Gamble The Night Away At Foxwoods Casino...
Written: Feb 01 '08 (Updated Mar 07 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tons of options to gamble, lots of floor space, decent room rates
Cons: Ugh the smoke. Table minimums on weekends.
The Bottom Line: The casino gives fun entertainment for shows or gambling. The entertainment value can cater to bachelor parties as well as a romantic getaway for couples. I'd recommend it.
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| ace3502's Full Review: Foxwoods Casino |
Like to gamble? You have to give this place a shot. I'm a big fan of casinos, I've gone to a few and love the atmosphere, the excitement, and the fun to be had in these one of a kind locations.
The Casino
A Little Background
Starting in 1986 Foxwoods actually opened first as a high stakes bingo hall. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation are the purveyors of what has grown to be, believe it or not, THE LARGEST CASINO IN THE WORLD! I know, I was shocked too. I had heard rumors that this was true but I have confirmed it. Based upon square footage, the tremendous 340,000 square feet of gaming space they have earns them that accolade. Their entire facility, which is now compromised of six casinos takes up a whopping 4.7 million square feet!
The Wampum Card
Like any casino, Foxwoods has a reward system in place that is based upon the amount you spend and the time you spend gaming. When you first arrive, I would recommend to anyone to sign up for a Wampum Rewards Card. This card is printed with your name on it, the same size as a credit card, and you use it to accumulate points wherever you game at the casino. When you sit at slots, every slot machine has a space to insert the card, you simply put it in before you start to play and it gives you points based upon how much and how long you gamble. Similarly, you give the card to the pit boss when you sit down at any table games to play and accumulate points the same way there. Within the casino, everyone one of these points is worth a dollar. If you want to go to any of the shops, restaurants, stores, you name it, each point is a dollar. The great part about this as well is that you can use the points to pay for a hotel room as well. You don't have to have enough points to cover the whole bill but whatever points you do have you are able to use it towards the bill, reducing the amount you pay out of pocket. Granted you spent money in the first place to get the points but it's nice to get something back from the money you do gamble away. The points are good so long as you go the casino once a year, as long as you maintain that you can keep accumulating points. Also, you can redeem the points for actual cash but the ratio is extremely poor (something like 1/8 of a dollar per point but I'm not positive) so I would recommend not trying to turn the points in for cash but going to any one of the great restaurants or stores they have there and getting more of a bang for your buck... or point in this case.
Table Games
The table games, like the slots are split up into different rooms, most smoking, some not smoking. There are signs on each table that denote the game, minimum and maximum bets, and if it is non- smoking. For the most part the dealers enforce this so it isn’t too bad. But, on occasion, they are a little lax and they sometimes let them smoke, especially if it’s a slower table. The hospitality is decent. When I had a problem with my Wampum card after first getting it one of the hosts graciously apologized and added five points to my card then upgraded us to a little VIP dinner buffet for free as an apology. I’ve never had a significant problem anywhere in the casino but the minor ones are taken care of quickly and easily, especially within the table game areas. The only down side to the table game areas is the table minimums. During the week, which you'll see me talk about in a few paragraphs for the room rates, the table minimums are significantly lower due to the decrease in volume coming through the casino. Most tables have a $5 minimum at them Monday through Thursday. However Sometimes starting on Thursday but certainly on Fridays through the rest of the weekend, the table minimums go up anywhere from $10 and above.
I'm a player at table games. At first I was a big slot man, but that was mostly because I didn't know how to play too many of the table games. Once I got myself comfortable with some of the games after watching, reading up on them, and playing online, I have certainly developed an affinity for some, and a perplexing, deer in headlights type look with others. The simplest table game I would recommend to anyone going to the casino is Casino War. It doesn't get much more simple than this. You get one card and the dealer turns over one card for themselves. If your card is higher, you win. If not, you loose. It's the same rules as the classic war game we've all played before. In the event of a tie you have two options. One is that you could surrender and only loose half of your bet, or (here's where the casino gets it's edge) double your bet and go to war. If you go to war the dealer burns three cards and flips one for you, then does the same for himself. Same rule as before, if he has a higher card he wins, if not, you win. In the event of a tie during war, you automatically get paid double but you can imagine how rare of an occurrence that is with seven decks put together.
If Casino War is too simple for you, I assure you they have harder options. Moving up slowly we have Black Jack, numerous different kinds of poker (Hold Em', Caribbean Stud, Three Card) and another personal favorite of mine, Craps. Simply put, the casino has over 15 different table games for you to play and, get this, over 400 tables to play them at! Here are all of the table games that are offered at the casino:
-Baccarat
-Black Jack
-Caribbean Stud Poker
-Casino War
-Craps
-Let It Ride
-Money Wheel
-Pai Gow Poker
-Pai Gow Tiles
-Roulette
-Sic Bo
-Spanish 21
-Three Card Poker
Slots
Foxwoods boasts over 7,000 slots with varying denominations. The denominations range from 1 ¢, 2 ¢, 5 ¢, 25 ¢, 50 ¢, $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20. I'm sure the ranges go higher but if you have the money to toss away at $100 slot machines I doubt you're reading this as you probably have someone hired to read it for you. :) The slots are really engaging, and account for a tremendous amount of the casinos income. Because they are so easy to operate it is very inviting even for the most novice gambler to sit down and pump money into a machine. With varied different themes the slots have television show or movie themed machines such as Deal Or No Deal, Top Gun, Desperado, Star Wars, Wheel Of Fortune, and The Price Is Right. Not to be out done, there are celebrity themed games as well that incorporate Clint Eastwood and others. Not to be outdone, the general cartoon themed games dominate most of the casino with themes ranging from ancient times to striking oil to lobster trap fishing. The slots can be a really fun introduction to the casino or a simple entertainment if you don't want to get too in depth. The cheaper slots are clearly a cost effective way to enjoy these machines as well. And you never know, I've hit for a few hundred dollars on penny and 2 ¢ slots on more than one occasion so give it a try, you never know.
Racebook / Bingo Hall
Foxwoods boasts the largest Bingo Hall in the world so if bingo is your game certainly check that out. I'm not a big bingo player but it is very popular. I've stopped and poked my head in once or twice but from what I've seen there is an entry fee to go in so I just glance and haven't played. Also the casino has a tremendous area dedicated to racing. With countless televisions a gambler settles in to padded individual chairs with individual monitors over stadium style seating. They can watch up to four channels at the same time and bet on any horse, greyhound, or whatever type of race is going on at the time. The atmosphere here is nice and quiet and relaxed, away from the hectic noise and bustle of the rest of the casino, which can be a nice change once and a while.
Other Entertainment (Families / Kids, Golf, and Nightlife
The casino has numerous other opportunities if you are going for more of a family vacation than a gambling venture. They have a central area with a live band playing just about every night which is at a bar but you can sit down in the square behind the band to listen if you desire. The Treehouse is an arcade area for the kids. Boasting over 140 arcade games, it is guaranteed to keep the kids busy for a little while while you venture out to gamble. Also for educational purposes there is the Pequots Museum. A small but educational museum in the casino offers the patron an insight into the tribal nation and how they came to be where they are today through exhibits and presentations. There are large featured shows that you can attend as well such as musical acts or comedians. There are a few options for night life with The Club, Hard Rock Cafe, Champagne Bar, and Atrium Bar. These are clearly geared towards non children parties as I'm pretty sure they are all 21+ venues. Across the street there is the Lake Of Isles, the casinos 36 hole course surrounded by a gorgeous 90 acre lake is sure to provide hours of entertainment in the beautiful outdoors.
The Hotel
The casino is made up of three separate hotels, two of which are connected to the casino. The Grand Pequot Tower, the Great Cedar Hotel, and the Two Trees Inn are the trifecta of hotels that make up the hotels. (The Two Trees Inn is a short shuttle ride away on the property and is not connected directly to a casino.) Right now however they are investing in a $700 million project to build the MGM Grand on the premises as well, which will have it's own casino and hotel. The grandiose hotel is scheduled to be finished in the Spring of 2008 so I will update this review with that information once it's opened and I get a look at it. Until then, here are my experiences with the Grand Pequot and Great Cedar.
Location
As I said above the Grand Pequot and Great Cedar are located in the main building for the casino, just at opposite ends. The Two Trees Inn is still located on the premises but not connected directly to the casino. In order to reach it you have to take a quick little shuttle that they run for free from door to door. I cant imagine anyone would want to stay at the casino and venture off its grounds to look for something to do but if you were thinking that, you have slim pickings. As you'll see when you drive up to it, the casino is located, basically in the woods. There is very little around it with the exception of a few motels on the main road and a restaurant or two. Pretty much everything you need in terms of restaurants and entertainment can be found at the casino so you should be all set. There is a multi level garage within the casino which is free so parking is not an issue at all.
Service
The service has been very good on the few occasions I have stayed here. I go to gamble very frequently but I only stay over once every six months or so. The last time I stayed there was a problem with receiving our Wampum points so the casino host very graciously gave us our points and gave us admission to a small VIP area with a free buffet and drinks. Nothing big but it was nice to see action rather than appeasement for a mistake. When I had checked into my room there was a problem with the card reader in the door and we phoned the front desk. Within a few minutes there was someone there to help us take care of things. Overall the service is very much on point. They are eager to keep the customers happy even if they are not high rollers and that is a very welcoming feeling to anyone coming in. Checking in and out is always very seamless and easy to do. Express checkout is available for those who are in a rush.
Rooms
The rooms are beautiful. Very nicely decorated with all the amenities of a normal hotel. You have two options for a single king bed or two queen beds depending on how many people you have in the room. You also have a great option of a cot being wheeled in for an extra ten dollars. I've used this more than once and it's really come in handy if you have an odd number of people. Bathrooms were very nice and neat with extra towels knowing we had a cot coming in.
Price
The prices vary for weekly or weekend stays. I'm not sure if it is available to non Wampum card members but being a card member I frequently get offers in the mail for reduced room rates. During the week, the slower time for the casino than the weekends, the rates are significantly lower. I've seen them as low as $79 for a Monday through Thursday night stay, which is a fantastic rate. On the weekends however, the rates get jacked up. The lowest I've got a weekend rate for was $240 for one night. The weekends clearly are their busier time and their rates reflect it. If you can, I'd recommend going during the week rather than weekends. And if you think you'll get the same deal on a holiday weekend, think again. The rates change if there is a holiday weekend coming up.
The Breakdown: Foxwoods vs. Mohegan
Mohegan has a better night life, better decor, better stores, and better shows and a better venue for shows which is their arena.
Foxwoods has better gaming, more gaming space, more variety of games, better and faster rewards points on their rewards card, and cheaper hotel rates.
Ultimately the choice is up to you but those are the most straightforward breakdowns I can come up with. Maybe you have a preference or maybe you are like me and each one suits a need based upon which mood you are in on your trip down to Connecticut. Either way you get to gamble!
Overall
Overall the hotel is a great compliment to the fun you can have at the casino. With so much stuff to do for adults, and for kids, it is tough to not have a good time. Always keep in mind, self discipline is the best virtue to have when stepping into a casino. Never take more with you than you can afford to lose, and have fun!
© Copyright 2008 - ace3502
Coming up to Boston and looking for things to do? Take A Look At My Boston Traveler's Series:
# 1 - The Boston Garden
# 2 - New England Holocaust Memorial
# 3 - Fenway Park
# 4 - Lexington, Massachusetts
# 5 - Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market
# 6 - New England Aquarium
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
ace3502
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 in Sports & Outdoors |
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Member: Andrew
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Reviews written: 107
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