Atlantic City playing conditions?

**psufan** · 03-17-2021, 10:57 AM

Heading there this weekend for the first time mainly for the NCAA tournament but was wondering what playing conditions are like. What places have playable games? I'm a small timer just looking to play a few hours in the mornings before the games start. Appreciate any feedback.

**paymypush** · 03-17-2021, 12:12 PM

The $25 pit at Ocean Casino is 6 deck, S17, 3 to 2 with late surrender and can be found right outside the high limit room. I've seen it with $15 minimums at slow times but plan on $25. Penetration was about 1 1/4 decks. I haven't been there in a couple of months though. High limit rooms in most, if not all, casino have these same rules but no surrender.

Resorts has 8 deck, S17,3 to 2 with no surrender. Be sure to check the felts because right across, in the same pit, are H17 tables. They often have $10 minimums even at the S17. Penetration is between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 decks.

Borgata should have some decent $25 tables but I don't bother because they have shuffled up on me in the past.

**G Man** · 03-18-2021, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by paymypush

. Penetration was about 1 1/4 decks.

You mean "penetration was about 4 3/4 decks over 6" or "they cut about 1 1/4 deck" ;-)

**paymypush** · 03-20-2021, 03:45 PM

You're right, G Man! I was having computer problems so my daughter posted for me. You know how kids listen to their parents.

I played those tables yesterday and was happy with my results.

Here's a nice update on the pen. All the dealers were cutting 1 deck out of 6 with some going a few cards less than a deck. As of an hour ago 4 out of the 6 tables in that pit were open with the minimums at $50. To my knowledge this is the only casino in the city offering surrender at all tables.

**CEO1** · 03-20-2021, 08:14 PM

So, I am a west coaster, and have never played AC. Does that mean I can just not worry about getting barred at all? Can I just spread away with bigger multiple say 1-20? OR, as I more likely suspect....do you have to be real careful not to get made or they will just shuffle up. I always only play Hi Limit. Thanks

**psufan** · 03-21-2021, 05:19 AM

Thanks so much for the info. Staying at Oceans. Stopping in at Resorts this morning to check things out. The 6 deck tables at Ocean aren’t open yet this morning

**21forme** · 03-21-2021, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by CEO1

So, I am a west coaster, and have never played AC. Does that mean I can just not worry about getting barred at all? Can I just spread away with bigger multiple say 1-20? OR, as I more likely suspect....do you have to be real careful not to get made or they will just shuffle up. I always only play Hi Limit. Thanks

They will half shoe and shuffle up on you once they recognize your skill level instead of tossing you. that's the only difference.

**Cohiba** · 03-21-2021, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by 21forme

They will half shoe and shuffle up on you once they recognize your skill level instead of tossing you. that's the only difference.

They also bring out the 5-50 sign. Will allow you to play in the HL room but with the lower limits. Makes for a good conversation piece with tablemates if you choose to stick around, i would leave and go somewhere else. If get tired of AC there are other places in the region to play if you are able and willing to venture out.

Cohiba

**21forme** · 03-21-2021, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Cohiba

They also bring out the 5-50 sign.

Forgot to mention that. Thanks.
One nuance to that rule - They have to give you a 1:10 spread, hence the 5-50, however they can flat bet you at a level of $200 or more.

**Cohiba** · 03-21-2021, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by 21forme

Forgot to mention that. Thanks.
One nuance to that rule - They have to give you a 1:10 spread, hence the 5-50, however they can flat bet you at a level of $200 or more.

21 - I havent played a straight count game in years but for most of the stuff i would be doing would be more than happy with being flat bet as long as its a high enough limit to make worth my time.

Come to think of it did get two other countermeasures - one was to limit to playing one hand only on a game i was tracking - dont think they knew what i was doing or would have used a different countermeasure - i left anyhow since i figured they would be watching closely and didnt want to blow the play up. Also figured that they would be more likely to ID the dealer's frequent mistakes.

My favorite countermeasure was on a steering game where they gave us one round and shuffle - thank you very much sir - pls keep that coming and can you increase the table limit while you are at it!

Cohiba

**21forme** · 03-21-2021, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Cohiba

My favorite countermeasure was on a steering game where they gave us one round and shuffle - thank you very much sir

There's a story like that from Tommy Hyland's (I think it was him) early days. He was reading bends in the cards from checking for BJ. They were shuffling after every round and couldn't figure out how he was still beating them.

**Cohiba** · 03-21-2021, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by 21forme

There's a story like that from Tommy Hyland's (I think it was him) early days. He was reading bends in the cards from checking for BJ. They were shuffling after every round and couldn't figure out how he was still beating them.

You can write a book with nothing more than describing casino counter-measures gone wrong - lets hope no one does!

Cohiba