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ATLANTIC CITY BLACKJACK REPORT─FEBRUARY 2014
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.comACH Closes: Atlantic City Slowly Shriveling
It’s going to get much worse in Atlantic City. The closing of the ACH, the furthest southern casino on the Boardwalk, on January 13, was just the first step in the shriveling of the once prosperous Queen by the Sea resort town. The owners, Colony Capital LLC of Los Angeles, had bought the casino-hotel for a whopping 500 million dollars in 2005. They sold it for a paltry 23.4 million dollars.
Over 1,650 workers lost their jobs. It is doubtful that a decent percentage of them will be able to secure jobs at the other Atlantic City casinos, the overwhelming majority of which are having economic difficulties of their own.
Caesars bought the ACH hotel; while Tropicana bought the table games and slot machines, along with the ACH’s mailing list. It was a sad ending to what had once been the Steve Wynn Golden Nugget.
The Nugget during the 1980s was the highest grossing casino at one time. But over the 30 years since then it has slowly fallen into the monetary quicksand. With each name change (Bally’s Grand, the Grand, AC Hilton, ACH, and just before it gave up the ghost, it was named the Atlantic Club), the casino didn’t rise but slowly fell.
A year after Colony Capital bought the casino-hotel, Atlantic City’s gross was 5.22 billion dollars; in 2012, the income was just a little over 3 billion dollars. In 2013, the outlook is for the casinos to be under the 3 billion mark; perhaps significantly under. Workers are looking with horror on these numbers.
The rumors are now flying as to which casinos will be closing in the near future. The Claridge is closed and even if we pretend because it is a part of the Harrah’s empire that this casino is not a stand alone, the fact is that the Claridge was a very popular casino in the 1990s, long before Harrah’s bought it. Let’s call that casino strike one. Across the street from the Claridge is an empty lot that was the Sands hotel, which closed in 2006, the beginning of the AC downslide. Count that as strike two. I do.
ACH is strike three.
But more strikes are on their way. It looks good that the Trump Plaza will close – it is often called the "Trump Dump" by former and even current players. This could be strike four. No one seems interested in buying the place.
Everyone talks about the giant white (make that silver) elephant in the room – the Revel. It looked as if the Hard Rock was going to buy the place; however, the deal seems to have fallen through. The casino-hotel is bleeding money. Go into the place midweek and it is almost deserted. Will someone actually buy this monumental failure? It seems the popular odds are 50/50. This could be strike five.
There has been some talk that Resorts is looking to sell and, if not fold. The Wild Wild West only has its slot machine areas opened. Harrah’s may just close that casino too.
In two years, if Atlantic City continues its steady decline, the intent of the Governor Christie administration seems to be to open casinos elsewhere in the state, an act that would truly cripple Atlantic City. The Meadowlands might be the first non-Atlantic City casino.
Atlantic City is striking out on all fronts.
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.
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Dear Frank:
Pennsylvania has great blackjack games in many of its casinos. Why would any intelligent blackjack player want to go to AC to play highly inferior games? Even just basic strategy players have it so much better in Pennsylvania.
---Jimbo
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Dear Frank:
I notice that you have given some AC casinos three stars out of five. You are being generous but I realize that some of those stars are earned because the high roller rooms of certain casinos are offering somewhat decent games. But you gotta see that the games on the main floor for the low rollers are generally eight decks and rotten to the core with hitting on soft 17 and crappy penetration. I also sense that the paranoia level of the casino suits is much higher than ever before.
---Mark
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Frank:
I’m done with Atlantic City. I got so much heat at the Golden Nugget and at Harrah’s that I am heading to other states to play. Who needs that?
---Arhtur
Readers:
If you write me a letter that I publish I will send you a free copy of one of my new books, either The Virgin Kiss or Confessions of a Wayward Catholic. Just let me know which one you want. My email address is fscobe@optonline.net. Make sure you send me your address so I can get the book out to you.
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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
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:
Good cuts exist in blackjack; 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:
We are seeing a slight decline in the number of blackjack games open midweek. 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:
To dust thou art.
HARRAH’S:
No change from last issue. 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:
To dust thou shalt return.RESORTS:
I do not buy into the idea that Resorts is in so much trouble that it might close. Every time I’ve been there midweek the business seemed fairly brisk. 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:
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 about 80 percent on those. These few 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 at the bottom of the ocean. 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, at least to be "renovated." Three stars: * * *
SHOWBOAT
: No change from last issue. 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:
This place is 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 a little dark now. The restaurants are top notch; so are the bars. 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 percent 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:
My bet for the casino that closes its doors next. 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:
High noon for this place. A ghost town for blackjack – in fact, there are no table games here at all. This place could close soon.THE BEST BLACKJACK IN ATLANTIC CITY:
Any rating of three stars.Best Craps in Atlantic City:
All except: Borgata, Taj Mahal, Showboat.* * * * *
Visit Frank’s web site at www.frankscoblete.com
Befriend Frank on Facebook.
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MY NEW BOOK
Bless me father for I have sinned
.Confessions of a Wayward Catholic
Confessions of a Wayward Catholic
is a hilarious yet insightful account of Frank Scoblete’s years from kindergarten through grandparenthood as a confused, wayward, seemingly ever-sinning Catholic. Join Frank for an entertaining but possibly hell-bound ride as he attempts to understand what God and religion are all about. Will Frank reach the pearly gates or be banished to eternal damnation?
"I love my husband but there is stuff in this book that is disgraceful and should never have been written!" – Alene Scoblete, wife
"Francis Scoblete has been a major sinner ever since he came to elementary school. I watched him closely at the dances." – Sister Jerome Blake, in charge of making sure girls and boys slow danced a foot apart.
"I don’t know why Jewish kids went to a Catholic school but I’m proud they did well in religion." – Chief Rabbi Sol Bernstein
"I believe that you should love your neighbor as yourself. Luckily, Frank lives in another town and is not my neighbor." – Jesus Christ
"Scoblete says I have no sense of humor. I will afflict him with boils and sores over his whole body, just like I did Job." – God
"Frank Scoblete has been wayward for over six decades. He’s my main man!" – Satan
Price $16.95 + $6 shipping and handling (total $22.95)
Call 1-800-944-0406 for mail order
Checks / Money Orders to:
Frank Scoblete Enterprises
PO Box 446
Malverne, NY 11565
Amazon.com at http://tinyurl.com/kvux22v
Kindle
http://tinyurl.com/pfnqhph
Frank Scoblete is the author of over 30 books and several television shows. He writes for 40 magazines and newspapers. He has appeared on CNN, TBS, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, The National Geographic Channel, A&E, The Travel Channel and The Learning Channel. He is the number one casino gambling writer.
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