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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!

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Some casinos get it right. Here are two letters from happy Atlantic City customers:

From Skinny, a high stakes blackjack and craps player:

I was playing at the Taj in AC back in March, 2005 and wanted to relate a good experience that happened to me there.

I had a $200 match play coupon which I had gotten from the kiosk towards the beginning of our stay there. I was waiting for a hot roll to use it. I decided to use it on a random roller who was having a hot roll and throwing a lot of naturals on the come out. He threw a natural on that come out and the dealers paid me $400 for my Pass Line bet plus the coupon. The floor supervisor looked at the coupon and came around to tell me that it was out of date and I had to give back the $200 from the match play. I immediately threw 2 black chips to the dealer to keep the game moving.

I told him I thought they were good for the whole month of March because other coupons they sent to me were always a promotion for the month. Apparently the match play coupons you get out of the kiosk are only good for 24 hours and this one was several days old. He said it was written on the coupon, 24 hours only and showed me some fine print that I needed a magnifying glass to read. This all took just a few seconds and I let it drop because the guy was still on his roll and I did not want to do anything to upset his rhythm. Our discussion was on the side and had no impact on the game that was still in progress since I had given the money back.

I may have colored up after the hand was over, the guy had a pretty good roll or I may have waited for a few more shooters, I don't remember the details now. But, after I finished playing and colored up, I told the story to one of the other table supervisors. He got the pit boss for me and I explained the situation to him. The pit boss said he could not honor the coupon because it was out of date and the casino rules prohibit him from honoring it. But, he said he might be able to get them to give me another coupon issued that day which he could honor. He brought me to customer relations and explained I had an out of date coupon, was unaware of the rules and could they reissue it for me. The lady said, "no problem" and she took the out of date coupon and reissued a current coupon to me.

I brought the new coupon back to the table and showed it to the supervisor. He said, good now you have a current coupon and can use it. I said that I had already used the old coupon. He said, "Oh yes, I remember you won your bet with the other one." He handed the new coupon to the boxman and told him to have the dealers pay me $200. Later, I ran into the pit boss and thanked him for his help and told him how pleased I was with how he handled the situation.

I thought that was extremely nice of them and it made me feel very comfortable with the Taj Mahal in AC. They have definitely made another customer, that gesture was a contributing factor. But, I was extremely impressed with their overall positive attitude towards their customers from prior experiences as well.

So some casinos do get it right, right?

Received this letter, too:

Our answer was the following: You said it, "Most casinos don’t change at all month to month." Atlantic City has 14 casinos, Vegas has close to 90. The AC blackjack crowd seems happy to play the 8-deck games for high stakes. That’s the way it is. If we could change Atlantic City we would.

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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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Here are our ratings for August 2005.

BALLY’S PARK PLACE: No change from last issue. 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: Still doing well. 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.

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: No change from last issue. 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: Harrah’s knows how to treat its customer base and it shows. 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: No change from last issue. 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: 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: They are celebrating 25 years now and maybe they will now vacuum the carpets? 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: No change from last issue. 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: The biggest moneymaker in AC. 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: No change from last issue. 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: 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