They say the house always wins. But for one Atlantic City casino, that doesn't seem to have been the case lately.
In April, a blackjack player raked in $5.8 million at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. Then last week, a different man took home $5.3 million after his own amazing run of luck at the Tropicana.
The Tropicana may have been the author of its own misfortune. It's deliberately put an emphasis on high-stakes games, under the theory that it'll come out a winner in the end. And casino officials say that despite the recent massive losses, the gaming emporium will stick with the plan.
Tony Rodio, the Tropicana's president and CEO, told the AP.
"That's just how it goes sometimes; if you bet more, you can win more. We have a strategy of offering the most aggressive and highest table games limits in the Atlantic City market and we're not going to change that. If someone wants to take the shot, we'll take the action."
Don Johnson, from Bensalem, Penn., took his shot in April, and won $5.8 million playing blackjack. Johnson, an expert gambler, had also taken Caesar's Atlantic City for more than $4.2 million and the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa for $5 million.
Then last week, an unidentified man played craps, blackjack, and mini-baccarat, and walked away with $5.3 million. He left a $150,000 tip for dealers, which was split among the table dealers working that night.
Still, neither man's win was likely as dramatic as the one enjoyed in 2004 by Ashley Revell, a Briton who sold all his possessions to scrape together $135,300, which he wagered on red at a Las Vegas roulette table.
You can watch Revell's big moment here:
COMMENTARY: I like it when the roulette wheel game pit boss says,
"I want you to know that we would never knowingly condone or accept someone making a wager of their entire life's savings."
But, he sure as hell DID accept that bet. And I also believe the road to heaven is lined with yellow tulips and petunias. However, I do love it that Ashley Revell won $5.3 million from the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
I can't believe that the owners of the Tropicana Casino and Resort actually allowed a neutral bet with 50-50 odds. Ashsley bet on RED, and won. If I ever have a hankering to bet some serious doe, provided I have some spare coin, I know where I am headed.
BTW, the Tropicana Casino and Resort didn't fare too well during the Great Recession, and the bank took over the property, then put it up for public auction. I actually know a former client who was interested in acquiring the Tropicana, but his investor group lost out to a deeper-pocket investor. Looks like if the Tropicana Casino and Resort continues to lose money like this, it will be headed back into receivership again. Nice job guys, but what a PR coup.
DISCLAIMER: I do not condone casino gambling or endorse the Tropicana Casino and Resort.
Courtesy of an article dated June 8, 2011 appearing in Yahoo News
All but two casinos in Atlantic City planned to be back in business Friday, hours after getting the permission to reopen from Gov. Chris Christie and five days after the approaching Superstorm Sandy forced them to close their doors.
Posted by: Robert Jaksen | 01/20/2013 at 10:05 PM
Alex, quite a dumb move at that.
Posted by: Tommy | 09/23/2011 at 03:45 PM
a PR move (a risky one at that) to possibly draw in high rollers but went south fast...
Posted by: alex | 09/22/2011 at 09:15 PM
Atlantic city's Tropicana Casino really suffered big loses in last month. The reason is simple the two gamblers raked in $5.8 million and $5.3 million took home at the Tropicana Casino and Resort.
Posted by: pokersajter | 08/27/2011 at 12:43 AM
Oh my that casino must be reeling. What bad luck for them! But have to say, well done to those winners. I wouldn't mind such a win!
Posted by: fruit machine games | 07/11/2011 at 11:11 AM