Parx blew it.
Visited Parx this past Sunday evening. This casino could have really had an edge over worsening Atlantic City conditions, but didn't take advantage of it. Good rules as mentioned in a previous post, S17, 3:2 blackjack, etc... Unfortunately, the casino took a different approach to combat counting and made blackjack games more player unfriendly in a non-traditional type of display.
Three different blackjack table styles:
1) Continuous shuffling machines (CSM). Walked right past those.
2) Non-CSM, 8 (or 6?, not quite sure) deck, hand/machine(non-CSM) shuffled games. But get this- they do not have a discard tray, and the shoe is covered. That way a player can not see how much of the shoe is remaining. The dealt cards go in a slot in the table. When the cut card comes out of the shoe, the dealt cards are taken from under the table, shuffled, and placed back in the capped shoe. Approximately 75% penetration, but is irrelevant.
3) The last, and only chance of advantage for a counter, is 8 (or 6?) deck w/ a discard tray, normal open top shoe, and hand/machine(non-CSM) shuffled. However, bets and card play are done electronically. Players make decisions on a touch pad screen in front of them. The problem with this of course, is software can easily monitor players decisions, bets, according to count. Thus, spot counters more easier then traditional means.
Place was packed, and all tables were $25 min and up.
For any player, even for non advantage players, CSMs tend to be avoided, as players are learning of the disadvantages. Those non-CSM, non discard tray, covered shoes are a nuisance for all casual players because people want to know when the shoe will end. Finally, the electronic versions may not be well taken, because of the absence of traditional chips a player gets to fiddle around with.
As of this posting, Trump Plaza and the Borgata in AC have the best rules and best play compared to Parx, and other AC casinos.
If I were a casino owner/executive, I'd make great rules and widely advertise them! Clearly show the advantage of my house rules over the competitions. Even the typical non-advantage, casual player can understand plain, simple numbers of house edge and how they won't lose as much money as fast.
What does an AC casino got to lose? They are on the path to go under anyway, and some may declare bankruptcy sooner then later. Take a chance and go beyond the competition. Is a casino really going to lose more money to advantage players, then the increase in take from casual players knowing they are playing a better game? If this is attempted by a dying casino and fails, what difference did it make? None. The company was facing closure anyway. If the casino takes this approach and turns things around, they have achieved great success.