Metro Cigar News Holiday 1998: Gambling

Gambling on a good cigar

By Bob & Sandy Nesoff

Picture Brett Maverick shuffling his cards and dealing a hand as the Mississippi river boat paddled its way downstream toward New Orleans. He casually flipped cards across the table, then sat back to contemplate his hand as he drew smoke through a hand rolled cigar.

It's impossible to picture Maverick without either cards or a cigar in his hand.

Brett is long gone, but riverboats are making a comeback and casinos are among the places that are still friendly toward smokers.

Caribbean casinos are amongst the most smoker-friendly, but gaming houses in Las Vegas and Atlantic City fare pretty well. Among our favorites are the Sonesta resort on Anguilla, the Las Vegas Hilton and Bally's Park Place in Atlantic City.

For sheer relaxation, you can't beat the casino in the Sonesta. You can enjoy a smoke and a game of blackjack without feeling the pressure of the stateside casinos. Las Vegas has eased off a bit, but don't try to carry on a conversation with someone while you are at a table. Atlantic City is much the same.

Visiting Anguilla requires a commitment of time and travel; the same holds true for Las Vegas, depending on where you are coming from. But Atlantic City is probably convenient to a greater share of the population than any other resort in America. You can get there by air, boat, train, bus and car.

Las Vegas is far more family friendly, especially in recent years with the development of huge hotels and theme resorts that'll cater to the children while Mom and Dad are betting the vacation budget. Atlantic City has some great shows with top entertainers, but there is virtually nothing for children. Or adults, for that matter, once you've gone beyond the casino and theater.

We get to Vegas once in a while and to the Sonesta in Anguilla, but the convenience of Atlantic City makes it accessible for a day trip.

The biggest drawback to AC in the winter is the wind whipping in off the ocean. But the casinos have made that a moot problem. At Bally's you can either use valet parking or park yourself in a convenient enclosed garage with a fully protected walk into the building.

The marina area that was once "at the far end" of AC has begun to come into its own. Development of the brand new convention center at the city's western end and a new tunnel being planned, will make access considerably easier.

Unfortunately, much of Atlantic City has not been upgraded and if you go just a few blocks away from the boardwalk or the marina hotel/casinos, the city is in pretty bad shape. Therefore, most people stick pretty close to the amenities.

However, don't be afraid to look for restaurants off the strip and even outside of the city. There are many quaint eateries that are reasonable and much more of an experience than any casino restaurant.

If you are a rated player, there are perks ranging from offers of free rooms and transportation to coupons with cash back as an incentive. You don't have to be a high roller to become rated. Most of the casinos have a plastic card with a magnetic strip keyed to your identification. If you use that every time you play a slot, you can earn a rating in short order and a host of free-bees.

So sit back, light up a good cigar, and see what you can do about beating the house odds.