True. There are issues. They even let bums sleep in the bus terminal area when it's cold.

But, it's the best and biggest room to play in if you take the bus (in my case from NYC). Borgata does not accept any buses at all. I'd need to transfer to a Jitney line just to get over there. It's just a pain to get to for me (esp when I'd want to go home at 2-4AM) and the Boardwalk casinos are easy. I'll prob try the transfer when the weather gets warmer.

Not really sure about this one. It does fill up.

Certainly cleaner, amazing is a judgement call.

-ph

Confirmed

I don't want to sound like I'm hating on Taj but I am shocked as well. I mean for mixed games, higher stakes, or tournies I can see someone recommending Taj.

I'm just talking the action and game selection, forget about the HIV positive chips or the random muggings.

What I don't understand is why people suggest Taj for 1/2? Is it just nostalgia or am I missing something? I only played there 3 times so that's quite possible, but I found the games no looser or fishier than elsewhere, but people were down right miserable.

Is this a case of lol sample size and I should give it another shot, or is that just the way it is?

Hey, those bucket guys can be pretty good. There's quite a few in DC that are very talented.

If hookers were policemen, then Pacific would be much safer. As is, use the Boardwalk. I have never felt unsafe on the Boardwalk regardless of time of day or year. There are constant police patrols on the Boardwalk, including foot, bike, and car.

I take the bus from NYC at least once a month. I agree waiting for the jitney sucks, but its only a $13 cab ride.

If you're looking for $500 and smaller buy in cash games, Ballys and the Trop are way better than the Taj imo. Caesers and Showboat get less action, but are also an option.

If your looking for higher stakes, the $13 cab ride should be well worth it.

Harrahs is also really nice, and spreads pink chip OE pretty much daily.

I hate sounding like such a hater, but the I really think the Taj is embarrassing for AC. I hate to think first time visitors are having their first impressions there.

Well, what can I say? I have a poker budget and try to cut my costs.

I play at the Trop sometimes. It's OK too. Not really a fan of SB or Caesers but I play there on occasion. Not a fan of Bally's at all. That where I started playing 2/4 before I went to NL. I tried their 1/1 and 1/3 game and just couldn't get into it.

When I get to those higher limits, I'll certainly opt for either a cab or I'll try ACES. I might even stay overnight if I'm playing at a high enough limit.

I've heard about the pink chip game but don't know much about it. Could you elaborate?

I agree, it's not the best first impression.

Here's a potentially accurate analogy: the Taj is the late Binions of AC. That is to say, it's for players who want to gamble in a no-frills environment.

Thanks to Cuomo NYS (and NY Metro) may be getting casinos. There was an article in today's paper about possibly putting one on Coney Island [1]. So, the need to go to AC may diminish substantially. If this happens -- which I hope it will (and that includes poker) -- the only reason to go to AC would be if it's not possible to get a high stakes game in NY (which seems unlikely).

-ph

[1] http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.81203...r-it-1.3442797

Call the the Rounders effect. People see the movie, they love it and they go. Plus it's still the second largest room in AC, even for 1/2. IMHO.

Revel has the potential to be a threat, though. I'll certainly try playing there when they open in mid-March.

-ph

Link? Not trying to be a jerk, just genuinely curious to read about this (or other violent crime) at the Taj. Everyone talks about it and it seems like a running joke, but I've never heard a story/read about a legit violent crime happening there. Is this a "haha, the Taj is dirty and nasty and probably less safe so we joke about murders there" or have people actually been violently attacked there? Serious question...

Where in NYC? I live in Astoria a good chunk of the year. Long story short I travel back and forth a lot due to freelance work, but I do spend a lot of my time living in New York.

Every NYC 2p2er is using their once in a lifetime only, no exceptions, you never get it back again "ONE TIME!" on this. Although, CI would probably be significantly more seedy an area than AC if this wasn't done exactly right.

And LOL at the thought of not being able to get high stakes games in NY. If this happens and there's only one NYC card room, it will be hands down the best consistent action in any card room in the world. Pros would probably be moving to NYC from Vegas, at least part of the year.

Yes:
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...sey&id=8359095



Currently in Manhattan, UES.



Well, you never know what rules will be in place. I'm pretty sure there are some strict buy-in limits in different areas of Florida (could be wrong on this). Also, in NYC, roulette is computerized. No croupiers....

It would be awesome to have NYC as one of the poker capitals of the US! Plus, it's much closer to Europe than Vegas.... But I'm sure this is a topic for another thread.

-ph

Yikes. I hate, hate, hate walking in parking garages in ANY casino. Some don't even have cameras, or if they do it isn't obvious (which is half the point of the camera being there). I always mentally prepare, take a wide angle to my car and have everything situated so that I can get in, shut & lock doors and start the car almost instantly.

I was nearly mugged in college by someone who walked into a parking lot before I pulled in and crouched down in between two cars closer to the building than I'd have to park. They were hoping I'd walk past, they'd jump out, and they'd get me. Long story short, they faked a fight with a female accomplice who "kicked them out" of her car on the street, while yelling ensued. He then walked into the parking lot yelling back and waving as if he was going to go to his own car and drive somewhere.

He walked in between two cars, and I sat and watched because my street smarts told me something was up. No interior lights came on, so I knew he had not opened a car door. Turns out he was crouched down, lying in wait.

I tell that story in this thread only since parking lot/parking garage safety is important in casinos - stay aware!

Just Harrahs' way of making sure they get their money back. Sounds rather normal to me. Stick to the poker or that 2000 will be gone faster than you'd like.

Some of those "bucket drummers" can be really, really, good! I've got a "Drummatics" (sp?) cd that I listen to from time to time. I first discovered them years ago in NYC - one of the best even ended up making a jeans commercial on TV.

Some play more than buckets, as well. Washboards, grills, security gates - the good players are really creative.

Lee

Can't find the answer to this question:

Which casinos give the best hotel comps??

I love the Borgata, but I can't imagine they would give poker players cheap rooms since rooms are so expensive at that hotel.

I want to be able to get a free or VERY cheap room at least once or twice a month on a Fri or Sat. How can I do this??

Borgata probably gives the best comp offers to poker players now, but I've never gotten a comp from them for a Friday or Saturday. I pretty much get two weekdays a week from them now after very sporadic recent play. I can occassionally get Friday comps at Harrah's through offer codes, but that is with a long history of play.

borgata gives best comps for poker players by far. which is surprising since it's the nicest casino. but it's true. no other casino is even close. taj used to be ok but they've reduced the value of poker playing in terms of offers.

Oh wow thats good news. I'll keep playing the Borgata then. So you basically just play and wait for offers to be mailed to you? I'm actually on the bus to AC right now (such a degen haha) I'm going to ask them a little more about this.

Thanks for the replies.

That's how it works, but Stan, the poker room manager, has been known to give discounts to some people without play history if asked nicely; look for him under the Borgata thread as user "Ruler of the East".

You play, obviously having your card swiped, then log on to their website and you'll see your room offers. After two sessions - one of about 8 hours and the other around 6-7, I'm getting free room offers for any 2 nights Sun-Thurs each week and discounts on Fri/Sat. Some Fridays get as low as $59, most around $109 though while Saturdays run $109-159 with the offers.

I've read that it has more to do with length of time you play than total hours, so I'm going to try to put in some 12+ hour sessions and see what happens.

Even though I have moved most of my play to CET properties and away from Taj I still get the same offers from Taj as before. I still get multiple nights Sun-Thurs in the Chairman Tower. Those rooms are every bit as nice as Borgata's.

So I'm planning a trip to come to Atlantic City March 2nd thru the 4th and play in an WSOP Circuit event at Casears.

1st I was wondering what hotels or casinos would you suggest staying in? Will Casears have special rates for players during the series?

Secondly If I wanted to play cash NLHE 1-2 or 2-5 Friday midday and/or Sunday morning/afternoon would you suggest playing anywhere else but the Borgata?

Lastly Anyone have any suggestions for bars or clubs on a Friday/Saturday night?

This is interesting because it's not what I've read on the borgata 2p2 thread. You should speak with the poker room manager at the Borg.

There is one huge difference between various properties: room fees and taxes. I know the Taj will pass on $5 worth of taxes; showboat will pass on $13 ($5 + $8 in additional fees). So, be careful. The room will be reduced but not free, usually.

I asked one poker room manager why I couldn't get weekend comps since the weekday ones are impossible to use if you have a full time job. His answer was that poker players do not play against the house and that I'm playing at too low a limit (1/2NL) without enough hours. Naturally the only way to get enough hours would be to play during the week, which is impossible with a full time job.

Borgata charges you $5 a night in fees.

It also does give the best comps for poker players, as of about 10 months ago (?).

Looking to grind in AC for 10 weeks during the summer. Where can I stay for 10 weeks under $2000? Thanks for your advice.

There is a feral cat community under the boardwalk that might be accepting of humans if you use some of your budget to purchase food for them.

(Check Craigslist for rooms for rent in surrounding towns like Absecon, Margate, Ventnor, etc.)

My favorite place to go when I have time to kill and want to relax / bar hop is the Quarter in the Tropicana. There's everything from sports bars to clubs to karaoke bars to specialty beer bars to vodka bars. Lots of different atmospheres under the same roof.

Good to know about logging in long hours.

I just returned from the Borgata(two 6hr sessions), and another player told me to get a host. You can apparently request one across from the main hotel desk at the borgata. A host just basically puts you on the radar. If you play at least once a month you can get offers. I also spoke with a floor guy in the poker room who told me to see someone else on the floor, who wasn't there at the time. So I guess get a host, play, wait for offers, request rooms/discounts in person. Common sense I guess.