I found out that the Alabama-Coushatta had opened their casino last Saturday without a lot of hoop-la and fan fare. I knew it was about to, but couldn’t get a hard date. My wife picked up a killer schedule in the ER this week so getting away was going to be hard unless I went last night. I got the number from their website and called to check for open times and crowd control. They are open 24 hrs a day; the crowd is heavy to say the least. I didn’t want to wait until the middle of the night to drive the hour to the casino so I left around 8 pm. And took my chances.

It was a nice drive, and it’s located in the middle of the Piney Woods of East Texas. After driving the 16 of the 17 miles after turning in Woodville (a lot like Mayberry on TV), it was still pitch dark and nothing but black woods everywhere. The last ½ mile it looked like a football stadium the way it was lit up. It’s a mile off the highway and it reminded me of a new state park with all the buildings made from the pine logs and timbers and good roads. The casino looked like it was originally a recreation facility that they just loaded up with slots. As soon as you walked in you were asked for your membership card, I didn’t have one and was directed to get one (free). I asked if it was like a slot card and told no they didn’t use slot cards. They gave me a piece of paper for a membership card and told to check back in an hour or so and my (plastic) card would be ready. There were a couple of hundred machines I think (25¢, $1.00, $5.00), 5 blackjack tables ($5 limits w/50¢ commission), and 1 poker table (looked like the game would change from time to time). The slots were the regular machines varying in denominations (some paid off with paper tickets others with coins) and in the back 2 rows of these machines with cards sticking out. I snagged 2 of the cards (Cadillac Jack cards), not sure what the deal is with them, but they were the only machines with a place to put a card. The place was really PACKED. There was someone at EVERY slot machine and most had someone waiting to play. The table games looked hopeless. Went to the cage to ask if they would sell me chips and tokens, they looked at me like I just fell off the turnip truck and said no they didn’t and why would you want to buy them anyway if you couldn’t get on a table. OK, it was back to the tables and thinking about “cashing in” someone else’s chips in the cage line, but I ONLY saw people with tokens, no one with chips. Hmm that’s odd; players must really be taking a bath on the tables. Finally, I actually get to sit at a table and play. I bought a hundred in chips and began to play. Won a few and lost a few, pocketing a few chip as I went. Didn’t take long to see the win/loss ratio was looking bad, and I hit a couple of nice ones and decided to leave. I had pocketed all but about 6 reds and a couple of browns when the dealer asked to color up, I slid the few chips to her. She asked what about coloring up all those in my pocket? Huh? What? This was a FIRST for me! She said she needed the chips. Her rack only had maybe 50~75 white, 100 green, 100 brown, and lot of red, it was a very SMALL rack. I reached into my pocket and withdrew a small amount of chips and slid them to her, I worked hard to get those and was embarrassed that she inquired about them. But I held as much back as I could without being too obvious. I checked on my ‘membership’ card and they were still backed up so I asked for a blank card. You know, as a souvenir? Well, I got one with “SOUVENIER” on it! They don’t have spell check. LOL Extra chips, I can hold in one hand> can’t meet current obligations. BUT the casino is close so I can go back, but they sure seem to watch their chips close! (Will take some orders on later trips.) Warning: If you go, bring a good book to read. The slots are 2 & 3 deep, the tables are equally packed and it is very likely you will have some dead time during your visit. Drinks, are SLOW and FEW, I only saw 10 ~ 12 people with drinks, didn’t see (or smell beer or see mixed drinks—I think it’s dry there). Food, there is a snack bar (hotdogs, popcorn, etc. No real food). I think if they STAY open I will wait until the crowd thins to go back. Was told Craps was to come later, it's like they are testing the water (legally) before they start sinking more money into this.