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Alene Paone 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 two newest books are: The Craps Underground: The Inside Story of How Dice Controllers Are Winning Millions from the Casinos! and Casino Gambling: Play Like a Pro in 10 Minutes or Less! For a free brochure call: 1-800-944-0406 or write: Paone Press, Box 610, Lynbrook, NY 11563. His websites are www.gamblersjamboree.com, www.goldentouchblackjack.com, www.goldentouchcraps.com and www.scoblete.com. And don’t forget to find out about our new blackjack method, Golden Touch Blackjack at www.goldentouchblackjack.com!

You think it’s fun being on television? Although this isn’t about blackjack, it is about advantage play.

(Salty language alert! If you are offended by salty language, skip reading this.)

The call came in around 1AM this morning and I happened to be up so I answered the phone.

"Golden Touch," I said.

"I want Frank Scobolatte," said a harsh voice.

"Sco-blet-tee. Frank is not here," I lied. From the tone of the voice I knew this was not a caller I wanted to speak to as myself. "This is Ja-Jim. Can I help you?"

"Where’s Scobolatte?"

"It’s Sco-blet-tee. You’re making him sound like a coffee," I said and chuckled. Maybe I could chuckle this guy into a good humor.

"Yeah, well, SCO-BO-LET-TEE is a f---! And you can tell him that!" said the voice.

"Do you want to give me your name?" I asked.

"I’m a craps dealer at [he named the Las Vegas casino] and if that f--- ever comes in here I am going to take the stick and shove it up his ass!"

"Why are you so angry at him?" I asked.

"I saw that stupid show [on the History Channel titled Dice Dominator] and that skinny

f--- told some stickman he was going to kill him. Yeah, well, let that skinny f--- come into my casino and I’ll kick his little ass all over the f---ing floor."

"Frank never said that to a stickman. Frank is very respectful to dealers. The director of the show put that in [the actor’s] mouth. There were some things in the show that were not accurate and that was one of them."

"Let me tell you something. This dice control is a ton of s---, you hear me? We got this dice teacher who comes in here and he can’t shoot for s--- and he takes his f---ing brain-dead students in here and they can’t shoot for s--- and that Sco-bo-let-tee f--- I’ll bet can’t shoot for s--- and that Dominator idiot can’t shoot anything but his big f---ing mouth."

Since I have never played in this particular casino, I said: "I don’t think Frank has ever played in your casino."

I was wondering if this was the same dealer who had left a message for me months ago to tell me that I was a red-chip player who never tipped? That dealer was also very angry over nothing since he had never seen me play and didn’t know if I tipped the dealers. In fact, I tip each and every time I roll the dice – on each and every roll. I also don’t play the low-chip game he indicated.

But something had set off that first dealer, an article of mine about dealers who talked over the action of the game to each other (it’s called cross talk), and the History Channel show Dice Dominator about Golden Touch’s great Dominator had obviously annoyed this second dealer. Unless the first dealer was the second dealer – which I was wishing were so.

The man continued, "You just leave the message that I am inviting that skinny f--- into my casino to get his ass kicked."

The dealer hung up with a loud thud.

A part of me wonders if other dealers who don’t know me, seeing that show, now think I am the guy I was portrayed as – a skinny low-life type of (maybe) criminal. Even my sister, Susan, called me and wanted to know why they made me look like a "crack dealer."

"Look, Susan," I said, "I had no control over the show. I was interviewed and told them my story about the Captain, the Arm, Dominator, Sharpshooter and Golden Touch. I talked about all our great instructors when I was interviewed like Howard 'Rock 'n Roller,' Jerry 'Stickman,' Mr. Finesse, Billy the Kid, Bill Burton, Street Dog and others. I know Dominator did this too. All that was edited out."

I continued: "They created the show and decided the real story wasn’t as interesting as the one they created. I have no idea why the director decided to make me look and act the way they did."

"People are going to think you are that slimy guy," said my sister.

"Yeah, well, I am not thin and I am not nasty and I am not slimy," I said.

"What is Dom like?" she asked.

"Much more exuberant than they showed. When he gets hot, he puts on a show that is unbelievable."

"Was his story true?" she asked.

"Not really. He never played for Rosebud; he never learned in Sharpshooter’s garage – in fact, when he took the dice control class from Patterson, Dominator never even was looked at by Sharpshooter because that class was mostly lecture. I met Dom at Treasure Island when Bill Burton set up the meeting with him, and two other dice controllers. Then Dom and I went to the tables and shot. That’s what made me know he was good – he showed it to me at the table. The other dice controller decided not to shoot. But Dom and I shot the dice. It was kind of like two Bull Moose going head to head. We impressed each other at the table, not in a garage. Sharpshooter wasn't even there."

My sister was confused. She knows the Captain and she knows the Arm. "How come they weren’t on the show when they were the first?"

"Beats me," I said.

"You think your critics are going to attack you and Dom?" she asked.

"The show could have been 100 percent accurate and they would still attack. Even though the show made up stories, the critics will make up bigger stories. Some of them have already said that I was in charge of the show. I wish I had been! But I’m sure our GTC instructors and students will really defend us on the web and on our own site. They’ve seen us shoot in the casinos; both good sessions and bad ones and they know what we can do. The History Channel show got that right – Dom calling out his numbers really did happen and more than once. When he gets hot he is magical, there’s no doubt about that. Overall the show was good for dice control."

Yes, I think the show was good for dice control. Dominator had shot the dice for the History Channel in his basement casino and they saw all they needed to see when he did so. You can’t dispute what you see with your own eyes. Why they didn’t show his rolls on camera probably has more to do with the editor than anything else. Those of you who have seen Dominator and our other great GTC instructors and shooters throw know just how great they are. Those dice look glued together.

The show was what the show was. The real story is in my book The Craps Underground and in my humble opinion, it is a much more exciting story than the one shown on television. It's also true.

I just hope that the dealers who don’t know me are not out there looking to shove a stick up my you-know-what.

We’ve decided since many of our Golden Touch Craps dice controllers are now Speed Counters subscribing to this site, we are going to give a quick rundown of the craps games as well. We haven’t played in all the casinos in AC so we would appreciate it if you could email Frank with the table minimums, the odds bets, and anything else you think we might want to use (table lengths very helpful – if you just say "big" we will assume 14-feet as they are at Borgata). If you send us info we will give you a free month on our members-only board. Email address is fscobe@optonline.net.

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

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If you’re going to play blackjack, why not play with an advantage? Golden Touch Blackjack will give you the easiest method for getting an advantage at the game. Learn Speed Count and the new basic strategy in this class. Go to www.goldentouchblackjack.com. Call 1-800-944-0406 to sign up or for more information.

Here are our ratings for July 2005.

BALLY’S PARK PLACE: We are assuming that the renovations on this property will continue and we hope so. This used to be a premier Atlantic City resort but it is now in the ‘B" level. The hotel rooms really need refurbishing, as do the elevators and hallways. There are magnificent views from the Tower but all those views are on the outside! The inside needs work. Hotel/casino rating is a B-. No change in blackjack games. The 8-deck games on the main casino floor have about 70 to 75 percent penetration. Penetration is about 1.8 decks on the six-deck games in the high-roller pit and these games are almost always $100 to $200 minimums. You can resplit for a total of three hands, but aces can only be split once. Multiple Action and Spanish 21 are also available for minimums of $10. No mid-shoe entry in high roller room and on a few of the main $50 tables in casino, otherwise you can usually Wong here if you wish. For craps players, this is a good casino for the game. There is one 5X odds table, usually a $25 minimum; the rest are 2X odds. Crews are friendly. Tables are somewhat high so short shooters get your platform shoes. Two Stars: * *

BORGATA: Summer games are more expensive than the winter games but this casino does have a pretty good mix, especially during the week. Comps are somewhat tight here because the hotel is always crowded. The youths (or "youts" from My Cousin Vinny) like this place and its newness attracts the throngs and thongs. Sexy waitresses all over the place. Hotel/casino rating is A. Good news is an all 6-deck casino. Penetration is now 75 to 85 percent. High roller room is 6-decks with no mid-shoe entry. Plenty of $10 and $15 games in the main casino. The $5 games are somewhat harder to find. Craps has long tables, 14-footers, and very bouncy, although there is talk of two smaller tables - somewhere. Great casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Four Stars: * * * *

CAESARS: No change from last issue. Caesars is a great property; bright casino; well-attended rooms and suites. Excellent restaurants. Cheerful place and worthy of the name it bears. Hotel/casino rating is A. They are going deeper. You can expect about 80 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 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. Good casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Multiple Action and Spanish 21 available at $10 and up! The craps games here are good with 12-foot tables and friendly crews. The tables are a little high so smaller controlled shooters should wear their "special shoes." Three and a half stars: * * * ½ *

CLARIDGE: Rivaling Sands for "dump capital" of Atlantic City. Hotel/casino rating is now C-. Some of the pit personnel have become notorious for their bad manners – one now has the nickname "the Talking Mule" for his nastiness and stubbornness. The Claridge blackjack games have deteriorated as well. However, you can find plenty of $10 games – all 8-deckers – even in the warm weather. The high-roller action was 6-deck games with $50/$100 minimums most days, with penetration at 70-75 percent. No mid-shoe entry on the high roller action. You can resplit pairs up to four hands in high-roller room (but no more resplitting of aces). The rest of the casino, all 8-deckers, doesn’t allow any resplitting but does usually allow mid-shoe entry. Multiple Action and Spanish 21 available for $10 and up. New craps tables make this the same as most AC casinos. Good craps bosses evenings. Stay away from the morning and afternoon games – crews are nice, but those pit bosses or shift managers are real downers. Personality of dealers and pit crews make a shift enjoyable for players. Those morning bosses need help.

HARRAH’S: No change from last issue. Excellent property, good rooms, good views, good staff in all areas. As a corporation Harrah’s is doing something right! Harrah’s has maintained a great corporate image and deservedly so. Hotel/casino rating is A. In the casino you will find very friendly dealers and pit personnel. Penetration now ranges in the 75 percent area. Resplitting allowed except aces. No midshoe entry. High roller room is 6-deck action, the rest of the casino was 8-decks. Play here and at Showboat and your play counts all across the nation. For those of you who like to go to Vegas you can get some good comps from your AC action in the desert! A room that would be discounted for $80 in AC would be free in Vegas based on the same play – this is not official but based on our calculations of the offers we’ve received. Good casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Friendly crews and decent tables at craps. We haven’t played there but reports are good. But we must warn you, this is a big slot place too. Three Stars: * * *

HILTON: This hotel is situated on the nicest area of the boardwalk. The place seems pretty busy in the summer months, more so than during the winter. Hotel/casino rating is now a B- due to darkness of casino and also what look like halogen lights on some of their slot machines. Very off-putting. The blackjack games are good and bad now – all depending on the dealer you get. 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. Pits have been quick to jump on suspected counters, so be wary. High table minimums, especially on weekends, a lot of $25 tables, rare $10 tables. Penetration about 75 percent throughout the casino. The Multiple Action and Spanish 21 also have okay penetration for $10. Good casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. For craps, we are dealing with 14-foot tables and a couple of 12 footers, which were closed during the times we spent there. Three Stars: * * *

RESORTS: No change from last issue. Resorts has bought properties all over the country and is now becoming a big player in the American casino world. That’s fine because more competition is better for the players. The casino is still dark, though upgraded, and while the rooms in the main hotel are small (as fits the standard of the 1940s), they are bright and clean. New annex is nice. Hotel/casino rating A-. Some 6-deckers on main floor with no mid-shoe entry, usually $25 minimums. Most games are 8-deckers. Resorts penetration is about 75. Resplitting is allowed at all tables. Casino also offers multiple-action blackjack and Spanish 21 at $10 minimums. But Resorts has brought in those single-deck zombie-fied blackjack games too. Avoid the single-deckers. Good casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Excellent place for craps. Mostly small tables, with some games 5X odds. Last we were there, the high roller room had two 10-foot craps tables that were open on the weekend. Three Stars: * * *

SANDS: Why would high rollers bother to play in this place? My source says Sands is now hemorrhaging money. Six and 8-deck games are mediocre; dealers are nice, blackjack pit people can be overly paranoid. Casino is decaying; and the hotel might implode. Good craps tables and crews. One Star: *

SHOWBOAT: Good over-all casino-hotel. Excellent blackjack in high roller room and sometimes the game is just $25 minimums. The penetration is about 80 percent now. A game worth looking at. Rooms are all full-sized and spacious; suites are great. Hotel/casino rating is A. Resplitting now allowed up to three hands. No mid-shoe entry. Eight-deck games have 80 percent penetration and allow mid-shoe entry, although there is not that many tables available. We remember when this place had great table-game action. Can now find $25 games in high roller room at those very good 6-deck games. You can get great deals in other venues by using your card, as it’s a part of the Harrah’s Total Rewards program. Good casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. Craps is fine here too. All the tables are now 12 footers. There are 5X odds on all tables. Three and a half stars: * * * ½ *

TROPICANA: This place is now joining Borgata as a big money maker. Hotel/casino rating is A. Blackjack games have actually improved here. The main floor now has 6-deckers with mid-shoe entry allowed on almost all of them. High roller room is 6-decks with no mid-shoe entry. Penetration is about 75 percent on all games. Big improvement here in all areas of play. Craps tables are 12-footers. Three Stars: * * *

TRUMP MARINA: No change from last issue. Small may not be better any more and this place is somewhat small. The casino seems cramped and the slots are backing right up on the table games. The hotel rooms, while clean and well appointed, are small as well. Hotel/casino rating is B+. Single-deck monsters are here, too. Six-deck games in high roller room and 8-deck games on the main floor have penetration of 70-75 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 6-deckers but you can jump in and out on the eight-deckers. Craps tables are 12-footers with 2X odds. Haven’t played here in years. Two Stars: * *

TRUMP PLAZA: Hotel/casino rating is now C+. The 8-deck games have penetration ranging from 70 percent to 75 percent on all, depending on the dealer. No midshoe entry on eight-deck games outside high-roller pit but you can find $25 (a few) to $50 minimums on these. Allows resplits, except aces. Most eight-deck tables are $10 and higher. High roller room is 6-deck games. Craps tables are 12-footers. Very friendly crews. Two Stars: * *

TRUMP TAJ MAHAL: People listen up: Trump is doing something right here. The best casino in Atlantic City and the best hotel too. Rooms are all clean and well attended; the building and casino are light and spacious. The staff in all areas is terrific. This is the place to stay. Hotel/casino rating is A+. Despite the fact that they have brought in those 6/5 single-deckers, this place is now tied #1 for blackjack (with Borgata) in Atlantic City as well. We are becoming patrons of the Taj because their dealers and crews are so friendly and professional – although a couple of craps dealers are a little too antsy and bossy from recent reports. Good game with 75-80 percent penetration (even saw some 85 percenters!), dealer dependent. You can find 6-deck games with $25 minimums right outside the high roller room. In the high roller room all games have $100 minimums. Multiple Action, Double Exposure and Spanish 21 are still available at $10/$15 minimums and up. Excellent casino for Golden Touch Blackjack. This is the best casino for craps in AC as well. All 5-X odds tables and one 20X odds table. The crews have been universally pleasant. Tables are all 12-footers. In our estimation, this is the number one craps and blackjack casino in Atlantic City. Four Stars: * * * *

WILD, WILD WEST: No change from last issue. All 8-deck games. This is a part of Bally’s Park Place. Penetration has deteriorated in the last couple of months to slightly under 75 percent on all games. Still a good place to play, atmosphere wise. For craps this is a fun place to play with one 5X odds table. Crews are very friendly. Two and a half stars: ** ½ *

THE BEST BLACKJACK IN ATLANTIC CITY: Taj Mahal and Borgata

The Best Craps in Atlantic City: Taj Mahal

The Best Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City: Taj Mahal

For a free brochure call: 1-800-944-0406 or write: Paone Press, Box 610, Lynbrook, NY 11563. His websites are www.gamblersjamboree.com, www.goldentouchblackjack.com, www.goldentouchcraps.com and www.scoblete.com.