Sharon and I made a road trip to Horseshoe casino in Hammond Indiana Monday because it's 5 hours closer than my favorite casino, Harrahs in North Kansas City, MO.

1 Number of Slot machines-Horseshoe wins easily, they have 3,000 versus 1,500 at Harrah's KC

2 Diamond Lounge-Horseshoe wins easily again. Not only do they have longer hours open, they have a fantastic soup and salad bar and a menu where you can order anything from charbroiled salmon to chicken cordon blue, plus tasty sandwiches served on pretzel buns. All free of course.

3 Cleanliness- Harrah's wins this time. Horseshoe casino had lots of dirty cups and full ashtrays between the machines, probably from all those Illinois smokers who can't smoke in their state due to the smoking ban.

4 Drink service-Horseshoe wins easily. You order right from your machine and she shows up with your drink in less than two minutes!

5 Motel- no contest! Harrahs. Horseshoe doesn't even have one. Sleep in your car or take the free shuttle all the way to downtown Chicago.

6 Friendliness of personnel.Harrahs wins by a hair.

Looseness of slots- about equal, both properties are set at 92 percent payback.

Buffet-Horseshoe wins this, again by a hair.