Foxwoods Poker Crowd
Foxwoods Poker Crowd As part of its near-billion-dollar expansion, the Mohegan Sun Casino has brought back what it gave up for worthless just five years ago: live poker, with dealers and tables and all the fun. The casino has been struggling to stay competitive with nearby Foxwoods Resort and Casino, which opened in 2002 and used the 2003 removal of poker from the Mohegan Sun as a catapult to attain status with gamblers on a level equal or higher than its better-established rival.

The Mohegan Sun had used mathematical analysis to determine that floor space occupied by poker tables would bring a greater return if slots were installed instead. Unfortunately, the calculators didn't forecast the continuing poker boom, nor the choice of slot players who also enjoyed cards to seek a more diverse atmosphere.

The main change in features from the new Casino of the Wind from the pre-existing building is the addition of the 42-table poker room, replete with 24 flatscreen televisions for viewing enjoyment throughout the area. The opening of the new poker facility drew hundreds at the beginning of the day Friday, giving the room a rousing start.

Players in attendance noted they had played Foxwoods ever since the closing in 2003, and were only drawn back by the return of the game they loved.

Foxwoods still has a larger poker facility, but at least Mohegan Sun has considered its error in underrating the importance of poker to a good casino, and resoundingly corrected the mistake.