Hail to the Skill of the Poker Player

A lot of people will say that gambling in any form is just pure luck. For some time the argument has been made that the skill of the poker player is beyond luck and that superior skill determines the outcome. Well in the time of need for think tanks and other great minds focusing on the ills of society, the economy, war and famine, leave it to the industrialized world to take time to sponsor a study that has some of the smartest people out there trying to determine the reality of this most important debate. 

Well as to not let too much time go by the professionals out there have determined that in fact the outcomes to poker matches are mainly due to the skill of the players involved. Yep it's that clear, believe it or not. 

The main people behind this study are the PPA, or to name the association group directly, the Poker Players Alliance, that has been pushing, for some unknown reality of a reason, to determine the legitimacy of this claim. The group, has been collecting information about the outcomes to games and tournaments for a long time to actually defend the fact that poker play is more skill than a gamble. 

Yep the reality of this study is about the legality of the issue and it is an attempt to make headway to allow poker to be played in the regulated environments of the jurisdictions across the country. 

The study, released by Cigital, Inc. in conjunction with PokerStars, used data acquired from 103 million hands of Texas Hold 'Em played online in December of 2008. According to Cigital's report, more than 75 percent of the cases saw an outcome determined with no player even seeing more than his/her own cards and the community cards. Nearly 25 percent of the games witnessed a showdown where the cards were revealed to determine the winner, but only half of the showdowns were won by the player who had the best five card hand. The other half of the showdowns were won by someone with an inferior hand because the player with the best hand decided to fold prior to showdown.

Poker tournaments are held in cities across the country such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas Casinos, and Biloxi. The push with the results of studies like this might be greater penetration in other geographic markets. 

Over the River and Through the Woods to Mountaineer Park

Yeah, I know a very poor Title for this blog post especially because of the timing of the year. For those of you with whom the title and play on words has been lost, it's from a song relating to Thanksgiving. That being said, however, the point is, the Mountaineer Park Casino in West Virginia is something of a place in the woods and it seemed clever to start off for this post.

The Mountaineer Park Casino and Resort is located at Route 2 Chester West Virginia and this resort is lock, stock and barrel of great entertainment. So let's talk a little about what they offer.

First and foremost even though Mountaineer Park started off as a race track it has definitely grown up to be a full service gaming property. As such the gaming offered at the property has something for everyone. Mountaineer Park offers full poker and poker tournaments, black jack, slots and lot's of promotions. 

Second, how could a great resort in gaming exist without great dining and restaurants. Well Mountaineer Park Restaurants have something for everyone. Dining is available in all of the key places around the resort including the race track and the hotel. Check out Gatsby's Dining Room. 

Third, the resort it self has something for everyone. From a first class hotel resort to a spa area to golf. Yep this place has just about everything you need.

Last, let's not forget about the world famous race track at Mountaineer Park. You can find great racing and events almost the entire year.

So if you're looking to get away over the river and through the woods Mountaineer Park is a perfect choice. 

Florida Gearing up to be Casino Capital of the South

Like a move out of the Godfather it appears that the consolidation of the gaming industry and it's major movers is becoming clearer than ever. No doubt in the minds of most Las Vegas reigns king of this commission and is being followed, very far mind you, by the likes of Atlantic City. To many, over the years Louisiana had been in the same game, but little by little the likes of the state of Florida taking over the vestige as the heir apair in the gaming world seems to be more realistic.

To that end and to add a little validity to this post we've recently come across the news that new legislation in Florida is being drafted to give the rulers of the Sunshine State gaming world a little more latitude in how they do business. What is it might you ask? Well quite simply the state legislature is very close to approving laws that will allow gambling in the Seminole casinos across Florida to have full fledged Las Vegas style gambling. This means complete roulette wheels, craps tables and other well known casino style games.

There are actually two bills being proposed and being done so by Florida's Senate Regulated Industries Chariman Dennis Jones. These laws should stike down a hard blow to what has been reported as a House that is anti-gaming in Florida. What's more, no doubt, Florida will most definitely begin to move itself into the forefront of the gaming industry as a premiere casino resort location.

This no doubt is bad news for other gaming jurisdictions across the country. Florida is a premiere vacation spot as it is, but by having Las Vegas style casinos this paves a way for an incredible competitive advantage not only for the casino operators but for the state itself.

The Seminole Casinos inlcude the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood Florida, the Seminole Coconut Creek and the Seminole immokalee.

More Casinos Planned for Pennsylvania - This Time Near Pittsburgh

At a time when it would seem that most are stepping back for a second to evaluate the current economic landscape, many others, in many different states and jurisdictions across the country are still strongly pushing and considering the development of casino gaming. One such area is near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, specifically Washington County.

Opponents of the plan to build and develop gaming and casino businesses in and around the Washington County area point directly to the fact that now is not the time to, for lack of a better term, "gamble", on such high investment projects. Vocal opponents site the fact that blue chip markets such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas are performing very bad and have been doing so for some time. 

Proponents and local business leaders in the Washington County area and Pittsburgh Metro region refute these arguments saying that the casinos will usher in hundreds if not thousands of new jobs. Not to mention many highly anticipated off shoot businesses such as outlet stores, restaurants and other entertainment attractions. "It is far more likely that this move will significantly benefit the region with a ripple effect. Capital intensive projects such as these bring jobs to construction, followed by jobs created by the casino itself. We anticipate that the economic slow down will turn around relatively soon and we want to be ahead of the curve when that happens", commented a high ranking business person in the area. 

Another opponent of the plan cited the growth in legalization for casino gaming across the United States. Such growth dramatically impacts neighboring markets. What was once a unique and highly differentiated business strategy has grown to be almost a commodity to the consumer. 

Clay Walker at the Beau Rivage Biloxi - These Tickets are Hottt and Cheap

Ok if you're looking for a great show, a headliner might I add, a place to go on a mini-vacation and to an area where lots of other fun can be had well we have it. Clay Walker, the hot country artist that has come to be a growing powerhouse in the world of entertainment, meets his audience head on for shows that are memorable as much as they are fun. Well he's appearing at the Beau Rivage Biloxi Casino this coming March 20th and tickets to the show are just outstanding. At about $19.95 a ticket you're not going to get a price better than this for a quality show. If you're interested in ticket prices check out the following link for Clay Walker Tickets. 

The Beau Rivage Biloxi Casino has a lot to offer beyond just this show of course. If you looking for a great way to build in a vacation and plan around it this is it and the property has it.  The Beau Rivage Hotel offers both rooms and suites. The rooms at the Beau Rivage come with either kings or double beds, have 32 inch LCD flat screen televisions, panoramic floor to ceiling windows and other great amenities to make your stay comfortable. If you're looking to upgrade to a better room, the suites at the Beau Rivage Casino are fantastic. Here you'll get marble foyer a wet or dry bar, walk in shower, big bath and other great amenities.

Horse Racing and Fun at Delaware Park

There are still several months until the official horse racing begins at Delaware Park Casino in Delaware of course, however, it's not to early to start getting a buzz about what's coming up.

First and foremost Delaware Park in Wilmington Delaware has one of the largest screens in its betting room on the East Coast. Ok so there is some fun things to see. Now the grandstand is out of the olden days, as my nephew now calls the days when I was a child, where there was grandeur and grace.

So the season is 116 days long and features a full list of great horses and trainers and the official opening of racing season is April 25th. If we follow it logically forward November 7th closes the season out.

If you happen to love the sport of kings and go to Delaware Park remember the property has a whole lot more. I've actually posted about this place before and said that this could be considered an Adult Disney World, or at best a theme park. Golf, casino, restaurants and of course horse racing. Try the Rail Restaurant where the dining is definitely close to upscale. That being said, back to the horse track if you go to the grandstand you can get a great meal and a great view of the track at the Terrace Restaurant that might something of great interest.

Regardless, horse racing season at the legendary horse track is about to begin its 72nd season so if you're near the area and love a great day with the ponies this is the place to be for it.

Pinnacle Entertainment Out of the Atlantic City Casino Game?

Yes it's true and it seems like the hits just keep on coming for the Atlantic City Casinos and the market it serves. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention it, Pinnacle Entertainment, one of the most aggressive and best brand names in the Gaming, Resort and Casino market. 

The Pinnacle Entertainment Group had plans of developing a mega casino complex near the boardwalk on the plot of land that is now the "burial site" for the Sands Atlantic City. The project was billed at an estimated $2 Billion and now it is nothing more than an idea that will never be. 

The reality is that Pinnacle still owns the land, but word from the Company Chairman Dan Lee has said, unofficially that is, that the company plans on selling the land for fair market value in this time of not so good fair market values.  The project was to be a mega resort in the theme of a beach house to rest on the boardwalk and really press a new era in the casino market for Atlantic City. 

Several issues were pointed out to be the reason behind the Pinnacle move. First the economy in general. People just don't have money and what they do have they aren't spending it. Second, the Atlantic City economy in general. With a double whammy of increased competition from neighboring states and jurisdictions the noose is tight for what customers they can get. Last, the move for Atlantic City to develop off boardwalk gaming halls, for example the development of the Bader Field area in the city. 

So what now for Atlantic City as the bloom is definitely off the rose. Keep tuned to see the continuing saga. 

Atlantic City New Jersey Meet Flint Michigan

You live long enough and certain things actually don't make you surprised. Actually, better stated, certain things happen that you are so overwhelmingly surprised that the situation in question doesn't make you surprised. 

Well such an incident happened today. Perusing the news, articles, blogs, and other sources of information about the casino industry, I came across an article related to the Atlantic City New Jersey Casino market. Specifically, the article was about the embattled Tropicana Resort and Casino. For those of you who are regulars to my blog, here's a little background. In the last 2 to 3 years the Tropicana has seen horrible reports about customer reviews, has had it's owner lose it's license to such issues due to Casino Control Act regulations and most recently has had the threat of layoffs due to a significant and terrible economic downturn. Ok, that brings things up to date for now. Well reading the article brought about the most glaring example of obliviousness that I have ever read. In the past year the American Auto Workers were able to organize the workers of the casino into a union. That same union has now settled to plan a strike for the Tropicana Casino workers for a date yet to be set, if certain concessions are not made. Yes this is all for real.

In one of the worst economic downturns I've ever seen in my life time, with the ever increasing competition from neighboring states, and the push by the employee organizations of the casinos, these numb nuts are organizing a strike should they not get what they want in their next contract !!!??? 

Have any of you ever seen the movie from the late 1980's called "Roger and Me"? To the point, the story is by famed documentary film maker Michael Moore, with whom I'm still up in the air about my opinion on, but no doubt made a poignant point about the downfall of one town that once stood strong. That town is Flint Michigan. It once was the crown jewel of the auto industry and almost the entire city was employed or benefited from it. Not recognizing the changing tide of the economy, competition and the world in general a slow deterioration ended with complete fall from grace. 

Is Atlantic City and it's casino industry there? Sadly I think so. Workers striking over conditions in a market that is evaporating. Legislation that hinders growth of the industry and competition that continually is knocking at the door.

I hope I'm wrong. The irony is the same people probably responsible for the fall of Flint Michigan are the same people that are now overseeing the labor unions for the Tropicana. Please God don't let history repeat itself.