On January 7th, Act 1 of 2010 was signed by Governor Rendell which allows Pennsylvania casinos to add table games. In addition, the law immediately tightened restrictions for access to the gaming floor of casinos by making it unlawful for anyone "under the age of 21 to enter and remain in any area of the licensed facility where slot machines are operated or the play of table games is conducted." Similarly, no one under the age of 21 can participate in the play of table games. While it has always been unlawful in Pennsylvania for persons under 21 years of age to operate or use slot machines, the Act previously placed the age restriction on entering the gaming floor of a licensed facility at 18.

Heading to Parx today for the Smarty Jones Stakes. Gonna see if I can get any info on the poker room. I'll be back with an update later today.

You will get no info everything is a big secret.They don't even know.Contractor says they change their plans every third day.The to-do's did make a trip to vegas to look over some poker room's.This can be viewed as a positive.On a down note the new 1st floor race book is now open All-tho new and shiny it really lacks function and convenience for the horse player.Lots of dead space and lack of personnel tv's.Rumor was that half of 2nd floor(big space BTW) will be poker and other half racebook.Makes sense for crossover business tho many horse players will not play poker will be other way around.They don't want to miss out on any business.

Well, a Harrah's 7 star card, which the casino is going to give $150 slot play for, requires 100,000 tier credit points. A Harrah's platinum is one step above the generic card you get for just walking in. It requires 4,000 tier credit points.

So if they were to give anything, using the same qualifying point ratio, they should comp a harrah's platinum SIX DOLLARS. My guess is you would get a free kick in the nuts for asking.

Just got back from Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx and nobody knows anything. I asked a bunch of security personnel and they don't know anything. Went to a service desk and she didn't know. I asked every wager teller I went to and they don't know anything. I even asked a custodian and she told me that the poker was outside and pointed to the track...lol.

This is pretty much what everyone said to expect. Also know that pretty much every person you spoke to wouldn't understand the difference between a banking and non banking game. So even if the word "poker" was understood they would just point you to a three card poker or Texas Hold Em table game.

I heard this as well, supposedly OCT. 1st the poker was due to open.
I'm not sure if that's on schedule, but there should be LHE above 10-20, when it does. The 1st night it opens i'll be there starting a list of interest for 30-60 if they will let me.

will you be there????

anyways....

they will definitely have 1-2 and 2/5 NL, don't worry about that.....

i think a lot of people that live north of TRENTON, will be going to PARX...
Why wouldn't they at least stop in on way to A.C.???

I was planning on doing the same thing u guys are talking about...

There has to be someone in the old building, that knows whats going on????

I mean they have to be building!!! right.....i'll find out whats going on, if i can get over there and report back.
I know a few people who know dealers over there.

I will be there, and I'll be 2nd on your list.

Was at the Parx this weekend. Nice facility. The Chickie & Pete's restaurant is great. They have these private "cells" that are equipped with a big screen TV, video games (Wii, PS3, XBOX 360), and server for groups of about 7. We rented out two. It was nice.

My time on the casino floor would have been much better if not for the crazy amount of smoke I had to deal with. It was disgusting! To get to the non-smoking section I had to walk through the smoking section, since the non-smoking section is pretty much in the middle of the place. Trying to find a blackjack table that was non-smoking (not that it would have mattered much) was pointless. My girlfriend almost got sick to her stomach. I realize the casino needs to attract ALL types of players but it's like they are playing to the smoker crowd more than anything else. I'm hesitant to go back. And I'm not as much looking forward to the poker room since it seems they will cater to the smokers. It was just really disappointing.

Notice to people who are totally nauseated and revolted by the slightest hint of cigarette smoke (or can't stand large amounts of cigarette smoke practically blown straight into their face, for that matter):

Notice: Stay out of Casinos, Horse Tracks, Pool Halls, dive bars by the loading docks, and back alley crap games.

Yeah, I know that isn't "right" and you have just as much business being there as a chain smoking chinese coolie, and cigarettes are bad for your health, and blah blah blah blahdy blahdy blah blah.

Whatever, that is the way it is. If you can't stand smoke, don't go to a casino.

Why do smokers get to decide whether I get to go play poker, or bet on horses, or whatever?

While we smokefreegestapo agents make smokers' lives difficult, we don't bar smokers from going to casinos, or smoking. We just bar you from doing it at the tables.

Doesn't seem equitable. Why would you argue that it is?

Well, it's not QUITE on "the way" to AC, but I was surprised to find out how much closer Parx is, than the Bethlehem Sands.

One more time:
Yeah, I know that isn't "right" and you have just as much business being there as a chain smoking chinese coolie, and cigarettes are bad for your health, and blah blah blah blahdy blahdy blah blah.

Why do really good people get cancer and die, and mean nasty people get rich???
That just isn't right either.

Whatever, that is the way it is. If you can't stand smoke, don't go to a casino.

Guess what- women used to be unable to vote, and slaves used to be unable to leave. "That's the way it is", you really want to use that as justification? Sorry, no go.... and I strongly suspect it won't stay that way, for very long.

Yeah, because women are equal now and get paid the same as men and just as likely to get promoted and there is not any racism anymore against black people and .... oh, wait, casinos are still smokey.

Really? Has A.C. changed their regs, then?

Regardless, if you're limiting your argument to "it's that way now, so tough ****".... that's fine, /seque.

Brainwashed by pc media much?

USA Today Article from today

No problem. I'll just stay away from the Parx and keep going to AC. Had a good, smoke free time at the Trump a few weeks ago.

I'll let the people with addictions (and who like to take other people down with them) keep the Parx.

"The earnings gap between men and women has shrunk to a record low"
gosh women *almost* get paid the same as men, and I can't actually smoke in the poker room, I have to stand right outside the entrance.

Kev: On the upside, the poker room is supposed to be in the other building and the entire area is said to be smoke free (fingers crossed).

Poka: I am not sure where you live, but I spend an inordinate amount of time in casinos in NJ and PA playing poker and not once catch a hint of smoke. Bars are completely smoke free also. What makes the Parx main building unique and causes the complaints is that the smoke is pretty much overwhelming compared to other casinos. If you go to say Chester and walk in the smoking areas you can just about notice it, and when in the poker room / race book it is nonexistent, if you go to Parx's casino building and walk around you will leave with your clothes and hair smelling of smoke. They did a very poor job of planning and/or ventilating the smoke.

It is a legitimate factor to be brought up in a review to let other people know what to expect. And contrary to your post, it is an anomaly to every other casino within 100 miles of the area.

Yes, I keep forgetting. PA (and the 100 mile surrounding area) is the epicentre of casino gambling. If it is, or is not, happening in PA then the rest of the world better get in line. Carry on.

Grim: you're completely right about clothes smelling like smoke. I have never had THAT happen to me. If the ventilation was better or they could cut the size of the smoking area down then I think it would be a much better experience. Because the place is actually very nice. All of my friends & family really enjoyed the Chickie & Pete's. But none of us really smoke and after getting out on the casino floor they all started to leave rather quickly.

I'm looking forward to the Sugarhouse Casino opening, hoping that they don't have the same issues.