Collusion at Michigan casino

Here's a frustrating situation.

I live in Northwestern Lower Michigan, near Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. There are Indian casinos scattered throughout the state, the closest ones to me being Leelanau Sands, Turtle Creek, Little River and Odawa. I play semi-regularly at the Leelanau Sands (poker operations moving soon to Turtle Creek) and have a great time. They run the room well. The poker room at Odawa in Petoskey is also very nice.

My concern is poker at the Little River Casino in Manistee.

Granted, my information is second-hand. A friend told me about this, but he's smart and honest, so I don't doubt the truth of what he says. There is a group of locals that play there, sometimes five to a table, who whipsaw the betting and force nearly every hand. If you bet your hand, two or more of these players will sandwich you and escalate back and forth, usually going to an all-in if need be. It makes it nearly impossible to see a hand beyond the flop or to have any fold or bluff equity. Among these colluders, it makes their drawing hands viable because if two or three of them are in a pot with drawing chances, only one of them has to get luck and outdraw you - since it's likely they pool their stakes and winnings.

I don't know if there's any card collusion, but it wouldn't surprise me if there is some signal like "I got this one," or "I'm strong, come back at me."

My friend says this pattern of play is quite obvious and he complained to the poker manager. The poker manager took no corrective action, having the attitude that they just spread the game and aren't there to police what the players do.

My obvious course of action is to avoid this place and hope that karma catches up to punish them for allowing such cheating. But beyond that, is there anyway players can pressure a poker room to do a better job of assuring a fair game?

Any other stories like this?

G the W

There is usually some state oversite body such as a Gaming Commission that you could file a complaint to.

Highly unlikely as the casino's are on an Indian Reserve, a law unto themselves. They also probably run the gaming commission.

This also means they pay more for drawing though. If 3 people pay to see the flop, they are risking 3 times as much as they have to win. So this "drawing hand collusion" is not a smart strategy and will likely lose them money. Now sandwiching with a good hand is another animal entirely, and it is definitely collusion and cheating.

Well I think even the Indian gaming commisions would be worried about keeping the integrity of their casinos high. ISTR that they did get involved and put a lot of pressure on Absolute to clean up their mess.

There is a Michigan agency charged with oversight of gaming activities in MI. Go to: MGCB - MGCB

The 'mgcd' stands for michigan gaming control board and does have oversight of the Indian casinos there. It looks like you can also report it online.

I would definitely report it. It may not help one instance, but it might generate an investigation into their operating practices. GL. If you do, please post a follow-up here. Thx

since they are on a protected reservation i don't think there is anything you can do.

Jeff Karis

Hang them imo

ITS a good bet the poker room manager is involved also. Seems very similar to the stardust in vegas back in the 80's

Complain to pit boss/ casino boss?...