Simplifying Las Vegas Hot in 2011-2012

Happy New Year's, Vegas fans!
I hope you had a wonderful New Year's and are ready to face the best year ever! I know I am.

I am a lucky guy. SLV rocked in 2011, selling over 470 copies (over 50 in December!) So far, 2012 looks promising, too, with a handful of sales already. Thanks to you, SLV fans, for your continued support! I look forward to updating the travel guide and my site as Vegas continues to change and grow this year.

Think about booking your next trip to Sin City soon because discount prices will start to disappear. Look for room rates to rise - hotel chains can't afford to offer rock-bottom rates for long periods of time, so the prices will likely climb for a while. The good news is that you can still find an affordable vacation to Vegas in a number of ways, including package deals, discount codes that you can find on the Internet, and comps from your play. The important thing is to... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike

Ready for New Year's, Vegas fans?

Hi all,
With Christmas in the rear-view window and Santa taking a well-deserved break, it's time to start thinking about the New Year. What's in store for 2012? If you are a Vegas fanatic, you'll notice a lot of activity this year. The trend toward upscale and fancy-pants continues, especially on the Strip, with new nightclubs in the works for many MGM properties, new restaurants (of course) to whet your appetite, and the inevitable switcharoo for entertainment venues.

So far, we know that Barry Manilow is leaving Paris (... and Las Vegas until at least July). Jersey Boys will fill the vacancy at Paris, leaving a hole in Palazzo. Shel Adelson is also losing entertainment at Venetian: Blue Man Group is moving to Monte Carlo.

These are just a few of the changes that occur regularly in Las Vegas. It's hard to keep up with what's going on in Sin City, so stay tuned and I'll keep you posted on all the news. In the mean time, you are probably thinking about that next trip and how you will win enough money in 2012 to finally pay off the Christmas credit cards. Or, maybe you are planning a trip to brave the crowds and stay in Vegas for New Year's Eve (if so, I hope you like sharing your personal space with about a gazillion people... it will be a little cozy and difficult to get around, so be prepared!).

Whatever your plans, I wish you the best for 2012! If you are planning a trip to Vegas, post a reply here and let us know what you are most looking forward to, when you plan on visiting, and anything else you'd like to share with the rest of us Vegas nuts. The more the merrier.

Oh and by the way... for those of you who received Amazon.com gift cards or Barnes & Noble gift cards for the holidays, I hope you consider purchasing my book. It's only $4.99, so you will still have some left over to read all about that girl with the dragon tattoo or another book of your choice.

Viva,
Mike

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

Hi Vegas fans,
I hope you all are ready for the holidays this year! The good news is that the holidays come whether we are ready or not. Have you done all of your shopping for your favorite fanatical Vegas friends and family? I have. Yes, I'm done! Well, just about... I still have a few things I need to pick up, but they are easy gifts. For some of my friends, I like to give a nice gift card, be it iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or a nice restaurant.

If you are concerned that gift cards are not as romantic or caring as another gift, they can be a great complement to something else. Also, they are eco-friendly. And finally, they can be a way for the people receiving them to pick out whatever they want. Remember when Aunt Clara gave you tube socks and (hopefully new) underwear last year? Wouldn't it have been cooler if she got you a gift card to amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com instead so that you could have purchased your own tube socks and (hopefully new) underwear? I think so.

If you want something a little more personal but are running out of time to get to the stores or to have something shipped for an astronomical price to arrive on time, think about this: you can purchase a book and send it as a gift electronically. I think the recipients will find any e-book a really fun and unique gift. Plus, you save on some of that fancy wrapping paper.

Both amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have electronic book delivery that you can give as gifts. Even if your friends and family don't have electronic book readers, they can still read books on a smart phone, tablet or any computer by downloading the free apps for Kindle or Nook. If you have a Vegas nut on your list who has been extra good (or extra naughty if you are into that kind of thing... I am), then I hope you consider giving my book through the Amazon or Barnes and Noble programs as a gift. At $4.99, it's a steal.

I will be back soon to wish you Happy Holidays in another blog soon. For now, I wish you much luck in your mad dash to finish your shopping. In case you are wondering what to get me, I would like all-expenses paid stay at the Wynn in the penthouse suite. I don't think that's asking for too much.

Viva,
Mike

A Few of My Favorite Things

Hi Vegas Fans,
During the holidays, I am reminded of My Favorite Things - not so much the song from The Sound of Music, but more from jazz legend John Coltrane's sweet tenor sax in the album of the same name, released in 1961. My Favorite Things is one of my favorite things... hang with me, I'm going somewhere with this.

 

I always like to look back and reflect on the year and share some of my thoughts as well as look ahead to the coming year. For a lot of reasons, this has been a challenging year for me. It has made my trips to Las Vegas that much more meaningful. I feel so fortunate that I get to escape reality, which tends to smack me in the face from time to time, and visit the un-real world of the Strip, downtown, and outskirts of the most exciting city in the world.

Here is a short list of my favorite Vegas things from 2011, in no particular order:

• Playing $5 blackjack and craps and enjoying a few rum and cokes, especially at the Stratosphere. It's all about the atmosphere, and the Strat has a lot of creative characters roaming the floor. Good times. 
• Hanging with my best friend and fellow degenerate gambler, Steve. We have been going to Vegas for over 20 years, and we typically enjoy the same goofy stuff and craziness of the wonderful world of Sin City.
• Betting on my sports team and yelling at TVs as if they can hear me. It is amazing to me that the quarterback doesn't throw the ball to avoid the sack no matter how loudly I try to persuade him.
• Walking the Strip at sunrise. I am one of those annoying morning people who likes to get up as dawn cracks and head to Starbucks or the Peppermill for a nice breakfast. There are two kinds of people you encounter at this hour: runners and crazy vagrants. It's a good mix.
• Eating at Battista's Hole in the Wall. Yeah, I get arguments against this one from time to time. Foodies like to turn their noses up at this place. But for me, it's more about the tradition and atmosphere. I always enjoy the wine with my dinner, and I love when Gordie the accordion player stops by my table to play a tune. In a city where history is reduced to rubble with a flip of a switch, I'm hoping that this place doesn't change for a while.
• Visiting Red Rock Canyon. Check out my pics on Flickr. It was a really beautiful day.
• Enjoying Bellagio's Fine Art Gallery. The last one of its kind on the Strip. I'm no art expert, but I know what I like. They consistently show the best masterpieces by classic artists - from Picasso to Lichtenstein to everyone in between.
• Finishing Simplifying Las Vegas 2012. Just in the St. Nick of time.

I could go on and on here, but you get the idea. Whether you like to people watch, eat good food, gamble, party or sit by the pool and catch some rays, Las Vegas is a great getaway. I look forward to my next trip. I'm already planning it.

When I count my good fortunes, and yes I do have a lot of them even when times are more difficult, I often include how grateful I am that I get to go to Vegas and enjoy some of my favorite things.

Please feel free to post some of your favorite Vegas things... you can post anonymously if your boss or spouse also follows this blog.
Viva,
Mike

Simplifying Las Vegas 2012 is here!!

Hi Vegas fans,
You may have noticed that I have not been blogging posting to my forums lately. Or on Facebook. Or Twitter.... well, you get the idea. I've been working really hard on SLV 2012. And as you may have guessed from the title of this post, it's finally done!

Please check out my website to see all the different ways you can purchase SLV 2012. The Nook version is in progress - Barnes and Noble is taking its sweet time finalizing my html code - but it should be done within a day or two and I will put the links on my site.

I may be biased, but I think this is a really great version of the guide, and I am really looking forward to building on it in 2012. I hope you enjoy it, too! Please feel free to post your thoughts here or on my forums. As always, thanks for your support!

Viva,
Mike

Happy Thanksgiving, Vegas Fans!

It's that time of year again. I know when you are in Vegas, you are thankful for winning a double-down at the blackjack table, hitting your point at craps, getting a royal in video poker, or hitting a jackpot on the slots. And I'm sure you are also thankful for friends and family and all of the good stuff in life.

I am too. And although this has been a challenging year for me in many ways, I'm still thankful. In addition to the stuff I mention above, I'm thankful that Simplifying Las Vegas has been successful this year, and I'm very appreciative of the people who have visited my site, sent me comments, joined me on Facebook and Twitter, and purchased my travel guide.

Finally, I am thankful that my Simplifying Las Vegas 2012 travel guide is almost done! I can't wait to publish it. It's got some new stuff in it, more tips, and cleaner formatting. Best of all, it will be easy to read on your tablet, smart phone, Kindle or Nook. It should be ready in about a week (maybe less if I skip the pumpkin pie tonight and get some more work done before the tryptophan kicks in).

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Viva,
Mike

400 and Counting

Hi Vegas fans,

A quick note just to say thanks very much for your support! Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 has sold over 400 copies this year. I'm still working on SLV 2012... it is really coming along and I'm very excited about getting it published. I'm targeting a November 1 date, but it depends on how well the html conversion goes.  That is always the time-consuming part! It has a good deal of new stuff in it and I hope you will enjoy it.

I will make it available for Kindle, Nook, and in PDF format. Of course, if you have a tablet or a smart phone, you can download the Kindle or Nook app for free and then view my book on your mobile device.

In the mean time, please visit my site and let me know if you have Vegas-related comments or questions. I gotta go... gotta get back to writing. But look for a new Vegas Halloween post soon.
Viva,
Mike

Same As It Ever Was

Hi Vegas fans,

I'm feeling quite nostalgic lately. It kind of came to a head tonight when I heard about the passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and visionary, after a long bout with cancer. A lot of what I do is possible because of the iPad, iPhone and other Apple innovations, thanks in large part to Jobs. I am already missing his next big idea; I am already missing his vision for what is possible.

Apple will continue to invent, improve, and move forward with design. It is a great company, and they have a solid foundation. There are those that will say it will never be the same without Jobs. They may be right, but Apple will still be Apple.

It's kind of the same with Vegas. This may seem like a leap, but hang with me here. The new casinos are hip and cool, but many say that they miss old school Vegas. Classic Vegas. The Stardust, Desert Inn and the Sands. The Rat Pack, Elvis, and Folies Bergere. Cheap buffets and 25 cent roulette. You get the idea.

Vegas does not let history get in the way. It implodes it. But there are still hints of the old Vegas in plenty of places. Just this past weekend I stayed at the Riviera. They have been promoting all of these cool changes and upgrades.

Honestly, it didn't seem all that different to me. The room was nicer than the previous one I had, but the casino and restaurants seemed the same, and the sports book (now called Lucky's) is a little smaller and less comfy than the old one (Crazy Leroy's... which was also a better name).

Pictures of classic movie stars and moguls lined the hallway on the way to the elevators. The Riviera has not forgotten its past. Or imploded it. It is just attempting to upgrade it a little bit without making some kind of grand statement. Honestly, I'm ok with all of this. There's something comforting in staying in a place that is familiar. I think that's a good thing.

I still see signs of the old Vegas all over the Strip and downtown. It's mixed in with the new. You have to look, and you have to know what you are looking for, but it is there. It's there in the old Landmark sign that still lights up - on Paradise Road just past the Riv - although the Landmark was leveled years ago. It's there in the older dealers who love to tell stories about how it used to be. It's there in the Golden Gate and El Cortez downtown. It's there, trust me.

But here's the funny thing. It's even there in the newer casinos. It's there because as we continue to visit Las Vegas and have fun, we gather our memories and share our photos and tell our tall tales. I have plenty. And for me there are just as many in the Stardust and Aladdin as there are in Bellagio, Stratosphere, TI and Fremont Street. What I think I am nostalgic for is not so much a building, a game, a restaurant - although those are all things I miss - but more so a feeling I get when I think about them and the people with whom I shared all these great things. Sure, you can call me sentimental.

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but it stays with you, your friends and family for a long, long time.

Viva Las Vegas,
Mike

Kindle Fire

For those of you who enjoy Vegas on the go, there is a new electronic reader on the market. Amazon has introduced Fire (what is it with these folks and lighting things aflame?) to their line of Kindles. It is kind of like a Nook color and kind of like a tablet, too, with advanced web-browsing technology.

The market for all of these devices is getting pretty crowded, and it will be interesting to see if one comes out on top as the leader. I think the important thing is that whatever device you use, for whatever purpose (reading, browsing, gaming, etc.) that developers have to make their applications work well on multiple platforms.

That is why I am working so hard on SLV 2012. It will be available on all devices because I write it in HTML and I also have it available as a PDF. I can't wait to publish it!

Viva,
Mike

Coming Soon: Simplifying Las Vegas 2012

Hi Vegas Fans,

I'm hard at work these days, so if you don't see a ton of blog posts it's not because I'm avoiding you. It's because I'm hard at work updating my website/book. It's a lot of fun, but it's also very labor-intensive. I want to give you the most up-to-date information I can in an easy-to-read electronic format that you can surf on a number of electronic devices - Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPhone, laptop, desktop, Fisher Price My First Computer... well, you get the picture.

My target date is October 15th for the new 2012 version of the book. Now, I'm saying that, but it's a bit ambitious. There's a lot that has to happen between now and then. But if I don't put a date out there, I won't have something to shoot for, so I might as well.

In the mean time, if there's anything you would like to see in a 2012 Las Vegas travel guide, shoot me an email or post a comment here (btw... posting a comment is a lot easier now - you don't need to log in via Google or any other account.)

So... enough blogging for now. I gotta get back to work.
Viva,
Mike

True Tales of Craps and Blackjack

Hi Vegas fans,

A question on my forums yesterday made me start thinking about the funniest and weirdest things that I have seen at the tables over the years. Most of the time it's just a few folks joking around, having a good time, trying not to lose money. But here are some of the highlights of my gambling history, in no particular order:

First time playing craps - Caesars Palace, 1992. Back then, you could get a spot at a $2 craps table with no problem. Heck, back then Caesars had a ton of tables and the casino was always hopping. Anyway... I'm at a lively table with my faithful compadre Steve, and the shooters are really hot. Two gents at the opposite end of the table are experienced craps players and are making a lot of money.

The dice come to me. I roll a number and then crap out after a few rolls. Just enough so that players lose their pass line bets and come bets. Oops. The dice go to the next player, and the game gets hot again. Finally they come back to me. I roll a number and then... you guessed it, crap out after a few more rolls. One of the fellows at the other end of the table looks at me and says, "have you thought about not rolling the dice?" Sound advice. I didn't tell them that my middle name is Seven

Blackjack - Caesars palace, also 1992. Steve is at a table with a really, really intoxicated fellow (not me... not this time), who is complaining to Steve about the dealers, pit boss and so on. Finally, it comes time for him to cut the cards. The gent takes the yellow card and, instead of sliding it between the decks of cards like a normal, sober person, attempts to literally cut the cards by slicing at them. Doesn't work that way. Stay sober, my friend.

Blackjack - Stratosphere, 2009. Two very Australian dudes playing at a table with me and Steve, slowly getting tight. Good fellas, for the most part, although they were annoying the dealer and were one smart-ass comment away from getting into some trouble. A cigar girl came by, and one of the gents decides to buy one. He lights up just as the pit boss walks up to the table, just by chance, to check things out. Pit boss smiles for a few seconds, trying not to laugh. The Aussie is about to puff when the pit boss says, "You know you lit the wrong end, don't you?" Good stuff.

Blackjack - Stratosphere, 2009. Steve and I are at a fairly full table with a bunch of good folks. One guy in particular is nice enough but making really wacky bets. Of course, he's losing and blaming the cards. So his frustration builds and at one point he decides to double-down on a hard sixteen versus a dealer ten. Now, if you don't know anything about blackjack, all I can say is this is about the worst play you can make. His odds of winning the hand have to be in the gazillions. His odds of not busting with a hard sixteen are pretty slim as it is. So, what does he get for his card? Of course, a 5! He wins the hand. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

Blackjack and Craps, Bill's Gamblin' Hall, 2010. My 40th birthday Vegas all-out, good-time bash. Steve and I had just arrived in Vegas and had bet on some NCAA basketball games. We already had a drinking contest in the sports book (I lost... but just barely), and while we waited to eventually lose our bets on hoops, we decided to play some craps. Now at the tables I like to drink rum and cokes. You know, to look sophisticated while I root for my point ("Come on sixthhhh.... daddy needth a new pair of shoethhh!").

We had a full table and it was rocking. One shooter in particular had a pretty good run. The drunk dude to the left of me (not Steve... he was the drunk dude on my right) was really, really funny. Well, at the time we both thought we were going to headline at Caesars. So the point was nine, and we were alternating cheers for the shooter. He'd yell "sixty-three" and then I'd chant "fifty-four." Then the whole table got into it. It was like we were at a college football game. "Sixty-three..." "fifty-four..." "sixty-three..." "fifty-four!" The shooter eventually hit the nine and we picked up our winnings.

Then, Steve and I decided to head to the blackjack table. For some reason, we thought 6-5 single deck was a good idea. Not my favorite game, but the evil Caesars property didn't leave us much choice for blackjack. I recall very little, other than every time I went to double-down, the dealer chastised me for reaching over my chips to put my cards under them. Or something like that. I remember thinking that I was one of those guys I didn't like much at the table, a little sloppy and holding up progress. Oh well, it was my birfday after all, and how many times do you turn 40? By the end of the night, I had to call my wife to remind me which room we were in. The next day was brutal.

Well, those are some of my highlights. What are yours???

Viva,

Mike

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Vegas Style

Hi Vegas fans,
It's time for another installment of everyone's favorite topics in Las Vegas.

The Good:
There's plenty of good stuff going on in Vegas, and it looks like some key numbers are starting to get better, too. According to the Las Vegas Advisor, visitation was up 7 percent in June, which makes 16 straight months of increased visitors. In addition, Strip revenues were up 32 percent in June. Good news for the casinos, especially the megas (Caesars Entertainment and Mirage Resorts International). Not so great news for the players losing that money, but overall this is a good sign for the city.

The Bad:
It looks like Elvis will be leaving the building at Aria. The Cirque show will be closing, according to the Las Vegas Advisor, after less-than-stellar reviews. It's unusual for a Cirque show to shut its doors when it has run less than 2 years. Are there just too many of them?

In other bad news from the LVA, the Hilton is defaulting on its debt. This off-Strip property has been trying to rebrand itself for a while, but it just has not had much luck. This is too bad, really. They have a great Sports Book, which includes a rare non-smoking room. Here's hoping they'll turn it around.

The Ugly:
I'm not big on reality shows, and if you need to know why, look no further than this last item from the LVA. A Los Angeles-based production company "is now looking for six housewives for a new reality show set in a Las Vegas trailer park. Would-be stars of the show are asked to submit a 5-minute video about themselves and their significant others by October 1." Sure sign of the Apocalypse. Can we please get back to more shows like the Travel Channel's "Best of Vegas" type series and get rid of these reality shows? Please?

Viva,
Mike

Of Hooters and Quickie Weddings

Ok Vegas fans,
These two topics are not linked, so get your minds out of the gutter. I just happened to notice stories about both on the same day. Let's take a look at each one:

Hooters files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. I think we all saw this coming. Here's why. Hooters in many cities is an edgy, forbidden fruit type of deal. In Vegas, it's mild -at best. On my last trip to Vegas, my buddy and I visited it to see if they had good blackjack/craps rules. They did not. We thought that the Hooters brand might attempt to draw customers in with fun, sexy dealers, bikini bull riding, or something else of value. They did not. The whole joint kind of reeked of mediocrity and boredom. Not what you want in a Vegas casino.

Las Vegas wedding chapels see a huge decline in business. People just ain't gettin' hitched in Vegas like they used to. The destination wedding is a little extravagant. But I say it's worth it. Where else can you have Elvis perform at your ceremony? Or, if you're in a hurry, just stay in your car and pull up to the next window. Easier than fast food.

Viva,
Mike

Flamingo Website

Hi Vegas fans,

As you know, I tend to rail on Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC) for a few main reasons. First, their table games typically have horrible rules, especially for us average Joes. Second, they try to build consistency and brand recognition but in doing so have taken unique properties and turned them into blah. Finally, navigating (and even looking at) CEC websites is a painful experience.

For a major corporation who has a stake in all things Vegas, they sure don't make their sites very appealing. Remember your dad's old paisley ties that were wide enough to be bibs? Remember how you wanted to hurl when he kept wearing those well into this decade? That's how I typically respond to CEC websites.

However, I like to be a positive person. I like to give credit where credit is due. I like to avoid hurling. So here it goes.

The Flamingo website contains a cool video on the home page that makes me think maybe, just maybe CEC is starting to turn it around. Now, granted, it's a modest little video that only lasts about 30 seconds, so it's not like it's going to win a Webbie or anything. But it's good. Be sure to watch it (at 30 seconds, you can't go wrong), but here's a synopsis:

It begins with an old station wagon, complete with a radio (not a stereo with a CD player or Auxiliary jack for your MP3 player, just a radio that you tune to stations) and an old analog clock. It drives into the desert, and then you see the sparkle of a pool. The familiar Flamingo sign is out of focus, but you can see the classic Vegas neon lights, and you know we're getting closer. Then, some beautiful women. Of course. A woman puts on her lipstick, then there's scenes of them by the pool. The Flamingo sign comes into focus. Then, fellas in sunglasses are enjoying a drink. Everyone looks happy. Then the station wagon drives off into the sunset.

What's so great about this? Here's what I like about it:

• It's perfect for the web. They pack a ton of good stuff in half a minute. Lots of good images, cool music, and few spoken words. Even with the sound down, this is a fun video to watch.



• It blends the modern and the classic. It's in black-and-white, but yet you get a sense of modernism through the pool and the young folks enjoying drinks.



• It has character. This is what I'm craving from CEC. Nowhere in the video does the narrator say "Flamingo" or "Caesars" but you know when he's talking about "a place" he means that the Flamingo has always been a Vegas staple. That's their niche - Ben Siegel and pink flamingos. 1946 and a cool pool. Showgirls and art deco. Now blend that with modern Las Vegas and you have something.

And that's the feeling I get from the video, in a nutshell. The guys driving the station wagon aren't just going to meet some gals. They are going to meet some gals in Vegas, and they're going to have fun at a classic stop on the Strip. Bingo.

Now, if they would only change their blackjack tables to pay 3:2 instead of 6:5 in the 6 deck shoes, I might just play there....
Viva,
Mike

Simplifying Las Vegas Website... it's gettin' there!

Hi Vegas fans,
I've been chipping away at the website. You'll notice new stuff on the Home page, and the tables are slowly but surely coming along. Updating the tables takes a lot of time. I always learn so much by visiting the properties' websites and doing research on other Vegas sites. Sometimes I spend more time on a single property than I expect.

Take Encore, for example. That's a tough one. Encore is of course linked to Wynn, so when I go to the website to see what new restaurants, shows, etc. I can find, I wind up spending time trying to figure out what belongs to Wynn and what belongs to Encore. Essentially, these two properties are linked. But I like my website visitors to get a good sense of what the difference is between these properties, even if the differences are subtle. If you're searching Simplifying Las Vegas on you smart phone or tablet, you don't care if Encore and Wynn are sister properties... you want to know where XS is so you can dance your booty off until dawn. So when you search and see it's in Encore and not Wynn, you're saving yourself some time searching for it.

That's what I'm aiming to do with both my book and website. Make your life easier to find the stuff you want. That and give away fun stuff. Heck, I've given away a bunch of luggage tags since 2008, and I plan to keep giving them away. I want you to have a luggage tag on your bag, so please fill out my three-question trivia contest for your chance to win. I give one away every month. Same with the t-shirts. Don't miss out on your chance to win! No strings attached, no purchase necessary, no shoes no shirt no problem! This is Vegas, after all.

Please keep visiting the site and commenting on the blog, the forums (VegasTalk) and more. Always feel free to shoot me an e-mail with questions or comments. I love hearing from you, Vegas nuts!

Keep on the lookout for Simplifying Las Vegas 2012, coming soon...
Viva,
Mike

Casino Games and Las Vegas Odds

Hi Vegas fans,

Do you like math? Me neither. I'm not fast enough to count cards at blackjack. But, I know enough to play the good games and stay away from the bad ones.

There are plenty of sites and books that will give you the odds for the various games you can play in Vegas. The odds will vary slightly depending on the casino's rules. However, the breakdown is pretty similar - video poker and blackjack are the best player advantage games, assuming you find the tables/machines with the best rules and play perfectly every hand. Baccarat and craps are also good games. Slots, big wheels, keno and double-zero roulette tend to have the worst odds in the casino.

A lot of people think that the games with the better odds are harder to win or harder to play. Not true - it just takes a little practice. Take craps - the table is big and the felt has a bunch of stuff on it. But if you want to make your life easier (and make the plays with the best odds), just stick to the basic bets: pass line (backed up with odds - the only true fair shake you'll get in the casino) and come bets (backed up with odds). After you try it a few times, or watch other players do it, you'll see how easy it is.

Also, give yourself a break and don't feel guilty if you use a little of your money for the games with not-so-great odds every once in a while. The last time I was in Vegas, I was losing pretty steadily at blackjack. One night I decided to just throw $20 into a Wheel of Fortune, and for some reason I won $40.

You never know... but, you'll win more (and keep your losses to a minimum) if you stick to the games with the best odds.

Viva,

Mike

Staying at Aria Could be "Scary-a"

Hi Vegas fans,

In case you didn't hear, MGM and CityCenter have had a rough week. Think you're job's tough? Try this:

1. Eve the Nightclub closed temporarily at Crystals due to financial troubles. This is Eva Longoria's joint, and I think she has a few spare dimes, so don't feel too bad.

2. The unfinished Harmon hotel was deemed unsafe. Ok, so they can build the Veer towers, that lean at unimaginable angles, with no problem. But the Harmon? I think they used silly putty instead of cement or something.

3. The coup de grace, the kicker, was the discovery of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at Aria.

I still like MGM and their properties. Much better than Harrah's. Chalk this one up to a bad week. If you have stock in MGM, hold on to it. Just know that it's going to lose a few points this week.

Viva,
Mike

Hey! What Happened to the Visit Las Vegas Web Site?

Hi Vegas fans,

I'm a big fan of updating web sites - making improvements, adding new stuff, creating new content, and so on. But, you have to make sure the changes are in the right direction. The new Visit Las Vegas site is different, and there are some things I like about it, but I'm not sure it's better than their previous site. Hmm.... As I'm thinking about it, here's a pros and cons list:

Pros

• Streamlined navigation - it is easier to find what you are looking for with the new drop-down lists
  


• Cool images - nice, big pictures that promote fun


• More content - because they have made their navigation simpler, you can find more information faster

Cons

• Generic look - although the images are nifty, it looks a little like most other websites you've seen


• Maps - they used to have the best Vegas maps on this site, but they've moved them to their sister site, lvca.com. The maps on Visit Las Vegas are more generic.


• Missing persona - you used to be able to create your own persona on the site, complete with a Visit Las Vegas-generated nickname. Mine was something like "wild biscuit." But that has gone away, and now my biscuit is dry.


• Itinerary builder - I'm not a big fan of they way they do this. You visit the site, picking out the things that you like, then add them to your itinerary. On my site, I give you a different approach, and of course it is also free. If you want a customized itinerary, you can get one when you purchase my book.

Well, overall the Visit Las Vegas site is not bad, just a little less fun and goofy than the previous one. I suggest visiting lvca.com for a fun, interactive Las Vegas web site where you can find lots of information and use the best online Vegas maps of any site I've seen.Viva,Mike

3 Cheers for the Riviera

Hi Vegas fans,

The Las Vegas Advisor recently reported in a response to a Question of the Day that the Riv is making some improvements. I for one think this is great news and am looking forward to seeing them thrive and set a pattern for the rest of the North end of the Strip.

On my first trip to Las Vegas, almost 20 years ago, my friend Steve and I stayed at the Riv. Back then, we walked a lot - heck, we were 20 years younger. We had the Stardust, the Dunes, the Desert Inn, and the Sahara. We also had Vegas World, but we didn't visit it for some reason, and Circus Circus. The only ones left intact in that group are the Riv and Circus Circus. MGM owns Circus Circus, and it has a definite niche with Adventuredome and a huge RV park. The Riv is now independently owned (Barry Sternlicht) and I really like the direction he is taking with the Riv for three reasons:

1. Focus on better gaming. I really, really hope this concept takes off and other casinos take notice. The Riv is putting in more slots and table games. Good ones, too. For slots, they're putting in Wheel of Fortune. As far as slots go, it's a good, fun game with a bonus feature that players love. And how about this: single deck 3:2 blackjack. That's unheard of anywhere these days, much less the Vegas Strip! There are probably some other rules that will negate the 3:2 advantage (I'll guess doubling-down on only a 10 or 11, limited splitting, etc.), but still it's worth checking out. They are also including single-wheel roulette and 10x odds in craps. They may never get me outta the casino!
   


2. Renovations that make sense. Most Vegas visitors these days expect new restaurants, fancy clubs, high-end shopping and Broadway-style shows. But the Riv is not going to compete with Wynn, Venetian, Bellagio, Aria or Cosmo on these grounds. They are also not going to follow the path of the failed Sahara and try to win whales and high rollers. Instead, they're looking at making a fresh start with what they have - a modest theater, good restaurants, and a nice, big pool. They're not trying to be who they aren't, which leads me to...
   


3. Bringing back Classic Las Vegas. Don't get me wrong. I love the modern casinos and enjoy strolling through them, even if I can't afford everything in them. But this town is big enough for all types of casinos. The Riv is part of Vegas history - it opened in 1955 and has undergone a ton of changes. The current facade was completed in 1990 - the brainchild of architect Nikita Zukov. Like many of the older, independent casinos on the North end of the Strip, it has struggled to make its mark. But there's hope and possibilities, and I think the new owner and staff are taking it in the right direction.

I'll be staying at the Riv again in September. I can't wait. For the first time in my life, I've even upgraded the room because it was only a few sheckles more and I thought it would be nice to stay somewhere other than the very least expensive room in a hotel. I'm looking forward to visiting Crazy Leroy's Sports Book and winning several college football parlays. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the giant pool in the afternoon shade. I'm looking forward to having a few beers at Queen Victoria's British Pub. Most of all, I'm looking forward to embracing part of classic Las Vegas history again.

Viva,

Mike

The Blackjack Book

"What does the book say?"

You'll hear this question just about any time you play blackjack in Las Vegas. Players sometimes ask other players or the dealer what to do in certain situations. The funny thing is, even when people hear the correct play, they don't always do it.

Here's an example. Let's say you have 14 vs a dealer 10 card showing. The correct play is to hit. Let's say you get an ace. Now you're stuck with a crummy 15. So you ask the dealer - what is the correct move? Hit or stay? The dealer says to hit again. Keep hitting until you reach at least 17. But you're looking at your cards. You just hit 14 and you think that if you push your luck and hit again, you will certainly bust. You tell yourself "the book isn't always right." And while it's true that the odds are that you will bust, the odds are greater that you will lose if you don't hit and try to reach 17.

The good news is you don't have to memorize the right play or ask others what the book says. You can purchase a little cheat sheet card in any gift shop. The card is the book, essentially, because it shows you what to do in every situation. What the card won't tell you is how to find the right table. You need to make sure you are playing at at table that pays 3-2 on blackjack, not 6-5. There are other important rules that will either be in your favor or in the casino's favor, but I won't go into them here.

The important thing to remember is to have fun and follow "the book," which is really just making the right play based on odds. It's not tricky. It's not a gimmick. It's just numbers. And don't worry if anyone else at the table isn't following the book. In the long run, their play won't hurt you. You just have to focus on the money that is in front of you - yours.

I have lots more blackjack information about the book in my book. I hope you enjoy it!

Viva,

Mike