For years I have enjoyed gambling at the smaller, less fancy-shmancy places on the Strip. This includes the Tropicana. But when it first opened in 1957 as the 12th hotel on the Strip, the Trop was quite the exclusive property. The front of the joint boasted a unique, tulip-shaped fountain. Like the Flamingo and the Desert Inn, the Trop was classy in those days.
Fast-forward fifty years. The Trop fell on hard times, and mismanagement kept it from retaining its glory. The rooms got dingy, the carpets looked threadbare, and the once-dignified diamond-in-the rough was just... well, just rough. Folies Bergere closed, and all that remained of original class was the Tiffany ceiling in the casino. It was constantly on the Strip's list of "next to be imploded and archived on YouTube."
But, recent events have helped change the Trop's tune. New management is giving it a major Miami-beach themed upgrade, expected to be complete in 2011. The casino is going high-tech; gamblers will be able to place bets from their seats in the Sports Book with new eDeck devices. Even their website got a face lift.
I'll continue to gamble there. Why? Not because it will be the cool place on the Strip. Not because it will attract new fans with hip shows, fancy restaurants or a happening club. Those things are all great, but I like the Trop for the same reasons I like the Stratosphere and other "small" places: low-minimum games, easy parking, simple casino navigation, laid-back atmosphere, and strong drinks a-plenty. Makes it easy to stay there a while.
So, best wishes to the "newest" casino on the Strip. I like your style!
Viva,
Mike
3 comments:
Check out the Sahara next time you or any of your readers venture to Las Vegas. I just went out there and enjoyed $1 blackjack and very strong free drinks. They seem to have done some remodeling lately (at least it looked cleaner) and their were plenty of low minimum tables.
The only problem with my favorite "cheap" casino is the smoking. You can see my opinion on smoking in Vegas casinos here: www.whereisjohnwilson.com/vegas-is-smokin/
I will have to check it out in September when I'll be staying at the Strat. Surprisingly, the Strat doesn't seem as smokey as some of the other low roller havens.
I remember the last time I was in the Sahara, I could barely see the guy next to me, who was smoking, of course.
I just got back from Vegas, again.
The Sahara added A TON of new low limit tables including more $1 blackjack and $3 craps and roulette.
I didn't play either, but instead took a ton of money from tourists at the poker tables.
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