As to your points about competition; the Sugar House right now is the only casino within Philadelphia proper and, more importantly, it is located in an area adjacent to some of the city’s most densely-populated neighborhoods. In other words, it is very easy for a lot of people of all walks of life to get there by various modes of transportation. They even have two free shuttle buses that run to and from Center City and South Philadelphia. And, they’ve been gouging players since opening.
They never (ever) have a blackjack table less than $15–at the slowest time, on the slowest day of the week, there is never a smaller-minimum table. I have also yet to find, at this point, I am almost sure there is not one full-pay video poker machine in the place. The best I’ve seen several 8/6 JOB machines but only when playing $1 or more. Less than that, they are all 8/5. All the roulette tables are double zero and EVERY night, at around seven o’clock, they raise all the tables from $10 singles to $15 NICKELS-ONLY–again, regardless of how busy they are.
The only good that has come out of all this is that Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, Pa., the racino most hurt by Sugar House, has been forced to respond. Harrah’s now has a rule to always have two $5 blackjack tables 24 hours a day–they also always have several $10 tables. In addition, they’ve gone from eight decks to six and, though I’m not counting cards right now, their penetration is excellent. They also, according to vpfree2.com, have lots of 9/6 JOB machines.
As to your points about competition; the Sugar House right now is the only casino within Philadelphia proper and, more importantly, it is located in an area adjacent to some of the city’s most densely-populated neighborhoods. In other words, it is very easy for a lot of people of all walks of life to get there by various modes of transportation. They even have two free shuttle buses that run to and from Center City and South Philadelphia. And, they’ve been gouging players since opening.
They never (ever) have a blackjack table less than $15–at the slowest time, on the slowest day of the week, there is never a smaller-minimum table. I have also yet to find, at this point, I am almost sure there is not one full-pay video poker machine in the place. The best I’ve seen several 8/6 JOB machines but only when playing $1 or more. Less than that, they are all 8/5. All the roulette tables are double zero and EVERY night, at around seven o’clock, they raise all the tables from $10 singles to $15 NICKELS-ONLY–again, regardless of how busy they are.
The only good that has come out of all this is that Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, Pa., the racino most hurt by Sugar House, has been forced to respond. Harrah’s now has a rule to always have two $5 blackjack tables 24 hours a day–they also always have several $10 tables. In addition, they’ve gone from eight decks to six and, though I’m not counting cards right now, their penetration is excellent. They also, according to vpfree2.com, have lots of 9/6 JOB machines.