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

Hong Kong Disneyland, Victoria's Peak, Temple Street Night Market, and Macau

I'm going to catch this up and I'm going to do it now...

Hong Kong and Macau...

I've always wanted to go to the "Land of Hello Kitty" and see what the hype is all about with regard to Macau.  So, I went.  When I landed in Hong Kong I decided that I'd head to Hong Kong Disneyland first.  I took a cab there from the airport.  DON'T DO THAT.  Take the train to Sunny"something" and then hop another train to the Park.  That's the best advice I can give you and no one will tell you to do that at the airport.  There's also a bus, but if you're like me or you know me at all - I don't really like public transportation to begin with so the word "bus" really isn't in my vocabulary.

I couldn't wait to check out HK Disneyland, since I'm a huge Disney fan.  I was told to plan to spend all day there.  Ummm, no.  I love Disney and all but it was just Me, Myself, and I and I do not need an entire day to enjoy the park.  I need 4-5 hours.  I got there and veered to the right towards Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain twice in the span of 15 minutes.  If you're not familiar with the "single rider line" then you've probably never been to an amusement park in your life.  Seriously.  While all the families are waiting over an hour to ride together I whipped through the queue, like I owned the place.  Lucky for me, disapproving glances don't phase me at all.

I went around the park taking the compulsory pictures with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy.  I skipped some strange looking bear and Winnie the Pooh.

I watched the Philharmagic show and sure enough there's no concept of "moving all the way down" the row so people can get into the theatre.  I rode "It's a Small World" and was surprised to see that there was an "underwater area" and some other regions that aren't really continent-specific.

I checked out the food, but I wasn't about to eat Korean squid, fishballs, or an egg puff.  I'm more of a "funnel cake, churro" girl.

After a fun time at the park, I hopped on the train and went to Victoria's Peak.  I took the Peak Tram up.  Luckily for me, I received a phone call while in line so that helped me as I waited.  The line for the tram is long and the climb up to the peak is STEEP.  Even when you board the tram, there's a lot of pushing and shoving for a seat, so you better not be shy.  If you want to sit, you better "box out" and be ready to move the minute the doors open up.

As I took the escalators up to the observation deck, I saw a cool souvenir shop making wax "figures" of people's hands.  I'd never seen anything like that before.  Pretty cool.

At the top of Victoria's Peak, I caught the sunset.  If you're smart and slightly lazy like me, I suggest grabbing a seat on the bench.  As the sunsets, more people will arrive, so if you want a picture above their heads, just stand on the bench whenever you feel like it.  Bench space is prime real estate.

After the sunset I took the train to the Temple Street Night Market.  After taking in the different vendors and overhearing some other tourist ask his friend, "Who buys this stuff?" I decided I wanted to test my negotiation skills and buy something.  I found a jewelry box frog and immediately cut the vendors price in half.  As she worked her way towards my price, I decided that I didn't even like the quality of what I was looking at so she went and pulled another one from a different person.  Satisfied with my choice of souvenir, I stayed true to my price and got it at the number I quoted.  Needless to say, I don't really negotiate...  I've always been a take it or leave it type person, so for me to negotiate, there really has to be a feeling that I'll be losing out if I don't compromise.  With all the items for sale and the hefty inventory - I knew I wouldn't lose.

After the Night Street Market trip it was close to midnight and I decided I was ready to head to Macau.  I went to the Ferry Terminal and bought a ticket on the Cotai Jet to Macau.  The ferry is actually kinda nice and the ride is about 45 minutes to Macau.  After you clear immigration there's a nice shuttle bus that takes you to the Venetian.  Within about 10 minutes I walked into the Venetian ready to play, but first things first...  I needed a hotel room.

I forget the exchange rate to the HK Dollar, but was quoted a price that calculated to something reasonable.  I decided to walk away and think about it when they told me the room was accessible.  I don't like rooms like that.  I tend to get water everywhere in the shower and all when it's an accessible room so I avoid them.

I played a while and lost about 1500 HK Dollars.  It didn't take long with minimum blackjack bets of $300 and craps of $100.  I went back to the front desk and decided I'd take the room after all and sleep.  My luck started to change, since I ended up with a regular suite.

The rooms at the Venetian in Macau are the same as the room in the Las Vegas.  Sunken living room and large bathrooms.  Just what I needed to wash the grime of a days worth of touring HK off of me and rest up.

The following morning I woke up and went to gamble some more.  I won $4000 and paid my bill in cash.  I hopped the ferry by about 3PM and was back at the airport in the United Airlines lounge by about 6PM after hopping on the Airport Express in HK.  The Airport Express reminds me very much of the Heathrow Express in London.  Take it.

HK and Macau, I'll be back!

THE WIRK

Blackjack is more than just 21... Pay attention to what the dealer is showing...

I've got something on my mind that I need to get off of my chest.  Blackjack is often referred to as 21.  Most people understand that the goal is to get to 21, without going over.  Only a minority of people seem to understand that there is more to the game then hitting to point where you think you won't go over.

You NEED to understand the cards and the dealer's actions.  In Singapore, the dealer must hit to 17.  HIT TO 17.  Did you catch that?  I'll repeat it.  HIT TO 17.

What does that mean?  That means that if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6 ~ UNLESS you have a total equal to or less than 11, you should NOT hit.  You should NOT hit.  Did you catch that?  I'll repeat it.  You should NOT hit. 

To go one step further, I'd recommend that you double down when the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6 (i.e. if you have 11 or less).  However, I realize that some of you need to forget that I just wrote that and stick with today's learning that, if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6 ~ UNLESS you have a total equal to or less than 11, you should NOT hit.

You should know that when you hit in these situations (i.e. when the dealer is showing a bust card), that the people at the table who know how to play  the game begin to hate you.  We start giving you dirty looks, because you throw off the rhythm of the game and mess up the shoe.  Don't talk to me about the randomness of the shuffle and the true odds of the cards.  No gambler wants to hear that stuff.

If you mess up the cards enough or make the mistake more than once, while betting only the minimum, the other people at the table start seething with frustration and even the dealer starts to question your intelligence.  Listen to the dealer.  He or she will try to save you.  The rest of us will color up to stop the bleeding and curse about you as we walk away.

I've walked away from 4 trips to the casino a winner every time.  I have the discipline to wait for a novice player to lose all of his/her money before I sit down and to get up once my lucky streak is over (i.e. usually when I hit $1,000).  I've gambled in numerous difference casinos in different countries and have seen just about everything.  Some of you needed this lesson...


THE WIRK

Wendover, NV ~ A place to gamble less than 90 minutes from Salt Lake City

If you're looking for very low stakes craps and you're in Salt Lake City, I'm going to recommend that you head to the Nevada border.

In the city of Wendover, NV you can play craps for $2 or $3.  I can't really remember which it was, but does it really matter?  We're talking about $2 or $3. 

The casinos I scouted out with some friends included Rainbow Casino, Montego Bay Casino, and some other one. They're not my favorite casinos on the planet, but when in a pinch, they'll do!

Montego Bay Casino Floor

Montego Bay Race & Sports Book

As we left Montego Bay to go to a different casino, we saw a small girl at the end of this hallway.  Immediately, I thought of the girls from the movie, "The Shining".

The Hallway to Hell

Warning: With such low stakes, you end up with novice players who don't know how to play.  For example, at the blackjack table one of the players got mad and left the table when the dealer started to take her money.  She had thought the dealer had busted with a 28.  No, not so much.  The dealer had a soft 16 and was forced to hit.  Yeah...  That's the caliber player you might end up sitting next to so don't bet high.

THE WIRK

Blackjack at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore isn't the same "deal" as in the US

I'm in Singapore and the lockouts are still ON...  Just like last year, it's tough to keep a blog about sports going during the summer (i.e. especially since I can't follow baseball as closely here).  However, with the Marina Bay Sands (i.e. think Venetian and Palazzo) close by, I can definitely talk to you about gambling.

There are no places to play craps in Singapore.  If you know of a spot, please pass the information on.  Since I don't know and don't want to learn how to play Sic bo, I've primarily focused on playing blackjack.

The minimum table bet is $25 for blackjack.  In addition the Marina Bay Sands offers $50 and $100 tables, in addition to other higher limit areas.  There are some differences here as to how the game of blackjack is played, compared to the US. 

The dealers deal the cards differently here.  You know how in the US (e.g. Las Vegas, Atlantic City) the dealers go around the table twice and deal two cards to the players and himself/herself?  Next, the dealer looks at the card under the face up top card to see if he/she has blackjack.  Well, the dealers here in Singapore don't do that.

In Singapore, the dealer gets one card and everyone can take action if they wish.  Only after the players have stayed/busted, does the dealer take his/her second card.   For people like me who believe in luck and try to predict when a "ten" is coming, I think it's better here, because you can rely on your intuition to determine whether a 10 is likely to be pulled from the show.  ****  Of course there is not an exact science to this, but then again most gamblers believe in streaks and aren't rational when it comes to cards having a degree of randomness.

As of the two visits I've made to the casino, I've been successful.  Personally, I prefer to play at the lowest minimum table and raise my bet at my own discretion.  I've been playing with various wagering strategies and have been doing well. 

Just as in any casino, you have to be careful about who you play with.  The last visit I made to the Marina Bay Sands casino had me watching a woman who made some really strange plays.  Some times she would hit/stand on 15 or 16 (i.e. regardless if it was hard/soft) and if the dealers was showing a 5 or 6.  One other crazy play she made occurred when she split 10s, and the dealer was showing a "King".  After the split, she ended up hitting on a hand of 13 and of 14.  Karma got her and she busted on both hands...


Needless to say, she wasn't making any friends at the table.  She was killing everyone.  Just terrible...

Don't be that girl.  Good luck!


THE WIRK.

Pass on SugarHouse ~ It's not worth it

When I walked in SugarHouse, I knew to expect the worst.  I'd been there before.  As I sat down at the blackjack table, I cashed in for chips and was asked for my players' card.  I went ahead and tossed the man my driver's license and he looked it up for me.  Yes, I had one from the initial visit I made last year.  They were signing people up at the door back then, by swiping driver's licenses.

Not much has changed since that visit last year.

Picture it: $15 min craps and a guy with a half-gallon of lemon drink at the craps table just swigging from the jug.  People sleeping at the slot machines, $25 min blackjack, and crazy money being wagered by folks who should be using those funds on "dental"...   Yes, that's the SugarHouse casino in Philadelphia.

This was my second trip to the venue.  I would've skipped it, but my coworker wanted to check it out.  My best advice for you: Skip it.

My coworker and I are still laughing about last night.  "I was only scared half the time," was her quote.  I'm still laughing...

THE WIRK

I'm an international winner ~ Stampede Casino, Calgary

After many flight issues, I finally flew to Calgary today.  On the plane, I sat in seat 13F and watched two movies (i.e.  No Strings Attached and Owning Mahowny).  Owning Mahowny stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and is based on true story of Dan Mahowny.  Mahowny is a guy from Toronto who worked in a bank and had a crazy gambling addiction.  When I got off the plane, I saw that my "tweety bird" had texted me.  That's random.  Based on all those weird events, I went to the casino and won $400 in 2 hours.  I left and planted myself in front of a TV with enough time to watch Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a strange day, but it had "winner" written all over it from the start.  My life is goooooood.

The Stampede Casino in Calgary offers 2X odds at the craps table and a $5 minimum.  There is only one table.  Blackjack is also a $5 minimum.  Roulette is a 50 cent minimum.


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