I just got back from my first trip (finally) to Parx. I am certainly going back. If my second trip is anything like the first, Harrah's and AC will be a memory. It had little to do with the juicy 4/8 LHE game, though that was nice.
Impressions
Tables - a bit small, but nice. The dealers tray is too small for a limit game. It really is a bit cramped but mainly due to the seat bases with five legs - others have mentioned this IRRC. Once several Ladies were seated, things spread out more. I guesss that most male poker players are overweight.
Our shuffler was a smidge high, but not enough to impact dealing, etc. There was plenty of room between tables. The carpet, almost swalled a $500 chip and is, I think a bit too loud but whatever. Designed to hide stains I presume?? (shrug) Was that guy ever glad when the lady mext to me lifted her foot and found itl.
The dealers ranged from good to excelent (Ping was almost too fast and superbly efficient). With the room only being open a short while (and Ari if you read this I need a hat
- work kept me away until now) they were much better than Harrah's at the same juncture. MUCH better. There were a few new dealers, but that's too be expected. Even the new ones only made minor mistakes. The main thing was lack of posting/not posting at 4/8 LHE. I didn't play NL, so more difficult situations in that game might be different. I'll try them at O8 and see how ready they really are.
Drink service - Borgata babes, not quite but still...well chosen. OK, so I sound like a dirty old man, tough. I'd rather sound that way than be served by ladies who qualified for Medicare a decade ago like at the Trop in AC. At times the drink service was slow, but it was a Saturday night so that's to be expected. Hopefully they will increase the ration of servers to tables after the expansion.
I sampled the hot sausage sandwich from the bar. I got it in less then ten minutes, perhaps even five. It was just a nuked/boiled hot sausage like you would get at a street vendor in center city, but it was hot and the roll was fresh plus it came with a bag of ship on a nice plastic tray, not handed to me in a napkin. For $3.50 it was a good deal as far as poker room munchies go. Playing on a satisfied stomach leads to better decisions IMHO. I'll try some other stuff and report back.
Games - 4/8 was playing like a 2/4 game. Several who would see every flop, etc. Nuf said. Cashed out plus $196
People are already asking about a bad beat and even lower limits. NOOO! please, please, please no bad beat! No 2/4 - pretty please. Perhaps start 6/12 LHE for something between 4/8 and 8/16, though that might not be feasable.
Atmosphere - It felt like a poker room, not like that catering hall at the Borgata. Not that I'm mockng the mighty B, but the room there is...I don't know...cold, huge...??? I still prefer Harrah's AC for "poker room feel", but this isn't far off. it kind of reminds me of the old Trop feel but with a modern twist. That Tropicana room itself was always my favorite (servers notwithstanding) for some strange reason.
The Men's room could have used a better layout. Once the room expands it will be a traffic jam at the door but it's a bit late now.
Fills took a short time when needed. Is it better to have five minute fills every few hours or one minute fills more often? You tell me. In any case, this system just seems better than Harrah's Chester and as good as AC. In Limit I think that cash should play, but that's just me.
Floor - In my very short wait (~5:00pm on Sat) they were efficient at filling seats, even calling four players if there were three open spots and moving things along. Good work. Several trips will be needed to see how they do at different time. Later on (say after 10:30) I heard some players at adjoining 2/5 game complaining about empty seats with a long list,etc, but again it was a Saturday night. At Harrah's Chester they would have been playing six handed instead of eight/nine. For being open about a fortnight, I give the floor a great rating. Getting a poker card took only moments BTW.
Once they expand, hopefully they will be able to have multiple tables of LHE and other games. IRRC there was about 20 (from off the board earlier) on the 15/30 list when I left at 11:15. If I only had the roll.
There was also a list of ~15 for 8/16. The 1/2 list was about 45 long, and I think there were 4-5 tables of 2/5, plus an O/8 game. There were lists for other games but no tables - hurry up december. Can I start a list for 4/8 Stud-8 now?
I have never been to Vegas so I can't compare to venues there, but this room has the posential to be among the best around, period. So far it's right up there amont the best in the area. Ari & company, my hat is off to you!