Took the opening day trip to Bethlehem Sands from the Morristown, NJ area.

General Observations:

-Rte 78 is great highway that allows for high rates of speed. Took about 50 minutes to enter Sands garage from Morristown area.

-Arrived Sands at about 4:15 pm - parking lot packed- took 10 minutes to find parking and another 10 minutes to make my way into casino to poker room.

- Casino note - this place is a gold mine. Not since the early days of Foxwoods have I seen so many people on the slot machines. By my estimation at 5 pm the slots were about 60-70% full and all the table games we completely packed with very high minimum bets.

-Arrived poker room and the staff seemed to have the crowds under control. 12 tables (2 3-6 Limit, 8 1-2NL, 2 2-5NL). Remember this is DAY #1!!, weekend, summertime and a new poker room. I signed up for all games - 3-6 had 32 names on the list, 1-2 had 132 and 2-5 had 84. I'm primarily there to check out the casino and not too concerned about what I'm playing.

-Realizing I have time I get my Sands card - this takes all of 5 minutes as most of my info is automatically taken from my NJ drivers license bar coding.

-The poker room staff was extremely friendly and had the crowds under control. I would have to say that most of the potential players were upset about the wait and the small size of the room. They seemed to forget that this was Day #1, that poker is not the most highly valued revenue producer in a casino and that the PA Gaming authority controls every aspect of gaming - i.e. - casinos walk before they run. The room will get bigger in a few months maybe 20-25 tables and tournaments will occur as this casino and the PA gaming authority has a better understanding of poker demand.

-For some reason the 3-6 line is moving faster than the 1-2 line - I suspect that most people had given up waiting. I get seated at 3-6 after waiting for 70 minutes. Tables are nice - autoshuffler, electronic controls for the dealer to sign guests in, request players, drinks, etc - very similar to the tables at MGM Vegas. Room noise is very evident as this poker area is basically open to the casino. Dealers range in skill from C- to A- with the majority in the B- range. Lots of calls for floor managers can be heard - totally expected for a day #1. Most players are experienced and ready to assist dealers if they screw up. Waitress service is very good and food orders are also taken and delivered tableside. Dealers do not handle cash and chip runners are used to get chips from cage.

After being on the 1-2NL list for 3.5 hrs, I finally get called and sit down with $300. My table was a very passive tight game with most chip stacks below $100. I eventually leave after 1 hr - down $50 on the day.

I would rate this opening as B+ as I thought some of the dealers didn't have full control of the table and some of the rules - I assume this will improve over time. This is a great place for days trips but I will still frequent AC and Vegas when I want more entertainment options.

I'm glad someone understands that it's early in all the Pennsylvania poker rooms life and things will only get better, nice TR!

I played no limit from 8-8. agree with everything op said. The dealers and floor were light years ahead of Pocono Downs, on the average. The 5+1 drop sucks. Cost me atleast $30 more on the day compered to PD.

I also went today. I posted a trip report in the Sands thread. While at lunch I talked with a local and she said she has never seen it this busy, except if they are having a promotion, so the crowds today are not normal. From all the people I saw on this Sunday, I understand better why AC is in trouble.

The rake is $6? Eph that.