PA takeout rates

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I tried to explain the situation to a member of the PA legislature and he didn't appear interested in understanding the opportunity they have in the state.

The state gaming board stubbornly insisted the player get every single edge on Blackjack (from 3-to-2 on a 21, to dealer must hit an Ace-6, to the ability to surrender your cards and so forth) ... and it's my understanding that they would allow any takeout reductions the tracks want... forget the legislature in this case -- it's the racetracks. They can get any reduction they want approved.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

The state gaming board stubbornly insisted the player get every single edge on Blackjack (from 3-to-2 on a 21, to dealer must hit an Ace-6, to the ability to surrender your cards and so forth) ... and it's my understanding that they would allow any takeout reductions the tracks want... forget the legislature in this case -- it's the racetracks. They can get any reduction they want approved.

I dont know about Penn or Presque Isle but the geniuses in charge of the PTHA have no interest in lowering the takeout despite very little of the purses now coming via handle. There is a meeting scheduled in a few weeks on the PTHAs response to the Gov's raiding of the slot money which undoubtedly will be a waste of time but there is a chance that the two stooges that run the organization push for a increase in takeout. Seriously.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

but there is a chance that the two stooges that run the organization push for a increase in takeout. Seriously.

Unreal.

You almost can't bet a race in the state of Pennsylvania...it's a joke. If you want to bet a $50 exacta -- especially at PID and Penn -- even a bet that small is going to hurt your price a lot.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

The state gaming board stubbornly insisted the player get every single edge on Blackjack (from 3-to-2 on a 21, to dealer must hit an Ace-6, to the ability to surrender your cards and so forth) ...

You meant "dealer must stand on Ace-6". Standing on soft-17 is the much better rule from the player's perspective and it is the PA-wide rule. At least for now it is. I'd make a pretty large bet that 5 years from now, most blackjack in PA will be dealer-hits-soft-17.

--Dunbar

[Powderfinger]

Just read an article in the Horse Of The Delaware Valley magazine, which isn't on the web. Apparently, the PA Governor recently submitted a budget that included $100 million dollars less for the horsemen. Obviously Parx and Penn National are going to try to fight it.
There is a quote from a legislature congressman: "It's great that PA breeders and owners are benefiting ... but if citizens aren't coming to the tracks and embracing racing, what is the overall benefit?"
Good question!
New Jersey has recently cut off all supplements for horse racing. Not too many people complained. It's just a matter of time before the same thing happens in Pennsylvania. Too bad that Parx didn't make much of their opportunity while they had it. It may be too late now.

[hockey2315]

Parx and Monmouth are working on a mutually beneficial partnership.

[Powderfinger]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Parx and Monmouth are working on a mutually beneficial partnership.

Yea right..... that will happen.... What's you point?

[hockey2315]

Well, I do tend to think racing is screwed in general in the mid- to long-term, but I think some sort of deal will happen between Monmouth and Parx (both sides are desperate enough now) and think it will have a positive benefit for both. Can't get much worse at this point. . . The PA budget thing is old news.