Atlantic City Casinos Blog

   Atlantic City is getting serious about marketing to the gay crowd. Apparently, with two incomes and no children to raise, they have the discretionary cash the struggling casino industry craves.

   Next weekend, it’s happening at the Taj Mahal.

   Comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer brings her bawdy, in-your-face standup act to the Xanadu showroom at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27. Tickets are $25.50 and available at the Taj Mahal box office or through TicketMaster.

   On Sunday, the Red Ribbon Bingo returns to Atlantic City in the Xanadu Theatre, with Suzanne Westenhoefer calling one of the games. It happens from 3 to 5 p.m. and benefits the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.

   For the uninitiated, this event was held several years ago in the now-defunct Sands, and later at the Showboat. And it’s definitely not the free bingo sessions your grandparents go to in the other gaming halls. This features drag queens - fresh out of Miss’d America - in their outlandish costumes, and plenty of campy comedy as the numbers are called. Audience participation is encouraged. Wear your finest Easter bonnet for a chance to win even more prizes. You don’t have to be gay to enjoy this experience. Just bring an open mind and a sense of humor. I usually hate bingo with a passion, and I went the old ones in the Sands until I started choking on all the smoke in there, and it was a barrel of laughs. Thanks to the New Jersey Clean Indoor Air Act, it’s smoke-free this time around. The games will also be held April 25 and May 23.

   If you still want to party when bingo ends, head straight to the Casbah nightclub for two hours of dancing and mingling.

Will You Unlock the Million-Dollar Prize?
Play your favorite games using your Trump One Card to earn entries now through March 13. Then be here for the big drawing on Saturday, March 13 as we randomly select 10 contestants to get a shot at $1,000,000! If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll select a key. One of the keys is guaranteed to unlock the Trump Marina money box. If you pick the lucky key, then you’re in the box, where you can then select one money bag. Oh yeah, did we mention one of those bags contains a million bucks?

$1,000,000 Roll of a Lifetime
March is your month to start earning entries into our $1,000,000 Roll of a Lifetime. Play your favorite table games March 1 through April 30 for your chance to win entries. Slot lovers and table players are both invited to get in on the action. You’ll receive one free entry for each designated hand you get in select games. Slot players will receive one entry for each hand-paid jackpot. On May 1, we’ll select six contestants to roll two pair of dice. Roll four million-dollar symbols and you’re a millionaire! For complete details on how to earn entries, including the designated hands, stop by Trump One Services.

$1,000 Every 15 Minutes
Trump Marina is giving you a chance to win $1,000 every 15 minutes—on two big days. Simply play from noon to 8 p.m. on March 3 and 23 for your chance to win $1,000. Be sure to activate your entry by playing any slot or table game using your Trump One Card or by visiting Trump One Services. Then play your favorite games and listen for your name as we call a $1,000 winner every 15 minutes. A total of $33,000 is up for grabs—get your hands on some!

Reach the Next Level Faster
You know that your Trump One Card delivers some of the best benefits around. And the higher you go in the club, the more perks you get. Now, Trump Marina is giving you the chance to play your way to the next membership level even faster. Simply visit on March 5, 7, 19 and 21 and play your favorite games. You’ll earn 3X Tier Points, and you’ll be on your way to movin’ on up.

Ragdoll, A Tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Ragdoll returns! Don’t miss the ultimate tribute to some of the greatest New Jersey icons of all time–Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Known as one of the best tribute bands around, Ragdoll recreates the unmistakable harmonies and signature falsetto for which the rock and roll legends are known. You’ll enjoy chart-topping hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Ragdoll,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Stay,” “Oh, What a Night” and more hits than we can name! Catch this nostalgic and fun show in The Shell on Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25.

A Freefall Could be Your Windfall
Drop it in and win at Trump Marina’s Freefall Cash Giveaway. On Wednesday, March 10 we’ll select five guests at each drawing: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. That’s a lot of chances for your name to be called. And if it is, you could win up to $1,000! Simply play your favorite games for a chance to freefall into cash!

Kathleen Madigan Returns to Trump Marina
You know her from Lewis Black’s “Root of All Evil” and countless other venues. Kathleen Madigan is one of the top female comedians working today. She’s appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, VH-1, E!, and CNN. She’s had her own HBO and Comedy Central specials and is a past winner of the American Comedy Award. As a headliner she consistently sells out arenas coast to coast. Don’t miss out on the laughs as Kathleen Madigan performs in The Shell on Saturday, March 20. Show time is at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced at $30.

We’re Passing the Buck…and a Whole Lot More
The 2010 Trump Advantage Pass is here. Get your hands on it for FREE when you sign up for a new Trump One Card. The Trump Advantage Pass is a powerful little booklet, brimming with over $500 in discount coupons. In fact, it’s our biggest and best Advantage Pass ever. Use your savings to explore all the dining, entertainment, shopping and spa/salon services at all three Atlantic City Trump Entertainment Resorts. Add to your wardrobe with trend-setting styles. Get the stylish ‘do’ and pampering you deserve at our salons. Even get some dazzling jewelry at a discount. And that’s just the beginning. Sign up to explore it all.

Food Lovers Get Your Forks Ready
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority presents Atlantic City Restaurant Week, seven days of celebrating the incredible culinary scene in A.C. The event kicks off on Sunday, February 28 and goes through Saturday, March 6. Participating restaurants will offer multi-course lunches and dinners for just $15.10 and $33.10 per person, respectively. And all three Trump Atlantic City Resorts are getting in on the delicious fun. You’ve got a wide variety of choices at Trump Plaza with Max’s Steakhouse, Roberto’s Ristorante, 24 Central Café and Evo Restaurant. Stop in at Plate American Café or get the ultimate in Italian at Il Mulino New York and Trattoria Il Mulino at Trump Taj Mahal. Over at Trump Marina, DJ’s Steakhouse, Harborview and The Café await you. All are ready to deliver first-class cuisine at restaurant week prices. So go on a culinary exploration at Trump’s Atlantic City restaurants.

Take Your Play to the Max
Playing is now easier than ever at Trump Marina. And a touch of the button is all it takes. You know that Slot Dollars and Bonus Slot Dollars are easily downloadable right at your favorite slots, making them the fastest most convenient way to play. Now, playing just got better! You can now download ALL of your Slot Dollars at your machine, and that means you’ll have more time to play. Simply press the #7 on the keypad, enter your PIN and press ENT. Just like always, you can then select #1 for Trump Bonus Slot Dollars or #2 for Trump Slot Dollars. But now you have the option to press #5 to download the full amount (as long as it’s not more than the maximum amount designated for each machine). It’s easy, less hassle and gets you playing your favorites faster.

Volkswagen Tiguan and $10,000 Giveaway
After all this snow, we can use one of these! Win a powerful yet compact 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan or a share of $10,000 at Trump Taj Mahal. The Tiguan is a stylish, compact SUV that packs a lot of power—including 200 horsepower and a 2.0L turbocharged direct injection engine. And you can win one on Saturday, March 20 on the Main Concourse. Simply swipe your Trump One Rewards Card at any Rewards Center Kiosk now through Friday, March 19 to receive your random entries. Then join us on March 20 for the drawing. Activate your entries that day by receiving a slot or table game rating between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Then at 7 p.m. we’ll give away $5,000 cash. And at 10 p.m. we’ll give away another $5,000 and the Tiguan!

Robert Kelly + Patrice O’Neal = Huge Laughs
Comedy on the Edge will have you on the edge of your seat—laughing out loud. The Trump Comedy Series presents Robert Kelly and Patrice O’Neal in the Xanadu Theater on Saturday, March 6. Show time is at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced at $25.50. You’ve seen Robert Kelly at the most-respected comedy venues around the country, even performing with Dane Cook and the popular “Tourgasm.” Kelly blends nonstop energy and cutting edge humor and his act spins tales of mischievousness and playful situations that we can all relate to. Patrice O’Neal got his first real taste of stand-up by being a heckler. The comic asked Patrice if he thought he could do better. Patrice did and the following week he went on stage and the rest (as they say) is history. Years later, Patrice has burnished his reputation as a leading standup comedian. He has appeared on “The Late Show with Conan O’Brien” and was a regular on Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.”

Claudio Baglioni
Princeton International Arts presents Italian musician Claudio Baglioni, whose illustrious career has spanned four decades. Baglioni will perform new and classic hits in this special engagement at Trump Taj Mahal. The versatile singer-songwriter’s career is studded with accomplishments—he even penned the official anthem for the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin. This celebrated international entertainer will play in the Mark G. Etess Arena on Saturday, March 6. Show time at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced at $90 and $120.

Laugh it up with Bill Burr and Trump Comedy Series
Comedian, Bill Burr, who got his start on the second season of Chapelle’s Show, Late Night With David Letterman and on his very own HBO Special will be performing in the Xanadu at Trump Taj Mahal on Saturday, May 8, 2010 as part of the Trump Comedy Series.  Show time is at 8:00 pm, doors will open one hour prior.  Ticket price is $28.50.

Alicia Keys
Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, along with special guest Melanie Fiona, is making a special stop in the Mark G. Etess Arena on Saturday, March 20. This one-night-only performance is guaranteed to be a tough ticket. Keys’ blend of R&B, Soul and Pop and virtuosity with multiple instruments have made her a commercial and critical success. Ever since her debut album in 2001, the top-selling artist has netted numerous Grammy Awards and other accolades. And now she brings her talent to the Trump Taj Mahal. Show time at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced at $75.50, $95.50, $150.50.

We’re Passing the Buck…and a Whole Lot More
The 2010 Trump Advantage Pass is here. Get your hands on it for FREE when you sign up for a new Trump One Card. The Trump Advantage Pass is a powerful little booklet, brimming with over $500 in discount coupons. In fact, it’s our biggest and best Advantage Pass ever. Use your savings to explore all the dining, entertainment, shopping and spa/salon services at our three Atlantic City Trump Entertainment Resorts. Add to your wardrobe with trend-setting styles. Get the stylish ‘do’ and pampering you deserve at our salons. Even get some dazzling jewelry at a discount. And that’s just the beginning. Sign up to explore it all.

ADTP: The Easy Way to Stay on Top of Your Rewards
We’re always striving to make your Trump Atlantic City experience as fun and convenient as possible. That’s why we’ve introduced ADTP. ADTP stands for Average Daily Tier Points. And it’s Trump Taj Mahal’s way of helping you keep track of your rewards. Your ADTP is your average number of Tier Points that you earn each day you play at Trump Taj Mahal. And you can check it at any Rewards Center Kiosk. Be on the lookout for exciting new promotions involving ADTP—coming soon. And if you have any questions, our Trump One Service representatives can give you answers.

Are you Romantic or Risqué?
Crank up the passion as you fuel the flame with our Romantic Escape. Or explore new pleasures with the Risqué Rendezvous. Lovebirds, you’ll retreat to a luxurious room, put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign and escape into each other’s arms. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of bubbly or wine, and of course engage in some fun with your Romance Kit or Risqué Intimacy Kit, delivered right to your door. Each kit offers plenty of surprises—each of them playful and passion-inducing. So no matter what mood you’re in—naughty or nice—you’ll find the getaway meant for you and your lover. These packages start at just $169 and are available now through March 31, 2010. And while you’re here, add to the moment: in-room massages, intimate meals, wild nightlife—Trump Taj Mahal gives you countless ways to spice up your relationship.

Food Lovers Get Your Forks Ready
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority presents Atlantic City Restaurant Week, seven days of celebrating the incredible culinary scene in A.C. The event kicks off on Sunday, February 28 and goes through Saturday, March 6. Participating restaurants will offer multi-course lunches and dinners for just $15.10 and $33.10 per person, respectively. And all three Trump Atlantic City Resorts are getting in on the delicious fun. You’ve got a wide variety of choices at Trump Plaza with Max’s Steakhouse, Roberto’s Ristorante, 24 Central Café and Evo Restaurant. Stop in at Plate American Café or get the ultimate in Italian at Il Mulino New York and Trattoria Il Mulino at Trump Taj Mahal. Over at Trump Marina, DJ’s Steakhouse, Harborview and The Café await you. All are ready to deliver first-class cuisine at restaurant week prices. So go on a culinary exploration at Trump’s Atlantic City restaurants.

Take Your Play to the Max
Playing is now easier than ever at Trump Taj Mahal. And a touch of the button is all it takes. You know that Slot Dollars and Bonus Slot Dollars are easily downloadable right at your favorite slots, making them the fastest most convenient way to play. Now, playing just got better! You can now download ALL of your Slot Dollars at your machine, and that means you’ll have more time to play. Simply press the #7 on the keypad, enter your PIN and press ENT. Just like always, you can then select #1 for Trump Bonus Slot Dollars or #2 for Trump Slot Dollars. But now you have the option to press #5 to download the full amount (as long as it’s not more than the maximum amount designated for each machine). It’s easy, less hassle and gets you playing your favorites faster.

Click and Win (It Really is that Simple)
Winning doesn’t get any easier than this. Visit Trump One Services or any Rewards Center Kiosk to give us your email address and we’ll give you $10 Bonus Slot Dollars or $20 Match Play. If you became a Trump One Cardholder prior to September 1, 2009 and have yet to give us your email address, then you qualify. Plus, you’ll start receiving exclusive email-only offers from us. Talk about a win-win.

Harrah’s Entertainment sent out an e-mail survey earlier this week, apparently targeted at video poker players. I got it, and so did several of my Internet buddies.

Harrah’s is apparently losing a lot of formerly loyal video poker players, and it looks like they’re trying to find out where they went wrong. They asked questions about what’s important to the players, having 9/6 Jacks or Better, a large non-smoking section, the atmosphere of the casino, mailed offers and so forth. They also asked what would be your ideal casino to play in, and what existing casino comes closest to your ideal and why. It took 5 or 10 minutes to fill out.
It’s hard to say what, if any, changes will come from this. But Harrah’s Atlantic City properties have reduced their full-pay video poker inventory in the last year or two, and they’ve completely decimated it in Las Vegas. Maybe they’re coming to regret that decision. After all, most of the gamblers who know to look for 9/6 Jacks or Better do not play the game with perfect strategy, and I’ve seen plenty use downright lousy systems. Many video poker players, myself included, also play the reel spinners while we’re in the casino. And we bring in friends, relatives and spouses to eat in the casino, and they play too.

I’ll keep you posted if anything changes at their properties. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to seek the best bang for my gambling buck.

   OK, if you’re a high-roller, this might not make sense. You can get all your food and drinks for free. But if you want a nice place to relax and have a drink and a snack at a good price, this deal might be for you.

   The Alto Vino wine bar at the Tropicana started a happy hour this week. If you’ve never been to the room on the twentieth floor of the North Tower, just being there is a treat. There are large bay windows on three sides, offering stunning views of the ocean, city and bay. The seats are comfortable, and I promise you won’t want to just drink and run.

   Now it’s even better. From 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 6 to 7 p.m. on Fridays, all glasses of wine are half off. Normal prices start at $8 a glass, so during happy hour, four bucks buys you a very calming experience. They’ll even throw in some complimentary cheese samplings. If the samples aren’t enough, they have small plates of cheeses, meats and other goodies starting at about $5. If you stay after happy hour ends, you’ll be treated to live music on most nights.

   And if you’re a resident of Atlantic or Cape May County, you’ll get a 10% discount on purchases by showing your ID and your Diamond Card. I’m not sure if that discount extends to happy hour prices, but it’s another incentive for locals to check this place out.

   Atlantic City was a mob scene this past weekend, something the casinos, restaurants and stores are very happy to see. It was a combination of the first taste of spring weather, a wrestling tournament, the RV show, the Home & Garden Show and the last day of Restaurant Week.

   Well, the madness is continuing. For starters, 31 of the eateries participating in Restaurant Week decided to continue their specials for another week. That includes Mia at Caesars, that I did Saturday night with three friends, and was my favorite of the bunch. Once we added in a bottle of wine and after-dinner coffee, it was $200 off my Total Rewards account, and well worth it. I also did dinner at Max’s Steakhouse at Trump Plaza and Noodles of the World at Borgata. That’s not counting the Harrah’s buffet, which I did with friends who aren’t into the fine dining experience, even if it was the same price as the buffet. Fortunately, I was also able to get in a couple extra trips to the gym, which I needed with all the pigging out I did.

   For those who prefer the basketball type of March Madness, the Atlantic 10 men’s championship is coming to Boardwalk Hall this weekend. The quarter finals will be Friday at noon and 6:30 p.m., the semi finals Saturday at 1 p.m. and the finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20 for students and $25 to $65 for adults. Call (609) 348-7021 to order tickets or get them through TicketMaster.

   And there are a couple of bonuses to go with the tournament. Families (or any group of 4 people, I presume) can get a Spirit Airlines family 4-pack of tickets for $79, available at the Boardwalk Hall box office or through TicketMaster. The package includes a hot dog and soft drink for each person, and you get an entry to win a round-trip ticket to anywhere Spirit Ailrlines flies. If you need a pair or two of sneakers, spend $75 or more at the Nike outlet in The Walk between now and Saturday, and you’ll get a free ticket to a game when you buy a ticket. And if you like to play basketball as well as watch it, your Atlantic 10 ticket is good for admission to  the Pepsi Fanzone in Boardwalk Hall, where you can shoot hoops and play some other games. It opens at 5 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday.

   A couple of months ago, I wrote about the “Walk Away a Winner” online game at harrahs.com, and how it seemed worth playing.

   I put in Caesars as my main property, and every time I played, got one of three prizes: A 10 Total Rewards gift card, free use of the Qua spa, and $20 off a treatment at Qua.

   Well, the Totals Rewards gift card turned out to be a bust. I printed out the page and brought it to the Total Rewards center, but they said I had to print the e-mail to get the card. Problem is, I never got the e-mail they said to print, so no gift card.

   The use of the Qua spa was a good one. I presented the coupon after an especially stressful day at work a few weeks ago, and was admitted to their spa. A workout in their fitness center and a session in their tubs and steam room were just what I needed to unwind. The spa is small, but quite luxurious. Plus, I had printed out several of the passes, and they said I could use it again. Believe me, I will.

   The $20 off a treatment wasn’t quite what it was made out to be. I took a couple days off work this week, and booked a $99 special massage at Qua. But when I presented the coupon at check-in, they said it wasn’t good on specials, even though the coupon said $20 off “any service.” I paid with Total Reward credits, which was fine, because I have more in my account than I can possibly use. The massage was great, I used a (different) coupon for a free buffet, and broke even in the casino, so I really can’t complain. But be forewarned, that coupon is good only on the full-price treatments, not any specials.

    Bottom line, the promotion was not as good as it initially seemed. But if you’re in Atlantic City on a weekday, it is worth playing to get that Qua pass. You’ll really feel pampered, even without any services.

  You don’t have to go to Wimbledon, or even Flushing Meadows, to see tennis greats in action.

   The first Caesars Tennis Classic comes to Boardwalk Hall at 7:30 p.m. April 10. Those scheduled to play include Pete Sampras, James Blake, Ivan Lendl, Andy Roddick, Mats Wilander and Marat Safin. There will be three matches.

   Venus Williams will host the event, but all the players will be men. There will be a chance to meet the players up close and personal at a Tennis Village.

    Tickets range from $25 to $175, with an “experience” package costing extra, and are available at the Boardwalk Hall box office or through TicketMaster. Get more information at www.CaesarsTennisClassic.com.

   If you want to learn to play poker like a pro, here’s your chance to learn from some greats. The World Poker Tour Boot Camp is coming to the Tropicana April 9 and 10. As of this morning, there were five seats left.

   Poker pros Kathy Liebert, Nick Brancato, Rick Fuller, and Nick Binger will teach students how to become winners at tournament play. There will be lectures, labs and a special tournament only for those enrolled in the class.

   Tuition is $1,895, and includes breakfast and lunch each day. Register online at www.wptbootcamp.com. Don’t have that kind of money in your bank account? No problem. The Tropicana is giving away one seat for free. Fill out an entry form at http://tropicana.net/poker.

   If you love fine dining but have a meagre budget, next week is your chance to check out what Atlantic City and its surrounding towns have to offer - without breaking your bank account.

   The second annual Atlantic City Restaurant Week starts Sunday and goes through March 6. Participating eateries are offering a three-course lunch for $15.10 and a three-course dinner for $33.10 off of special menus. Some of the finest dining rooms in Atlantic City, including the casinos, are participating. Count on it, I’ll be chowing down there several times.

   Even better, if you have money in your comp account, most casino restaurants will let you pay for your meals with comp dollars. So all you’ll have to pay out of pocket is the tip for your server. Ask when you make your reservation so you don’t get any surprises when the bill comes. A friend and I had dinner at Patsy’s in the Hilton over the weekend, and they wouldn’t let us order off their special prix fixe menu and pay with comp dollars. We did fine off the regular menu, but for Restaurant Week, I want to be able to use comps.

   To make up your mind on where to dine - and trust me, it will be a tough decision - log on to www.acrestaurantweek.com. It lists all the participating restaurants, and most of them have posted their special menus.

   Bon appetit!