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Potawatomi Casino Re-opening but you must Book your gaming reservation in advance

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by mrstealth, Jun 6, 2020.

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  1. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    So, the email didn't contain the exact date they will open, however, Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee will have a very interesting twist when they re-open - and that is, you must Book your gaming reservation in advance, and, each session will last 3 hours, then they will close for an hour (I am assuming to sanitize machines and other) in between each session.

    The other "good news", in my opinion, is they will be smoke free.

    I will just paste the contents of the email I received here:

    Make your reservation today!
    During the re-opening phase all guests must make a gaming reservation to play on property. Fire Keeper’s Club® members can make a reservation, based on availability

    Reserving your spot is easy, follow these simple steps:

    1. Login to your player account at account.paysbig.com
      (you must have your FKC Account Number and PIN to login)
    2. Click on Make Reservation
    3. Fill out form & accept that you understand what to expect
    4. Submit form
    If you can’t access your online player account, reservations can be made by calling 1-800-PAYSBIG.

    Once your reservation is made, you will receive a QR Code that is needed for entry. Please make sure to have this available via your email confirmation, saved to your photos, accessible through your player account or printed out. Guests should not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the start of their gaming session.

    Session dates & Times: (Open daily, starting June 10, 2020)

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
    It's time to get back in the action!
    For the safety of all our guests and team members, we have developed new measures that will create a different experience than you are used to. To start, we will only open with slot machines, video poker and electronic table games and you will have to reserve a gaming session in advance. Plus, additional measures outlined below will be put in place to further comply with new safety standards.

    In addition to bringing and wearing your own mask at all times on property, and practicing social distancing, below are a few safety precautions you can expect.
    For a full list of changes please visit our What To Expect Page.

    [​IMG]
    All guests & team members entering the property will have temperature checks, if you exceed 100.4° F you will be asked to leave.

    [​IMG]
    The entire property is non-smoking. A designated outdoor smoking area will be available.

    [​IMG]
    Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizers placed throughout the property.


    For me, while I do understand the 3 hour window, unless they allow me to book back to back sessions I am not really happy about that rule, but can also understand why they are doing it.

    It is an interesting way to do it if they can pull it off. I would be interested in hearing what others think.
     
  2. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Almost reminds me of when the boats first started appearing in Kansas City. You had to get a "ticket" for a "cruise", which never left the dock, of course, and had to line up to be admitted at boarding time.
     
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  3. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    LOL - Yeah, I do remember that - some of the boats actually also charged a fee like $5 or $10 for the ticket and all of us degenerates used to happily stand in line and pay haha.

    Also, I think they had like 2 shifts and it also sucked when they came around and kicked you off the boat so the next group could come aboard.
     
  4. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    I use to frequent Pot quite a bit then it dwindled down to maybe twice a year more often lately once a year. (I decided my 'entertainment budget' would go further in Vegas instead and started hitting it there). I actually think their plan is wise with the sessions to hopefully deep clean in-between. Making the reservation is interesting too. I can already see the little arguments at the door the first week of people just showing up trying to get in. I do think it is rather wise as well, keeping control of how many people for sure get in. I imagine that won't last long. Can see people booking two sessions (if you can) then what... wait in the parking structure? Or all the people that will book two and lose in the first so just go home and then they don't let in filler walk-ins? Hm. Well, no matter what, I personally won't be going back for quite some time. Pot wasn't ringing my bell for the longest time anyway and under these conditions (though perhaps safer) no way. I can't remember the last time I had true fun there. I also had not won anything in eons! There was always an old rumor that Milwaukee Potawamini had the worst odds of all USA casinos. Heard it so often. Of course, being Native American they do not have to report them. I also recall the truth not rumors many years ago how they were busted for shorting Aces in BJ decks. It was a long time ago but still is in my head. Lastly... Milwaukee is the epicenter of Wisconsin's pandemic. I am avoiding it like the plague! :)
     
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  5. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    Yeah, the idea/concept does make a lot of sense, but Logistically it is going to be a nightmare getting everyone out in an hour cleaning and then letting the new ones in, and as you say not to mention people that just stop and want to get in without a reservation.

    I primarily go to play table poker, however, I don't think that will re-open for some time so I am not going to rush to get back immediately myself.
     
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  6. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    This get's even more interesting. I just went to the website as I was curious so this is what they said

    "All guests must make a reservation prior to playing at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. New sessions will be released in weekly increments starting at noon on Sundays. Reservations are first come, first served and based on play.

    For the safety of our guests and team members PHC has new expectations for our guests and team members. This includes bringing and wearing your own mask at all times while on property. Prior to coming to the casino, please review all our new requirements here."

    and this:

    Food & Beverage:
    • Ruyi, Canal Street Café and The Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill are offering limited take-out menus. Menus can be viewed at here.
    • All food must be consumed off property, no eating at slot machines or anywhere else on property. Hotel guests can bring food up to their rooms.
    Hotel Guests:
    • At this time, room service is not available.
    • Hotel Guests will all have their room keys checked prior to proceeding up to their rooms by a PHC security team member.
    • The fitness and business centers are currently closed.
    • PHC Housekeeping team members will no longer enter occupied rooms, if you need additional items, they will be bagged and left outside your room. Team members will knock to alert you of the delivery.
     
  7. Astribling

    Astribling Alice In Casinoland

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    I wonder if you can book more than one session? Any casino that I go to is at least 1.5 hour drive, and I would not do that drive if I could only play for 3 hours.
     
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  8. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    I am not sure yet - LOL. I have not tried to book yet, but I am in the same position as you (even farther away) so if I do go wouldn' want to just go for 3 hours.
     
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  9. greekjim

    greekjim King Gyro

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    Did I miss the part about being able to buy beers at Poto ?
     
  10. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Interesting - so you could technically book a room and then not even be able to get in a gaming session the way I am reading it?

    It also says 'first come, first served based on play'. That doesn't make sense unless I'm an idiot. So when they open them up on Sunday, what happens if the nickel player gets a time spot, but a $5 slot player then tries to book one. Does it bump the nickel player out of their position?

    And again, can you book more than one? So if you come in to stay overnight can you have two in the evening and one the next morning before you check out?
     
  11. rhinoman7

    rhinoman7 A Diamond in the Ruff

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    I thought I had read somewhere that you could only book one session per day. Unfortunately, only the slots are open, but it looks like they have installed shields between each of the machines.

    Today and tomorrow is by invitation only, and the reserved times for everyone else start Wednesday (6/10). I am going to wait until they have the tables open again before I attempt to re-visit!
     
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  12. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Too many rules for me. Unless it was the ONLY casino in driving distance and I "needed" my gambling fix, I wouldn't go.
     
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  13. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    Depends what "driving distance" is. Pre-COVID-19, Potawatomi was the only true casino for 80 miles (that being the Rivers near O'Hare, which is too small and expensive to be worth the drive). Illinois casinos are not open, yet.

    Ho Chunk Madison (75 miles away) is open, but it has Class II bingo slots only, and has the energy of playing at a gas station. Oneida Casino (120 miles away) and the casinos in Dubuque, Iowa (170 miles away) are the only other casinos open in the area.

    So in that sense, Potawatomi is the only casino in driving distance.
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
  14. bluesdude

    bluesdude VIP Whale

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    So, has anyone been here yet? Would love to hear a review.
     
    Dead & Co with my son! June 4 or 5th - June 8th
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  15. R H

    R H Tourist

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    Would give it a crack, but besides this one, everything is booked into next week lol
     

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  16. WILynn

    WILynn Tourist

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    I was there this past Thursday. You need to park in the canal street entrance to the garage and walk across the street to the entrance where you wait in line. They have "feet" on the sidewalk part of the way down for social distancing and make sure everyone is wearing a mask as well as announcing multiple times that you need to have a confirmed reservations. For my session, about 15 minutes before the start they let the 1st 26 people (groups of 2 if with a guest) enter and again "stand on the feet". They move people to form 3 lines. When you get to the head of yours they ask you 3-4 questions and take your Temp. Then you go and scan your card to confirm your reservation and enter. It really moves pretty quickly, although I'll say there were several who probably didn't need to be there at this time. They could barely walk, a couple almost fell down crossing the street. I can't imagine how they did standing in line. It might have been better for them to come about 1/2 hour into the session, or waiting for them to open to anyone IMHO.

    About every other machine is turned off. There is also plexiglass between machines. They do have servers walking around for beverages and a couple of kiosks for beverages I believe. I had no problem lifting the bottom of my mask to take a sip of my beverage. Some say they hovered over them to make sure they worse their masks. I didn't find that, but I wore mine. I didn't see a whole lot of the sanitizer machines they were talking about.

    No table games Open. Only 1st floor open. No smoking throughout casino, which doesn't bother me as an ex smoker, but I know it bothers current smokers. I didn't win, but I rarely do. I held my own for the 1st hour or so, then it went downhill. I honestly don't mind the precautions, as I know they would like to stay open. 3 hours of wearing a mask is a long time when you aren't used to wearing one for that long, but again, a small price to pay for the safety of others IMHO.

    It will likely be a while before I go again. I "scratched the itch" and we are usually very early Sunday morning players, and they aren't open then. It was a nice diversion though.
     
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  17. Vegas Todd

    Vegas Todd MIA

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    I won't be going during this ''phase''. If and when they get back so some kind of ''normalcy'' then I will go.
    Right now I don't see any benefit to staying at their hotel, either.
    In short, this kind of visit doesn't seem to me to be worth the time, effort or money involved to play there.
     
  18. WILynn

    WILynn Tourist

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    In full disclosure, I am only about 20 minutes away. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone. I did forget to mention the food. There are very limited food options through 3 of their eating establishments. All food has to be ordered to go. No eating in the casino. You must order your food no later than 45 minutes before the end of your session. I rarely eat there, so it was ok with me, but there might be a problem if you stayed in the hotel and had these same rules.
     
  19. rhinoman7

    rhinoman7 A Diamond in the Ruff

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    Any word on when the tables will be open??
     
  20. Eleven99isFine

    Eleven99isFine VIP Whale

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    I was weighing between here and Horseshoe Hammond.. just to scratch the itch. Given how depressing it is, might just have to keep itching!
     
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