 
| ||
|
|
|
ATLANTIC CITY BLACKJACK REPORT─ February 2011
by Frank and Alene Scoblete
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. 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.
Can You Have Fun When You Are Serious?
Card counters and dice controllers: Are they happy? Can counting cards or playing with an advantage at craps detract from the happiness of playing casino games?
We think these are valid questions. Once a person ventures down the path of becoming an advantage player, he becomes far more serious about playing the games. In short, because they have an edge over the house, advantage players expect to win and when they don’t – depression can set in. Losing is totally upsetting. And when they do win? It isn’t as big a thrill because they expected it!
Regular gamblers expect to lose and when they win, they are overjoyed. When they lose, well, it is just what they expected.
In the Golden Touch blackjack and dice control classes, we tell our students that we are now ruining the game for them. It will no longer be mindless "fun" but it now becomes a serious mission to allow their skill to overcome the casino edge. The same holds true for any advantage situation. The mission becomes the message and that message is a powerful call to defeating the casinos.
Now, there are some card counters who boast that losing is just in the cards at times, and such losses never bother them. This may be true, but for us, having played constantly for over 20 years, it just isn’t so. Losing hurts. Yes, you know you can lose and, yes, you know that losing is part of the game but, no, it doesn’t go emotionally unnoticed. Losing stinks. There may be some card counters who actually can take it all with not a hint of disappointment. We never met one – and we have met hundreds of such counters over the years – but some might just be out there. Card counters sometimes do have a tendency to boast.
Dice controllers are in an even worse situation. In blackjack, you know the count and bet into it. However, you have no control over what cards will come out in the very next round. In the long run you’ll win, but right now, this second, it is out of your hands after you place your bet.
In dice control, it is your throwing skill that determines what numbers will come up or at least what number, the 7, you avoid. When you lose at dice control – you are the architect of your own defeat. That hurts! The most frequent reaction of a dice controller to failing is "Oh, sh*t!"
Okay, so being a serious advantage player can limit your fun at the games but what about after the games, in the quiet of your own head? Then the following phrase that we have been using for over two decades truly applies: "Winning is the most fun!"
Our Readers Report
If you wish to contribute your reports or observations, we need to receive them by the 24th 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. I also give them a free subscription to my private web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com.
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,
Well let’s begin with –
The Dealer Play of the Month: While playing last month I was dealt a 16 against a dealer ace. I decided to surrender, so before the dealer even checked for blackjack, I said, "I’ll just surrender." To my surprise the dealer returned half my bet and then checked for blackjack. Could this be true? Early Surrender? I then spent the next hour enjoying the "offered at this table only" early surrender option. Needless to say, it was hard to get up and leave the table but all good things must come to an end.
Amenities: AC is struggling. Revenues are down and Pennsylvania is about to overtake New Jersey as the 2nd highest grossing gambling state. AC casinos cannot afford to give gamblers any reason to play anywhere else. There are some cheap amenities that they need to keep mind.
Friendly dealers: Many dealers in AC are just not that nice. Now many AC dealers are nice but many other AC dealers have been doing this for a long time and have grown tired of the whole thing it seems. My experience in PA so far is that on average the dealers are much friendlier than in AC. It makes the experience so much nicer when your dealer cheers for you and takes your money with a smile. Many people lose at the tables. If I lose money and the dealer’s nasty about it, it’s just not fun at all.
Atmosphere: I recently played at one of the larger casinos in AC. A cocktail waitress came around to serve drinks. She was significantly overweight and she looked like she could be my grandmother and was dressed in an outfit that I would be horrified to see my grandmother wearing. Is that supposed to add to my experience? In the meantime, my servers in PA, as of late, have been much younger and in shape. I know PA has been able to hire all new cocktail waitresses recently, but the casinos in AC really need to think these things through. In Vegas, some casinos hire cocktail waitresses under the guise of "entertainer" so they can excuse them when they get to look like my grandmother.
Playing conditions: Best Penetration in AC: Resorts and Bally’s including Claridge and Wild Wild West. I recently had experiences at both properties where they were only cutting off one deck. Resorts has the best game in town because Bally’s is H17. Well, Resorts only has two S17 tables, but it’s better than none.
Tropicana still has the most variable penetration in AC. I still see some dealers cut off almost three decks out of eight, while others give some pretty decent penetration.
Places that still offer S17 on the main floor:
Hilton: A few six-deck tables in front of the high roller room.
Resorts: Two six-deck tables in front of high roller room.
Trump Plaza: The entire main floor.
Trump Taj: Eight-deck tables in front of high roller room.
Borgata: The entire floor of six and eight deckers.
Hope this helps,
Jon
*****************************************************************************************
Dear Frank and Alene:
I think you should take another close look at Trump Marina. Their high roller blackjack game is as good as any in AC. I know their eight-deck games are now typical and that they are offering that horrible $1 game that makes players pay a commission, but for those of us who bet $50 or more, the high roller game is top notch.
Jerry
******************************************************************************************
Frank and Alene:
I agree with your appraisal of Trump Plaza. It is a hole in the wall, and the pits, most of them anyway, are not very friendly. The casino is dark and dingy, and the clientele has as its members a lot of low lives, who look as if they are laundering money. Maybe the owners should think of selling this dump, and keeping and renovating the Marina, a far nicer property. Showboat is also starting to look as if it is catering to the wrong element as well. That is sad because Showboat used to be a classy casino.
Talking of dark, take Resorts, ugh. Can’t they put some lights in that place? If you have any trouble with your eyesight, you will be blind in that casino. Upbeat is keeping the lights on!
Keep up the good work. I enjoy your reports.
Mel
************************************************************************
Want to learn dice control from the masters? Get a copy of our new DVD Beat Craps by Controlling the Dice! [$299 plus $6 shipping] Call 1-800-944-0406.
New books by Scoblete:
Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!
by Frank Scoblete with DominatorThe most comprehensive craps book ever written! The only book that gives you everything you need to get a real, verifiable edge at the game of craps. Casino Craps: Shoot to Win! comes with a Special DVD showing unedited controlled throws by Dominator, the world’s greatest dice controller, with commentary by Frank Scoblete. Casino Craps: Shoot to Win! can take you from a novice to a winner! If you want to beat the game of craps, this is the book for you – it has everything you need to know to get the edge over the casinos. Available at a discount from the BJI store.
Click here.
Beat Blackjack Now!
by Frank ScobleteYou can beat the game of blackjack! Go from a traditional blackjack player to an advantage player with a real edge over the house in several easy-to-master steps in this breakthrough book. Beat Blackjack Now! by best-selling gaming author Frank Scoblete is the only blackjack book you’ll need to really beat the casinos. If you want to turn the tables on the house; if you want to do to the casinos what they do to the other players, then this is the book for you! This book can take you from a novice to an expert player! Available at a discount from the BJI store.
Click here.
Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players
by Frank Scoblete with Dominator
The most radically new and advanced dice strategies ever revealed! Read best selling author Frank Scoblete’s Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players. Scoblete, along with Dominator, the world’s greatest dice controller, take casino craps to new levels of sophistication and player advantage with never-before-revealed techniques that can make you a serious threat to the casinos. Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players will turn traditional craps strategies on their head with brand new information from two of the most advanced craps players to ever play the game! Available at a discount from the BJI store.
Click here.
Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines!
by Frank Scoblete
No one has to be a sucker at the slot machines any more. In Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines! you’ll learn new and radically different information if you are looking to get the best possible game at the slot machines. Learn how to recognize machines that give you a real mathematical edge! Learn how to properly play these advantage slot machines! Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines! by best selling author Frank Scoblete is the most comprehensive book on slot machines ever written. You’ll find totally new and important information that can radically transform your slot play. This is a must-read for all slot players interested in the finest strategies. Available at a discount from the BJI store.
Click here.
************************************************************************
Here are our ratings for blackjack for February 2011. 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:
The deepest cuts in AC as we write this. Could be a happy time for card counters. This might be a good time to check this casino out. 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. Craps games are quite good. Three stars: * * *BORGATA
: The 6-deck games are now almost everywhere again. This is a happening place and caters to a swinging young crowd. You’ll enjoy the night clubs and the beautiful people. Three stars: * * *CAESARS:
No change from last issue. You can now 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. Six-deck games in high roller room have 75 percent penetration. The craps games here are good with 12-foot tables. The tables are high so smaller controlled shooters should wear their "special shoes." Two and one-half stars: * * ½ *
CLARIDGE:
Deep cuts in the casino. We have fond memories of this place but we have avoided playing here since a pit boss named Francis went animal-crackers on some Golden Touch dice controllers. Maybe we’ll actually play on our next trip instead of walking through and looking. A 20 million renovation is planned for this historic hotel. Casino is now penetrating deep into their 8-deck shoes. Can this place rebound from its recently sad past? Who knows but we are happy with the new attitude. Two and one half stars from a zero a few issues ago: * * ½*
HARRAH’S:
We don’t know why Harrah’s is hated by inveterate players, although it is an empire. Many folks call this company the Evil Empire, as in the dark side of the force. This is Darth Vader’s casino corporation. One star: *
HILTON:
No change from last issue. Wild swings in penetration on blackjack games and many more eight-deck games throughout the casino. 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 and one-half stars: * * ½ *RESORTS:
Still getting complaints about the lighting in this casino. Resorts has decided to go with a "Boardwalk Empire" theme for its casino. That means everyone will mimic the roaring 20’s. It might work. Of course, offering great games usually works better. The blackjack game has added a new feature – you can play for $2 up to $5 but you have to pay a 25-cent fee per hand. Why not just write the casino a check and forget about playing? Otherwise the BJ games are about the same as they always have been. Two stars: * *
SHOWBOAT
: Really starting to attract those you don’t want to play near. The blackjack has deteriorated considerably with little penetration – maybe you play 60 percent of the shoe. Go elsewhere. One star (for cleanliness and rooms): *TROPICANA:
S17 for this casino? No more. Now the place is H17. Still has some good penetration, maybe 75 percent; sometimes excellent penetration of 80 percent. Two and one-half stars: * * ½ *TRUMP MARINA:
Could have the friendliest pit personnel and dealers in all of Atlantic City. Okay, we agree that the high roller room action is at the top of Atlantic City now. But they do have those rotten games where you pay 25 cents for $1 blackjack. Do they know the meaning of shame? Yes, those low-limit commission fuelled games are total rip offs. Floor games now have $5 minimums during the week with 8-decks, H17. Excellent penetration as well. No mid-shoe entry on the high roller room six-deckers but you can jump in and out on the eight-deckers. Craps tables are 12-footers with 5X odds and good crews. Now here is something interesting – this is our favorite casino right now in AC. Three stars: * * *TRUMP PLAZA:
No change from last issue. Same as Marina, you now can "buy" your way into a rotten game by paying 25 cents for $1 blackjack. Do they know the meaning of shame? Yes, those low-limit commission fuelled games have arrived. Complete rip-off of blackjack players looking for $5 and under games. This place has fairly good games but something has to be done with the dark casino and the low-life scum slithering through it. Something should also be done with its ploppy management team. Maybe the time has come to raze the place? Six-deck games are back outside the high roller room. The penetration is 75 percent. No mid-shoe 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. The dealers range from professional to friendly down to arrogant and ignorant. Two and one-half stars: * * ½ *
TRUMP TAJ MAHAL:
As with Marina and Plaza, you now can "buy" your way into a rotten game by paying 25 cents for $1 blackjack. Do they know the meaning of shame? Yes, those low-limit commission fuelled games have arrived. Complete rip-off of blackjack players looking for $5 and under games. 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 and one-half stars: * * ½*WILD, WILD WEST:
The penetration has gone deeper lately and this is a very, very good thing. Crews are friendly. All games are 8-decks. Three stars: * * *
SCOBLETE RATINGS
THE BEST BLACKJACK IN ATLANTIC CITY: Look for three-starred casinos (we now have a few), and if you are a high roller, check out the Marina.
Best Craps in Atlantic City:
Trump MarinaThe Best Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City:
Borgata andTaj Mahal
|
|
©2015, DeepNet Technologies. No material to be copied without express permission of DeepNet Technologies.
This site developed by
DeepNet Technologies, Ontario, Canada. Contact webmaster @ bjinsider . com
if you have problems.
This site is best viewed in a 800x600 graphics mode, or higher.