Dover Downs or Harrah's Chester?

[The_Posse]

I live in the DC area and am planning a Saturday morning/afternoon BJ road trip. I'm trying to decide between Dover Downs and Harrah's Chester. I was initially leaning towards Dover Downs but reading the forum made me reconsider. In terms of settings, I'm looking to play a $10 or $15 table. Would greatly appreciate any input from those who are familiar with each casino. Thanks in advance.

 

[jaygruden]

On a Saturday morning you can find both $10 and $15 tables at each store. Differences - DD has 6D games at those min's. HC - You may have to play 8D games at those min's (6D may be $25 on Saturday morning at HC).

On other hand HC offers LS while DD does not. Both places have dealer dependent pen but I think on average pen is better at HC. Have been at DD more than HC though, so others may have differing opinion about HC. Good luck!

 

[The_Posse]

On a Saturday morning you can find both $10 and $15 tables at each store. Differences - DD has 6D games at those min's. HC - You may have to play 8D games at those min's (6D may be $25 on Saturday morning at HC).

On other hand HC offers LS while DD does not. Both places have dealer dependent pen but I think on average pen is better at HC. Have been at DD more than HC though, so others may have differing opinion about HC. Good luck!

Thanks for the quick feedback. Curious to see what others think about the pen between the two. I think I'll eventually check out both. Leaning a little towards Harrah's, with comps being a factor in my thought process.

Hate being the forum noob with more than one question but you brought something up that I feel I should ask: Which is more important- 6 decks or better pen? Admittedly, I'm not an advanced AP so assuming only playing BS and hi/lo. If decks is more important based on my type of play, perhaps DD is better suited for me.

Again, much thanks for the insight.

 

[jaygruden]

Pen is more important definitely. If I had a choice btwn 6D @ 75% pen and 8D @ 85% pen, I would choose the 8D. If I can get equal pen between 6D & 8D then I choose 6D due to higher score and less var. I said that "on average" the pen is better at HC but I have no problem getting the same or better pen at DD, I may just have to walk a little longer and watch dealers. I don't mind this bc 6D is much better for me so it's worth it to be patient for pen. If you're more concerned with hands per hour then HC will likely be better because there will be more tables open to choose from and more dealers to choose from so less walking and more playing.

 

[aslan]

I live in the DC area and am planning a Saturday morning/afternoon BJ road trip. I'm trying to decide between Dover Downs and Harrah's Chester. I was initially leaning towards Dover Downs but reading the forum made me reconsider. In terms of settings, I'm looking to play a $10 or $15 table. Would greatly appreciate any input from those who are familiar with each casino. Thanks in advance.

I play at DD because it is closer to DC than HC, it is on my way to AC, and my wife likes to shop there. The LS at HC is the key difference, and that is a big difference. Pen is generally variable wherever you go, although I do not remember if this were true at HC. Like JG says, the 6-deck games may not be available at the lower limits at HC, but 8-deck is not hateful at all, IMO, if you can find good pen. Don't forget the Delaware Park game, which is a lot closer than HC; it has 8-deck, but also LS. The non-csm games do not begin until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, so don't go early-- that is, if nothing has changed since I was there last.

 

[HsiaoDi]

Last time I was at dd, no surrender, very packed at lower limit.... higher limit nmse. Pen about 1.25/6. Hc you'll have to put up with people heckling when you surrender or hitting your soft hands.

 

[aslan]

Last time I was at dd, no surrender, very packed at lower limit.... higher limit nmse. Pen about 1.25/6. Hc you'll have to put up with people heckling when you surrender or hitting your soft hands.

There is an old guy there who was cutting 1 deck or less.

My doctor's last name is Hsiao.

 

[jaygruden]

My doctor's last name is Hsiao.

Is he a card counter?:laugh:

 

[aslan]

Is he a card counter?:laugh:

That I don't know. :laugh: But he does practice preventative medicine. I can't make up my mind whether he's a quack or ahead of his time.

 

[jaygruden]

Maybe he can "prevent" neg var. for you. It would be worth it even with the insurance co-pay:grin:

 

[tthree]

I like DD for small minimums. All $5 tables 4-5AM to 10-11AM depending upon how busy it is. HC has many tables open so most of the time it is easy to move around without delay. They are mostly $15 but some $10 can be found at slow times. If you want $10 games on a weekend go to DD. I find DD more profitable because My max bet is at it's highest acceptable level so spread is minimum dependent. Obviously the LS option makes up for a lot of the better conditions at DD. Comps start good at HC but after playing there for a while a good player will notice them tighten up the comps. DD has given me good comps but all I look for is a free meal for me and the Mrs.. Someone working for more comps could answer that better.

 

[FLASH1296]

Word on the street:

Harrahs Chester is said to be as intolerant
of A.P.'s as other outposts of the Evil Empire.

 

[HsiaoDi]

I haven't ran into any trouble, but with my stake they'd probably be wasting their time... I haven't had any exceptional outcome there anyway.... Neighborhood is a little sketchy...

 

[peaegg]

agree to FLASH

Word on the street:

Harrahs Chester is said to be as intolerant
of A.P.'s as other outposts of the Evil Empire.

True. The PB has no hesitation to shuffle prematurely or half shoe players. In addition, the drive to the place may make you feel unsafe.

 

[The_Posse]

I play at DD because it is closer to DC than HC, it is on my way to AC, and my wife likes to shop there. The LS at HC is the key difference, and that is a big difference. Pen is generally variable wherever you go, although I do not remember if this were true at HC. Like JG says, the 6-deck games may not be available at the lower limits at HC, but 8-deck is not hateful at all, IMO, if you can find good pen. Don't forget the Delaware Park game, which is a lot closer than HC; it has 8-deck, but also LS. The non-csm games do not begin until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, so don't go early-- that is, if nothing has changed since I was there last.

I went to Delaware Park once last summer and only saw CSM games, hence why I was only debating between DD and HC. Guess I missed out. I'm trying to play earlier in the day so I'll have to consider Delaware Park another time.

 

[The_Posse]

I like DD for small minimums. All $5 tables 4-5AM to 10-11AM depending upon how busy it is. HC has many tables open so most of the time it is easy to move around without delay. They are mostly $15 but some $10 can be found at slow times. If you want $10 games on a weekend go to DD. I find DD more profitable because My max bet is at it's highest acceptable level so spread is minimum dependent. Obviously the LS option makes up for a lot of the better conditions at DD. Comps start good at HC but after playing there for a while a good player will notice them tighten up the comps. DD has given me good comps but all I look for is a free meal for me and the Mrs.. Someone working for more comps could answer that better.

The ability to play lower minimums is a huge draw for me, at least for this trip. DD is 30 minutes closer, which is another plus. I think DD might be my best bet for this excursion and HC would be a worth trying on another trip.

 

[The_Posse]

Again, thank you to everyone for your insight. Will have to post a trip report.

 

[jaygruden]

The ability to play lower minimums is a huge draw for me, at least for this trip. DD is 30 minutes closer, which is another plus. I think DD might be my best bet for this excursion and HC would be a worth trying on another trip.

Keep Parx on your list as well. It's about 30 min further for you from HC but the conditions are much better IMO. You'll make up for the gas and travel time in higher EV.

 

[alwayssplitaces]

Keep Parx on your list as well. It's about 30 min further for you from HC but the conditions are much better IMO. You'll make up for the gas and travel time in higher EV.

Parx has more heat than Harrahs Chester. I've been backed off last year just betting red and having only a $1500 win at Parx. I'm playing again at Parx now, betting green, and get stared at sometimes. The only game I play rated at Parx is poker since my blackjack rep there is shot. Haven't gotten heat at Chester yet betting green, and I play BJ rated there. I'd rather have Harrah's comps which are much more useful than Parx comps. I never paid for a hotel room or food (from a Harrah's property) in Vegas.

 

[jaygruden]

Parx has more heat than Harrahs Chester. I've been backed off last year just betting red and having only a $1500 win at Parx. I'm playing again at Parx now, betting green, and get stared at sometimes. The only game I play rated at Parx is poker since my blackjack rep there is shot. Haven't gotten heat at Chester yet betting green, and I play BJ rated there. I'd rather have Harrah's comps which are much more useful than Parx comps. I never paid for a hotel room or food (from a Harrah's property) in Vegas.

OK....I play Parx much more often than HC so you may have better feel for HC, but I have not gotten any heat at Parx and have had many winning sessions at green tables there. Like East better than Main. I don't play rated so comps not part of equation on opinion.