Sands PA. Interesting observation

I made a spur-of-the-moment trip to Sands PA yesterday.

Nothing exciting to report about regarding my personal gambling (sigh, down), but I did notice two things that I found intriguing.

First, when I was at the craps table ($10 minimum), there was a newbie who was getting advice from the dealers. ALL of the advice was regarding the pass line, odds and place bets. In fact, both dealers were pushing the odds bet and neither was pushing the field or center bets. Not even the hard ways. When I was ready to leave, I handed the player a WoO/WoV business card, told her the dealers were giving her good info, thanked the dealers for doing that, and gave them a tip.

Second, while walking around, I noticed that the BlackJack tables were very ordinary. It took looking at several before it hit me. There weren't side bets on any of the BJ tables that I saw. Although I didn't scour the pits, I kept my eyes open. No side bets on any of the tables I passed. It's not until today that I realized that, except for the one Casino War table I laughed at, I didn't notice any proprietary games. They may be there, but I didn't notice anything other than BJ, Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat, Big Six and that one Casino War. Although the Sands Website lists several proprietary carnival games, I didn't see them.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I made a spur-of-the-moment trip to Sands PA yesterday.

Second, while walking around, I noticed that the BlackJack tables were very ordinary. It took looking at several before it hit me. There weren't side bets on any of the BJ tables that I saw. Although I didn't scour the pits, I kept my eyes open. No side bets on any of the tables I passed. It's not until today that I realized that, except for the one Casino War table I laughed at, I didn't notice any proprietary games. They may be there, but I didn't notice anything other than BJ, Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat, Big Six and that one Casino War. Although the Sands Website lists several proprietary carnival games, I didn't see them.

That's really odd: I'd be shocked to hear that they didn't have at least a 3-card poker table. At least at the multiple casinos I frequent, it's also hard to find a PGP table without a side-bet, although I do see that occasionally. I think like most businesses, casinos are looking to cut some costs on their monthly recurring fees, right or wrong as it relates to their bottom line. Not sure if any of these side bets have gone up in lease value or possibly upgraded replacements might be on the way, with progressives?

The PGP at Sands does have the fortune bet and a progressive side bet. Also last time I was there about 2 months ago, there were 3 card poker tables everywhere.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

When I was ready to leave, I handed the player a WoO/WoV business card, told her the dealers were giving her good info, thanked the dealers for doing that, and gave them a tip.

Huh, what is a WoO/WoV business card? Did I miss an anouncement or something?

Tangent: one of my uncles hands out these little evangelical business card-type things. They don't have his name or anything on them, just some scripture and an encouraging phrase or something. (Basically my whole extended family [except for me] is Christian). Anyway it's his own little way of spreading the good news. So are we, the minions of the Wizard of Odds, to be spreading the mathematically correct news by handing these cards to unwise casino patrons??

I visited Sands PA for a few hours this past summer. I did see a Let it Ride table, so they do have carnival games.

I was planning on writing a review of the place but never got around to it.

The thing that really rubbed me the wrong way about this casino is something that non-smokers won't care about. The casino permits smoking, yet it is impossible to get cigarettes there after 11:00 PM. So if you smoke and you plan on visiting Sands PA at night, make sure you bring enough cigarettes with you, because you'll have to leave the casino if you run out and need more. I was really flabbergasted that they think smokers only want/need cigarettes during the day.

It sort of makes sense doesn't it? Sure you want locals but what you really expect is to drain NYC of many of its gamblers. Now perhaps the reality is even worse but the image of NYC is that the Chinese gamble 24 hours a day and the rest of NY gambles 23 hours a day. Craps and 21 is taught in infancy, poker is taught in the womb.

So if you were to open a casino near where everyone was rich and knew how to gamble, would you waste time with fancy smancy side bets that slow the game down or would realize that your customers are smart and just deal 21 and rely on the house edge instead of ignorance. Would you have your craps dealers push "The Garden" (the field bet) for tokes or would you not waste time and just be straight with the occasional neophyte. If certain groups play at your casino and currently enjoy a tendency to play the hardways you will accommodate them, but you won't push anything but the speed of the game because too many players have played craps all their lives.

Remember when Atlantic City first opened and the inexperienced dealers didn't always know the correct payoffs on some unusual craps bets for weird amounts: Just keep putting down chips until the New Yorker smiles, then take one back.

Its the same way in Pennsylvania: those inveterate gamblers know more than the dealers so just deal your game, rely on the house edge and don't try no fancy frills 'cause these are New Yorkers.

Quote: AcesAndEights

Quote: DJTeddyBear

When I was ready to leave, I handed the player a WoO/WoV business card, told her the dealers were giving her good info, thanked the dealers for doing that, and gave them a tip.

Huh, what is a WoO/WoV business card? Did I miss an anouncement or something?

Are we, the minions of the Wizard of Odds, to be spreading the mathematically correct news by handing these cards to unwise casino patrons??

No official announcement, but I've mentioned them a couple times. I started a new thread about it.

Sands does have 3 Card Poker and Texas Hold Em Bonus in addition to Let it Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker. No Ultimate Texas Hold Em though...


At first, 3 Card Poker was a straight up carny game with the revised payouts of Flush 3:1 and Mini Royal 50:1. About a year ago, they added the Progressive Jackpot and the time consuming $1 ante for it. I've been present when it hit on 3 seperate occasions, the last one being for $5867 last Tuesday around 9 PM. But they are certainly making bank on that Progressive bet with everyone dumping dollars on it every minute.

As for the Blackjack tables, it's true, a casino free of BJ side bets! Definitely speeds up the game and gives the place an allure for APs. However, the tables are ALWAYS full and usually no less than $15 throughout the day. They will briefly have $10 minimums, but it usually goes up after 5 PM.

Regarding the atmosphere, it's no secret they bus in hundreds from China town NYC and they loaf around the place all day. They lurk uncomfortably close to the tables, without ever playing and making quite a commotion if something "big" happens. The patrons constantly complain about them, but management just shrugs and acts like it isn't so bad.

I will say, I've had my best sessions here and they are a much more desirable location for higher rollers than AC or Mount Airy.