Their registration process is a bit antiquated for tournament play with a 10-15 minute wait in line to be expected for about eight people ahead of you. They require your MGM card, a picture ID and cash. You need to sign and date a form in two places and only then are you given your table card. Be prepared to play 10-handed at your table, something I had thought ended after the COVID-19 pandemic waned. So, those were a couple big differences I noticed versus tournament poker in Vegas.

Tournament #1: Money Goes Poof!

In my first tournament I was completely card dead. In 90 minutes of play I only picked up one ace (A4) and no pocket pairs. I counted exactly nine times a picture card showed up in my hand, and it was never two at the same time. And never suited connectors. Typical holdings were 73, T6, 95, etc. Tournament poker is a game of patience. With constantly rising blinds, you can’t wait for premium hands forever, but you do have to make strategic moves as well as just be fortunate enough to have playable holdings from time to time. In my final hand I was dealt 55 and ended up against 88. I lost, and it was goodbye to my first tournament. It happens to all of us and we need to move on.

Tournament #2: That’s More Like It

In my second tournament I fared better. In one hand I went all-in with AK, to be called by two players with AK and AJ. I was expecting a chop with the other AK but the board ran out with four hearts. Luckily, I was sitting with the only heart on the table, and as such managed to triple up with the nuts.

With the field of 64 down to 12 and nine players making it into the money, I was presented with a problem. I was second in chips at my table. I was dealt KQ unsuited. The massive chip leader at the table bet 3BB. I called and the flop came JQK rainbow, giving me top two pair. The chip leader now bet out for 50K, which was 2/3 of my stack. My predicament was that I could potentially be drawing dead, or at least way behind to a flopped set or straight, and thus miss making the money, despite having strong holdings.

I looked around the table and saw two others with small stacks. At the other table, there were also a few players with small stacks. So late in the tournament, blinds and antes were very high, and it occurred to me that many players would be forced to go all-in within the next couple of hands. So, opting to go for the “sure thing”, I folded and sure enough within five minutes three players busted to leave the final nine all in the money.

Unfortunately, I busted out shortly thereafter, in 8^th place, with my AK all-in pre-flop vs JJ, and no ace or king showed.

Until Next Time

Over the course of the rest of my Atlantic City tournament vacation, I ended up playing in another four daily tournaments. I only made it to the money in one of them, but had a great time trying. Plus, a 33% “cashing rate” is nothing to sneeze at! Hopefully I’ll do even better next time around.

My previous sojourn to the Atlantic City poker rooms, in May 2014, took place while I was on a family vacation to the States, which we had taken to attend my youngest brother’s wedding.

On my way to Atlantic City! SO good to finally be back!

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) May 12, 2014

I have many fond memories of Atlantic City, having been there multiple times in my 20s and early 30s. Back before I was self-employed, it was essentially impossible to take any time off work for poker trips. Living in Israel, where we have no casinos or brick and mortar poker rooms, meant I’d have to board a plane and head FAR away. With work and family responsibilities, visiting poker rooms was mostly something relegated to what I only dreamed of doing back then.

Every once in a while, however, say once a year or so, I’d travel to the Tri-State area to visit family. While I was there, I always tried my best to carve out at least a little time for poker. Once, I even remember taking the subway/bus combo from Brooklyn (a 4+ hour trip in each direction) just to be able to have about six hours to play overnight (I slept during the travel portion). Yes, I know I’m a degen, but when it’s your ONLY chance to play live poker, you grab it and treasure any memories you make.

This time around, I found myself in the vicinity as I had flown in for my nephew’s bar mitzvah. Ah the cycle of life… and poker life.

A Shadow of Its Former Self

I was too young to partake of the festivities during poker’s heydey in Atlantic City, in the mid-90s and early 2000s, but on the half dozen occasions or so I got to visit between 2004-2014 poker was definitely still going strong, albeit beginning to decline. While the Borgata always got the lion’s share of the attention, there was plenty of poker to be found at virtually every major hotel/resort in the city. From the legendary Taj Mahal to the Showboat to Bally’s, Caesars AC, and more, this place was THE hub of East Coast Poker and for good reason. In 2013, once online poker became legalized in New Jersey, it also became possible to get your poker fix anywhere within the Garden State’s borders, as well as play other gambling games in a casino online.

In any event, long gone are the days of Atlantic City being “the only game in town” for East Coast poker players. As casinos and poker rooms have proliferated in neighboring states, like Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland, AC’s slice of the US live poker pie has shrunk considerably. Bluntly speaking, the passage of time has unfortunately not been kind to Atlantic City either. Many resorts have closed entirely, with the famed Boardwalk and other areas very literally losing much of their legendary luster.

The pandemic unfortunately hasn’t helped much either, so much so that when I arrived to play some poker back in August, only three “surviving” poker rooms remained for me to visit: The Borgata, The Tropicana, and Harrah’s AC. Even so, I was excited.

Silver Linings at the Felt

All of that preamble notwithstanding, going in with a positive attitude ensured I’d likely have a good time while playing poker, and I did. My first session took place at Harrah’s.

The face of a guy who had the BEST time pulling his first poker all-nighter in 2+ years (and broke even, lol)

Thanks, @harrahsresort! You’re EXACTLY what I needed.

More to come pic.twitter.com/UC4uonjyZs

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) August 16, 2021

After about six hours of play in that first session, I felt like I was just getting warmed up … but at 5:45am floor staff suddenly announced that the room would be closing “in about 15 minutes”. I couldn’t remember this ever having been the case in the Atlantic City poker rooms, which I always recall being open 24/7, but I suppose things are just different in 2021. Such a shame, too, as they had a good three full tables going.

No matter. There was more poker to be played the next day, and I chose to spend it at “The Trop.”

Last time I visited @TropicanaAC, 14 years ago(!), it was the old “classic” wood-paneled room… Good times…

I like what @CaesarsEnt has done with the place!

Let’s play some cards pic.twitter.com/rMCIl5rltk

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) August 16, 2021

This was definitely not the Tropicana I remembered, but the modern upgrade suited the establishment nicely, especially as management of the property had been taken over by Caesars Entertainment. Down after about five hours of play, I got “saved by the deck” in the form of the room’s high hand promotion. Presto: up for the session!

Longest 40 minutes of the day?

When you’re waiting for your high hand to hold #vacayrungood

Thanks, @TropicanaAC! pic.twitter.com/91yqTw0fHJ

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) August 17, 2021

I stayed at Harrah’s during the trip, so later that evening I was able to get in another short, profitable session within walking distance of my hotel room, which is always a treat. I again “closed the room down”, which left another bittersweet taste in my mouth; who needs sleep on a poker trip?

My last poker session of the brief Atlantic City jaunt is one that’ll always be special to me, as I got to play with my Dad at the Borgata.

What a special opportunity to play poker at @BorgataPoker with my Dad.

Gonna hold on to this memory for a long time. pic.twitter.com/2iLDB1dP0i

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) August 18, 2021

Believe it or not, it was actually my first ever session there, and it truly did live up to its reputation as the only “Vegas-caliber” poker room in the city. Dad and I played for low stakes at the $1/3 Hold’em tables, but a variety of stakes could be found and there were even a couple PLO games going along with a $30/60 mixed game. Plenty of “characters” abounded, too; the kind you tend to find in the Vegas rooms. Let’s just say they helped make our night that much more memorable.

A dozen tables of poker action definitely lit up the night. Even so, the cavernous room had ample space for more poker to be played, with dozens upon dozens of additional tables practically begging to be filled. This room WAS open 24/7, but after a few hours of play it was time for us to rack up (our winnings!) and head back home.

A Great Time Was Had

Anyone who reads this article will see that I’ve reviewed the 2021 Atlantic City poker scene in very broad strokes. Moreover, it’s obviously impossible to have given a 100% spot on accurate review of what poker has been like in the city throughout 2021 from just a 2.5-day visit.

If you’re a professional poker player, quite frankly there are probably numerous better places to ply your trade, save perhaps for certain times of the week at the Borgata. If you’re a low-stakes recreational poker player like me, however, the AC poker scene still offers the opportunity to have some good old fashioned poker fun and make good memories.

18.5 hours of poker

4 sessions in 3 poker rooms

$445 profit

Lots of fun family time with Dad, @muffnman and co.

8 hours of sleep since Sunday morning (only got here Sunday night though, lol)

1 really happy and grateful guy

Thanks for the memories, Atlantic City! pic.twitter.com/G5OG8lV8KZ

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) August 18, 2021

The Northern Route

The “northern” route is really the mid-west route, as the northern states west of Chicago aren’t the most poker friendly. If you want to travel through the Canadian border states, I suggest packing a chipset and bringing some friends with you.

We start this trip out with a bang, visiting the legendary Atlantic City. No East Coast poker trip is complete without hitting the boardwalk of AC. While it is clear we are past the glory days, poker is alive and well down in New Jersey. The Tropicana, Harrah’s Atlantic City, and the Borgata all have poker rooms, the Borgata with an impressive 52 table room. There is plenty of action in AC, and if you need a break from the bad beats, hit the famous boardwalk. You will find plenty of non-poker entertainment there.

Next on the list is Hollywood Casino Columbus in Columbus, OH. With 28 tables ready for action, this room is sure to be a great stop on the trip. The room also hosts some regular tournaments, although check before you go as they may not run every day of the week. Columbus as a city has plenty of attractions, you can visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the Zoo / Aquarium, or head to the North Market and get some amazing food. You’ll be sure to make many memories, both on and off the felt.

After winning heaps in Columbus, you have two choices depending on the desired length of your trip. You can take a short day and hit Hollywood Casino St. Louis (6.5 hours), or you can catch up on your favorite podcast and make it to Harrah’s Kansas City (10 hours). If you decide to take the shorter trip, you’ll most likely be extending your trip by a day. St. Louis will have14 poker tables waiting for you and plenty of non-poker attractions. After a solid poker session, visit the famous Gateway Arch or have a relaxing stroll through the Missouri Botanical Garden. If you fancy yourself a long-haul grinder, make your way to Harrah’s Kansas City and stop by the WWI memorial and museum to learn about the US’s involvement in the great war.

If you find yourself waking up in St. Louis, there is quite the drive until our next stop. Black Hawk, CO has four cardrooms to choose from, Isle Casino, Harrah’s Golden Gates Casino, Monarch Casino, and Ameristar Casino. All casinos are offering heavy poker action and you’ll be sure to enjoy your stay in this Denver suburb. Sadly, Black Hawk is a 13-hour drive from St. Louis, so you may not make it in one day. You can find yourself a nice hotel to crash somewhere just over the Colorado / Kansas border after 10 hours of driving. This leaves a 3 hour trip to Black Hawk and will give you a nice morning or midday poker session before continuing your drive. If you are coming from Harrah’s Kansas City, you have a solid 9.5 hours of driving, but that’s 30 minutes shorter than your previous day. If you take this route you can enjoy a night of poker in Black Hawk, or stop just before and see everything Denver has to offer. If you are a paranormal enthusiast, you’ll love the Twilight Ghost Tour which takes you through Capital Hill, Denver’s notorious haunted neighborhood.

After trekking to Black Hawk, the final two destinations are Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which we covered in the southern route. However, depending on the path you chose you may not hit Vegas right after. Black Hawk to Las Vegas is just over 11 hours of driving. That may be too much for one day and still expect to play some poker. If you do wake up in Black Hawk, you can muster up one more grueling drive and make it there in a day, but it’ll probably be best to get right to bed and spend the next day playing poker all over town. If you took the other option and stayed just over the Colorado / Kansas border, here is where you will add a day. After playing your midday session at Black Hawk, make your way to Grand Junction, CO. Crashing here for the night will give you a nice 7.5-hour drive into Vegas the next day. In Grand Junction, you can go paddle boarding on the Colorado River, or explore the red rock canyons at the Colorado National Monument. This is a great part of the country, and the scenery is spectacular.

Overview

Since we do have some alternatives, I am going to break down an overview of all the possible paths.

The Southern Route 1 – 8 days, 7 poker stops, 1 non-poker stop

Day 1 – 7 hour drive – Maryland Live / MGM National Harbor
Day 2 – 8 hour drive – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
Day 3 – 8 hour drive – Beau Rivage
Day 4 – 9 hour drive – Austin, TX
Day 5 – 8 hour drive – Guadalupe Mountains, TX (no poker)
Day 6 – 8 hour drive – Talking Stick Resort
Day 7 – 5 hour drive – Las Vegas, NV
Day 8 – 4 hour drive – Los Angeles, CA

The Southern Route 2 – 8 days, 7 poker stops, 1 non-poker stop

Day 1 – 7 hour drive – Maryland Live / MGM National Harbor
Day 2 – 8 hour drive – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
Day 3 – 7.5 hour drive – Pensacola Greyhound Track
Day 4 – 8 hour drive – Houston, TX
Day 5 – 9 hour drive – Fort Davis, TX (no poker)
Day 6 – 9.5 hour drive – Talking Stick Resort
Day 7 – 5 hour drive – Las Vegas, NV
Day 8 – 4 hour drive – Los Angeles, CA

The Northern Route 1 – 7 days, 6 poker stops, 1 non-poker stop

Day 1 – 5.5 hour drive – Atlantic City, NJ
Day 2 – 8.5 hour drive – Hollywood Casino Columbus
Day 3 – 6.5 hour drive – Hollywood Casino St. Louis
Day 4 – 10 hour drive – Burlington, CO (no poker)
Day 5 – 8 hour drive total – Black Hawk, CO, then Green River, UT (midday poker stop)
Day 6 – 6 hour drive – Las Vegas
Day 7 – 4 hour drive – Los Angeles, CA

The Northern Route 2 – 6 days, 6 poker stops, lots of driving

Day 1 – 5.5 hour drive – Atlantic City, NJ
Day 2 – 8.5 hour drive – Hollywood Casino Columbus
Day 3 – 10 hour drive – Harrah’s Kansas City
Day 4 – 9.5 hour drive – Black Hawk, CO
Day 5 – 11 hour drive – Las Vegas, NV
Day 6 – 4 hour drive – Los Angeles, CA

Whichever path you choose, a cross-country poker trip is a beautiful thing. You will get to enjoy many great cities, play poker with all walks of life, see the countryside, and make memories you will cherish forever. Who knows. If you play your cards right, you may even make money doing it!

David Williams

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews David Williams, who finished runner-up in the 2004 WSOP Main Event. In 2016, David also became well known outside of the world of poker when he competed in Season 7 of Fox’s MasterChef. Hosted by renown chef Gordon Ramsey, MasterChef is a popular cooking competition shown on television. During the interview, David discusses the experience, making the finals and the behind the scenes of the program. During the last segment, David pays tribute to Mike Sexton.

Image credit: Greg Gayne | FOX

Our guide to Atlantic City has everything you need to know — packing lists, seasonal details, and must-sees — before visiting America’s Playground.

Atlantic City

When to go

By and large, the summer months are considered peak travel season for Monopoly City. Given the current state of the travel industry, Summer 2020 may be out of reach, but you can still score some pretty incredible deals by booking ahead of time or opting for an off-season adventure. In addition to hotel deals and savings specials, the boardwalks are much less crowded and Spring months like March and May offer up just enough sunshine, minus the humidity.

Bottom line: Rates typically drop right after Labor Day, so be on the lookout if you’re planning for a budget-friendly trip!

How to get there

Atlantic City International Airport is located just 9 miles away from the city center, offering both luxury and budget-friendly flight options. Getting to the city from the airport is made simple either by taxi, rental car, or bus service.

Additionally, travelers can fly into Philadelphia instead, and take the hour and a half train into AC for just $10. From Penn Station, you can take the train to Trenton, NJ for $21 and connect to AC’s RiverLINE service.

If you’re road-tripping, consider taking US Highway 9, which is a toll-free (but sometimes more congested) route.

What to bring

Atlantic City is all about beachside fun, so you’ll certainly need the beach basics, but don’t forget these travel essentials:

• Bathing suit(s) — beaches and pools are as far as the eye can see in AC!
• Beach towels — make your mark deckside or reserve your spot on the sand with a recognizable towel.
• Sunscreen — keep your skin looking fresh for a fun night out!
• Sunglasses — the ideal functional and fashionable accessory.
• Robe — elevate your vacation vibe with a summery silk robe (most luxury hotels will provide one, so this one is optional!)
• Portable phone charger — capturing the scenery and connecting with travel partners will be much harder with a dead battery, plan ahead.
• Evening attire — break out your best for AC’s nightlife, and make sure to pay attention to any dress codes for clubs and restaurants on your must-see list!
• Casual wear — sandals, shorts, and a tee are all you really need to enjoy a stroll on Atlantic City’s infamous boardwalk.
• Money — no trip to Atlantic City is complete without a visit to one of the city’s state-of-the-art casinos! Make sure to budget for your trip ahead of time, you won’t want a tight budget getting in the way of your fun while you’re there.

What to do

With so much to see and do in America’s Playground, it’s a good idea to keep some “musts” in mind as you draft up your itinerary!

The Boardwalk

No Atlantic City vacation is complete without a stroll (or several) on the city’s iconic boardwalk. Built in 1870, the AC boardwalk is now home to dozens of amusements, storefronts, and restaurants. Throughout the year, the boardwalk serves as the backdrop for local and national events, including:

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Atlantic City Marathon
• Atlantic City Air Show
• Boardwalk Summer Entertainment Series

Lucy the Margate Elephant

Lucy the Elephant is one of Atlantic City’s quirkiest and most beloved attractions. Standing over 65 feet tall and weighing 90 tons, this 130 year-old sculpture draws over 100,000 visitors each year. Once home to a restaurant, tavern, and even business offices, Lucy is now reserved for sight-seeing and the occasional Airbnb stay as of March 2020.

If you’re looking to add a little whimsy or kid-friendly fun to your AC adventure, you’ll definitely find it here!

Steel Pier

Seeking an adrenaline rush? Look no further than Steel Pier. Filled with thrilling rides and exciting games, the pier boasts a unique setting over the ocean, overlooking Atlantic City’s famous coastline. This is the perfect stop to make if you’re bringing kids along for a family vacation.

Not only are there plenty of activities to keep them entertained, but it’s easy to pay-as-you-go with their carnival ticket system. Single tickets are $1.25 and each ride ranges from 4-8 tickets, making it a great value for your money!

Steel Pier Atlantic City

Gambling

If you’re hoping to try your luck leaving Atlantic City with more money than you came with, opportunity is bountiful. With nine casinos lining the boardwalk and surrounding area, you’re sure to find fun adult-centered games to indulge in following an afternoon at Steel Pier!

Poker

If you are visiting Atlantic City for gambling, playing poker should be a top priority on your list. Atlantic City may not be as glamorous as somewhere like Vegas, but as a result, you will likely be able to save on accommodations, giving you extra cash to play poker with. Borgata’s poker room is easily considered the best place to play poker, even earning accolades across all of the East Coast. The room boasts 85 tables and has been home to prestigious marquee poker festivals from operators such as the World Poker Tour. Aside from Borgata, Harrah’s, Tropicana, and a few other casinos offer poker tables, just not with quite the same level of action as Borgata.

Aquarium

For a break from the summer sun, be sure to check out the Atlantic City Aquarium! Catch a stingray feeding or view a Bearded Dragon lizard during their live animal shows, or simply gaze at the colorful fish for a relaxing recharge. With tons of unique sea species to marvel at and interactive exhibits to learn from, this is a must-see for anyone looking for some enrichment during their stay.

Absecon Lighthouse

Not only is Absecon Lighthouse New Jersey’s tallest, but it also houses fun summer activities such as free yoga classes, live music, and nighttime climbs to its viewpoint.

Wrapping Up

Atlantic City is an ideal backdrop for family fun, adults-only adventures, and more! From historical and aquatic learning experiences to awesome adrenaline rushes, America’s Playground is sure to have something for everyone. As you start planning your upcoming trip, keep these tips and attractions in mind.

Nonetheless, Atlantic City is still worth paying a visit to if you enjoy playing poker, whether live or online. The city still offers more options than most locales around the U.S. and the longstanding gambling Mecca of the East Coast knows what it takes to make players feel welcome. Even with all the hardships as of late, you shouldn’t discard the salt water taffy capital of the world just yet.

Atlantic City skyline

1. Borgata’s Poker Room Is Still Going Strong

Despite multiple casinos and poker rooms shutting down all across Atlantic City, the Borgata has stood the test of time and is still going strong. With a poker room featuring more than 80 tables, you’ll find everything you could possibly ask for – from cash tables across various stakes to daily multi-table tournaments and special events to sit n’ gos.

If you enjoy live poker, visiting Atlantic City specifically to play at the Borgata is probably worth it. It may not have everything you’ll find in Vegas but it is definitely an excellent option for people living in the Tri-state area as well as the rest of the East Coast, for whom a Vegas trip is more logistically complex.

2. Several Other AC Poker Rooms Are Pretty Good, Too

Apart from Borgata, there’s still plenty of good poker action you can find at other Atlantic City venues such as Harrah’s or Tropicana. Although their poker rooms may not be as big or as impressive as what Borgata has to offer, these options still have dozens of tables hot with action. Harrah’s in particular, because of its affiliation with the World Series of Poker brand, hosts some well-regarded, well-attended tournament festivals

The WSOP Circuit pays their annual visit to @harrahsresort in Atlantic City starting today with 13 Circuit rings up for grabs. Check out the lineup at https://t.co/ndxL6cKwk6

— PokerAtlas (@PokerAtlas) March 7, 2019

It is always nice to have many poker room options within close proximity of one another, whether it’s because a particular room won’t happen to have the game of your choice running at a particular time or just for the sake of having some variety.

3. You Can Play Online Poker in Atlantic City

New Jersey is one of the few U.S. states that have regulated online gambling. So, while staying in Atlantic City, you’ll also be able to play online poker. Notable online poker sites, such as PokerStars NJ and WSOP.com offer a slew of cash game and tournament tables active 24/7 at which anyone within the confines of New Jersey can take a seat. Of course, you can also pass some time engaging in other online gambling activities, playing slots or table games at regulated online casinos, the likes of which you can find by visiting CasinoBillions.com NJ.

4. You Can Stay in Atlantic City without Breaking the Bank

One thing that has always been true of Atlantic City is that it’s a great place to take a relatively inexpensive poker vacation. With so many thousands of hotel rooms within just a couple miles of one another, there’s competition for your hard-earned dollars, which means room rates are never too high, save for national holidays. It’ll never be Las Vegas, but Atlantic City will always have a great Atlantic Ocean view as well as its famed Boardwalk, both of which don’t cost a penny for visitors to enjoy.

Cheaper room rates means you can allocate more of your funds towards your main reason for heading there in the first place, i.e., playing poker. Especially in the off-season months, you should be able to find some excellent deals on meals and accommodation, and who doesn’t love to save a few bucks?

Click here for great Atlantic City Poker Vacation deals

5. There’s Plenty of Other (Gambling) Action Going On

While poker may be the main reason for your visit, many of us like to engage with other not-so-skill-heavy gambling activities. If you love to try your luck with some table games such as blackjack, roulette, or craps, you’ll find more than enough options in Atlantic City. The same goes for video slots and video poker, as you’ll find hundreds of machines spread across the various casino floors.

This New Jersey man played his cards right…literally! He won $1 million off of a $5 poker hand in Atlantic City. Now THAT’S a Christmas present! https://t.co/W1vUNMab63 pic.twitter.com/YWVvuqo5Va

— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 26, 2018

Of course, the Garden State gaming capital is still all about having a good time, and it plays host to a number of great shows, comedians, and magicians throughout the year, where you can enjoy a pleasant break from the tables.

So while, its heyday may be in the rear view mirror, let’s not forget that you can still play some great poker and have a good time in Atlantic City.

After reading Jennifer’s article, I couldn’t help but think back to Jason Somerville‘s RunItUp event at Resorts Atlantic City back in May. PokerStars jumped on board to support the initiative and there was certainly a lot of social media buzz surrounding it at the time. During the buildup to the event, it struck me that – buzz notwithstanding – the live event couldn’t be considered a total success unless enough players showed up.

I love promoting poker and it excites me when live events are well attended. As such, I took it upon myself at the time to send an email to a PokerStars official with some unsolicited recommendations that I thought would help the effort.

Much like the May event, last week’s PokerStars Live Festival in New Jersey certainly had its high notes. Somerville’s appeal was once again magical, but even with that, Team Pros out in full force, and plenty of StarsFun activities, attendance figures were low. Post-event, PokerStars Department Head of Live Event Operations Neil Johnson admitted that the company had some learning to do.

Online Marketing vs. Live Marketing

When you’re trying to promote online gambling, you benefit in that all you need potential players to do is make a few clicks. Whether it’s signing up for an account online, claiming the best casino bonuses, or spreading a great deposit offer via sharing on social media, there’s minimal physical exertion required of the target audience. When it comes to promoting live gambling, however, you need potential players to actually get up and leave their homes in order to make their way to the casinos.

Atlantic City isn’t a major city, but it’s close to a couple very large population centers, in New York City and Philadelphia. Casino resorts based in Atlantic City long ago understood that to fill the casino floors with gamblers, they had to help them get there in the first place. The same is true of casinos located on off-the-beaten-path Indian reservations and other harder-to-reach locales. Only if you bring them, will they come.

Bring ’em By The Busload!

Below is an edited-down version of the letter I sent to the PokerStars official back in April. My recommendations were received but not implemented.

One of the “issues with Atlantic City” has always been “getting people there in the first place”, right? That’s why, for years, all the casinos have invested in buses from Philly and NYC to shlep the people from neighboring states – the big cities with the major populations.

If I, as a poker fan/recreational player, lived in NYC or Philly and was offered a free roundtrip bus pass to Resorts AC for the day to go and play poker with famous pros, I’d snap it up in a heartbeat….and probably tell all my poker buddies about it.

I have no idea how Stars’ budgets work and obviously I’m not a professional expert on these sorts of things, but I’m just feeling, that as a fan, if you BRING them, the players will come….3-5 buses from each city, leaving early enough in the morning to get there on time… that’s potentially 300-500 extra physical bodies who you have as a captive audience.

If the message you impart to them is that of 1) it’s fun to play on PokerStars and 2) You guys don’t even have to come all the way to Atlantic City next time you want to play, just hop over the border to your favorite coffee shop/friend’s house, etc. in N. or W. Jersey… then I think you could get some pretty good long-term return on the investment.

Warm regards,

Robbie

Do you think my idea would work? Could you envision a scene of 10 PokerStars buses pulling up to Resorts Atlantic City, and instantly filling up their poker room? If you support the idea, then by all means please spread the word. If you feel it could be improved, comment below or on our Facebook page with your suggestions.

If you’re a poker player, know that THIS is where all the fish are hiding out in Atlantic City.

A Smart Poker Decision I’ve Never Made Before

In retrospect, what stands out to me the most about that night’s poker session is the mindset I had going into it.

As I was leaving my hotel room to head downstairs, I was recalling the fantastic discussion I had back in November with Jared Tendler, author of the Mental Game of Poker (by the way, he just became a daddy for the first time – mazel tov Jared!). When we had met, I revealed to him my biggest leak in live poker room play. What was it? Well, since I rarely get the opportunity to visit the States, I’ve unfortunately got a bug in my head that makes me feel pressured to try too hard to win, which inevitably throws me off my A-game and causes me to lose.

Jared’s solution to my problem was simple. He asked me why I play poker; I responded “because I love the game”. He then repeated the question and I repeated my answer. Then, it clicked. I realized a couple critical things:

1. I’m not a professional poker player. As such, while I should still play to win, winning shouldn’t be the focus of my play. As a recreational poker player, my focus should be on enjoying the game and having fun while at the table. If I win it’s a nice bonus, but if I don’t have fun it’s a guaranteed loss no matter what.
2. I also was able to take a step back and realize that no matter how well I ran or played, one awesome “once in a blue moon” live poker session wasn’t going to make me rich. Thus, I understood that I shouldn’t waste my time, effort, and money trying to force a win (via entering too many pots and trying to get lucky and hit top poker hands), but rather just concentrate on playing the best game I know how.

This latest poker session would represent the first time I’d be able to put the lessons I learned from Jared into practice. I knew my mood would be ruined if I lost too much money, plus I’d have to transition back into “daddy mode” the next morning and nobody – especially a wife and kids – likes a Grumpy Gus. Why have the special family time ruined by remorse over having lost too much playing poker? THAT (not the money) was just not something I wanted to risk.

So, I decided to play in their nightly tournament and then vowed to myself that I’d just sit and play $2/4 limit Hold’em if I busted out. As it turns out, it was one of the smarter poker decisions I’ve made.

One Really Enjoyable Poker Night

I’ll sum up the poker aspects of the session real quickly for you: I lasted for about 2.5 hours in the poker tournament before having my top two pair busted by a rivered straight. Then I kept to my (own) word and played $2/4 limit Hold’em for most of the rest of the night, losing another $30 in the process. But BOY, did I ever have fun!

Entering the session with the aforementioned mindset allowed me to completely disregard whether I’d win or lose money, as even the largest potential loss at those limits wouldn’t faze me. It’s almost as if I was already freerolling. Once that issue was out of the equation, enjoying myself came naturally.

I met a lot of interesting people and had some great conversations with them. One guy, Jeff, was an air traffic controller who was on-duty during 9/11 – that was interesting to say the least. I just made sure that the conversation strayed away from the nine topics you should never discuss at the poker table, which wasn’t too difficult :-). Another two players were sitting next to each other and speaking in a foreign language. Rather than get upset, I just asked if they’d be kind enough to speak in English only while at the poker table, then I proceeded to ask them which language. They answered “Romanian” and we spent the next half hour talking all about Romania!

At some point during the night, the table was in danger of breaking, so I suggested the four of us remaining switch the game to Omaha. The other players kindly obliged, keeping the action going for almost an hour until another couple players joined us. Trust me; there are fewer poker games more fun than short-handed low-limit Omaha!

But among my top memories of that poker night in Atlantic City is the feeling I had at 4am, at the end of the session. I just didn’t want to get up from the poker table. It wasn’t because I was on a tremendous rush, hitting cards left and right. It wasn’t because I was stuck hundreds of dollars and felt pressure to play catch up. It was just because I was having so much fun – the same feeling I have at the end of all my poker home games. It was a feeling I’d never been fortunate enough to have in a poker room until that night.

The Bottom Line for Recreational Poker Players

Whether you’re playing by yourself in a poker room, with your friends in a home game, in top-tier tournaments against pros, or in your local poker league, the overriding goal should always be to have fun. Play poker for the money, sure, but first and foremost, play poker for the love of the game. So long as you do that, I guarantee you’ll end up a winner.

As part of their settlement with the Department of Justice 4.5 months ago, PokerStars retained the right to apply as a real-money online poker operator to the relevant US authorities when applicable through a state or federal framework. The current U.S. legalization path seems to be taking a state-by-state approach, so this potential acquisition represents PokerStars’ attempting to jump on that bandwagon – not to saving a beleaguered Atlantic City.

The Steady Decline of Atlantic City

Regular visitors to our site know that Atlantic City is one of my favorite places to take a poker vacation. The action in the city’s many poker rooms still packs quite the punch. Unfortunately, the overall trend of the area’s casinos has been downward. Though the nation’s second-largest gaming market is still tops on the East Coast, increased competition from neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Delaware has been eating away at local revenues for the last few years. Plus, AC has also been ravaged by two hurricanes in two years.

New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak, a longtime online gaming advocate, hailed the news of PokerStars imminent purchase. With the passage of online gaming imminent and expected within the coming months in the Garden State, Lesniak touted the potential land-based and online impact of PokerStars as a huge engine for job growth, as well as for “keeping Atlantic City alive”. He further added that “… this will be a big boost to the industry and will help our tourism industry as well”.

Thinks that a PokerStars-owned AC casino would be the best thing to hit town in years…

Our Thoughts on a PokerStars-Owned Atlantic City Casino

If it were to complete the purchase, this would actually be PokerStars’ second foray into land-based operations, after it partnered up with the Hippodrome Casino in London. That said, running a branded land-based poker room is one thing, but ownership of a casino is something else entirely.

While PokerStars has immeasurable experience as far as poker management is concerned, running a hotel, resort, restaurants, retails shops, and entertainment complex are not things the world’s leading online poker brand is known for. Should the deal go through, we hope that PokerStars hires experienced professionals to do their best on the land-based operations side, while it continues to focus its efforts on online operations. Such an arrangement would have the best chances at succeeding in our opinion.

With a state of emergency in effect, Atlantic City gambling is slated to come to a grinding halt for just the 4th time ever since casinos opened on the New Jersey shore back in 1978. Pointedly, the 3rd time happened just last year when Hurricane Irene struck the area.

Meteorologists seem to agree that Hurricane Sandy holds the potential to be far more dangerous than Hurricane Irene was, as it appears to be exhibiting the worst characteristics of both a tropical storm and a nor’easter. Indeed, aside from hurricane-force winds, floodwaters have the potential to reach up to 10 feet high and cause devastating damage.

A quick survey of the major Atlantic City casino websites reveals that only the Tropicana and Revel have so far posted relevant information in advance of the hurricane, with the Tropicana stating it will be closed until Wednesday, October 31st. Surely other major hotel resorts, such as the Golden Nugget, the Trump properties, the Borgata, and the Caesars’ properties are likely to follow suit in the coming hours. While it’s unclear how long exactly each casino property will be closed for, they’ll be off limits so long as the evacuation orders are in effect.

If you already have reservations in place at an Atlantic City casino for the coming week, you’re advised to try and contact your establishment directly via phone. If this becomes impossible due to higher than usual caller volume, as is expected, our advice to you is to try and get updated information via the resort’s Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Update Oct. 29th: The megastorm is also causing disruptions at two of the country’s largest casinos in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. While no mandatory evacuation orders are in place yet, there have been a number of closures and cancellations and rumors are flying re: price gauging at the hotel resorts.

Update Oct. 30th: Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, as well as all 12 Atlantic City casinos remain closed until further notice. Casino losses in Atlantic City are being estimated at $5 million per day of closure. For those of you looking for a bit of an escape to still play poker in the area, the 11 casinos in Pennsylvania remain open and fully operational, according to a spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.