Was there last month and my slot jammed so the slot worker came over and opened up the machine with her key. She had trouble getting the machine back on line and had to re-boot the system. It displayed a PC DOS like script on the screen, which I wasn't supposed to see, and it had all the stats and data about that machine scrolling by. I distinctly saw the payout % that the machine was set to. 84.6%... I thought most slots were usually set to 90-95%. If I play long enough to bet $1k I will lose $160 on average. However, I do believe the high roller area has more loose slot %'s based on my experience.

I have to agree 100% with Tim M. The hotel is nice, the slots are the absolute worst from here to the northeast and over to the West Coast. I've played them literally all over the country and it's not even close. I kid you not, I have been to Harrahs Cherokee numerous times and their slots are BY FAR the worst/tightest you'll find. Complete waste of time, unless chunking a few hundred bucks in a 1/2 day is something you enjoy doing.

Go for the food or the hotel as both there are decent but unless you just have money to burn, don't bother with the slots. I suppose the Injuns need some way to pay for those new restaurants and hotel.

We hadn't been to Cherokee in months, and thought we would re-visit it this long weekend. The new additons were great, I highly recommend the buffet and Italian place. Some of the nicest folks we have encountered in our years of gaming. However, If you are looking for a modest rate of play for your bankroll, go somewhere else. I play table games and my wife bets on the slots and poker machines. The house's cut at the poker room is about 2 to 1 compared to other Harrah's operations. If you shoot craps, dont even bother. Their odds bets are ridiculus compared to others. The slot payouts are about 50 percent less than the Tunica casinos (per our calculations). Average rate of play for me and my wife was $400 per hour-$1 slots and poker machines. Watched my wife put 300 in one penny machine (2.50 per spin) never got a bonus, and had only four spins with greater than money back (@ 30 minutes). The lady next to us was hitting bonus after bonus on a true 5c bet! Nice place for dinner, but stay away from the gaming there. Most disappointing were these "counters" placed all along the casino, showing total payout for the day. It was in the millions. Just insulted our intelligence. Evidently they count every "money back" or "playback dollar" as a payout. It was a nice time, but for 4 grand in 24 hours of gaming, it wasn't that nice! We will be going to Tunica next trip. Even some of the locals there are livid about how the payouts have decreased and the jackpot amounts have increased on the progressive machines. Damn shame, such a nice place but its a "one visit" casino for most. Really surprised Harrah's has its name on this one.

Harrah's Cherokee really needs some competition. They can do whatever they want. I can't comment about the slots because I do not play them but they have recently changed the rules on the craps tables that shows the extent of their greed. They have now started charging the "vig" upfront when you are buying the 4, 5, 9 & 10. For those of you who don't play craps, when placing the 4&10, it pays 9 to 5. Placing the 5&9 pays 7 to 5. When buying the 4&10, you pay a 5% commission but it pays true odds, which is 2 to 1. 20 dollar bet after the commission pays 39 instead of 36. The 5&9 pays 3 to 2 , 29 instead of 28 on a 20 dollar bet. Now you must pay that upfront, regardless of whether or not you actually hit the number. If the shooter craps out before hitting that number, you have now lost your original bet plus 5%. That is a complete rip off! I will not play any more table games at Harrah's Cherokee unless it is changed back. Even though I live in North Carolina, it is still closer for me to go to West Virginia or Maryland than Cherokee anyway and Philadelphia is only 20 - 30 minutes farther. So long Harrah's Cherokee!

Not the Harrahs Cherokee of years past.. I get room vouchers but a room is never available those dates. I have played there consistently since they opened but the casino experience and customer service has dropped steadily ever since. Finding a drink host is like trying to find Waldo, you know they exist but never find one. It is surprising how many pot of golds that do not work properly, either screen is not aligned right or bill accepters don't work. You expect this once in a while but now every time I go I have to move machines several times looking for a proper working one. All the food places close by midnight except Johnny Rockets and it is marginal at best yet line is always long and slow. The pizza place is good but closes at 12:00. The buffet is about like all buffets and is pretty good but not sure it's worth $25.00 person but considering a slice of pizza is $7.00 buffet maybe not be such a bad deal. The Starbucks there has service with a smile more than any other place in casino. Staff in suits always walking around but act like they would break if they said hello to you or smiled, kinda cocky attitudes. I have played in many casinos but this place don't even feel like a casino no more, almost a cold arrogant feel. People cleaning machines are always friendly I will say. Chances of winning anymore is almost zero, and it's not just me, everyone is complaining about it but I really don't go expecting a big win but it would be nice to be able to play for awhile instead of it just eating my money fast. I wish they would have service and feel of like some of the sweepstakes places I played in hickory/lenoir before they made them close, they could learn a few things from them. I and a lot of regular small players ($500 or less a visit) would like to feel appreciated by Cherokee but guess our little amount of money doesn't matter to them? I do miss the sweepstakes, they made us feel like kings and took care of us. I really don't mean to sound so negative but the place doesn't feel like a casino, not a happy happy place no more. I found out it's not that much further to Charlestown WV if i have a long weekend off and there it does have a good casino feel but Cherokee is only couple hours away so sometimes close is better. Just wish it was like it was years ago but doubt it will ever be. So we got what we got but noticed me and a lot others go less and less.. Cherokees not been real busy in a long time, guess I'm not only one that's feels like this.