AC Trip This Weekend

cuserounder · #1 08-07-2007, 01:35 PM

I'm going to be in Atlantic City for the first time so I have a few questions, or would appreciate anyone confirming what I've heard...

Where are the best 1/2 NL games? Caesars has the best, Borg is a nicer room?

Since it's my first time, any places I need to see or play for a few minutes just to say I did? Like the Taj?

Where are the best tournaments Thurs/Fri/Sat? I'd like a good structure obviously, but low buy ins (definitely less than $500, less than 300 would be good...)

Also, parking, beaches, bars? Anything I should know? I think the plan is to go to the beach in Wildwood instead (we're staying in Absecon).. Where can I park for free in AC?

yanxchick · #2 08-07-2007, 02:00 PM

If you have a total rewards card you can park at Harrah's and Showboat for free. at showboat you can request a transfer and then use it to go to any other casino. Since I live off the WHP, this is usually the way I come into AC and get the transfer first off and then hit any other casino for free parking.

eastcoaster · #3 08-07-2007, 02:19 PM

Traffic: it's supposed to be a nice weekend, so expect a good amount of it on the GSP and secondary highways (like Rt. 30 through Absecon). Everyone is going to want to go to the beach this weekend. Try to time your arrival for early morning or late night for best chance of minimal traffic.

Poshua · #4 08-07-2007, 02:25 PM

Generally my advice for most AC matters is:

Borgata >>>>>>>> Anything that's not the Borgata

I don't feel it's necessary to tour other properties unless you want to do something specific there. Have you ever been to a tired casino that's seen better days? Yes? Then no need to poke your head in at the Taj.

This doesn't necessarily apply to tournaments; while I'm not a tournament player, I hear lots of people express that their favorite place for tournaments is the Showboat.

NickMPK · #5 08-07-2007, 02:56 PM

The best 1/2 NL game is in whatever casino you like the best. They are everywhere, and everywhere the same. Just try a bunch of rooms out and see what you like.

The best tournament for your specifications is probably the Borgata Friday noon tournament, which is $250+30. At least as of when I was last there, Hilton has a no fee tournament Thursdays at 7 with a $100 buy-in and optional $100 add-on. The structure is much worse than Borgata, and it doesn't draw many people, but it is no fee.

My first full day in AC, I jitneyed to the top boardwalk in the morning, and gradually walked the length of the boardwalk south over the course of the day...with the following schedule:

- 11 am tourney at Showboat
- Grabbed lunch at one of the stands outside Taj
- 3 pm tourney at Caesar's
- 7:15 tourney at Tropicana
- Dinner & late-night 1/2 NL at Hilton (where I was staying)

I was a very nice day for getting to know the casinos and the boardwalk.
Didn't hit Borgata until a couple days later though.

Mike Gallo · #6 08-07-2007, 03:36 PM

Where are the best 1/2 NL games? Caesars has the best, Borg is a nicer room?

Not really. Just because of a few posters claim that Caesar's spreads games make it that way.

Where can I park for free in AC?

You will need a players card to park for free at the Showboat. Go to the Showboat walk through to the Taj Mahal poker room and ask someone to direct you to the poker room luncheonette. Order the NY steak sandwich with sauteed onions.

When you leave the Showboat ask for a transfer slip and travel to the Borgata.

Where are the best tournaments Thurs/Fri/Sat? I'd like a good structure obviously, but low buy ins (definitely less than $500, less than 300 would be good...)

The Hilton has a decent tournament Friday nights at 10:00. $40+$10 players start with 15k in tournament chips. Levels last 20 minutes and the blinds start at T25-T50. The blinds increase pretty rapidly, antes kick in after the third level.

The Showboat has a good tournament as well.

atrainpsu · #7 08-07-2007, 04:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you have a total rewards card you can park at Harrah's and Showboat for free. at showboat you can request a transfer and then use it to go to any other casino. Since I live off the WHP, this is usually the way I come into AC and get the transfer first off and then hit any other casino for free parking.

[/ QUOTE ]
Can anyone confirm that they have done this in the past month or so? I went to the Taj 2 weeks ago, and went to park at the Showboat and the sign said "$10 for gold card holders and non-members". It said free if you had the higher level cards (diamond and whatever else). Rather than pay the $10, I turned around and went to the Taj. Was this sign misposted, or is this info that you guys have not up to date?

yanxchick · #8 08-07-2007, 04:28 PM

I've done this in the past two weeks. The $10 gold card sign for valet parking not self parking.

max1000000 · #9 08-07-2007, 04:58 PM

I like Borgota and Taj tourneys, followed Hilton and Showboat. They say Showboat has the best tourneys, but I have never gotten comfortable there. I really don't like starting 11 handed and there seems to be disputes at the color ups most times. I gave the Showboat another chance last week and busted early (my fault not their's), so I walked over to Taj to play some 1-2 and saw that they had a tourney starting at 12:15 PM with a decent looking structure, so I played. This was my first Taj tourney in a long time. It was very well run and the dealers and floors knew what they were doing. I didn't see anything out of line with the structure like I had read in the past. Other than the grimy chips, it was a great tourney. I will definatly play their tourneys again.

I would not recommend any tourneys or S&G's at Wild Wild West. The dealers know a little about poker, but very little. The players constantly have to tell them how to make change. A side pot usually requires help from the floor, who seems to feel it's necessary to hover behind the dealers in case they screw something up. They'll pull in bets before the round is complete, flash cards, etc. They also play with eleven at the table. The S&G structure makes it a push fest after about the third level. WWW is where I played (and won) my first tourney, but I doubt I'll bother with them any more unless things change. If you want to play S&G, Borgata is the place.

A (little outdated) list of AC tourneys is available here: http://www.acpokerguide.com/dailytournaments.htm

The Hilton $25 Sunday 7 PM toruney is the lowest buy in in town. The play is decent, dealers and floor are competant and the room is nice. It's a little fishy at first but there are enough chips that it's not an all out push fest, even with the fast structure. It is at 7, NOT 9 PM.

PokerDonkey27 · #10 08-07-2007, 05:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Where can I park for free in AC?

You will need a players card to park for free at the Showboat. Go to the Showboat walk through to the Taj Mahal poker room and ask someone to direct you to the poker room luncheonette. Order the NY steak sandwich with sauteed onions.

When you leave the Showboat ask for a transfer slip and travel to the Borgata.

[/ QUOTE ]

You "pay" when you enter the Showboat parking garage, so you have to ask for a receipt at that point. Also, it depends on who is working the booth upon entry when you park at Showboat. Technically, they are not supposted to give a receipt, as since you did not pay, you are not entitled to a transfer. Some employees ignore this rule, like I said, it is all about who you get working.