Vegas Strip Makes Most-Visited List

Travel and Leisure ranks the Las Vegas Strip as the number four most-visited travel destination, with close to 30 million visitors annually. The top three destinations are Times Square, Central Park, and Union Station in our nation's capital. Some of the other top ten destinations below the Strip on the list include Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Grand Central Station.

Nice... reinforces my theme: Go to Vegas. It's that Simple.
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

Football Season - Prime Time for Vegas Sports Books

Hi Vegas fans,
Football season is right around the corner. Now that the pro football lockout dust has settled and the college football teams have gone through a few scandals, it's time to place some bets on the actual games.

Sports books come in all shapes and sizes. Generally, the nicer casinos have big books with a bunch of large screen TVs, fancy seating, digital boards with every conceivable game, and lots of food and drink available in a nearby deli. I love the comfy seating and the upscale atmosphere of the bigger books.

But don't rule out smaller books. Sometimes they have better odds, and they also have more colorful characters, who are fun to watch. Also, you'll usually find more promotions - like a huge payout on parlays - to try to draw you in.

Wherever you decide to go, expect big crowds on game day. Get there early to get a seat, and go with a friend who will hold it for you while you take a bathroom break from the beers you're drinking while watching the games (don't forget to tip the cocktail waitresses!).

Here are some of my favorite Vegas books and a few contests to get your football motor running:

• Although the Las Vegas Hilton is going through some tough times financially, they still have the best book in Vegas. Tons of seats, lots of big screens, and even a small non-smoking section.
• If you like upscale, try the Bellagio or Lagasse's Stadium at Palazzo.
• Station Casinos, which include the Fiestas, Green Valley Ranch, and El Cortez, are promoting a $2 million giveaway contest.
• The book at the Stratosphere is pretty small, but it's also colorful. During football season, they also open up one of their banquet rooms and have a big party with food, booze, and even a few blackjack tables that you can visit when your team is losing by 35 points. Good times.
• Boyd properties - which include Main Street Station, Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam's Town, California and Fremont - have a Pick the Pros contest with over $500k in prizes.

Good luck and enjoy!
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

Is Downtown the New Strip?

Hi Vegas fans,
For a few years I've been saying... well, to anyone who will listen to me... downtown Las Vegas has great potential. The Strip continues to build big and bold - see CityCenter and Cosmo for recent examples - and while these properties are beautiful, they are upscale and expensive.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Strip. I spend a lot of time on the Strip. But for the average Joe and Jane, downtown is a very attractive alternative. Years ago, I would not have recommended staying or playing downtown. Not even to people I didn't like. It was a little run down, a little dangerous, a little crummy. But they have really turned it around.

And I'm not just talking about the thriving Fremont East district, with it's boutique bars and restaurants. I'm talking about the actual hotels and casinos, too. There are plenty of examples, and I'd just like to highlight a few:

The Plaza
The Plaza is undergoing a renovation and will officially reopen September 1st. Now here's a place that was, honestly, pretty dank and dull the last time I visited it. Remember the casino that Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie went to in Vegas Vacation? You know, games like "What Number Am I Thinking" and Rock Paper Scissors" and a buffet with choices of "blue" or "yellow."

But that was right before they closed, and I'm really looking forward to the reopening. New rooms, new restaurants a new theater - all look wonderful. The Plaza's website shows a new logo with the phrase "a modern classic." Perfect. This joint is at the heart of Las Vegas' humble beginnings, the railroad station that brought people to the city at the turn of the 20th century. So combining that with an updated hotel at a reasonable price is a very exciting idea to me. I wish them much success!

Gold Spike
Gold Spike also recently underwent major renovations. Word on the street was that the Spike might not survive. Surprise. It's a little out of the way, but still a great hotel and a great value.

Golden Gate
Here's something from the Golden Gate's website:

You can’t do this on the Strip: Party inside with Dancing Dealers and take a few easy steps outside onto Las Vegas’ most dynamic street. Look ten stories up at fantastic light shows on the world’s biggest video monster (yes, it’s gigantic). The Fremont Street Experience is four neon blocks of party action with 3 stages, dancing DJ’s, tribute bands, a zip-line overhead and bars everywhere. And it’s free. Really... Forget the Strip mega-hassle. Spend less time walking and more time dancing in the street!

All of these properties are targeting a young, hip audience. While the Strip is building extravagant hotels that mostly older, richer folks can afford, downtown just might be the place to go for the average Jane and average Joe.

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