A.C. Shit Holes of All Shit Holes

I came to Atlantic City expecting something. Looking back I'm not sure exactly just what that was... Action? Class? Cleanliness? Where did these expectations come from? I assume from my trips to Vegas and other casinos around the world. AC is a sad, sad world of dank, dark, broken lives. It is so depressing that these extravagant casinos, who are pulling in hundreds of millions in profits every year, cannot get together and put some money toward revitalizing the city. There is so much potential for this to be an amazing destination. It's Vegas on the beach, dammit! How do you screw that up?!? It feels as though they don't even try! Instead of a glamorous Vegas on the beach, it's as though the surgeons sliced off Vegas's lifeless conjoined fetus twin and proclaimed, "Hey dushebags! Come gamble!!!" I'm sorry to go to such horrifying lengths in my description, but it was necessary to convey my absolute disgust for a place that I was deeply looking forward to being able to experience first hand.

What of the unsuspecting international tourists? You hear a lot of French, German, and Russian. I feel so bad for these people, that they have taken their summer holiday and visited the U.S. only to end up in the armpit of America. Not only do I feel bad for their ruined vacation, but also embarrassed for my self as a U.S. citizen. This is a country that I hold a passport to. When they go home to their friends and family they will tell of a dirty city of greed, poverty and filthy beaches. It's all so much, you want to scream, "Wait! There is so much more to this country! Don't just use this as your example, keep traveling, see it all!"

It is not only the city's health and appearance that has been neglected by the casinos. The sad fact is that poker is not very well liked by casino management in Atlantic City, as they still hold the archaic attitude of poker being a "no-win" for the house. The general feeling from the people who frequent these rooms is that casino management couldn't care less about the poker player. Yet it seems as though this all might be about to change. With poker growing in popularity, one casino in AC is leading the pact in poker player appreciation. With the help of Bruce Dixon the Borgata has opened an 82-table room with plenty of action. The dealers keep their own tips are, for the most part, all quite fun, and accurate and very quick. When looking at the recent numbers at the other rooms across the city it is apparent that the Borgata has killed poker for the other casinos. With a little luck the others will now see there error of their ways and positive competition will create a better scene for both parties.

Unfortunately, as a poker player I'm ashamed by A.C.. I love this game. It is hard enough for people to get to like this game. I can't imagine trying to use AC as a platform to introduce poker to new players. Poker is an amazing game with so much to love and something for everyone. To make this city a "destination" for poker players, gives poker an overall bad name. We can only hope that as this city grows it begins to move in a more positive direction; a direction which poker players, U.S. citizens and the human race as a whole can be proud of.

-strongmonty