Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nene]

Is real poker at Gangwon Land Casino in Taebaek? What do they play?

[samd]

No real poker.

[ChopChaeJoe]

I heard the place was pretty crappy. Just feed a man won into the machine, do it again a couple minutes later. Koreans can gamble there, and there seems to be a strong criminal element.

[samd]

Kangwon Land is a joke because it's totally overcrowded and Koreans have no idea how to gamble or conduct themselves in casinos.

There are rows and rows of slot machines that have been "reserved" by selfish ajeossis/ajummas who leave 38won inside, and stick a 1000won note in the coin slot while doing the same at 50 other machines. either than, or you have some guy playing 3 machines at a time, while there are hordes of people waiting to play.

It's ridiculous behaviour that staff at any normal casino would put a stop to in a second - it must be costing them millions of dollars a year in lost revenue. My friend and I walked around for hours unable to donate our money because of this stupidity.

The table games are no better, with crowds five people deep around every single table, yet you have players using two different colours of chips on roulette, and again the dealers and staff do nothing even when politely requested.

There is a foreigners room, but it is full of Koreans who giggle when an actual foreigner walks in.

Aslo, expect to be bumped, pushed and shoved by maniacal gamblers who are rushing to place back bets at three or more tables simultaneously and who are frequently making mad dashes between them. Never seen such high rudeness levels at any casino in the world.

The foreigner only casinos are far far superior.

[sojourner1]

SAMD is right. That's exactly what I saw. Not worth it. I walked in and when I tried to play slots, I was dumbfounded to find the machines playing themselves unattended! They fold a 1000 won note and place on the machine to show it's reserved. The place was way too crowded, so many rude people pushing, shoving, hurrying, and just downright acting like turds. Despite all this action, the place is amazingly quiet like a funeral or church service with a very serious vibe to it. The machines sound effects are turned way down and it's not buzzing nor fun like a real casino. No pretty ladies serving alcoholic beverages on the floor for free though you can get a non-alcoholic beverage at a self serve place. The buffet was nasty and over priced too with raw fish and mostly crapola along with no beverages being served. Too bad it sucks, because it's a really nice facility they built out there. It's not what it appears to be. Same goes for a nice fancy marble hotel like they have.

I met a Korean man from Seoul on the floor who spoke English fluently who said that only 45% goes out to winnings instead of the 95% to 97% in American casinos. He said there are many financial corruptions going on as well. He said it was a draw on ignorant Korean consumers who are actually being consumed by the system in being taken for a run for their money. He said they are being too serious like it's a business when it should just be recreation instead of it being a serious attempt to make some money. I couldn't believe it to be hearing these sorts of claims from a Korean! But this is a Korean who lived in America for many years so he doesn't care about maintaining pride and saving face.

When people lose, they just stomp off and collide with a hundred others on the floor in anger. I'm surprised fights don't break out, because you always have a few hundred pissed off people stomping around really quickly. It is true that when Koreans act passive aggressively rude like this, they are venting anger, frustration, and displeasure. Regardless of place or setting, when someone pushes you, shoves you, grunts, stares, and literally walks into you like you aren't there, they are saying, "%$#% you, get out of my way! I have issues going on upstairs." You won't be too popular with most people at this casino nor is it worth going more than once just to see what it's like.

Also, real gambling is done in upscale hotel rooms in small groups; not casinos.