September 2006 Blog Archive
September 26, 2006
I just got back from another trip to the City of Sin and I had a blast as always. It was another solo trip which meant lots of video poker! I had one last hurrah at the Stardust before she is imploded early next year then one night at Paris. I will be posting a update in a few days with room pics from Paris plus property maps updates few a bunch of places mainly on the strip.
September 17, 2006
Earlier this month, Wynn Macau opened in southeast China. Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal and by some accounts, it has already passed Las Vegas as the top gaming locale in the world. Sheldon Adelson, primary owner of the Venetian, already had a casino in Macau, the Sands Macau. It is well known that Steve Wynn and Adelson are hardly the best of friends and Adelson is surely less than thrilled he is forced to compete against him in another location but in an interview this week, he dropped some nice bombs on Big Steve.
"Do I like Steve Wynn? No, I'll tell you that right upfront. His standard of principles are, uh, somewhat different than our standard of principles. Do I want the main individual involved here to be successful? No, because of the way he practices business and life and interpersonal relationships. I don't think he deserves it. But we want them to be successful because we don't want the world to say Macau is going down," Adelson said. I just love when multi-billionaires get in slap fights like little girls.
You can hear the entire interview at www.thestrippodcast.com
September 9, 2006
This week, my property map links were added to the pages of the VPFree database. It is the premiere site on the Internet for up to the minute inventory status for video poker machines in Las Vegas and elsewhere. It is an absolute "must have" bookmark for every gambler.
Being included on the database won't drive much new traffic to the site but I think the property maps work hand and hand with the VPFREE database perfectly. For example, the database say something like, "6 FPDW (Full Pay Dueces Wild) slant-tops next to the Sports Book Bar." Now, you can click on the link to the map and see exactly where the Sports Book Bar is on the casino floor then park near the closest entrance, saving you from wasting valuable Vegas time wandering a huge casino aimlessly. Many thanks to the VPFree admin for adding them!
September 6, 2006
Today, Boyd Gaming announced that the Stardust would be closing on November 1st. This is very sad news for me as the Stardust has been my Vegas home for the past 2 years. It was truly one of the last old school casinos left in town and a very comfortable "home away from home." They took care of their customers well and for a guy who certainly isn't a high roller, they treated me like a king. It wasn't the most fancy place and didn't have any theme or celebrity chefs but the prices were always right, the games were decent and it was in a good location.
She will be imploded early next year to make way for "Echelon Place," a giant development consisting of5300 rooms in 4 hotels, 140,000 Sq. Ft. casino, 350,000 Sq. Ft. of retail and 650,000 Sq. Ft. of convention space. It is expected to cost $4 billion and open in 2010. I'm sure it will a nice place when it is done but it will also be another place where they will need to charge top dollar for everything to pay off that construction bill. When the Sahara and Riviera finally go, it's safe to say that the bargain days of Las Vegas will be done.
I am currently considering what casino to make my home. I have some history at Bally's but I don't know how much longer it has to live. I don't want to be in the same boat a year from now. I may be forced to go Off-Strip to find a place where the average Joe's gambling dollar is still appreciated.
Reader Comments
From Will...
Economies of scale are killing the Vegas I knew. The days of the small to medium sized casino, that knew you were an individual, are gone. Vegas is turning into a high priced Wal-mart of gaming. I used to go to Vegas every other month, now I go to Laughlin. Most of Laughlin's casino are small enough that you don't get lost and, belive it or not, people you talked to a month ago actually remember you; even if you're not a high roller.
September 3, 2006
This week, CalTrans announced that they will be having a series of closures on Interstate 15 at the Cajon Pass that will cover entire weekends. Those of you who don't live in southern California don't understand the gravity of what that means but put it this way, 1/3 of all Vegas visitors come from SoCal and there is pretty much only one way to get there. I-15 can be a nightmare at the best of times but a closing of the entire freeway for 5 weekends seems unthinkable. The best advice is just don't plan on driving I-15 on weekends from Sept 29 - Oct 28. On the other hand, if you live elsewhere, it may be a great time to go. Fortunately, my next trip is before then so hopefully I will miss the worst of it!
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