Atlantic City article part 2

[afish]

Relying on that article to confirm anything is a big mistake.

I only go to the Taj and the Borgata, and I play 20-40. I can assure you that there are more games at that level now than there were a couple years ago. No limit is not dominant (at least at the middle limits).

[pipes]

With the new way being correct, informative, and interesting...

[octop]

are borgata rooms really only 39 dollars if you play 8 hours in a day during the week?

[George Rice]

[ QUOTE ]
I've never heard that. Have to check it out.

[/ QUOTE ]

On the way down it's exit 40 off the Parkway.

[Mr.K]

[ QUOTE ]
are borgata rooms really only 39 dollars if you play 8 hours in a day during the week?

[/ QUOTE ]

YES, with some strings attached. 1.) You must book ahead of time at the poker rate, which does not have unlimited availability, 2.) you need a MyBorgata card, which some folks have been able to get over the phone, but I was only able to get in the casino, and 3.) there are still some taxes above and beyond the $39. That said, if you're playing 6/12 or up(or is it 3/6? I always get confued about comp rates for each game), you're earning at least $1/hr in comps, so the 8 hours should about cover the taxes each day. 4.) The rate increases from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with either $59 or $79 being the low end rate after 8 hours play.

Flat out the poker rate at Bogata is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[Mr.K]

Any updated article on AC cardrooms simply should include a link or reference to Bunky's Shortcut -- a fantastic way to save time when driving to AC from points south (Baltimore, DC, etc.). You can find out about this shortcut by searching the archives.

[Spee]

Chris,

Good points all. I was covering AC for Blackjack Forum when poker was introduced there in the early 90's, and have followed the scene off and on since then, and played poker there a few times in the last few years.

The main things I remember about AC are mainly related to finances and crowds.
- It is so friggin' expensive unless one is day tripping. $150-$200 and up for a dumpy weekend hotel room. Double that for a casino room on the weekend. How does that fit into the economics of a 20-40 grinder? It can't. One has to day trip and that means 2-4 hour round trips.
- And what's up with the $5-spot to park? I have never liked that since it was first introduced. I guess it is simple economics, supply and demand. I'd rather see all the casino parking garages be valet only. At least people could earning some tip money instead of having the casino's and AC development authority whack up the donations.
- Unless things have changed, most of the poker rooms I remember are closer to sardines in a can than plush comfy gaming areas. The last time I played at the Taj, the tables were so tightly packed one could hardly get through the aisles. And what's up with jamming 10 players into those 9 player tables? Reminds me of playing at the Vic here in the UK.
- The comps in AC are worthless. There is so much financial and time investment to get one, that they are hardly akin to those in Vegas or elsewhere, where a friendly conversation with a pit boss might get a $25 ticket to the coffee shop or deli.
- AC was always more of a living crime wave than anything else, but at one time, it did have a lot of cool little spots for eatin' and boozin' and partyin'. Last time I was there in '04, those places were all gone. It's the casino's or out to the surrounding areas, or nothing. That's a darn shame, IMHO.
- It is highly unlikely that I will ever spend another nickel in AC. It offers more headache than opportunity. If the civic leaders in Philly had any stones or sense, they would allow part of the south side down by the new stadiums to be redeveloped to compete with AC. What would happen to poker in AC, if Philly were to build a massive poker-only casino, similar to what Foxwoods did with bingo back in the old days? The Taj and Borgata would probably survive, but everything else would fade fast.

Just my own wrong opinion.

Spee

[Foghatlive]

[ QUOTE ]
Chris,


The main things I remember about AC are mainly related to finances and crowds.

- It is so friggin' expensive unless one is day tripping. $150-$200 and up for a dumpy weekend hotel room. Double that for a casino room on the weekend. How does that fit into the economics of a 20-40 grinder? It can't. One has to day trip and that means 2-4 hour round trips.


Spee

[/ QUOTE ]

You pretty much nailed it. Living in NYC, I'd occasionally make a trip to AC to play in a $500 buyin tourney at the Borgata, but to make that run on a regular basis, when I can sit in my drawers and play online, just isn't worth it.

My fantasy is that the tracks like Yonkers raceway that have added video poker will eventually have live poker, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Death Valley]

[ QUOTE ]
- The comps in AC are worthless. There is so much financial and time investment to get one, that they are hardly akin to those in Vegas or elsewhere, where a friendly conversation with a pit boss might get a $25 ticket to the coffee shop or deli.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps comps from table games are poor compared to Vegas, but for poker they tend to be much better than Vegas

[Howard Burroughs]

"Perhaps comps from table games are poor compared to Vegas, but for poker they tend to be much better than Vegas"


Can you get a food comp without even playing (if you are a known/savvy regular) in A.C. like you can in many of the Vegas rooms?

Just wondering.

Thanks,

Howard