Trip report to AC, 11.28.08

[Shiny]

Got to AC via bus at around 12:30 this past Friday.  Our bus went to the Trump Plaza.  With the Trump coin bonus, the bus trip cost $20 (I’m coming from DC).  Pretty good deal.  I didn’t play right away but rather walked over the Mcdonalds to get some cheap sustenance food as breakfast came very early for me.  No free comp lunches for me…yet.
 
After that I took a jitney to the Borgata.  My research on the various casinos showed that with their 5x comp dollars promo, the Borgata is the closest to Positive EV (assuming perfect play) right now.
 
The Borgata was really happening. The poker room was full and so was the sports book.  There seems to be some confusion about the lifting of the smoking ban. There was a lot of people lighting up as you enter from the jitney drop off entrance.  And, some folks playing inside the casino were smoking.
 
A lot of people playing the various slots, too.  However, I didn’t have trouble finding a full pay JOB .25 maching. It was an upright (any .25 slant tops there?) Played for about 2.5 hours total.   For a long time on $20 and then dropped another $40 fairly quickly.  I took a restroom break somewhere in the middle.  Total loss was $60. 
 
After that, took the jitney back to the boardwalk.  Did some shopping for taffy, then went to eat dinner.  Had about an hour to kill so I went to Bally’s and found another upright that was labeled “Jokers wild” but was a full pay JOB .25.  Thought I’d give my Total Rewards some action since I understand they are good with special mail offers.  However, the points you earn in 2008 with TR expire at the end of year and won’t carry over to January.  Unlike Borgata, where it’s based on your anniversary day.  I played a little under 1 hour on $20 at Ballys’.  Bally’s was also full. As I was playing, I heard various screams from craps tables that were fairly full. 
 
Trying to get back into some VP playing.  Mind you I’m strictly a quarters player. So I don’t know if my level of play is enough to generate any special offers.  I don’t have a partner so this’ll have to do.
 I’ll be traveling to Florida over the holidays so I probably won’t be going to AC until January. Trying to schedule 1 trip a month next year and squeeze in an extra one here an there if possible. This trip was a lot of fun since I hadn’t been to AC in about 1.5 years. Great to see people gambling and the casinos fairly full.  Maybe the economy isn’t as bad as people are claiming it is.

[faygo]

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself and that is what counts the most.
 
Mailer today from AC Hilton. No longer is Cashback, Bounce back. Same day use allowed.
They spelled it out very clearly what is required to earn $5. $10 Coin in on VP earns 1 point, 200 points earn $5. At my speed of play on .25 TP that equates to about $5.65 per hour. Still doesn't present a positive play on the games offered in AC.
Of course for Slot play, $5 Coin In earns 1 point w/200 points for $5.
With the strategies I've observed the folks playing, they are cleaning up on VP.

[3N1GM4]

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself and that is what counts the most.
 
Mailer today from AC Hilton. No longer is Cashback, Bounce back. Same day use allowed.
They spelled it out very clearly what is required to earn $5. $10 Coin in on VP earns 1 point, 200 points earn $5. At my speed of play on .25 TP that equates to about $5.65 per hour. Still doesn't present a positive play on the games offered in AC.
Of course for Slot play, $5 Coin In earns 1 point w/200 points for $5.
With the strategies I've observed the folks playing, they are cleaning up on VP.
 
Good to see the casinos "spelling it out" on what it takes to earn CB.  Who's cleaning up on VP?  The casinos or the players?  Your post was a little unclear. Thanks.

[faygo]

Casinos are cleaning up. The most popular game in AC is AC two pair Joker. Even with the cashback it plays to a $11.15 loss per hour. JOB fairs better at a $4.70 loss per hour. (Both based on my speed of play) These numbers assume playing perfect stragey. I suspect in Joker most play at about 60-70% of optimum.

[scorpio2]

i don't like the way harrahs does cashback,etc..my wife and i ,she $30.00,me$40.00,but only good for december.we cannot make it down in a month.same with other offers,very tricky the way they entice you to come in,for little rewards.

[scorpio2]

gaads,no comps for january,guess the casinos are clamping down,no buffets,etc..