 
| ||
|
|
|
ATLANTIC CITY BLACKJACK REPORT─NOVEMBER 2013
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
Do You Want to Be a Professional Casino Gambler?
Some people think that gambling in a casino is a glamorous thing. They go to their favorite casinos a few times a year; they soak up the energy and excitement and they think, "I wish I could do this for a living."
This lament could be especially true for vocational card counters who have found some success in their every-once-in-awhile visits to casinos. "I have the skill, why shouldn’t I just quit my job and go for it full time?"
They might even feel guilty when they read Internet harangues by supposed professionals who think the only great gamblers are the ones who do it full time. There are numerous such haranguers on the Internet gambling web sites. "If you’re so good why don’t you do this full time?"
"Yeah, why don’t I?" you think.
Okay, then also think on these things. What do you need in the way of skill to even consider being a pro at blackjack? Here’s a list:
- The ability to count cards is a minimum must.
- The ability to exploit errors the casinos make in special promotions.
- The ability to exploit dealers’ mistakes.
- A big bankroll to weather the negative storms that inevitably occur when playing the game.
- The mental ability to handle bad streaks which also inevitably come.
- The ability to completely and totally get rid of the illusion that the casino industry is a player friendly industry.
- The ability to handle barrings and banning and trespassing edicts.
- The ability to put up with total boredom.
- The ability to handle the paying of one’s bills even when long losing streaks are in the offing.
Professional gambling is a schlog; it really is. Most of the professionals I know are --- let me say this clearly --- a somewhat sorry lot. Yes, you have spectacular winners that most of you have probably read about but the average, everyday pros are only one step above the old slot machine silver miners of the 1970s. In short, they are desperate.
Some gamblers on the Internet will brag that they make 50K a year playing full time. In New York, where I live, that’s enough to make a person seriously consider moving to an area where the cost of living is far, far lower.
My advice is to keep your job and enjoy playing with an edge when you do go to the casinos. Your sensibility should direct your course of action. Being a pro is probably the last thing you’d want to do.
*******************************************************************************
Our Readers Report
If you wish to contribute your reports or observations, I need to receive them by the 18th of the month for the next month. Write to:
fscobe@optonline.netWe 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.
**************************************************************************
Dear Frank:
I need to tell you that I hated my last trip to Atlantic City. It was in September and I just found the place depressing. The blackjack games have been superseded by so many carnival games. It was amazing to see so many people playing these games. Not only are the blackjack games "suckie" but the whole tone of the city has gone way down.
---Bill "W"
****************************************************************************
Dear Frank:
You are overrating Harrah’s blackjack games. I did not find them to be as good as you claim. They were average at best. Harrah’s is really a slot machine place.
---Doris
******************************************************************************
Hey, Frank:
Why not just tell the truth. Atlantic City blackjack is really just for the rubes or "average players" if you want to call them that. The card counters are more or less long gone. The casinos are dying too.
--- Ken Uston (Just kidding! I’m David J.)
Readers: If you write me a letter that I publish I will send you a free copy of my new book The Virgin Kiss. My email address is fscobe@optonline.net.
************************************************************************
* * * * *
CASINO RATINGS
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’ experiences.
A word to the wise: it’s always best to check out the casinos for yourselves.Rating system:
***** = Excellent
**** = Very Good
*** = Good
** = Fair
* = Poor
Atlantic City Still Getting Hammered: Read this ---
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20131010_ap_e0754e9271154749a79cf407007c1b8d.html
General rules:
Atlantic City casinos basically have the same rules – on occasion this or that casino might change how many splits you can do or offer those horrible 6-to-5 blackjack games. Sometimes casinos will offer surrender (a rarity). Just about all casinos have gone to the H17, although most will have some games where dealers stand on soft 17 (high roller rooms). The best games in terms of penetration and number of decks are invariably found in the high roller rooms. Players can double on any first two cards; they can split two or three times (make sure you ask about this or read the signs on the table); aces can only be split once and each ace receives one card (the standard rule all across the country). You can usually play up to three hands but most of the casinos will let you play all the spots if you make arrangements beforehand – obviously the casino is looking for high roller action in such a case. Check out the new wording on many of the layouts – amazingly wordy and almost totally BS as opposed to BJ.BALLY’S PARK PLACE:
They are renovating this place right now --- adding new slot machines. The low-lives are here in force. Some "patrons" are street thugs and it looks to me as if those thugs slinking and leaning against the walls are looking to cut deals. Good cuts exist too in blackjack too --- of about 80 percent. Could be a happy time for small-time card counters. All 8-deck games except for the high roller room action. The hitting on soft 17 is now a sad fact. Crews are friendly. Craps games are quite good. High roller minimums can go as high as $200. Three stars: * * *BORGATA
: No change from last issue. The hottest place in AC bar none. The 6-deck games are now almost everywhere again and the penetration has gotten quite good. A mixture of S17 and H17 were found but the H17 is starting to dominate. Sometimes these tables are right next to each other so – obviously – read the layout to see which of the two games you prefer to play. This is a happening place and caters to a swinging 30-something crowd. You’ll enjoy the night clubs and the beautiful people. This is still a decent casino for blackjack. Not a good casino for craps. Three stars: * * *CAESARS:
The crowds were less in the last couple of months --- noticeably less. Is this a foreshadowing of a fall for Rome? 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 just as most of the regular floor does. High roller room is S17; the main floor is H17. 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:
A remnant of days gone by. Closed. Pigeon poop everywhere on the entrance driveway. The first casino I ever played at in AC and the place where I met my mentor the Captain.
HARRAH’S:
The blackjack games are so-so with eight decks and penetration of about 70 percent. Good place for craps. I must say this without equivocation, players like Harrah’s. On a recent walk-through mid-week there were plenty of players around the place. Two and one-half stars: * * ½ *
THE ATLANTIC CLUB:
Casino is bright and clean and people seem to be enjoying themselves here. High roller room is 6-decks with deep cuts and $25 minimums during the week; rest of the casino is 8-decks with a few $25/$50 six-deckers on occasion. No mid-shoe entry on the six-deckers. For craps, we are dealing with 13-foot tables and a couple of 12 footers. Three stars: * * *RESORTS:
They have upped the lighting here and it shows. Casino looks great. There are new restaurants and the entrance on the Boardwalk is pleasing to the eyes. Many H17 games on main floor; high roller room is S17. Penetration on all games is about 75-80 percent which is not bad considering this is AC. Decent craps games. Has opened the first Atlantic City gay nightclub and is courting the gay community, which is a smart move as gay vacation resorts and nightclubs seem to make a good go of it. Three stars: * * *REVEL:
I was there on a Tuesday at 5pm. It was a ghost town. No one was playing craps. A few people were playing blackjack. Here and there in this massive casino some slot players could be heard. As for blackjack, some games are good and some are bad. Look for the six decks with S17; the eight deckers are hit on soft 17. The six deckers are in the minority and the best are right by those giant escalators. Penetration is now about 80 percent on those. These are damn good games.Whoever decided to originally go with the small comps, highly expensive rooms, and non-smoking did not understand the AC base. This place wanted to become a destination resort and its destination seems to be the bottom of the economic barrel. I am rooting for Revel. Actually I am rooting for all of Atlantic City. Revel has now brought in a new group to manage the property and they are aggressively going after players. I wish them the best! But I am guessing (now write this down) that Revel closes before the summer of 2014. Three stars: * * *
SHOWBOAT
: Same as last issue. Slots dominate this place now. The blackjack has deteriorated considerably with little penetration – maybe you play 60-66 percent of the shoe. All games are hit on soft 17. High roller room is passable with better penetration, about 75 percent, and at some slow times the minimums are $25 – although you won’t see this much in the summer. Pass this place by unless you are walking Fido since they are now the animal friendly hotel – disgusting! One star: *TROPICANA:
As stated for several issues now, Trop is starting to really look like a top-notch property. This place is going in the opposite direction from Trump Plaza and ACH by bringing the highest rollers into AC. Now the place is H17 on all games except those outside the high roller room. Still has some good penetration, maybe 75 percent; sometimes excellent penetration of 80 percent. Three stars: * * * (for penetration)THE GOLDEN NUGGET:
They must increase the lighting in the casino the way Resorts has done. The casino is just too damn dark now. The restaurants are top notch. The newly renovated guest rooms are beautiful. The place is catching on. The blackjack games in the high roller room are excellent with penetration of 80 and top rules such as splitting and resplitting; and standing on soft 17. The eight-deck games in the casino are ho-hum and basically the same as all the other casinos in AC. The craps games are excellent and – as always – this place has the nicest and most professional dealers you will find. Give it a whirl. Three stars: * * *TRUMP PLAZA:
No change from last issue. The "Dump Plaza" or "The Trump Dump" has fairly good games when those games are open. Still something has to be done with the dark, dingy casino and the low-life scum slithering through it. The penetration is 70-75 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. Two and one-half stars: * * ½ *
TRUMP TAJ MAHAL:
Same as last issue. They are hitting soft 17 except in high roller room. 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, great dealers and pit personnel. Too bad it isn’t the premier place to play any more because it is a great place to stay. Two and one-half stars: * * ½*WILD, WILD WEST:
Tumble-weed is blowing through this place now. Just open for slots; no table games at all. The table-game area is walled off with wooden planks. Sad.THE BEST BLACKJACK IN ATLANTIC CITY: Any rating of three stars.
Best Craps in Atlantic City: All except: Borgata, Taj Mahal, Showboat.
Everything Casino Poker:
Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold’em,
Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!
By Frank Scoblete
Every game in this book can be beaten if you play the right way. Even video poker machines that return 98-99 percent of the money played can garner comps that make playing the machines a positive experience. And the great news is that there are a multitude of machines in this book that return 100 percent or more! These machines can be beaten mathematically by using the strategies that Casino Player and Blackjack Insider columnist Jerry "Stickman" has developed.
If you want to learn how to play casino-poker-room games such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hi-Lo with an edge, then read what poker expert and best-selling author Bill "Ace-10" Burton reveals. Since you are playing against other players in poker rooms, then you have to know how to beat those other players at two radically different forms of poker. Burton explains all the winning concepts.
Finally, many players are not that familiar with a great casino table game, Pai Gow Poker. This game can also be beaten if you follow the advice of the King of Pai Gow Poker John "Skinny." He'll explain exactly how you should play your hands, how to increase your chances to win big and how to learn from the experiences of others.
If you are looking to get a real edge against the house or against other players, this is the book for you. I am a believer that when players get an opportunity to win casino games they should make the small effort to do so. Otherwise, why bother to go?
Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling casino gambling authority in America. His books, DVDs, articles, web sites and television shows have helped millions of people become better casino players and also help players get real edges over the house at certain games such as blackjack and craps.
Frank’s new book can be purchased at Amazon.com, your favorite bookstore or by calling 1-800-944-0406. Cost is $18.95 plus $6 shipping and handling. Or go to Frank’s web site at
www.frankscoblete.com.***************************************************************************
Get Frank Scoblete’s great book
The Virgin Kiss!Or send check or money order for $20 to
Frank Scoblete Enterprises, Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565.
Visit Frank’s web site at www.frankscoblete.com
|
|
©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.