[NYTyler]

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Is it better to book through the casino's website. or a site like orbitz.com or travelocity.com?

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I would book directly with the hotel. With a confirmation number, your reservation is pretty much a guarentee, and the casino can not say things like "we don't have a reservation for you" or "your reservation is not valid".

Sometimes, espically around this time of the year, you can find "hot rates" directly with the casino that sometimes won't be shown on sites like Expedia or Orbitz.

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That's right...Expedia is usually what I use to find places midweek. Look the cheapest place that is in AC but not a casino is the El Greco...which honestly is a fleebag but it will be about $49 to $55 SUN through THUR. Howard Johnson (there are two but I am talking about the one at Tennessee and Pacific Avenue) will be about $65 including tax for one night's stay. It is nicer and a good alternative for not much more money, if you stay in AC but not in a casino and want to stay cheaply then stay there. If you have a car and want to go to Absecon I am sure there is cheaper.

AS far as the casinos go....Trop midweek has the best poker rate. I believe it is either $59 or $69 midweek. If you want to risk it you can go down there without a reservation...play 4 hours and then ask if they have poker rooms available. It is hit or miss though sometimes they say they have rooms sometimes they don't have them. If you already have a card you can call them and ask if you can reserve a room which sometimes people can do. If that doesn't work the El Greco (which is a flea bag but is cheap) is right up the street or the HJ is a $2 JItney ride away which is adequate but not as nice as staying in the casino. Check Expedia if you just want to reserve a room. It doesn't require a deposit but does require a cc with a 48 hour cancellation deadline or your card gets charged. My suggestio is to try and wing it at the Trop with your buddies then when all else fails head down to the HJ. It will be the same rate midweek whether you reserve on expedia or just show up. I believe it is about $65 with tax...I have never seen them sold out during mid-week and I must have stayed there a dozen times, so you are pretty safe if you don't have a reservation....good luck.