Bethlehem! It’s not just the birthplace of fellow blogger QueensUp! It’s also the birthplace of a little guy we like to call Baby Jesus. But now, it’s so much more!
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Population: ~70,000. 75% Caucasian. Mean household income of ~$50,000. Unemployment rate as of Oct. 2009, 10.5%. Number of registered sex offenders: 65. Birthplace of Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
You may be curious as to why I am sharing these riveting facts about Bethlehem, PA. Well, if you haven’t caught on by now, allow me to assist you. Bethlehem, PA is going to be my new AC.
While discussing all of the changes in NE poker, I neglected the most important part: how it effects me! The short answer is that on a personal level, I am glad to see poker demystified in any way possible. Legalized poker in the NE will help that goal. While I am scared for AC, its mostly because AC was a place I visited since childhood. But even if AC goes belly-up, I still have my memories.
The biggest way it will effect me, though is to give me more options. And the closest option is, you guessed it, Bethlehem, PA!
Bethlehem, PA is approximately 1.5 hours from Manhattan, a good 45 minutes faster than the fastest mode of transportation to AC. If I were to bypass NYC driving by picking up a rental car in, say, beautiful Newark, a 15 min. train ride from my home, I can be in Ole Bethy in 1 hour, fifteen minutes by car. That’s a good hour faster than AC, not including the trip to and from the bus station in Manhattan.
Bethlehem, PA. The home to future WPBT gatherings? Ok, that’s pushing it. But for the time being, it looks like the best candidate for live, legal poker for HoP and the rest of NY.
Until next time, make mine PA poker!
February 11th, 2010 - 10:01 pm
The Sands, in Bethlehem, PA is owned by the Sands Vegas corp. also owners of the Venetian. My hope is that they do poker well.
The property was built on the old Bethlehem Steel property and down the hill from Lehigh University.
My Grandfather was a foreman at Bethlehem steel for 40 years and my mother and father grew up there.
The Sands just received approval to add another building there as well and there has been rumor that they may hold off on table games for a bit while they vet out their options on providing the best possible product,but I doubt it.
Emeril opened up a restaurant there and all in all, it’s a beautiful property. I have had several meetings with the marketing folks there and it looks to be shaping up to be a very good place to be.
I’m sure we’ll have some sort of blogger gathering there at some point
February 12th, 2010 - 12:37 am
Don’t forget about TastyKakes!
Everything is better with TastyKakes!
February 12th, 2010 - 8:20 am
Jordon,
I’m down here in SJ waiting to see how the Philly options mete themselves out. My guess is that the Parx Casino at Philly Park will be the first to get table games and poker with Harrah’s at Chester shortly to follow.
For you however, the interesting option is the Foxwoods that’s supposed to open up in downtown. I think it has stalled a little bit (their first site by the waterfront got met with opoosition from the locals) but my guess is now that the table games are going forward this will pick up. Then you are only a train ride away. Thought you’d like to know.
I’m always for more options then AC, they need a kick in the pants.
-Snarf
February 12th, 2010 - 10:26 am
Ive only driven by the entrance a few times, have not had the pleasure of actually going inside yet.
The whole area is going to be turned into a tourist attraction a la the original plan proposed back in 97-98. Ice skating rink is supposed to open Nov of this year followed by a cineplex and other stuff.
Sands hotel got delayed, but is supposed to be finished sometime this year.
On a personal note im really glad they finally did something with the BS area, it really was a sad site everytime I passed by it.
February 15th, 2010 - 3:45 pm
I spent the best 4 years of my life in Bethlehem & do have the diploma to prove it. Of course if they had a casino there at the time that may not be the case! I actually turned down a job offer from TastyKakes, a decision I’ve questioned more than once….. Anyway, I second Queens up comment that I’m glad they did something with the Bethlehem Steel property. It was a bit depressing to look at.
I’d put a vote in for a WPBT gathering there!
February 15th, 2010 - 4:21 pm
Perhaps I’ll see you there. Although I have no idea who you are and vice-versa; so I may not realize it’s you when i see you there. Riggs I’ll know. Maybe you’ll see him there; I’ll be the tall geek standing next to him.
February 15th, 2010 - 10:59 pm
Yeah, Alceste and I were talking about the impending death of our fair city by the atlantic…i predict you’ll do PA once or twice, but return to the beloved home of HoP: showboat!