Ocean Casino Resort was recently awarded Best Casino by the Press of Atlantic City’s Best Press Awards.
Ocean was the only AC casino to report a profit gain for Q3 2020.
It was reported about a month ago that Ocean is constructing a new high limit slot area with 140 machines, private restrooms, upgraded beverage service (desperately needed!) and a dedicated cage.
Considering the above, it seems to me that there is a window of opportunity for Ocean to establish itself, and AC wholly, as THE destination for serious VP players to spend their time and money. Vegas has usually been the destination for full pay and advantage opportunities in the video poker realm. What it requires is a bold decision that will lead to a new way of thinking and a sea change.
If they can be as successful as they have been during the pandemic, they should be able to figure a way to make it happen. The key component in the strategy is offering the best VP pay-tables and slot paybacks available in the region (not just AC itself). It's what helped enable Borgata to dominate AC from opening to recently. Ocean has the other things Borgata had too- new classy Vegas type atmosphere with top notch dining and services, a good player's club/comp system and some of the nicest rooms and amenities. All this and a ocean out the front (back?) door.
This is the perfect time to take advantage of the situation. As the pandemic gets under control and people begin to return to AC, they will want to evaluate where they want to go- same old place or somewhere they can get better offers/"luck". The knowledgeable VP players will go where they have the best opportunities playing their favorite variations. It may be unrealistic to expect pure positive pay-tables these days, but more 99.5%+ pay-tables in the high limit area and reasonable ones at lower denoms on the floor 98-99.5% instead of the shift to 95-97% would go a long way to being the undisputed place to go. There are other ways to make up any "lost" revenue, although I doubt there would be any losses overall as people would tend to enjoy the experience and simply play and give it back. Volume and occupancy of seats alone would ensure equal or greater revenue. People are sick of the current trend of decreased play time and lack of winning sessions while being forced to play inferior pay-tables at higher denominations. A machine with an empty seat makes $0...
I truly hope that the people in charge have considered this possibility. It's unlikely it will happen since it doesn't have to (Why?, were doing great as it is...). The future of VP altogether is at stake, because if no one plays, they will replace them with fancy-shmancy video slots that cause hearing loss and epileptic seizures. The business model of 8/5, 7/5, 6/5 will not survive. Too many players will opt out and the ones who remain won't have the bankroll to last long enough to provide their entertainment fix.
But- if someone (Hint- Ocean it's you) has the balls to at least try it, it could create a buzz, make Ocean an even more exclusive resort and revitalize the video poker in AC. Now, tell me why it can't work.
Ocean New High Limit Slot Room
-
- VP Veteran
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:18 pm
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8879
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:58 am
It can work, but as you prognosticate, it will not happen. The disemboweled VP machines will become entrenched. I love the restaurants/overall atmosphere. But we know the definition of insanity. So no mas VP. They currently seem to have enough sucker patrons to manage without me. FAA flew the coop.
-
- VP Veteran
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:18 pm
I'll go WAY out on a limb and predict, like Macarthur, you shall return.
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 10240
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:08 pm
We have iron in our blood and the casino has a magnetic core.
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8879
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:58 am
They are hardly the only game in town. I do want to be a restaurant patron, but it’s a killer walk or unnecessary jitney expense. Keep an eye on pay tables and drop us a line when it’s safe. I haven’t even made it back to Borgata yet.
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8879
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:58 am
Having made it back to this place for food was a mistake. The good old deals are gone, as reported in another thread. So is any notable VP.
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8312
- Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:29 am
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8879
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:58 am
Keep wearing out that keyboard. Another RF is only a trip away!
-
- Video Poker Master
- Posts: 8312
- Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:29 am
Let's see:
Date Joined: Posts made:
Tedlark 10/02/2006 6,799
FAA 5/28/2014 5,988
So; even though I have been here 8 years longer than you, I have only 811 more posts than you.
Just WHO is wearing out the keyboard???