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Most readers of this column will find Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs the closest option for playing poker legally in a casino setting. The next-closest option in most cases is Mount Airy Casino in the Poconos.
Players considering which to try on a given night have many factors to take into account. One of the first is room size.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs not only has more tables, but in most areas has more space to operate between those tables. Mount Airy’s poker room can feel cramped.
Multitable tournament play debuted at Mohegan Sun on Nov. 1, with two regular events each day. It just arrived at Mount Airy, which began offering one event per week March 4.
Mount Airy’s room is closer to the rest of the table-game action at the casino. Whether players want to be closer to the rest of the action is generally a personal preference as are many of the differences in the rooms.
Mount Airy allows players to phone in and put their names on waiting lists up to an hour before actually arriving in the room.
New players joining a hold ’em table at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs have to post a bet or wait until the big blind reaches them, while Mount Airy lets new players join the game immediately without posting. New arrivals appreciate this option the one time it helps them, while players who station themselves for hours at a table may not want to see so many newcomers take advantage of favorable position without first paying for blinds.
Mount Airy has a bad-beat jackpot, which may be the single biggest factor in drawing attention (mostly positive) to the room, but it does mean an extra dollar out of each pot to fund that jackpot. Players trying to grind out a steady profit do not always see the thrill in chasing a chance similar to trying to win the lottery.
With more tables, Pocono Downs has at least one devoted to seven-card stud almost every afternoon, something not seen at Mount Airy. Pocono Downs even has an occasional Omaha game in action and, in general, slightly more variety.
Those seeking to play limit hold ’em at a level higher than 2-4 might prefer Mount Airy. In my experiences, a 3-6 or higher limit game has been available at Mount Airy 47.8 percent of the time, while a 3-6 or higher limit game has been available only 10.8 percent of the time at Mohegan Sun.
The Mohegan Sun room appears to have a more experienced and active floor staff attempting to keep games running smoothly. Mohegan Sun’s crew of dealers also seems to show an edge in developing its feel for running the games, but there is not a major difference here.
The other players in games at Mount Airy have, as a group, been less confrontational than at Mohegan Sun.
SLOTS PAYOUTS
TOURNEYS ARRIVE AT MOUNT AIRY
For the week of Feb. 21-Feb. 27:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Wagers
Week: $54,780,269.66
Fiscal year to date: $1,853,190,899.87
Payouts
Week: $49,367,573.99
Fiscal year to date: $1,668,045,061.78
Mount Airy Casino & Resort
Wagers
Week: $41,967,080.97
Fiscal year to date: $1,320,983,350.14
Payouts
Week: $38,077,582.02
Fiscal year to date: $1,196,716,132.91
SOURCE: PENNSYLVANIA
GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Mount Airy Casino now has no-limit hold ’em tournaments, at 10 a.m. Fridays. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Buy-in is $85 with a $15 tournament fee for a total of $100.