So I just spent over 2 days (Friday Night, Saturday Night, all day Sunday) at the DCC and thought I would give everyone my impression. Sorry if this gets too long.
Overall, I thought it was a positive experience and enjoyed the new venue. The Horseshoe is a decent hotel with much better food than the Executive West, although that is not saying much. The buffet is a bit over priced for what there is to offer in way of variety but still a good place to grab a quick meal. I think the locals feel the same way because the buffet overall was never crowded as it is here in the St Louis casinos. The two cafes I ate in (one across from the buffet - one by the hotel lobby) were very good. Just be prepared that in a casino, food is priced a little higher as there is the expectation that some of it will be comped.
Now, whoever the architect that designed this casino is, in my opinion, a complete idiot. It is literally a 7 minute walk from the hotel to the food/tournament area and then another 7 minute walk to the casino. Rooms at the Riviera in are closer to the tournament room than they are here. I kinda got the impression that the hotel does not do an overall big business on a normal weekly basis. This was mainly from the fact of the overall setup along with the 'slowness' of some hotel employees. I don't think they were used to having a crowd to service.
The overall setup of the tournament was great. The main tournament room downstairs was a little tight but the TV table was still a great setup. Upstairs, the TAR action room could have taken out one table and put in risers for more viewers. I think if there ever was going to be any big action, space definitely would be an issue. Also, upstairs the larger room where the Fatboy challenge was held was a great room. Again, seating was an issue. I think the # of seat was about the same as the old place but the difference was there was no room behind the seats in any of the rooms to stand. You either had to be in a seat or couldn't be in the room. The old place was better in seeing tournament matches as they were centralized. At the Horseshoe, a great match might be taking place in a side room and no one would even know.
I think the DCC, if they have the tournament here next year, should have more signs up. Unless you sought things out for yourself or asked a friend, you did not realize that there were tables down a hall. Also, maybe for a way for the intercom to work throughout all tournament areas. There was an issue on Sunday with the computer system and many matches were delayed. I was sitting with Tony Chohan watching a tournament match and he was at a loss on when he played next. He got bored and left the main tournament area. Five minutes later, they called his match. I had to go track him down or felt he would be in jeopardy of missing his match and forfeiting.
The mini bars placed all over was great. You never had to go far to look for a drink.
I didn't talk to any vendors specifically but they were sectioned off to the side and probably not too happy that they were not in the direct line of traffic. There seemed to be less vendors as well. By the way, Jess (I believe that is her name) of OB-1 cues looks better in person than she did on the TAR feed. For those of you who watched Thursday night, you will understand.
The action was limited. I got to make two $500 bets. Lots of talk of something going to happen but they never came about. Late Saturday night/early Sunday morning was just like the old DCC. People were woofing, gaff bets were being made. After the first day, the issue of security and gambling never even came up. People were talking freely and taking money out of their pockets to be posted. Sunday felt more like the old DCC in the action room.
Ok, enough for now.
Oh and the strangest sight I saw. Saturday early evening, in the main lobby outside the tournament room. Charlie Williams wearing white sweat pants, a white wife beater and black workout gloves. Just standing there, leaning against a pole. I really didn't know what to think of it.
Overall, I thought it was a positive experience and enjoyed the new venue. The Horseshoe is a decent hotel with much better food than the Executive West, although that is not saying much. The buffet is a bit over priced for what there is to offer in way of variety but still a good place to grab a quick meal. I think the locals feel the same way because the buffet overall was never crowded as it is here in the St Louis casinos. The two cafes I ate in (one across from the buffet - one by the hotel lobby) were very good. Just be prepared that in a casino, food is priced a little higher as there is the expectation that some of it will be comped.
Now, whoever the architect that designed this casino is, in my opinion, a complete idiot. It is literally a 7 minute walk from the hotel to the food/tournament area and then another 7 minute walk to the casino. Rooms at the Riviera in are closer to the tournament room than they are here. I kinda got the impression that the hotel does not do an overall big business on a normal weekly basis. This was mainly from the fact of the overall setup along with the 'slowness' of some hotel employees. I don't think they were used to having a crowd to service.
The overall setup of the tournament was great. The main tournament room downstairs was a little tight but the TV table was still a great setup. Upstairs, the TAR action room could have taken out one table and put in risers for more viewers. I think if there ever was going to be any big action, space definitely would be an issue. Also, upstairs the larger room where the Fatboy challenge was held was a great room. Again, seating was an issue. I think the # of seat was about the same as the old place but the difference was there was no room behind the seats in any of the rooms to stand. You either had to be in a seat or couldn't be in the room. The old place was better in seeing tournament matches as they were centralized. At the Horseshoe, a great match might be taking place in a side room and no one would even know.
I think the DCC, if they have the tournament here next year, should have more signs up. Unless you sought things out for yourself or asked a friend, you did not realize that there were tables down a hall. Also, maybe for a way for the intercom to work throughout all tournament areas. There was an issue on Sunday with the computer system and many matches were delayed. I was sitting with Tony Chohan watching a tournament match and he was at a loss on when he played next. He got bored and left the main tournament area. Five minutes later, they called his match. I had to go track him down or felt he would be in jeopardy of missing his match and forfeiting.
The mini bars placed all over was great. You never had to go far to look for a drink.
I didn't talk to any vendors specifically but they were sectioned off to the side and probably not too happy that they were not in the direct line of traffic. There seemed to be less vendors as well. By the way, Jess (I believe that is her name) of OB-1 cues looks better in person than she did on the TAR feed. For those of you who watched Thursday night, you will understand.
The action was limited. I got to make two $500 bets. Lots of talk of something going to happen but they never came about. Late Saturday night/early Sunday morning was just like the old DCC. People were woofing, gaff bets were being made. After the first day, the issue of security and gambling never even came up. People were talking freely and taking money out of their pockets to be posted. Sunday felt more like the old DCC in the action room.
Ok, enough for now.
Oh and the strangest sight I saw. Saturday early evening, in the main lobby outside the tournament room. Charlie Williams wearing white sweat pants, a white wife beater and black workout gloves. Just standing there, leaning against a pole. I really didn't know what to think of it.
.
Then alot of good things would fall into place.
Maybe not, but you never know.