Firekeepers Casino

My first time there yesterday. A couple of observations from an experienced casino hopper. Valet parking was better than most, fast in, fast out. The Decor I would describe as early industrial...didn't seem very inviting to me. Players club reps were knowledgeable and cheerful and there are two players club areas to alleviate lines. The slot aisles are nice and wide so you don't feel like the player behind you is breathing down your neck but the floor layout is horrendous, you can't find anyone so make sure everyone has a cell phone. Table games are arranged in an oval in the center surrounded by slots. I was there 5 hours and was never offered a beverage by anyone. I finally found a self-serve beverage bar tucked into a corner. I've been told by others that the machines are super tight but I found them to be about average. Having said that, I never saw anyone get paid off while I was there. Although slot selection was ok, my personal preference is for more traditional 3 reelers. We didn't eat there so I can't comment on the dining. Bottom line...I went home with some of their money but 3 others in my party all lost and I wouldn't make it a destination casino.

Was there opening night. Not again. Slots where tighter than tight.

abranger wrote:

My first time there yesterday. A couple of observations from an experienced casino hopper. Valet parking was better than most, fast in, fast out. The Decor I would describe as early industrial...didn't seem very inviting to me. Players club reps were knowledgeable and cheerful and there are two players club areas to alleviate lines. The slot aisles are nice and wide so you don't feel like the player behind you is breathing down your neck but the floor layout is horrendous, you can't find anyone so make sure everyone has a cell phone. Table games are arranged in an oval in the center surrounded by slots. I was there 5 hours and was never offered a beverage by anyone. I finally found a self-serve beverage bar tucked into a corner. I've been told by others that the machines are super tight but I found them to be about average. Having said that, I never saw anyone get paid off while I was there. Although slot selection was ok, my personal preference is for more traditional 3 reelers. We didn't eat there so I can't comment on the dining. Bottom line...I went home with some of their money but 3 others in my party all lost and I wouldn't make it a destination casino.

Did they have a poker room?

Yes, they have a poker room and pretty good sized.

john wrote:

Was there opening night. Not again. Slots where tighter than tight.

I thought sluts being tighter than tight was a good thing?

abranger wrote:

Yes, they have a poker room and pretty good sized.

Was it live poker? Or that Pokertec video game stuff?

TheBodhiZaffa wrote:

<quoted text>
Was it live poker? Or that Pokertec video game stuff?

Live poker...looked like they had a least a dozen tables.

Nemo wrote:

<quoted text>I thought sluts being tighter than tight was a good thing?

Pretty lame, Nemo. Maybe you should write monologues for Letterman.

abranger wrote:

<quoted text>
Pretty lame, Nemo. Maybe you should write monologues for Letterman.

My sincere apologies. I did not intend to offend you.

Go on down to the Firekeepers Casino. I'm sure they will accept any and all donations to the tribe that so many enjoy making.

Nemo wrote:

<quoted text>My sincere apologies. I did not intend to offend you.

Apology accepted. But for the record, I was not offended. Your post was simply off topic.

I am an avid casino goer too and have been to Firekeepers once so far. The main problem is that the entire area is NOT a "destination" type of place. Who on earth would wanna go to the Battle Creek area for anything. What a horrible location for a decent casino. At least Mt Pleasant has great resturants, bars, CMU Football, etc.
Living & working in the GR area, i am anxiously awaiting the new casino in Wayland, albeit a tiny one! Proximity is key to me.

I would not go back to Firekeepers after a trip there today. An experienced video keno and slot player - machines were beyond tight. Far tighter than the Detroit casinos. Also, video keno players beware - pay tables are much lower than other casinos. Buffet was average to below average, the decor was nice at the casino, staff was very friendly. They get an A for staff training, but other than that, would not return. I'll stick with Detroit and Windsor!

Only been to Mt Pleasant casino one time since being in Michigan. Found it dreary inside, mediocre food, and a wampum sucker. However, casinos have to viewed as adult pinball machines ... entertainment only. Expect to lose all that you take, and mentally you will be fine at the end of the day.

Big O wrote:

Only been to Mt Pleasant casino one time since being in Michigan. Found it dreary inside, mediocre food, and a wampum sucker. However, casinos have to viewed as adult pinball machines ... entertainment only. Expect to lose all that you take, and mentally you will be fine at the end of the day.

I Agree. If you are not prepared to lose everything in your pocket, you shouldn't be there. The other trick is to avoid the ATM's scattered throughout most casinos. I also think your decor and food assessment would probably apply to most of them. The two that I find the most pleasant are Little River in Manistee and Bay Mills in Brimley but both of them also have mediocre food.

avid casino visitor across country here i've been to 25 different casinos in past 2yrs, if you been in 1 casino you've been in them all, blindfold me and i couldn't tell ya which casino i'm at hehe, firekeepers is nice so far, good lookin drink servers unlike detroit casinos, ya i know doesnt take much to amuse me but thats ok. I'd say after a few visits to firekeepers that they are about average on the entertainment factor $$vs play time before you go home broke. GL all.

I'm not a fan of casinos myself. However, if you enjoy gambling, you can have fun there and the odds of winning are most likely better than you would get with the LOTTO.

That said, in a casino you are mostly contributing to the tribe and in the case of the LOTTO you are contributing to the state. Either way you are more likely to lose than win.

Gentle Taz wrote:

I'm not a fan of casinos myself. However, if you enjoy gambling, you can have fun there and the odds of winning are most likely better than you would get with the LOTTO.
That said, in a casino you are mostly contributing to the tribe and in the case of the LOTTO you are contributing to the state. Either way you are more likely to lose than win.

I know a few folks who go to casinos and say its a good time. I personally don't get it. Yes I buy a few lottery tickets. But to each his own. I would rather buy a six pack go for a drive and maybe take a walk in the woods or watch the sun set but hey that's just me. I have never been in a casino and never will.

walmartbiker wrote:

avid casino visitor across country here i've been to 25 different casinos in past 2yrs, if you been in 1 casino you've been in them all, blindfold me and i couldn't tell ya which casino i'm at hehe, firekeepers is nice so far, good lookin drink servers unlike detroit casinos, ya i know doesnt take much to amuse me but thats ok. I'd say after a few visits to firekeepers that they are about average on the entertainment factor $$vs play time before you go home broke. GL all.

If you're an avid casino goer (as I am), then you know how important it is to practice money management and controlling the amount of time you spend actually gambling. Sometimes I'll sit down at a .25 roulette table where I can have a few cocktails and relax for a couple of hours on a 20 dollar bill.

I enjoy Vegas . . . I'm not a big gambler, but enjoy the ambiance of the Strip . . . except for the underage Mexican kids handing out stripper brochures . . . it's fun just watching people in and out of the Vegas casinos . . .