Diddy To Open The Pool Blackjack Tables

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By Mike Pritchard

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jan. 4, 2012

Photos: Don Kravitz and Tom Briglia

The Pool at Harrah’s will officially launch a new era at the nightlife hot spot when Diddy appears Saturday, Jan. 7, at the club for New Year’s Eve II party and helps to christen a new six-table blackjack area in The Loft.

With the move, Harrah’s joins The Quarter at The Tropicana in bringing gambling options out of the casino and into high traffic nightlife areas.

The tables at Harrah’s actually had a soft opening on Dec. 28 and are now in action Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the Pool at Night’s normal nightclub operations. Minimum bets start at $15.

On Saturday, Diddy will christen the new area by playing some hands as well as toasting in the New Year again at midnight.

The Loft, a $1 million addition to the sprawling domed Pool complex opened in 2009, seems the perfect spot for the tables and Harrah’s officials say that combined with the dancing (two cage dancers will be stationed nearby) and nightlife options, it offers guests a true Vegas style experience.

"It's combining casino gambling and the nightclub atmosphere," Don Marrandino, eastern division president of Caesars Entertainment, which owns Harrah's and three other casinos in Atlantic City, told The Associated Press. "It's a fun atmosphere. We're really pleased with how it's working out."

Marrandino also said that if the tables are successful, the casino may add more.

"We're sticking our toe in the water, and seeing how it works out," he said.

Also, since The Pool is a non-smoking area, it offers a true smokeless environment for gamblers.

The Quarter at The Tropicana also installed eight slot machines and two electronic table games in the fall, expanding operations into the popular shopping, restaurant and nightlife venue.

Doors to The Pool After Dark open at 8pm on Saturday evening, with admission starting at $25.