Atlantic City Trip Report 11/9 - 11/11

Thought I would do a brief trip report after a recent gambling trip.

Background: This was my first time visiting Atlantic City, flying out of Raleigh on a junket. It was $250 for a round-trip charter, shuttle, and two nights at the hotel. I will say that I was 100% satisfied in that regard. It was so nice not having to worry about checking in or arranging transportation - just get off of the bus and start gambling. The only other person I went with was a friend of mine from work, who is not quite the gambler I am, which could be frustrating at times. But make no mistake, we both had a great time. We checked out the Borg on Saturday, the Boardwalk most of the day Sunday, and stuck around Harrah's today.

Impressions of the Casinos I Visited:

Harrah's - My favorite of the CET casinos. Very large, tons of slots and table games. Easy to find a seat on just about any game. However, the craps game there was a bit lacking, maybe it was the placement of the tables. I also was frustrated that they had a completely empty craps table that they refused to lower to $5 at four in the morning. There is a big difference between a 5 and 10 dollar craps game, and I hate when they won't lower it even if you ask. Pai Gow poker was a lot of fun, and if you ever play over the weekend, look for FRED. He is from Hong Kong, formerly a host at the Nugget, and now deals for Harrah's. He was a super nice guy and I had a great time chatting it up to him over some Pai Gow. Very superstitious, though, as he kept recommending I switch hand placements after consecutive losses. I ask, "Fred, you're obviously a really smart guy. Do you honestly think switching numbers really matters?" "Gambling is a very funny thing.", he says.

Since we stayed at Harrah's, a quick note about the room: we stayed in the Waterfront Tower, which was clean, had a great view, and comfortable beds. The marquee they have going along the entire side of the tower was really cool.

Bill's Burger is the best deal on food at the casino. I did not like the buffet.


Showboat - Did not stick around long enough to gamble, just checked out the casino. Didn't seem too bad, although it was much smaller with fewer table games. Exceeded expectations.


Bally's - Played here for most of the afternoon Sunday. Liked the casino, hated the drink service and the dealers' attitudes towards smoking. My blackjack dealer walks up to start back after her break, openly winces, and chastises me for blowing the smoke in her face (I absolutely didn't). I got a similar vibe from another dealer. I know a lot of people hate smoking and am a lot more sympathetic to fellow players that don't want me doing it. But seriously, get a different job. Overall, the casino exceeded expectations.


Caesars - I will give a disclaimer that I had some bad losses at this casino and I hope that isn't clouding my judgement, but I was not impressed with Caesars. It wasn't "bad", just not impressive. The dealers were no better than Bally's, the limits were no higher than Bally's, and the casino itself wasn't even that much nicer than Bally's. I suppose when I think of Caesars, I think of opulence, and there just wasn't anything that set it apart. Did not meet expectations whatsoever, but remember I couldn't compare rooms.


Revel - Beautiful building and sky garden, but the labyrinth, I mean casino, was so dark and maze-like I couldn't even navigate it. That casino seriously sucked. The escalators also made me weary. I would never stay there, but it was very contemporary and I'm sure the rooms are great.


Borgata - There is no question that this is the finest casino I saw, and none of the others even came close. Beautiful building, casino, and waitresses. The layout, colors, decor, were all incredible. I really liked the way they put their table games on either side of parallel aisles so you see table game action as you walk by instead of a bunch of whistling slots. As a testament to the quality of the casino, I could tell that it had generally more affluent clientele.


The Gambling:

Always the best part of a trip report. I started off great on Saturday. After a few table games, I impulsively put five dollars into a Wizard of Oz slot machine (I NEVER play slots). After turning that into $35, I decided to "parlay" it by printing the ticket and blowing through it on the "Michael Jackson" slot, which is pricier. I racked up $135 on that slot after accidentally hitting "max bet" for a few spins and hitting the "Smooth Criminal" bonus round in that time. I really think they lay some of those buttons out so you will max bet by accident, but this time it played to my advantage. Then, at the Borg, I hit trip queens for my pocket cards in Let it Ride, and was playing the relatively fair Pair Plus bet. Pretty nice, because I walked to that casino with the intention of playing that game and bet. Ended Saturday up $300.

Sunday: Terrible day at the tables: I love craps, but was afraid to keep playing after I got absolutely hammered to start. I was switching between the Pass and the Don't Pass, and could NOT make the right choice to save my life. we all probably know that feeling. Also lost some more money on slots, like an idiot, and lost money playing Pai Gow so fast it seemed like a high-variance game. Disappointingly ended Sunday down about $200 bucks.

Today: Now for the good part. I woke up slightly torn between not gambling much and avoiding a big loss and trying to keep playing and seeing if I could get it back. I decided to play more Pai Gow. After treading water for a while and being awkwardly crammed between a bunch of players and spectators, none of which were very friendly, I got up. Slightly tilted at this point, I decided to go play $10 Mississippi Stud, a game I told myself I'd avoid at that limit because of the huge cold streaks! The very first hand I get bad cards and end up folding a flush! I tell myself, "there was my big hand to get back up." After ten or so more hands, I get dealt pocket nines and of course pile on the $30 dollar bets. The board TRIPS UP, A - A - A... "AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!" I win $1000 on my full house, and the rest of the table makes a pretty penny. Biggest gambling win I have ever had, and believe me, I was pumped. Excitement like that is why we are all so fond of gambling. Of course, I accept it as entertainment and a losing proposition, but winning is always more fun and that hit really turned things around. After playing a bit more and losing about 100 bucks with that, I left to go home with more cash than I came with, even after tokes and meals. Word up!


Summary: I had a blast and think the danger factor of Atlantic City was a bit overblown. Don't be stupid and stay in the "bubble" of Casinos and it seems like you will be fine. Will definitely be going back, and I hope I showed them enough action to get to go for free or discounted next time. Thanks for reading.

Good stuff, I felt like I was there with you! We play AC a few times a year. Your assessment of the casinos is pretty accurate, other than Showboat, which has all the bad attitude of Bally's and Caesar's with less "charm".

Regarding LiR at Borgata, did they put the goofy new bonus bet there yet? Last I heard it was on hold for expansion beyond 3 Card and 4 Card Poker, and 5 Card HiLo. That Pairs Plus bet at Borgata LiR is one of the best carnival game bets in the US. Nice hit! And nice follow up hit at Mississippi!

Borgata's buffet is excellent. We've had worthwhile meals in Borgata, Harrah's, and Revel, but service in Revel is poor. Not unfriendly, more like untrained. I haven't had a good meal in Caesar's in years, probably not since the '90s, but we also stopped going there when Borgata started sending us room offers. Caesar's buffet used to be okay, I suppose it is still okay.

Quote: Jimmer

Liked the casino, hated the drink service and the dealers' attitudes towards smoking.

Liked the trip report, hated your attitude towards smoking.

Quote: Mosca

Regarding LiR at Borgata, did they put the goofy new bonus bet there yet? Last I heard it was on hold for expansion beyond 3 Card and 4 Card Poker, and 5 Card HiLo. That Pairs Plus bet at Borgata LiR is one of the best carnival game bets in the US. Nice hit! And nice follow up hit at Mississippi!

Thanks! Are you talking about the progressive that you pay separately and has the buttons for each player? Yes, it's there, and was being played.

Quote: gpac1377

Liked the trip report, hated your attitude towards smoking.

If fellow players don't like it, I refrain from continuing to do it.

Quote: Jimmer

If fellow players don't like it, I refrain from continuing to do it.

Smokers are the lepers of our time. They're
shunned, like what they have is contagious.
Once you get past 30, it becomes harder
and harder to justify it.

Good trip report...agree with most of your opinions. I was surprised you didn't like the buffet at Harrah's though....I think it's the best one in town. Big, good variety of food, and pretty good service for a casino buffet. The Borgota is the only other buffet in town that is even close.

I had to laugh when I saw someone else comment that the Showboat has "all the bad attitude of Caesars and Ballys but without the charm" ....couldn't have said it better myself. I think that if you score low in customer service or are just generally unpleasant as a dealer, at an AC, CET property you are immediately transferred to the Boat. Though the rest of the staff their..hotel, cocktail etc...has always been fine. The dealers....wow. Surly would describe it best. Even the party pit on weekends while it has plenty of "talent"...someone forgot to tell the young ladies to actually be nice to the customers.

Quote: Jimmer

Thanks! Are you talking about the progressive that you pay separately and has the buttons for each player? Yes, it's there, and was being played.

Thanks. Is the Pairs Plus pay table for LiR still 50-40-30-6-4-1? When they put that progressive in on 3 Card, they dropped the Pairs Plus pay table, which was 100-50-30-6-3-1; they dropped the 100-1 for the mini royal.

Quote: Mosca

Thanks. Is the Pairs Plus pay table for LiR still 50-40-30-6-4-1? When they put that progressive in on 3 Card, they dropped the Pairs Plus pay table, which was 100-50-30-6-3-1; they dropped the 100-1 for the mini royal.

Yes, that is still the pay table for Let it Ride.

Quote: EvenBob

Smokers are the lepers of our time. They're
shunned, like what they have is contagious.
Once you get past 30, it becomes harder
and harder to justify it.

Hmph, the same could be said about casino gamblers.

Harrah's pricey buffet can be hit or miss and I would only do it with a comp or maybe a 2 for 1 deal that they sometimes run. If you didn't like it, don't bother with any others except the Borg. Harrah's buffet is generally considered to be in the top 2 or 3 in town.

I loathe smoking, the stench of it and everything else associated with it and I don't fully understand the otherwise intelligent people that continue to puff away. That said, they are within their rights and I know all this before entering the casino. Too bad Revel caved because designated smoking or non smoking areas are ineffective. The smoke permeates the entire casino.

Quote: Jimmer

Atlantic City, flying out of Raleigh on a junket. It was $250 for a round-trip charter, shuttle, and two nights at the hotel.

It reads as if you shared a room, and we should assume paid $500.usd for air, shuttle, and two nights(one room, two people)?

To me it seems, and in my experience has happened, some junket "operators" pocket this money in hopes or in fact knowing the casino isn't going to charge them back even a portion of it. They are just filling the plane up. They may not invite you back if you don't "qualify" for a seat and the room. Most of the people on these flights aren't paying anything.