BUCKET LIST TRIP TO ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND

[IamGreek]

I'm in the very early stages of planning for this (hoping I live that long) for January/February 2016. Would appreciate any tips from anyone who has been there. They advertise that Caesar's Diamond members can get 4 nights free with minimum 6 hours of rated play. Any idea how much moolah that entails? Thanks in advance.

[snowtracks]

I think 7-Star Druff will know the answer.

[SrslySirius]

I stayed at Atlantis this year while covering the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. It's not the worst place I've ever been, but it wouldn't rank very high on my list of desirable destinations.

Unless you're staying in one of the baller towers like The Cove, the rooms are kind of crappy. To me that's not a huge deal, since I don't spend much time in there, but I can see how that would sour the experience for some. Daniel Negreanu stayed in the Coral Tower (same as me) during PCA, due to its close proximity to the tournament area. He got the finest suite in the tower, but even that was pretty lackluster.

If you are baller enough to stay in The Cove, it is pretty goddamn nice.

Outside of the resort, I don't know that there is really much to do in Bahamas. The island is tiny and Atlantis seems to take up nearly half of it. Something like 60% of their economy depends on tourism. From what I observed, everything outside Atlantis looks like a shithole.

This means you'll probably be spending most of your time in the casino and whatnot. Personally I have grown to hate casinos, but I'm probably weird like that. As far as restaurants go, there are a few excellent ones. Bahamian Club and Olives come to mind. There's a waterpark that I hear is pretty awesome, but I never visited it.

The main that ruined this trip for me was getting robbed by hotel staff. Management is completely apathetic about this. Don't leave anything valuable in your room for even a minute. They are vultures and they will ignore your DND signs. I would have been stranded on that island if not for the generosity of an upstanding poker player.

I also got fucked right up the ass with roaming fees on my phone, but I'm not sure if that was my own dumb fault or if I was mislead by the phone carrier. But be careful with that.

[IamGreek]

Thanks guys. I may have to re-think this. I'm gullible for a slick tv ad.

Srsly that sucks that you were robbed and by hotel staff too. Just that reason is enuf to change my mind. Wonder what the wife and her friends will say when they read these posts. It probably won't be OPA!

[Dan Druff]

I have heard mixed things about Atlantis, though I've never been there.

Reportedly it's worse during the PCA because the staff knows the place is full of 18-year-olds, and basically anyone young isn't shown much respect.

But even during non-PCA times, the general consensus I've heard was, "I kinda expected it to be better."

Also, I've heard the water there is cold (!!) at certain times of the year.

Regarding "6 hours of rated play", you should find out the minimum bet required. You should also make sure that the rules/payouts of the game you plan to play aren't awful.

A "basic rules" 6-deck blackjack game has a house edge of 0.64%.

By "basic rules", I mean: Dealer hits on soft 17, double any 2 cards, double after split, no resplit aces, split up to 4 times, no surrender, blackjack pays 3:2.

Then it comes down to hands per hour. You want as few as possible. This means playing at a full table. With 6 people at the table, they usually only deal 60 hands per hour. With just you and the dealer, it's 209 per hour! And of course, you need to add to that, because some hands you will be betting double, triple, quadruple, or more, due to doubling/splitting. So it's actually bets per hour which is important, not hands per hour (though the numbers will be fairly close).

With 3 players at the table, you average 105 hands per hour. So let's say for argument's sake that you play at a table that ranges between 3 and 6 players (including you)... and you get in 100 bets (not hands) per hour.

That means you will have bet $2500. That's an expected loss of just $16. Multiply that by 6 hours, and your expected loss is $96. Obviously that's easily worth 4 nights at Atlantis. Of course, you will be gambling, and there is plenty of variance here, so your losses could easily run into the 4-figures after 6 hours.

And what if the rules are worse? That could also be a problem, such as the 6:5 blackjack.

But if you can get 4 free nights for being rated at $25/hand or less, and if you can verify that the rules are standard or very close to it, go for it.

Just be realistic that Atlantis itself will be somewhat of a flawed experience.

[mwh72]

Take a cruise out of Miami.

Lots of them stop there.

Spend one day there first before you decide if it's for you or not. They have a nice aquarium.

I think the one that I was on that stopped in the Bahamas also stopped in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St Maarten.

I would do it again.

[IamGreek]

I have heard mixed things about Atlantis, though I've never been there.

Reportedly it's worse during the PCA because the staff knows the place is full of 18-year-olds, and basically anyone young isn't shown much respect.

But even during non-PCA times, the general consensus I've heard was, "I kinda expected it to be better."

Also, I've heard the water there is cold (!!) at certain times of the year.

Regarding "6 hours of rated play", you should find out the minimum bet required. You should also make sure that the rules/payouts of the game you plan to play aren't awful.

A "basic rules" 6-deck blackjack game has a house edge of 0.64%.

By "basic rules", I mean: Dealer hits on soft 17, double any 2 cards, double after split, no resplit aces, split up to 4 times, no surrender, blackjack pays 3:2.

Then it comes down to hands per hour. You want as few as possible. This means playing at a full table. With 6 people at the table, they usually only deal 60 hands per hour. With just you and the dealer, it's 209 per hour! And of course, you need to add to that, because some hands you will be betting double, triple, quadruple, or more, due to doubling/splitting. So it's actually bets per hour which is important, not hands per hour (though the numbers will be fairly close).

With 3 players at the table, you average 105 hands per hour. So let's say for argument's sake that you play at a table that ranges between 3 and 6 players (including you)... and you get in 100 bets (not hands) per hour.

That means you will have bet $2500. That's an expected loss of just $16. Multiply that by 6 hours, and your expected loss is $96. Obviously that's easily worth 4 nights at Atlantis. Of course, you will be gambling, and there is plenty of variance here, so your losses could easily run into the 4-figures after 6 hours.

And what if the rules are worse? That could also be a problem, such as the 6:5 blackjack.

But if you can get 4 free nights for being rated at $25/hand or less, and if you can verify that the rules are standard or very close to it, go for it.

Just be realistic that Atlantis itself will be somewhat of a flawed experience.

Thanks Druff. We don't play much BJ--prefer poker and slots. Based on all the negative responses, a new plan is in order.

[Sanlmar]

I'm in the very early stages of planning for this (hoping I live that long) for January/February 2016. Would appreciate any tips from anyone who has been there. They advertise that Caesar's Diamond members can get 4 nights free with minimum 6 hours of rated play. Any idea how much moolah that entails? Thanks in advance.

Atlantis is expensive beyond belief. Try to get some food comps. if you have any pull.

Lotta fun and lots to do.

Not a "relaxing island getaway".

Atlantis was on the ropes post housing crash. Deaths door. In response, they opened up the resort to day trippers & cruise excursion crowd.

Pool can get pretty crowded. I recall no restaurant reservations. You can wait. Kind of a Disneyland on an island experience.

If it's free, it's for me.

For me, once was enough.

[abrown83]

I'm in the very early stages of planning for this (hoping I live that long) for January/February 2016. Would appreciate any tips from anyone who has been there. They advertise that Caesar's Diamond members can get 4 nights free with minimum 6 hours of rated play. Any idea how much moolah that entails? Thanks in advance.

IamGreek what's the goal overall?

To go to an all-inclusive resort?

There are better options out there now if that is what you are aiming to do.

[simply1]

Long time lurker but first post as you have a subject here that I would be considered an expert of.

I have a residence on Paradise Island less than a mile from Atlantis and could steer anyone in the right direction as far as the casino, beaches, restaurants, etc go.

In a nutshell, as previous posters said food & beverage is very expensive. Great beaches, water park, & aquariums.

In order this is how their various towers would rank: The Cove, The Reef, Royal, Coral & Beach. The last two are old and quite tired.

You may also want to look into the Baha Mar opening in Spring 2015. This is a new property on Cable Beach in Nassau and they claim to be bigger & better than Atlantis, incl. their casino.

The casino in Atlantis would be considered a huge upgrade to most resort casinos but keep in mind it's not Vegas. Sports book is virtually non-existent and very few BJ tables under $50 min bet (most $100-$500).

Not trying to steer anyone away but trying to give you all some straight facts. If you have deep pockets and like water parks/beaches it's a great place. Great golf & fishing too, but $$$$.

Hope that helps.

[JUSTIFIEDhomicide]

If you're looking for r&r and not gambling go to St. Thomas.

[OSA]

Hugely overated imo.

[limitles]

I'd like to highjack this thread, as real hijacking has become negative ev at the mo.

I was just thinking about a bucket list and have always ignored it

but i think if there's one thing I'd like to do before I'm beamed up

to the cosmos, is to fly a fucking airplane.

I know it's not cheap, but what a thrill it must

be able to take off and go wherever just for

the hell of it and be there in no time.

Also what a insta-success line at the bar.

"Would you like to go flying tomorrow and

handle "the stick"?

[IamGreek]

If you're looking for r&r and not gambling go to St. Thomas.

Iam Greek gotta Gambol!!!!!!!! OPA!!!!!!!

[IamGreek]

Long time lurker but first post as you have a subject here that I would be considered an expert of.

I have a residence on Paradise Island less than a mile from Atlantis and could steer anyone in the right direction as far as the casino, beaches, restaurants, etc go.

In a nutshell, as previous posters said food & beverage is very expensive. Great beaches, water park, & aquariums.

In order this is how their various towers would rank: The Cove, The Reef, Royal, Coral & Beach. The last two are old and quite tired.

You may also want to look into the Baha Mar opening in Spring 2015. This is a new property on Cable Beach in Nassau and they claim to be bigger & better than Atlantis, incl. their casino.

The casino in Atlantis would be considered a huge upgrade to most resort casinos but keep in mind it's not Vegas. Sports book is virtually non-existent and very few BJ tables under $50 min bet (most $100-$500).

Not trying to steer anyone away but trying to give you all some straight facts. If you have deep pockets and like water parks/beaches it's a great place. Great golf & fishing too, but $$$$.

Hope that helps.

Thank You Sir, this info was very helpful. $50 min bet is out of my wheelhouse and since we don't play much BJ that's good to know. I will keep my eyes open for info on Baha Mar.

Thanks for posting and you should do it more often.

[IamGreek]

I'm in the very early stages of planning for this (hoping I live that long) for January/February 2016. Would appreciate any tips from anyone who has been there. They advertise that Caesar's Diamond members can get 4 nights free with minimum 6 hours of rated play. Any idea how much moolah that entails? Thanks in advance.

IamGreek what's the goal overall?

To go to an all-inclusive resort?

There are better options out there now if that is what you are aiming to do.

The overall goal is to see another part of the world since we haven't traveled that much in our lives short of Vegas 3 or 4 times a year. We want to play poker and slots, eat fine meals, relax at a nice pool and be able to say it was worth every cent we spent. Hadn't considered an all-inclusive to be honest.

Please share better options.