Borgata 5$ tables

Alright, I recently decided to can the weekend trips to AC with the full tables...I can't stand to see another person steal my cards...and go for the one on one action. I've never been to the Borgata and plan on hitting it a lot because of the 5$ tables they offer during the week. Now I know AC can't ban you, but they can do all the other garbage to take away the advantage.

I plan on sitting at the 5$ min. early mornings on the weekdays, and plan on using a 1-20 spread. I do not plan on using any cover because it's such a low min. Does anyone even think they will care if they know I'm counting or will they just let it go because of the low bets? I figure to be playing maybe 1 or 2 hours, take a break to eat and play for another hour or so, but as they say I don't want to overstay my welcome and get flat-betted.

Well, I certainly wouldn't lay down any cover at a $5 AC table.

The chances of getting one on one action at any time of the day will be slim.

One thing you can be sure of at the Borgata $5 tables--there will be waiting lines to get a seat throughout the day and night. You did say $5 tables plural, didn't you? I can't remember ever seeing more than one $5 table, but maybe that is a new policy. Borgata is very good at managing their tables to keep them full at all times, even to the extent of keeping many tables closed-- apparently a carefully studied strategy of scheduling tables to keep what is open, full with some waiting lines, based on past experience.

I did say tables, but my mistake, I meant to say the one table. A full table at early mornings though? Maybe I will just stick to the boardwalk route and just hit them as I pass.

Most casinos have a limited number of tables open in the morning, so tables, including the $5 table at Borgata, tend to be busy.

Interestin observation

You bring up an interesting point, Aslan. At what point does it become cost effective for a casino to open up more $5 tables instead of having a dozen "no action" bodies standing around waiting.

I have seen it fairly easy to get on in the early morning hours. I have seen it full even then. I rarely see it without someone standing behind the table wanting to get on.

Sometimes a pit creature will say that you can't play two hands on either a $5 or $10 table if someone wants to get a seat. Other pit critters will not enforce that rule. I wish they'd get their act together on that one.

Part of the answer has to do with what would be $5 table players do when they can't get a seat. If they go to the $10 or $15 tables. or if they go to the slots or craps, then the casino has no problem. The $5 table has successfully lured them in, and now they've been switched to even better games for the house. If they just stand there all morning or all day hoping for a seat, then the house needs to think about opening a second $5 table as you suggest. Borgata does try to have something for everyone, but I don't think their heart is in having a fleet of $5 tables.

I was hoping for at worst 2 other people at the table. But the main reason I would be going is for the 6D games rather than the 5$ min. Although the min. bet would really help manage my money better. Do they use hand shuffling or ASM's?

Both.

Pen varies from dealer to dealer, although marching orders (gratefully disregarded by some dealers), is less pen when big money is present and when tables are crowded, such as weekends. You can find anything from >80% to <60% depending on the dealer and, I suppose, how much pressure the house is putting on dealers to comply with house policy. I find Borgata dealers and pit people to be customer friendly and a cut above the fray. It's a pleasant place that can easily lull you into full play and empty pockets.

Yea, I figure wherever you go, there will be some good dealers who will go the extra mile to give you good pen and then again there will be the ones that want you to lose. Is the hand shuffle procedure they use exploitable? I've been trying to put together some more tricks now that I can move freely from casino to casino. Thanks for your replies...I want to be fully prepared for my next trip

I'm not your expert. As I recall, the shuffle is first to replace the undealt portion in four places in the stack of dealt cards. Then separate the six decks into four piles and take the tops of the two on the left and dovetail them with the tops of the two on the right. Repeat until done, then divide into two piles and take the tops off each and shuffle them onto a single pile until done. I guess that is susceptible to tracking a couple of sequences, but I have developed no skill in this area. Good luck.

I really don't have much skill in this area either...I've only recently began toying with it. The procedure you describe seems to be pretty decent. I've been to other places, which I don't want to mention publicly, that have poor shuffling techniques. Maybe because it was a weekend and they just wanted to get the cards in play rather than spend 8-10 min. shuffling. Either way, I'm gunna give it a go and see what happens. thanks