Atlantic City Casinos Blog

   Mardi Gras is several weeks away, but the Tropicana is getting into the carnival season with a festival on Friday night, February 5. Admission to the festivities in the Quarter and the Marketplace s free, and there will be live music, DJs, dancing and other fun stuff. It all runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

   If you’re in the mood to stuff your face with food and drink, many restaurants - including the Palm, Cuba Libre and PF Chang - will have $5 food and drink specials. I’ve eaten at several of these places and the chow is first rate. Pick up the tickets at the new member services desk or the IMAX box office.

   If shopping is your bag, many of the stores in the Quarter will have special deals.

   If you’re still in the mood to party after 10 p.m., head to Cuba Libre for the after party.

   Before you go, check out all the deals at www.tropicana.net/festival2010.

People who log on to the Harrah’s Web site often find sweepstakes with a weekend in Vegas as the prize. You play some game, and you always lose, and that’s that.
But now, it’s gotten better. Log on to www.harrahs.com, and you can click on the “Walk Away a Winner” promotion. You have to enter your e-mail, birthdate, Total Rewards card number and pick your favorite Harrah’s property. You play the game and you still get, “sorry, not a winner’ on the screen.
But here’s the good part. Click on the link to a reward for playing, and a coupon for your favorite property comes up. Some of them are pretty good. I picked Caesars Atlantic City as my property, and so far have gotten a $10 Total Rewards gift card and free use of the Qua Spa Monday through Thursday. I’m going to try and get the gift card this afternoon, so I’ll let you know if there’s a problem. But this seems like one on-line game that’s worth playing. You can do it once a day.

   The Miss America pageant packed up and left for Vegas five years ago. But one tradition associated with the annual beauty contest is coming back to Atlantic City.

   Atlantic City’s gay community used to see the pageant as the “gay high holidays.” New York Avenue was the site to gather for the parade of contestants down the boardwalk, and drag queens were said to look at the misses’ outfits to get ideas for their own get-ups. To keep it going after the girls took their gowns, sequins and rhinestones back to their home states, they started the Miss’d America pageant, a drag show held the Sunday night after the shindig in Boardwalk Hall. It benefitted the South Jersey AIDS Alliance. It was a spoof on Miss America and THE place to be in Atlantic City that Sunday night.

   Well, that show is back, and will be held in Boardwalk Hall at 7:30 p.m. January 31. Whether you’re straight or gay, the show is well-written, well-produced, and a TON of laughs. This time around, it will benefit several area organizations, including the AIDS Alliance.

   Tickets start at $35, and are available through TicketMaster or at the Boardwalk Hall box office. An extra Andrew Jackson gets you admission to the pre- and post-show parties at Trump Plaza and Caesars. I plan on being there. It’s a great time for several great causes.

   Serious video poker players may want to give the Hilton a second look. They recently opened a full-pay video poker section in a corner on the parking garage side of the casino. The games include 9/6 Jacks or Better, 8/5 Bonus Poker and 9/7 Double Bonus. There are double jokers, double-double bonus and other games too. Denominations range from quarters to dollars.

   The Hilton’s cashback is not nearly as generous as sister property Resorts, and you have to earn 250 points before it kicks in. But it’s worth giving it a play and see what offers you get in the mail. I’ll let you know if my play earlier this week generates anything good in my mailbox. There is one warning. Before you leave for the day, check the machine for your cashback amount. It’s same day cashback at the Hilton, but it sometimes doesn’t show up. If you don’t see what you earned on the screen, go to the booth (actually, the casino cage) to get it fixed. Otherwise, that cashback is probably lost forever.

   On another note, the Ray Kot Memorial poker tournament at the Taj Mahal starts on January 18, not the 16th as I previously said. Finals are the night of January 24, which would be Kot’s birthday.

   Also at the Taj Mahal, the appearance of the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore has been rescheduled until February 13 because of a scheduling conflict.

   Last week, the Casino Control Commission approved a plan for Resorts to bring back $2 blackjack tables to Atlantic City. The idea was some people are intimidated about playing $10 to $15 a hand, the usual minimums, and are afraid other players will jump on them if they don’t make the right moves. The tables will debut in mid-February.

   Sounds like a wonderful move, but there’s a catch.

   The casinos claimed they can’t make money on $2 bets, so the commission allowed them to charge extra. The “tuition” for instruction at the low-limit tables is 25 cents a hand, and they collect the quarter from each player before a single card is dealt. The fee is collected on all bets from $2 to $5. Not a good deal. Do the arithmetic. The average blackjack dealer can serve about 60 hands an hour. If you pay a quarter per hand fee, that’s $15 an hour you’re paying for the pleasure of the low-limit tables. 

   And here’s the kicker. You can’t avoid the fee by betting $6 per hand. You can bet $2, $3, $4 or $5, but after that, bets have to go up in $5 increments. So you’d have to bet $10 to avoid the fee. For that, you may as well go to a regular table.

   It’s your money, but I suggest you avoid these games. The fee makes it equivalent to playing a 6-to-5 blackjack game. Pennsylvania recently legalized table games, and if you like playing low-limit blackjack, you can probably do it there in the next few months. Delaware is also talking about legalizing table games, and you can play there too, and their casinos are smoke-free.  You may just want to hang loose for a few more months. My guess is, with the competition heating up in neighboring states, $5 blackjack will come back to Atlantic City not long after the Pennsylvania and Delaware tables start dealing.

   As the cold spell lingers over the east coast, here are a couple indoor activities to keep your blood pumping.

   MTV’s “Jersey Shore Show” with its stereotypes of guidos and guidettes had drawn a lot of ire from Italian-American organizations. But if you’re a secret or not-so-secret fan of the series, here’s a chance to meet a couple of the characters in person.

   Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and DJ Pauly D will be at the Casbah nightclub the night of January 16. It starts at 10:30 p.m. and there will be contests for the best abs and hottest body. Admission is $20 and you’re supposed to dress to impress.

   If you want the thrill of a poker tournament but don’t like ponying up huge entry fees, here’s one you can do on the cheap and contribute to a good cause at the same time. The Taj Mahal is hosting the Ray Kot Open poker tournament January 16-23. Ray Kot was a games supervisor who was shot to death by a disgruntled gambler last May. The January 23 final will be on his birthday.

   Here’s how it works. You enter a satellite single-table tournament any time between noon and midnight January 16 to 22. There’s a voluntary $25 donation to enter. The winner of each table is eligible to be in the final round on January 23. First prize in that round is an all-expenses-paid trip to the Super Bowl, or the value of the trip in cash if you’re not a football fan. Second prize is a 52-inch TV and third prize is a Super Bowl party for you and your closest friends in a luxury suite at the Taj. There’s a prize for everyone who makes the final table.

   All proceeds go to a fund to pay for the education of Ray Kot’s son. I usually prefer video poker to the live tourneys, but I may give this one a try. If I make it to the final round, I’ll probably faint with shock.

Trump Marina is putting You in the Driver’s Seat
Our Volvo C30 Sweepstakes is your chance to get behind the wheel of one seriously hot car. Melding power, fuel-efficiency and style into a compact package, this hatchback from Volvo is a joy to drive. And you can win one! Earn entries January 1–31, then be here on Sunday, January 31 for the 4 p.m. drawing. Activate your entries on the drawing date between 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. by playing your favorite slots or table games or by visiting Trump One Services or any Rewards Center Kiosk.

EZ Baccarat
Now at Trump Marina, your Baccarat game just got a little easier with EZ Baccarat. This new game solves the principal challenge of Baccarat – how to make the commission disappear without changing the game. The solution, which took five years of research to develop, uses advanced mathematics to solve the key challenge, yet does not change the drawing rules of the game. The EZ Baccarat method replaces the taking of commission on every winning Bank hand by “barring” one specific winning Bank hand; a three card total of seven. The appearance of this hand is the “Dragon.” Customers can make an insurance bet – The Dragon7 bet – that pays 40 to 1 when the three card winning Bank hand occurs. It’s easy, fast and fun. Come try it today!

New Year – New Member!
You can start 2010 off just right with the best Cash Back, and comps for dining, entertainment, rooms and more in Atlantic City. New Trump One Members who sign up at Trump Taj Mahal will receive $50 in Bonus Slot Dollars. Just sign up, play and earn 20 Tier Points to be eligible.  New members will receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars on the day they enroll and $25 Bonus Slot Dollars to play with on your next visit. (Must earn 20 Tier Points on each visit to receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars).

2010 Trump Advantage Pass
Ring in the New Year with the all-new 2010 Trump Advantage Pass. It’s bigger and better than ever before, with over $500 in savings you’ll find discount coupons good for dining, entertainment, shopping and spa/salon services at all three Trump Entertainment Resorts. Get yours today FREE when you sign up for a new Trump One Card.

The New Trump One Rewards Catalog
The Comp Dollars you earn are the ultimate ticket to all the goodies in the Trump One Rewards Catalog, from electronics to house wares to incredible travel experiences. Apple iPods, Sony Cybershot digital cameras, and trips to Aspen and the Caribbean are just some of the things you can expect. It’s all right in the Trump One Rewards Catalog—and it’s all available with your Comp Dollars, making shopping easier than ever. Pick up your catalog at Trump One Services or at Trump Exchange.

A Guaranteed Win is Only a Click Away
Here’s an easy way to win. 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 in Matchplay. 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.

Don’t Miss Out on Special Phone Offers
Want to stay on the inside track when it comes to great offers? If you love getting the special deals that Trump Marina is known for, then opt-in for our phone offers today! We are no longer permitted to call you with these exclusive VIP phone offers unless you give us the okay. And it only takes a moment. Just dial 1-877-326-8060 and use the opt-in code 10579. You can also opt-in on the Web, by visiting: www.gc1.com/casinoOptIn/?optInCode=10579. It’s fast, easy and well worth it!

Best Value Promise at Trump Marina
You already know Trump Marina® gives you the best of everything, right here on the beautiful bay. But did you know we do it for less than anyone else?

In addition to a low room rate, you’ll also receive valuable extras, including free breakfast and health club access for 2 each day of your stay, free self parking, $10 Gaming credit and even the Trump Advantage Pass for incredible savings on shopping and dining! Plus! Sign up for a Trump One® Card and receive $50 Bonus Slot Dollars to use at your favorite slot machine.

Winter Getaway on the Bay - Two Nights at 25% Off
For your next spectacular bayside retreat, make it a double! Book two  nights and you’ll enjoy 25% off our best available rate. You’ll also receive $10 in Gaming Credit to pump up your play at our exciting table games or slots. Trump Marina is always better when you stay over, and two nights mean twice the fun.

Our guestrooms, many with bay views, treat you to luxurious amenities and the convenience of wireless Internet, on-demand movies and digital music. Sleep well on your Simmons® HealthSmart™ pillow-top bed, standard in every room.

With rates starting as low as $49, you don’t want to miss staying in some of the best rooms in Atlantic City! These rates won’t last long, so hurry – Book your Ultimate Deal today!

And…We’ll even Take Care of the Parking
Baby, it’s cold outside, so we want to do something extra special for you. When you visit Trump Marina in January, you can park for free in our self-park garage. All Trump One Cardholders are entitled to this free parking special. So be sure to visit and enjoy all that we have to offer, from hot casino action to fabulous restaurants and shops.

Gourmet Your Way

Trump Marina’s award-winning gourmet restaurants, DJ’s Steakhouse and Harborview continue to be two of the most elegant restaurants in Atlantic City. Why not enjoy them during your winter getaway or for a nice treat mid-week. DJ’s Steakhouse and Harborview are offering their all-new three course prix fixe menus for just $35* per person. Choose from Soup or Salad, a Choice of Entrée and Dessert. Choose from juicy steaks and chops at DJ’s Steakhouse or creative Italian cuisine and the freshest seafood at Harborview.  The cuisine–the service–the experience is a gift in itself at two of Atlantic City’s finest gourmet dining venues. Make your reservations to take advantage of these great dining experiences at a fraction of the cost, from Sunday through Thursday by calling 1-800-777-8477.

For a special treat, don’t miss the lavish Sunday Brunch from 10 am to 2 pm every week, at Harborview, offering guests a divine brunch menu with the most breathtaking view of the marina. Choose from made-to-order omelets, Eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, an abundant raw bar and a to-die-for assortment of dessert selections for just $42.00 per person, accompanied by sparkly mimosas and champagne. For reservations, please call 1-800-777-8477. (*Tax and gratuity not included.)

$1,000,000 Blackjack Challenge
We’re taking the classic game of 21 to the ultimate level with Trump Taj Mahal’s $1,000,000 Blackjack Challenge. You’ll receive an entry for each designated hand, roll or spin you get while playing your favorite table games from January 1–February 19. Then join us for the big drawing on Saturday, February 20. If you’re selected, you could play the hand of your life. One lucky player could win $750,000, $150,000 or $100,000. Don’t miss your chance to hit it big in Blackjack. Really big.

Own a Jeep, Own the Road
Win a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee or a share of $10,000 at Trump Taj Mahal. The Grand Cherokee is a legend among SUVs, mixing luxury with power and performance. And you can win one on Saturday, January 9 in the Main Concourse. Simply swipe your Trump One Rewards Card at any Rewards Center Kiosk now through Friday, January 8 to receive your random entries. Then join us on January 9 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 Jeep.

New Year’s Poker Classic
Poker players, get ready to start off the New Year with Trump Taj Mahal’s 2010 New Year’s Poker Classic beginning Saturday, January 2 and continuing through Monday, January 18.

We’re talking Mega Stack No Limit Hold ‘Em, Omaha Hi-Low and Seven Card Stud. All the poker games you like to play, all with huge payouts.  Buy-ins range from three hundred dollars up to twenty-five hundred dollars. So be here for the “first ever” Taj Poker New Year’s Classic, January 2 through January 18 at Atlantic City’s legendary poker room at Trump Taj Mahal.

Visit the Taj Poker desk for more details or reserve your seats at ptseats.com. Subject to change or cancellation at management’s discretion.

Grab the Benjamin’s! Money Machine Madness is back!
It’s a great way to spend President’s Weekend—Money Machine Madness is back and better than before. Earn entries beginning January 4 for a chance to step into the Money Machine February 13 through 15. Play your favorite games January 4–February 15 using your Trump One Card. Then join us on February 13, 14 and 15 in the Grand Concourse area for your chance to enter the Money Madness Machine. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll step into the machine for 60 seconds and grab as much flying cash as you can. Whatever you catch, you keep! We’re randomly selecting winners every hour at Trump Taj Mahal or Trump Plaza, from 2 p.m.–10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. on February 15. Be sure to activate your entries between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on February 15. There’s a total of $150,000 flying through the air—so grab your share!

Medium and Clairvoyant Lisa Williams
There will be a fascinating evening at Trump Taj Mahal. Mills Entertainment presents renowned medium and clairvoyant Lisa Williams in the Xanadu Theater on Saturday, January 23. With her gift for communicating with those who are no longer with us, Lisa takes audiences on a journey like no other. You may have seen her on television, starring in “Lisa Williams: Voices from the Other Side” and “Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead.” Now see Lisa live at Trump Taj Mahal for a night you’ll never forget. Tickets are priced at $75, $45 and $35 and show time is at 8 p.m.

New Year – New Member!
You can start 2010 off just right with the best Cash Back, and comps for dining, entertainment, rooms and more in Atlantic City. New Trump One Members who sign up at Trump Taj Mahal will receive $50 in Bonus Slot Dollars. Just sign up, play and earn 20 Tier Points to be eligible.  New members will receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars on the day they enroll and $25 Bonus Slot Dollars to play with on your next visit. (Must earn 20 Tier Points on each visit to receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars).

2010 Trump Advantage Pass
Ring in the New Year with the all-new 2010 Trump Advantage Pass. It’s bigger and better than ever before, with over $500 in savings you’ll find discount coupons good for dining, entertainment, shopping and spa/salon services at all three Trump Entertainment Resorts. Get yours today FREE when you sign up for a new Trump One Card.

Don’t Miss Out on Special Phone Offers
Want to stay on the inside track when it comes to great offers? If you love getting the special deals that Trump Entertainment Resorts is known for, then opt-in for our phone offers today! We are no longer permitted to call you with these exclusive VIP phone offers unless you give us the okay. And it only takes a moment. Just dial 1-877-326-8060 and use the opt-in code 10579. You can also opt-in on the Web, by visiting: www.gc1.com/casinoOptIn/?optInCode=10579. It’s fast, easy and well worth it!

A Guaranteed Win is Only a Click Away
Here’s an easy way to win. 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.

It’s Back! Money Machine Madness
You wanted it, you got it! The Madness is back at Trump Plaza. Start racking up your entries for a chance to step into the Money Machine. Play your favorite games January 4–February 15 using your Trump One Card. Then join us on February 13, 14 and 15 in the 5th Avenue Slot Area for your chance to enter the Money Madness Machine. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll step into the machine for 60 seconds and grab as much flying cash as you can. Whatever you catch, you keep! We’re randomly selecting winners every 10 minutes, from 2 p.m.–10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. on February 15. Plus, we’re letting you increase your chances by racking up triple the entries. Simply play at Trump Plaza on January 5, 13 and 21 and February 11, and you’ll earn 3X entries. Be sure to activate your entries between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on February 15. There’s a total of $150,000 flying through the air—grab your share!

Laugh with Louie
The Trump Comedy Series is upping the ante as we present the hilarious Louie Anderson. Catch Louie in the Theatre on Saturday, January 16. Few comedians are as versatile—and successful—as Louie Anderson. His career spans the worlds of television, film, books and, of course, standup. In his performances, Louie masterfully tells personal tales, including ups and downs and family experiences in warm way that every audience can relate to. From the stages of Johnny Carson to Jay Leno to David Letterman and even his own HBO specials, Louie Anderson has played the biggest venues along his way to reaching the pinnacle of comedic success. And you can see his act live—only at Trump Plaza. Tickets are priced at $35 and show time is at 9 p.m.

$500 Bonus Slot Dollars Every 15 minutes
Don’t miss playing at Trump Plaza on Tuesday, January 26. We’re giving away $500 Bonus Slot Dollars every 15 minutes from 2 p.m.–8 p.m. Enter simply by using your Trump One Card to play your favorite slots or table games. One active player will be selected every 15 minutes to win $500 Bonus Slot Dollars. So play your favorite games, and listen closely for your name!

SINdustry Night every Tuesday – Karachter Karaoke on Wednesdays in Liquid Bar
Don’t miss out on Liquid Bar’s Service Industry Night every Tuesday at Trump Plaza, with
$2.00 Corona’s and the $5.00 Happy Hour drinks all night beginning at 4 p.m. til 2 a.m.

And on Wednesdays, join DJ/Host Michael James and a cast of “Karachters” for Karachter Karaoke, an exciting twist on an old favorite. If you can sing like, look like or dress like your favorite vocalist or pop-icon, then come in “Karacter” on Wednesday nights to have some fun, sing your signature song, impress our judges and compete for weekly prizes. Take advantage of $5 drink specials and half priced appetizers at the bar from 4 pm til midnight.

New Year – New Member!
You can start 2010 off just right with the best Cash Back, and comps for dining, entertainment, rooms and more in Atlantic City. New Trump One Members who sign up at Trump Taj Mahal will receive $50 in Bonus Slot Dollars. Just sign up, play and earn 20 Tier Points to be eligible.  New members will receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars on the day they enroll and $25 Bonus Slot Dollars to play with on your next visit. (Must earn 20 Tier Points on each visit to receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars).

2010 Trump Advantage Pass
Ring in the New Year with the all-new 2010 Trump Advantage Pass. It’s bigger and better than ever before, with over $500 in savings you’ll find discount coupons good for dining, entertainment, shopping and spa/salon services at all three Trump Entertainment Resorts. Get yours today FREE when you sign up for a new Trump One Card.

A Guaranteed Win is Only a Click Away
Here’s an easy way to win. 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 in 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.

Don’t Miss Out on Special Phone Offers
Want to stay on the inside track when it comes to great offers? If you love getting the special deals that Trump Plaza is known for, then opt-in for our phone offers today! We are no longer permitted to call you with these exclusive VIP phone offers unless you give us the okay. And it only takes a moment. Just dial 1-877-326-8060 and use the opt-in code 10579. You can also opt-in on the Web, by visiting: www.gc1.com/casinoOptIn/?optInCode=10579. It’s fast, easy and well worth it!

Best Value Promise – In The Center of it all!
It’s all right here, next to Boardwalk Hall. Fabulous dining. Exciting gaming ‘round the clock. Just steps away from the best shopping, the Boardwalk, beaches and sizzling nightlife. Now amazing deals on our room rates put it all within your reach for a winter getaway you deserve after the holidays.

You simply won’t find a better deal on the Boardwalk. In addition to low rates, we give you valuable extras, like free breakfast each morning, complimentary health spa access, Valet Parking and more! Book your stay today at Trump Plaza, with rates as low as $59 – you can afford to stay two or three nights!

Try Gourmet Your Way
Treat yourself to an impeccable gourmet dining experience in the award-winning gourmet restaurants Max’s Steakhouse and Roberto’s Ristorante located in Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. Whether it’s thick, flavorful steaks and chops at Max’s Steakhouse or the finest cuisine from Northern Italy in Roberto’s Ristorante, you can dine on four decadent courses for one fabulous price.

Select an appetizer, soup or salad, entrée and delicious desserts prepared by our Executive Chef, for the unbelievable price of $35 per person. Available in Max’s Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and in Roberto’s on Wednesday and Thursday. A selection of wines is also available starting at just $15.00 per bottle. Dine in the warm ambiance of Max’s Steakhouse or take in the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean in Roberto’s Ristorante. Either way, you’ll discover Trump Plaza’s fine gourmet restaurants and impeccable service without breaking the bank. Call 609-441-6777 to make your reservations today.

The Early Bird Gets the Deal!
Take advantage of the Early Bird Dinner Specials in our 24 Central Café, Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm. For just $12.95 per person, you’ll enjoy soup, salad, entrée and dessert. And Sunday through Thursday from 7 pm until midnight it’s half price appetizers at the bar. Certain availability or restrictions may apply.

Bravo for Sundays
Enjoy the wondrous experience of Sunday Brunch with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Join us for Roberto’s Ristorante’s Sunday Brunch from 10 am – 2 pm. For $44.95 you enjoy a wide variety of menu choices, from traditional breakfast entrees as well as featured specialty dishes with an Italian flair– and it includes champagne or mimosas. MANGIA!

   It was New Year’s Eve, and I got stuck at work late. Yeah, it bites, but don’t tell my bosses that. When I finally got out at 6:30 p.m., I didn’t want to go home to watch garbage on TV. I didn’t feel like going to the party I was invited to. So of course, I hit Atlantic City.

   I went to Bally’s with a bonus cash coupon. If my money and my energy lasted, I would stay for a “hot seat” promotion in the high-limit room that started at 1 a.m. Well, my money didn’t last long at all, so I headed out the door just before midnight.

   Just a few steps from the entrance to the Claridge parking garage, I saw a penny slot machine all lit up and blinking. I took a look, and saw there were about $9.50 in credits left on it. Someone had forgotten them, and I sat down to play them off a little. I looked up again, and saw it was really about $95 left. That’s a pretty nice chunk of change.

   So what do I do? The perfectly ethical thing would have been to call over an attendant and point it out. Somehow, that didn’t feel right. On the other extreme, I could have cashed out the money, cashed in the ticket and beat it, $95 richer. I think most people would have done that, including many of the homeless who wander the casinos looking for abandoned credits to live on. I chose a third option, to play it for a little while and see if the original player returned. If no one came back 10 or 15 minutes, I would cash out the rest and leave.

   Well, about 5 minutes later, a frantic older woman came back, saying she had been playing the game and had left $95 on it. I told her I sat down to play and then noticed there was quite a bit of money on it. I had played off about $1.50 to $2 of it, and cashed out the ticket and handed it to her. She was quite happy to get the vast majority of the money back.

   Some people will say I was a fool to not just take the money and run. Others will say I was selfish to even think about taking the money, and should have called an employee to watch it. But I was happy with my choice. The woman seemed to need that money more than I did, and I left feeling on a good note.

   I got into my car and turned on the engine, and the radio was playing the last 5 seconds of the countdown for the New Year.