Four Winds and their electronic WPT poker room

jamby · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 07:50 AM

The Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, MI has been advertising heavily in the midwest lately and touting their new WPT poker room. The thing is though, it's full of electronic tables. No dealers, chips or cards in play at all.

Here's a shot of the web page touting the new PokerPro offerings.

I'm in the area, but haven't made the trek there yet for obvious reasons - not really live poker. Can anybody who has visited file a trip report here? Is a trip there even worthwhile? What's with the WPT connection?

I was really excited to hear that they were building a relatively huge poker room at the Four Winds, but so disappointed to find that it is apparently 100% electronic.

Vince · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 07:56 AM

If I wanna play poker in front of a screen I stay at home, right?

jamby · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 08:06 AM

Definitely, this caught my eye because I just returned from a cruise with electronic poker so know that it's not my cup of tea. I can sort of understand why a cruise ship with very limited space might choose to go the electronic poker route, but don't get why a huge casino would install so many of these tables. I don't get the whole WPT connection either. What's this world coming to?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

If I wanna play poker in front of a screen I stay at home, right?

Vince · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 08:14 AM

yeah, you posted that other "review" right after this one here.

According to this whole WPT thing:

a) it reduces a bunch of costs for chips, cards, staff etc...

b) they use "WPT" to attract people and try to overcover the lack of "poker atmosphere"

But I understand your point about the cruise ships. One less personell makes room for one more paying tourist.

jamby · #5 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 08:19 AM

The tables on the cruise ships are making a killing. I was told by one of the casino manager that the daily net profit on one electronic table is $15k minimum. That's a lot of money for a relatively small footprint when you consider it's all profit. I suppose it's the same at the Four Winds, but the difference there is that other B&M card rooms are available at other midwest casinos. They're not the only game in town like they would be on a cruise ship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

But I understand your point about the cruise ships. One less personell makes room for one more paying tourist.

Vince · #6 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 08:21 AM

In a nutshell, it's all set up to make (more) money.

But good to know, if I ever go on a cruise I take a travel set with me to start a real poker game at my room.

jamby · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 10:27 AM

Unfortunately, if the new Four Winds is any indication, it may not just be casinos at sea that are apt to have the e-tables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

In a nutshell, it's all set up to make (more) money.

But good to know, if I ever go on a cruise I take a travel set with me to start a real poker game at my room.

chipandachair · #8 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:20 AM

In the long run will there be any tables with chips and cards? It's just a money thing. The hands per hour must almost double with the computers.

It's going to be a very different game.

C & C

JCTC · #9 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:35 AM

I posted this in another thread about this poker room...

I visited a couple weeks after Four Winds opened and was disappointed to find this set up. First, I was there to pick up a rack of $1s and couldn't do it at the poker room

. They wouldn't sell me a rack at the cage, so I had to lift them off the blackjack tables 10 at a time.

I spent some time watching the set-up and even loaded a card to play, but decided not to support this development. As someone who loves live poker, if I spend my money at that poker room, I am encouraging the end of live poker. I won't do it.

abby99 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamby

The tables on the cruise ships are making a killing. I was told by one of the casino manager that the daily net profit on one electronic table is $15k minimum. That's a lot of money for a relatively small footprint when you consider it's all profit. I suppose it's the same at the Four Winds, but the difference there is that other B&M card rooms are available at other midwest casinos. They're not the only game in town like they would be on a cruise ship.

24 hrs per day x 60 hands per hour = 1,440 hands per day.
$15K / 1,440 = $10.42 rake per hand