Shocking decline of table mins in AC
I have been sporadically in the past several years.
From 2000 until about 2011 I was a fairly heavy gambler, often going to AC multiple times in a weekend.
I ended up at Ballys (Main not Wild West) and was shocked to see about 4-5 tables with a $5 minimum. I could not even find a table with a $25 min, until I looked in the high roller section and there is where it was. Only one guy was sitting and playing.
I used to come to Ballys 15 years ago and you had to wait in line for a seat just to sit $25 at a crowded table. And that's not even factoring inflation.
I understand part of that was probably Hard Rock & Oceans taking customers, but $5 tables at Bally's Main on a Saturday night?
Wow...
edit
oh yeah we have stadium blackjack as well which is our cheapest at 5
Quote: jobaba
I used to come to Ballys 15 years ago and you had to wait in line for a seat just to sit $25 at a crowded table. And that's not even factoring inflation.
I understand part of that was probably Hard Rock & Oceans taking customers, but $5 tables at Bally's Main on a Saturday night?
Wow...
Thank the expansion of Gaming to new jurisdictions. They no longer have the east coast monopoly.
Only a cruise ship has captive players. Everyone else competes on some basis.Quote: DRichThank the expansion of Gaming to new jurisdictions. They no longer have the east coast monopoly.
not close to being true. Without reasonable rules I'm a cruiser, not a player.Quote: FleaStiffOnly a cruise ship has captive players. Everyone else competes on some basis.
You can take to a deck chair, play shuffleboard, watch dolphins, stuff yourself at the buffet, drink and dance, but you can't gamble elsewhere if the rules and table limits are not to your liking.Quote: SOOPOOnot close to being true. Without reasonable rules I'm a cruiser, not a player.
Quote: FleaStiffYou can take to a deck chair, play shuffleboard, watch dolphins, stuff yourself at the buffet, drink and dance, but you can't gamble elsewhere if the rules and table limits are not to your liking.
Not on the shp, but plenty of cruise ports have gambling (ie. Nassau, St Maarten, Aruba, Puerto Rico, etc.)
The casino was never that busy their just seem to be a few people sprinkled in here and there.
I remember the food was absolutely fantastic, especially during dinner.
I used to go to the casino every week. Now I might go once a month.
With on-line gambling, you don't have to go to the casino. Instead of traveling 75 miles to the casino, I can gamble at my desk. I don't have to pay for tolls, parking and gas.
Many casinos have on-line live dealers on-line.
The monthly AC gambling reports show that on-line gambling is increasing.
It usually is, I'm sure. People go on cruises for many reasons and to casinos for many reasons. I go to a casino to Gamble, Eat and Drink. Therefore shows, artwork, room embellishments and famous named places are of little interest to me. Its craps, roulette, blackjack baccarat; the Buffet, the Booze.Quote: AxelWolfI remember the food was absolutely fantastic, especially during dinner.
Weather in Atlantic City may make it "the off season" but its hot in Florida that it still be attractive irrespective of table minimums,
Quote: FleaStiffIt usually is, I'm sure. People go on cruises for many reasons and to casinos for many reasons. I go to a casino to Gamble, Eat and Drink. Therefore shows, artwork, room embellishments and famous named places are of little interest to me. Its craps, roulette, blackjack baccarat; the Buffet, the Booze.
Weather in Atlantic City may make it "the off season" but its hot in Florida that it still be attractive irrespective of table minimums,
I go on vacations for sun, beach, eyecandy, food, and booze and to get away from gambling. I am working on booking my next Caribbean adventure right now.
Or just skip AC and go to Resorts World in Monticello NY if the drive is feasible.
Quote: BedWetterBetter
Or just skip AC and go to Resorts World in Monticello NY if the drive is feasible.
UGH - Resorts World Catskills is awful. Yes you'll find $25 and $50 tables on the floor, but good luck getting a room or any comps. Beautiful facility but very poorly managed.
Any of the AC casinos are much better the RWC. Was just at Resorts, Hard Rock and Borgata. Had a great time with plenty of choices for tables.
Quote: AxelWolfI haven't been on many cruises and it's been a long time. The cruise actually had fairly good rules and even some + EV video poker due to a progressive. I can't remember the exact pay table but it couldn't have been too bad since the Progressive wasn't abnormally High. They had a significant amount of accumulating bonus slot machines.
The casino was never that busy their just seem to be a few people sprinkled in here and there.
I remember the food was absolutely fantastic, especially during dinner.
we should get a WOV cruise together
Quote: GWAEwe should get a WOV cruise together
Why anyone finds enjoyment being trapped on a boat with a crowd of people is beyond me. How is that a vacation?
That’s only true if there are other casinos nearby, like in Vegas or AC, etc.Quote: FleaStiffOnly a cruise ship has captive players. Everyone else competes on some basis.
Go to most regional casinos and the next closest casino could be 50 miles or more. Once you get in the casino, what are you gonna do? Walk out and drive another hour?
On the subject of cruises, my last cruise was July 2018 on Royal Caribbean. They had $5 craps. They also had this sign on the wall next to the cage:
Quote: DJTeddyBear
They also had this sign on the wall next to the cage
Oh man, if they reset the progressives on a slot machine between sailings...Doesn't that raise the house edge by a HUGE percentage? Considering that slots with progressive jackpots include them in their RTP over the life of the setting the jackpot between cruises? Oof.
Quote: bj4funUGH - Resorts World Catskills is awful. Yes you'll find $25 and $50 tables on the floor, but good luck getting a room or any comps. Beautiful facility but very poorly managed.
Any of the AC casinos are much better the RWC. Was just at Resorts, Hard Rock and Borgata. Had a great time with plenty of choices for tables.
In 27 trips there this year, I've lost twice. They give me comp rooms Sun-Thurs. and 400 Reward points every month with $50 match play coupons every week.
Plus for Blackjack, they offer Surrender, which is better than AC at any casino they have!
How many times do I have to tell you I don't swing that way, and I'm married?Quote: GWAEwe should get a WOV cruise together
However, assuming you can contain yourself and live with a no touching rule, I'd love to do a cruise with you, especially if your paying.
Quote: jobaba
I used to come to Ballys 15 years ago and you had to wait in line for a seat just to sit $25 at a crowded table. And that's not even factoring inflation.
I've noticed this too. I remember the days of $25 min every table. Shouldn't be a surprise. Atlantic City is a shell of what it was. And Bally's especially has suffered. Nothing has been updated in decades. It used to be packed. Now it's mostly empty and the people who are there are depressing to be around. I still go for the $5 craps 10x odds, but it's otherwise a dirty and miserable place to gamble.
A notable thing for me is the area up the escalator--that used to be really active with multiple restaurants, a gift shop and a poker room running at least 10 tables. The poker room has moved and maybe has 3-4 tables running at a time. Most of the restaurants are closed. There used to be a great diner, decent Chinese food place, and at least 2 higher end options. Now there's a Guy Fieri place I've never eaten at and a sad Italian restaurant.
