After having some follow-up discussions, it seems that my recent post about Pinnacle Entertainment supposedly pulling the plug on it's A.C. project may have been premature.

Posted last Friday and titled "Everybody loses," it was a response to published reports that Dan Lee, CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, pretty much announced the company's proposed $1.5 billion development on the old Sands site was dead and buried because of the ongoing economic meltdown that has drowned the gaming industry (and just about every other outside of bankruptcy law) in red ink.

But despite some pretty final-sounding words from Lee ("We live in an era where it's just not possible to build what we had anticipated in Atlantic City. Someday, hopefully it's a better world, or somebody shows up and offers us a better deal"), it turns out that nothing has really changed since Pinnacle announced it was suspending development of the property because of the tightening credit markets.

Which means that while construction is on indefinite hold, Pinnacle hasn't totally abandoned its plans, as has been widely perceived.

In a town whose very existence depends on the concept of  losing, it's somehow fitting that the news  that Pinnacle Entertainment has pretty much decided to scrap it's proposed $1.5 billion mega-resort creates a slew of losers.

Sure, Pinnacle has lost several hundred million--the cost of buying and demolishing the increasingly legendary Sands Hotel & Casino. But the list of those on the crummy end of the stick doesn't end there.

There are the thousands of fine, hard-working employees who lost their jobs when Pinnacle opted to close the Sands in preparation of its demolition. And the small crew of Pinnacle staffers who have been forced to stand by helplessly and witness the death of a dream that has been their raison d'etre the past few years.

Then there's Atlantic City itself, which pinned its hopes of a glittering future on projects like Pinnacle's proposed grand beach-themed resort. And that there will be a gaping hole for the forseeable future in the heart of the Boardwalk's casino strip hardly helps propel the town's reputation as a first-class entertainment destination.

So what will happen to that hole? Dan P. Lee, the Pinnacle exec in charge of the AyCee development was quoted as saying his company is hoping a buyer will be found. Given the current credit crunch--and the grim prospects of a quick recovery--that doesn't seem likely at the moment.

Which means the losing streak will continue.

There's a reason Frank Caliendo has emerged during the past few years as the top non-singing impressionist working today. He is not only a gifted vocal caricturist, but a superb entertainer as well.

Saturday night at Borgata, the cherubic Midwesterner displayed an effective, if decidedly loopy, persona that was as ingratiating as it was mirthful. He drew as many laughs with normal-voiced ad-libs (aimed mostly at an overly-enthusiastic--and apparently inebriated--audience member) as he did with spot-on impressions of enough celebrated individuals to fill a copy of US magazine. And he presented both the scripted and off-the-cuff material in a warm, engaging manner that made it a pleasure to hear what he had to say.

What he said was generally funny. How he said it was always funny: Among the voices he nailed were those of George Bush, Bill Clinton, John Madden, William Shatner, Al Pacino and, especially Charles Barkley, whom he referenced throughout the set, always using the words "tur'ble" (Barkley-ese for "terrible") and "knucklehead," the use of which grew exponentially hilarious as the set progressed.

In all, a first-rate set from a performer whose career has yet to peak.

What is always one of AyCee's coolest annual events has kicked off at the Convention Center.

The 36th annual Atlantic City Classic Car Show & Auction runs through Sunday. Among the 1,000 sets of hot wheels on display--and for sale--are a 1947 Lincoln Continemtal cabroliet convertable (with a V-12 engine, no less); a '53 Cadillac Series 62 convertible; a '49 Packard Custom Eight convertible and this blog's personal fave, a 1961 Chrysler Crown Imperial ragtop. There will also be an auto flea market where you can buy everything from tools to customized merchandise.

The Car Show & Auction runs through Sunday. Hours are 8:30 a.m.  to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20 and $5 (kids under 12). For tickets and info, call (856) 573-6969, or go to www.acclassiccars.com.

It's been a great winter for those who have had monster hands beaten in AyCee poker rooms.

Tuesday night, the town's biggest ever bad beat jackpot--$306,225-- was hit at Borgata when Ocean City resident Michael Richard had his four 7s topped by the four 10s held by William Stewart during a $2-$5 No Limit Texas Hold'em game.

Bad beat jackpots are cracked when a previously designated minimum hand--at Borgata it's four 2s--loses to a higher hand. The money that has been accumulating in the progressive pool is then distributed according to a pre-determined formula to everyone who had been dealt cards that hand.The money is collected from a $1-per hand "rake" at each table.

By losing, Richard won a whopping $122,487. Stewart's take was $61,245--in addtion to the approximately $800 that was in the pot. The other seven players at the table were awarded $17,500 for their trouble.

Stewart's record-setting win followed comes just nine days after the Tropicana's bad beat jackpot was hit for $131,272. In that hand, a player had his "quad" 10s topped by a king-high straight flush.

There's still plenty of time left to win a sitdown with some of TV's toughest (yet somehow most loveable) wiseguys.

Sunday, Resorts Atlantic City is hosting an event with four cast members of "The Sopranos:" Steve Schirippa (Bobby Bacala), Vincent Pastore ("Big Pussy" Bonpensiero), Frank Vincent (Phil Leotardo) and Dan Grimaldi (identical twins Patsy and Philly Parisi).

The bash, which will feature a sampling of wine from the new "The Sopranos" line and photo-ops for guests with the fictional mob quartet , is ostensibly a high-roller event. But Resorts is offering the general public a chance to score admission. Five pairs of tickets will be given away at a 9 p.m. Saturday drawing. All Resorts Destination Casino Card holders automatically receive one entry. Additional entries can be earned through casino play. Customers receive one entry for evrey three points racked up on his or her card while playing slots, or by spending an hour at a gaming table.

Destinations Casino Cards are available at Resorts' promotions booth. For more info, call (609) 344-6000.

Folks from MTV will be at the Casbah nightclub inside Trump Taj Mahal Saturday night looking for people to star in a planned reality show.

The cable channel reps are seeking men and women between 18 and 25 for a program that is currently untitled, but whose e-mail address is HotChickswithBadBoys@gmail.com. If you’re wondering what they’ll be looking for, here’s what the press release says:

Single ladies…Are you sexy? Dress to impress? We’re looking for ladies who are the complete package, yet are still in competition with your man’s wandering eye.

Guys: Do you pride yourself on being a “Bad Boy”? Do you date only the hottest girls? Do you always have the freshest style and utmost confidence? Are you the alpha-male of your crew?

Sound like you fill the bill? If so, the auditions begin at 10:30 (it’s probably better to get there earlier). You can also send a recent photo of you and your girlfriend or boyfriend, contact info and a short biography highlighting your personality to the above address.

Cash-game poker players have a chance to get a leg (or hand, as it were) up on the competition this coming weekend at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City.

The bayside gaming hall is hosting the first World Series of Poker Academy cash-game seminar for players looking to upgrade their games.

The two-day program will feature poker experts--among them Mark Seif and Paul Wasicka--offering instruction in such aspects of the game as how to "read" opponents, how to determine the range of hands they may hold against you, and bankroll management. There will also be a Cash Game Competition whose grand prize is an all-expense-paid trip to Caesars Palace Las Vegas and a seat at the WSOP Academy Tournament of Champions which will take place just prior to the Main Event of the 2009 World Series of Poker.

Tuition for the sessions, which commence 10 a.m. Saturday, is $1,899, with $499.75 due up front and the balance paid in three monthly installments. For information and registration go to http://www.wsopacademy.com/schedule/january-24-25-harrahs-atlantic-city.html.