Atlantic City Poker - It's Hot!

Atlantic City Poker Scene - The mole reports!

Ever since the end of the 2003 World Series of Poker, when Chris Moneymaker and his improbable ride concluded with his defeat of Sam Farha, poker, and more specifically Texas Hold ‘Em, has become the it thing in gaming. Casinos built or expanded their poker presence almost overnight and also began catering to poker players. Nine-time WSOP champ Johnny Chan is one of the principals in the construction of a poker-only hotel and casino in Las Vegas. All this happened in less than five years. Atlantic City has seen its share of a poker boom, too. Hilton expanded their room, a poker room was part of the construction at House of Blues, and World Series circuit events are a given in AC at the right time of year. With all of this being said, someone new to Atlantic City might wonder where the best poker action truly is. Following is our synopsis of the top poker rooms in town.

#1 – Borgata – Some of those who started playing in Borgata’s old poker room dislike the new room, but it’s hard to argue with a demand-based expansion. The new room sports 85 tables and any game at any time with hardly a wait, if any at all. All of us low-limit players remember how long it took us to get a seat at a 2/4 or 3/6 Recognizable regulars include local pro Nick "Little Nicky" Frangos. Paul Jr. from "American Chopper" is also known to play here, and Borgata’s is one of the few legit card rooms that have been blessed with A-Rod’s presence. Multiple daily tournaments (two per day Monday thru Saturday and one on Sunday) also help to keep the vibe going. Then top it off with great décor and friendly staff.

#2 – Taj Mahal – Home to the United States Poker Championship and to one of the more pivotal scenes in the 1998 Matt Damon poker opus Rounders, the Taj was the king of the city’s poker rooms until Borgata came along in 2003. We rank it 2nd because of its history and amenities (tableside food and available beginner tutorials chief among these) and because for right now, Taj just can’t beat Borgata’s ‘it’. Rounders trivia: Johnny Chan only agreed to play himself in the movie because his daughter wanted to meet Matt Damon.

#3 - Caesar's Casino / House of Blues (tie) – Both of these fine rooms are under the Harrah’s umbrella, and how can an average-dude poker player complain about playing in a room that they have likely seen on ESPN? Caesars has hosted a WSOP circuit event for the last few years, and the House of Blues room is dangerously convenient to the Music Hall, making it easy to play a few hands before the concert starts. The House of Blues room is also consistent with the theme: expect to see the same motifs and artwork that has made House of Blues famous.
Mike Holovacs, the AC Mole, is a concierge at one of the larger casino properties in town. His hobbies include photography, golf, writing, and traveling. Feel free to post comments!