Going to a casino in Eastern PA, need suggestions
December 29th, 2010 at 2:14:38 AM
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Hello everyone,
My family and I want to go a casino in eastern PA tomorrow, as we live in Flemington NJ, making AC too far. I was wondering if I could get some help choosing a place?
The lower the minimums, the better, of course. The current pick is Mt Airy, as it seems to have better food, and BJ tables with a 10 minimum.
The other idea was to go to the Sands in Bethlehem.
Which do you think is best?
I've read reviews of both, and I'm still a bit stuck. If I, or my family, were poker players, then the Sands would seem the best choice, but I'm much more of a blackjack player, making me lean more towards Mt Airy.
Are there other better spots?
My family and I want to go a casino in eastern PA tomorrow, as we live in Flemington NJ, making AC too far. I was wondering if I could get some help choosing a place?
The lower the minimums, the better, of course. The current pick is Mt Airy, as it seems to have better food, and BJ tables with a 10 minimum.
The other idea was to go to the Sands in Bethlehem.
Which do you think is best?
I've read reviews of both, and I'm still a bit stuck. If I, or my family, were poker players, then the Sands would seem the best choice, but I'm much more of a blackjack player, making me lean more towards Mt Airy.
Are there other better spots?
December 29th, 2010 at 5:21:21 AM
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I've been to both. Sands four times, Mt Airy once. I haven't been to any other PA casino yet.
I'm primarily a poker player.
In the poker rooms, by mid afternoon, Sands usually has all 12 tables full, and a wait list going. Mt. Airy never had enough people for all 11 tables to open, and had a wait list, but it was very short.
For the main casino floor, if my memory is correct, Mt. Airy had lower table minimums and more readily available seating.
I ate at the buffet at Mt Airy and was quite dissapointed. At Sands, I usually ate at the poker table, ordering from the poker waitress. I've had burgers while the wife had sushi. Both were fine choices. We haven't eaten at any of their restaurants yet, but it looks like Sands has more choices than Mt Airy.
I'm primarily a poker player.
In the poker rooms, by mid afternoon, Sands usually has all 12 tables full, and a wait list going. Mt. Airy never had enough people for all 11 tables to open, and had a wait list, but it was very short.
For the main casino floor, if my memory is correct, Mt. Airy had lower table minimums and more readily available seating.
I ate at the buffet at Mt Airy and was quite dissapointed. At Sands, I usually ate at the poker table, ordering from the poker waitress. I've had burgers while the wife had sushi. Both were fine choices. We haven't eaten at any of their restaurants yet, but it looks like Sands has more choices than Mt Airy.
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December 29th, 2010 at 6:43:55 AM
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I like them both, and prefer Sands, but I'm not picky and a lot of people disagree with me.
You will get more local players at Sands, and more vacationer/visitor players at Mt Airy. The atmosphere is more festive at Mt Airy, for that reason (IMO).
Parking is better at The Sands. This is only important twice (arriving and departing), but it is worth noting.
Buffet aside (we've never tried either one), food at both places is pretty good. I wouldn't make it the deciding factor in where I played. Sands food court has some good items. Sands' Carnegie Deli is about the same as in NYC, without the wonder of NYC though. Betty's Diner at Mt Airy is decent diner food (about like 50s Prime Time at WDW, if you've been there). WARNING about St James Gate Irish Pub, at Sands: you'd think it would be good, but it isn't. We gave it 3 tries, and it's 3 strikes. Just mediocre, nothing at all like Ri-Ra (at AC Tropicana).
If anyone in your party plays other table games, the pay tables for 3 Card at Mt Airy are the 1-4-6 progression for Pairs Plus, 2.38% HE. If anyone in your party plays slots, Mt Airy reportedly has the highest payback % of any PA casino.
I can't really say why we prefer Sands. We've just never really caught the vibe of Mt Airy, never felt "in" it, more like just there. Maybe because we're local? I dunno. You'll probably have a great time either place.
You will get more local players at Sands, and more vacationer/visitor players at Mt Airy. The atmosphere is more festive at Mt Airy, for that reason (IMO).
Parking is better at The Sands. This is only important twice (arriving and departing), but it is worth noting.
Buffet aside (we've never tried either one), food at both places is pretty good. I wouldn't make it the deciding factor in where I played. Sands food court has some good items. Sands' Carnegie Deli is about the same as in NYC, without the wonder of NYC though. Betty's Diner at Mt Airy is decent diner food (about like 50s Prime Time at WDW, if you've been there). WARNING about St James Gate Irish Pub, at Sands: you'd think it would be good, but it isn't. We gave it 3 tries, and it's 3 strikes. Just mediocre, nothing at all like Ri-Ra (at AC Tropicana).
If anyone in your party plays other table games, the pay tables for 3 Card at Mt Airy are the 1-4-6 progression for Pairs Plus, 2.38% HE. If anyone in your party plays slots, Mt Airy reportedly has the highest payback % of any PA casino.
I can't really say why we prefer Sands. We've just never really caught the vibe of Mt Airy, never felt "in" it, more like just there. Maybe because we're local? I dunno. You'll probably have a great time either place.
A falling knife has no handle.
December 29th, 2010 at 9:11:02 PM
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Hey guys, quick after action report,, after visiting Mt. Airy:
- getting there was no problem. I think we discovered the issue, in that the sign says to take the exit off 199 but their website says to take 198, which is the correct choice. After that, we didn't have a problem finding it.
- Parking wasn't too bad, we got there around 3:30 and found a spot very quick and next to the entrance. You can chalk it up to luck, I guess.
-Went to grab some food first, hit the buffet. I can see what people were talking about, the variety wasn't that great. But, we really liked what we got, save for the pizza which was crappy.
- Played blackjack with the dad. $10 tables were non existant, with mostly 25's with a few 15s. We settled on the 15, which quickly turned to a 25 as well. Found another table rather quick and played at that one. The dealer had some pretty hot hands. I mean, people sitting on 18s both and above while he had a 4 or so, and drew 4 cards deep into a 21. This happened about 3 times in a row. Ended up dipping into my buy in money, down to 35, but fought back up to 200. Dad was riding high, but ended up breaking even in the end. He could of probably made some more, but he wanted to hold onto his buy-in cash.
- There were plenty of empty, unattended tables that could have been used to make room, but didn't. It wasn't too crowded, but still, would have been nice to have a 10 table going.
- Players at the table were friendly, gave suggestions on what to do, and the dealers were cool too, even the pit bosses were chill. Our table had the older, im-still-in-a-frat guy, but he was generally good too, didn't get obnoxious.
-Holy crap, does everyone in this place smoke. It wasn't a fog, but man, I came home with an irritated throat I'm assuming from breathing all that crap in. I guess that's typical of any casino, but still.
All in all, it was a nice jaunt into the world of gambling. Would I go again? Sure, but i'd want to check out the Sands as well, at least to compare. It was a nice little mini-vacation, and next time we have a good stretch of time, but can't travel, I could certainly do this again.
- getting there was no problem. I think we discovered the issue, in that the sign says to take the exit off 199 but their website says to take 198, which is the correct choice. After that, we didn't have a problem finding it.
- Parking wasn't too bad, we got there around 3:30 and found a spot very quick and next to the entrance. You can chalk it up to luck, I guess.
-Went to grab some food first, hit the buffet. I can see what people were talking about, the variety wasn't that great. But, we really liked what we got, save for the pizza which was crappy.
- Played blackjack with the dad. $10 tables were non existant, with mostly 25's with a few 15s. We settled on the 15, which quickly turned to a 25 as well. Found another table rather quick and played at that one. The dealer had some pretty hot hands. I mean, people sitting on 18s both and above while he had a 4 or so, and drew 4 cards deep into a 21. This happened about 3 times in a row. Ended up dipping into my buy in money, down to 35, but fought back up to 200. Dad was riding high, but ended up breaking even in the end. He could of probably made some more, but he wanted to hold onto his buy-in cash.
- There were plenty of empty, unattended tables that could have been used to make room, but didn't. It wasn't too crowded, but still, would have been nice to have a 10 table going.
- Players at the table were friendly, gave suggestions on what to do, and the dealers were cool too, even the pit bosses were chill. Our table had the older, im-still-in-a-frat guy, but he was generally good too, didn't get obnoxious.
-Holy crap, does everyone in this place smoke. It wasn't a fog, but man, I came home with an irritated throat I'm assuming from breathing all that crap in. I guess that's typical of any casino, but still.
All in all, it was a nice jaunt into the world of gambling. Would I go again? Sure, but i'd want to check out the Sands as well, at least to compare. It was a nice little mini-vacation, and next time we have a good stretch of time, but can't travel, I could certainly do this again.
