Deadwood, South Dakota

[BenjaminBreeg]

I'm planning a trip to the Black Hills sometime in May and going to stay somewhere in Deadwood.  Just wondering if anyone has been there recently and can recommend a casino with VP games with good pay schedules in Deadwood, if any.  I live in Minnesota and the pay schedules on the VP games in the casinos here are pathetic.  (i.e.: 6/5 JoB for example...7/5 on dollar machines)
 
I've done a little checking over the 'net and I know that the casinos in Deadwood (about 30 in all) are quite small and they range from having just a few dozen slot machines to around 200 or so, plus some feature table games like blackjack and poker. 
 
Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanx.
 

[shadowman]

Try:
 
http://www.videopoker.com/gamesNearYou/ ... uth+Dakota
 
Now, you've touched on one of my per peeves, the MN compact between the state and the Indians. The reason VP in MN is so lousy is that the state set a maximum payout for VP to 98% (slots is 95%). In other words, the state made it the law to SCREW it's citizens and make more money for the Indians. On top of that the state took almost nothing in taxes. So, when you see these lousy pay tables it's not necessarily the Indians, it's primarily your government at work.
OK, as it turns out some machines slipped in that do pay back more than 98%. Many of these machines have been "grandfathered" and have been allowed to stay as long as they are not removed from the gambling floor. I'll assume you're from the twin cities. I haven't found any of these machines at Mystic. Both TI and the Grands have >98% VP. For example, Hinckley has 9-7 DB (99.1), Illinois deuces (98.9) and Bonus deuces (98.8). Both Grands and TI have One-eyed Jacks (100.28).

[oej719]

I was in Deadwood last May and found all VP to be low paytables. I checked out just about all of them inmy 3 day stay. Pretty area though.
Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse, etc.

[cddenver]

Hi -
 
I smiled when I read your ranting and raving about MN regulations.  I've never worked in the gaming industry, but for 20 years I worked in another regulated industry (telecom) and dealt with regulators in different states on a regular basis.  Our pet name for MN was the "People's Republic of Minnesota", based on the state government's level of involvement in the business compared to other states.  I don't mean to offend any readers from MN (really!) because, of course, our business had its own views of how things should be done.
 
That isn't the real reason for my post, though.  I'd always "assumed" (the deadly word) that the caps on paybacks set in the state regs are determined by the gaming industry and not the state governments, in order to discourage bidding wars for customers among local casinos.  Is that an overly simplistic view?  Here in CO we don't have Indian casinos, so the situation you describe in MN is more complicated than what we have here.
 

[oej719]

black hawk  co.is much more fun and pays better than deadwood.
Cddenver-do you play blackhawk vp?

[cddenver]

Hi -
Yes, all my play here in CO is in Black Hawk / Central City (3-4 times a week).  Get most of my play in at the Riviera, Fortune Valley, and Ameristar.
If you're not real familiar with the area, before your next visit let me know and I'll give you the straight poop on the places with the best pay tables, game selection, comps, rooms, prettiest cocktail waitresses, etc.
Never been to Deadwood, so I can't tell you whether the pays here are better or not.  Almost all my gaming is either here or Vega$.
 

[oej719]

cddenver-
 
Thanks -yes I have been to to all those casinos. Never found Vp to good at Fourtune Valley. Ameristar is good. I seem to do well at The Lodge and Isle of Capri.
Prettiest cocktail waitreeses-  Ameritar 1st floor gets my vote.

[shadowman]

I smiled when I read your ranting and raving about MN regulations.  I've never worked in the gaming industry, but for 20 years I worked in another regulated industry (telecom) and dealt with regulators in different states on a regular basis.  Our pet name for MN was the "People's Republic of Minnesota", based on the state government's level of involvement in the business compared to other states.  I don't mean to offend any readers from MN (really!) because, of course, our business had its own views of how things should be done.
 
Yeah, sure, you betcha.
 
That isn't the real reason for my post, though.  I'd always "assumed" (the deadly word) that the caps on paybacks set in the state regs are determined by the gaming industry and not the state governments, in order to discourage bidding wars for customers among local casinos.  Is that an overly simplistic view?  Here in CO we don't have Indian casinos, so the situation you describe in MN is more complicated than what we have here.
 
One of the requirements of the federal legislation that allowed Indian gaming was that the individuals states and the tribes had to sign a compact outlining their agreement. There is no involvement by the gaming industry.

[cddenver]

cddenver-
 
Thanks -yes I have been to to all those casinos. Never found Vp to good at Fourtune Valley. Ameristar is good. I seem to do well at The Lodge and Isle of Capri.
Prettiest cocktail waitreeses-  Ameritar 1st floor gets my vote.

Ameristar is my favorite place here in terms of "atmosphere".  It's laid out well, and they have tons of VP machines - never have to fight anyone for a machine.  They also have a better selection of games than most of the other places here.  They have several banks of machines with flat screens, which I've found are easier on the eyes.  I actually get most of my play in at Fortune Valley and Riviera because their cash comps are better.
I couldn't tell from your posting if you're a regular at BH/CC or just visit now and again.  If you haven't been up lately, Ameristar's currently adding a hotel to their casino.
 
I've never done well at Isle of Capri, and two years ago removed it from my "portfolio" of local casinos I frequent (harummph).

[oej719]

I get there when I can. It is about a 2 hr drive. The Lodge has a good selection of VP and during the week is not crowded.