My experience returning to a casino!

The lighter side... playing for entertainment, less concerned about "the math."
ajtaylor29
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My experience returning to a casino!

Post by ajtaylor29 »

I'm a long-time reader/first time poster. Thought some of you might like to read my experience last night visiting my favorite (non-Vegas!) casino, which is the Horseshoe in Bossier, LA. Before i went, i searched all over for any reports from people who had been back, just to get an idea of what it was like, but i couldn't find anything.
They re-opened last Monday, so our visit was on day 10.
We were a little nervous about being around crowds, but in actuality we had the opposite happen - there were no crowds at all. In fact, we sat in the high limit slot room and we were the only people there! We saw very few employees, there was only 1 cocktail waitress working the whole floor (she told us she was also bartending her own drinks since all the bars are still closed). None of the employees we knew and were looking forward to seeing again were there - i don't know if they still work there or have all been furloughed. None of the regular players that we always see and visit with were there.
All of the employees we saw were wearing masks. About a quarter of the guests were wearing them. We put ours on whenever someone came to talk to us (seldom!) then took them off when it was just the two of us in the area.
Honestly, it was depressing. We played for a few hours, then went to get dinner (in the only restaurant open on the property) there were maybe 3 other tables full when we were there. It just felt like a ghost-town. After dinner we headed to our room, went to sleep, and got up early this morning and drove home. Usually, our visits consist of hours of play, stop for a quick bite, more hours of play, to bed and then play for a while (or longer!) in the morning before heading home. We just didn't feel like playing. It wasn't the same.
We were told that it was very busy last (Memorial day) weekend. I just wonder if many people like us, were excited to go back, then after experiencing it will decide not to go again for a while. I know for me and my husband, we agree that we don't plan to go back any time soon. Playing VP on this site has been a great pass-time during the shutdown, so i'll look forward to enjoying my morning coffee or my evening cocktail while playing on-line! Driving to the casino to lose money AND have a bad experience just isn't worth it for us.
I will say that everything seemed super clean. All of the protocols were in place. I just think it will take time for people to feel comfortable again, we obviously decided that we're not ready yet.

notes1
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Post by notes1 »

thanks for the update. i would agree with you, until there is a vaccine or some medication that cures one if they get the chinese virus, many business will not return to normal, anytime soon.

olds442jetaway
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Post by olds442jetaway »

Ditto

OTABILL
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Post by OTABILL »

Your experience sounds positive to me, though I would be hesitant for the moment. In the past, to be able to play in a room by with my late wife with no smokers around would have been ideal. Today, with the precautions they have apparently instituted, having no one around, and if they established a no smoking policy for the entire facility I might be tempted to go in the not so distant future.
.

Vman96
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Post by Vman96 »

Yeah, this story is what I would worry about for casinos. It was busy to start, but once people see the restrictions, it's not fun anymore and they won't return.

seemoreroyals
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Post by seemoreroyals »

Welcome to the forum. Great first post. I assume by your post you were at Horseshoe BC midweek, a couple of nights ago. Horseshoe is our home property. Although we have not returned there yet we talked to several of our friends that went this past weekend. They were in agreement with you about how clean everything was. We were happy to learn that all employees were wearing masks. They also informed us that many of the guests were not wearing masks which is a concern. They said when they first got there it was slow but by the time they got through playing, around 9pm it was busy.

When we do return it will be during the week in order to avoid crowds. While I can see where it would be depressing being too slow we are looking forward to our first trip since the virus closed everything down. My wife plays regular slots and spends most of her time in the HLR and would welcome having the room to herself. As long as they don't have her favorite machines turned off. I play VP primarily on the second floor against the wall where the quarter and up triple play machines are at. Hopefully the drink service will be better by then.

The casinos like everything else right now are just different and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Going to the grocery store, going out to eat, and all of the other things that we have taken for granted in the past are just not the same right now. Thanks for giving us a heads up about what to expect on our return back to the casinos.

olds442jetaway
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Post by olds442jetaway »

I would welcome a nearly empty casino myself. Haven’t decided yet if we are going for the pre opening invite this Sunday at Mohegan Sun. We just have so many cases still in Ct. If they ever allow smoking again, which I am afraid they will, I am done with Ct casinos. Probably did enough danage already in smoke filled venues and workpkaces over the years.

ajtaylor29
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Post by ajtaylor29 »

Yes, we were there Wednesday night. We probably will recognize your wife since we spend most of our time in the HLR as well!
They had every other machine turned off, which was dissappointing for us. We have 2 side-by-side favorite vp machines, so one of them was turned off. We asked about getting it turned on since we are shelter-buddies (!?) but were told that was impossible. Something about gaming control having turned off the machines and they could not change that. From what i've read about other casinos planned reopening, they're going to allow customers to select their favorite machines to be activated, and also if you are from the same household they will let you sit side-by-side. Not so at Horseshoe, at least not as of Wednesday.
We initially thought it was a good thing that it was so empty, we felt a little safer. But, it just didn't feel "right", like you said - same as so many other experiences right now like the grocery, or a restaurant....

ajtaylor29
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Post by ajtaylor29 »

fyi, smoking still allowed.

notes1
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Post by notes1 »

tampa hard rock has been open for about one week. after not playing for 2 1/2 months, i decided to go last night. much of the same info as original starter of this thread;
-more than 1/2 of all machines shut down. rows of 3 machines, only one open.
-cleaning crews going around constantly cleaning play areas.
-must wear mask to get in and nearly everyone kept them on, including young people.
-only one entrance in and everyone's temp is taken.
-all staff wear masks.
-many hand sanitizers available.
-there were other players, but far from busy.

i am glad i went and it was nice to get out and do something fun. i had asked my cardiologist about going and he said as long as i took precautions, he saw no reason not to go. but, it just wasn't the same. hard to explain, but just the fact that everyone around you has a mask on (including me), is a constant reminder that things are not normal. and even though i am aware of the facts about the virus, one can feel like they are doing something 'wrong' or extremely dangerous. the constant negative media blitz about doing anything makes it hard to form rational thought.

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