PokerWorks

MGM Mirage recently announced plans to spend $5 billion to build a mega casino and resort in Atlantic City. The MGM Grand Atlantic City will be built on a 72 acre site, will have 3,000 rooms, a 1,500 seat theater, restaurants, nightclubs, a spa, 500,000 square feet of retail space, a convention center, 5,000 slot machines, 200 table games, a poker room and will hold the distinction of being the largest casino on the east coast!

"If you raise the bar, the market will react," said Ken Rosevear, president of development for MGM Mirage. "You've seen what Borgata has done to that market. This is taking a leaf off the Borgata book."

I think as poker players, we can all agree that The Borgata has the nicest poker room in Atlantic City, the MGM Atlantic City promises a bigger and better poker room surpassing the Borgata by leaps and bounds.

MGM isn't the only one getting in on the action! The city's 11 casinos have invested billions of dollars in expansions and renovations aiming to attract upscale visitors with upscale entertainment, shopping, and dining. One of the city's biggest contributors is Donald Trump who has spent $225 million over the past few years renovating all three of his resorts in Atlantic City. The Tropicana spent $15 million developing a new tower and they also opened a nightclub. Harrah's jumped on the bandwagon back in February when they began phase one of their $500 million expansion.

The MGM Atlantic City is slated to open in 2012, but what if you are heading to the East Coast for a little poker action before the MGM opens?

Check out my top 3 Atlantic City Poker Rooms...

3. The Tropicana - Texas Hold-Em is the game of choice in this room, but you can also find Omaha and Stud at higher levels. They have 48 tables (packed in pretty tightly I must say), friendly and knowledgeable dealers, and the fish are definitely swimming in this room.

2. Trump Taj Mahal - There are 80 tables in this room and they are very diverse. Omaha hi/low, Stud hi/low and Limit and NL Texas Hold-Em are all spread here. They also run sit and go's and daily tournaments. There is always action in this poker room.

1. The Borgata - My poker room of choice when visiting Atlantic City. I just love the modern feel, with automatic shufflers and electronic waiting lists; they always keep things moving in this room. The staff is great, they have 85 tables and Texas Hold-Em is the game that is played most!