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.

by ·Comments Off on 3 Tools To Improve Your Skills At Blackjack

Looking to improve your skills at Blackjack? You’ve come to the right place. While Blackjack is a great game that’s a ton of fun with a good group of friends, it can be intimidating to approach at first. Other players at the table will often question your decisions. Worse still, they’ll loudly complain if you make an “incorrect” play that results in them busting. Just a little bit of work will help you avoid these scenarios, however. With that in mind, here are some resources that will help you hone your skills at Blackjack and ensure that no one will think that you’re playing in the wrong manner. Here’s how to get started.

Important Disclaimer: I am not claiming that taking any of the actions below will make you a winning player at Blackjack. Like all casino games, the house retains the edge and you will lose over the long term. Still, it’s important to be prepared and be the best player you can be at the game.

1. Learn Basic Blackjack Strategy

Learn Blackjack!
Don’t take it too seriously.

When playing, you’ll often hear players mention “the book” and what action it dictates they should take. This book is basic Blackjack strategy. Given certain rules of the game, there are optimal actions you can make as a player. This will maximize your chances of winning and other players will take note and nod along even in the face of losses knowing that you made “the right” plays.

The best part about basic strategy in Blackjack is that’s it’s incredibly easy to learn. There’s an exhaustive Blackjack guide that you can view here.

Another common tactic is to bring a “strategy card” that tells you exactly what your optimal play is given certain cards, rules, etc. You can pick up a strategy card over at Amazon here. You can bring these to the Blackjack table with you or simply have them along in case you need to brush up on your strategy before sitting down.

2. Learn to Card Count

21 Movie Blackjack
It doesn’t work like this.

Once you grasp the basics, you may be ready to take your Blackjack game to the next level. While not illegal, card counting is a somewhat controversial practice. The basic jist of it is that as a player, you have the ability to watch and track what cards have come out from the deck. Under the right circumstances, you would increase your bet amount if those conditions are favorable, thus shifting the advantage to the player instead of the house.

Unlike in glorified movies like “21,” the reality of a card counter is that playing is a grind, and you need to be constantly alert in regards to how the game is flowing. Even if you play absolutely correctly, you’ll only be shifting the game edge to a slight advantage to you. I don’t card count myself, but if you’re interested, the best resource I’ve come across can be found over at Black Jack Apprenticeship.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Casino movie Blackjack
Remember this movie?!

It can be helpful to practice your Blackjack game outside of the pressure of a live table. This is especially true if you’re just starting out and run into scenarios where you’re not sure what the “correct” play is according to the book. Nicole and I prefer to get a little something when we’re practicing, so we recommend using the MyVegas Blackjack app, which can be found over at Google Play and the Apple store. It’s free and allows you to earn comps for the best casinos is Las Vegas and The Borgata in Atlantic City. For a full run down of how MyVegas works, check out our guide here.

by ·Comments Off on Atlantic City Table Minimums During COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted a huge number of industries across the country, and Atlantic City Casinos are no exception. Traffic is down, restaurants are closing, and table minimums during COVID are up significantly. Casinos have also needed to take steps to separate players and keep their staff safe. It’s just not a great time to be a gambler.

COVID Means a Lot of Changes

As a result of these changes, casinos are trying to squeeze as much revenue as they can from each player. This means that you’re likely to see increased table minimums across the board in Atlantic City, at least until the pandemic passes and we can return to some sense of normalcy.

Safety Shields Like This One are the New Normal

Still, it’s not all bad. You can still gamble cheaply online in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My wife and I do a “virtual” casino night every so often and play blackjack, slots, baccarat, or poker. That’s likely your safest play until a viable vaccine for the virus is released.

Table Minimums During COVID

Personally, I’m still not comfortable venturing inside a real casino until this all blows over, but I have been doing some fact finding as to what table minimums to expect while the virus still rages on. As a general rule, you should tack on $10-$15 to whatever normal minimums you see for Craps, Roulette, or Blackjack. I would also be sure to check on New Jersey’s restrictions for travel, as they’ll continue to change over the coming months as well, and often at short notice. Good luck out there!

by ·Comments Off on Atlantic City Skyline: Hotels For the Best Views

Atlantic city has a reputation for being very rough around the edges, but that doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t boast a beautiful skyline at night. Most of the boardwalk hotels will have a nice view of the ocean if you’re willing to pay up for an “ocean view” room or a suite, but some hotels have a great view of the sea or the city skyline no matter what room you’re in. Our favorite views can be found below.

Best View of the City: The Borgata

If you’re looking for a great view of the city itself, then you’ll need to get off the boardwalk and head over to the Marina. The Borgata is unquestionably our favorite casino in Atlantic City, and the beautiful view is part of that. No matter where you are in the hotel, you’ll have a nice view of the bay or city skyline. If the view is important to you, make sure you request a higher floor.

This is the view from a suite, though normal rooms are great too!

Best View of the Water: Ocean Resort

Ocean has quite the troubled past, but there’s no question that the billion dollar resort is on the rebound these days. One of the best parts of staying at this hotel and casino is that just about every room has a wonderful view of the sea. No more paying up for an “Ocean View” room that’s still sub-par on many occasions (Looking at you, Tropicana). Unless you’re on the first 3 floors, you’ll have a great view like this one:

View from Ocean Casino Room.
View From The 22nd Floor

While Borgata is my go-to stay when it comes to being in Atlantic City, Ocean Resort comes in at at a close second. Having a nice view is just a great way to round out your stay. Whether you’re looking for a great Atlantic City skyline view or a nice calming look at the ocean, the city has something for everyone.

by ·Comments Off on Blackjack Switch in Atlantic City

As a light gambler, I normally stick to the “classic” versions of games when it come to Blackjack and Craps, but there are always exceptions to the rule. I recently discovered a fun variant that I enjoy, Double Attack Blackjack, which I did a write up on here. Today I’m here to write about another popular variant, Blackjack Switch, and run down where you can find the game to play in Atlantic City.

Here’s What a Blackjack Switch Table Looks like

How to Play

I won’t go into too much detail on how to play Blackjack Switch, as you can find a more in-depth guide here. In short, the game plays just like normal Blackjack, with the key exception being that you are dealt two hands instead of 1. Once dealt, the player has the option of switching the second card dealt to each hand. This gives you the feeling of having a little more control over the outcome of the game. Another key difference is that a dealer of total 22 will result in a push rather than a win for the player.

Where to Play Blackjack Switch in Atlantic City

Blackjack Switch was originally introduced to Atlantic City in 2009, but there are a variety of casinos that currently offer this variant. The full list can be found below:

I have not been to the Borgata since the Pandemic, but I’ll have to see if they’re currently offering this the next time I’m in town.

Blackjack Switch Minimums in Atlantic City

These minimums will have undoubtedly change with the onset of COVID-19, but during my last visit I saw the table minimums for this game range from $10-$25, with the higher minimums being found at Caesar’s and the cheapest tables being found at Harrah’s.

by ·Comments Off on How to Get Free Nights in Atlantic City

When traveling, one of the largest expenses you’ll run into is accommodations. Most commonly, travelers take to discount hotel sites like Hotels.com or Groupon hoping to nab a decently nightly rate. Unlike other hotels in the world, however, casinos have a vested interest in getting you through the door. Thus, getting free nights is the holy grail of places like Atlantic City. The only question left is: How do you get free nights? Here are the options available to you.

Earn free stays in AC

1. Use Reward Sites and Save Up For Free Nights

If you’re not spending enough money to earn casino comps or don’t want to spend the time on MyVegas, this is your best option for free nights in Atlantic City. These are mostly shopping portals that will give you a percentage of cash back for things you are buying anyway. Picking up a video game on eBay? Earn some points. Starting a new home improvement project at Lowe’s? Earn some points! It will take time, but if you’re spending the money anyway, why not get some free nights out of the deal? Here are my personal favorites that I use on a regular basis (NOTE: These are referral links, so I will earn a small commission if you sign up. Help us keep the lights on!)

  1. Rakuten (Formerly Ebates) – When making an online purchase through Rakuten, you’ll earn cash back in the range of 1-5%. Don’t expect to get rich quick, but there are hundreds of stores to shop through.
  2. MyPoints – Mypoints is a great alternative to Rakuten as you can earn points without spending any money! Surveys, e-mails, watching ads, etc. can all help you build a high enough balance to redeem for free hotel stays. They have an elaborate shopping portal as well.

2. Gamble Enough Money

This is the tried and true method of getting free nights at any casino, and Atlantic City is no exception. The math here gets fuzzy, especially when it comes to table games. Casinos try to nail you down as a high roller vs. low roller, what types of bets you make, etc. The pit boss is there to keep an eye on the players and what they’re spending. If you spend enough at a quick enough pace, free nights are sure to follow.

The obvious downside is that you’re spending the money anyway. Casinos aren’t going to hand out free nights in Atlantic City that easily. Being a new player is normally your best shot, as casinos will want to try and entice you to come back a time or two. If you don’t spend enough, however, those offers will dry up. Comps can be a bit of a mystery, as no one really knows what algorithm the casinos use to dole out freebies. You can bet that you’ll be spending more than the average nightly rate to earn them, however.

3. Use MyVegas To Earn Free Nights

If you haven’t heard of the app “MyVegas,” be sure to check out our full guide here. Basically, it’s a set of casino apps that allows you to play for free and earn loyalty points over time. If you have enough points, you can get all sorts of freebies at my favorite casino: The Borgata.

Beyond discounts on food and free drinks, MyVegas allows you to earn free nights in Atlantic City as well. These rewards are awesome, but they do have limitations. Most notably, they’re almost always for weeknight stays only, so don’t expect a Saturday in the Summer to open up. They also require a fairly high number of loyalty points to redeem as well. Looking past those drawbacks, however, you’re getting a great value.

by ·Comments Off on Craps Side Bets in Atlantic City

Once you’ve nailed down how to play Craps and have a good handle on where to play the lowest minimums, you may notice some interesting side Craps side bets in Atlantic City. While these bets to tend to carry a high advantage to the house, they can still be an exciting way to get in on the action of a great roll without risking much money. Here is the breakdown of what to expect.

Fire Bet in Craps

What is the Fire Bet?

One of the most popular side bets you’ll find in Atlantic City is the Fire Bet. If you take it, you’re betting that the shooter will be able to establish and win a variety of unique points. The more unique points the shooter gets, the more you win. Some casinos use different payouts, but here is the most common Pay Table:

6 Points Made: 999
5 Points Made: 249
4 Points Made: 24

Where to Find the Fire Bet in Atlantic City

Sure, it’s a long shot, but if you’re a low-roller like myself, it allows you to participate in great rolls for as little as one dollar. You can currently find Fire Bets in Atlantic City at the casinos below:

Bonus Craps: All Tall, All Small, All or Nothing at All Bets

All Small, All Tall, All or Nothing at All

Often referred to as “Bonus Craps,” these bets consist of 3 options:

  • All Small: You win if the shooter manages to roll every number from 2 to 6 before rolling a seven. Pays 30 to 1.
  • All Tall: You win if the shooter manages to roll every number from 8 to 12 before rolling a seven. Pays 30 to 1.
  • All or Nothing at All: You win if the shooter manages to roll every number from 2 to 12. Pays 175 to 1.

Where to Play Bonus Craps in Atlantic City

Bonus Craps is another fun long-shot that keeps you in the game even if you’re just betting a number or two. It also adds an additional level of excitement when you’re “this close” to connecting to an All Small, All Tall, etc. You can currently find Bonus Craps in Atlantic City at the casinos below:

So there you have it! If you find any additional locations to find Craps side bets in Atlantic City, feel free to let us know in the comments and we’ll have them added to the list! Feel free to share stories of your big wins on these as well.

by ·Comments Off on Online Table Game Minimums: New Jersey

If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and looking to head out to your local casino, you’ll quickly find out that they’ve been shuttered for at least the next month or so. Thankfully, residents in a number of states have the option of gambling online, and we’ve decided to provide a break down of online table game minimums in New Jersey below.

While there are a number of online casinos to choose from, our personal favorite is Pokerstars. They’ve been an established brand for many years, their software works well, and they provide the option of live dealer games. All-in all, it’s a win win!

Online Roulette Minimums

Roulette continues to be a popular choice for online casino gaming. As a friendly reminder, you can view live table game minimums in Atlantic City here. For the sake of brevity, we won’t be breaking it down by casino as they tend to be uniform minimum across the board:

  • Online Roulette Table Minimums – Electronic – $0.10
  • Online Roulette Table Minimums – Live Dealer – $5.00 ($10 during prime times)

Both of these options have multiplayer capability via Pokerstars, so it’s as close as you’re going to get to the real deal as of the time of this writing!

Online Blackjack Minimums

Blackjack is available as a number of different variants online in New Jersey, but the minimums below are strictly in regards to the traditional version of the game:

  • Online Blackjack Table Minimums – Electronic – $0.10
  • Online Roulette Table Minimums – Live Dealer – $10.00 ($15 during prime times)

Both of these options have multiplayer capability via Pokerstars, so it’s as close as you’re going to get to the real deal as of the time of this writing!

Online Baccarat Minimums

Baccarat is a fantastic game to learn online since you can play at much lower minimums than you could with any live table. New Jersey offers options for virtual play with a live dealer as well. Here are the numbers:

  • Online Baccarat Table Minimums – Electronic – $0.10
  • Online Roulette Table Minimums – Live Dealer – $10.00 ($15 during prime times)

There you have it! An easy breakdown of current online table minimums in New Jersey. Let us know in the comments of there are any additional games you’d like to see here!

by ·Comments Off on Coronavirus Gambling: Free Online Options During Quarantine

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few months, you’ve probably been directly affected by the spread of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). Countries are shutting down, employees are working remotely, and many of your favorite hobbies are no longer accessible. Gambling is no exception.

Not quite as exciting as live play, but at least you won’t need to wear sunglasses.

With that in mind, it’s important to know that there are still plenty of places online for you to get your gambling fix. Important Note: While there are offshore sites that allow you to play online, we won’t be mentioning those here as I don’t support giving your hard-earned money to potentially illegal activities. We’ll be focusing on legal sites, some free, that allow you play for fun and pass some time while you’re stuck at home.

Free Online Poker Options

There are a few options to play online while you’re quarantined at home without spending any hard earned money. These are poker sites that either allow you to compete in free rolls online or use token systems with optional purchases. Note that we’re not affiliated with the sites below.

  • NLOP (National League of Poker) – NLOP has been around for a number of years ever since the online poker market was shut down at the Federal level, and I’ve been playing here for years as well. For logging in each day, you’ll earn tokens which allow you to join tournaments for real cash prizes, and they have token packages available for purchase, too. The level of play, as you might is expect, has a high level of variance, so don’t expect too many pros in the player pool.
  • Quarter Poker – Quarter Poker has also been around for a number of years now as well, and takes a similar “Sweepstakes” model that NLOP uses. They host daily free rolls for cash that can help you pass the time without emptying your wallet.