These are some updates courtesy of Anthony Curtis. Btw, if you are thinking of driving a cab DON'T. Ask Fish and me. I drove about 6 years there. Fish 2 weeks or so.
BREAKING NEWS
Another New Station Casino
Station Casinos has announced plans to build a "flagship" resort-casino on 50 acres at the intersection of W. Tropicana and Industrial Rd., where the Wild Wild West casino is currently situated. Station is planning to break ground on the new 1,000-room unnamed hotel-casino a few months after Red Rock Station opens in 2006, with an anticipated completion date of 2008. Get the whole story in the June LVA, which should be posted online by next Tuesday.
The Big One Begins this Weekend
The world-championship event of the World Series of Poker kicks off this Saturday, with the final table being decided on May 28. At this writing there are 1,542 entrants, already shattering last year's then-record total of 839. For insightful updates throughout the tournament, be sure to check Blair Rodman's reports on the home page of LasVegasAdvisor.com.
Who's Gonna Win?
Betting on who will win the World Series is not allowed in Nevada casinos. However, offshore books post lines on the players. BoDog sports book (BoDog.com) currently lists 51 players and their odds of winning the big one. Leading the field are Phil Ivey (12-1) and Howard Lederer (15-1), followed by former champs Scotty Nguyen (16-1) and Gus Hanson (18-1. Other notables include defending champion Chris Moneymaker (30-1) and former champs Phil Hellmuth, Dan Harrington, Johnny Chan, Chris Ferguson, Noel Furlong, Tom McEvoy, Carlos Mortensen, Doyle Brunson, Huck Seed, and Amarillo Slim, in that order, ranging in odds from 20-1 to 235-1. Poker-playing actor Gabe Kaplan brings up the rear at 600-1 (Ben Affleck has dropped from 975-1 to 450-1).
You can also bet on the field, which includes all players not listed, at 5-7 (bet $7 to win $5). With the enormous size of the field (see "The Big One" above), we feel this bet has much greater value -- and possibly a positive expectation -- than bets on any of the individuals. These are something of a for-fun thing, with the max bet on any of the props just $50. To see the list or back your favorite go to BoDog sports book and click on "Poker" near the bottom of the page in the "Other events" area.
----------------------------------------
SINCE THE MAY LVA
MGM Mirage Show Summer Vacations & Changes
Mystère will be dark from May 31-June 8 and will move its dark days from Wednesdays and Thursdays to Mondays and Tuesdays upon its return. As of June 13, Sunday show times will be 4:30 and 7:30 pm, instead of 7:30 and 10:30 pm.
Rita Rudner will be dark May 20, 23, 28, and June 1, 6, 15, 18, and 24. As of June 19, her Saturday show will be moved from 8 to 9 pm.
Zumanity will be dark June 6-17. Effective June 18, the show will be dark on Wednesdays and Thursday (from Sundays and Mondays) and show times will move up a half hour to 7 and 10 pm. Ticket prices are $65, $85, $95, and $195 for the new Z PleaZure Package, which is sold only in pairs and includes hors d'oeuvres and up to three drinks per person.
Monte Carlo Buffet Price Increase
The Monte Carlo buffet prices have gone up. Breakfast is now $10.50 (from $9.99), lunch is $10.95 (from $10.49), dinner $15.95 (from $14.49), and Sunday Champagne brunch $16.95 (from $15.95). Kids 4 to 9 are $7.25 for all meals (up from $6.99).
Imperial Palace Poker & Pool Parties
The Imperial Palace is opening a poker room with six Texas hold 'em tables on the third floor near the keno lounge. In addition to its Tuesday and Thursday Imperial Hawaiian Luaus, IP will host summer pool parties every Friday and Saturday night from 9 pm to midnight during June, July, and August. Admission is $19 and includes food, a margarita in a 42-ounce souvenir glass, music, and contests with cash prizes.
----------------------------------------
ODDS AND ENDS
Your Vote Counts!
In conjunction with the information presentation in the new design at LasVegasAdvisor.com, we're encouraging LVA members to help us bolster the ratings of shows, buffets, or casinos that you've experienced. Our primary focus right now is on the rating of shows. You rate them once for their "value" metric and once for "overall quality" (assuming cost is not a consideration). For example, in rating Thom Kaz -- the Rock 'n' Roll Hypnotist at Palace Station, we gave it a 9 for value (it's a 1-drink minimum for $3.75) and a 5 for overall quality (it has relatively low production values and is slightly below average in comparison to all show options in town). The values are averaged for a 6.5 rating. You can also rate for kid-appropriateness and add your own review if you like. Rate a! s many shows as you've seen. This input is invaluable -- and it's kind of fun to do.
To rate a show, go to this page where the prices and times are listed. Click on the show you want to rate and then click the link to rate it below the show information.
UB Tourneys
Ultimate Bet is running some fantastic tournaments this week, in which they're adding money to the prize pool. On Thursday May 20, for example, there are three $50+5 no-limit hold 'em tournaments where they're adding $3,000 to the prize pool. These are excellent opportunities to get some tournament experience in, with UB subsidizing the play. On Sunday May 23, they're adding two $10,000 Aruba poker packages to the prize pool for a $500 + $30 event. Whether you play low stakes or high, you'll find excellent overlay opportunities.
The money-added tournaments are scheduled to run through May 28, but get in soon to play as many as you can. Click on this Ultimate Bet link to download their poker software.
Want to Work in Vegas?
Then consider driving a cab. The current shortage of cab drivers is so great that one of the city's largest cab companies, Yellow-Checker-Star, is recruiting drivers nationally. As new resorts open, the need for drivers is expected to increase even more. Call YCS at 702/873-8012 or the Nevada Taxicab Authority at 702/486-6532 for more info.
Dealer Info Underground
If you're interested in becoming a Las Vegas dealer, you may want to subscribe to The Dealer's News, which bills itself as "the only underground newsletter dedicated to gaming employees." Recent issues include a list of "tokes" (a.k.a. tips) made at various joints around town. A subscription is just $9 for six monthly issues. We love this newsletter, and often pull from it for LVA tidbits. E-mail news711@aol.com, fax 702/891-0037, or write 1801 E. Tropicana Ave #37, Las Vegas, NV 89119, for more info.
12th Annual Casino Chip Convention
The Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club will hold its 12th-annual convention at the Riviera from June 16 to 19, 2004. Casino-memorabilia enthusiasts can view chips, tokens, silver strikes, ashtrays, slot club cards, dice, and playing cards at booths representing more than 100 vendors. One-day memberships, which include admission to the event, can be purchased at the door for $5.
----------------------------------------
LINK OF THE WEEK
Cocktail Doll
Created by a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, CocktailDoll.com provides info on tipping and ordering drinks in the city. There's also a glossary of "Cocktailese" and a very politically incorrect -- and hilarious if you can appreciate the humor -- article called "Who Orders What" that lists the typical drink order for people of various different groups. This site isn't for everyone, but it sure gave us a few laughs.
----------------------------------------
COUPON OF THE WEEK
$10 Matchplay, Rampart, Coupon #78
This week we won again, continuing our little winning streak with matchplay coupons, with a natural on our $10 bet. The dealer had a little trouble figuring out the payoff and had to call over a floorman. But we knew we'd won $25 ($20 for the matchplay and a $5 bonus for the blackjack) and waited patiently until all five $5 chips were placed in front of us. It always helps to know how much you can win in all coupon situations (naturals, splitting pairs, doubling down, and insurance), so you're not inadvertently shorted.
This nice result brings the gambling win on our play of the POV coupons to more than $120 — an $83 profit after paying for an LVA online membership (and this is without yet using some of the higher EV coupons in the book). While results will vary, there's very little chance that a player who sticks to the low-risk gambling coupons in the POV will not recoup the membership costs, plus some, in cold hard cash. Click here for further analysis of this year's gambling coupons for LVA members.
Coupon of the Week Saving Record:
Non-gambling savings: $133.90
Gambling win: $120.50
Total profit/saving: $254.40
----------------------------------------
FEATURED PRODUCT
Winner's Guide Volume 1: 2nd Edition
Bob Dancer and Liam W. Daily have just released the second edition of Winner's Guide Volume 1 – Jacks or Better. This new edition has been expanded to 128 pages and features the following enhancements:
A complete discussion of the differences between Jacks or Better and other popular games, including Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and Deuces Wild.
Enhanced (more user-friendly) notations –- done in conjunction with the latest Dancer/Daily Strategy Cards
An updated strategy for Level 4 Flush-5
With these improvements, Winner's Guide Volume 1 presents the most comprehensive discussion of Jacks or Better ever published.
$18.50 at GreatStuff4Gamblers.com
****************************************************
Copyright 2003, Las Vegas Advisor, a publication of Huntington Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Compiled by Wendy Tucker. Questions ... comments ... e-mail: wendy@lasvegasadvisor.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the LVA Lite click here.
(Las Vegas Advisor members please note: Even if you unsubscribe from LVA Lite, you will
still receive monthly notification that the Member's Only Las Vegas Advisor is online.)
To subscribe to LVA Lite, click here.
Membership to the Las Vegas Advisor includes full access to the lasvegasadvisor.com Web site
and the amazing Pocketbook of Values coupon book. For more information on becoming a member,
click here.
BREAKING NEWS
Another New Station Casino
Station Casinos has announced plans to build a "flagship" resort-casino on 50 acres at the intersection of W. Tropicana and Industrial Rd., where the Wild Wild West casino is currently situated. Station is planning to break ground on the new 1,000-room unnamed hotel-casino a few months after Red Rock Station opens in 2006, with an anticipated completion date of 2008. Get the whole story in the June LVA, which should be posted online by next Tuesday.
The Big One Begins this Weekend
The world-championship event of the World Series of Poker kicks off this Saturday, with the final table being decided on May 28. At this writing there are 1,542 entrants, already shattering last year's then-record total of 839. For insightful updates throughout the tournament, be sure to check Blair Rodman's reports on the home page of LasVegasAdvisor.com.
Who's Gonna Win?
Betting on who will win the World Series is not allowed in Nevada casinos. However, offshore books post lines on the players. BoDog sports book (BoDog.com) currently lists 51 players and their odds of winning the big one. Leading the field are Phil Ivey (12-1) and Howard Lederer (15-1), followed by former champs Scotty Nguyen (16-1) and Gus Hanson (18-1. Other notables include defending champion Chris Moneymaker (30-1) and former champs Phil Hellmuth, Dan Harrington, Johnny Chan, Chris Ferguson, Noel Furlong, Tom McEvoy, Carlos Mortensen, Doyle Brunson, Huck Seed, and Amarillo Slim, in that order, ranging in odds from 20-1 to 235-1. Poker-playing actor Gabe Kaplan brings up the rear at 600-1 (Ben Affleck has dropped from 975-1 to 450-1).
You can also bet on the field, which includes all players not listed, at 5-7 (bet $7 to win $5). With the enormous size of the field (see "The Big One" above), we feel this bet has much greater value -- and possibly a positive expectation -- than bets on any of the individuals. These are something of a for-fun thing, with the max bet on any of the props just $50. To see the list or back your favorite go to BoDog sports book and click on "Poker" near the bottom of the page in the "Other events" area.
----------------------------------------
SINCE THE MAY LVA
MGM Mirage Show Summer Vacations & Changes
Mystère will be dark from May 31-June 8 and will move its dark days from Wednesdays and Thursdays to Mondays and Tuesdays upon its return. As of June 13, Sunday show times will be 4:30 and 7:30 pm, instead of 7:30 and 10:30 pm.
Rita Rudner will be dark May 20, 23, 28, and June 1, 6, 15, 18, and 24. As of June 19, her Saturday show will be moved from 8 to 9 pm.
Zumanity will be dark June 6-17. Effective June 18, the show will be dark on Wednesdays and Thursday (from Sundays and Mondays) and show times will move up a half hour to 7 and 10 pm. Ticket prices are $65, $85, $95, and $195 for the new Z PleaZure Package, which is sold only in pairs and includes hors d'oeuvres and up to three drinks per person.
Monte Carlo Buffet Price Increase
The Monte Carlo buffet prices have gone up. Breakfast is now $10.50 (from $9.99), lunch is $10.95 (from $10.49), dinner $15.95 (from $14.49), and Sunday Champagne brunch $16.95 (from $15.95). Kids 4 to 9 are $7.25 for all meals (up from $6.99).
Imperial Palace Poker & Pool Parties
The Imperial Palace is opening a poker room with six Texas hold 'em tables on the third floor near the keno lounge. In addition to its Tuesday and Thursday Imperial Hawaiian Luaus, IP will host summer pool parties every Friday and Saturday night from 9 pm to midnight during June, July, and August. Admission is $19 and includes food, a margarita in a 42-ounce souvenir glass, music, and contests with cash prizes.
----------------------------------------
ODDS AND ENDS
Your Vote Counts!
In conjunction with the information presentation in the new design at LasVegasAdvisor.com, we're encouraging LVA members to help us bolster the ratings of shows, buffets, or casinos that you've experienced. Our primary focus right now is on the rating of shows. You rate them once for their "value" metric and once for "overall quality" (assuming cost is not a consideration). For example, in rating Thom Kaz -- the Rock 'n' Roll Hypnotist at Palace Station, we gave it a 9 for value (it's a 1-drink minimum for $3.75) and a 5 for overall quality (it has relatively low production values and is slightly below average in comparison to all show options in town). The values are averaged for a 6.5 rating. You can also rate for kid-appropriateness and add your own review if you like. Rate a! s many shows as you've seen. This input is invaluable -- and it's kind of fun to do.
To rate a show, go to this page where the prices and times are listed. Click on the show you want to rate and then click the link to rate it below the show information.
UB Tourneys
Ultimate Bet is running some fantastic tournaments this week, in which they're adding money to the prize pool. On Thursday May 20, for example, there are three $50+5 no-limit hold 'em tournaments where they're adding $3,000 to the prize pool. These are excellent opportunities to get some tournament experience in, with UB subsidizing the play. On Sunday May 23, they're adding two $10,000 Aruba poker packages to the prize pool for a $500 + $30 event. Whether you play low stakes or high, you'll find excellent overlay opportunities.
The money-added tournaments are scheduled to run through May 28, but get in soon to play as many as you can. Click on this Ultimate Bet link to download their poker software.
Want to Work in Vegas?
Then consider driving a cab. The current shortage of cab drivers is so great that one of the city's largest cab companies, Yellow-Checker-Star, is recruiting drivers nationally. As new resorts open, the need for drivers is expected to increase even more. Call YCS at 702/873-8012 or the Nevada Taxicab Authority at 702/486-6532 for more info.
Dealer Info Underground
If you're interested in becoming a Las Vegas dealer, you may want to subscribe to The Dealer's News, which bills itself as "the only underground newsletter dedicated to gaming employees." Recent issues include a list of "tokes" (a.k.a. tips) made at various joints around town. A subscription is just $9 for six monthly issues. We love this newsletter, and often pull from it for LVA tidbits. E-mail news711@aol.com, fax 702/891-0037, or write 1801 E. Tropicana Ave #37, Las Vegas, NV 89119, for more info.
12th Annual Casino Chip Convention
The Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club will hold its 12th-annual convention at the Riviera from June 16 to 19, 2004. Casino-memorabilia enthusiasts can view chips, tokens, silver strikes, ashtrays, slot club cards, dice, and playing cards at booths representing more than 100 vendors. One-day memberships, which include admission to the event, can be purchased at the door for $5.
----------------------------------------
LINK OF THE WEEK
Cocktail Doll
Created by a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, CocktailDoll.com provides info on tipping and ordering drinks in the city. There's also a glossary of "Cocktailese" and a very politically incorrect -- and hilarious if you can appreciate the humor -- article called "Who Orders What" that lists the typical drink order for people of various different groups. This site isn't for everyone, but it sure gave us a few laughs.
----------------------------------------
COUPON OF THE WEEK
$10 Matchplay, Rampart, Coupon #78
This week we won again, continuing our little winning streak with matchplay coupons, with a natural on our $10 bet. The dealer had a little trouble figuring out the payoff and had to call over a floorman. But we knew we'd won $25 ($20 for the matchplay and a $5 bonus for the blackjack) and waited patiently until all five $5 chips were placed in front of us. It always helps to know how much you can win in all coupon situations (naturals, splitting pairs, doubling down, and insurance), so you're not inadvertently shorted.
This nice result brings the gambling win on our play of the POV coupons to more than $120 — an $83 profit after paying for an LVA online membership (and this is without yet using some of the higher EV coupons in the book). While results will vary, there's very little chance that a player who sticks to the low-risk gambling coupons in the POV will not recoup the membership costs, plus some, in cold hard cash. Click here for further analysis of this year's gambling coupons for LVA members.
Coupon of the Week Saving Record:
Non-gambling savings: $133.90
Gambling win: $120.50
Total profit/saving: $254.40
----------------------------------------
FEATURED PRODUCT
Winner's Guide Volume 1: 2nd Edition
Bob Dancer and Liam W. Daily have just released the second edition of Winner's Guide Volume 1 – Jacks or Better. This new edition has been expanded to 128 pages and features the following enhancements:
A complete discussion of the differences between Jacks or Better and other popular games, including Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and Deuces Wild.
Enhanced (more user-friendly) notations –- done in conjunction with the latest Dancer/Daily Strategy Cards
An updated strategy for Level 4 Flush-5
With these improvements, Winner's Guide Volume 1 presents the most comprehensive discussion of Jacks or Better ever published.
$18.50 at GreatStuff4Gamblers.com
****************************************************
Copyright 2003, Las Vegas Advisor, a publication of Huntington Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Compiled by Wendy Tucker. Questions ... comments ... e-mail: wendy@lasvegasadvisor.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the LVA Lite click here.
(Las Vegas Advisor members please note: Even if you unsubscribe from LVA Lite, you will
still receive monthly notification that the Member's Only Las Vegas Advisor is online.)
To subscribe to LVA Lite, click here.
Membership to the Las Vegas Advisor includes full access to the lasvegasadvisor.com Web site
and the amazing Pocketbook of Values coupon book. For more information on becoming a member,
click here.
