Atlantic City recommendations and tips?

So I am looking to travel to Atlantic City for a few nights for a much needed battery recharge. I have been to Atlantic City once before but it was pretty much a 24 hour binge run. I am not particularly picky (I stayed at Trump Plaza last time if that gives you an indication) but from searching online all the casinos seem pretty cheap (especially since I'm looking at a couple of weeknights) so I am trying to figure out what is the best fit for me. It seems Atlantic City has changed a lot over the last few years, and I'm not sure which place has a nice remodel and which is a dump.

I've read a ton on this site looking for ideas and while I've come across a ton of great tips, I still have some questions, mostly specific to Atlantic City:

My bankroll will probably be between $500-1000 on what will be a 2-3 night stay. I intend to make that last the whole trip (what's worse than blowing your whole wad before you even check in?) so I want the lowest limit tables I can get. Preferably I'd like $5 roulette, $5 craps, and $10 blackjack (although I wouldn't complain if there was $5 blackjack). Craps especially since it has a vicious history of quickly and mercilessly robbing me. Ironically it's normally roulette that replenishes my bankroll. I won't play any low stakes game that gives me worse odds than normal (for instance my friends played $1 blackjack but had to pay a quarter a hand).

Also I like tournament play Texas Hold Em and would want to play in tournaments that I can get into for under $100 (my somewhat unrealistic goal is to qualify for payout at a tournament while I am there). Maybe a good 1/2 NL room would be nice, but I always seem to fare better in tournaments than in cash play.

I am preferential to Harrahs properties since my closest casino is a Harrahs and I figure might as well accrue rewards that might actually be useful to me (note: I don't even have a TR card yet). However if there's a casino that's much better than anything Harrah has to offer then I am open minded.

Some comps would be nice (nothing major). For instance my friends staying at the Trop got comped a breakfast buffet (I think my friends were taking a vicious beating at the blackjack table). If a certain casino is looser on perks like that (I'm happy with a cheap buffet comp, I'm not necessarily aiming for an all expenses paid meal at their flagship restaurant) then I would be more inclined to play/stay there. Also am I more likely to get perks if I play where I stay or does it matter? What if I stay at Caesars but play at Showboat (both Harrahs casinos)? Does poker tournament play have any significant impact on points/comping?

Thanks for any help. I've tried to research this on my own but its hard to tell what limits most casinos like to run (especially on weekdays) and which one overall gives the best experience for someone like me. Some reason Showboat seems like it might be for me, but I have no actual rationale to back it up.

All I can recommend is don't do Resorts $100 on us offer. They never send confirmation of the loss by mail or email, so even if you qualify, you are never sure the system got it right. From my own PIN fiasco, I think they even enter PINs wrong intentionally so a card cannot be shared to redeem the offer bc the PIN will be incorrect.
Trump has a good new member sign up which is good, but split in 2 with second redemption in 72 hours so do it first.
GN and Atlantic Club have legit offers too. I was last there 4 months ago so offers may be different.

Quote: ComplexEnigma

I don't even have a TR card yet.

If you have been patronizing CZR properties in any way without a card, you've been missing out. The mailers, depending on the level of action, can be quite strong.

AFAICT, the TR credits are completely fungible among the four hotels in AC. A lot of people really like Harrah's Marina. Others prefer the Boardwalk. Note that you may hear some disparaging comments about Bally's. They have remodeled the aging Claridge unit with paint, new furniture, redone bath fixtures and other decorating that although not at luxury levels are still far better than what used to be there. The casino seems to have halted its retrenchment. The applicable buffet is at Caesar's and its operations like days and times that it is open seem capricious and mysterious to customers and employees alike. Standbys include the coffee shops and noodle bars.

For $5 tables of any sort, the best chance is to rise and shine early in the day.

The big deal about where you give the most action seems to be a factor in deciding which mailers to send out. The mailers seem to be the source of the preponderance of comps, including the kiosks that you will see brandishing special offers. For more offers and updates, keep checking online, including the hotels' Facebook pages and the CZR blog for AC.

If you want the absolute lowest limits you should go to the Atlantic Club (soon to be pokerstars). They cater to the low-limit player.

The place is a dump but it's certainly nicer than Trump Plaza.

Here is an added starter that is a pretty good source to wrap up the offerings:
acinsiders

The first time I went to A.C. I stayed in a motel. The second time was Trump Plaza and Trop on freebie offers. Every time after that was a Caesars property on a freebie offer. I think all the Caesars properties are really strong. Showboat is a personal favorite; you wouldn't do bad to stay there, and you can walk over to Revel.

A lot of people really seem to like Trop as well.

Some Info on Low Rolling

I know on an early Monday morning Trump had $3 craps, 5-7amish I saw it. No idea how long it lasted.

I recommend you go to tripadvisor, linked in said thread. All the regulars are there.

Well I decided to go promotion hunting and this is what I came up with (hopefully useful for anyone else looking to go for a trip). I did not include any packages or coupons that did not require staying at the hotel (but there are some good coupons I plan to use!). I also compared it to the rates on Kayak.com. All the prices are for a 3 night (Tues, Weds, Thurs) March stay and include taxes and fees:

Caesars/Harrahs Properties

Bally's:
$59 a night with upgraded accommodations in Dennis Tower, $10 drink credit, $20 food and beverage credit, late checkout
Cost: $231.78 ($201.78 if you subtract the credits)
Kayak Cost: $133 (lower tier room) / $210 (same tier room)

Caesar's:
$69 a night, Entry For 2 To Qua Baths & Spas ($100 value according to site), late checkout
Cost: $265.98 ($165.98 if you subtract the spa credit)
Kayak Cost: $229 (same tier room)

Harrah's:
$49 a night, upgraded luxury accommodations, $20 poolside drink credit, late checkout
Cost: $336.66 (Thursday was a whopping $171.00)($316.66 if you subtract the credits)
Kayak Cost: $139 (lower tier room) / $192 (same tier room)

Showboat:
30% off 2 or more nights
Cost: $106.61
Kayak cost: $103 (via Booking.com)


Trump Properties

Trump Taj Majal
No promotions I could easily find (wanted you to like their facebook page and such)
Cost: $265.98
Kayak Cost: $250 (via Priceline.com)

Trump Plaza
No promotions I could easily find (wanted you to like their facebook page and such)
Cost: $276.24 (really?)
Kayak Cost: $223 (via Priceline.com)


The Atlantic Club
Several packages but none seemed to let me book more than one night so I just did basic room reservation
Cost: $188.10
Kayak Cost: not listed


Tropicana
Several packages but none seemed to let me book more than one night and appeared to be a call in only so I just did basic room reservation. Some packages may lower this price.
Cost: $250.77
Kayak Cost: $251 (via Booking.com)


Resorts
Several one night packages but none appealed to me. Just did basic room reservation.
Cost: $146.40
Kayak Cost: $180


Golden Nugget
Yet again packages that don't seem to work for multiple night stays. Just did basic room reservation.
Cost: $244.26
Kayak Cost: $216

Quote: ComplexEnigma

Trump Plaza
No promotions I could easily find (wanted you to like their facebook page and such)
Cost: $276.24 (really?)
Kayak Cost: $223 (via Priceline.com)

Lol for $276 in the Trump Plaza you probably also become a minority owner of the property.

That place is deader than dead.

I was just reading that the Plaza only dropped $1750 in cash at their pai gow tables the entire month of December -- and lost $250 on the game. haha.

Here are my thoughts on the packages:

I'm surprised that Harrahs seemed to have the only promotions friendly to multiple night stays. Just staying one extra night would put you in their wheelhouse for so much longer. The amount of exposure of someone arriving at say 6 pm then leaving the next day at 11 am versus someone arriving at 6 pm then leaving at 11 am two days later is huge. I'm shocked there weren't specific incentives to stay longer than a night.

Also I am blown away at the Trump Plaza prices. More expensive than the Taj Majah and Caesars? I didn't mind my experience there two years ago but thats because it was dirt cheap. I certainly wouldn't spend extra money to stay there.

Bally's, Showtime, The Atlantic Club, and Resorts seem to be my top four at the moment. Golden Nugget and Caesars are the most appealing for me from an aesthetics point of view but hard to justify paying twice as much for a room i will like have few conscious hours in. I can see from the photos why Showboat is so cheap; they look pretty ugly. But from my visit last time I liked the floor of Showboat although I didn't actually gamble there.

I'm pleasantly surprised by all the food coupons available at each place. I should be able to eat either free or discounted food for most of my time there. Now to find out who has the best poker room for what I want...

Would you be interested in buying two nights at the Borgata or Water Club at a deeply discounted price? I live three hours roundtrip away and I'd need to come down and check you in, so it would have to be like $150 total if you are interested.

Basically we would meet in lobby, you give me $150 plus your debit/credit card for the room pre-auth (never actually charged unless you order room service or something), I check in, hand you the keys, stop off and lose the $150 at the tables, then go home.

up to 30% off for 2 or more nights.
Hide Details
Purchase two consecutive nights and receive 30% off entire stay. Promotion Code: 30OFF2(Case Sensitive) Must be 21 or older to book hotel rooms. Valid only at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. Not valid with any other offer. Subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Two night minimum stay required. Any unused portion is forfeit. Valid Sun-Fri blackout days apply available Now-June 13, 2013
Promotion Code: 30OFF2

Great Deals Promotion 2013
Hide Details
Great Deals Promotion 25% OFF Book Travel date Now-June 13, 2013. Blackout dates apply.
Promotion Code: EXTEND12
Exact Dates
Promotion Calendar

I got these deals from TR rate calendar.
Sounds like Soda is offering a good deal. People love the Borgata. Watch him get you a king size bed and you can't kick him out. lol. Seriously, though the only problem is the risk he could possibly no show and you're effed.
Might want to mention, Harrah's, GN and Borgata all have signature fragrances throughout if you're one of those sensitive people. I myself find them all very pleasant and to be honest, they are designed to put you in a good mood and they do.

Quote: sodawater

Would you be interested in buying two nights at the Borgata or Water Club at a deeply discounted price? I live three hours roundtrip away and I'd need to come down and check you in, so it would have to be like $150 total if you are interested.

Basically we would meet in lobby, you give me $150 plus your debit/credit card for the room pre-auth (never actually charged unless you order room service or something), I check in, hand you the keys, stop off and lose the $150 at the tables, then go home.

It's a tempting offer. I see two potential issues. First is we both put a lot a lot of risk on someone we don't know (you could no show, I could trash the room). The other is as nice as the Borgata is, wouldn't it be ultimately too rich for my blood with the table limits? If that's the case then I have to trek to the boardwalk, which I'm sure isn't hard but potentially annoying especially if it's like 4 am and I got more alcohol in me than a vodka bottle.

I'll think about it (drools over Borgata interior).

Which casinos tend to cater to/have more younger people? I'm in my 20s and while I don't exactly want a frat party atmosphere I definitely want to avoid the geriatric club as much as possible. Casinos where I am the youngest person by 20 years and 95% of the floor is plugging away at slots is a buzzkill for me. I want a floor with good energy, part of why Showboat seems appealing to me.

Quote: ComplexEnigma

Which casinos tend to cater to/have more younger people? I'm in my 20s and while I don't exactly want a frat party atmosphere I definitely want to avoid the geriatric club as much as possible. Casinos where I am the youngest person by 20 years and 95% of the floor is plugging away at slots is a buzzkill for me. I want a floor with good energy, part of why Showboat seems appealing to me.

Showboat, Revel, Harrah's, Borgata.

NOT Atlantic Club, Resorts, or Trump Plaza.

Everything else is somewhere in between.

Quote: ComplexEnigma

If that's the case then I have to trek to the boardwalk, which I'm sure isn't hard but potentially annoying especially if it's like 4 am and I got more alcohol in me than a vodka bottle.

Be especially careful around Stanley Homes Village.

Quote: teddys

Showboat, Revel, Harrah's, Borgata.

NOT Atlantic Club, Resorts, or Trump Plaza.

Everything else is somewhere in between.

I would like to add that I have never seen anyone under the age of 60 at the golden nugget. including cocktail waitresses

Quote: SanchoPanza

Be especially careful around Stanley Homes Village.

That place is legendary. Fortunately it's not that close to the Boardwalk.

Quote: 1BB

That place is legendary. Fortunately it's not that close to the Boardwalk.

My friend once walked from the borgata to the midtown boardwalk, and passing right through the village is indeed the most direct route by foot.

Quote: sodawater

My friend once walked from the borgata to the midtown boardwalk, and passing right through the village is indeed the most direct route by foot.

I've walked and jogged from the Boardwalk to the Marina District and back via North Carolina many times.

Pulled the trigger. Staying one night at Caesars (with a free spa visit) then 2 nights at the Borgata. Pretty pumped about it!