Back from Vegas

Hi Vegas Fans,

Well, I'm back. How was it? It was great! I managed to come out about even, ahead if you count the number of rum and cokes I drank.

A few observations:

• With the economy, it's certainly not as crowded as it usually is, but there are still plenty of people there to strike up conversations at the tables, etc.
• City Center is really coming along (check out my photos on Flickr or the progress at Las Vegas Today and Tomorrow).
• Blackjack: I found good $5 tables at the Stratosphere, Excalibur, and downtown. Harrah's has properties with some $10 3:2 blackjack dealt from the shoe, but you have to really look for it and be careful you are not sitting down at a 6:5 table. One of my wishes was granted this trip; the 6:5 tables are usually identified as such somewhere on the table. If there's no sign, then more than likely it's 3:2, but always ask the dealer just to be sure. The 6:5 tables are mostly single or double-deck, but there are still some dealt from the shoe with these lousy odds.
• One of the strangest things I've ever seen... I was at a blackjack table, and this guy decides to double down on (I'm not kidding) a hard 16. Vs. a dealer 10, no less. And, guess what he got for his card? Yup, a 5! It's always better to be lucky than good, I always say, and he sure proved it.
• Thumbs-up this trip: Flamingo pool and bird sanctuary. Also the Flamingo's new Burger Joint hit the spot for lunch, although the service was slow. I mean really, pretty much all they have are burgers. Do the cooks just wait back there until someone says, "one burger... make that two burgers... no, wait, three burgers!" The fries were really crispy and yummy, making it worth the wait.
• Bigger thumbs-up: Breaking even, eating at Battista's and Four Kegs, and Blue Man Group. Great show - my second favorite in Vegas thus far (only Love tops it in my book).
• Biggest thumbs-up: Hanging with my friends Steve, Merrie, and Cindy. Steve and I have been Vegas nuts for over 15 years and buddies for a quarter of a century. Doesn't get much better than that!
• Thumbs-down: Traffic on the Strip when they closed a lane one night, road construction on Flamingo, Steve having bad luck at blackjack and craps, Martha (my lovely wife) not being there. Next time - she'll be there in March.

More later.
Viva,
Mike

Stay Positive

There's a lot of naysayers out there when it comes to Sin City. People who don't like Vegas, and even people who do, often criticize the city:

• It's all about greed
• It's fake
• It's sinful
• It's for suckers

I recently read a Time article which pointed out that "they got what's coming to them" and "they haven't learned their lesson because they're still doing it." Vegas, the article suggests, is America at its worst. People spend money they don't have, and then they ask for help when it doesn't work out the way they thought.

Reading these comments, I wonder how/why over 36 million people visit Vegas every year. That's easy:

• It's fun

Las Vegas is an escape. It's Disneyland for adults. It's a chance to blow off some steam and act like an idiot. I should know. Despite the stories about bankruptcy, greed, and corruption, there are plenty of people who act responsibly and just like to take some time away from reality. I should know.

I'll be there again in a few days, and I can't wait. It's always the most fun I have all year. I don't know if I'll win money or lose money, but I know I won't come out too far ahead or too much in the red. And that's ok.

So go ahead. Book your next trip. And whatever you do, don't feel guilty about it. You deserve it. You work hard, and you take care of a lot of responsibilities at home. A few days in a casino might do you good. Just don't bet the mortgage.

Above all, remember my motto. Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike

Almost there!

Hi Vegas fans,

As I get closer to "the trip," I'm reminded of the important things in life. Namely, doubling down on 11, splitting aces, and backing up my come bet with odds. Ah yes, simplicity.

And I've got these trips pretty much down to a science these days. Not so much an agenda or itinerary - although I do like to think about the fun stuff that I'll do when I'm there - but I mean preparing for these trips is much more routine for me because I know what to expect.

First, what to do in preparation. I try to make sure I eat right, take vitamins, and drink lots of water about one to two weeks before the trip. I know once I'm there, I'll eat and drink too much, and in the desert heat, that ain't a good thing. So I want to feel my best before I go so I can ruin my immune system once I get there. I always pack ibuprofen, vitamins, and antacid tablets for damage control.

What to wear? It depends. For me, I'm mostly gambling and hanging out, so I'm not going to pack spiffy clothes. I'm not clubbing or going to really expensive restaurants. For me, it's more about comfort: shorts, t-shirts, a few nice short-sleeve button-down shirts, maybe one pair of dress pants and loafers. Don't overlook the importance of footwear. Always bring one pair of shoes that you can walk a few million miles in without getting blisters. And, of course, take the advise of you mother: lots of clean underwear.

Now the hard part. I've done all this preparation, and now the day of the trip I have to deal with airports and, finally, getting to the Strip. When I book my trip, I always try to get an aisle seat because I like to stretch my legs out in the aisle for a little extra legroom - don't want to be cramped up once I hit Vegas. The only difficult part is when the beverage/snack cart comes my way. Move it or lose it.

When I arrive at McCarrin, I know the journey is still underway. I usually pack so little that I can take it all in a carry-on, so I'm lucky that I don't have to go to baggage claim. But, I do usually rent a car. So, I've gotta catch the bus to the facility, which is about a 5-10 minute drive from the airport. At this point, I'm jumping outta my skin cause I just wanna hit the Strip!

Ok, now I'm at the rental car place, and because I try to get a cheap car, I'm in a long line with everyone else who had the same idea. I'm looking at 20-30 minutes.

Finally, I get the car, and I'm on my way! As long as Strip traffic isn't bad, I'm there in about 15-20 minutes. Hooray! But there's more... now it's time to check in! I have not checked in to a Vegas hotel on a Friday, so I've never experienced long lines. Once I get that key in my hand, I know I'm there. It's a simple elevator ride up to the room, drop the bag, and head to the casino.

I'll let you know how I do when I... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.

Viva,

Mike

6:5 Blackjack - Just Say No!

Hi Vegas fans,

As I'm getting ready to head out to Sin City in a few weeks, I am thinking about where I'm going to play my beloved blackjack. In February, there were still a few good places left to partake in $5, 3:2 blackjack.

I like playing at Excal, Trop, the Strat, and anywhere downtown (particularly the Golden Nugget). These are all laid back, fun places to play with good rules. If I want to play $10, I'll try some other MGM properties, such as the Grad, NY NY, Mirage, etc. Even the Wynn and Encore offer $10 tables with good rules.

You'll notice I left out Harrah's properties. All of their blackjack tables, upon last check, are 6:5. That's very bad for the player - about 8 times worse, in fact, than 3:2 blackjack. Avoid at all costs 6:5 blackjack. If you're not sure, ask the dealer what blackjack pays. Don't even sit down until you are sure the game is 3:2.

I wish Harrah's would change their rules. And, I wish that all properties would post their blackjack payouts. On every table, you'll see how much insurance pays and the dealer's rules for hitting/staying on soft 17. Insurance always pays 3:2, and most low-minimum tables (i.e. the ones I play) now hit on soft 17 (bad for the player, but not that bad). So, my plea is to remove the insurance payout on the felt and substitute it for the blackjack payout. Please.

It would be great if more of the blackjack rules were posted somewhere, instead of having to ask every time you split, double down, etc. But you just have to live and learn in most cases.

I'll keep you posted on the rules and what I find at the tables the next time I... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.

Viva,

Mike