The Showboat, Atlantic City

Details:
The Borgata
Delaware Avenue and the Boardwalk
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Phone: 1-800-621-0200

According to their website, the ShowBoat opened April 3, l987 and features 1,309 rooms, including it's new 544-room, $90 million new hotel tower which opened in May 2003.

The poker room is referred to as the House of Blues Poker Room, and has 25 tables. There is food and beverage service available also.

The room hosts tournaments Sunday through Thursday, twice a day, with buy-ins of $40 plus entry fee. For more info on their tournaments, you can call 609-343-4686.

The "House of Blues" part of the name comes into play when the entertainment comes to town, which is pretty much constantly. The poker room manager, Vito Cassuci, has this to say about the poker room being located right near the entertainment room of the property . . .

“We’re located right across from the music hall. There’s 250 shows a year that are right there. They cue the lines for the music hall right out front of the poker room. From Tony Orlando, to Slipknot, to Eminem, to Megadea . . . we have it all going on right out in front.”

As a Harrah's property, the Showboat has hosted (and probably will again) a WSOP Circuit event.

During my most recent visit to the Showboat, which took place on a weekday night, there were few tables running games. But, the room was clean and fresh. No smoking is allowed in this room, and while that's a bother to some, for others it makes the room more attractive.

The room is located upstairs, away from the slots and the hustle of the casino crowd. The music hall provides the clamour and bustle instead.

I feel the customer service here is a step above what I experienced elsewhere on the boardwalk recently.