AC trip report

[notes1]

i just got back from my first 2 night trip to AC since late summer 2014. while i used to go every month for years and really looked forward to those trips, i stopped a couple of years ago, when i felt the machines were costing me more than an acceptible loss. now, i go every 6-9 months. i keep hoping things will go back to the old days.  first off, for us regular folks, flying via a casino junket is really a treat. those who have done this know how nice it is to fly direct, not worry about your luggage, no transportation hassles getting to the hotel, etc. there is obviously a cost to the casinos for this and we pay for it, but it definitely has a value, that needs to be factored in. when my better half goes, even though she is a non gambler, we consider it a mini vacation. i play, she shops.    in order of time spent, i played at caesars, borgata and harrahs. each property was very busy, maybe not to pre-recession levels, but there were lots of folks. a very mixed group of ages, sexes and ethic groups were all present. it was good to see the large number of people, unlike the first couple of years after recession, when the casinos were empty, even on the weekends. i am not a 'foodie' or gormet, but like to eat. there is a players dining facility at all CET properties and borgata. ate once at borgata and once at caesars. do not know if it is new, but CET seems to have upgraded their buffet. if one is diamond at CET, you can get an automatic upgrade to 'black label' at borgata. cost is free at CET and $10 comp at borgata. by my standards, AC has the best players club food of any city i have played at. and, if you are a drinker, the booze is included. the boardwalk was the usual packed place. the rest of AC has not changed, still terrible. i played a lot of VP (about 28 hours) over the 2 days, had 3 premium hands ($1700+) and a couple of 4ANK. a lot of 'close, but no cigar' hands, did not count, but it was many,many dozens. the end result, lost....$1900. this is what i call the new 'normal', for the time spent and the level of my bet, quarter, single line, DDB/TDB, max bet. over the last 4 months, i was actually in the plus column by a couple of hundred, so a big loss was about due. only my opinion, but what i saw in AC is what i have seen around the many other casinos i have visited. the 'holds' are higher, the payouts lower...it is the new reality of gambling in america. the best example i can think of happened as i was about to leave. keep in mind, i am a very tight player, i believe in taking out a gain and moving on to the next machine. i stop at a 8/5 machine and hit 4 out of 5 flushes, we all agree pretty unusual. i never get above a gain of $10 and eventually cash out, back where i started. years ago, i would have surely had a gain to cash out, not now. so, even when you 'beat the odds', it is harder to come out a winner.

[alpax]

Thanks for sharing your experience notes, you've played a ton of VP during your time there for sure. It is somewhat good to hear about things picking up in AC in terms of players and upgraded restaurants, I do not think I'll make the effort to go there to gamble.

I know "next time" will be some ways away, but you should explore preparing for the better games listed on VPFree, such as 8-5 Super Double Double Bonus at the Borgata. Part of what the Vegas expert (Mr. Dancer) preaches is to be able to adapt to frequent changes, the game you are most comfortalbe with may not be the best option in AC.

Harrah's AC seems to have ridiculously high $50 coin in per tier credit requirement, but it still might be worth playing good paytables to reduce the cost of playing VP.

I personally would have played the $1/$2/$5 Jacks or Better at Borgata to rack up future offers while using CET benefits to be able to lodge in AC, it is just myself. I did it in Vegas in the past.

[DaBurglar]

Nice report, obviously we must have crossed paths (or nearly so) during your time in AC.....your experience basically mirrors much of my own the last several years everytime I go to AC.......for future reference, if I were you, I would concentrate on the Borgata (and perhaps Tropicana) in AC for playing video poker.....they are the two BEST properties remaining that still offer any appreciable comps and free "stuff" for people playing VP......Resorts is Kaput, and Caesars as you must well know by now is really LOUSY when it comes to both VP comps and paytables.....

[chattycattty]

Totally disagree Daburglar with your opinion of video poker at Caesar's. We are in the air flying back as we speak and I spend much of my time the last four days playing at both Harrah's and Caesar's but mainly at Caesar's. I actually won at both places.

At Caesar's I found an All Star machine, in fact I found several where you can play several variations such as 10 play and deal draw my two current favorite games. The pay table for DDB was 9/5 for nickels and up. I mainly played nickels and times and with the help of some solid reel play from my wife we racked up lots of tier credits including one day where we got 4,000 tc's plus the 5,000 tc bonus.

What you don't understand DAB is that VP is at least 90% luck. A 6 year old of average intelligence can learn the strategy. The rest is up to lady luck and there is not much you can do about it.

Plus, what makes you think that Borgata or Trop gives better comps than CET properties? When we play at CET properties we always get a better players lounge. Both 7 star lounges as well as the diamond lounge at Caesar's is far superior to Borgata's lounge. I know because I have been to all of them.

If I had all day I would list the comps we receive from CET including free flights, concert tickets, meals, all expenses paid cruises, etc, etc, etc, we get from CET every year that easily add up into the 30 to 50,000 range. I don't think Borgata or Trop can say that

So if you are going to AC I would go to all of them and look around and judge for yourself. If you are looking for machines that spout out money like an ATM machines they ain't out there. But if you are patient there are premium hands that come along every now and then

[notes1]

my goal was to try and give an update to those who may be considering going to AC. it was based on lots of past experience, but current assesment was limited to a brief stay.  -JOB is fine for some people, but too boring for me.-i think the players lounge at both caesars and borgata are both excellent. as i stated, both have the best food available at any players lounge of any casino i have visited.-have mentioned many times that i like the borgata casino, but i took much of my losses there. while i may like the place, i have rarely done well there.-comps are certainly something to be considered, but playing only 1-2 times per month, it is hardly a big factor in my decision making process.  i am not endorsing CET, they have plenty of problems, but they do have some plusses. i get free air, free food, free play, free ground transportation. there is a value for that. and i am a low level diamond player and half my tier credits come from bonus from hitting the 1000 mark, each time i play. also, what other group has properties in AC, tunica, gulf coast, cherokee, nevada, etc. all these properities give me offers. what i did not mention was i had free food coupons that i did not have the chance to use. could have taken food home. one needs to consider the entire package, when making the decision where to play. here is the thing i have concluded. my own opinion, most casinos have changed since the recession. they had to if they wanted to survive financially. the good old days are not coming back anytime soon. one always had to be lucky to win, now you need to be even luckier. think of it this way, if someone has decided they will not fly anymore until airports go back to the way things were, pre 9-11, they will not be flying anytime soon.   

[MPD001]

What you don't understand DAB is that VP is at least 90% luck. A 6 year old of average intelligence can learn the strategy.
Wow - I actually thought that Bob Dancer was older than that. Who knew ?

[alpax]

What you don't understand DAB is that VP is at least 90% luck. A 6 year old of average intelligence can learn the strategy.

I see quite a lot of people struggle with playing the basic video poker strategy at a live casino. Many high school students at least in California struggle with math skills needed for a passing score or diploma (though the state is one of the worst academic performing states), let alone dealing with the probabilities that come with determining the best holds in video poker. Statistics is a college level course. Not many 6 year olds are good at the video games they play to begin with.

I remember hearing Bob saying it requires 2000 hours of practice to become a proficient player without supervision, it took me much less, but I can see why.

[chattycattty]

Does anyone remember the show "Are you smarter than a fifth grader"? I take math for granted I guess because it has always came easy for me. The basic foundation strategies for JOB and DDB were easy to learn. DW a little more complex but I would say it took less than 100 hours to learn all three. I still stick to my statement about what I said about the average 6 year old learning the strategy. Some may pick it up faster but everyone has a different learning curve and speed in which they learn things depending on their level of interest in what they are attempting to learn.

What I have trouble with is hitting the button at the exact millisecond so that the RNG spits out the card or cards I need to complete the premium hands I am seeking. And it is frustrating as hell when I see others playing not using optimal strategy and hitting 4 oak's left and right.

[alpax]

Yup, I do remember that show distinctly, that was one of the rare game shows that appeared on the FOX national TV channel few years back. The most deceiving part is that the kids were no ordinary 5th graders (before junior high), they were special education students that were way smarter beyond their years, almost like Doogie Houser. Thus the questions they ask is pretty much advanced placement high school level. On the mobile game of "Are you smarter than a 5th grader", I've only got past the final question a few times.

I should have stated that I knew the 6 year old part is an exaggeration knowing chatty is a serious VP player. While memorizing the recreational level strategy lists on websites might not take much effort, it still takes practice. Learning the strategy is one thing, but finding the motive, dedication, and ingenuity to master the game to a tee is something not many people are willing to do.

[QUOTE]What I have trouble with is hitting the button at the exact millisecond so that the RNG spits out the card or cards I need to complete the premium hands I am seeking. And it is frustrating as hell when I see others playing not using optimal strategy and hitting 4 oak's left and right. [/QUOTE]

Is that even a skill that a person is able to control at will?

[chattycattty]

BTW "Are you Smarter than a Firth Grader?" is returning to Fox with new episodes beginning Tuesday May 26th at 7:00pm CDT.