A Walk on the Boardwalk

by Frank and Alene Scoblete

The blackjack games may not be the best in the country and the weekends might not see ten-dollar players get many comps, but one thing always remains – the Boardwalk. We would call it the Atlantic City Boardwalk but in truth the Boardwalk extends from Atlantic City through Ventnor, Margate and Longport – which is the tail end on the South.

These three non-Atlantic City areas are dominated by ocean waves, not hotels, mostly beautiful private homes, plenty of white sand and some areas where the ocean goes right under the Boardwalk itself. Here you will see swimmers and fishermen, in lazy recline, along with summer people enjoying the sun and fun; bicyclists, roller skaters, joggers, walkers and people who are just gazing at the waters that stretch all the way out there.

The non-Atlantic City towns have a slow-paced lifestyle, unlike the feverish pitch of Atlantic City’s section of the Boardwalk. There are very few pigeons and the seagulls content themselves with real seagull food – like clams and fish – as opposed to the Atlantic City gulls who will eat your lunch, your popcorn and part of your arm if you let them. We wonder if the Atlantic City seagulls have ever seen the sea.

Even during the most populous time of the summer, the Ventnor, Margate and Longport areas are quiet.

On the Atlantic City Boardwalk human life abounds – the quiet-stepping elderly, the loud youth, the steely-eyed criminals, the bums and all those Boardwalk performers. There’s the lady gospel singer between Resorts and Claridge; the drummer some steps from her often drowning her out; a saxophonist who is outside Bally’s; a strange-looking dancer who can’t dance outside Caesars (where the late performer used to play her keyboard with her monstrously long tongue).

There are some occasional bums who see themselves as brilliant preachers mouthing incoherencies as they ask for your money. There are other bums urinating into the sands. These you’ll find early in the morning before the cops scoot them away.

You also have a shipload of feral cats that live under the Boardwalk near Resorts and Taj Mahal. Most of these cats have been neutered – but they still love the sand, which is a comforting place to relieve themselves. The cops, the crowds, the gulls – nothing can shoo these cats away.

The restaurants on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City range from okay to quite good but the crowds make Boardwalk dining overly hectic and those gulls make it dangerous. If you like New York-style pizza, the Boardwalk has several really great pizza parlors. You can buy touristy items that range from the awfully awful to the awfully expensive. Some of them are even good.

If you are looking to take you mind off your problems or your losses, Ripley’s Believe It or Not can show you many people with far greater problems than most of us will ever have.

The summer months see the casinos using the beach for their outdoor bars. The young flock to these to hunt for mates while the old stand near them to watch these rituals. And even if you are tired, you can always go up and down the Boardwalk on those chair rides pushed by men who are indestructible.

The Boardwalk – there’s a reason why people flock to walk it. Give it a try next time you are visiting AC.

If you wish to contribute your reports or observations, we need to receive them by the 24^th of the month for the next month. Write to: fscobe@optonline.net

Well, I had a busy month. So I’ll get right to my reviews after one brief comment. I was surprised to see Trump Marina promoted to being one of the top two casinos in AC for blackjack last month. There are only three casinos in AC that don’t hit soft 17, the Borgata, Trump Plaza and Tropicana. The same three casinos are the only ones to offer a lot of 6-deck games on the main floor.  Of course, I’m only one person, but in my humble opinion, this puts all three of these places head and shoulders above Trump Marina.
 
I visited the following casinos this month. All reviews are of games on the main floor and not the high-roller rooms. I'm not even going to mention the greedy places offering single deck 6-to-5 BJ games. Do yourself and the rest of us a favor – don't patronize these games!
 
Harrahs: All eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!
 
Borgata: Six and eight decks, 70 – 75% penetration. S17. Most of the place is 6 decks still with the eight deckers limited to the new area. Most six deck games allow mid shoe entry.
 
Trump Marina: All eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!

Showboat: All eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!
 
Trump Taj: All eight decks. 75% penetration. S17and no mid shoe outside high roller room, H17 on the rest of the floor.
 
Resorts: Two six-deckers on the main floor. The rest are eight decks. The row of tables outside the high-roller room stand on soft 17. The rest of the place hits soft 17. About 75% penetration. Seats available. Mid-shoe entry allowed on all games.
 
Claridge: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!
 
Ballys: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!
 
Wild Wild West: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17. Enough said!
 
Caesars: Eight decks. 65 – 80% penetration. Penetration was very dealer dependent. H17 on most of main floor. S17 on $25 and $50 tables outside high roller room. No mid-shoe entry on these games.

Trump Plaza: Six and eight-deck games. The six-deck $25 games are the most abundant. The penetration on the six-deckers is in the 67 – 75 percent range. S17 on the entire main floor. No mid-shoe entry on the six deckers.
 
Tropicana: Six and eight deck games. 60 - 80% penetration. S17 on the entire main floor.
 
Hilton: All eight-deck games on the main floor hit soft 17. However a few six-deck games stand on soft 17. Penetration 70 – 80%.

Well, hope this helps.

Jon

Visited AC 14-17 May. Played a total of 12 hours with average bet of $150. High limit rooms only.
 
Plaza: All tables including on the general floor are 66% penetration by order of the house. Many players were complaining about the frequent shuffles. Pretty much broke even there......luckily it was my comped hotel site.
 
Caesars: About 70% penetration, $100-$25K limits in High Limit room.

Hilton: There $20 min tables...and I clocked them for $11,900 win in one shoe with only four losses the whole shoe. And they were on to me there......so I ran while still under cover! Gave 75% penetration.
 
Bally's: Watching for counters like hawks. Not friendly at all. Won $500. Has 70% penetration.

Taj Mahal: Has 75% penetration. Nice in HL room

Showboat: Has 70% penetration. Not friendly.
 
As you know, everyone has the same rules in AC for 6 decks. Profitable run all in all, but they are really hawking for counters...and pulling back dramatically on comps
 
Best,
AC Rich

I visited Atlantic City several times during the past weeks, staying at a trio of hotels both on the Boardwalk and in the Marina District. It seems to me that conditions continue to deteriorate all over, although during the most recent trip it felt like a few more people were at the casino or on the Boardwalk.

Nonetheless, according to official statistics gambling revenues fell 16.2% in the first quarter and also declined on a year-to-year basis comparing 2008 with 2007. I heard unconfirmed rumors that traffic was down some 20% for the first four months.

Short visits during non-peak periods to several casinos underlined the paucity of players, and it was not uncommon to find fewer than 20 players at all tables combined (although often the "Asian" games like mini-baccarat did have a full complement of gamblers). Even at peak times it seemed that far fewer $100 and up players existed and that middle-range green chippers had cut back too. At one or two casinos, they never opened some of the specialty games, such as Caribbean Stud during the week day.

Services and amenities continue to decline or disappear. At one place no buffet, at another only inexpensive draft beer, at another no bottle beer for players, I got only room comp where I normally get RFB at a third place, and one can hear the grumblings at the tables not only about the downturn out there but about the one at AC.

Support staff continued to disappear, ranging from bathroom attendants, to desk clerks, to the bus arrival areas. We waited almost half an hour for a person to appear at Bally’s to take our tickets and give us a coupon for the slots (another change, it used to be cash).

Dealers and pit personnel are affected as well. Employees are visibly anxious, they hustle tips from players more aggressively than usual, and they often gripe about this and that (like not getting the shift they want or even short weeks) within ear-shot of players.

I experienced in one casino something I have never seen in over 50 years of gambling. A pit person openly picking up the chant of the stickman, "Hey, no one is on the hard four!" or "Who wants a yo?" If you do not color up when you leave, crews can sometimes get downright aggressive. It could have been coincidental but I got hassled at two different casinos.

Twice at one establishment the box person at craps claimed that I was going over the center line. I do stand next to the stickperson and I do have long arms, but the release point is ok. When things got a bit testy I challenged them to show me on camera and indicated that I would gladly more farther away if I was, in fact, in violation. That stopped the complaints. At a second place out of the blue the box person says "both dice have to hit the wall every time."  Now it is true that I often get careless and in my desire to shoot softly one of the dice does not hit the wall the way Golden Touch Craps teaches. But, during the time I had been at this table many shooters did not hit the wall consistently (and one elderly lady not at all) and no one commented. That said, the casino is doing me a favor. Things go better when both dice hit the wall and I noted that my shooting improved and my stash grew when I complied with the request.

One final observation is that there is an underlying sense of tension; danger would be too strong a word, all around the boardwalk and to a less degree in Marina casinos. People seem feistier, quicker to growl. There is a marked increase in security from late afternoon on. A lot more people drift into the casinos, sometime watching, but sometimes playing a few bucks, people who probably should not be risking the little money that they possess. Waiting on the Academy bus line a poorly dressed man openly panhandled and others asked for "a dollar please." These people have increased everywhere. If one tours in the early morning hours it appears, at least on bad weather nights, that more people are camping inside the casino, sleeping at machines or in nooks or crannies in the more maze-like floors.

My own fortunes have been up and down. I still find watching the Golden Touch craps video, re-reading the book, and practicing regularly makes the best preparation. Since one never knows what one day will bring, staying three to four days works best. On one trip I had practiced longer than usual. The first day, I won. This was easy, just show up, grab the right spot at a table, and let ‘em fly. Well, such arrogance has its own reward. I lost steadily for the next days, sevening-out on the first or second try with a regularity that sickened the imagination. Having lost the vast portion of my 401-G allotted for the trip, I was on my way out to get the car, but my wife wanted to play one more machine. Ok, I’ll spend my last bucks at the dice table over there, I thought. The only players were a Chinese couple and myself. I crapped out the first roll, but then a wonderful thing happened. I could not miss and came away with a 30 plus roll that recouped the money I had lost. I left much relieved and lots more humble.

* * * *

All the ratings of casinos are based on the blackjack games.

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Here are our ratings for June 2009. We thank many of our readers for helping us to stay as updated as possible. There may be some disagreements in ratings among our correspondents but all these reports are based on individuals’ experience. A word to the wise: it’s always best to check out the casinos for yourselves.

Rating system:

***** = Excellent

**** = Very Good

*** = Good

** = Fair

* = Poor.

BALLY’S PARK PLACE: This used to be a premium property but it now seems to be a Harrah’s after birth. No mid-shoe entry in high roller room and on a few of the main $50 tables in casino. Mixed reviews about how deep the penetration is but we found it in the 75 percent area. All 8-deck games except for the high roller room action. The hitting on soft 17 is now a fact all over the place. Crews are friendly. Hotel has declined a lot. Two and one half stars: * * ½ *

BORGATA: Penetration is around 70 to 75 percent on all games, including the six deckers which still make up most of the casino. Craps has long tables, 14-footers, and very bouncy, and not worth playing unless you like to see dice flying off the tables or gaze upon beautiful cocktail servers ducking out of the way. Go elsewhere for craps, except for Taj which has mimicked Borgata’s craps tables. This is a happening place and caters to a swinging young crowd. Okay casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Three stars: * * * [Yes, the World Record Craps Roll of 154 numbers by Patricia Demauro occurred here on May 23!]

CAESARS: No change. Down, down, down the BJ games go. So many more tables hitting soft 17 now. That brings this casino down a big notch. Directly across from Caesars is The Pier, which is a pleasure to walk through – a must see attraction in AC with some of the finest restaurants and views [see our main article in this issue]. Caesars itself also has excellent restaurants but you have long walks to find them. Cheerful place and worthy of the name it bears. Hotel/casino rating is A. They are going deeper at blackjack too but that H17 detracts from this somewhat. You can expect about 75 percent penetration with most of the dealers. The main floor of eight-deckers has some of the upper-limit tables ($25 and $50) with no mid-shoe entry. All the games in the high roller pit are also no mid-shoe entry with $100 and higher minimums. Table game action has improved and that is very noticeable in the blackjack pits – which are all 8-deck games. Six-deck games in high roller room have 80 percent penetration, as do the eight-deckers on the main casino floor. The craps games here are good with 12-foot tables and friendly crews. The tables are high so smaller controlled shooters should wear their "special shoes." Two stars: * *

CLARIDGE: Ugh. No stars.

HARRAH’S: Harrah’s has ruined more good casinos in this country than hoof-and-mouth disease has ruined more things having "hoofs" and mouths. In Tunica it took the best casino in the country, the Horseshoe, and made it mediocre. Hitting soft 17 now. Penetration now ranges somewhat below the 75 percent area. Resplitting allowed except aces. No midshoe entry in the high roller room of 6-deck action, with the rest of the casino being 8-decks. But we must warn you; this is a big slot place. Sadly, Harrah’s properties in Las Vegas and in Tunica are getting awfully bad reports about how some of the boxmen treat customers who practice a careful shot at craps and there is overwhelming paranoia at the blackjack games as well. So beware when outside AC. Harrah’s prefers slot customers and all their casinos tend month after month to be adding more machines. One and one-half stars: * ½ *

HILTON: Wild swings in penetration on blackjack and many more eight-deck games. Penetration getting worse even as you read this. Place is in trouble. The hitting of soft 17 brings this place down a peg as well. Resplitting allowed except aces. High roller room is 6-decks; rest of the casino is 8-decks with a few $25/$50 6-deckers on occasion. No mid-shoe entry on the six-deckers. High table minimums, especially on weekends, a lot of $25 tables, rare $10 tables. Penetration about 70 percent. For craps, we are dealing with 14-foot tables and a couple of 12 footers. Two stars: * *

RESORTS: No change. Might be going, going, gone before you know it. Getting a little better with blackjack though. But more tables are hitting soft 17. Not really worth playing. Two stars: * *

SHOWBOAT: No change. This used to be a great hotel-casino. Now it is a great hotel and forget the casino. Another Harrah’s disaster. High roller room got some good reports but the rest of the casino is becoming one big slot machine. Harrah’s has changed this into a slot joint. Where are the table games? Had been one of the best and now is one of the worst blackjack games in AC. Great rooms; good restaurants and that about sums it all up. One star: *

TROPICANA: Down hill. Goodbye 4-deck games! Hello 8-deck games. One star: *

TRUMP MARINA: Okay, mixed reports. Rooms are clean; hotel is well kept, with great restaurants. On blackjack they are hitting soft 17 on main floor, but not in the high roller room. Six-deck games in high roller room and eight-deck games on the main floor have penetration at 80 percent mark, but you won’t find any dealers going much deeper. Games are mostly $15/$25 and up, especially on weekends. No mid-shoe entry on the six-deckers but you can jump in and out on the eight-deckers. Hitting on soft 17. Craps tables are 12-footers with 5X odds and good crews. Two and one half stars: * * ½ *

TRUMP PLAZA: No change. If this place closes, where will all the low-life scum-sucking creeps go to hang out? Major disappointment in the center of the Boardwalk. Blackjack? Paranoid. Craps? Paranoid! Casino? Dark, unsavory. Restaurants? Mediocre. Just about all six-deck games with somewhat low penetration of 67 to 70 percent, depending on the dealer. No midshoe entry on games outside high-roller pit but you can find $25 (a few) to $50 minimums on these. Allows resplits, except aces. All tables are $10 and higher. Craps tables are 12-footers. A real big smattering of low-pants wearing steely-eyed low-lifes. One star: *

TRUMP TAJ MAHAL: Recently a Shift Manager was murdered here – shot several times in the stomach. But the blackjack is improving. Now they are hitting soft 17 except in $25 or higher games. First they screwed up the craps tables so the dice go flying off the table every third roll and now they have decided to give the blackjack games a wicked colonoscopy with barbed wire. Great hotel and great restaurants and great entertainment. Also, generally great dealers and pit personnel. Too bad it isn’t the place to play any more. Two stars: * *

WILD, WILD WEST: No change; no gold-rush either. The silver rush is over too. This place is over as well. Another Harrah’s wipe out! All eight-deck games with H17 – insane. This is a part of Bally’s Park Place and Harrah’s is looking to sell this complex like a pan of fools gold. Penetration is about 75 percent on all games. For craps this is a fun place to play with one 5X odds table and one 2X odds table. I remember when this place had many more tables. Crews are very friendly. One star: *

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