The center of it all

[Tarzan]

Strolling down the Atlantic City boardwalk, coming from Tropicana you come upon what once was "The center of it all", the ghosted out building that was once Trump Plaza. The logo is removed and the building is a dark spot pretty much in the center of it looking at it from a distance at night. Keep walking and from there you can see Revel off in the distance... fukkas should have listened to me on that whole non-smoking Asian pit!Hahahaha If they were going to spend that much cash to be "trendy" and have a non-smoking Asian gaming pit then they should have left some money in the till to fly in some of those "trendy" Asians from California or Oregon or wherever since we don't seem to have any of those in New Jersey. The Asian pit never really took off there from day one, I wonder why? Most of the Asians all playing next to me over the years were smoking and I think they missed this somehow in the official demographic survey or something.

Anyway, I gaze ahead to the trendy empty building down the way and ponder all that has happened in AC over the years for a few minutes before ducking in to play a few hands. Although some things change many things remain the same. It's been like seeing the complete rise and fall of a small empire.

[KJ]

I have a fond memories of AC, even if it was/is a pit. It was home base for the first, almost 6 years of my blackjack career. I slowly grew my BR from $4300 to mid/upper five figures just as I departed for browner pastures west. I often would walk the boardwalk from what was then The Hilton (south end) to Taj on the north end in 22-25 minutes depending on how fast I was stepping. I walked from Taj to the bay area a number of times.

I was back only one since I left 6 years ago and that was only for a brief visit to the north end to see the new property, which for most my time, was half built, but stalled and fenced off. So tell me what remains of AC. The marina district is the same three properties, with The trump property having become Golden Nugget, I know.

What about the boardwalk? Starting south to north? I know AC Hilton became something else. Is it still open? Walking past the Ocean Club Condos high rise, which I considered buying one in 2009....so glad I didn't, you hit Tropicana. They are still there right?

Mid strip, Trump Plaza, you mentioned closed. Caesars and Bally's are there. Claridge was a separate casino but was folded into Bally's. Sands, which was the scene of some of my first overnight trips, consisting of a nap in the bus waiting area for 3-4 hours is gone. That was torn down during my time.

North end at my time Resorts. Still there? Taj...one of my home bases at the time, still there right. And showboat, which I also used as a nap destination, is closed right. And revel has come (completed) and already gone correct?

Still have all those little push carts on the boardwalk where people, including homeless people would rent by the day and 'taxi' people between casinos?

[Norm]

Swore I wouldn't, but was in Atlantic City the day Resorts opened. I simply couldn't resist. What a difference. Last time I was at a Trump property, the stench of tobacco smoke seeping from the carpet was overwhelming.

[Tarzan]

Hilton became the Atlantic Club, for a while at least, they closed also. Pushcarts are still out there. Giant herd of wild cats is still living down by Taj Mahal, making the beach at Taj Mahal one big giant litter box. In the overall it's a lot different than when you were here last other than your visit in which I'm sure you saw some of the transition.

Blackjack has deteriorated over the years (as if it could be much worse). Fewer playable games and even a few obscenities, such as 8D, H17, 6:5 tables at Harrah's on a Friday or Saturday night, empty, no players and the pit hoping some drunk with money in his pockets wanders by. Seeing that particular empty table gave me a gleeful, refreshing feeling and perhaps even elevated my limited faith in humanity.

[KJ]

I forgot about the cats. As well as the people that feed them every day despite signs telling them not to.

[metronome]

Spay/neuter/release. Those skittish/ frightened/hungry/miserable felines didn't just move in 'cause the scraps in the parking garage were awesome............... There is a reason they're called DOMESTICATED, as are our canine charges. If only they could rely on the mess that is the human race.

Tarzan, you're opening post of this thread is so apropos to "the industry". A great business model whose management/leadership is so inept that they may put themselves out of business. And it ain't over yet, they may still succeed.

[Bigdaddy]

I remember the 70s and 80s as a younger man, very excited about going to AC to gamble. Most of the times, rooms were tough to get and high priced. The hotels acted like they were the new meat to eat in the USA.

Adios AC....piss on 'em.....

[ZenMaster_Flash]

What some people fail to see is that the reason A.C. continues to improve their bottom line

is that they draw a lot of "patrons" on weekends and holidays because the competing stores

in PA and DE and MD are casinos, but are rarely RESORT destinations. MOST of those casinos

have no hotels, no shows, no gourmet eateries, no spa, no retail stores, no beach, no pool, etc.

[MJGolf]

What some people fail to see is that the reason A.C. continues to improve their bottom line

is that they draw a lot of "patrons" on weekends and holidays because the competing stores

in PA and DE and MD are casinos, but are rarely RESORT destinations. MOST of those casinos

have no hotels, no shows, no gourmet eateries, no spa, no retail stores, no beach, no pool, etc.

You speak much wisdom here ZenFlash. It's why Vegas is still growing........they have added other attractions and entertainment to draw crowds in. Not just gambling. With the proliferation of gambling in other states, I don't see how any place can survive "soley" relying upon gambling.

Tunica is not just down because other places are drawing away gamblers. I truly believe with the destruction of Harrah's, the old Grand, the only true resort location in Tunica, they are spiraling downward. Yes, it's tougher to get a room there, but unless you play golf..........there is literally nothing else to do in the area and there is no convention center like Harrah's had to draw group travel. Bodarc can correct me if I'm wrong because I surely don't think the Tunica (town itself) Convention center will make up the difference. After all, it's another 30 minute drive or so south of Tunica Resorts area. Even the concerts seem to be not as good as before.

Vegas has re-invented itself. Not only does it have the biggest proliferation of games; it has the biggest proliferation of entertainment for about ANYONE........
For example, one of my recent casino mailers is about a JETPACK package........nothing about gambling. Come stay a couple nights and we will take you and a partner to fly by Jetpack. Of course, they want you to play but the marketing is changing.

Our state's gaming industry is also changing. They are getting away from the Mom/Pop small roadside casinos to the resort destinations, too. With bigger shows/entertainers; better hotels; golf courses; better restaurants; other facilities added. They know that they can generate MORE revenue with MORE amenities.

I actually hope that this will maybe in some small way, in the future, REDUCE the heat upon gamblers/AP players because they will be trying to branch out or diversify into these other revenue streams. Vegas will always be Vegas but I think the resort gambling areas are the only ones that will survive long term.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"I actually hope that this will maybe in some small way, in the future, REDUCE the heat upon gamblers/AP players because they will be trying to branch out or diversify into these other revenue streams."

You have it backwards. In times long past, nearly all casino income was from gambling;

and hotels, buffets, eateries, shows, all ran at a loss.

Nowadays many casinos (that ARE resorts) have MOST of their income stream coming

from everything but gambling. I was reading yesterday how JUST the nightclubs in the

better stores on the strip are raking in greater profits than the gambling in many cases.

You have it backwards because as the casinos care less and less about the gambling revenue,

there is less and less motivation to tolerate US.

[paymypush]

Do you want to see something really sad? The next time you pass Trump Plaza look into the window of Evo. The bar is still fully stocked and the tables are set as if it's just another day. Tablecloths, plates, silverware, drinking glasses and linen napkins. It's as if the world suddenly ended. Very eerie.