My recent A.C. trip.

Long post alert.



I had a good trip in A.C. this past weekend.


Except for the $320 I lost, all of it at poker, it was a good trip. Considering my wife gave me a bankroll of $800, and said I should call her for the credit card pin numbers if I needed them, I did better than she gave me credit for.




I took a bus that departs at about the miidpoint between home and A.C. Saves gas, I can sleep during the first 90 boring miles of the trip back, etc. It cost $33, andI got $25 in free slot play when I got there.


First casino is where the bus dropped me off. Tropicana.


Played a little craps first. I was doing great, making bets for the dealers, having a good old time. I bought in for $100, left with $165. Sweet!


I went to play the $25 of free slot play.


The ticket said I needed to go to a cashier to get it added to my account. Then I could take it out at the machine. So I found the cashier, waited in line, she put it on my account, then I stalked out the VP machines. I prefer the multiple play Jacks or better. I never studied the pay tables before, but, sure enough, there were 7/5 machines right next to 8/6. Couldn't find anything better, so I played 8/6.


So I put in my card and attempted to take my comp play, but I got rejected because my account doesn't have a pin number. (Sigh, I had the pit boss at craps make me the card...) Back to the cashier. Back on line. Finally get to her. It's the same cashier. She says I gotta go to the rewards center. So I finally find the rewards center, wait in line a minute, get a pin, go back to the machine and turn the $25 comp play into $32 cash. Sweet! The run-around was worth it.


Then I went to play Pai Gow Tiles. I'll detail it in the Pai Gow thread, but I bought in for $100. Left about an hour later with $185. Nice.


I went to Craps, but the cheapest table was $15. Too rich for me. Pass.


Played some 1/2 poker. I don't want to dwell on it, but I lost my $120 buy in.


So I left the Trop and went to the Hilton. Two $10 craps tables, Two $15. I buy in at a $10 table with $100. It was rocky, but I'm up about $20 when I get the dice. I get on a good roll, and making pass bets with odds for the dealers. I get a lot of attention and good vibes from the crew. I risked about $20 but earned them about $65. I earned a good chuck of change for myself too, but then I did something foolish. I stayed at the table for a few more shooters. I eventually walked away barely up at all.


Then I left and went to my hotel room and counted my bankroll. I was up exactly $1. Woo hoo! The roach motel I stayed at wasn't too bad - except all the rooms faced the same way, and there was a manhole cover that would make a loud noise when car hit it. Not a good night sleep.


In the morning, after a mere 5-1/2 hours "sleep", I went back to the Hilton for a little more craps. Won another $30. Left to go to Trop for poker. I don't want to dwell on it, but I lost most of my $120 buy in.

Then I went to Bally's. I timed it right so I got into the buffet for the $10 breakfast price. Two minutes later and they stop letting people in for 1/2 hour - and jack up the price to $26! I got two trips thru the buffet before they started converting it to lunch food. Sat back a few minutes, then took a trip thru for lunch.

Then I played Pai Gow tiles, turning $100 into $125. Details in the Pai Gow thread.

Then I went to the poker room and got into a $75 tournement. I didn't do well at all and was out in the third blind level.

I was going to leave, but remembered that I had a $5 comp coming to me. I swiped my card and got the coupon which said it was for table games. I tried to go to the cashier with it, along with the chips I still had, but she wouldn't cash the ticket. So instead I went back to that same Pai Gow Tiles table, and into the same seat I had before. Still the same crew, etc. I told the pit boss what happened, and he said he'd give me the chip for it. I said as long as I was there, I'd play a little. Half an hour later, I was up an additional $75. that cashier cost the casino another $70 and I couldn't be happier.

I then walked to ShowBoat. It was a BEAUTIFUL day on the boardwalk. Very light breeze, around 60. Very enjoyable walk.

I get to ShowBoat, and find the same type of ten play VP machine I played at Trop. 8/6 was the best available. I turned $35 of free play into $33. Nice.

I then got in a BlackJack freeroll tournament. It was a rough structure. Ten hands. $2000 in chips, but bets had to be in multiples of $100. I do applaud the dealers. I assume it's tough to remember to deal differently for the tournament. (FYI: Tournament BJ is done with a rotating dealer position so everyone gets a turn to play last.)

Then I played some 1/2 poker. I don't want to dwell on it (can you sense a theme here?), but I lost most of my $120 buy in.

Then I played Speed Roulete. I played for about 15 minutes, lost only $9.50, but the experience I had was so horrible, that I'm going to write a letter to ShowBoat/Harrahs and ShuffleMaster about it. I'll provide all the details in another thread. For the record, I played Speed Roulette at ShowBoat on my previous trip with a much better experience, even though that was also a losing session.

Then I stepped up to a $10 craps table. Stood there for a couple rolls while I noticed that the shooter had already hit one point of the FireBet, a 6, and was working on an 8. I hesitated and finally found a spot and tossed my green chip in for $12 each on the 6/8. The very next roll was an 8. That in itseft was surprising, because often, I feel that when I do that, it's the kiss of death. She went on for another dozen rolls, and I was up to $80 when she busted out. I played one more shooter, who hit my 6/8 once before busting out, so I left that table with $70 for my green chip buy in. Nice.

While I was at that table, I noticed a couple stacks of pink chips in the bank. I mentioned to the stick that I never saw pinks on a craps table before. She reacted like it's normal to have them there. I then asked if that meant that I can press my place bets in half units, she said no. I didn't ask why they were there.

I then left to go to the Taj Mahal. First stop, craps. I played for a little while making a couple bucks. I noticed that there were no pink chips on the table.

The other thing I noticed was that at every craps table I played, the field payed double for 2 AND 12.

I then went into the Poker Room. I know what you're thinking. Poker is the only thing that worked against me this trip so far, so why keep trying? Poker is usually the only game where I win. Unfortunately, This poker session was like all the rest this trip. Worse actually. I bought in for $120. When I got down to $30, I reloaded for $50, and eventually busted out.

It was about 9:30. I knew I was down a bunch. I debated trying something else, to try to win it back. But I know that's the worst type of gambling. Plus I had to get home so I oculd get a good night's sleep before working a bridal show yesaterday.

So I got the hell out of Dodge!

I got on the bus and fell asleep even before we pulled out. Next thing I knew, we were at the park & ride. Man, that bus is GREAT!


All in all, I lost at poker: $120, $105, $75, $90, $170. Total lost at poker: $560. Total lost for the trip: $320. Plus about $40 in food. I guess all those little wins at other games added up to $280. At poker, I lost more than double what I won elsewhere. And Poker is usually my best game. Sigh.



Bottom line, I got a lot of value out of my entertainment dollar.

Yeah, that's what happened!

Sounds like fun, even if you didn't win. You're making me want to try out AC instead of my usual Mohegan run. Out of curiosity, did you see any BJ switch tables? What were the mins on the tiles?

The only BJ I played was that one tournament, so I would not have noticed BJ switch. I did notice that most BJ was $10 or $15. Ditto for craps. I wasn't really looking at any other games. I planned on playing Speed Roulette, so I didn't even look to see who had single zeros, or what the minimum was. The min unit at Speed was 50¢ with $2.50 minimum.

The minimums at PG Tiles and Poker were $25. But, since there was so many pushes, and tiles is slow paced, I didn't object.


You normally go to Mohegan? I assume you're in Northern NJ (like me), NYC, Downstate NY or Western CT. When you go to AC, consider the bus that leaves from Port Authority, and stops in Cheesequake (the Parkway rest stop at mile 124). I get on in Cheesequake. There's a whole schedule of departures and return trips. Your return ticket is good for 4 days. It's not like the typical bus which limits you to a 6 hour visit.
Academy Bus - Port Authority schedule
Academy Bus - Cheesequake schedule

Quote: dlevinelaw

Sounds like fun, even if you didn't win. You're making me want to try out AC instead of my usual Mohegan run. Out of curiosity, did you see any BJ switch tables? What were the mins on the tiles?

I have never seen BJ switch at any AC casino and have been playing at all of them since the game became mainstream.

I'm in Boston, but travel to NYC frequently enough that a trip to AC is not difficult. I love Mohegan, but changes of pace are always nice.

Speaking of AC, this week is the only time all year they run races at the Atlantic City Race Course. They must by law run at least 4 days a year to be able to keep their Racebook open year-round.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

The minimums at PG Tiles and Poker were $25. But, since there was so many pushes, and tiles is slow paced, I didn't object.

For what it's worth, you can find a $15 tiles game in either the Asian gaming area of ShowBoat, or theRidge casino at Bally's (in the former Claridge building.) The only problem is there are often heavy smokers at both, so it's good to go at an off-peak time.

For some reason, I find your post very interesting, and feel compelled to share my own experience.

My wife, son and I arrived at Ameristar Council Bluffs about 7:30 Friday evening. We had rooms for two nights, planning to leave Sunday afternoon, and I had $2,000 to gamble with. We had supper at the steakhouse after checking in, and I finally got to the craps table about 9:00.

I bought in for $1,000 and was playing $5 pass line and 2 come bets with $50 odds. The table wasn't real bad, but it was a slow steady decline. I never got ahead, nobody ever made 3 points, and I lost the whole $1,000.

Changed tables and bought in for another $1,000. Started out good and was up about $200 when the table got real cold. I lost $500 in no time and colored up down another $300.

Thinking my luck couldn't get any worse, I tried the $1 DDB progessive video poker. Hoping for a quick 4 of a kind to get me back in the game. Well, no 4K, and very few of any paying hands. Lost $200 more, so I went to bed at 11:15 down $1,500 already, with all of Saturday and Sunday to go.

Saturday morning I first obtained $2,000 more cash. I planned on playing only $500 of that plus the $500 I had left, but I hate to have empty pockets. So I played craps again; they only had one table open. I started again with $5 pass line and 2 come bets with 10X odds, and lost right off the bat. I went down to 5X odds hoping to catch the good roll. My wife showed up to see how it was going, and the guy beside me talked her into playing. I had the dice at the time, so she played my roll and then got the dice. Anyway, she had a good 15 minute roll, everyone made a comeback, and she colored up after her roll up about $200. That was the high point because after she left the table went ice cold. When we left the casino at 3:30 pm I had lost the whole $1,000. Now down $2,500.

We got back to the casino about 11:00 pm and I should not have even thought about gambling anymore, since I had lost my entire bankroll and $500 more. But they had $2,500 of my money, dammit, and I wanted it back. So craps again, this time just 5X odds. Well, this time I caught a good table. Nothing spectacular, just a steady stream of fairly good rolls. At some point, someone hit 4 points and was working on the fifth point, a 9. I had a dollar on the fire bet, so I should have laid the 9 for $120. Again, my wife happened by just then. I said to her I should be laying the 9, but I'm greedy. The roll had been great, I had two come bets with $100 odds, place bets on the other numbers, and $100 odds behind the nine. Well you know what happened, seven out. Cost me $200 not to lay the nine. But the table stayed good and I finally colored up at 3:00 am up $1,500 for the session. Now down only $1,000.

Sunday morning we had a brunch date at 11:00, but I wanted to try again to get my money back so I got to the craps table at 10:00. I was happy to have won most of my money back, so I bought in for $600 and again played 5X odds. Started out ahead right away, which almost never happens, and then the guy at the end of the table had a great roll, rolling lots of 4's and 9's in particular. I didn't have the 4, but the guy beside me did, starting with a $10 place bet, and he pressed it up to a $5 put bet, with $500 odds. I started playing the field because the guy was throwing everything except the 6 and 8. About 11:00 I colored up $1,400, profit of $700, and now I was down only $300.

I always expect to win, but after being down $2,500 I was thrilled to make a comeback and leave down only $300. Now I still have $1,700 for next weekend!

I love reading these gambling stories! Keep writing them!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I took a bus that departs at about the miidpoint between home and A.C. Saves gas, I can sleep during the first 90 boring miles of the trip back, etc. It cost $33, and I got $25 in free slot play when I got there.

I'm guessing you drove to a park and ride somewhere like East Brunswick , NJ.

Once the PA gaming casinos get table games, could you see yourself having a similar weekend at Pocono Downs or Bethlehem Sands ? You would stay at a Comfort Inn or Holiday Inn Express 1.5-2.5 miles from the casino.

For instance this Holiday Inn Express is a normal hotel on a freeway interchange about 2 miles from the Bethlehem Sands casino. They offer a free shuttle, but other than that, it is a typical 80 room hotel (55 nonsmoking rooms). The Comfort Suites Bethlehem is 124 rooms and a little nicer and closer (1.5 miles) but more expensive.

In other words would the presence of table games be enough incentive to take the shorter drive and skip the bus ride, or would the incentive of several casinos and hotels within walking distance (or in the casinos) make you repeat your trip to Atlantic City.

Yeah, I like the stories too.



Headlock-

Great story (at least how it ended). Climbing almost all the way out of that hole is a great story.

I wish I had the time and discipline to have gotten most of my money back. Unfortunately, at the point where I was thinking it, I only had a couple hours before I would hit my deadline, so I left right then.



Yeah, ditto, keep the stories coming.

Quote: pacomartin

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I took a bus that departs at about the miidpoint between home and A.C. Saves gas, I can sleep during the first 90 boring miles of the trip back, etc. It cost $33, and I got $25 in free slot play when I got there.

I'm guessing you drove to a park and ride somewhere like East Brunswick, NJ.

Nope. Cheesequake. The Parkway rest stop at mile 124. I detailed it in this post:
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/1519-my-recent-a-c-trip/#post11190

Quote: pacomartin

In other words would the presence of table games be enough incentive to take the shorter drive and skip the bus ride, or would the incentive of several casinos and hotels within walking distance (or in the casinos) make you repeat your trip to Atlantic City.

I've talked about this in other threads, but I would definitely try PA at least once - but not right away. I'd want to give it a month or two for the initial crowds to winds down.

Yeah, the option of shifting from casino to casino is appealing. That's the primary reason I prefer AC to CT.

The bus also has it's appeal. Not only did I snooze the entire return trip, but I had my eyes closed on the trip down Friday evening. And it was rainy with traffic. I HATE driving in rain at night. I hate driving in traffic too. I only cost $8, but that was more than made up by the gas and tolls saved.

I know there is a bus service from Crowne Plaza Monroe to PARX, the largest PA casino. But this bus ride is only about 50 miles. Bus company is Starr tours . I'm not sure of price or schedule. 800-782-7703

I know there is service from Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC to Bethlehem Sands for $28 with $30 in free slot play.

There is a bus from northern NJ to PA Sands for $30 (sometimes $15) with $35 in slot play. There are as many as 17 stops in NJ, so it would make sense to try and get on one of the last ones. It's only 70 minutes from the final stop to the casino, but 65 minutes to get all the different NJ stops. The original stops are sometimes only a few hundred yards apart up to a mile or two.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I've talked about this in other threads, but I would definitely try PA at least once - but not right away. I'd want to give it a month or two for the initial crowds to winds down.

Yeah, the option of shifting from casino to casino is appealing.

First off, it sounded like you really had a good time in AC; and clearly, what AC has, above and beyond anything else, is the Boardwalk. What PA and DE have in their favor are the racinos; I prefer them, others do not.

Clearly, you won't be able to go from casino to casino in PA (which I know you know).

There is also another differing feature--the resort casino (e.g. Mount Airy). Once you are there, you are there. If you like the place, I guess you're okay; if you don't, you are trapped (at least that's the way I feel). And then, there is this downtown thing (Sands-Bethlehem/Sugar House-PHL)...haven't been there so I don't know.

The diffence in environments between Pocono Downs and Mount Airy could not be more different.

Looking at the numbers, bad economies appear to negatively impact the resort casinos; but the racinos appear to be, at least for the time being, almost recession free (which Paco can speak to better than me). Besides, provided the horses are running/pacing/trotting, the tracks give you somewhere else to go. I guess this is a bit of history repeating itself. I am under the impression that the Great Depression is at least , in part, responsible for a surge in the horse racing industry (and the government had something else it could tax).

In any event, I completely agree with your idea of giving it a month or two...possibly even more. There is going to be plenty of time, though...there is a whole series of approvals that the casinos still have to go through in order to start with their table games operations.