Maryland Live! Casino ~ A review from my first visit

Maryland Live! Casino has had table games for a while now, and a few of my friends  went there the weekend the table games first opened.  I wasn't that enthusiastic about going right away.  I figured that the casino would take advantage of the excitement with high table minimums.  Needless to say, I decided to check it out for myself a few weeks ago. 

If you're a poker player, this post may not have anything for you.  I don't play poker and have no interest to check out whether there is a poker room.

Here are my observations:

• People say that they've seen $15 table minimums.  As far as I'm concerned this is urban legend.  The $15 table minimum is just as real as the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot.
• The ATMs will let you withdraw a maximum of $250 for each transaction and charge you $4 for the chance to do so.
• There are lot of blackjack tables and not all of them use an automatic shuffler.
• There are 6 craps tables
• The craps tables offer 10X odds.  You can do the math.  A $25 point with maximum odds means that the gambler would have $275 on the table at any given time.  Personally, I would never regularly bet that large.  Odds are where a craps player can really make his/her money so if you have the bankroll and can afford to survive through one/two/three "coolers" by all means, go for it.
• There are actually people who played $100 minimum craps.  Who are these people and what do they do for a living?!!?
• I saw an old man get told to leave for card counting while playing blackjack.  I've seen the movie 21, but I'd never seen that before.  When I got home I started Googling card counting and there was a blog/article written about how casinos identify these people.  Sure enough, in retrospect, this guy was obviously counting.
• He was in the high-limit room drinking coffee and not tipping the server nor the dealer.
• He was playing the last 2 spots.
• He was betting the minimum (i.e. $100/hand) in the high limit room and playing a couple of hands.
• He started out never doubling down on 11 (i.e. which I noticed while I was sitting watching) but would hit and get 21 anyway.  You don't need to watch the movie Swingers to know that you "always" double down on 11.
• He wasn't consistent with how he played his 16s. 
• Next thing you knew:
• He was increasing his bets and always doubling down on 11.
• He split 9s.
• At this point at least 2 casino supervisors/bosses etc. were watching him.  One of the older supervisors had a cell phone in his hand and he eventually moved towards the table, covered the shoe, told the dealer to shuffle immediately, and informed the guy playing that he was no longer going to be able to play at that casino any longer.  It was all pretty interesting.  I was chatting with my friend and watching baseball, but when the guy was told/asked to leave, I looked and he must've had close to $2,000 wagered on each hand for the next round.  If he'd won his next 2 hands he could've made close to $4,000 on that round alone.  Crazy stuff!
• When the old man was asked to leave, he started fussing and asking why he had to go.  The supervisor made a remark that he should know why (i.e. or something to that effect).  The gambler wanted an explanation and made a small stink about not being able to win.  I've seen movies, so I was waiting for him to continue complaining and then get taken away, but that didn't happen. 
• I'd heard that Maryland Live! Casino was really smoky.  I didn't experience this.  The place seems to have good ventilation.
• It's a large casino, but not overly crowded.  I didn't want to deal with crowds of people, so I decided not to go on Friday or Saturday night. 
• There are TVs playing music videos from the 80s/90s.  There are also TVs that show sporting events, so you don't have to worry about missing your favorite team play while you wager.
• The Cheesecake Factory is near the casino entrance as soon as you come down the elevator after parking.
• The casino is right next to the mall area.  I've never been shopping at Arundel Mills before, but I suggest shopping before you gamble.
• If you live in the DC/VA/MD area, the only reason to skip Maryland Live! and go to Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV would be the lower table minimums...

Good luck!


THE WIRK

My (Updated) Review: Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV

Today I went back to the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV with my friend Sherry.  She and I are very similar in our gambling philosophy and we're both lucky so it was time to head back and check out the casino.

Here's a link to the original post:  http://www.thewirk.com/2010/08/hollywood-casino-in-charles-town-wv-my.html

Now, here's an update:

Craps:

• I saw a $10 minimum craps table, but it was not open. At the $10 tables the casino only offers 2X odds. 
• There were 2 $15 minimum tables that were open, and the odds offered are different than most casinos.  With a $15 minimum pass line bet you can place:
• Up to $40 behind for your odds, if the point is 5 or 9
• Up to $50 behind for your odds, if the point is 6 or 8
• Some people can't afford the $15 minimum you'll see those folks placing bets in the center (i.e. prop bets).
• As a result, the table can get slow since people are throwing white, dollar chips from all directions and betting the C&E, hard ways, any 7, etc.  Therefore, you'll need to be patient.
• Tables were cold, and there were a good number of "don't" players.

Blackjack:

• My friend said she saw $15 minimum blackjack tables.
• We played $50 minimum Lucky Ladies blackjack and won.

General:
****  Supposedly if you write a letter to the casino, complaining about the odds (i.e. increase demand for 3, 4, 5X odds) the casino might change their practices.  There is a Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN that offers better odds so you'd think that the one in West Virginia could follow suit ~ especially with all the table game competition in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.


THE WIRK

Harrah's Casino Chester, PA ~ My Review

Harrah's Chester was on the way "home" from Philadelphia, so I decided to make a stop and check it out.  There's another casino in Philadelphia that just opened up a week or so ago, named SugarHouse. However, after leaving Lincoln Financial Field, I wanted to head South and not North, so SugarHouse is going to have to wait to get reviewed.

The Harrah's in Chester is located a few miles off of 95 and if you're heading north on 95, it's before the airport exit.  There aren't any hotels in the area and the casino doesn't have any associated lodging to offer but if you're coming from DC/VA/MD, I'd imagine it more to be a day trip or part of a larger Philadelphia adventure.

Pennsylvania recently got table games, so I was curious as to the clientele and setup of the casino. When I walked in from the parking garage, immediately I saw a Bijoux Terner store.  Immediately I thought of airports and Vegas since that's where I've seen these stores, where everything is $10.  I climbed the escalator and saw the betting terminals/screens for the racetrack and simulcast.  I went up another level and found slot machines and the table games.

After proving to security that I was "of age", I received a wristband and was ready to win.  Evidently I look younger in Chester, PA...  I looked around and saw three card poker, roulette, craps, a wheel of fortune, etc.  I know the first question that my friends are going to ask me and the answer is "No, I have no idea if it has a poker room."  Sorry guys...  I didn't look, but you can check the link at the beginning of this post and look it up for yourself.

It was a Sunday night and the roulette table had a limit of $15.  Craps had a $10 limit and offered 5X odds.  Already I like Harrah's better than the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV.  I'd drive the extra 30 minutes without a second thought!

I asked the craps pit boss if the table minimums ever go down to $5.  What can I say?  I was spoiled from my time in St. Louis.  Regardless, she did say that she's seen a $5 craps table once.  Oh well.  It doesn't  really matter, since I'm more than comfortable at a $10 table. 

Have you ever played the fire bet?  I never have, but I completely regret not jumping on it when I was there.  While I was losing my winnings (i.e. from Atlantic City earlier that weekend) at a table in Harrah's Antarctica, there was a guy that was on fire at another table.  Eventually I left the Arctic and realized that the entire table had tons of chips in their racks and sure enough, they was "color coming in"...  BOOOOOOOOOOO!  I missed it.  Lucky for me the table was still hot.  As I was leaving, I decided to go back and the guy next to me had made 6 different points in his previous roll.  The dice were traveling around the table and his turn was coming up so I bought back in.  He and the guy to his right decided to play the fire bet again.

Wouldn't you know I went from down to up in less than an hour?!?!  The guy hit for 5 different points.  In his previous roll he hit 6 unique points!  In this roll he hit 5 unique points!  If any of you play craps or know anything about it, you realize that that is very special.  It was AWESOME.  I know you should never complain about winning, but what's $5 for a fire bet when the guy has already shown you that he can do it?!  Oh well.  I will NOT make that mistake again.

• 4 "Individual Points" pays 25 for 1
• 5 "Individual Points" pays 250 for 1
• 6 "Individual Points" pays 1000 for 1
• (Above Payoffs are "And Down".)

I'd post the picture of my chip, if it wasn't blurry.  I left that table with a $500 chip, although I had to chase my money to walk away with a "small" profit.  A little win, is still a win!

Another thing I must mention is that the Harrah's has a noodle bar.  I will confess, I didn't eat there.  However, if it's anything like the noodle bar at Caesars in Atlantic City I'm SOLD. 

I wonder if that guy will be there again this weekend...

****  Update:  I need to let you know that some of the dealers have just completed "dealers' school" so they are not the fastest when it comes to calculating the payouts.  They are learning so they're also prone to make mistakes.  Pay attention to them.  Also, there's one lady that seems to be repeating some sort of script when she pays the table.  She says, "Congratulations, will you please pay this fine gentleman/lady $XXX".  It's annoying after you hear is more than 5 times, but it sounds like she was taught that in class.

  

THE WIRK

Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV ~ My review

Table games are still a novelty for the people in the DC/VA/MD area and being that I like to play craps I was curious to see what Charles Town, WV had to offer.  There's a Hollywood Casino in Charles Town.  I'm actually familiar with Hollywood Casino since there's one in Indiana that I've visited previously.  Picture a Regal Cinemas or movie multiplex sans movies theater but add in the lights and sounds of slots machines and now table games.

I'd recently visited a casino in Harrington, DE.   Here is the URL: http://www.harringtonraceway.com/ for Harrington Raceway & Casino.   This particular casino only had 1 craps table and if I remember correctly, the table minimum was $15.  That casino offered 3X, 4X, and 5X odds.  I wasn't particularly fond of my experience, but at least I left even.  With only one craps table it's either hot or not and there are no other tables to jump to when the dice are ice cold.  I'm not exactly the most mobile person, but I do like having options.

Hollywood Casino is probably the shortest drive away and I was able to convince my friend, Pun, to go with me for a quick Saturday, day trip to check it out.  Here is the URL:  http://www.hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com/.  Pun likes to play craps also so it was a perfect match.  It took about 90 minutes to get to Charles Town, WV.  He drove and I just checked out the scenery.  ****  FYI - There's not much to see...

Upon arrival to Hollywood Casino Pun and I bee-lined for the table games.  After hearing horror stories about the high table minimums, we were pleased to see that the casino offered 4 craps tables and two each with minimums of $25 and $10.  Three of the 4 tables were crowded and the $10 table I wanted to play appeared to be at capacity. 

When I approached the table to further investigate who had chips in their rack and who was there just wasting space, I noticed a guy about my age and height just standing there.  He was leaning against the table and following the action, but wasn't betting.  I made eye contact with the dealer and asked if the space was open and he nodded.  Then I tapped the guy who had no chips in his rack and asked if he was playing.  "I'm learning," was his reply.  I told him I wanted to play and asked him to move back.  He replied by pointing to another table (i.e. a half empty $25 table) and telling me that I could go play over there.  I informed him that I didn't want to play the $25 table, and that I wanted to play where he was standing.  The man to his right could see that the guy wasn't moving and politely moved over so I could get in.  Within 5 rolls of the dice, I'd boxed the kid out, and he was standing behind me. 

****  Here's your first lesson: If you're not playing, you need to move so someone else can gamble.  This rule is for slots and all table games.  You can learn online, by reading a book, or standing behind someone.

****  Here's your second lesson:  I'll approach you politely and tell you what I want, but if you don't listen, I'm not afraid to tell you how it is.  Very little scares me, when I know I'm in the "right".

When I got to the table it was about 1PM.  I went ahead and cashed in my $20s.  I don't like $20s.  I prefer $100s.  With $180 in my rack, I was in the game at the $10 table.  The first thing I noticed when I got to the table was that the odds offered were only 2X.  I've played many casinos and I've actually never seen 2X odds offered.  I'm used to 3X, 4X, and 5X odds.  I've seen 10X odds and higher - but let's face it, I get cheap with my cash and I will never put 10X odds behind my pass line bet.  I don't care how hot the shooter is ~ 10X odds is a mental hurdle I don't want to jump.  I was chatting this over with my dad earlier today and he thought that was funny when I mentioned it.  Whatever.  I just can't do it.

At the craps table I noticed that no one could make their points.  Awesome.  I'm not a "don't pass" person, so I just picked up and left.  I headed over to the roulette table, and Pun hit the slots.  Roulette.  Simple game, right?  Well I guess to some, not really.  There was a young couple sitting at the $15 min table.  Here are two examples of the conversations that I overheard.

Girl:  Are there more even numbers than odd numbers?
****  I learned today from my friend Sherry that 0 is actually an even number.  Regardless, if you bet "even", you're still not going to get paid if 0 hits.

Girl: If I bet this 1/3 group of numbers what do I get?
Boy: You get any of those 21 numbers...
****  Seriously?!?!  There are only 36 numbers covered by 1/3s...  1/3 of 36 = 12.  The question was raised and I literally counted the numbers in the 3rd in my head, because I couldn't believe that such a basic question was being asked.

After getting bored with roulette and Pun wanted a break from slots we hit the buffet.  I like buffets.  I'm not ashamed to admit it.  2 buffets cost about $40.  There's nothing special on the buffet, but my expectations were reasonable.  I wasn't expecting the spread at the Bellagio.  There were no crab legs and no cocktail shrimp, but there was fried shrimp and a variety of other choices.

After eating Pun ran into some guys he knew and I went back to the craps table.  I made $100.  It doesn't sound like much, but you try making any real money with such low odds offered.  One thing I don't enjoy about being one of the only (i.e if not the only) girl at the craps table is that there's always a guy who thinks he knows how to play better than me.  "Better" is a subjective term.  Just because I don't spread my bets and place numbers doesn't mean I don't know how to.  In fact, I usually don't because I've been standing at the table and I know that it's cold so I don't feel like chasing my money and throwing it out there. 

Sure enough, I was there and a man rolled up next to me with $75 in $20s, $5s, and $1s.  Seriously?!?!  Anyway, the man got his change and then proceeded to tell me that I could make more money by making place bets.  I simply said, "The point hasn't even been set, so what numbers are you even going to place?"  He looked confused.  "You play your chips, and I'll play mine." was what I followed up with.  Sure enough 2 rolls after the point was set the shooter crapped out.  On the outside I was smiling.  Inside I was laughing...

At about 6PM, Pun and I decided it was over.  There really was nothing else I wanted to see.

Moral of the story:  Just drive to Atlantic City or fly to Las Vegas.

Interesting unrelated trivia: My purple Lakers T-shirt attracts men, but not money...


THE WIRK