Look at Las Vegas

BY BART TORRES 
 

September 2,, 2008

Slots Continue to Dominate as Game of Choice on the Strip

Slots are hot on the Vegas Strip where they remain the game of choice among players. According to a recent survey conducted by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, 65% of casino patrons spend most of their time investing money on the one-armed bandits. The new abundance of penny slots accounts for more machine action. Live blackjack is the second most popular casino game with baccarat, Three Card Poker, roulette and pai gow getting more action with a slight increase over the last couple of years. 

Hard Rock Unveils New Poker Lounge

Until now, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was one of the few major properties in town not to have a live poker room. Well, that’s all about to change because they have taken the big step and have opened their swanky new Poker Lounge. The 7,500-square-foot facility costing $12 million now accommodates 18 tables which can be expanded to 25 and will feature five separate roped-off high-limit tables. The new Poker Lounge is just a part of the $1.2 billion renovation that has been going on at the Hard Rock. In fact the doubling of the casino floor makes the resort the third largest casino in town. Completing the upscale Poker Lounge is its own bar, luxurious chairs, couches and five-high end slot/video poker machines. For an added convenience, private restrooms, a cashier and safety deposit boxes for all your big wins are available. Customers will get the TLC treatment with massage therapists doing their magic, bottle service at the tables, the convenience of a race and sports book writer and a private kiosk to make your wagers. Players will also be able to take advantage of the full comp system with extra perks such as concert tickets, backstage passes, and use of cabanas at the adult pool. Planned for the future are a number of celebrity poker tournaments with the first one on the books the Motley Crue event coming up later this year. Another fun poker experience is the availability to book one of the bachelor and bachelorette parties and even divorce poker parties.  

Olympia Weekend Slated for the Orleans Arena

Get ready to see some hard bodies at Olympia Weekend returning to the Orleans Arena, September 25-28. This event, sponsored by the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) is considered the most prestigious in the art of professional bodybuilding with male and female competitors hoping to capture the title of Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, and Fitness and Figure Olympia Champions. Tickets and VIP Packages are now on sale and range in price from $54.50 to $212.50, depending on the events you wish to attend. There are even a couple of freebies you can go to, the 1 p.m. press conference for Mr. Olympia on September 25 and later the same day the Meet the Olympians where you will see all the bodybuilders at 8 p.m. For reservations, call (702) 284-7777.

Ice Lounge at Mandalay Bay’s Minus 5 Experience

The 2,000-square foot Minus 5 Experience, a sub-freezing lounge will open this month at Mandalay Place, adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. As you enter your arctic adventure you will be provided with parkas, booties and mittens to wear as you marvel over the beautiful hand-carved ice sculptures that are changed every six-to-eight weeks. Cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are even served in a glass made of ice.  Guests will actually relax on couches, again made out of ice, with the temperature inside the lounge remaining at a constant 5-degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit. After freezing your buns off, for a little warmer atmosphere you are invited to venture into the adjacent Minus 5 Lodge, a warm rustic pub featuring ironwood beams, river stones, leather seats and an open fire place. Special events, parties and even weddings can be accommodated in the ice lounge. Saying “I Do” in Minus 5 will be an experience to remember with colorful “ice” stained windows and pews, ice sculptures and an ice candelabra. Brides will wear a white fur-trimmed cape to keep warm. For additional information on this one-of-kind wedding ceremony or any other group event, give them a call at (702) 632-7714.  

Palazzo’s 40/40 Club Replaced with Sports Book

After just eight months in operation, the 24,000-square foot Palazzo’s 40/40 Club will be replaced by a spacious sports book and specialty restaurant later this month. The 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar on the Strip is an extension of the famed club that debuted in New York City in 2003. In the past, for some unknown reason, the property that is also attached to the Venetian never thought to build a sports book in its original plans and only offered a small betting window for sport bettors to place their wagers.  

Fremont Street Experience Gets the Top Spot in “Free Things to do in Las Vegas”

MSN’s Travel’s, a respected expert on travel related information has selected the Fremont Street Experience as their number one pick when it comes to “Free Things to do in Las Vegas.” The must-see experience encompasses a five-block long urban pedestrian mall connecting ten vintage downtown hotel-casinos, a number of quality restaurants, clubs, affordable entertainment choices and lower stake gambling. The main draw of the Fremont Street Experience is the light and sound show Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen which is 1,500 feet long and suspended 90 feet above the canopied mall. Thousands of people hit the downtown area each evening to see the illuminated 12.5 million light show accompanied by the 555,000-watt sound system. Currently, the two Viva shows playing nightly are “A Tribute to Queen” and Don McLean’s Patriotic “American Pie.” Three additional new shows are in production and will debut in the fall. The free Viva Shows run nightly every hour until midnight. MSN Travel also gives high marks to the Bellagio’s fountains, the lion habitat at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay’s aquarium and Treasure Island’s The Sirens as other top freebies in town.  

Earn Cash and Gas Cards During Resort’s September Promotions

Take advantage of some of the promotions going on around town throughout September for player’s club members. Every Saturday at downtown’s Plaza and Vegas Club you can be a participant in their Mystery Money Mania giveaway. Seven qualified club members are selected weekly with the winning players allowed to pick one of the 14 Mystery Mania Envelopes for a chance to pocket $100 to $1,000 in cash All you have to do is earn 100 points on your club accounts through slot and table play and you will receive a drawing ticket. Names are called at the Plaza at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Vegas Club. Drawings will be held on September 6, 13, 20 and 27. Over at Texas Station, Monday and Tuesday during September, club members are given the opportunity to win free gas cards worth $15.00 for racking up 1,500 points for play on video poker, video keno, reel slots and video reel machines. Points must be earned within one day to receive the gas cards.

Lobster Specials at Jerry’s Nugget

Beginning this week, there is one heck of a meal deal waiting for you at Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop inside Jerry’s Nugget Casino. How does a lobster dinner special, accompanied with a wide selection of side dishes including your choice of soup or salad and priced at just $11.99 sound to you? Meat lovers can make it a Surf and Turf by adding a New York Steak for only $2 more! The lobster special is available 24/7 and is served for dine-in customers only and is not valid on certain holidays. On the entertainment scene, Jerry’s begins their Motown Friday show   September 5 in the Royal Street Theater inside the property. Getting the weekly show started is Las Vegas favorite Tyriq Johnson and his band Jamestown who will combine funk, dance, R&B and alternative rock.   Johnson and his talented group have been performing as the opening act for some of the big names around town including Clint Holmes. 

Check with resorts for all current offers published. Hotels have all rights and may cancel or modify at anytime. On your drive up to Vegas tune your radio to the Highway Stations FM 98 & 99 for my up-to-date Las Vegas reports. GOOD LUCK!