CasiNotes: Big doings in A.C. to see in Ought Nine

SO, HOW would you like to ring in 2009? Laughing at top-flight comics? Listening to contemporary and classic musical acts? Laying down some mighty dance-floor moves?

Whatever you prefer, Atlantic City's casinos can provide the setting as you welcome Ought Nine.

New Year's Eve offers a variety of activities (most of them strictly for the over-21 crowd), from chuckling at the shtick of late-night TV funnyman Craig Ferguson, to bopping along to the frothy, R&B-dipped pop of the Pointer Sisters, to moving and grooving to stacks o' hot wax spun by the Geator With the Heater, Jerry Blavat, to marveling at the hocus-pocus of magician Michael Turco.

There are also some hotel packages available, if you and your special someone decide to celebrate in a more, uh, intimate, private fashion.

Boardwalk at Boston Avenue

888-224-4586, www.hiltonac.com

New Year's Eve Hotel Package: Overnight stay in a deluxe room with gourmet dinner for two ($125 credit at Patsy's), in-room champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, complimentary gift, spa access, VIP parking and check-in. Price: $750 for two.

Boardwalk at Park Place

609-340-2000, www.ballysac.com

Magician Michael Turco: 7:30 and 10 p.m., $28.

Casino & Spa

One Borgata Way

866-900-4849

www.theborgata.com

_ Craig Ferguson: 11 p.m., $65 and $55.

_ mur.mur New Year's Eve Party: DJ Spider, 9:30 p.m., $100.

_ Mixx New Year's Eve Party: DJ Riz, 9:30 p.m., $50.

Boardwalk at Arkansas Avenue

609-348-4411, www.casearsac.com

Overnight stay in a deluxe room. VIP Table Top admission for two to the Pier Shops' exclusive "Beyond the Velvet Ropes" NYE Party, hosted by Wired 96.5's Chio, Jazzy Jeff and Q-Tip. New Year's Day breakfast for two.

Plus, all-access pass to the Main Stage, Trinity Pub and Game On!, with exclusive table seating in Game On! and two bottles of spirits or champagne along with dedicated waitstaff service. Premium open bar, 9 p.m to 12:30 a.m.; buffet dinner, 9-11 p.m., champagne toast at midnight, party favors. Price: $1,250 for two.

Atlantic City

777 Harrah's Blvd.

800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com

_ David Alan Grier: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., $55, $45 and $35; $899 hotel/dinner/show package for two.

_ Party at The Pool with DJ Clutch. General admission includes: premium open bar, 9 p.m.-midnight, complimentary admission to Waterfront Buffet, 7-10 p.m., party favors. Price: $99 per person.

Various VIP and private-party packages available, $250 to $416 per person.

(Showboat)

Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue

609-236-2583, www.hob.com

Goo Goo Dolls: 10 p.m., $67, $62 and $52.

Boardwalk at N. Carolina Avenue

609-340-7698, www.resortsac.com

Boogie Nights New Year's Eve Party: 9 p.m., includes open bar, 9:30- 11:30 p.m. Price: $100 per person.

Boardwalk at Brighton Avenue

800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com

_ The Pointer Sisters (Tropicana Showroom): 10 p.m., $100, $75, $60, $55, $50 and $35.

_ "Yesterday - A Tribute to the Beatles"(Liverpool Club): 11 p.m., $35.

_ Kevin Knox, Tina Giorgi and Jay Black (Comedy Stop & Cafe): 7 p.m. ($30), 10 p.m. ($70).

There also will be parties at many of The Quarter's clubs and restaurants.

Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue

609-449-1000, www.trumptaj.com

_ Black and White New Year's Eve Party: 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For the first time, there are a limited number of public tickets to the Taj's New Year's Eve high-roller bash, which includes sit-down dinner and dancing to a band. Price: $150 per person (includes next-day brunch).

_ Hotel packages: $749 (Taj Tower) and $779 (Chairman Tower).

_ Jerry Blavat's New Year's Eve Party: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Includes buffet dinner with carving station, five-hour open bar, party favors, champagne toast, coffee and pastries after midnight, and dancing to the oldies spun by the inimitable Geator. Price: $125 per person (hotel packages available).

_ Casbah Nightclub's New Year's Eve Celebration: 10 p.m., with DJ SoJo. Includes two-hour open bar. Price: $100 per person.

_ Vito Bruno presents WKTU'S BEATSTOCK: 10 p.m. Featuring DJs TKA/K7, Angelo Venuto and Danny Tsettos and a two-hour open bar. Price: $100 per person. *

Read Chuck Darrow's blog at

http://go.philly.com/casinotes. Or e-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com.