Ocean Casino Resort is Launching a Boatload of New Improvements
We all know the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, if something is not working as well as it could, one should fix it, or at least try. And that’s exactly what Ocean Casino Resort is doing now in a big way.
Ocean Casino Resort not only has a new principal owner, Luxor Capital Group, but a new name. Originally it was called Ocean Resort Casino, but on April 10, 2019, the property officially switched the order of the second and third words to reflect the new owner’s intention to be first and foremost, a casino.
But what good is a new name without an exciting new image to go along with it? In my January 14, 2019 article on NJ Gambling Websites entitled “Can Ocean Resort Casino Be Saved?”, I described some of the problems that might have contributed to this casino’s lackluster revenue in 2018.
Casinos aren’t just for gambling – they offer a lot more
One of the most obvious of these was that, compared to other Atlantic City casinos, Ocean Resort offered little top quality entertainment. I also mentioned the shortage of special events and promotions like prize drawings and holiday celebrations that invariably draw more people to the casino.
A third area I highlighted was the pressing need for lower cost dining options and discounted specials that would give restaurant goers more bang for their buck.
I am delighted to report that Ocean Casino Resort is starting to implement these changes.
Innovations are already in the works–with many more coming
Since the start of 2019, scheduled entertainment at the resort has increased substantially in both quality and frequency. In addition, starting this weekend—just in time for Mother’s Day–you ‘ll be able to take advantage of new dining and spa specials.
But that’s not all. Over the coming weeks, Ocean Casino Resort will be unveiling a wide array of other enhancements, including all of the following:
- Additional dining and shopping deals at numerous outlets throughout the property
- Many more ways to earn and redeem comp dollars
- Weekly prize drawings
Despite the resort’s focus on being first and foremost a casino, with all this and more happening, before long, Ocean Casino Resort won’t be just a casino anymore, but a hubbub of activity.
Treat your mom to a Mother’s Day she won’t forget
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. But for all of you who would love to treat your mom or any other person in your life who’s like a mom to you to something special, yet still haven’t made plans, no need to panic. Ocean Casino Resort has you covered!
Treat her to brunch at Amada
I can’t imagine a surer way to start this special day for your own special someone on a winning note than to be waited on hand on foot, savoring the exquisite Spanish cuisine of celebrity chef Jose Garces while enjoying breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you had any doubts before about the appropriateness of the Ocean Casino Resort name, brunch at Amada overlooking the ocean will convince you otherwise.
Starting on Mother’s Day, May 12, and every Sunday thereafter, Amada will be serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $49 per person. Reservations are a must.
Visit TheOceanAC.com ASAP to reserve your table.
Recently I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Amada. But rather than go on and on with my own accolades for this acclaimed restaurant, I’ll let chef Garces himself do the talking.
“We’re excited to bring brunch with a view to Amada at Ocean. With the spectacular views and our delicious Spanish food, featuring our house specialty, roasted suckling pig, there’s something for everyone.”
Sunday brunch options will include Andalusian inspired fare such as Tortilla Espanola (a traditional Spanish omelet with saffron aioli), and Sangria Pancakes, along with a carving station, assorted breads, and other traditional breakfast and brunch favorites.
Treat her to a luxurious facial and massage at Exhale Spa & Bathhouse
Mother’s Day is all about being pampered. So any gift that offers escape from the pressures of everyday life and a day of ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation would be a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
It’s also a gift you should consider for yourself, to reward you for and get your mind off your own hard work year-round.
Of course, a day at the spa can get quite expensive. However, Exhale Spa & Bathhouse at Ocean Casino Resort offers two money-saving specials at $99 each.
- 50-minute Swedish Fusion Massage
Rhythmic Swedish massage movements combine with powerful aromatherapy oils to give you almost a full hour of unparalleled relaxation.
- 50-minute True Facial
Some salons and spas offer facials with all kinds of weird ingredients for those adventurous enough to try them. But for a Mother’s Day gift, I think it makes more sense to go with a tried and true treatment.
Start with a thorough cleansing and application of a custom enzyme exfoliation, in the expert hands of a skilled esthetician, that will prep the skin perfectly for the next step. That will be a soothing mask, selected specifically for your skin type.
50 minutes later, your face will feel refreshed and restored, and you’ll be ready to face the day.
Note:
- The $99 spa treatment offers are available Tuesday -Thursday only, cannot be substituted for or combined with any other services, and end May 31, 2019.
- Tax and gratuity are not included in the quoted $99 price.
Take advantage of lots of new ways to earn, redeem, and use comp dollars
If you’re not a big player, you will inevitably be disappointed at times that you are not earning comp dollars at the rate you expected and feel you deserve. You may also feel inconvenienced by the casino’s rules and restrictions regarding when and where you are allowed to use your comps.
These are common complaints. The good news is that both earning comp dollars and using them at Ocean Casino Resort will soon become a lot easier.
But what if you don’t have any comp dollars available? Does that mean you have to pay full price for everything? Absolutely not! As long as you sign up for a Player’s Club Card and bring it with you, you can get lots of free and discounted stuff simply for showing up!
At Ocean Casino Resort, it pays to have a Player’s Club Card
If you’re not a member yet of the Ocean Premier Players Club, what are you waiting for? Joining is completely free, and once you have your card, earning comps for your play isn’t the only benefit.
You can start taking advantage of a whole host of rewards, offers, and freebies–more than ever before. Even if you don’t play a lot, simply having a card entitles you to a free rebate bonus offer on sign-up, plus free self-parking, special dining and retail discounts, daily promotions, and the chance to win huge prizes every time you visit.
New Member Rebate: Now through December 31, 2019
Anyone signing up for an Ocean Casino Resort Player’s Club Card for the first time between now and the end of the year gets this special offer. If your early play doesn’t go well, no worries. The casino has your back.
New members who lose between $50 and $500 on their first visit will receive a refund of their losses in the form of two equal free play offers in four to six weeks. Video poker, video roulette, and keno are excluded. Certain other restrictions may also apply. Visit the Players Club for more information.
Dynamite Dining Deals
- $2 Tacos
Taco Tuesdays were great. But starting June 1, the offer will no longer be limited just to Tuesdays. Show your Player’s Club Card at Distrito and enjoy a $2 taco and margarita between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. any day of the week!
- Discounts at Cafe 500 and Rocco’s Italian Kitchen & Market
All Players Club members will get a discount at these restaurants. The amounts are 20% for Black Card holders, 15% for Platinum Card holders, 10% for Gold Card holders, and 5% for Blue Card holders.
Super Shopping Savings
If you wish, you can now redeem your comp dollars at participating Shops at the Row. As of this writing, the shops that accept comp dollars include all of the following:
- Time After Time (jewelry and watches)
- Hooligan’s (kids’ clothing and accessories)
- O-Man (gentlemen’s clothing and accessories)
- Rocket Fizz (soda pop and candy)
- Renee and Bangz Salon & Blow Dry Lounge
- Flying Point Surf Shop
You’ll also be able to start using your comp dollars soon at Ocean Wine & Spirits and other retail outlets.
$250,000 May and June Giveaway
From now through the end of June, playing your favorite slots & table games, and getting in on some NJ sports betting action at the William Hill Sportsbook won’t be the only way you can win big at Ocean Casino Resort.
Every Friday and Saturday in May and June through June 29, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., five lucky players will each win up to $1,000 every hour. They will also be entered in the Grand Prize drawing taking place at 11 p.m. Sat., June 29 where three Grand Prize winners get to choose from a Mercedes C 300, CLA 250, or GLA 250.
After this promotion ends, I bet there will be many more big giveaways of this type at Ocean Casino Resort.
Other special offers
Free Play every day
Winning $1,000 and then a Mercedes on top of it is a long shot to be sure, but here’s another reward that isn’t. In fact, as long as you have $50 or more comp dollars available, you can count on it every time you visit because it’s guaranteed!
Players may now exchange comp balances from $50 to $500 for free play. However, it’s at a 2-1 ratio. In other words, you get $1 free play for every $2 in comps redeemed.
You might prefer to save your comps for something else where you can redeem them dollar for dollar.
Additional benefits for higher level cardholders
You can now pick up your Players Club gifts at the new Gift Redemption Center.
In addition, Black card members may park in designated Black Card members only parking spaces on the casino level and 11th floor of the self-park garage.
Black and Platinum players also never have to wait on long lines. Preferred lines exclusively for them are now available at all restaurants, shows, and special events.
Summary and Conclusion
Casino Player readers voted the Ocean Premier Players Club No. 1 in comps. After reading about all of the wonderful benefits this program has to offer, I can see why.
However, as I pointed out in my review of this casino’s William Hill Sportsbook, the comp program for sports bettors can be a lot better. It needs to be combined with the casino comp program so that players who enjoy both casino games and sports betting, who are not necessarily big gamblers, can derive some tangible benefit.
Hopefully, this much needed improvement can be implemented in time for the 2019 fall football season.
In any case, it’s wonderful to see Ocean Casino Resort back on track. If you haven’t visited in a while, be sure to come back soon and experience everything about the new, improved Ocean Casino Resort that makes it a standout New Jersey casino resort destination.
Finding The Best Table Games & Bonuses On Tropicana Online Casino NJ
Tropicana Online Casino is basically a mirror image of its sister NJ gambling website Virgin Casino. Except for individual branding and a few games that are exclusive to one or the other, these Gamesys-designed New Jersey online casino sites are one and the same.
That means Tropicana Online Casino features an user interface that’s easy to navigate and a homepage that’s a lot less cluttered than most.
It also means there’s a decent selection of Blackjack, Roulette, Video Poker, and Keno titles on the site. Plus, Tropicana Online Casino boats a list of seven alternatives to these traditional table games with something for everyone.
The return to player rates (RTP) on these games is half decent as well, making Tropicana Online Casino a great place to play non-traditional table games.
Here’s how the list of alternative table games looks at Tropicana:
- Baccarat: 98.94% on banker bets, 98.76% on player bets, and 85.6% on ties.
- Baccarat Professional Series: 98.94% on banker bets, 98.76% on player bets, and 85.6% on ties.
- Hi-Lo: 96%
- Pai Gow Poker: 97.15%
- Three Card Poker: 96.93%
- Let It Ride: 96.49 percent
- Craps: 83.33% – 98.64% RTP, plus six-times max odds
How to find the games
The Tropicana Online Casino list of non-traditional table games is almost the same as the one at Virgin Casino, except Tropicana also has Let It Ride.
Locating Tropicana’s selection of online table games is just as easy as well. Just look for the Tropicana Atlantic City logo near the top right of the screen. Then browsing through the seven menu choices to the right of it.
You should see one link labeled ‘Casino‘. Just click on that link and a list of all Tropicana casino games will appear below in super-sized title tile format.
The big tiles make it easy to find the games you’re looking for. Each of these tiles contains more info about the game and links to demos and the game itself.
Of course, all of Tropicana’s casino games are here as well, so finding the alternatives to the traditional table games requires a bit more searching. But once again, the big tiles make that easy.
Tropicana alternative table games
Now that you know how to locate the games, here’s a little something on how to play them:
Baccarat
Tropicana’s Baccarat is an NJ online casino version of the same baccarat game you’ll find at many land-based casinos.
You bet on which hand will end up closer to a value of nine, banker or player. You can also bet on a tie, although the big house edge on this bet suggests that’s not the best idea.
A dealer places two cards on each spot and players look to see which hand is closest to nine. Face cards 10s are worth nothing. Aces are worth one. All other cards have the face value. If a hand adds up to more than 10, only the second digit is used. Additional cards are dealt when the player hand is five or less.
The house charges a five percent commission on winning banker bets.
Baccarat Professional Series
NetEnt’s Baccarat Professional Series on Tropicana is a hyped up version of traditional baccarat. That means higher end graphics, video content, and an easier-to-use wagering interface.
Think of this as a high definition version of the game and despite the name you don’t have to be a professional to play.
Hi-Lo
Tropicana’s classic Hi-Lo game pits you against a dealer in an effort to guess if the next card turned over will be higher or lower than the one before.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a poker-based card game played with a 53-card deck, including one joker. The joker can be used as an ace or to complete straights and flushes.
You get seven cards with which to make the best five-card and two-card poker hand. The five-card hand must be your best.
The objective is to beat both the dealer’s five-card and two-card hands. Win one and you push.
Three Card Poker
Tropicana’s Three Card Poker is an online version of the same poker-based card game you can find at most casinos.
You get three cards and try to make a poker hand out of them. The true objective is to make a better hand than the dealer.
You place a bet and get three cards. You can then either fold or place another bet to continue. Then it’s showtime and you win if the dealer has less than queen-high or you have a better hand.
There are also two optional side bets available. Pairs plus pays if you’ve got a pair or better. Six-Card Bonus pays based on the value of the best five-card hand you can make combining both yours and the dealer’s cards.
Let It Ride
Tropicana’s Let It Ride is an online version of the Let It Ride game featured at land-based casinos.
Your goal is to make the best five-card poker hand using your three cards and two community cards.
You place three equal bets on the table. The dealer puts two community cards face down and hands you three cards.
You can fold immediately and take back two of the bets. If you continue, the dealer turns the first community card face up. At this point, you can fold and take back the final bet or continue.
If you continue the dealer turns the second community card face up and the value of your hand is determined. Payouts are based on the strength of your hand and start with a minimum of a pair of tens.
There’s also an optional Three-Card bonus side bet that pays based on the strength of your three cards alone.
Craps
Craps is often the loudest, most fun, and certainly most social games in any casino.
No one has figured out a way to capture the social aspects of the game and put them online. However, online Craps is available at Tropicana and it represents a great learning tool for the live game.
That’s because online craps can be played at your own pace, giving you the time to educate yourself about the game’s intricacies.
Tropicana Craps is also the best craps game you’ll find online thanks to a variety of favorable rules that include an NJ best six-times max odds on all Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets.
Most online craps games only offer two or three-times max odds.
Regardless, the basics of craps are the same. Player’s bet on the pass line or don’t pass line and roll the dice. This come-out roll determines the point. Unless a seven or 11 winner or two, three, or 12 craps is rolled.
Once the point is set, players can make odds bets up to the game’s six-times maximum. These bets have no house edge.
Just roll the point before a seven to get paid.
Of course, you can also place bets on various propositions, numbers, and groups of numbers. Look for these bets and the payouts listed on the table.