BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT E-BOOKS BY BJI AUTHOR KEN SMITH! How to Win EVEN MORE Blackjack Tournaments - Volume II... only $14.95. Ken Smith's second e-book on tournament blackjack contains more of his winning strategies that have made him one of the best tournament blackjack players in the world. Or, purchase both Volume I and Volume II together for $24.95... over 15% off! NEW! Read how Ken used skill to win a recent blackjack tournament. Get his books and you could too!

Alene Scoblete is the CEO of Paone Press, which sells gaming books and tapes at discount prices. She also writes for www.scoblete.com. Her husband, Frank Scoblete, is the #1 best-selling gaming author in America. Frank’s books and tapes have sold over a million copies. His newest book is The Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution. His newest DVD is Golden Touch: Beat Craps Using a Controlled Throw! For a free brochure call: 1-800-944-0406 or write: Frank Scoblete Enterprises, Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank’s websites are www.goldentouchblackjack.com, www.goldentouchcraps.com and www.scoblete.com.

1. "Rafter"

Special Award: The World Record Holder for Most Rolls in a Casino

• Pat DeMauro, 154 numbers before sevening out

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now on to the blackjack playing conditons in AC:

Our Readers Report

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

We have many readers who send us their reports on various aspects of Atlantic City and we do have some that give us reports just about every month – so we have decided to give them the fame and glory (as opposed to "fortune and glory") of their own columns.

You will note that our correspondents tend to have somewhat different views. Always it is up to you to decide which games you want to play by scouting them for yourselves.

THE JON REPORT

Dear Frank and Alene,
 
Donald Trump? The Art of the Deal? This is a poor title for his book. It should be The Art of the Steal. Trump Enterprises runs up 1.7 billion dollars in debt, Donald steps aside, then tries to buy the company back for 100 million dollars, and have the courts wipe out 1.2 billion dollars in bond holder debt. Why should Donald get back his casinos while the bond holders are left losing 1.2 billion dollars? This debt is owned by people that loaned Donald money in good faith. Now he wants to stiff them. Donald should be in jail, not on TV shows!
 
I visited the following casinos this month. All reviews are of games on the main floor and not the high-roller rooms. 
 
Harrah’s: All eight decks. 75% penetration. H17.
 
Borgata: Six and eight decks, 67 – 75% penetration. S17. Most of the place is six decks still with the eight deckers limited to the new area.

Showboat: All eight decks. 75% penetration. H17.
 
Trump Taj: All eight decks. 75% penetration. S17 and 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. They are cutting deeper here. Most dealers were giving penetration of 80% or more. Granted there are only two 6-deck games on the main floor but they are a couple of the nicest in AC now.  Resorts is also in the process of being turned over to its lenders.
 
Claridge: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17.
 
Ballys: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17.
 
Wild Wild West: Eight decks. 75% penetration. H17.
 
Caesars: Eight decks. 75% penetration. 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 with 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 has dropped noticeably. I have recommended the Hilton for a long time, but I drop that recommendation now. Penetration was 75% or less, although I did find a couple dealers going deeper. If you like a quieter place to play, this is it. It is very slow here right now.  The Hilton also missed its last loan payment.

Well, hope this helps.

Jon

********************************************************************************************

 

RICH FROM FLORIDA

Hi Frank,

  

My first trip to AC was in 1978 when it all began, and I played there for years until Foxwoods opened. As a North Jersey guy all my life until I moved to FL in 2002, I was midway between AC and FW, so I really became a fan of Foxwoods because it was an easier drive from Bergen County and better rules at FW.

I've been using Golden Touch Blackjack for a year now and I’m a believer. We just spent a weekend in AC for a wedding and stayed at Harrah's, but only because the wives wanted to use their pool. My BJ buddy and I have been reading all of the monthly reports and we played at Harrah's just to see firsthand how bad it really is ... and it is REALLY BAD. The H17 rule is only part of it. Watching the dealers try to cram 8 decks into the shoe without slipping was hilarious. Ploppies everywhere. Can't say we had any heat but we didn't stay very long.

We then tried Borgata, rated 3 stars last month, and had no heat, but the ploppies were maddening! Didn't care to try and find a "no midshoe entry" table which they said was over by the high roller area. (We are green chip players with a 1 to 12 spread, and only play at a no smoking table.) We knew we were going to play mostly at Trump Plaza, based on the 31/2 star ranking from last month, and it was RIGHT ON! Quarter tables were ALL---"no mid-shoe entry"---so we had no ploppies to deal with. Smoking was restricted so that was a plus, but the penetration at best was only 4 decks, or 67 to 70%. Still, we both did quite well there playing the 1 and 2 spots, with an occasional player at 3rd base. No heat, friendly relaxed dealers and floorpeople, and even got a $50 comp each for coffee and dessert.

Spreads were mostly 1 to 8, but had a count at one point into the low 40s. This is the only place in AC I'd play right now, but don't know when I'll be back there.

 

Speaking of good games....read on:

 

The best game I know of on the East Coast is out of Port Canaveral on the Sun Cruz gambling boat. It is a six-deck game, S17, DAS, late surrender, 75% penetration, and NO HEAT. Plus, after you score a Platinum Players Card, you can pick up two $50 match-plays at the cage, and in the mail you can get weekly $100 to $150 match-plays, plus a bonus $35 for your birthday month. Costs $3 to board and for 8/31 I have $285 in match plays, so you know where I'll be at the end of the month. If you get there early enough, do what I do and ask for a no smoking sign and a no mid-shoe entry sign. I've gotten both every time.

 

If you are ever in St. Maarten go to the Red & Black Casino in Phillipsburg or the Hollywood Casino at the Pelican Resort. Except for surrender, it is just like Vegas with first class people, six decks, S17, DAS, good penetration, and no heat---a Golden Touch Blackjack paradise.

 

*******************************************************************************************************

 

THE BUBBA FROM BOSTON REPORT

Dear Frank and Alene:

 

I just returned from Atlantic City and I will give you information on my visit.

On the ride into Atlantic City more signs about Ballys and Ceasars being a place where everybody loses. The labor troubles continue in A/C.

We stayed at the Taj Mahal in the Chairman tower. This is one of the top places to stay. The service is great, rooms are spacious, and views outstanding.

 

August 2009 in Atlantic City is different on where you play and stay. The Taj, Showboat, Harrahs and Bally's were all packed while Hilton and Resorts were empty.  

Taj Mahal is a good place to play except on Thursday through Sundays. On these nights they have added live music and dancers on the edge of where the table action is. Beautiful girls dancing in skimpy outfits lead to distractions. They are hard not to look at and thus you lose your concentration and the count. The music is so loud you barely can hear the dealer. Monday-Wednesday it doesn't have the dancers and music is turned down so it is a better place to play. Dealers are hand shuffling and some cut only about 15% so good games here. They still hit on soft 17 unless you are playing $25 or up. Great place to play Golden Touch Blackjack, but bring ear plugs on Thursday through Sunday.

 

Bally's had plenty of tables open and was crowded. Dealers are still in a labor/ management fight. They are very grateful for tips and were very pleasant. Conditions still have dealer hitting soft 17 but still like to play here because it is a good place to play Golden Touch Blackjack. Cards are shuffled by a machine but only 20% was being cutoff had a good run of cards. Should be upgraded.

No table action going on at night at Bally's Wild Wild West; just slots.

 

Hilton not very busy for summer. Blackjack games had seats open. Games are hand shuffled and dealer cuts off about 25% of the decks. Dealer hitting soft 17 depends on table. Still good place to play. Pit Bosses really watch chips at each game taking visual count every 15 minutes or so. Still a good place to play Golden Touch Blackjack.

 

Resorts defaulted on their loan and is being taken over. Not sure what will happen but doesn't look good for them. Empty in the summer is a real bad sign. Revel has slowed down construction and now is projecting a 2011 opening. It should give a shot in the arm to A/C but what casinos will be closed by 2011??

 

One thing that I would make a note to advantage players is on $25 and up tables I find most players will not take a hit if they could bust. They seldom follow the rules and only hit when it is safe. I have found better games at $15 tables playing my 1-10 spread and playing with people that have a clue when to hit/split/double or stand.

 

Best Regards,     

Bubba from Boston

 

 

THE HUBERT HERBERT REPORT

Hi Frank:

This is what might be the first half of a report, I will be down in the next week or so and try to get you something before the deadline. As usual use or not as you see fit.

The GTC Extra Dividend

Let me say right off that I do not gamble to win. This may sound crazy, but it is true. I gamble for the fun of gambling, beating the odds, the house, whomever. Riding a hot streak at any game really sets everything going and if one ends up winning or losing in the long run is secondary to the rush produced by the event.

Tops is probably dice because the player control factor is huge. I do not deal or shuffle the cards, but I throw the cubes. Poker is a close second, while I don’t deal, from there on it is all me. Just for contrast, slots are mindless and require no skill. But having said the above, winning anyway sure beats losing. If I go to Biloxi, or Vegas, or Foxies, or AC and break even or lose just a couple of Cs, that’s fine. And if the food is good, the beach ok, the shows right on, another plus.

In Vegas perhaps the best is going to look at the desert (how many rattttlerrrs have you seen within a hand’s reach), in the islands SCUBA a bit, etc. How much would I have spent at home during those same days? It is all part of the bottom line.

In terms of dice, Golden Touch Craps opened up a new world and expanded upon what I already had intuited but never systematized (or actually done). So after classes and practice and some horrendous hands on, I feel that I can now walk into any casino and have an even or slightly better chance of winning at a 12ft table with average bounce. Hey, I have neutralized the odds, BIG STEP (this may be BRAVADO, but it is based on a number of events in different places). But this spring, something new happened.   

 

My wife and I went on a cruise. Usually in terms of gambling this means slots, some BJ, 3-Card poker, Texas Hold’Em, Caribbean Stud, and perhaps an unused dice table. Often the casino management said that they could not open the dice table because they did not have the trained people available (read low % take). But would you like to play Caribbean Stud? Well, in this casino there was a dice table. We asked and they said it opened only after 9 at night. So we ventured after dinner. They only opened a half table. They did not have chips above $100. But the table, the table, the table: No bounce at all. Ten foot max (dealers and two players are one side). Narrow with a slightly inclined back wall.

My gambling self said go for it, my cruise self said easy, we ended up half way. I took a couple of Cs average every night without being greedy. But the other players did not get it. One lady shooter threw the dice over hand! Missed people but not by much.

************************************************************************

BIG BEN’S WATCH

Hi Frank,

 

Here are my observations about AC.  It has been packed this summer as the crowds are definitely back.  The boardwalk is hopping and the tables have been full.  Even the games overall this summer are better than last summer with the exception of the evil empire.  I thought I'd give an in-depth review of the Tropicana as a special report.

 

Tropicana is three stars:

 

I had the fortune of thoroughly examining this casino from inside out having spent a number of hours playing there recently. Some of which I'm pretty sure I shouldn't even post on here but I’ll go against my better judgment and do so anyway. First off, I have to give the Trop major kudos for how far they will go to help their customers. I can't go into detail without exposing myself but let's just say I found them far more accommodating than other places in terms of giving comps.

Dealers: For the most part are alright but beware of certain dealers giving bad advice.  


Pit Bosses: For the most part, they are pretty nice. When getting comps though be aware that it will take quite a while since they only have one head pit boss for ALL of the 6-deck BJ games. Beware, some of their pit bosses are quite knowledgeable and can spot you counting. Also, make sure when you color up that they have the correct amount in, because I was told on more than one occasion that they showed me having bigger profits than what I actually did have.  This actually seems to be commonplace as it happened to me at other casinos too.

Blackjack Games: They have the best selection in AC in my opinion. Most are 6-deck games but they have a few 8-deckers by the roulette wheels for the low rollers ($10 minimums). In addition, they have Spanish 21, Double Attack BJ and I believe BJ exposure. The 6 deckers are mostly $25 minimums but you can find $15 minimums from 12:10-10:10 pm. $25 minimums are in full effect from 10:10pm to the wee hours of the morning. During week days, they even have $10 minimum 6 deckers in the latter part of the morning. They are all S17 and 75% penetration.


BJ Players: The players here are your standard fare. I must have played with about 50 different players over the course of my trip and not one of them played BS perfectly. Only two of them left with more money when they left the table and that was most likely because we caught the shoe from heaven (during one shoe I was in where the count was + the whole way through). Funniest or most disturbing line issued by a ploppy who ironically enough considered himself to be a very good player. "I don't come here for entertainment. I come here to make money. If I wanted entertainment, I'd stay home." This guy during a + count no less, decided not to double his Ace- 7 vs a dealer 6. Right after that and seeing him criticize me for standing on 16 v 10 (also during a + count), I knew he was a ploppy and I had to restrain myself from telling Mr. Bigshot, that his money would most likely be going to the casino. It's amazing how many people seem to think they should stand with a 16 versus a dealer’s 7.

Restaurants: Your main choices for comped restaurants are either the Seaside Cafe (open 24 hours) or the Fiesta Buffet (open until 8pm during weekdays). Let me just throw this out there. Why is it that the pizza at the Seaside Cafe is so much better than the one at the buffet?!! If you like seafood (especially crabs) this is your place to go to in AC. It would be nice if they had servers at both places who actually spoke English!

Craps: I like their tables ($5 minimums with 5X odds)

Poker: You get a good mixture here with the majority of players being at the intermediate level or better at the NL tables. Do not underestimate the women who play here. They're quite good! To make money here, it will be a grind and you will have to have your "A" game most likely. Watch out for collusion. If you get a Royal Flush here, they give you a free room.

 

Trump Plaza: Two stars. From what I saw was still the same old $25 minimum NMSE for 6 decks and 8-deck games for $15. Penetration a lousy 66-70% and the smokiest joint in AC.  Good promotions though.

 

Resorts: Three stars. The best game in AC at the moment with one deck being cut off but only two $25 6-deck tables on the weekdays. Lousy comps and hotel.

 

Evil Empire: Still the evil empire.  All H17 now except for the high roller rooms.  Caesars is the best though out of the bunch as it has a decent hotel and restaurants.

 

Borgata: Three and one-half stars.  Still the best overall casino/hotel in AC but more 8 deckers working their way in.  Penetration has improved with S17 though. 

 

Ben

* * * *

You can read about the Golden Touch Craps World records, including the Captain’s 147-roll hand at www.goldentouchcraps.com/worldrecords.shtml. Want to learn dice control from the masters? Get a copy of The Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! [$16.95 plus $5 shipping] by Frank Scoblete and Dominator or get a copy of our new DVD Golden Touch: Beat Craps by Controlling the Dice! [$299 plus $6 shipping] Call Melissa A. Kaplan at 1-800-944-0406.

Frank’s new book, The Virgin Kiss and Other Adventures! is now available in the BJI store. Frank says, "This is the best book I have ever written!" Get one and see for yourself.

The greatest, and easiest, advantage-play method ever developed for beating blackjack – SPEED COUNT – can be found in Frank Scoblete’s new book, Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution! Book comes with a CD so you can practice. $22.45 plus $5 for shipping.... click here to order.

And now: Golden Touch Speed Count DVD is available!

 

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

************************************************************************

Here are our ratings for September 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: No change from last issue. Not a premier place any more. 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 stars: * *

BORGATA: No change from last issue. The casino where Patricia DeMauro had her spectacular 154-number craps roll. 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 or if you see Patricia DeMauro at the table. 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: * * *

CAESARS: Labor problems – the unions want more even as AC is heading into the toilet. You union guys and gals, is this how it goes? Down, down, down the BJ games go as well. So many more tables hitting soft 17 now. 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. Caesars itself also has excellent restaurants. 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: Penetration is now better and the BJ crews are friendlier. We’ve been really down on this casino for about four years now but it is time to reevaluate it. Penetration is about 75 percent. There are early mornings when no tables are opened. Two and one half stars: * * ½ *

HARRAH’S: One of our correspondents calls this company "the evil empire." Maybe it is. 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; did the same for the Grand in Tunica and Rio in Vegas. All Harrah’s properties are slot machine heavens – for slot players, and table game hell for table-game players. 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 star: *

HILTON: No change from last issue. 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 from last issue. 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: Another Harrah’s disaster. Great rooms; good restaurants and that about sums it up. One star: *

TROPICANA: Getting better ratings. Goes to three stars: * * *

TRUMP MARINA: No change from last issue. 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: Attention! About face! Our reports now indicate that the Plaza has changed its tune in every way – at least in blackjack. The penetration is 80 percent at a minimum – the pits seem unconcerned about counters. 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 in this place – that regrettable fact has not changed one bit. Three and one-half stars: * * * ½ *

TRUMP TAJ MAHAL: 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. Seems like more often than not on "off" hours there are no table games in this place. 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 fool’s 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: *

THE BEST BLACKJACK IN ATLANTIC CITY: Trump Plaza

The Best Craps in Atlantic City: Bally’s

The Best Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City: Borgata / Taj Mahal

Get Frank Scoblete’s great new book The Virgin Kiss and Other Adventures! Just $17.95 plus $5 for shipping. Call 1-800-944-0406 for mail orders. Or go to BJI store.