[danspartan]

Keep having to drive down from Minneapolis to Des Moines for a meeting every couple of months. Finally on the drive alone which means I can actually stop and check on the Diamond Jo Casino just inside Iowa on 35.

Get there at 6pm on a Wednesday.

Environment:
Room is obviously pretty new. 7 tables, 5-6 flatscreens. There was a bar area separating the poker room from the slots so spill over noise was minor. Smoking allowed at the bar, so some smell wafting over. Only ones smoking there were poker players so OK even for me (hate smoke). Might be bad if that bar area was heavily used.

Staff:
One table 2/4 NL (100-300) running 9-handed. 9 seems typical. I asked the dealer that just got up from the table if they would play 10 since I was passing thru and had no intent on waiting. He said probably, floor guy wasnt right there but showed within a minute and we were off 10-handed. Came in BTB and did not have to post (nice). Only 2 dealers on shift, they were rotating downs. No signficant dealer mistakes. Saw a winner start to get mucked, it was caught and corrected without incident. Based on previous experience with small rooms and postings here-very nice. Floor cashed chips at the desk.

Play
A. Mesucks at NL cash since my home base is CP so my opinion may suck. B. I was the only stranger. C. Overall not a high level of play not that great. Twice saw KJo cold call $15 PF (and suck out on AJ both times). Some idiot overplayed JJ on a Q hi flop and caught a J on river. Oh wait, that was me--- EXCELLENT PLAY! Basically fairly loose calling standards. 700 stack OTB raised ($15-$20), 350 stack SB raises back all-in. OTB calls. SB wins AA vs QQ. Hmmm, not sure I'm calling 350 with QQ here PF.
1.5 hours -$32. Still 2.5 hours to go and been up since 5am so I leave.

Other
There is a buffet there (not too bad) and a BK accessible inside the casino. Country Inn and Suites attached.

Players were friendly but not too chatty. Was tired so failed to get low down on when room is more active.

Cliff Notes: Good staff, nice room, pleasant surprise.