Southern Indiana

[ltlarry]

Being from the gambling wasteland of Ohio, I have to go out-of-state to play. From Columbus, I have a choice of either Southern Indiana (my usual choice), Southern Michigan, or West Virginia (never!).
I am headed to Belterra Hotel and Casino in Indiana next month.  It is 45 minutes further than Argosy in Lawrenceburg, or Grand Victoria in Rising Sun, but the extra trip is worth it - not for better games, but for an overall better experience. (I do get a free room and cash since I go there pretty exclusively). The drawback is it is out in the middle of nowhere, literally!
 
I will keep track of the VP scene there and post back.  I also play live poker, BJ, and Pai Gow Poker.
 
 

[aceswithakicker]

Hey ltlarry,  I too play mostly at Belterra.   And I agree on the better "overall" experiece.  Argosy is so just darn crowded, however they do offer a few full pay machines in the dollar denom. 
 
I like to play the NSUD (deuces wild) progressives.  They have about 12 machines linked together, and everything from 5oaks and up is a progressive, so the payback percentage is nearly at or slightly above 100% depending on where it's sitting.
 
"In the middle of nowhere" is an understatement!!!  I drive about 67 miles from Louisville, and once you get off the interstate there's NOTHING!!  It's like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert once you get there.

[ChrisP]

Hello fellow Columbus Buckeye!!  I am so frustrated that we have to leave the state (and our money behind).  I know the horse racing industry has been hit hard due to our unwillingness to allow gambling, while nearby states will.  I am interested to see how you do at Beltera.  I have never been there.  It has been awhile since going to Argosy (although I made it to Vegas twice last year).  Good luck on your trip! 

[ltlarry]

Thanks to you both!
I always go to Belterra, and enjoy it. I have been to Argosy (crowded and a bit on the dingy side), Grand Victoria (Nice but very small and crowded), and Caesars in New Albany (Big, but too far a drive from Columbus). Besides, I get a free weekday room and $20 coupons from Belterra.
 
I am pretty knowledgeable at most forms of VP, and concentrate more on best paytables than game type. So, I will look and report back here on paytables and games for everyone. Most of the good VP is downstairs on level 1 in the VP area. I have seen 9/6 JOB there. As I said, I will look at the others. In fact, I think the only VP on level 2 is at the bar opposite the poker room.
 
I think once Kentucky hammers out gaming in the state, Ohio will start to (hopefully) look seriously at it. At that point, we would be surrounded by it, and the tax money issue wll become paramount here, causing those lawmakers against it to reconsider.
 
I will be at Belterra on Feb. 17-18.

[aceswithakicker]

Yeah, our new governor is supposedly going to make a push for it here in KY, but it could still be years away.  I would estimate that over half the revenue that Caesars makes (20 minutes from Louisville) comes from us.  We're the largest metro area in any proximity to them.  Why not pave our streets and better our schools instead on "donating" the money to IN.  Seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Ohio Bob]

I like both Belterra and Grand Vic.  Found luck at both, but won more over all at Grand Vic including a dealt Royal on .50 3 play machine! Like you said Argosy is crowded. We haven't been there in several years so maybe it has changed...but the last time, you literally had to stand behind someone waiting for them to get up to get a machine!
Belterra has more choices in low denomination muti play than Grand Vic.  We haven't been down since late summer trip to Grand  Vic/Belterra/Caesars (Stayed at Grand Vic and Caesars). Was a good Trip win wise! Bankrolled our late November LV trip! 
 
 

[aceswithakicker]

I was at Argosy 2 weeks ago.  Same situation as you described.  Packed, packed, people waiting for a machine to open up.   It's no wonder they are building that new casino onsite!  And it's gonna be huge!  Right now it is just a rough shape of steel beams, but maybe it will be a better place to play once it's finished.
I've won a lot money at Caesars, but only because I've played there the most.  I don't care much for them anymore since Harrahs took over a year or so ago.  And they got rid of some good machines too!  Now, I just make the drive to Belterra. Probably go 2-3 times a month.  I did make it up to French Lick back in Dec.  The hotel rooms are spectacular!!  And I had several good hits there for a short trip (one night).  I got a Royal on .50 machine,  quad Aces on $1 machine twice (800 a pop), and quad 4's with a kicker for another $800!!  It's small, but I had good luck there as well.
 

[ltlarry]

I haven't been to Caesars in a few years. I played live poker there (and VP), but both the drive (4 hours from Columbus) and the increase in rake stopped me from going there.
 
Ohio's governor said yesterday that he is going to authorize keno for Ohio. Woopie...
 
I was thinking about going to Wheeling Island for the Super Bowl. They are giving away $1000 an hour from 2p to 10p, and they have a $40 live poker tournament at 10am - sign up at 8am. Good time killer and then I can play in a $3-$6 or something after.
 
I just wish I knew someone who wanted to go with me. Wheeling is a 2 hour drive from Columbus. As far as VP in Wheeling is concerned, I am not sure about it, but my guess is that it is pretty bad. Usually games are when run by the state lottery...

[faygo]

As of two years ago, Vp was non-existent at Wheeling.

[Gamblingirl2]

Hi all - not from Columbus, OH but am from Columbus, IN.  Video Poker is our game of choice.  Don't get over to the east side too often, but when we do, it's Belterra.  Prefer Caesars only because they have a lot more VP machines.  Never had too much luck at Belterra.  Have been pretty successful at Caesars, but as they refurbish each deck, they replace good pay machines with not so good ones.  Fourth Deck has some good $1 9/7 Double Bonus, 1st Floor has a few $1, $2, $5 9/7 Triple Double Bonus.  Plenty of decent .50 and some of the .25 machines (you have to look for them) have 9/6 JOB and 8/5 DB.    I know what you mean about the changes Harrah's is making.  Keep thinking one day we'll show up down there and all the good VP will be gone.  Haven't tried French Lick yet but sounds like they could have some decent play.