to get there (as in they don't take it out of your Reward Credits, which is unusual for Caesars properties). I'm not sure about Hammond, but I would imagine the comps are a little harder to get.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 5:15:07 PM
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Thanks greatly, and thanks for clearing up my confusion -- you can tell that I'm not in Indiana very often. I knew that Sic bo was a longshot, but thought that I'd ask. Like I said, the fact that they have both tiles and big table Bacc had me sold right there. Too bad about the a hotel, but I'm in the Chicago area enough that it's not a dealbreaker. Thanks again!
September 19th, 2011 at 5:28:09 PM
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Quote: heatherThanks greatly, and thanks for clearing up my confusion -- you can tell that I'm not in Indiana very often. I knew that Sic bo was a longshot, but thought that I'd ask. Like I said, the fact that they have both tiles and big table Bacc had me sold right there. Too bad about the a hotel, but I'm in the Chicago area enough that it's not a dealbreaker. Thanks again!
I'm not 100% sure they have TRUE big table bacc... they probably have the modified version where players handle the cards, and you can tear them and what not, but I'm not sure I've seen a tuxedo type table there. Both places do have tiles; Hammond's Asian room is separate from the high limit room, where HSI you have to go through the high limit area... it was just added this past year.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 5:37:35 PM
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Yeah I like Horseshoe Southern Indiana. It's in Elizabeth, Indiana. The bomb though is about 55 miles NE at French Lick Indiana - the French Lick Resort. What a hotel combo between it and West Badin! 2 turn of the century mineral spring spa resort hotels brought back to life by William Cook medical equipment company mogul. I tease the dealers "where's the riverboat? There's no river here just a spring." They'll laugh and say "If you have enough money you can make things happen."
Gambling is a metaphor for life. Hang around long enough and it's all gone.
September 19th, 2011 at 6:28:14 PM
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Quote: ncfatcatYeah I like Horseshoe Southern Indiana. It's in Elizabeth, Indiana. The bomb though is about 55 miles NE at French Lick Indiana - the French Lick Resort. What a hotel combo between it and West Badin! 2 turn of the century mineral spring spa resort hotels brought back to life by William Cook medical equipment company mogul. I tease the dealers "where's the riverboat? There's no river here just a spring." They'll laugh and say "If you have enough money you can make things happen."
For those not versed in Indiana gaming law, the law states that casinos must be on a riverboat. An ACTUAL river boat, that is manned by a coast guard member and it must be able to operate as a boat. However, they are not required to cruise, so in the case of French Lick, they built a moat that the boat sits in. However, it's still a boat, because of the stupid law.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 19th, 2011 at 7:36:03 PM
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Thanks for all the info. We actually played about an hour in the Asian room, Pai Gow Poker. I won about $250.
We spent a couple hours today at the new Rivers Casino in Des Plaines; nice place, all brand new. I tried my hand at Mississippi Stud; in 2 hours I won three hands, but two of them were 3 of a Kind and the third was a flush. Nevertheless, I lost back the money I won the day before, and Mrs lost another couple hundred. At Pai Gow Poker, I won 3 hands, lost 2, and then played about 10 pushes in a row and got bored. I won that bet, then let it ride to try to get some excitement going and got a 10 high Pai Gow so I left. Still, Rivers was nice enough.
We spent a couple hours today at the new Rivers Casino in Des Plaines; nice place, all brand new. I tried my hand at Mississippi Stud; in 2 hours I won three hands, but two of them were 3 of a Kind and the third was a flush. Nevertheless, I lost back the money I won the day before, and Mrs lost another couple hundred. At Pai Gow Poker, I won 3 hands, lost 2, and then played about 10 pushes in a row and got bored. I won that bet, then let it ride to try to get some excitement going and got a 10 high Pai Gow so I left. Still, Rivers was nice enough.
A falling knife has no handle.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:14:27 PM
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I stopped in Horseshoe Hammond for a bit and got the rules to Play Four Poker. They have 2 tables.
It follows the same type of playing rules as Three Card Poker. The dealer and player each get 5 cards but make their best 4 card hand. There is the standard Ante/Play bet and an optional Jacks or Better side bet. The dealer needs King/Queen high to qualify. To make a Play bet, it must equal the Ante bet. Wins are paid at 1 to 1 on the Ante/Play if the dealer qualifies. Non-qualifiers pay the Ante and Play pushes. If the dealer wins, both bets lose.
The ante bonus pays as follows:
Royal Flush pays 20 to 1
Quads pays 8 to 1
Straight Flush pays 3 to 1
I believe it gets paid even if the dealer has a higher hand.
The Jacks or Better side bet pays are as follows:
Royal Flush pays 200 to 1
Quads pays 75 to 1
Straight Flush pays 25 to 1
Flush pays 4 to 1
Straight pays 4 to 1
3 of a kind pays 3 to 1
2 pair pays 2 to 1
Pair of Jacks - Aces pay 1 to 1
Also, there is no big baccarat table here that I saw.
It follows the same type of playing rules as Three Card Poker. The dealer and player each get 5 cards but make their best 4 card hand. There is the standard Ante/Play bet and an optional Jacks or Better side bet. The dealer needs King/Queen high to qualify. To make a Play bet, it must equal the Ante bet. Wins are paid at 1 to 1 on the Ante/Play if the dealer qualifies. Non-qualifiers pay the Ante and Play pushes. If the dealer wins, both bets lose.
The ante bonus pays as follows:
Royal Flush pays 20 to 1
Quads pays 8 to 1
Straight Flush pays 3 to 1
I believe it gets paid even if the dealer has a higher hand.
The Jacks or Better side bet pays are as follows:
Royal Flush pays 200 to 1
Quads pays 75 to 1
Straight Flush pays 25 to 1
Flush pays 4 to 1
Straight pays 4 to 1
3 of a kind pays 3 to 1
2 pair pays 2 to 1
Pair of Jacks - Aces pay 1 to 1
Also, there is no big baccarat table here that I saw.
Last edited by: Ibeatyouraces on Dec 22, 2017
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
December 23rd, 2017 at 12:39:03 AM
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I was there last night as well!
What is life if not a gamble?
December 23rd, 2017 at 2:08:31 AM
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According to my calculations, the ante game has a house edge of 3.219% and the side bet has a house edge of 5.0069%.
The 3.219% reflects the Ante Bonus being paid even when the dealer wins.
As far as strategy, the Fold/Play cutoff is around Ace-Ten high, but isn't as cut and dry as the cutoff in 3 card poker:
The 3.219% reflects the Ante Bonus being paid even when the dealer wins.
As far as strategy, the Fold/Play cutoff is around Ace-Ten high, but isn't as cut and dry as the cutoff in 3 card poker:
- Always fold A987 or lower
- Mostly fold AT53
- Mostly play AT54 and AT63
- Always play AT64 or higher
December 23rd, 2017 at 10:57:38 PM
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JoB side bet: nothing for full house?
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
December 24th, 2017 at 12:55:27 AM
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You can't have a full house with only 4 cards.
