Cool.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
More Neon For Downtown
Here is an article from very cool Very Vintage Vegas site about more neon signs for the Downtown area being installed. As a neon guy, it warms my heart to see not only new signs, but especially the restored vintage casino signs.
Cool.
Cool.
I Just Flu Into Las Vegas...
Have you ever been at a Blackjack table, when the dealer suddenly says 'excuse me', sneezes into his/her hand, and then continues dealing?!! Anyone that knows me or follows this blog knows that I play a lot of Blackjack, but this is one of my 'favorite' annoyances related to the game. It's bad enough in a shoe game, where only the chips have to be handled, but in a 'pitch' game, I have to pick up the cards that were distributed by a hand that was just sneezed into. I realize that dealers are not allowed to use tissues etc., without asking a pit person, but I make it a point to not touch my face when playing, and I ALWAYS wash my hands after each session. Call me anti-social, but I've always thought of casino chips and cards as bacteria transport devices, carrying and distributing germs from everyone else in the casino that has handled them.
I don't get sick a lot, but several years ago, after a week in the casinos, I came down with a really nasty flu/cold/virusy thing that knocked me out for about 10 days. Of course I'll never know if I got it from chips or cards, but...
Anyways, this article addresses the H1N1 concern in casinos, although the efforts they are taking seem half-assed to me:
Sanitizing Casinos
My advice: don't sneeze onto my Blackjack!
I don't get sick a lot, but several years ago, after a week in the casinos, I came down with a really nasty flu/cold/virusy thing that knocked me out for about 10 days. Of course I'll never know if I got it from chips or cards, but...
Anyways, this article addresses the H1N1 concern in casinos, although the efforts they are taking seem half-assed to me:
Sanitizing Casinos
My advice: don't sneeze onto my Blackjack!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Great Vegas Site
If you are into Las Vegas, and Mid-Century Modern (MCM), AND 'Vintage', then I think you will like 'Very Vintage Vegas', a site run by a Vegas realtor, with tons of great info on vintage Las Vegas, as well as current events in the retro scene. Check it out:
Very Vintage Vegas
Very Vintage Vegas
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
'Racy Nightclubs and Topless Pools'
The so-called 'Ultra Lounges' in Las Vegas didn't exist 20 years ago, but have recently been one of the biggest draws, especially to the 20 something 'see and be seen crowd'. My opinion is that they are sucker joints that vacuum cash (and credit cards) out of the pockets of willing rubes. There have been some real abuses at these clubs, which have not only brought them to the attention of the police, but also the Gaming Commission.
I think my real dislike of these clubs is that they promote the idea that the more money you spend, the more fun you are having, and people believe it.
So I was reading this article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal about Nevada Gaming Board people dispensing guidelines to the people that own these clubs:
Gaming Board official offers 'preventive' tips
Then, I read one of the comments, and am jarred back to reality. I will quote it here, so you don't have to read the whole article, if you don't want to:
"Nevada/Las Vegas has an identity problem. We say we are sin city but then we won't allow any "real" sin to go on. There appears to be a line that we are afraid to cross. Certainly we don't want anyone to get hurt but what kind of effect would it have on our city if, say, California legalized drugs and prostitution and they became the real sin city destination? Big Julie used to say "when they get off the plane and can't tell the difference between their hometown and Las Vegas, the game is over." We have created a field that must continue to re-invent itself. If we don't find ways to do that the game will be over. It appears we have come to the line of demarcation. Do we cross it and forge ahead or do we back down to the "do gooders" and create an opportunity for someone else bold enough to create something that Americans are willing to travel for. The bottom line is that people want to drink, gamble and get laid. If we or someone else can offer them that and add drugs and legalized prostitution to the mix, well then I wonder what the potential revenue could be under those circumstances? We are in a era of declining revenue. You had better come up with a way to reverse that and find ways to enhance revenue. Maybe it's time to get rid of the morals that confine us and be as bold as those who set this racket up in the first place. Now is not the time to back down. We must be bold and do the unthinkable. Give em something to get excited about and reignite the desire to come to Vegas!!"
This is an excellent statement, and really makes sense. It's only too bad that the 'sin' in Sin City seems to be pooling around the awful night clubs. What do you think?
I think my real dislike of these clubs is that they promote the idea that the more money you spend, the more fun you are having, and people believe it.
So I was reading this article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal about Nevada Gaming Board people dispensing guidelines to the people that own these clubs:
Gaming Board official offers 'preventive' tips
Then, I read one of the comments, and am jarred back to reality. I will quote it here, so you don't have to read the whole article, if you don't want to:
"Nevada/Las Vegas has an identity problem. We say we are sin city but then we won't allow any "real" sin to go on. There appears to be a line that we are afraid to cross. Certainly we don't want anyone to get hurt but what kind of effect would it have on our city if, say, California legalized drugs and prostitution and they became the real sin city destination? Big Julie used to say "when they get off the plane and can't tell the difference between their hometown and Las Vegas, the game is over." We have created a field that must continue to re-invent itself. If we don't find ways to do that the game will be over. It appears we have come to the line of demarcation. Do we cross it and forge ahead or do we back down to the "do gooders" and create an opportunity for someone else bold enough to create something that Americans are willing to travel for. The bottom line is that people want to drink, gamble and get laid. If we or someone else can offer them that and add drugs and legalized prostitution to the mix, well then I wonder what the potential revenue could be under those circumstances? We are in a era of declining revenue. You had better come up with a way to reverse that and find ways to enhance revenue. Maybe it's time to get rid of the morals that confine us and be as bold as those who set this racket up in the first place. Now is not the time to back down. We must be bold and do the unthinkable. Give em something to get excited about and reignite the desire to come to Vegas!!"
This is an excellent statement, and really makes sense. It's only too bad that the 'sin' in Sin City seems to be pooling around the awful night clubs. What do you think?
Friday, September 18, 2009
My Photos Now On FineArtAmerica.com
As you may know, many of my Las Vegas photographs are on display at:
Neon Street Images
However, I have now set up an account with Fine Art America, where you can order several of the photos in various sizes. They print them on the best quality equipment, and ship them directly to you. My section of their site is here:
Fine Art America
Neon Street Images
However, I have now set up an account with Fine Art America, where you can order several of the photos in various sizes. They print them on the best quality equipment, and ship them directly to you. My section of their site is here:
Fine Art America
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Renting A Car In Las Vegas
Most first time visitors to Vegas, flying in to McCarren Airport, get to their hotel via cab or hotel shuttle. Likewise, getting around town is easy by cab, and it can be fun, although it can get expensive. A cab ride from the airport to most hotels is at least $20. depending on the distance. In fact, you can figure a minimum of $20. for a cab ride just about anywhere. If you take a cab to the Fashion Show Mall, or for a couple of evenings out, your total cab tab for the whole trip can easily be $200.+
After you've been to Las Vegas a few times, however, you might want to do some exploring around town (and maybe out of town), and the best way to do this is to rent a car. I always rent a car when in Vegas, so I can go where I want, when I want. Parking is never a problem. All of the hotels, and lot of restaurants and shopping venues have valet parking. And you don't have to be a guest at any hotel to take advantage of the service. It's usually 'free', although a two or three dollar tip when the car is brought back is appropriate. I've never stayed at New York, New York, but one of the first stops I make when visiting Las Vegas is Greenberg's Deli, at NYNY. Rather than parking in their cavernous parking lot and getting lost on the way to the casino, I just drop the car at the valet stand at the main entrance, go get my Reuben sandwich and egg cream, and play a couple of shoes of blackjack on the way back out to the valet pickup area. Minutes later, the car is delivered by a smiling attendant, and I'm on my way.
I usually rent a compact or mid-size car, which costs a total of about $200. for a week, which I pick up at the airport car rental center, which houses all of the rental agencies, and is a couple of miles from the airport. There is a free shuttle bus right outside from the baggage area that takes you there. I usually rent from Thrifty or Budget, which I have found are consistently the best value, and I rent online in advance. (Dollar is also a good deal, but they own Thrifty in Las Vegas, and therefore their rates are identical.) If you sign up for their services online, where they store all of your information, including credit card info, etc., it will save you much time and grief at the rental center. Having reserved your car online, you can proceed right from the airport shuttle to the rental car lot, bypassing the lines of squares at the rental counters, and pick out your car. All the paper work is done in advance, and you just sign it as you drive the car out of the lot.
When renting a car, you are responsible if the car is stolen, or if there is any damage to it while you are renting it, no matter the cause. You can purchase the insurance offered by the car rental company, (usually called 'Collision Damage Waiver' [CDW], or some such), which can cost a minimum of $15./day. This is in addition to the base rental charges, and can easily double the total amount paid for the rental. But many credit and debit cards, especially those used for a business, cover damage to a rental car, as long as the card is used to reserve and pay for the rental. I also have a 'rider' on my personal auto insurance policy that covers any damages or loss to a rental car. It costs me an additional $25. every six months, but is worth it, because I don't have to buy the CDW offered by the rental. It's always a good idea to keep some proof of the insurance with you in the car.
Las Vegas is an easy city to navigate, although there is a lot of fast moving traffic, all the time, so if you are not used to that, it takes a little getting used to.
Drive to to Hoover Dam, or Red Rock Canyon. Most rentals have unlimited mileage, so the only additional cost to driving a lot is the gas (I've rented a car in Las Vegas and driven to Tucson a couple of times; don't ask why.)
Now this is part where I complain about renting a car. Below is my car rental reciept for my last trip.
Many cities levy exorbitant taxes on hotels, cabs, and rental cars. These are typically fees that they wouldn't dare charge their own citizens, but the rational is that they can nick the 'visitors' a little (or a lot) more, and therefore add to the city coffers in a way that is a little less painful to the locals. Las Vegas is no exception. In fact, I have rented cars all over, and I've never seen any city with higher rental car taxes. Witness the following receipt from my last rental there. The base rate is $135. and the total bill is $200. The 'taxes' account for over 32% of the total!
And look at some of the line items. Note that the sales tax is included in $135. 'base rate'. I assume the APTAX is 'Airport Tax', which most cities apply when you pick up a car at the airport (although it's usually a lot less in most other cities), but what the #*$&# is the CFC and all that other stuff?
Oh well, in any case, despite all the fees, it's still less than using cabs, and, a rental car gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Just make sure you're sober.
After you've been to Las Vegas a few times, however, you might want to do some exploring around town (and maybe out of town), and the best way to do this is to rent a car. I always rent a car when in Vegas, so I can go where I want, when I want. Parking is never a problem. All of the hotels, and lot of restaurants and shopping venues have valet parking. And you don't have to be a guest at any hotel to take advantage of the service. It's usually 'free', although a two or three dollar tip when the car is brought back is appropriate. I've never stayed at New York, New York, but one of the first stops I make when visiting Las Vegas is Greenberg's Deli, at NYNY. Rather than parking in their cavernous parking lot and getting lost on the way to the casino, I just drop the car at the valet stand at the main entrance, go get my Reuben sandwich and egg cream, and play a couple of shoes of blackjack on the way back out to the valet pickup area. Minutes later, the car is delivered by a smiling attendant, and I'm on my way.
I usually rent a compact or mid-size car, which costs a total of about $200. for a week, which I pick up at the airport car rental center, which houses all of the rental agencies, and is a couple of miles from the airport. There is a free shuttle bus right outside from the baggage area that takes you there. I usually rent from Thrifty or Budget, which I have found are consistently the best value, and I rent online in advance. (Dollar is also a good deal, but they own Thrifty in Las Vegas, and therefore their rates are identical.) If you sign up for their services online, where they store all of your information, including credit card info, etc., it will save you much time and grief at the rental center. Having reserved your car online, you can proceed right from the airport shuttle to the rental car lot, bypassing the lines of squares at the rental counters, and pick out your car. All the paper work is done in advance, and you just sign it as you drive the car out of the lot.
When renting a car, you are responsible if the car is stolen, or if there is any damage to it while you are renting it, no matter the cause. You can purchase the insurance offered by the car rental company, (usually called 'Collision Damage Waiver' [CDW], or some such), which can cost a minimum of $15./day. This is in addition to the base rental charges, and can easily double the total amount paid for the rental. But many credit and debit cards, especially those used for a business, cover damage to a rental car, as long as the card is used to reserve and pay for the rental. I also have a 'rider' on my personal auto insurance policy that covers any damages or loss to a rental car. It costs me an additional $25. every six months, but is worth it, because I don't have to buy the CDW offered by the rental. It's always a good idea to keep some proof of the insurance with you in the car.
Las Vegas is an easy city to navigate, although there is a lot of fast moving traffic, all the time, so if you are not used to that, it takes a little getting used to.
Drive to to Hoover Dam, or Red Rock Canyon. Most rentals have unlimited mileage, so the only additional cost to driving a lot is the gas (I've rented a car in Las Vegas and driven to Tucson a couple of times; don't ask why.)
Now this is part where I complain about renting a car. Below is my car rental reciept for my last trip.
Many cities levy exorbitant taxes on hotels, cabs, and rental cars. These are typically fees that they wouldn't dare charge their own citizens, but the rational is that they can nick the 'visitors' a little (or a lot) more, and therefore add to the city coffers in a way that is a little less painful to the locals. Las Vegas is no exception. In fact, I have rented cars all over, and I've never seen any city with higher rental car taxes. Witness the following receipt from my last rental there. The base rate is $135. and the total bill is $200. The 'taxes' account for over 32% of the total!
And look at some of the line items. Note that the sales tax is included in $135. 'base rate'. I assume the APTAX is 'Airport Tax', which most cities apply when you pick up a car at the airport (although it's usually a lot less in most other cities), but what the #*$&# is the CFC and all that other stuff?
Oh well, in any case, despite all the fees, it's still less than using cabs, and, a rental car gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Just make sure you're sober.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Deep Fried Desserts, Las Vegas
Mermaids Casino on Fremont Street proudly advertises its deep fried Twinkies and Oreos, chocolate covered bananas, and many other wonderful items that your cardiologist would not approve of. Make your way past the Mardi-Gras-Bead-Dispensing ladies standing in the front door, past the regulars at the saloon style bar, and step up to the snack counter in the back corner of the establishment. For a mere 99 cents, you can order either the Twinkie, or 3, count them, 3! Oreos, freshly battered and hot out of the fryer. You can take them with you as you zig and zag your way past the slots back out to Fremont Street, or, you can eat them right there at their bistro style tables (no chairs).
The Turquoise Chief
My girlfriend spotted this store in a strip mall, just north of the Stratosphere, on Las Vegas Boulevard. Upon entering, we encountered thousands of pieces of jewelry, belts, gee-gaws and gimcracks, most made with turquoise and silver, by, according to the owner, Native Americans.
Prices are extremely reasonable, and the selection is staggering. The owner claims to have been in this location for more than 40 years, and has seen a lot of Vegas history. Times are tough now, though, so if you want to get a real deal on some quality turquoise, visit The Turquoise Chief, 1616 Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Prices are extremely reasonable, and the selection is staggering. The owner claims to have been in this location for more than 40 years, and has seen a lot of Vegas history. Times are tough now, though, so if you want to get a real deal on some quality turquoise, visit The Turquoise Chief, 1616 Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Vegas Sign Photo Op
I remember the good old days, when you had to risk your life dodging traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard if you wanted to get a head-on photo of the 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign. Not to mention the fact that there was no 'legal' place to park anywhere near it.
Well, those days are over, now that the city has actually created a parking lot right in the middle of the median just south of the sign, with it's own 'off ramp' and 'on ramp'. The area around the sign is now paved with sidewalks, and there is that real grass planted there that looks so natural in the desert.
People line up to take photos of themselves or their loved ones in front of the sign. (Really, they line up.) When we were leaving, a wedding party was just piling out of their limos. There was even a pro photographer there (see photo). Now that's progress.
Best Hotel Deal In Las Vegas
My last visit to Las Vegas was for 6 nights. The first three were at the Plaza (I was comped, which is actually THE best deal), and the last three were right across the street at the Golden Gate. I stayed at the GG a couple of years ago, and remembered it as a good value; not the Wynn, but definitely not a dive.
Since my last trip, however, a good portion of the 100+ year old hotel had been remodeled, including our room, which was fantastic, especially considering the price.
This photo does not do the room justice; it had two cushy beds, with new fixtures, all in a 'deco' theme, flat-panel TV, coffee maker, etc., and the regular, 'walk-up' weekday rate for this room is $19.06! Because this hotel was built before there were telephones in Las Vegas, when the street was paved with dirt, the rooms are small. There is no bell service (although they do have a bell-service type luggage cart you can use to schlep your stuff to your room), nor is there room service. But, you can walk out of your room, go down the elevator (the hotel is only four stories high), and literally walk a couple of steps out the back door to the valet-only lot, and be in your car or a cab in a minute. Or, you can walk through the casino and be on Fremont Street in less than a minute. Get a room at the MGM, and it will take you twenty minutes just to get to the lobby, if you don't get lost. The casino has a very good restaurant, and a snack bar in the back of the casino that serves, among other things, their world-famous shrimp cocktail for 99 cents (w/players' card).
They try to maintain a charming, old-timey ambience to the casino, which is something that is lacking in virtually all of the Strip casinos.
Florida Cafe'
For years I've seen the advertisements, up and down the Strip, for the Florida Cafe', a Cuban restaurant on Las Vegas Boulevard, just north of the Stratosphere. Why I haven't gone there sooner, I don't know, because the food is astonishing. The atmosphere is cool, and the service is great. It's actually attached to the Howard Johnson's Motel, which does a LOT of weddings, so you may have to fight your way through a bunch of tuxedoed goofs to get to the front door, but it's worth it. Trust me.
Las Vegas Swap Meet
If you want to do something in Las Vegas that absolutely won't be listed in the tourist guides, go to the 'Fantastic Las Vegas Swap Meet', on Decatur, about a mile south of Charleston. This is a locals 'flea market', open on the weekends, and it really isn't a 'swap meet', except in the sense that you get merchandise if you 'swap' cash with the merchants.
It's all indoors; you pay a buck to get in, and you walk up and down aisles past booths of all kinds of stuff: jewelry, knives, 'artwork', siding, clothing, leather goods, food, 'As Seen On TV' stuff, etc. It's good low-brow fun, and you may find something you like. I stop there every second or third visit to Vegas, and I found a really cool high-quality shirt there last visit, and I still use the leather carry-on bag I bought there several years ago, that I got for $45. that I haven't seen anywhere else for less than $100.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Mesquite Casino in Deep Trouble
Anybody who's read some of my previous posts know I have a certain affection for the city of Mesquite, NV, up on Interstate 15 near the Utah state line. A charming small town, it got caught up big time in the real estate boom, and consequently has really taken it on the chin recently. The three big casinos in town are owned by one company, Black Gaming, which closed the Oasis Casino a few months ago in a cost cutting move. However, now it looks like Black Gaming is going to lose the casino, hotel, etc. for good. Too bad.
Black Gaming Misses Interest Payment on Oasis Casino
Black Gaming Misses Interest Payment on Oasis Casino
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I Told You So
Well, maybe. Here's an article that restates what I've been saying about Las Vegas, especially the Strip properties, for the last couple of years: that they've lost sight of their core (and somewhat exclusive) business (gaming), and have been developing and promoting all sorts of bilious nonsense that almost everybody else does better:
Bradley Theory of Casino Revenues
There's one glitch to this theory, though, at least as I see it. The Downtown casinos have, probably because of physical and financial restraints, stuck to their gambling as the main source of income, and they are feeling the pinch of the bad economy also. The reasons may be the fact that relentless marketing on the part of the Strip casinos has hurt the Downtown area of the years, and also the skewing of the average Downtown casino customer towards a more blue-collar type, who is certainly pinched by the downturn.
But then again, I may be right.
Bradley Theory of Casino Revenues
There's one glitch to this theory, though, at least as I see it. The Downtown casinos have, probably because of physical and financial restraints, stuck to their gambling as the main source of income, and they are feeling the pinch of the bad economy also. The reasons may be the fact that relentless marketing on the part of the Strip casinos has hurt the Downtown area of the years, and also the skewing of the average Downtown casino customer towards a more blue-collar type, who is certainly pinched by the downturn.
But then again, I may be right.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
More Opinion - Online Poker
I just finished reading Anthony Holden's 'Big Deal', a book which I would recommend to anybody, just because he's such an outstanding writer. He has a real appreciation for life in general, and poker in particular, and writes with a style that makes it difficult to put the book down. I wish I could write half as well as Tony Holden.
The book chronicles a year that he spent as a 'Poker Pro'. He left the life of writer and biographer to step up from the ranks of an accomplished amateur, to ply his skills and luck on what was at that time the poker 'circuit'. Now this was in the early '80s, when online poker did not exist, and the biggest poker 'event' in the world, the World Series of Poker, attracted less than 200 entrants (compared with over 9000 in 2007). Many of the poker 'pioneers', such as Amarillo Slim and Johnny Moss were still active regular competitors.
Then, as now, most of the money was actually made in cash games on the fringes of the tournaments. Although the allure of huge tournament prizes attracted most pros, the real action was in the cash 'side games'.
They plied their skills against one another, taking the occasional amateur to the cleaners, but they were constantly trying to improve their standing against one another. The money was important, of course, but the best players of the time admitted that having the mental attitude of playing for the money alone could actually be a handicap.
Today's online poker arena, by contrast, can probably be best described as mostly predators waiting for the occasional 'fish' to swim by so that they can pick his carcass clean.
Go to online forums such as those at twoplustwo.com, and you can hear these jackasses lamenting the fact that there are too many of their ilk lurking on the poker sites, and not enough 'fish' to make a decent living. These people measure their skill only by the amounts of money they have claim to won.
What's really ironic is that these pathetic losers would probably get their clocks cleaned in a 'live' game at a brick and mortar casino or card club, where they would be the fish without the sophisticated software that virtually all of them use to track other players' habits, etc., online. This gives them a huge advantage over those that don't use the software. The kind of information the software provides is, for example, the percentage of times a player may call, bet, and/or raise before and after the flop, etc. For one player to use this information against another who does not have access to it is, in a word, cheating.
The internet can be a wonderful thing, but the perception of anonymity has created an environment in which the most coarse and crude among us are not only allowed to behave in ways that would not be conceivable in person, but this gross behavior has actually become so common that to many it is acceptable.
The book chronicles a year that he spent as a 'Poker Pro'. He left the life of writer and biographer to step up from the ranks of an accomplished amateur, to ply his skills and luck on what was at that time the poker 'circuit'. Now this was in the early '80s, when online poker did not exist, and the biggest poker 'event' in the world, the World Series of Poker, attracted less than 200 entrants (compared with over 9000 in 2007). Many of the poker 'pioneers', such as Amarillo Slim and Johnny Moss were still active regular competitors.
Then, as now, most of the money was actually made in cash games on the fringes of the tournaments. Although the allure of huge tournament prizes attracted most pros, the real action was in the cash 'side games'.
They plied their skills against one another, taking the occasional amateur to the cleaners, but they were constantly trying to improve their standing against one another. The money was important, of course, but the best players of the time admitted that having the mental attitude of playing for the money alone could actually be a handicap.
Today's online poker arena, by contrast, can probably be best described as mostly predators waiting for the occasional 'fish' to swim by so that they can pick his carcass clean.
Go to online forums such as those at twoplustwo.com, and you can hear these jackasses lamenting the fact that there are too many of their ilk lurking on the poker sites, and not enough 'fish' to make a decent living. These people measure their skill only by the amounts of money they have claim to won.
What's really ironic is that these pathetic losers would probably get their clocks cleaned in a 'live' game at a brick and mortar casino or card club, where they would be the fish without the sophisticated software that virtually all of them use to track other players' habits, etc., online. This gives them a huge advantage over those that don't use the software. The kind of information the software provides is, for example, the percentage of times a player may call, bet, and/or raise before and after the flop, etc. For one player to use this information against another who does not have access to it is, in a word, cheating.
The internet can be a wonderful thing, but the perception of anonymity has created an environment in which the most coarse and crude among us are not only allowed to behave in ways that would not be conceivable in person, but this gross behavior has actually become so common that to many it is acceptable.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Little Mesquite Falling on Hard Times
Way up on Interstate 15, just this side of the Utah state line, is Mesquite, Nevada. I have to admit it has been a couple of years since I was there last, actually scouting retirement possibilities for my mom and older sister. Over the year or so that I visited, shortly before the real estate bubble burst, there seemed to be more homes and condos under construction, than were there in the first place. We went to one condo complex that had just been built, to look at the 'model' for the next complex, to be built next door; there was just a dusty field where the new one was going to be erected. I signed my mom up at the end of a long list of people to be notified when building began. When asked for an estimate of when the new complex would begin construction, the sales rep said, 'When we can find enough construction workers.' That was how it was just a couple of years ago. The town was booming; they had completed a new, extensive medical complex there (prior to that there was no real hospital), to attract more retirees to move there and enjoy their many golf courses.
There are also three large (and several small) casinos in Mesquite, the three large ones being owned by the same company. When I stayed there, it was always at the Oasis, mostly because it was convenient. The hotel is large, the casino medium-sized by Las Vegas standards, but has a small town feel, with a lot of regulars, mostly seniors.
I like Mesquite because it still has the Nevada desert ambience, without the high-octane Vegas rush, and certainly without the crime.
Therefore I was sad to read that Mesquite, like most of Nevada, is falling on hard times:
Mesquite Casino to Close
There are also three large (and several small) casinos in Mesquite, the three large ones being owned by the same company. When I stayed there, it was always at the Oasis, mostly because it was convenient. The hotel is large, the casino medium-sized by Las Vegas standards, but has a small town feel, with a lot of regulars, mostly seniors.
I like Mesquite because it still has the Nevada desert ambience, without the high-octane Vegas rush, and certainly without the crime.
Therefore I was sad to read that Mesquite, like most of Nevada, is falling on hard times:
Mesquite Casino to Close
Thursday, November 27, 2008
More Opinion - Online Poker
My attitude towards online gaming in general, and online poker in particular, has morphed from mildly negative to ambivalent.
My experience is mostly in live blackjack, and anyone who's played in a casino with even reasonable skill (knowing basic strategy), will witness countless shlubs throwing their money away. Some of these people are just in the casino to have a 'good time', and they look at their losses as the price they pay for the entertainment. It just hurts me to see this, because the casinos count on the clueless to make their money.
In poker, both online and live, the same situation occurs, maybe not to the same extent, but there certainly seem to be a lot of people that don't know really basic principles that are eager to part with their money. Like the bunch of college guys getting drunk at the poker tables at Hooters; they are there mainly to have fun. The big difference between the clueless at the blackjack tables, and the clueless at poker, is, of course, that it's not the casino that profits from bad players at poker, but the other players at the table.
Not that the casinos shouldn't make any money; they get their 'rake' no matter if the players are good or bad.
The thing with brick and mortar casinos is that they can be counted on to be honest. However, I'm still doubtful, despite what some of the 'experts' say, as to the honesty of the online sites.
Witness:
How Online Gamblers Unmasked Cheaters
My experience is mostly in live blackjack, and anyone who's played in a casino with even reasonable skill (knowing basic strategy), will witness countless shlubs throwing their money away. Some of these people are just in the casino to have a 'good time', and they look at their losses as the price they pay for the entertainment. It just hurts me to see this, because the casinos count on the clueless to make their money.
In poker, both online and live, the same situation occurs, maybe not to the same extent, but there certainly seem to be a lot of people that don't know really basic principles that are eager to part with their money. Like the bunch of college guys getting drunk at the poker tables at Hooters; they are there mainly to have fun. The big difference between the clueless at the blackjack tables, and the clueless at poker, is, of course, that it's not the casino that profits from bad players at poker, but the other players at the table.
Not that the casinos shouldn't make any money; they get their 'rake' no matter if the players are good or bad.
The thing with brick and mortar casinos is that they can be counted on to be honest. However, I'm still doubtful, despite what some of the 'experts' say, as to the honesty of the online sites.
Witness:
How Online Gamblers Unmasked Cheaters
Friday, October 31, 2008
Politics of Gaming
Part of the fun of following events in Las Vegas, especially the controversial ones, is to dig out the real facts 'behind the headlines'. This usually reveals the real motives behind the actions, which may or may not be apparent at first blush.
I don't talk politics on this blog, but I like to see who's paying whom to do what, especially when gaming and politians are involved.
For example, back in my home city of Milwaukee, a certain Indian tribe was given the right to operate a 'bingo hall' about 20 years ago. The State of Wisconsin would decide what and how many games the tribe could have. For some reason, the governor was given exclusive power to negotiate with the tribe (and all the other Indian casinos in the state). Over the last 20 years, the Milwaukee casino has donated huge sums of money to gubernatorial campaign funds, and, guess what, the casinos, especially the one in Milwaukee, were allowed to grow from humble bingo parlors to full blown Vegas style casinos. What really made this arrangement outrageous was the fact that, during the last gubernatorial election cycle, the Milwaukee tribe reportedly donated millions(!) of dollars to a particular candidate, who, after being re-elected, gave that tribe an exclusive pact to be the only casino within 50 miles of Milwaukee. There were other tribes looking to get into the Milwaukee market, but they are now shut out of it.
But I digress. I ran across the following article, and at first, was expecting the usual blab about casino suits spreading their money around expecting to get some political favors. However, even though it documents the fact that Vegas casino operators are putting more money on McCain than Obama, it doesn't really say why. If these donators really believe that neither candidate would make any gaming legislation a priority, why do it at all? And why more for McCain? Any ideas?
Vegas and the Presidential Election
I don't talk politics on this blog, but I like to see who's paying whom to do what, especially when gaming and politians are involved.
For example, back in my home city of Milwaukee, a certain Indian tribe was given the right to operate a 'bingo hall' about 20 years ago. The State of Wisconsin would decide what and how many games the tribe could have. For some reason, the governor was given exclusive power to negotiate with the tribe (and all the other Indian casinos in the state). Over the last 20 years, the Milwaukee casino has donated huge sums of money to gubernatorial campaign funds, and, guess what, the casinos, especially the one in Milwaukee, were allowed to grow from humble bingo parlors to full blown Vegas style casinos. What really made this arrangement outrageous was the fact that, during the last gubernatorial election cycle, the Milwaukee tribe reportedly donated millions(!) of dollars to a particular candidate, who, after being re-elected, gave that tribe an exclusive pact to be the only casino within 50 miles of Milwaukee. There were other tribes looking to get into the Milwaukee market, but they are now shut out of it.
But I digress. I ran across the following article, and at first, was expecting the usual blab about casino suits spreading their money around expecting to get some political favors. However, even though it documents the fact that Vegas casino operators are putting more money on McCain than Obama, it doesn't really say why. If these donators really believe that neither candidate would make any gaming legislation a priority, why do it at all? And why more for McCain? Any ideas?
Vegas and the Presidential Election
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Fremont East District
Well, I finally got some photos of the Fremont East District. For those of you that don't know, it's the couple of blocks on Fremont Street, east of Las Vegas Boulevard. Formerly, the Fremont Street 'area' ended there, at the east end of Neonopolis. A block east of Las Vegas Boulevard is the El Cortez Hotel and Casino, and a couple of blocks further is the Western Hotel and Casino. East of there are many derelict and defunct old motels. You can see photos of many of them on my web site at:
Old Motels of Las Vegas
Before this new development, however, the area east of LV Blvd. was considered 'dangerous', especially at night. That was the perception, anyways. The City of Las Vegas decided to spif up the area, and, among other things, came up with some original 'retro', signage. Unfortunately, for now, there are a lot of vacancies, and one solid new development, the Griffin nightclub, with a cool neon sign (photo coming soon).
In any case, here are some daytime photos of the new signage. I'll post some of the night views soon.
PLUG: You can always see oodles of Vegas photos at my website:
Neon Street Images, Fantastic Photos of a Fantastic Metropolis
This is the view of the 'Gateway', looking east from Las Vegas Boulevard.
Old Motels of Las Vegas
Before this new development, however, the area east of LV Blvd. was considered 'dangerous', especially at night. That was the perception, anyways. The City of Las Vegas decided to spif up the area, and, among other things, came up with some original 'retro', signage. Unfortunately, for now, there are a lot of vacancies, and one solid new development, the Griffin nightclub, with a cool neon sign (photo coming soon).
In any case, here are some daytime photos of the new signage. I'll post some of the night views soon.
PLUG: You can always see oodles of Vegas photos at my website:
Neon Street Images, Fantastic Photos of a Fantastic Metropolis
This is the view of the 'Gateway', looking east from Las Vegas Boulevard.
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