help me get comps / save money in Atlantic City

[DrewOnTilt]

Hi all - I'm a low-limit (3-6 to 4-8 player) and am about to move to Wilmington, Delaware. Wilmington is about 80 miles from Atlantic City.

I made the trip while in Wilmington last week. I found the low-limit games soft and made a small profit.

Cost, however, is an issue: $4 for parking and a $2 toll on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Taking the Atlantic City Expressway from Philadelphia instead of the back roads costs an additional $5.50 in tolls. That's equal to being almost 2 big bets in the hole even before I get started. Assuming a win rate of 1BB/hour, I will have to play two hours just to get even.

Can someone suggest how I might go about knocking off costs? How can I go about getting comped meals at the decent poker rooms (I played at the Taj, and the meal comp system for poker players seemed cheap in comparison to Tunica - something like $1 an hour in comp credit for $3-$6). A comped meal or two would justify the travel costs.

Also, is there somewhere I can park for free? Are there free shuttles between casinos?

[punkass]

can't park for free. But you can park one place, and it'd be good for any other place.

Most places at the 3/6 level is $1/hr comp.
The tolls and the gas costs in getting to AC shouldn't be a factor. Do you take gas costs into account when going out to dinner, or to the movies?

If it's only $5 to get to AC, don't sweat it. You aren't going to be constantly down $0 - $5 per session for the $5 fixed cost to be of concern.

[As Zehn]

Get a total rewards card from Showboat casino. There is a connecting walkway to the Taj. Monday through Thursday they don't charge cardholders the parking fee. I don't know if this is year round or just a July special. It will save you the parking fee at least. With minimal play at the Showboat (other games) you should also receive free room offers. Good luck.

[highlife]

park on the street, if you worried about paying a $4 parking fee im guessing people wont be looking to steal your car.

also you have no chance of getting full meals comped at those levels in AC, or really at any level. just have to ride out the $1 an hour, it does add up though, ive built up a couple times at the Taj and gotten a room for $80 on my comp card.

[DrewOnTilt]

I wish somebody would steal my damn car, since the insurance payment is probably worth more than the trade-in value /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be hitting AC hard now.

[highlife]

Have fun man, if you are there for the whole day definately check out at least two of the poker rooms, Taj, Trop and Borgata. Like I said you can park on the street near the Taj or the Trop, its really not that bad if you stay near the casino's.

[ QUOTE ]
Also, is there somewhere I can park for free? Are there free shuttles between casinos?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a cheap shuttle called the "Jitney", I think its either .50 or .75 for a one way ride.

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
can't park for free. But you can park one place, and it'd be good for any other place.

Most places at the 3/6 level is $1/hr comp.
The tolls and the gas costs in getting to AC shouldn't be a factor. Do you take gas costs into account when going out to dinner, or to the movies?

If it's only $5 to get to AC, don't sweat it. You aren't going to be constantly down $0 - $5 per session for the $5 fixed cost to be of concern.

[/ QUOTE ]
last i checked, sands is free if you have a card, and then you can walk to trop
but i havent been to the sands in quite a while
borgata is free parking for black label cards

[PoorLawyer]

take rte 40 instead of the AC expressway and then no TPK or expressway toll

[cardcounter0]

Set aside an hour or two from each trip and stand on the boardwalk with a little cup (you might want to change into your grubbiest clothes, and it helps if you haven't shaved or bathed in a while). As every person walks by, shake your cup, and ask "Can you spare some change?"

From the tightwad sound of you post, you might just give up poker and take up this activity full-time.

[DrewOnTilt]

Maybe I should stand out on Atlantic Avenue with a sign fashioned from a cardboard box that reads, "Will Work for Parking Validation."

cardcounter I asked a legit question. Many people have responded to me both publicly and privately with good suggestions. I am thankful for those responses. It is too bad that a moron like you has to trash up the boards.

[cardcounter0]

The cardboard sign thing is a really good idea.

You are the guy sweating a $4 parking fee and $5 toll or whatever. $11 freekin' bucks! And I'm a moron?

Splurge on the two-ply toliet paper and live a little.
/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[NJchick]

If you are so concerend with tolls, gas, RFB while playing in AC - why not play online?

[bbarker703]

You can save on AC tolls if you want to try Rt 40 (first exit over the Del Mem Bridge). Not a bad drive, but does have small towns/traffic lights.

[Warik]

[ QUOTE ]
Wilmington is about 80 miles from Atlantic City.

Cost, however, is an issue: $4 for parking and a $2 toll on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Taking the Atlantic City Expressway from Philadelphia instead of the back roads costs an additional $5.50 in tolls. That's equal to being almost 2 big bets in the hole even before I get started. Assuming a win rate of 1BB/hour, I will have to play two hours just to get even.

[/ QUOTE ]

80 miles, you say? Don't forget about gas. 80 miles round trip = 160 miles.

I'm guessing you've got $2.25/gallon for el-cheapo gas up there. Assuming 25 miles to the gallon, that's 6.4 x $2.25 = $14.44 in gas!

$14.44 + $4 + $2 + $5.50 = $25.94 for a trip to AC. That's over 4 BB!

That's assuming the 2-3 hours each way it will take you to get there (assuming you aren't a speed demon) isn't worth anything to you.

So... you're spending 2-3 hours each way to get there, plus 4 hours to make up your 4 BB, plus one hour to make a profit = 9 to 11 hours to make $6.

Play online.

[cardcounter0]

I'm assuming that even at those limits people sometimes toss the dealer a buck when they win a pot, something you don't have to do online.

Also the cocktail waitress usually expects a $1 tip when they bring you a drink, so it might be good to pack a lunch and bring a jug of your own water to the table.

This will help maintain your 'tight' table image, especially if you ask the cocktail waitress for a "free glass of ice".