How Far $25 Will Take You at Potawatomi

You don't have to be a big spender to have a fun night out at the casino.

While you can certainly spend big at Potawatomi, the casino also offers some big bargains, including happy hour (4-8 p.m. weekdays). I started with a $3 glass of pinot grigio. What it lacked in quality, it made up for in quantity, as the bartender filled my goblet to the brim.

Then I hit the slots, and won 50 cents at “Super Wheel Blast” and $1.30 at “Sex and the City.” “Yardbirds” paid out $7 for a dollar’s worth of spins.

Hungry, I stopped at the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill to indulge in happy hour appetizers. As I devoured my $6 wonton cheese sticks, I considered my options. There are free comedy and musical performances on weekends (and some weekday evenings, too), and a $15 buffet until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But I couldn’t resist the call of the slots.

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Sadly, my hot streak turned cold, and sooner than expected, I was out of cash.

For $25, I had slurped down a glass of wine, enjoyed an appetizer, and walked out smelling like Newports with $10 in winnings. An affordable good time, indeed.