by ·Comments Off on Our Atlantic City Day Trip Guide

With our recent move to Cape May, NJ, we decided to write up an Atlantic City day trip guide based on our recent experience. Thanks to MyVegas, we managed a free dinner, slot play, and a fruitful craps session. In short, we had an absolute blast! Hours of fun for a jaw-droppingly low total. Want to join in? Here’s how to have an epic day trip.

Luck Helps, But it isn’t Everything!

Where to Go

It should be no surprise that the Borgata is our casino of choice, and for good reason. The infamous $5 Blackjack table may be gone, but you can find a lot of value in a day trip to Atlantic City’s finest casino. Our main reason for choosing the Borgata on this latest trip is that we used everything MyVegas had to offer loaded up. This included (Per person except for parking, which we only needed one of since we travelled with one car):

  • Free Parking
  • $10 Free Slot Play
  • $10 Free Dining

Sure, you aren’t going to get rich with these freebies alone, but an extra $20 in slots and $20 in free helped to subsidize our night of fun and gambling. They are also quite cheap in terms of loyalty points, so just a day or two of slot play on the MyVegas app (Free, of couse), will get you all of these. Best of all, you can use them every 30 days!

Where to Eat

Izakaya Borgata
We Always Sit at the Bar

We managed to arrive just as Izakaya, Borgata’s Asian Fusion restaurant, opened. We normally sit at the bar, order a few drinks, and get an appetizer or two. We splurged a little here and our tab ended up being around $100, but we had enough in MGM rewards points to cover the whole thing. It was a delightful surprise! With full bellies and some social lubricant in our systems, we were ready to gamble.

What to Play

We waltzed around the casino looking for our slot of choice – Lord of the Rings. The iterations on this slot have changed over the years, but we always manage to find one. The slots gods treated me poorly, as usual, but my wife managed to win $20 with her free slot play. Feeling brave, we wandered over to the craps table, which unsurprisingly stuck to the weekend minimums of $15.

Final Thoughts and Winnings Tally

We played craps for about 3 hours and ended up about $60 in total! If you like this content and enjoy our Atlantic City day trip guide, it’s definitely something we’ll be doing again in the near future. I highly recommend loading up on your MyVegas freebies, sticking to your budget, and monitoring your alcohol intake if you have to drive. Good luck out there!

by ·Comments Off on Step by Step Guide: Earn $40 and Free Borgata Nights Via MyVegas (No Spending Required)
Victory Dance!

I realize that the post title ($40 and Free Borgata Nights) sounds good to be true, but stay with me until the end and I promise we’ll get there. As someone who loves to gamble but doesn’t love to lose, earning free stuff is the best way to offset my (meager) gambling budget. Ready to earn some cash and stay at one of the best hotels in Atlantic City for free? Here we go.

Step 1: Sign Up for Swagbucks (Free)

Swagbucks (This is a signup link and will give us a small referral bonus) is a rewards site that serves as a shopping/deal portal. Advertisers put their offers on the site, Swagbucks gets their cut, and offers you a reward for shopping, playing games, etc. I’ve personally redeemed thousands of dollars worth of rewards (No, not with referrals but by shopping/deals) on Swagbucks and can happily confirm that they’re legitimate. One of the more popular offers is the app MyVegas, which allows you to play slot games and earn points for hotel stays in Las Vegas and, yes, Atlantic City. Signing up will allow you take advantage of these offers!

Step 2: Use the MyVegas Offer and Download the App

MyVegas is an app that has officially partnered with MGM. You can view our full guide here, but if you signup for MyVegas through Swagbucks, you can earn $40 USD (4,000 Swagbucks) just for playing the game. You earn your rewards and you earn the cash, so there really isn’t any downside. Note that you’ll need to play consistently at first, which we’ll get to in the next step below.

Step 3: Reach Level 135 In 7 Days

Here is the most difficult task that awaits you, though it shouldn’t be too bad for most. Play consistently each day and gather XP (Be sure to send chips to friends and follow MyVegas on Facebook for extra chips). I was able to do this in about 5 days of consistent slot play. Once you reach level 135, you should see your 4,000 Swagbucks pending in your account. This will take 14 days to “settle,” but once done you are able to redeem those bucks for gift cards or directly to your Paypal account as cash monies.

There you have it! A quick and easy way to earn comps for the Borgata and a decent chunk of beer money in the process. If you run into any trouble during the process above, be sure to reach out to Swagbucks’ support team with any questions or concerns.

by ·Comments Off on Our Favorite Atlantic City Groupon Deals
Let’s Make the Most of It!

I have to admit that, while I love our Atlantic City trips, I have a tendency to try and stretch out our non-gambling dollars as much as possible. Usually this includes redeeming as many MyVegas rewards as possible, keeping an eye out for the best hotel prices, and saving up points/miles so I can stay for free. Those shouldn’t be the only weapons in your frugal arsenal, however. You shouldn’t forget about sites like Groupon, which offer steep discounts for hotel rooms, drinks, and food! Here are our favorite Atlantic City Groupons for you to take advantage of.

Important Note: Be sure to use Rakuten (Formerly eBates) when buying anything on Groupon. Rakuten gives you 2% cash back on any purchases made there (Affiliate Link).

1. Little Water Distillery Tour

No Atlantic City trip would be complete without sampling some of the local flavor, and Little Water Distillery has you covered! This Groupon includes a tour, tasting, and shotglasses as a nice souvenir to remind you of the good times and (hopefully) some winning.

2. Hard Rock Cafe

The Hard Rock Casino has been a recent newcomer to the scene, and this Groupon gives you a good excuse to go and check it out. While not the best food in the world, the Hard Rock brand is recognizable and affordable. Go eat on the cheap so you can put that money to work on the tables!

3. Absecon Lighthouse

OK, so I might be a little biased with this one. I think lighthouses are awesome, and I’m a sucker for a good view. This little piece of history is still hanging out just outside the range of casinos, so why not take a break from gambling and check out this neat little Atlantic City Groupon? Worth a shot!

by ·Comments Off on Atlantic City Jitney: Our Guide and Schedule

If you’ve visited AC as much as we have, you’ve probably noticed the Atlantic City Jitney shuttles at some point and wondered what their purposes is. Some of them seem to be circling around casinos while others have unique nameplates letting you know they’re for someone’s birthday or bachelor party. Well wonder no more! We’re here to let you know exactly what they’re for and how to properly utilize them.

You’ll See Them Around

Schedule and Routes

The Jitneys can be a great way to get around to Atlantic City if you know where (and when) to look for them. A full list of routes can be found here on their site, but the main routes of interest for casino goers are as follows:

Main Jitney Route: Travels along the boardwalk casino hotels (Ocean, Resorts, Tropicana, etc.) as well as the Marina (Borgata, Golden Nuggets, etc.).

Route 6: Stays specifically in the Marina, allowing you to jump between the casinos in that area (Borgata, Golden Nugget, Harrah’s). This one is particularly helpful because the hotels are an awkward distance apart. They’re too close to call an uber for, but too far to walk (And the walking paths are..not well marked).

Getting Tickets

Getting Jitney tickets always seemed to be the hurdle for me, but it doesn’t have to be! The process is very straightforward. You can check out your full array of payment options here, but the long and short of it is that you can pay to get on in cash ($2.50). You can also buy tickets in advance but the list of locations is…colorful. Mostly check-cashing places or a deli mart, so not my first choice. You can also use the Jitney app, which I’d recommend even if passengers have had some challenges according to the reviews.

by ·Comments Off on Long Bar Borgata Review

When it comes to the best bar venues for sitting down with some friends and relaxing, the Borgata has no shortage of options. Many have a particular theme to focus on such as live entertainment, sports betting, or just having a nice view of the surrounding casino floor. Our Long Bar Borgata review takes a look at this rather unassuming little hole in the wall to find out if it’s worth your time or if you should move on to more exciting locales. Here we go!

Narrow but Fancy

Earn $40 USD and Free Nights At the Borgata With BetMGM’s Official Partner: MyVegas

Ambiance

Long Bar’s layout is small and narrow, so it can look a bit intimidating at first glance if there are plenty of patrons inside. If you have a large group with you, I’d steer clear of this one for that reason alone. Still, the smaller dimensions give it a more cozy feeling than some of the other larger, more sprawling venues that the Borgata offers.

Drink Selection

Long bar has a passable amount of drinks available, though certainly not as extensive as we like to see. Their menu contains about 12 cocktails with a bend towards the classics (Rob Roy stands out as an example). Their beer selection is decidedly sub-par, the best of which is Cape May’s Coastal Evacuation (Which runs at a steep premium of $10 USD). Wines are available as well, though I can’t speak to the quality as it isn’t our drink of choice.

Food Selection

Long Bar provides a number of snacky, pub-type appetizers on their menu, so don’t expect to grab dinner here. We have stopped in here for a quick bite before and found the pretzels to be good, though the sliders were nothing impressive, especially considering the cost ($20 USD). You can take a look at the full menu here.

Full Review Summary

While Long Bar is nicely tucked away and often flies under the radar at the Borgata (Which I like), it rarely comes up as a first choice when we visit. If the other bars are packed and Long Bar has some seats available, then have at it. Otherwise, I think you can safely skip this one.

by ·Comments Off on Our Recent Trip to The Borgata and an Atlantic City Beer Festival Review

I’ve been a big fan of craft beer ever since I was old enough to legally drink. It shouldn’t be surprising then that the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival has been an annual staple for my wife and I. While we had to take 2020 off for obvious reasons (Pandemics are the worst), we were back in 2021 and returned in 2022 to once again see what the state of New Jersey had to offer beer fans. We also stayed at the Borgata, our favorite casino in the city. Here’s how it went!

Atlantic City Beer Festival Review

I look forward to this beer festival every year, and for good reason! Not only is it a fair excuse to spend the weekend in Atlantic City, it also brings together over 100 breweries from the region and puts them into one convenient place. Since the pandemic, the beer festival now takes place outside at Bader field, just a short (10 minute) Uber Ride from the Borgata.

Atlantic City Beer Festival Review
Nicole is always having fun!

The weather was perfect for the beer festival this year (2022). Nice and windy, just below 80 degrees, I couldn’t have asked for a better time. Seriously, go check it out if you have the chance.

Dress Up Time is Optional

Borgata Table Minimums

As always, the Borgata did not disappoint, which is probably why it’s our favorite casino in Atlantic City. Table minimums were definitely on the high side, however. Blackjack and Craps both came in at $15 per throw/hand. We came out ahead, though, which is more than anyone can hope for! Stadium Gaming is also an option for you frugal gamblers out there (hi).

by ·Comments Off on 100X Odds Craps in Atlantic City

Just about every smart Craps player out there knows the importance of the Odds bet, and Atlantic City is no different. It is the only bet in a casino that eliminates the house advantage (Meaning that the bet offers “true odds” and pays out accordingly) . The house knows this as well, of course, and limits how much a player can put behind their pass line bet. Given that knowledge, 100X Odds seems rather crazy then, right? Why would the casino allow the player such a huge advantage? It’s all about marketing. Casino owners would like to get as many players in as possible and hope that they play enough “dumb” bets to make up the difference.

In times past, 100x Odds Craps could only be found in a select few casinos in Atlantic City. These included the Wild West Casino and Bally’s AC (Bally’s changed hands 2 years ago. The new owners are Twin River Worldwide Holdings).

Where can I play 100X Odds Craps in Atlantic City Now?

Unfortunately, we have bad news for players on this front. Neither of these casinos offer 100X odds anymore. They’ve since lowered their maximum odds to 10x. While this is an unfortunate update, it isn’t all that surprising. A good streak at 100x odds could cost casinos a significant sum, though 10x is still very competitive for the area. Both Wild West and Bally’s also have the lowest craps minimums as well. Just about every other casino in Atlantic City will only cede 5X odds to players.

by ·Comments Off on Roll to Win Craps: Where to Play In Atlantic City

We recently finished our first trip to Atlantic City and, much to our surprise, stumbled upon a new game: Roll to Win Craps. This variation combines the elements of a real table and electronic versions of the game (Check them out here). The experience is decidedly different than either version and ultimately serves as a good stepping stone for newer players that may not be comfortable yet with the higher minimums and pressure of a live table. Even as veteran players, we had a total blast with this one.

Roll to Win Craps in Atlantic City
Roll to Win Combines Live Play With Electronic Formatting

Earn $40 USD and Free Nights At the Borgata With BetMGM’s Official Partner: MyVegas

How It Works

For all intents and purposes, Roll to Win Craps plays very closely to the real thing. Each player has a seat at the table, which has one live casino employee (A stickman). The major difference here is that all bets are handled electronically. Each player has their own terminal to place wagers at, which is really helpful if you’re just getting started and have no idea how to play. You can brush up on rules, take a look at payouts, and there is virtually no chance that you’ll interrupt the flow of gameplay. In short, it’s a win-win! If you’re curious, you can check out a quick video on how the game works here.

This variant also provides a number of bells and whistles. When you place your bet, you’ll see your chips shoot out like a meteor from your terminal to the appropriate spot on the board. If you hit a certain number of points as the shooter, the board will “ignite” and light up so that everyone knows there’s a hot hand at play. It adds some spice to a game that’s normally viewed as old-school and stodgy.

Where to Play Roll to Win Craps in Atlantic City

Play Online Casino Games (For Free) and earn $50 through MGM’s Official MGM Slots App!

I’m genuinely surprised this variant of the game isn’t more popular. Maybe it just needs a bit more time to percolate amongst the playerbase, as my wife and I had a blast the last time we went to play in AC! Currently, there is only one casino in Atlantic City that offers Roll to Win Craps: Harrah’s Atlantic City, which is on the Marina side. Harrah’s isn’t our favorite, admittedly, but sometimes it’s enough of a swing to get us to stay there JUST because they have this game available.

by ·Comments Off on Flop Poker in Atlantic City
Flop Poker

While there are a number of Poker variants out there (Criss Cross Poker, for example), Flop Poker is another fun twist that can be found at a number of casinos in Atlantic City. It’s a pretty straightforward game to play as it uses normal poker rules, with each player at the table trying to get the strongest hand that they can. A full list of Flop Poker rules can be found on the Borgata’s site here.

Flop Poker Basics

To summarize, play starts with a “pot” and “ante” bet from each player. You’ll receive a 3-card starting hand as well as a 3 card community “flop” to complete the best 5 card hand you can put together. Once your cards are received, you have the option of folding and losing their ante bet or raise with a flop bet that’s equal to their ante wager. Important Note: Even if you fold, you still may be able to win the pot, so you retain your cards.

Once all players have completed their actions, the dealer will put up 3 cards on the table. As a player, you’ll need to use 3 of your own cards and 2 of these table cards. Once tallied, if you placed an ante wager and a flop wager, you’ll win with at least a pair of jacks. There’s a pay table that you’ll receive that you can peek at here. The pot continues on like a regular poker game and the player with the best poker hand wins. Simple, right?

Flop Poker Table Minimums in Atlantic City

The pandemic has really thrown table minimums for a loop, but during my last stay at the Borgata in June of 2021, the table minimums were $10 per bet.

Where to Play Flop Poker in Atlantic City

Thankfully, Flop Poker is a fairly popular table game and can be found in most casinos in the marina and on the boardwalk. I prefer the marina properties myself, but your mileage may vary. These include:

by ·Comments Off on Criss Cross Poker in Atlantic City

When looking for new table games to try out in Atlantic City, you may want to consider Criss Cross Poker. It’s an interesting variant that was introduced to the gambling world in 2014. It’s popularity has only grown since then, so it’s definitely worth checking out. The game is also readily available in a number of casinos in Atlantic City, and we have a full guide for you pointing out where to play and what to expect for table minimums.

If you’re not familiar with how to play Criss Cross Poker, it’s easy enough to learn. You can find a full guide on how to play here. Basically, the player receives 2 hands and gets to use 5 community cards to build them out. The cards are placed in a “criss cross” pattern, hence the name.

Where to Play Criss Cross Poker

While the game is becoming increasingly common, here are a list of places that you can currently play:

If I had to choose where to play, I’d pick The Borgata. They have a classy setup over there in the Marina, and you also have a chance to find the mysterious $5 Blackjack table!

Criss Cross Poker Table Minimums

While minimums for all table games have been skewed upwards thanks to COVID-19, I saw most Criss Cross Poker Table Minimums end up around $10 per hand. You’ll see this spike to $15-$20 during the pandemic or during peak times, however.