Where are all those guys that play at the Taj or any rooms in A/C?

Hi
Stop there on Monday to play some lo limit holdem.
There was a 100/200 Holdem game going. Only 4 handed.
A guy name Moon had all the chips.
I played 1-2 no limit lost $42. Looking forward to going back. My sister lives in the area. Thanks.

I've played Bally's, the Sands and the Trop. Haven't gotten to Borgata yet and haven't played at the Taj. Heard only good things about the Borgata, heard only bad things about the Taj, but as I haven't played in their rooms personally, I can't really add anything on those.

Bally's: I liked this room at first, but that may be because that was where I started playing. As I have gained more experience, I've become more disenchanted with their room. On the good side, now that they have gotten rid of the blackjack tables, the wait time is usally small to non-existent. They spread holdem and stud, though I've never seen a holdem game in there that was of a higher limit than 5-10 (which is fine by me, but I'm just noting it). The Poker room is on the 6th floor, a long escalator ride away from everything just about. It's in the back of the racebook and keno room. I usually go there on Saturdays every month or so, and about half the room is the same people very time - though they play more stud than holdem. The 2-4 and 3-6 holdem games feature 7 or 8 to the flop, but then passive play afterward. The big problem I've experienced with Bally's is that the dealers are often not remotely interested in what's happening at the table. I've seen too many occasions where they can't identify the winning hand, or make a mistake and blame the player for it. The room is also smoky and just has an uncomfortable feel about it. Bally's also does not offer tournaments.

Sands: Their room is on the 4th floor and at least for me, wasn't the easiest to find - rather, I sort of stumbled upon it instead of searching it out. I have played in there once, on a Saturday morning. There was one 3-6 holdem game going, and when I joined (no wait), there was no one else at the table under the age of 70 (not exaggerating). It seemed all of them were just waiting for the next stud game to open up. According to their site, they are running tournaments on Wednesdays and Thursdays - but I've yet to play in either since I rarely get up there during the week. Unless they've increased their holdem games in the last few months, I wouldn't recommend it.

Tropicana: My favorite of the 3 I've played in so far - for both ring games and I've played a tournament there about 3 months ago. I've seen reports on the Internet claiming the Trop was dingey, dirty and only had 15 tables. This was not the case when I was there. The way it's set up, it's almost like 3 different rooms, and by a rough count from memory, there were probably 40 tables. I played in a $50+15 with Rebuys and Addons there on a Saturday, and it drew about 180 people (finished about middle of the pack, but it was my first casino tourney). Final prize pool was around $30K. Tournament ran smoothly once it got started, but it was late getting underway as they were still working to get all the registrations processed. It was supposed to go at 11:15 a.m., I think cards were in the air about 11:35. I got there around 9:30 and got a seat without a problem - they limited that event to 220, in this case, top 18 were paid. They've changed their weekend tournament structure a bit - for January I'm not sure the Saturday events, but Sundays are $100+20, no rebuys or addons. The current info is on their web site.

I found that the dealers seemed to be on the ball for the most part, and the players were pretty friendly. I liked the layout, a lot more comfortable and inviting than Bally's or the Sands. Plenty of floor persons to help you with questions, and there is a snack bar and such right in the room. They were spreading low limit holdem (up to 4-8, I believe), no-limit holdem ($100 min. buyin, not sure what the blinds were), Stud, AND Omaha. I don't know how often they offer Omaha, but it was pretty popular when I was there. Not sure about how often they spread holdem games at 10-20 or above. The room is easy to find and I guess the best way I can put it is, out of the 3 I've been in, the Trop seems like the 1 place that actually gives you the feeling that they want you to play there. They also have a decent comp policy based on hourly play in the ring games (tourney hours don't count).

Have yet to play the Borgata. Went there last time I was in AC, but it was like 9 on a Saturday night so yeah, it was packed to the rafters. Would have been too long a wait so I decided to make the 3-hour drive home.

Sorry I don't have more info on Borgata and the Taj, but I hope these tidbits on the other 3 were along the lines of what you were looking for.

Happy New Year to all,
Ed

Best thing about the Taj, especially for beginning players is that the tourneys they run are freezeouts--no rebuy, no add-on. You start with T5000, and when you go, you go. I played at Trop in my first tourney, flipped the table on its ear out of the gate, then watched as people I had taken out just drop cash on the table and get back in. Also, Trop doesn't care how much you have left for a rebuy. I played a $50+10, and a guy went all-in with me with J10 versus KK, took all his chips, then he calls for a rebuy, plunks down $200 on the table, and suddenly has the chip lead, with 4 rebuys, and T6000.

Pure tournament play is no-rebuy, no-addon. That's where the Taj has Trop beat.

the taj has good poker. the no limit games are good with alot of fish. i play there on a regular basis. if u are gonna play in ac, play at the taj and the borgata

i like borgata... it is freakin packed usually tho. good NLHE games going 24/7 along with low limit HE. dealers are good, and competition is relatively weak... ya can find the sharks pretty quickly.

I agree, the Borgata is by far my favorite poker room in Atlantic City. Plus, the chairs are extremely comfortable!!! A big plus. If you like middle limit hold'em the 10-20 and the 20-40 games are very good.

I play at the Trop fairly often. It is by far my favorite room in AC. The games are usually action packed with huge pots. There are freeze tourneys on the weekends now and on Tuesday there is a 10k first place guaranteed tourney.

How are the Bally's HE 5-10 games? I usally play at the Trop and Taj when I'm in AC at a little higher limits. I've played at the Sands which only had a $3-6 game going and was real soft.

Sometimes with a bunch of guys we take a bus trip to the Trump. They like to shoot dice at the Sands and I usally head to a card room. I thought this time I'd be right next door to them at Bally's instead of walking in the opposite direction to the Trop.

Can't say I've played 5-10 at Bally's. But, one thing I did notice is that it wasn't necessarily easy to get a 5-10 game at Bally's depending on the time of day. Mostly 2-4 and 3-6, and they still spread a good bit of stud, as well.

I don't know if they've increased the 5-10 tables since they took the Blackjack tables out, though.

It depends on the limit. I played pro there for 3 years before moving. The best room used to be the Trop where Big Nicky, Phil Ivy et.al. got started playing mostly stud from 10-20 up to 50. They changed to structure. Now no one likes it. Now there's always a good game up to 20-40 in Hold-em or 30-60 stud at the Taj. Most of the big boys play 75-150 and up stud or a mix of hi-lo Ohaha/stud/and 8 or better on weekends at the Taj. It's grubby and the floor sucks but best action. But on weekends the top holdem goes to the Borgata in a smaller area on the left at the bottem of ecalator. Problem is it's usually very crowded and tough to get in a game below 20-40. Much less wait at the Taj, except when there's a tournament. For tournaments everyone goes to the Friday one at the Trop still (biggest payout). If you go for a weekend call some hotels in the town of Absecon. Its 10 miles away on rt 30, and much cheaper (and easier) than a room at Taj or Trop. The Borgata rooms are great if you get a reservation--plus there's a poker rate. If you want to watch Cindy Violet, Ivy or other WSOP braclet winners/ players-try the Taj on a late Saturday night. Good luck!!