Where will the Wizard visit?

In the October 25th broadcast, the Wizard indicated that he's going to visit somewhere in the U.S. on a "gambling tour." Should the Wizard visit Oklahoma casinos (he seemed to have some interest in it), I would like to meet the Wizard in person. Dear Wizard, please let the listeners know where and possibly when you'll be visiting.

From a listern, who plays BJ in Oklahoma.

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i vote for philadelphia, tons of casinos close, with philly, delaware new york and connecticut plus tons to do besides casino,

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

I hope you only play during the times you don't have to oay the commision.

I never play at a casino where I have to pay the commision. The state calls it "ante," which is not a correct term since it's not a part of the bet, but rather a fee or commision to play a hand. I think another thread talked about it, but from what I understand, the state of Oklahoma collects tax not based on the total table game revenue, but on the number of hands played at tables. It's usually like 50 cents per hand for a $5-$50 bet, or something like that. From the player's perspective, the house edge is over 10% for a $5 (I guess from the casino's perspective, the house edge is the same, since they're just remitting the money to the state as a tax. Maybe I should call it "state edge."). Anyway, there are a few casinos that pay the antes for the players if you use the players cards. Some other casinos have certain days or times of a day when players play ante free. I mostly just feel bad for the dealers, who have to count the number of hands being played each round and shift $1 or 50 cent chips around to keep track of how much they own to the state.

Also there are no roulettes or craps. The geniuses at the state legislature deem roulettes and craps to be too exploitive. There are some casinos that have video roulettes or roulettes played with cards.

Still, Oklahoma casinos seem to get good businesses from folks from Texas (no gambling) and from Arkansas (limited gambling).

Quote: strictlyAP

i vote for philadelphia, tons of casinos close, with philly, delaware new york and connecticut plus tons to do besides casino,

But Philadelphia is basically AC, isn't it? Maybe not. I don't know. I think the Wizard will enjoy visiting the casinos in Oklahoma. It's a part of history! Andrew Jackson relocated the native Americans, now the government pays them back with a permission to run casinos. Actually, Oklahoma casinos are spread around throughout the state, so I don't know if the Wizard will enjoy driving from a casino to casino.

Maybe Shreveport or Tunica? I think the Wizard will find it very educational to see how the folks in the South are pouring money down the drain.

"Meanwhile, back in Shreveport, R.J. and Jay Paul are looking for a gator they call the Wizard."

forget ac, philly area now has parx, sugar house, chester(harrahs), valley forge and sands all very close, then n delaware you have delaware park and the only place outside vegas you can bet sports, as well as harrington and the new york slots right, its crazy how many places and variety there is here, also if anyone would like to pm me there are crazy offers right here if you want ap plays

Thanks for all the advice. Based on the the table game fee, I can pretty much rule out Oklahoma. My best option seems to be NY/PA/NJ. However, I'm still right at an indifference point. I wish there were some compelling reason to make the trip. Working against me is that I'm tempted to go an trade show in London in February, if not Costa Rica. To be honest, chances are I won't go anywhere until at least then.

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I talked to the Wizard about this and I don't think Oklahoma would be a bad choice. For rules variation, you can do much better. As RDW said somewhere, he's been to OK casinos that have some of the best rules in the world, and some that have the worst rules. So at least there will enough to keep you intellectually interested. The PA casinos all have the same rules.

For what it's worth, I suggested going outside the country to Peru or Colombia. Colombia would be my choice :)

pa casinos= some of the best blackjack rules in the country and a site bet lucky ladies that is very countable

Quote: Wizard

Thanks for all the advice. Based on the the table game fee, I can pretty much rule out Oklahoma. My best option seems to be NY/PA/NJ. However, I'm still right at an indifference point. I wish there were some compelling reason to make the trip. Working against me is that I'm tempted to go an trade show in London in February, if not Costa Rica. To be honest, chances are I won't go anywhere until at least then.

Wizard, Why not try some places in California? The overwhelming majority of places don't have an ante here unless they are just starting up.

Cali is fun, and the ante thing is blown out of proportion. Even in the places that do charge an ante, there's usually some (crazy) offsetting rule to take some of the sting away. I really like the mystery of walking into a card club for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Case in point: the Sundowner cardroom (poker only) in Visalia is in the back room of a private members-only strip club.

On OK casinos: I don't understand OK. Some casinos have H17 BJ, 8-6-5 or 8-7-4 UTH trips paytables, AND a $.50 ante. Others have S17 rules, 9-7 paytables, and no ante (or, I guess, a house-paid ante). In at least one case, a casino with an 8-7-4 table and an ante is right next door (literally 1/2 mile away) from a casino with an 8-6-5 paytable and no ante. That's a HUGE swing just for being willing to drive 5 blocks farther from the highway. And I would say that Kiowa, which is by Wichita Falls, is one the best casinos in the country. They have the best available rules in every game I looked at, fair comps, and no ante. (note: comp comment is based on one 2 hour session of play)

edit: but we dont really need Mike to tell us what's going on in the domestic market. So I'd probably agree with Teddy that an international trip would be best.

Casino di Venezia, the oldest casino in the world.

Quote: 1BB

Casino di Venezia, the oldest casino in the world.

Still upset I missed it on my day trip to Venice. Saw the sign from the water taxi on my way back to catch the train :(