Mohegan CT - fewer $5 tables

Mohegan swapped out one of the two $5 pits over the weekend. The $5 pit that is usually closed except for busy times like Friday and Saturday nights was open tonight, with S17 felt, rather than the H17 felt that had been on the tables when they were $5. Minimums were $10. So now there is only one $5 pit, four tables, instead of two pits totaling eight tables.

Quote: rhodyBob

Mohegan swapped out one of the two $5 pits over the weekend. The $5 pit that is usually closed except for busy times like Friday and Saturday nights was open tonight, with S17 felt, rather than the H17 felt that had been on the tables when they were $5. Minimums were $10. So now there is only one $5 pit, four tables, instead of two pits totaling eight tables.

Do you play these tables, rhodyBob? Other than my wife and her girlfriends I don't know anyone who does.

When these tables were first installed they were all outfitted with CSM's. They've been moved several times and, as you know, are now in the Casino of the Sky near the valet.

The now four tables just sit there waiting to be stumbled upon and that is where I think the casino missed the boat. Nothing else in the Sky opens until just before noon. I would have signs everywhere advertising $5 tables that never increase as well as in mailers and on the web site. They have done none of that.

Since they never capitalized on using these tables to attract players I tend to agree that they are not needed. Walk by them anytime and you will not see many players flat betting $5, rather they will be betting several times that including green and sometimes black chips. Table max is $500.

Unfortunately for my wife and the others who play these tables I've heard that the remaining four are slated to be converted to S17 thus ending the $5 tables that never increase.

Casinos would benefit greatly from listening to their patrons but they seldom do, opting to occasionally shoot themselves in the foot instead.

I appreciate the lower limit, and trade the negative S17/H17 difference for a lower minimum. Play is slower, and dumb plays occur more often, but I see the same dealers there as at other tables. I don't think I've seen black action more than a few times, and it's almost totally red.

I don't know the history, but in the two or three years that I have known that they were there, I never saw CSMs.

I do know that they advertised "$5 tables available, all the time" on their website, although I haven't looked for that lately. I hear from people all the time that the fact that Mohegan has them and Foxwoods has none is a draw, but probably not once you get there and see the limited offering, now even more so.

My impression is that since they leave the second $5 pit closed so much that it made sense to change the felts to "S17", thereby losing the $5 option.

A dealer also told me that they are now closing the Wind Casino during the week, and in fact I saw that too. It seemed to me that business was less than what I have seen in the past, but that's just my by-eye opinion.

It'll be interesting over the next couple of years to see what the planned Massachusetts casinos will do to the approach of both Foxwoods and Mohegan trying to draw in business. I would have thought that $5 tables were at worst a loss-leader, drawing in lesser skilled players, at no risk, maybe reducing the take due to the lower limit and slower play, and would be good marketing going forward. I guess not.

Forgive me, as I haven't played anywhere in CT after '05 but just wow, closing Wind except wkends? Is the return/ft² getting that marginal?

These CT casinos are on the ropes. Foxwoods announced recently they are closing certain areas during the week to reduce expenses. They built to 1990's activity but the volume probably isn't half of what they need to get above break-even.

The sheer size of the Connecticut casinos cannot be appreciated unless seen firsthand. They both boast 7000 slots and 400 table games give or take and are very spread out. With profits declining monthly, closing certain areas makes sense. No staff to pay, nothing to clean etc. No one will lose out on their favorite slot or table game. Remember, both casinos must pay the state 25% of their slot revenue.

Foxwoods has been closing it's Rainmaker Casino during the week for several months. It's a very large casino and they closed the largest section of slots. Closing the Casino of the Wind at Mohegan Sun makes sense. It's the only casino there with one entrance and exit. The poker room and Margaritaville are there but can still be accessed without crossing the casino floor.

Note to Foxwoods. For an instant increase in blackjack profits lose the H17. For more profit lose the 8 deck games.

Yes, their physical size and footprint is impressive. Once the volume fell below breakeven measures were needed to cut overhead and lower the breakeven point in an attempt to contribute more gambling and other dollars to margin.

It is sad to hear Mohegan Sun is reducing the number of their $5 blackjack tables. That is my game of choice. I have been playing that offering for years, starting back when they had quite a few tables in the Casio of the Earth. Back before the CSM phase. Back when you would always hear someone screaming “monkey!” several times an hour.

I have followed the game through its several moves to new pits to where it languishes now, off the beaten path at the valet parking entrance, divorced from other table games, bathed in sunlight of nearby windows during sunny days. If they do not intend for $5 blackjack to atrophy and die then they are idiots. When I have answered surveys (which by the way they don’t seem to be doing anymore) I have always mentioned that the number of tables does not service the popularity of the offering. It is often a long wait for a seat to open.

They still tout $5 minimum bet Blackjack, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on their web site.. When they closed the Sky Casino a while back due to inclement weather, which included shutting down the $5 pit, they lowered the table minimum to $5 on one table in the Casino of the Earth to honor that advertising. I’ll give them credit for that.

I played the $5 table for a few hours yesterday in the early afternoon. The most common bet was $5 with occasional wagers of up to several green chips. I have seen the betting graduate to what one would expect at a $25 table later on weekend nights. However, I think the usual betting is one red chip during off-peak hours. By the way, on Fridays I believe they are still running the Diva promotion which includes $5 “no judgment” blackjack tables, ladies only, in the Casino of the Wind. (Guys can play at the Diva tables if the ladies agree to it, but the “ladies” do not seem interested in men. At all. They were positively hostile when my wife, a novice, tried to play.)

I have played $5 blackjack less and less as the number of tables has shrunk and the pit moved to a shitty location. I realize I am probably and exception: someone who will just not gamble at all if I can’t get the game I want. Hey, they still have good whiskey in the lounges. Combined with other measures being taken to squeeze more out of the patrons, my time there may be coming to an end. It was a good run: I’ve had a lot of fun, and Mohegan Sun has gotten a lot of money.

Foxwoods has now closed the entire Rainmaker Casino during the week except for the small Asian game area adjacent to the poker tables. By closed I mean roped off. You can't even walk through it.

Anyone wanting to play other table games, including blackjack, in the morning must go to the Pequot Casino or the Fox Tower which is the former MGM. The latter can be quite a hike for some. If you know in advance that you want to play there it would be convenient if you parked in their garage.

The Great Cedar Casino opens it's tables beginning at eleven but plan on noon to really get going.

The Wind Casino at Mohegan Sun is also closed during the week in the sense that they don't staff any of the tables. You can still enter and play slots.

These places are hurting like they've never hurt before.

Quote: 1BB

These places are hurting like they've never hurt before.

...and the MA casinos haven't even been built yet.

Quote: JB

...and the MA casinos haven't even been built yet.

Late Sunday afternoon, during the USA-Portugal soccer game (there are no clocks on the wall in casinos...) there were several empty seats at the usually busy $5 tables. Say what you will about the clientele, the setting, the daylight, the lack of waitresses, and on and on, the (used to be) two pits were usually backed up, at least somewhat, during the busy times - weekend days and nights. Not so Sunday. Where are these people? Not home watching "football".

I've always said that Rhode Island's own Native Americans, the Narragansetts, will finally get a casino at the point where there is no one left on earth - who wants to - is not already gambling somewhere else.

Based on what I see at Mohegan, I think it's finally time.

Are we going to be in a situation where down the line so many casinos will be built that virtually all of them will be struggling? If so, will we make out like bandits with comp rooms and free play?

Quote: rhodyBob

Late Sunday afternoon, during the USA-Portugal soccer game (there are no clocks on the wall in casinos...) there were several empty seats at the usually busy $5 tables. Say what you will about the clientele, the setting, the daylight, the lack of waitresses, and on and on, the (used to be) two pits were usually backed up, at least somewhat, during the busy times - weekend days and nights. Not so Sunday. Where are these people? Not home watching "football".

I've always said that Rhode Island's own Native Americans, the Narragansetts, will finally get a casino at the point where there is no one left on earth - who wants to - is not already gambling somewhere else.

Based on what I see at Mohegan, I think it's finally time.

According to the TV raters, they WERE at home watching football, at least some of them; more than 24 million in the US watched the game, an all-time record for soccer. Nothing like a well-publicized win and a weekend game to stir interest, I guess. And I watched, too, as a person who mostly ignores the whole thing, so I'm guessing there were a lot of unusual viewers like me.

I don't think so lemieux66, IMHO they will be barns with tables, just a place to play. But they could turn into Poker/Slot Palaces, Poker might be their only draw, esp. Foxwoods.
But by then on-line Poker might get legalized and, "There is your DAGGER!".

@Bleeding Chips Slowly: been at the Sun since day 2 (technical since I walked in at 11PM day one, but didn't get a card until like 12:15AM day 2). I do indeed miss those Asians yelling Monkey, MONKEY!!!. both joints. Thanks for the memory... made my day.
I recall the $2 BJ pit at Foxwoods early-on (maybe '93-94), best tables they ever had, boisterous, active, cheers, cussin, and good tips. I actually waited 2 hours for a seat more than once, when I cudda played a $5 table 20 feet away. It actually felt like a priviledge to put a deuce in the circle.

Quote: 98Clubs

... I do indeed miss those Asians yelling Monkey, MONKEY!!!. both joints. Thanks for the memory... made my day.

To complete the memory: you must slap the felt emphatically with an open palm at the same time!

Quote: beachbumbabs

According to the TV raters, they WERE at home watching football, at least some of them; more than 24 million in the US watched the game, an all-time record for soccer. Nothing like a well-publicized win and a weekend game to stir interest, I guess. And I watched, too, as a person who mostly ignores the whole thing, so I'm guessing there were a lot of unusual viewers like me.

That was only one factor, b³, but probably a big one. A show was playing in the arena, which is unsual for a Sunday. In general the show/arena crowd does not gamble. Plus, because of the show comped hotel rooms were in short supply for the rated players that usually get free rooms on Sunday. Finally, the casino always experiences a drastic slowdown in business when the regional elementary schools ajourn for the summer. I don't disagree with rhodyBob's opinion that Mohegan Sun business is down more than all these factors account for, but I do think the factors have a significant influence.

Quote: JB

...and the MA casinos haven't even been built yet.

... if in fact they ever are.
Massachusetts Voters to Decide on Casino Law in November

Quote: Lemieux66

Are we going to be in a situation where down the line so many casinos will be built that virtually all of them will be struggling?

Google "Casino Boom Pinches Northeastern States" to find a recent WSJ article with an autoplay time sequence map regarding the casino boom in the region.

I tried to provide the link, but it requests a subscription when you try to access it that way.

Excellent article quantifying the time-phased effect on state revenues. Saturation always creates new challenges and as natural selection takes place hopefully the players will benefit from creative and enlightened management of the survivors.

Quote: chickenman

Excellent article quantifying the time-phased effect on state revenues. Saturation always creates new challenges and as natural selection takes place hopefully the players will benefit from creative and enlightened management of the survivors.

As the article states, the Connecticut casinos pay the state 25% of their slot revenues. What it doesn't say is that it's in exchange for no other casinos being allowed in the state. I wonder if they'll revisit that agreement?

Foxwoods has discontinued the monthly stipend for tribal members and it's been rumored that there is a soup kitchen on the reservation. I don't know if that's true but many in this area believe it is.

Have you been to Twin River, chickenman? I'm flat bet there - again.

Yes, 1BB, I go there occasionally. It's a drag to be flat bet. IIRC you slammed 'em a year back but I've heard they really tightened up once they got past the jittery opening of the table games.

Just another anecdotal indicator as to the attention to "service" at Mohegan:

I usually hit one of those anti-bacterial dispensers you now find everywhere, including at the entrances to Mohegan. Going in, coming out, not like a germophobe, but hey - can't hurt - considering the "don't touch those - you KNOW where they have been" attitude I have about handling chips, never mind actual cash. If I forget, no big deal.

This time, the four of them that I tried were all bone dry. After two came up empty, I made a point of looking for one that was functional, and so tried two more. No luck, oh for four.

Maybe just a coincidence, but on top of everything else I've noticed, seems like one of the empty suits (or empty moccasins) might be looking for ways to reduce incidental expenses.

Mohegan Sun just suffered a Grab 'em and run of "thousands of chips" (unlikely) fled in a maroon car, threw a punch at someone who tried to interfere but unknown if patron or employee.

This happens more often than people think. Friday night's take was $7,000. The guy hasn't been caught but his picture is plastered all over the place.

Last month, a guy grabbed 36 purple chips and was caught. A year ago a guy grabbed $25,000 in poker chips and was also caught. Tip of the iceberg.

Friday nite smash/grab involved two... both pictures all over the area. West CT, too.

Yes, there was an accomplice. My sources tell me that the 7K was taken from a roulette table and from a patron, not from the casino.