General AC advice

[ARK]

This is NOT a thread asking what games are good in AC. So no need to divulge your secrets.

I'm Chicago based but found some dirt cheap flights direct to AC. I'm relatively new to counting and have only played in the Illinois/Indiana area. Since counters cannot be banned in AC, I've read that I can expect a lot of crappy rules (what else is new) and unfriendly pits (this would be new for me).

I'm looking for general advice for playing under these "legal" conditions. Any tips/thoughts/things to look for/thing to avoid? Or just proceed business as usual? I mostly play $10-$15 shoes but will play favorable $25 tables as well.

 

[moo321]

Chicago is better than AC. Not even close. And chicago isn't that good...

 

[FLASH1296]

You have been seriously misled.

You cannot be formally "barred"

What they do, and they do it A LOT

They "half-shoe" you or they "bet-restrict"

you to one hand of $5 to $50

irrespective of the original table stakes.

 

[21forme]

I'ts not worth the trip, even if it were free.

 

[ARK]

You have been seriously misled.

You cannot be formally "barred"

What they do, and they do it A LOT

They "half-shoe" you or they "bet-restrict"

you to one hand of $5 to $50

irrespective of the original table stakes.

This is what I meant to say... I know that I cannot be "barred" so they would try different methods to counter that.

Seems like a lot of negative sentiment towards AC. Is it really that bad? How soon do these counter measures kick in? I would have thought that lots of short sessions at different casinos/pits/shifts would help somewhat.

 

[assume_R]

This is what I meant to say... I know that I cannot be "barred" so they would try different methods to counter that.

Seems like a lot of negative sentiment towards AC. Is it really that bad? How soon do these counter measures kick in? I would have thought that lots of short sessions at different casinos/pits/shifts would help somewhat.

It's not so much that the heat is really bad, but rather the games are really bad. You'll be hard pressed to find even medium penetration, and that coupled with H17 and no LS, creates an extremely non-lucrative environment.

That's not to say that other AP's don't have their favorite dealers (with good pen), alternative games (non-BJ), and other AP techniques, that work very well in AC, but those take time to find, while you can just play better games elsewhere.

 

[alwayssplitaces]

AC is just good for poker, since there are a lot of tourists in the summer.

 

[Gamblor]

AC is just good for poker, since there are a lot of tourists in the summer.

Just don't bother playing at a place like Bally's at 2 AM on a Monday morning like I did. Think the combination of higher comp rates and multiplied rewards tend to attract the non-tourists :laugh:

 

[blackjack avenger]

to the OP

Wong
Play with few players
Play 2 hands
-2 TC go to new table
Look for fast dealers and players
Good penetration
Spreading bet ramp
Don't sit through shuffle if just counting
H17 or s17 less important
If some of above is not met go to next casino.

Probably don't play evenings due to crowds?

 

[FLASH1296]

If you can get to A.C. you can get to Pennsylvania.

Enuf' said.

 

[Wookets]

If you can get to A.C. you can get to Pennsylvania.

Enuf' said.

The only problem with this, as you know, is the lack of desirable/comped rooms in most of PA (especially in the Philly area).

 

[Gamblor]

The only problem with this, as you know, is the lack of desirable/comped rooms in most of PA (especially in the Philly area).

You probably won't find a cheap room within Philly, unless you like your room extra stainy and infested with hookers.

But I know you can find a $50-$60 rooms in a nearby motel in Chester (not too far from Philly either), Mt. Pocono (Scotrun), Wilkes Barre and presumably Bethlehem.

Places with hotels on the property itself (like Mt. Airy and Sands) are exorbitantly expensive (+$100 on a weekday).

But nothing beats AC with their free (or dirt cheap rooms) that you can just bumble up to early in the morning after playing for 12 straight hours.

 

[melbedewy]

This is what I meant to say... I know that I cannot be "barred" so they would try different methods to counter that.

Seems like a lot of negative sentiment towards AC. Is it really that bad? How soon do these counter measures kick in? I would have thought that lots of short sessions at different casinos/pits/shifts would help somewhat.

No it is a great place in the summer. Make sure you have a corn dog and a funnel cake.
Just don't think because "they can't bar counters" makes the place any better than LV, or Chicago for that matter.

It isn't.

 

[FLASH1296]

This is an issue that coalesces around the stakes / hours one plays.

if one bets green then they can afford to pay for a motel room.

 

[21forme]

This is an issue that coalesces around the stakes / hours one plays.

if one bets green then they can afford to pay for a motel room.

Flash beat me to it. Think of the difference between H17 and S17/LS. The difference in EV pays for your hotel room. There are also a bunch of decent chain motels near Parx.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Flash beat me to it. Think of the difference between H17 and S17/LS. The difference in EV pays for your hotel room. There are also a bunch of decent chain motels near Parx.

I concur. There are 5 stores from Mt. Airy to Chester in PA, and a careful counter can ply his trade between them and eke out a decent income. You don't need a huge spread to beat a S17 LS game. The promotions aren't bad either.

 

[Gamblor]

I concur. There are 5 stores from Mt. Airy to Chester in PA, and a careful counter can ply his trade between them and eke out a decent income. You don't need a huge spread to beat a S17 LS game. The promotions aren't bad either.

Add two more if you don't mind going an hour west or so. Wilkes-Barre and Harrisburg.

 

[flyingwind]

I'ts not worth the trip, even if it were free.

that bad?

btw, nice thread. I found all this info very enlightening!

 

[flyingwind]

Even if in AC they cannot bar you, will they flyer you to the rest of the country?

 

[pieinthesky]

AC flyers

Several years ago, I was half-shoed playing rated at Borgata. I never had a problem playing rated at any MGM or Boyd property in LV (though some of the Boyd stores half-shoe everyone).