Welcome!

As moderator for the Wisconsin Board I thought I would start off wiht a discussion on the gaming conditions around the state. As I understand it, ten native american tribes operate fifteen casinos around the state. Two of the fifteen do not offer blackjack.

This year the state is renewing gaming agreements with each tribe and insists on a piece of the action or else it won't renew any agreements. Many tribes have negotiated a percentage of gaming profits to the state.

But where does this extra money come from? Many say the casinos are laying off dealers, pit bosses and tightening up the slot machines and table games to come up with money for the state.

At the St. Croix casino in Turtle Lake only twelve of thirty-two tables are open on weekday afternoons. After the busses arrive it's darn difficult to get a seat let alone a seat in a game with positive expectation.

When this happens I generally practice back counting. If I find a positive game with a friendly player I sometimes bet on that players hand. (Kind of a good way to cover wonging.) Otherwise I just practice and enjoy a meal there and call it a day.

Have you found similar conditions since the new gaming agreements? What have you found and how do you handle it?

Snapper