ATTN:MN regs.

[creeping panther]

Blows

Your best games will be in high stakes if you are hitting TI. There is 1 or 2 two decks on the main floor but if you can swallow 25 mins, HS is usually empty outside of fri/sat/promo nights.

Mystic has deep cuts, not friendly IMO. I have done will here though as of recent for some odd reason, but it is by far the most crowded given its 15 minutes from the edges of MPLS burbs. Keep that in mind, if you want full tables (even on weekdays) this is your place especially in low stakes.

Canterbury has a 2 deck 25/table that I actually like. Have done very well. They have a couple 4 deck and 6 deck games as well. I would rate them over mystic because there is no smoking and its a corporation traded on the AMEX acting as the house, not some greedy people in a back room having a "pow wow". I never feel heat here.

You can skip Black Bear (up by Duluth) as it has about 10 tables total. Not worth writing about. You can also skip Hinkley. People are very nice, but they have the only shuffle tracking I've come across in MN....no thanks. Let the masses play those games.

As a whole, MN isn't that great. WI is better, but if you are under 21 I understand why it is appealing. TI is probably going to be a your place of choice, factoring in size, crowds, tables, and games, I would go there first personally (But Im over 21 so i stick to Vegas 99% of my time gambling).

Am I missing something here


(Pow Wow,.. come again)

CP

 

[FLASH1296]

You are under 21 and you are a BJ Dealer ?

Explain.

 

[BMDD]

The gambling age here by law is 18. (casino dependent, many opt for 21+)
The casinos may employ 18+

 

[Blue Efficacy]

Am I missing something here


(Pow Wow,.. come again)

CP

Apparently I am missing something, too.

Toastblows' post contained many inaccuracies.

First, TI only has 10-199 double deck, everything in highstakes is 4 or 6 decks.

Second, Canterbury has ZERO double deck, their $25 table is a poorly cut 4 deck game. If you think this game is better than Mystic, you don't know how to play BJ. If you think you're going to do better playing with 2 deck cuts than the cuts a couple miles south, have at it. Also, keep in mind that since the games here are Class II, there is no house. And those "pow-wowers" may be greedy, but they also have given away over 100 million dollars.

Third, Hinckley is apparently the only shuffle tracking in MN, there are better options for tracking almost anywhere. But if you think the only trackable shuffle is a stepladder followed by a riffle-strip-riffle and restack, well, ok

Fourth, Black Bear is not a great place to play, but not bad either.

And lastly, Mystic Lake is not as chronically crowded as toastblows implies. Sure, it is crowded on swing shift. But TI is actually much worse as far as available tables goes. But I only play on day or grave shifts. I can find plenty of tables with 2-3 other players, even at the $5 level at those times.

Have you played in MN lately, toastblows?

I am also over 21, have been to vegas, and there are very few games there that are better than several of the MN/Western WI games. Hinckley is really the only store offhand that's Vegas grade. Oh, and the two horsetracks.

 

[rocksolid68]

Ti

DD, hand shuffled, decent pen, $10 - $199 limit

H17 but otherwise it is as about as good as it gets for me.

rock

:cool2:

 

[toastblows]

Apparently I am missing something, too.

Toastblows' post contained many inaccuracies.

First, TI only has 10-199 double deck, everything in highstakes is 4 or 6 decks.

Second, Canterbury has ZERO double deck, their $25 table is a poorly cut 4 deck game. If you think this game is better than Mystic, you don't know how to play BJ. If you think you're going to do better playing with 2 deck cuts than the cuts a couple miles south, have at it. Also, keep in mind that since the games here are Class II, there is no house. And those "pow-wowers" may be greedy, but they also have given away over 100 million dollars.

Third, Hinckley is apparently the only shuffle tracking in MN, there are better options for tracking almost anywhere. But if you think the only trackable shuffle is a stepladder followed by a riffle-strip-riffle and restack, well, ok

Fourth, Black Bear is not a great place to play, but not bad either.

And lastly, Mystic Lake is not as chronically crowded as toastblows implies. Sure, it is crowded on swing shift. But TI is actually much worse as far as available tables goes. But I only play on day or grave shifts. I can find plenty of tables with 2-3 other players, even at the $5 level at those times.

Have you played in MN lately, toastblows?

I am also over 21, have been to vegas, and there are very few games there that are better than several of the MN/Western WI games. Hinckley is really the only store offhand that's Vegas grade. Oh, and the two horsetracks.

Yes i have played MN lately. Some things I will readdress as things both I have said and you have said about my post are both inaccurate.(since I have visited a couple of these joints in the last 2 weeks after a couple months off).


1.First, TI only has 10-199 double deck, everything in highstakes is 4 or 6 decks.

WRONG: They have a 2 deck 25 - 500 table in the high stakes back room, usually table 3 coming from high stake slots on the side of the general casino. Check it out (its not open 24/7). Last visited October 2009


2. Canterbury has ZERO double deck, their $25 table is a poorly cut 4 deck game. If you think this game is better than Mystic, you don't know how to play BJ. If you think you're going to do better playing with 2 deck cuts than the cuts a couple miles south, have at it. Also, keep in mind that since the games here are Class II, there is no house. And those "pow-wowers" may be greedy, but they also have given away over 100 million dollars.

CORRECT: The 2 deck table which is on the west wall table 3 toward the back is now a poorly cut 4 deck. This is confirmed by a trip there last week. Too bad, it used to be a great 2 deck 25-500 table. Last visited October 2009

3 Hinckley is apparently the only shuffle tracking in MN, there are better options for tracking almost anywhere. But if you think the only trackable shuffle is a stepladder followed by a riffle-strip-riffle and restack, well, ok

Im confused as well. Im not as hardcore as you guys. I just simply wont play at a table with a card reader that the dealer pushes a button every time a hand is complete. I interpret this as deck tracking and probably can be used to have the dealer reshuffle at any time....correct? Last visited October 2008

4. Black Bear is not a great place to play, but not bad either.

If you need to travel to the middle of no where and waste your time with 8 tables of bad BJ, more power to you. Last visitied January 2009.

5. Mystic Lake is not as chronically crowded as toastblows implies. Sure, it is crowded on swing shift. But TI is actually much worse as far as available tables goes. But I only play on day or grave shifts. I can find plenty of tables with 2-3 other players, even at the $5 level at those times.

I was at ML one time in October, on a monday at 1pm. Almost every table outside of High Stakes was 3-4+ or more people. Usually on a monday at 1pm i would expect a couple blue hairs, not a packed house. I played high stakes which again, running at 1pm on a Monday was running 8 tables....seems odd to me.

On a normal weekday I never run into this problem at TI. On a weekend, both are rediculous and I avoid at all costs. Last visited October 2009.

Have you played in MN lately, toastblows?

Yes

I am also over 21, have been to vegas, and there are very few games there that are better than several of the MN/Western WI games. Hinckley is really the only store offhand that's Vegas grade. Oh, and the two horsetracks.

I guess I have burned myself out on a decade of hitting the same WI/MN casinos. If you see something I don't, then more power to you. Good Luck man! I enjoy vegas a lot better, but mainly because I like to bet on sports over BJ any given sunday :cool2:


(the card clubs in minnesota like canterbury have pits that are mainly staffed with dealers that also act as PB's. If you frequent them as I do to play poker mostly, you will see the same person as a PB one day and a dealer the next. They don't really give that much attention because there "appears" to be little to no heat coming down from some back room where the "pow wow" (indians are sitting around counting thier millions) have a magnafying glass over your tables monitor trying to see if you might win $5 off them tonight)

 

[Blue Efficacy]

I'm confused, since you seem to hate Indians so much, wouldn't you rather win from them?

Also, hinckley does not track cards, they only track bets.

Black bear is 5 out of 6 penetration with MN rules (H17 DAS RSA.) I don't know why you make it sound like it's an awful place to play, especially if you're on your way to Duluth.

 

[toastblows]

I'm confused, since you seem to hate Indians so much, wouldn't you rather win from them?

Also, hinckley does not track cards, they only track bets.

Black bear is 5 out of 6 penetration with MN rules (H17 DAS RSA.) I don't know why you make it sound like it's an awful place to play, especially if you're on your way to Duluth.

No i dont hate indians...i hate their casinos. They act like $500 up is a pro trying to break their bank. They wont comp you a $4 beer in high stakes without a players card. Thats why I liked that canterbury 2 deck (no more which sucks)...those people could care less if you count to infinity...they dont sit their minute by minute evaluating play like the indians do.

regarding hinkley....so your saying that button next to the shoe holder whatever is tracking how much i bet and not reading the cards? I swear theres a piece of glass on the table that can read each card as it comes across. Whatever, I have played their 1 time in 5 years...wont be back.


Black Bear.....the casino itself is 100x better than it was 5 years ago. Its a nice casino, but the BJ there is not something I would waste my time. Yes, on your way to duluth is the reason why I stop there, but seriously this is what ticked me off the last 2 times I went.

Friday afternoon 2pmish.....4 tables open....ALL FULL.

Sunday around noon....2 tables open..ALL FULL.

If you actually say the play there is good, then I trust you, but I havent gotten on a BJ table there since maybe 2006, because they are always full....and at the time it wasnt anything special compared to say a TI or Mystic...so i wouldnt trek 2+ hours to go there is what I meant about skipping that place.

 

[creeping panther]

Nice

No i dont hate indians...i hate their casinos. They act like $500 up is a pro trying to break their bank. They wont comp you a $4 beer in high stakes without a players card. Thats why I liked that canterbury 2 deck (no more which sucks)...those people could care less if you count to infinity...they dont sit their minute by minute evaluating play like the indians do.

regarding hinkley....so your saying that button next to the shoe holder whatever is tracking how much i bet and not reading the cards? I swear theres a piece of glass on the table that can read each card as it comes across. Whatever, I have played their 1 time in 5 years...wont be back.


Black Bear.....the casino itself is 100x better than it was 5 years ago. Its a nice casino, but the BJ there is not something I would waste my time. Yes, on your way to duluth is the reason why I stop there, but seriously this is what ticked me off the last 2 times I went.

Friday afternoon 2pmish.....4 tables open....ALL FULL.

Sunday around noon....2 tables open..ALL FULL.

If you actually say the play there is good, then I trust you, but I havent gotten on a BJ table there since maybe 2006, because they are always full....and at the time it wasnt anything special compared to say a TI or Mystic...so i wouldnt trek 2+ hours to go there is what I meant about skipping that place.

Nice back and forth guys.

This is a prime example of perceptions and why in a court of law you never believe eye witness accounts.

AS to the card reader...Mind Play comes to my memory........

CP

 

[Blue Efficacy]

I study every BJ table I play at carefully.

There is nothing in the shoe or on the table at the Grand Casinos that is going to read cards. They hit the button prior to each deal, to count what you have in the circle. The chips are RFID. It is simply there to save on pitcritter labor for tracking bets, and ostensibly to prevent comp hustling. Furthermore, I read the online literature about the exact system they have, they have a card tracking system available in addition to their bet tracking system, which according to the company's website has features I definitely didn't see at Grand Casino tables. Hinckley is one of the least playable casinos in MN so it's a moot point anyway.

Canterbury doesn't care as much if you count because it isn't their money you're winning, BJ in MN horsetracks is class II, Indian casinos are class III so you really are winning their money.

You're right, Black bear isn't worth a special trip for, to be sure. But 5/6 decks with the standard rules in MN isn't garbage either. It wasn't overly crowded when I went, so you may have a point with that.

Don't get me wrong toastblows, I'm not calling you an idiot or anything, I am just saying it is easy to get details mixed up, especially if they're not fresh in your memory.

 

[toastblows]

I study every BJ table I play at carefully.

There is nothing in the shoe or on the table at the Grand Casinos that is going to read cards. They hit the button prior to each deal, to count what you have in the circle. The chips are RFID. It is simply there to save on pitcritter labor for tracking bets, and ostensibly to prevent comp hustling. Furthermore, I read the online literature about the exact system they have, they have a card tracking system available in addition to their bet tracking system, which according to the company's website has features I definitely didn't see at Grand Casino tables. Hinckley is one of the least playable casinos in MN so it's a moot point anyway.

Canterbury doesn't care as much if you count because it isn't their money you're winning, BJ in MN horsetracks is class II, Indian casinos are class III so you really are winning their money.

You're right, Black bear isn't worth a special trip for, to be sure. But 5/6 decks with the standard rules in MN isn't garbage either. It wasn't overly crowded when I went, so you may have a point with that.

Don't get me wrong toastblows, I'm not calling you an idiot or anything, I am just saying it is easy to get details mixed up, especially if they're not fresh in your memory.

Nah I didnt think you implied I was an idiot I was surprised how much has changed in the last 3-6 months at casinos around here. My original post was information that was 3-6 months old until i did some rounds in october. Very interesting what is happening to my favorites.

That is interesting....the RFID thing. I swore there was a way they were tracking cards....but meh, like you said, that place sucks overall so its not bumming me out one bit.

And yes.....the corporate owned tracks are definately...or were....definately some of the best IMO....now that the 2D is gone at C, I'm not calling it my favorite anymore.

 

[mezner]

Mystic in Shakopee is where I play at.

Special tables
surrender
over/under (haha I can't even remember what its really called) betting?

reg tables

$5-25 minimum (unless you go into the "high limits" room)
$5 tables, $199 max, 6 decks (I swear they had 8, but I went last week and I could have sworn I saw only 6).
$25 minimum double deck games

Overall its a decent casino, havent really played at any other. I do hate playing fri and sat nights though. Its far too crowded with horrible horrible players. If you want to play $5 on those nights, you will be fighting for a seat. If you want to play more alone, I suggest early mornings during the weekday (8-2pm). BTW be sure to check out the buffet! Its one of my favorite buffets in MN!

 

[Blue Efficacy]

Mystic in Shakopee is where I play at.

Special tables
surrender
over/under (haha I can't even remember what its really called) betting?

reg tables

$5-25 minimum (unless you go into the "high limits" room)
$5 tables, $199 max, 6 decks (I swear they had 8, but I went last week and I could have sworn I saw only 6).
$25 minimum double deck games

Overall its a decent casino, havent really played at any other. I do hate playing fri and sat nights though. Its far too crowded with horrible horrible players. If you want to play $5 on those nights, you will be fighting for a seat. If you want to play more alone, I suggest early mornings during the weekday (8-2pm). BTW be sure to check out the buffet! Its one of my favorite buffets in MN!

A couple of the pits have some 8 deck games mixed in.

 

[mezner]

A couple of the pits have some 8 deck games mixed in.

for $5 games? Thats weird if they have both 6 and 8's on random tables. I'm guessing one of them (8 deck) is on the over/under tables maybe??? I guess I'll have to find out monday or something.

 

[Blue Efficacy]

for $5 games? Thats weird if they have both 6 and 8's on random tables. I'm guessing one of them (8 deck) is on the over/under tables maybe??? I guess I'll have to find out monday or something.

I know for sure the second pit on the right side from the front door, in the big blackjack area has some 8D games. The rest of the casino is mostly 6D, with some 4D and a couple DD.

 

[itakeyourmoney]

I noticed you guys mentioned Hinkley but no one mentioned Grand Casino Mille Lacs -- are the conditions there similar? On my way to my cabin I pass right by Grand Casino but have yet to stop.

 

[creeping panther]

I

I noticed you guys mentioned Hinkley but no one mentioned Grand Casino Mille Lacs -- are the conditions there similar? On my way to my cabin I pass right by Grand Casino but have yet to stop.

You mean you passed by a casino and did not stop!!

First rule of an AP, never drive by any casino without stopping and checking it out.

CP

 

[Blue Efficacy]

I noticed you guys mentioned Hinkley but no one mentioned Grand Casino Mille Lacs -- are the conditions there similar? On my way to my cabin I pass right by Grand Casino but have yet to stop.

Hinckley is one of the worst games in MN, 2 deck cuts on 6D, 1.5 on 4D and 1 on the lone $25 DD table, not to mention the most time consuming shuffle I have personally seen. Mille Lacs is on the other hand a bit better but nothing to go out of your way for.