LVA in the Media

'New' Las Vegas Celebrates 20 Years

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:43:00 -0800

November 18, 2009

It was 20 years ago today that Las Vegas crossed over from old to new with the opening of its first megaresort, the Mirage. Built on the site of the old Castaways—whose sports book manager famously set a line on “who shot J.R.”—no one had ever seen anything like Steve Wynn’s $650 million, 3,000-room, volcano-erupting, white-tiger-displaying, high-roller resort, which officially inaugurated the casino construction boom that stretched from Las Vegas to riverboats in Iowa and several other U.S. states; gambling halls in historic mining towns in South Dakota and Colorado; and hotel-casino strips in Mississippi; plus two huge Native American casinos in Connecticut, a dozen major tribal operations in California, and hundreds of small ones around the country. The white building with the shimmering gold trim has undergone several upgrades over its two decades and is still one of the city’s top destinations.

Fireworks Elevated: After last year's dismal ground-level New Year's Eve fireworks display, which was barely visible to most, it's been announced that this year’s "America's Party" pyrotechnics will revert to being fired from seven rooftop locations. The decision to go terrestrial was based largely on concerns stemming from the rooftop fire at the Monte Carlo earlier last year. However, Clark County Fire Department and Building Services and the individual resort properties have put in place new controls that have allayed concerns tied to the roof-top launchings.

Cabo Wabo: The long-awaited branch of the Sammy Hagar-owned Cabo Wabo nightclubs has opened. It’s located at Planet Hollywood in the spot formerly occupied by Trader Vic’s and boasts a spectacular outdoor dining area looking across the Strip at the soon-to-open CityCenter complex.

Question: Do you dare impart details of the Las Vegas Stripper-Mobile?

Answer: The so called Stripper-Mobile—a truck with a Plexiglas covering that housed a live pole dancer—patrolled the streets for a couple weeks, before it was pulled under pressure from city and county authorities. It was an advertising gimmick for a couple of the local strip clubs.

Has Las Vegas Got a Deal for You!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:49:00 -0800

Nov. 13, 2009

USA Today Travel writer Kitty Bean Yancey spent a day with publisher Anthony Curtis, discovering how the recession means that there are great deals to be had for Las Vegas consumers:

"Everyone in Vegas is giving it away," says Las Vegas Advisor publisher Anthony Curtis, savoring 8-month-old M Resort's sushi in its modern-chic buffet with show kitchen. Pig out for $2 less by joining the free M players' club, says Curtis, whose Advisor (lasvegasadvisor.com) gives subscribers the scoop on deals.

Click here to read the entire feature.

World Series of Poker Champion Youngest Ever

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:01:00 -0800

November 11, 2009

Does this headline sound familiar? It should, given that this is the second consecutive year that the record for youngest WSOP main-event winner has been broken. Barely legal Michigander Joseph Cada outlasted Maryland logger Darvin Moon to win $8,545,435 and become the youngest World Series of Poker champion ever at just 21. Last year’s winner was 22. Moon took home a little more than $5 million for second. On the final hand, Cada’s two pair, 9s and 7s, beat Moon’s pair of 7s. Similar to last year, the final was played after a four-month delay, in order for it to be aired closely after the event’s conclusion.

B.B.’s Blues: B.B. King's Blues Club, the much-anticipated new live-music venue at the Mirage, has opened. The intimate venue with seating for just 558 features four bars, a stage, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends.

Viva Elvis: That's the name of the new Elvis-tribute Cirque du Soleil show that will debut at CityCenter's main hotel-casino, Aria. Aria opens December 16 and it’s believed that “preview” shows may be ready to go by then.

High Society: Encore’s Society Cafe has been named one of the "Best New Restaurants in America" by Esquire magazine. It's the only Las Vegas restaurant to receive the accolade this year. Society Café is essentially the casino’s coffee shop, so it’s more convenient and reasonably priced than its sister restaurants.

Question: Last week you included Bette Midler in your list of big-name performers who have ongoing shows in Las Vegas, but I’ve heard she’s gone.

Answer: She’s not gone yet, but she is leaving soon. Bette Midler’s final performance of The Showgirl Must Go On will be Sunday Jan. 31, 2010. The final performance will mark the end of her two-year residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. There's no word as yet as to who will fill her shoes.

CityCenter hits center stage

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:35:00 -0800

Nov. 3, 2009
By Rob Lovitt -- Travel writer; msnbc.com contributor

LasVegasAdvisor.com/Huntington Press president Anthony Curtis is quoted at length in msnbc's feature about the opening of CityCenter.

“[CityCenter] will eventually be something that’s truly spectacular. Las Vegas will come back and all these new rooms will get filled. For now, though, it’s a bargain hunter’s paradise.”

Click here to read the entire feature.

Entertainment Legends Hit the Las Vegas Scene

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:07:00 -0800

Nov. 4, 2009

Garth Brooks is at Encore. Wayne Newton is at the Tropicana. Carlos Santana is at the Hard Rock. Donnie & Marie are at the Flamingo. Cher & Bette are at Caesars Palace (no, not together). And as of next February, Barry Manilow will be at Paris. It's now been confirmed that the entertainer, who's currently performing his Ultimate Manilow: The Hits show atthe Las Vegas Hilton, will move to Paris on Valentine’s Day 2010. Who’s next? No telling, but the latest rumors have involved pop diva Avril Lavigne.

Lunch Down: Last month M Resort axed breakfast from its buffet; now Silverton has discontinued lunch during the week. Silverton still serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($18.99) on Saturday and Sunday.

Really Big Burger: LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock has unveiled the $30 "Extreme Burger," which includes six half-pound patties loaded with American cheese, smoked bacon, a portobello mushroom, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, LBS Burger sauce, spicy mustard, herb mayo, "ghost" peppers (the hottest chili in the world), and a pound of French fries. Clean your plate in an hour and it's on the house.

Gambling Movies: The Cincinnati Kid, The Sting, California Split, Rounders, Casino—what’s the best gambling movie ever made? You can have a part in deciding by voting for any of these, among several others, in a poll currently running at LasVegasAdvisor.com. See the results in a future column.

Question: I was at MGM Grand and they’d just cancelled their all-day buffet. Is this going on everywhere?

Answer: MGM is the first to cancel, but others—Stratosphere, Excalibur, and Mandalay Bay—have raised prices (these are in the $25-$38 range), indicating that too many big eaters might have been descending on the deals.

World Series of Poker Final Table Convenes

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:07:00 -0800

October 28, 2009

Poker fans all over the world (and there are millions of them now) will be looking to the Rio Hotel-Casino this week in anticipation of the crowning of a new world champion. The nine remaining players in the game’s most prestigious event will sit down on Nov. 7 to determine the new champ and the winner of a $8.5 million first prize. This year’s table mix will be different than in years past, as it includes one of poker’s biggest superstars, Phil Ivey (currently in 7^th place). Another story of interest is the presence of 21-year-old Joe Cada, who’s seeking to become the youngest champion ever. The chip leader is Maryland logger, Darvin Moon. After a quick editing job, the event will be aired on ESPN on Nov. 10.

Good PR:The Orleans has an outstanding deal on a complete prime rib dinner in the Courtyard Café. It comes with an eight-ounce cut of meat (with au jus and horseradish), soup or salad, choice of potato, rolls, dessert, and a drink—all for $9.99. The dessert alone is worth half what you pay, since you choose from the full dessert menu, where hot-fudge sundaes, root-beer floats, and cheesecakes start at $4.49. The special runs Mon.-Fri. from 2 to 6 p.m.

Best on Mondays:You can get a free hot dog and a beer at the Monday Night Football parties at Sam’s Town and Suncoast, but here’s one that’s even better. The party in Stoney’s at Santa Fe is free to attend and you can eat unlimited hot dogs (and chips) for no charge. Domestic bottled beers are just $2, but $5 gets you a wristband for unlimited drafts throughout the game.

Question: Last week you wrote that Garth Brooks will play at Encore. Do you have any more information?

Answer: Garth Brooks’ return to the stage was as big a draw as expected, causing his first 15 dates (spread over Dec., Jan., and Feb.) to sell out in minutes. Not to worry, the agreement with Encore is for five years at 15 weeks per, and Brooks insisted that only 200 seats could be held out (for comps) for any show, so you’ll have your shot. Tickets for all seats are $143 after taxes and fees.

Las Vegas Goes for the Green

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:24:00 -0800

The city famous for getting the green (as in “cash”) is now going for the green in another way. Several of the biggest casino companies are aggressively pursuing the so-called “green initiatives” aimed at preserving the environment through sustainable business practices. Not that they’re there yet, but in a recent in-depth report by Newsweek, which ranked the top 500 green companies in America, three Las Vegas casino companies made the cut: Las Vegas Sands at #128, MGM Mirage at #184, and Wynn Resorts at #176. Leading the way for LV Sands is Palazzo, currently the highest rated Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building in the nation, with CityCenter striving to achieve LEED certification for all of its elements. And while it didn’t make the list, Las Vegas' oldest casino, the Golden Gate, is holding up its end by switching entirely to geothermal power for its hot water.

Breakfast Bounced:M Resort has eliminated breakfast in its buffet. The good news is the lunch and dinner buffets are still among the best in town.

Brasserie Bolting:Daniel Boulud Brasserie, the Las Vegas outpost of the star chef for whom it's named, will close next April when its five-year operating agreement with Wynn Las Vegas is up. No word yet on what will take its place.

Garth is In: It’s official. Country superstar Garth Brooks will begin performing at Encore on December 11. There will be one show a night on Fridays and Sundays and two on Saturday nights, with tickets priced at $125.

Question: Are the women who are billed as big poker players on the TV show “The Amazing Race” for real? I’ve never heard of them.

Answer: They’re for real. Tiffany Michelle made a deep run in the World Series main event in 2008, finishing 17^th, and Maria Ho was the last woman standing in the main event in 2007.

Getting His Due

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:48:00 -0800

October 20, 2009

WSOP bracelet winner and co-author of Kill Phil, the book that ESPN.com's own Andrew Feldman said "changed the poker world forever," is featured in tonight's coverage of the 2009 Main Event and was interviewed by Gary Wise for ESPN.com.

"The first time I saw the World Series of Poker was 1977. I started salivating, thinking 'This is cool.' I remember sitting at the baccarat table at the Horseshoe and watching them shuffle $100 chips and that became my goal, to shuffle $100 chips like they didn't mean anything."

"Slowly, the dream started becoming the reality..."

You can read the complete interview by clicking here.

Las Vegas Fontainebleau Up for Grabs

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:41:00 -0800

October 14, 2009

After joining the ranks of stalled Las Vegas projects a couple months ago, the north-Strip located Fontainebleau seems to have a chance at landing the backing it needs to finish construction and open. Rumors are swirling that Penn Gaming, a company with 12 casinos in seven states and a Canadian province, may be willing to take on the beleaguered behemoth that is reportedly 70% finished, but only if it can snag it for pennies on the dollar from its original $3 billion valuation. It’s all spec as of now, however; and even if a deal is made, the big blue casino-hotel that was scheduled to open this month would probably not debut until late 2010.

Coco's Open: After a quick conversion, several coffee shops in the Station Casinos group have converted to Coco's restaurants. The new eateries have opened at Palace, Boulder, Sunset, and Texas Stations, joining an existing Coco's at Santa Fe Station.

Charo Closed: The famed flamenco performer, who's show at the Riviera has been on hiatus since she fell and suffered an injury during the Jerry Lewis Telethon in mid September, will be out for the remainder of the year. Whether or not she will return in 2010 has yet to be announced.

Fall at Bellagio: The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio has transitioned to a fall display, which features autumnal colors, a 35-foot-tall cider mill, a 13-foot scarecrow, and a 10-foot-tall mythical tree made of recycled paper and wood. The exhibit is free to the public and will be on display through November 28th.

Question: Who’s this year’s top dog in the rankings of wealthiest casino baron?

Answer: This year’s Forbes 400 list of America's wealthiest individuals reveals a new leader. Carl Icahn, majority owner of Tropicana Entertainment, lines up in 22nd spot overall with an estimated net worth of $10.5 billion. Last year's top industry representative, Sheldon Adelson, fell to 26th. Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn, Donald Trump, Phil Ruffin, and Ed Roski, Jr. also made the list.

New Las Vegas Casino Proposed

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:26:00 -0800

October 7, 2009

At a time when most analysts contend there will be no new projects initiated in Las Vegas for several years, a new casino may be in store for Harmon Ave., just east of the Strip. Siegel Group has acquired the foreclosed and shuttered 150-suite St. Tropez for $10.5 million. Siegel says it will substantially redevelop the building into a high-end boutique resort, including a restaurant and bar, nightclub, and an outdoor events center. The plan sounds similar to Siegel’s renovation of downtown’s Gold Spike, which is nearly complete only one year after it was announced.

Elvis Exhibit: Beginning October 21, the Imperial Palace will be home to The King's Ransom Museum, a one-of-a-kind exhibit of Elvis Presley artifacts and personal treasures. It's the first time the multi-million dollar collection has been displayed in Las Vegas and it will run until April, 2010, Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission is $10.

Manilow Leaving: Barry Manilow will conclude his five-year run at the Las Vegas Hilton at the end of December. There’s speculation that he’ll perform at another casino, but nothing has been announced.

South Points: Throughout October, slot players get 5X players club points at South Point. The deal doesn't extend to video poker, but there's a little giveback there in the form of free-play bonuses for royal flushes, starting with $10 for nickel royals and increasing proportionately—$20 for dimes, $50 for quarters, etc.—up to $1,000 for $5 royals.

Question: Is the ultra-exclusive Shadow Creek still considered Las Vegas’ top golf course.

Answer: It is by most, though three Las Vegas courses recently made Golf World’s list of “Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the U.S.” They are Coyote Springs (#7), Cascata (#14), and Bali Hai (#47). Wolf Creek in Mesquite came in at #35.

Las Vegas PH Towers Near Completion

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:18:00 -0800

September 30, 2009

Although hype has centered on the December debut of CityCenter, a second big project at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip will open at almost the same time. Construction is concluding on PH Towers at Planet Hollywood, twin 52-story towers with a combined 1,200 units. Originally planned to be all timeshare, only 240 will now be sold in that capacity, while the remainder will be Planet Hollywood hotel rooms. Planet Hollywood fielded more than 13,000 applications for PH's 800 jobs, which will be filled by late next month.

In Limbo: Less positive is recent news about the idol Echelon Place construction project on the north Strip. After more than a year since work stopped at Boyd Gaming's Echelon, workers are prepping cranes for removal and a complete site shutdown is underway. The timetable for reinitiating work could run up to three more years.

Fright Dome: For the eighth year running, the Adventuredome at Circus Circus has been transformed into Fright Dome until Halloween. This year, two new haunted houses are based on the Saw horror movies, with replicas of evil-mastermind Jigsaw's "games." Otherwise, it's fright business as usual: extreme scare zones, five haunted houses, freak shows, strobes and lasers. Tickets are $34.95 and it’s not necessarily a kid’s event, with warnings issued for children under 12.

Arcade Play: Here’s one for the kids. All day on Tuesdays, play two games for the price of one at the Excalibur Fantasy Faire Midway. The midway is open from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Question: I’ve seen several stories about people living in tunnels under Las Vegas. Is that for real?

Answer: Yes. Las Vegas has an extensive storm-drainage system, including long tunnels; along with its inhabitants, the tunnel system was chronicled in the book Beneath the Neon by Matt O’Brien. After being interviewed by Britain's newspaper The Sun, O’Brien was approached by more than 40 media outlets all over the world, which accounts for the press you’ve seen.

Lost Vegas: The people living in drains below Las Vegas

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:40:00 -0800

September 24, 2009

Britain's leading tabloid newspaper, The Sun, ran a huge feature on Huntington Press' Beneath the Neon by journalist Matt O'Brien.

Lovebirds Steven and Kathryn share a well-organized home in bustling Las Vegas. They have a neat, if compact kitchen, a furnished living area, and a bedroom complete with double bed, wardrobe and bookshelf featuring a wide selection including a Frank Sinatra biography and Spanish phrase book.

And they make their money in some of the biggest casinos in the world.

But their life is far from the ordinary.

Because, along with hundreds of others, the couple are part of a secret community living in the dark and dirty underground flood tunnels below the famous Strip.

Click here to read the entire feature.

Las Vegas CityCenter's Opening Dates Confirmed

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:11:00 -0800

September 23, 2009

Opening dates for CityCenter, the gigantic metaresort on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, have been confirmed. Four of the six primary components of the complex will open in December: Vdara on Dec. 1, Crystals on Dec. 3, Mandarin Oriental on Dec. 4, and ARIA on Dec. 16. Veer (the residential component) and Harmon (in the midst of a redesign) will not open until 2010. MGM Mirage has begun hiring the more than 12,000 employees who will run the metaresort; this from a field of approximately 160,000 applicants.

Wayne is Back: The long-circulating rumor that "Mr Vegas," Wayne Newton, would be returning to the Las Vegas Strip has finally been confirmed. He'll be celebrating his 50th year in Las Vegas with a residency at the Tropicana beginning Oct. 14 and running until April. Tickets for the Tuesday-Saturday schedule are already on sale and priced from $80 to $150.

New Club for Encore: Steve Wynn says he’ll build yet another nightclub, which will be the fourth for Encore/Wynn. Plans call for closing the Strip entrance to Encore, removing the driveway, and building a Strip-facing combination nightclub and beach club set to debut next summer.

Neon: The first neon signs have been installed on Las Vegas Boulevard north of downtown as part of the Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byways plan. The vintage sign from the Bow and Arrow Motel has been erected at the corner of the Boulevard and Bonanza Road. Soon to be installed nearby are the slipper from the Silver Slipper casino and the horseshoe from the top of Binion's. In all, 17 restored neon signs will grace Las Vegas Blvd. from Washington to Sahara avenues.

Question: Does the video poker expert Bob Dancer still offer his free how-to-play lessons?

Answer: Yes, Dancer’s excellent free classes run every Wednesday at Eastside Cannery. All classes are in Marilyn’s Lounge—beginner classes at 1 pm and intermediate at 3 pm. Must be 21 to attend.

Under Las Vegas: Tunnels Stretch for Miles

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:20:00 -0800

September 23, 2009

Matt O'Brien, author of Huntington Press' Beneath the Neon was featured on abcNews' "Nightline" show, which followed him into the tunnels of Las Vegas to meet some of the people who've made their home in the storm drains.

"Millions of tourists walk up and down the Las Vegas Strip every year, looking to have fun and make some money. But beneath the flashing lights, there is a much darker side of Las Vegas..."

Click here to read the whole feature and watch the show.

Monday Night Football in Las Vegas

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:29:00 -0800

September 16, 2009

With football season comes Monday Night Football parties in Las Vegas. This year two casinos—Sam’s Town and Suncoast—are hosting parties where your first hot dog and beer are free. Doors open at both an hour before game time, and while you need to show the casino’s slot card at Sam’s Town you need only show up to get the goodies at Suncoast. Other good venues for the Monday-night game include South Point, Orleans, Gold Coast, Sunset Station, Green Valley Ranch, Monte Carlo, Tuscany, Rampart, Sahara, and Monte Carlo (see next). On Sundays, the Las Vegas Hilton sponsors "NFL Central," with big screens in the showroom and the sports book, along with $1 hot dogs and $2 beers. All these, and other parties around town, are free to enter.

New Brew: A new brew venue has opened at the Monte Carlo. Taking over where the Brewpub left off, The Pub features multiple sports screens, beer pong, live music (Friday and Saturday), pub-style food, and more than 50 beers on tap.

BB Blues: B.B. King's Blues Club has been announced for a “winter” opening at the Mirage. The restaurant, bar, and music venue figures to feature live performances by King, and marks the first dedicated casino-based jazz/blues club since the now defunct Blue Note at Planet Hollywood.

Trop Eats: The Tropicana is opening two new restaurants to jump-start its $125 million property-wide renovation. Already open is the Italian bistro Bacio Pasta & Vino. And debuting soon is a breakfast joint called Havana Go Go Cafe. Much more to come.

Question: What is the casino edge on a standard football bet?

Answer: Assuming the standard bet-$11-to-win-$10 scenario, you face a disadvantage of 4.55%. That’s just 50¢ on an $11 bet and it’s spread over three hours of action, making a football bets one of the best gambling values (from an entertainment standpoint) in the casino.

Luck runs out on Vegas boom

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:20:00 -0800

September 7, 2009

Las Vegas Advisor publisher Anthony Curtis was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times for their 2-part feature on Las Vegas' current economic woes and their effects.

Cirque du Soleil, the acrobatics juggernaut that dominates the Strip with six shows, has done something that veteran Vegas watchers find more mind-blowing than anything it presents onstage: It's knocking as much as 40% off ticket packages for two.

"Cirque never discounted for anyone," says Anthony Curtis, the publisher of Las Vegas Advisor, an insider's guide to deals.

To read the complete article, click here. And here's part one, Vegas dreamers go all in.

Subterranean home of Las Vegas's losers

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:04:00 -0800

September 14, 2009

British newspaper The Independent ran a feature about Las Vegas' storm drains and their subterranean population, for which they interviewed Matt O'Brien, author of acclaimed Huntington Press title Beneath the Neon and founder of Shine A Light, a campaign to help the forgotten "tunnel people."

"The isolation inside the tunnels can also be dangerous," says O'Brien. "If something goes wrong, or if a resident feels threatened, they can forget about the cops helping; there's no one to call."

Click here to read the complete article.

New Tower for Downtown Las Vegas

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:28:00 -0800

September 9, 2009

Yet another casino is bucking the bad economy and unveiling a major upgrade. The downtown Golden Nugget's new $150 million 500-room Rush Tower will open next month. The new rooms are 20% larger than the Nugget’s North and South Tower rooms and reservations are already being accepted. Also opening in the tower is a new pool, more casino square footage and retail space, and the Chart House Aquarium restaurant, featuring a 50,000-gallon tropical-fish tank.

Strip Hard Rock: A new Hard Rock Café opened last week on the Strip, at the Showcase Mall next door to MGM Grand. This is Las Vegas’ second non-casino Hard Rock; the original café sports the iconic giant guitar at the same corner as the Hard Rock casino-hotel.

Super BBQ: Head to Ellis Island (behind Bally’s) from 4 to 10 p.m. seven days a week for one of Las Vegas’ best barbecue deals. There are only four choices in the little dining area near the bar, and you need to show an EI players card to get the lower ($3-off) prices: full rack of ribs $11.99/$14.99, half-rack of ribs $7.99/$10.99, half-chicken $6.99/$9.99, and combo $8.99/$11.99. All come with corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, and toast and you’ll have enough for lunch the next day.

Holly Extends: Holly Madison is extending her starring role as “Bo Peep” in Planet Hollywood's Peepshow topless revue for another year, through September 2010. Beginning September 21, Madison’s stage partner will be Playboy cover model Aubrey O’Day, who will co-star in the role of the "Peep Diva" (originated by the Spice Girls' Mel B).

Question: Are the coinless slot machines here to stay?

Answer: It certainly looks that way. The “ticket-in ticket-out” (TITO) machines are too cost-effective for the casinos to go back to coins, and even the customers like them. In a survey garnering a whopping 4,221 votes at LasVegasAdisor.com, TITO was preferred over coins by a margin of 68% to 32%.

Football Season Kicks Off in Las Vegas

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:16:00 -0800

September 2, 2009

As they do every year, Las Vegas sports books will lay out a smorgasboard of special events and deals tied to NFL and college football games this season. One of the best opportunities comes from three weekly handicapping contests that pay real money to winners, but are free to enter. This year, the free contests will be held at Coast properties (Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam’s Town, among others), Lucky’s sports books (Plaza and Terrible”s), and North Las Vegas’ Poker Palace. You can win up to $30,000 (in the Coast contest), but it’s not easy—you’ll need a perfect, or near-perfect, card to cash. Still, free is free. Just show up before the games begin and follow the posted instructions to play.

Best Parties: Party central on football Sundays figures to be the Las Vegas Hilton, where you can watch the games for free on big screens in the sports book and showroom, while taking advantage of good food and drink specials. The traditional play for Monday-night games has been Sam’s Town, where in past years your first hot dog and beer have been on the house (not confirmed).

Monopoly Intact: For another year at least, Las Vegas remains the only place in the U.S. where you can legally bet on the results of a single sports contest. Efforts in Delaware to allow single-game wagering were shot down last week; Delaware will be allowed to accept parlay bets, which involve the results of more than one game.

Less Juice: And speaking of betting, look to the Las Vegas Hilton again for the best deal. On Thursdays from 3 to 11 pm, you can bet $10.50 to win $10 (on football), as opposed to the standard arrangement of betting $11 to win $10. The difference between what you bet and what you win is known as the “juice.”

Question: Where are the good football contests this year?

Answer: A total of 17 contests are running in Las Vegas this season. The best ones for visitors are the freebies addressed in this column’s lead. For a complete list and details, go to the website listed below.

For all the info you need about football season in Las Vegas, visit out new LVASports.com site.

Classic Las Vegas Deal Adjusted

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:07:00 -0800

August 26, 2009

One of Las Vegas’ most enduring deals has been changed ... slightly. After serving up its great shrimp cocktail for many years for 99¢, downtown’s Golden Gate raised the price to $1.99 last year. However, you could still get the old price simply by signing up for the casino’s players club card. A new wrinkle has been added in that you now must earn a minimum of one point on the card to get the deal. What does that mean? Only that you have to put a single dollar into a slot or video poker machine (with your players card inserted) to get the 99¢ price. It's a one-time requirement, so doing it once secures the discount ongoing. Bottom line: The worst you can do is pay full price for the shrimp on the one occasion when you play the dollar and lose. The best you can do is hit a jackpot and get the shrimp, as well. Not much of a gamble, really.

Greek Isles: The little 202-room Greek Isles Hotel-Casino located just east of the Strip has new owners, but things shouldn’t change much right away. The new group, made up of Los Angeles- and New York-based developers, say that the casino will remain open, while they “assess its future.”

Nostalgic: Two big-time rock groups will have temporary-headliner status in September. Supernatural Santana returns to the Hard Rock September 4-15 with discounted ticket prices beginning at $55. And Sgt. Pepper Live, featuring Cheap Trick, plays at the LV Hilton Sept. 13-15, 17-19, and 21-23; tickets are $65-$95.

Double Pasta: The non-casino restaurant Maggiano's Little Italy in the Fashion Show Mall has a unique deal: Buy any house pasta dish and get a second pasta entrée to go, which will be prepared while you eat your dinner.

Question: Is there such a thing as a dollar hot dog in Vegas anymore?

Answer: You can get dollar dogs 24/7 on the Strip at the Sahara as part of the casino’s ongoing “Dollar Days” promotion. But if you’re willing to follow Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip) past downtown and into North Las Vegas, you can get good 50¢ hot dogs at the sports book deli at the Poker Palace.

Ongoing Declines Bullish for Las Vegas Visitors

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:44:00 -0800

August 19, 2009

Recently released gambling-win figures for June show a 14.8% decline on the Strip, the 18^th consecutive year-over-year drop. Visitor volume also took a hit in June, tumbling 6.3% to make it 13 consecutive declines. It’s unwelcome news for the casinos, but certainly good for visitors, as downward pressure on prices continues. The effect is most evident in room rates, which are down roughly 27% over 2008 and even more for savvy consumers who shop around.

RePrivé?: Privé nightclub and the Living Room ultralounge at Planet Hollywood reopen this weekend, following the replacement of management and key employees. The two nightspots were recently stripped of their liquor licenses, forcing them to close, amidst reports of city-ordinance violations.

Poker Renewed: Harrah’s and ESPN have renewed their television contract for the World Series of Poker for seven more years. ESPN will now broadcast the tournament through 2017, including this year’s Main Event, which is airing now.

Firefly on Fremont: The popular tapas bar and restaurant Firefly joins the ranks of new eating options at the Plaza downtown. It's opening initially for dinner only, with lunch hours soon to follow.

Cirque du Kiss?: Believe it or not, there's real talk of a new Cirque du Soleil show built around the rock band Kiss. Kiss—Carnival of Souls would be a $40 million to $50 million production according to reports. However, no timetables or other specifics have been revealed.

Question: Will the sports betting planned for Delaware be the same as in the Vegas books, or is it a lottery-style gimmick?

Answer: Assuming the courts don’t stop it—and some weighty challenges are being reviewed right now—it looks like it will be Las Vegas-style wagers, meaning lines will be made and players will be able to bet individual teams, presumably laying $110 to win $100. It will be the only such betting allowed anywhere in the U.S. outside of Nevada.

Boutique Hotel Opens on Las Vegas Strip

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:52:00 -0800

August 12,2009

HOTEL32 opened at the Monte Carlo on August 10. This hotel-within-a-hotel on the 32^nd floor is an outgrowth of the casino’s rooftop fire in January 2008, as it was built in lieu of simply replacing the damaged areas. A private express elevator services the 50 rooms and suites, which range in size from 850 to 2,000 square feet. There’s also a “suite assistant” (to escort and orient guests to the rooms), concierge and butler services, and the lounge32 (sic) looking over the skyline of the CityCenter complex next door. The Monte Carlo has designed HOTEL32 to vie for Five Diamond and Five Star ratings.

Feelgood: The opening is a few months past schedule, but the non-casino nightclub Dr. Feelgood's has finally debuted on Sahara Ave., about five miles west of the Strip. The club is owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil and is named for one of the band's biggest hits. The original is in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Garth: Reports are swirling that Garth Brooks has signed a 16-week headliner deal with Encore that will begin in October. Encore continues to deny that a deal is set, but it’s been rumored for a couple months and appears likely.

Tiger: In one of those only-in-Las Vegas stories, residents of North Las Vegas reported seeing a tiger wandering their streets last week. The tiger had escaped from the Fercos Brothers Untamed Illusions magic act. The big cat was eventually found and captured while it lounged in someone’s backyard.

Bally's Book: The race and sports book at Bally's, closed since April 1, will reopen August 26. The remodeled book will feature an exclusive VIP viewing area with hi-def screens, couches, sports memorabilia, and specialty cocktails.

Question: Football’s coming. What’s the best sports book this year?

Answer: With highly subjective assessments, it’s often good to look at a large sample of opinions. In a recent poll at LasVegasAdvisor.com (where you can see the complete results) that garnered almost 1,000 votes, the top three finishers for favorite sports book were the Las Vegas Hilton (18%), Caesars Palace (16%), and Orleans and Mirage (tied with 6% each).

Seven Ridiculously Cheap Travel Deals

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:40:00 -0800

August 11, 2009

LasVegasAdvisor.com Publisher Anthony Curtis is quoted at length in Scott A. Mayerowitz's article for abcNEWS.com

"If you are a real shopper and you go on the net," Curtis said, "you can get lots of ad-ons. You will get a cheap room but they will also give you 50 percent off at the spa and two-for-one on buffets and maybe show tickets. There's a lot of bundling available."

Click here to read the complete feature.

Attacks on Homeless Bring Push on Hate Crime Laws

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:49:00 -0800

August 8, 2009

Matt O'Brien, author of Huntington Press' Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas, was featured in today's New York Times in a story by Pulitzer-prize winning writer Eric Lichtblau about the troubling increase in hate crimes against homeless people.

For more about Matt's ongoing involvement with Las Vegas' homeless population and news of his next project, visit BeneathTheNeon.com.

Las Vegas Club Scene Under Scrutiny

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:43:00 -0800

August 5, 2009

It’s been a turbulent couple of weeks in clubland. Along with the shutdown of the Sapphire topless pool at the Rio, Planet Hollywood’s Privé and the Living Room have been stripped of their liquor licenses, forcing the closing of both. Also closing last week was Poetry at the Forum Shops at Caesars. With the exception of Poetry, whose demise was tied to the departure of the restaurant with which it shared space (Chinois), all others were linked to allegations of underage patrons, drug use, nudity, and irresponsible behavior by club security. As a result, it’s expected that several other clubs will likely come under investigation in the near future.

Monster Dining Deal: Station Casinos is offering 2-for-1 entrées in all Station and Fiesta restaurants, excluding buffets and coffee shops (and Hachi at Red Rock), Sundays-Thursdays until September 3. There’s been little press about this, so call ahead to confirm, but it's a great opportunity to try some excellent restaurants on the cheap. Must show a Boarding Pass or Amigo Card.

Lobster Lunacy: The non-casino Coachman's Inn (3240 Eastern Ave.) is running a "Lobster Extravaganza" in August. Offerings range from a 20-ounce live-Maine lobster with baked potato and garlic bread for $25.95 to lobster quesadillas for $12.95. Many offers are 24/7.

Donny & Marie Extend: The Osmond siblings have just had their contract at the Flamingo extended for another two years, on top of a previous two-year add-on, so you'll now be able to catch the popular Donny & Marie show through Oct. 2012.

Question: Last time I was in Las Vegas, it looked like they were tearing down the Lady Luck. Say it ain’t so.

Answer: It ain’t. At least not yet. An old structure that was part of the Lady Luck and stood dilapidated for several years is finally being demolished. Plans for a renovation of the Lady Luck reportedly remain intact, but no immediate work (besides this demolition) is expected.

Face to Face

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:13:00 -0800

August 3, 2009

LasVegasAdvisor.com Stiffs & Georges blogger David McKee was the guest on political commentator Jon Ralston's "Face to Face" show on Vegas One (Ch. 19) today, discussing the fate of Station Casinos and other business matters.

If you missed it, just click this link to watch!

Las Vegas Casinos Continue to Struggle

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:24:00 -0800

July 30, 2009

Two more big casino companies have taken negative turns that are related to Las Vegas’ economic slowdown. Two weeks ago Fontainebleau, the unfinished megaresort on the north Strip, disclosed that it needs another $1.5 billion to open. While rumors fly about takeover possibilities, F’bleau’s prospects for opening any time in the near future are grim. And last week the locals giant Station Casinos filed Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to restructure $5.7 billion in debt, most of which stems from financing the company's buyout nearly 21 months ago. Station has announced that it remains business as usual for its 18 casino properties and that the bankruptcy will not affect the Boarding Pass reward-points system.

Topless Pool Closes: The great experiment of merging a strip club and a casino pool may be over. Sapphire Topless Pool, the collaboration between the Rio and Sapphire Gentlemen's Club, has been closed amid allegations of various improprieties. What a shock.

HR Tower Opens: The Hard Rock quietly opened its new 490-room Paradise Tower last week, one week ahead of schedule. A second, the 375-suite Harmon Tower, is due to open in December.

Poker on TV: Coverage of the 2009 World Series of Poker is now running on Tuesdays on ESPN. This year’s coverage is limited to three events: the $40,000-buy-in anniversary tournament, Annie Duke’s “Ante Up for Africa” charity, and the Main Event. The Main Event coverage will be comprehensive, culminating with the airing of the final on November 10.

Question: What’s the status of the Cosmopolitan Casino on the Strip?

Answer: The 2,998-room megaresort that was the first big project to run into financial trouble remains on pace for what has now been pegged as a September 2010 opening. The cost of Cosmo is now quoted at $3.9 billion, which is interesting, given that the original estimated cost was $1.5 billion (with an original opening date of late 2007).

Las Vegas CityCenter Details Released

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:33:00 -0800

July 23, 2009

Amidst problems with high-end properties throughout Las Vegas, the poshest of them all, the south Strip-located CityCenter complex, continues to roll toward a late-2009 debut. Crystals, CityCenter’s half-million-square-foot mall, is set to open on December 3. The shops on the roster include Cartier, Prada, Christian Dior, Bulgari, Hermes, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany, along with Las Vegas first-timers Tom Ford, Assouline, Kiton, Miu Miu, Paul Smith, and Porsche Design. Opening a day later on December 4 is the 47-story Mandarin Oriental. Positioned at the entrance to CityCenter, this non-casino hotel’s Sky Lobby and check-in area are on the 23^rd floor, with a panoramic view of the Strip. The Mandarin has 392 rooms and suites and 227 residences; the Sky Lobby separates the hotel rooms (below) and the residences (above). The Mandarin Las Vegas will begin accepting room reservations on August 17. Other parts of CityCenter, including an Elvis-themed Cirque du Soleil show, will open in 2010.

November Nine: The final-table players in the World Series of Poker’s Main Event have been determined. The nine players who are about to become household names in poker circles are led Maryland logger Darvin Moon, with almost 59 million in chips, 25 million more than the second-biggest stack. Last in the field is James Akenhead with 7 million. Perhaps the world’s top player, Phil Ivey, sits in 7^th with 10 million. The players will reconvene for the final table on November 7.

Super Coupons: If you’re not already a member of the Silverton’s players club, head over and join to get Las Vegas’ current best funbook. It’s filled with restaurant twofers and powerful gambling coupons good for both table games and the machines.

Question: Is the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay still open to the public on Monday nights? What’s the admission fee?

Answer: The swanky semi-private club located atop Mandalay Bay is experimenting with an open-every-night policy. The public is admitted after 11 p.m. for a $20 cover.

Bar slaying case closed: 1981 DOUBLE-MURDER | Baby-sitter tipped authorities decades after informant

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:47:00 -0800

July 21, 2009

BY CAROL MARIN AND DON MOSELEY Staff Reporters

The McHenry County sheriff's office has concluded that a now-dead mob hit man named Larry Neumann, in all likelihood, killed two people in 1981 in the small town of Lakemoor -- a long-cold case that was reopened last summer on the basis of a tip from Holly Hager, who baby-sat for the children of one of the pair back then…

What convinced her this was no coincidence was the 2007 autobiography of Frank Cullotta, a mob burglar and hitman-turned-government informant. In it, he wrote about Neumann killing two people in 1981 at a McHenry County bar.

Click here to read the whole story of how Huntington Press' biography of Tony "the Ant" Spilotro's Las Vegas enforcer Frank Cullotta helped to solve a decades-old double-murder.

Harrah's Unveils Las Vegas "Street" Plans

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:07:00 -0800

July 15, 2009

Harrah’s Entertainment has announced Project Link, a collection of low-rise restaurants, bars, and retail shops that will stretch between the Flamingo and O’Sheas casinos at center Strip. Company officials characterize Project Link as an entertainment district, with a pedestrian corridor that will extend a block from the Strip back to the Las Vegas Monorail, where a giant Ferris wheel will rise 600 feet high. Neither the cost nor a timetable for Project Link has been announced, though it’s contingent on financing, and analysts speculate that given today’s credit crunch and Harrah’s $20 billion in existing debt, it could be at least “a couple of years” before ground is broken on this one.

Cabo Wabo: A branch of Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina will open soon at Planet Hollywood. The two-level 15,000-square-foot nightclub and restaurant will fill the location previously occupied by Trader Vic's and boasts one of the Strip’s best outside eating and drinking locations.

New Peeps: Also at Planet Hollywood, the next lead in the revolving-door cast of its production Peepshow has been announced. Aubrey O’Day will join the cast in September. O’Day replaces Shoshana Bean, who replaced Mel B earlier this year. She’ll co-start with Holly Madison, who replaced Kelly Monaco (unless, of course, Madison is replaced before then).

CSI Coming: “CSI: The Experience,” an interactive touring exhibit based on the popular CBS television series, will take up residence at the MGM Grand this summer. The attraction gives guests the opportunity to play the role of a crime-scene investigator with the help of two state-of-the-art crime labs. Prices have not been announced.

Question: Has a woman ever made the World Series of Poker main event’s final table?

Answer: Yes, but only once. Barbara Enright made the final nine and finished fifth in 1995. Annie Duke (of “Celebrity Apprentice” fame), Barbara Samuelson, and Susie Isaacs came close, all finishing 10^th. And this year’s best showing by a lady was the 27^th-place finish of Spaniard Leo Margets.

The Real Deal: Viva Las Vegas

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:59:00 -0800

LasVegasAdvisor.com publisher Anthony Curtis is quoted in the May/June, 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Last year’s casino-building boom climaxed just as the economy went into a tailspin. The result? Hotel occupancy is down and touted hotel expansions are on hold. It’s a good time to cash in.

Coupon Clippers: “People are spending less, and a lot of casinos are going back to discounting,” says Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, which offers good members-only discounts. Of myriad free handout publications, Today in Las Vegas “is the most coupon-rich,” says Bob Sehlinger, author of The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2008. But many individual operators are posting excellent deals on their own websites.

Poker elite honor Doyle Brunson

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:03:00 -0800

July 9, 2009

Blogger Richard Abowitz quotes publisher Anthony Curtis in his latest entry for The Movable Buffet: Dispatches from Las Vegas.

Brunson will always be remembered for being one of its all-time great players. According to Las Vegas gambling expert Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor, Brunson had as much as anyone to do with the changed fortunes of poker. “More than any single figure,” Curtis notes, “Brunson bridged poker’s past to its present. ‘Super System’ was probably the most influential book in constantly attracting new players.” And, as a player, Curtis does not count Brunson out even now. “He’s always commanded the respect of even the newest and brashest on the scene, which is a testimony to the fact that, on top of having seen it all, he’s also extraordinarily skilled. Truth is, if he couldn't play, they'd ignore him.” Yeah, gamblers are cold that way.

(Click the link to read the entire article, a tribute to poker Legend Doyle Brunson, who's celebrating his 40th year playing in the World Series of Poker .)

World Series of Poker Draws a Crowd

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:49:00 -0800

July 8, 2009

A total of 6,494 players paid the $10,000 buy-in to play this year’s World Series of Poker main event. That's below last year's 6,844, but this year could have been much higher if several hundred players hadn’t waited till the final day to enter. Between 500 and 800 players were reportedly shut out when the field reached capacity on the fourth day of the first round. The prize pool for the tournament is $61,043,600 and the first prize will be $8.55 million. A total of 648 players will win something and all nine at the final table are guaranteed at least $1.26 million.

Burger Joint: A new restaurant called Burger Joint has opened at the Flamingo. The menu has a big selection, including salmon, buffalo, chicken, turkey, veggie, and design-your-own traditional-style burgers.

Stuffed: Downtown’s Plaza has opened a new buffet called "Stuffed." Breakfast and lunch are $7.77 and dinner is $12.99-$15.99.

Keno Comeback: A new keno lounge has opened at the downtown Vegas Club. It’s newsworthy, given the trend toward closing live keno rooms throughout Las Vegas. The new lounge is open from noon until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Club Pass: In a happy-hour deal of sorts, the Palms is offering a four-in-one ticket to Moon, Rain, Ghostbar, and the Playboy Club. The cost is $20 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. These all-entry passes are available at the door, at the Palms' website, and at its Stuff Store.

Question: What’s the deal on the one-price all-day buffets? Who has them?

Answer: Someone at Excalibur thought it up, tried it, and it worked. Now here they come (how do you think shrimp cocktails got started?). Currently, you can find all-day buffets, where you pay a single price and can eat all three meals, at Palace Station ($20), Stratosphere ($20/$25), Orleans ($21-$25), Excalibur ($25), MGM Grand ($30), and Luxor ($30).

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.

Sizzling summer deals can be found at Las Vegas hotels

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:26:00 -0800

July 2, 2009

The Las Vegas Advisor's survey of hotel room rates found dozens of properties offering rooms for less than $50, including both Bally's and Harrah's. "I never expected it to come in this low," said Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor. "It's an amazing time right now." Last year, one hotel offers rooms for less than $20, while this year, on certain nights, visitors have 16 options for such a deal.

The AGA, lobbying arm of the U.S. gaming industry, also picked up on our July room-rate survey and featured it in their daily email news blast today:

Las Vegas hotel rates are on a losing streak

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:29:00 -0800

July 2, 2009

By Kitty Bean Yancey

How low can they go?

Hotel rates in Las Vegas — as elsewhere — have been on a losing streak. But summer deals in Sin City couldn't be more sizzling.

The Las Vegas Advisor's annual July survey of room rates at 84 Vegas-area casino hotels found 65 with rates below $50, vs. 47 last July before the economic meltdown...

Click here to read the complete article.

Top Las Vegas Magician Signs on for More

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:16:00 -0800

July 1, 2009

One of the first big entertainment announcements in this column 13 years ago was the signing of Las Vegas magician extraordinaire, Lance Burton, to an unprecedented 13-year contract at the then just-opened Monte Carlo. Lately, speculation has been rife that, despite continuing to be one of Las Vegas’ top acts, Burton wouldn’t renew his contract. The speculation was wrong, as Burton’s reign in the Lance Burton Theater has been extended by six years, meaning he'll be performing at the Monte Carlo through 2015, pushing his gig to a full 19 years at the same Strip venue.

Shark Diving: Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef attraction is introducing a new program for guests of the casino or sister property THEhotel. Certified divers aged 18+ will soon be able to dive side-by-side with more than 30 sharks housed at the Reef. The price for the four-hour experience has not yet been set.

HORSE: The world’s second-most-prestigious poker tournament, the $50,000-buy-in HORSE event at the World Series of Poker, was won by David Bach, who collected almost $1.3 million for his effort. The tournament set a record for the longest-running final table: a 20-hour marathon. “HORSE” is an acronym for the five games played in the tournament: hold ’em, Omaha 8 or better, razz, 7-card stud, and 7-card stud eight-or-better. The most prestigious tournament, the $10,000-buy-in WSOP main event, begins this week.

Robo-Poker Gone: An automated-poker-table system that had been in use at the Excalibur has been removed. All the games are again being dealt by live dealers.

Question: Is CityCenter opening this year, or has it also been stalled?

Answer: CityCenter will open in stages, with a big section scheduled to debut this year. As of now, reservations are being taken at two of the hotels: Vdara beginning October 1, and Aria beginning December 16.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.

The Movable Buffet: Dispatches from Las Vegas

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:35:00 -0800

July 1, 2009

Los Angeles Times blogger Richard Abowitz highlights LasVegasAdvisor.com's biz blog as one of his faves:

"This blog has been honored with two recent mentions in the news. One of my favorite blogs is David McKee's Stiffs & Georges. His focus is on the big picture of casino operations, and I was pleased the Buffet was named by him one of the essential Vegas blogs. Check out his entire list, and be sure to read his blog if you care at all about who is winning your money at the top of the food chain and what they are doing with it (these days, stay one step ahead of debt, mostly). "

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Las Vegas On Sale

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:03:00 -0800

June 24, 2009

You may have heard that room rates are low in Las Vegas, but you might be surprised just how low they can go. A survey of rates conducted last week turned up extraordinary values, including 60 hotel-casinos with room rates below $50, compared to only 42 in the same survey last year. The least expensive rooms were found at Binion’s, Boulder Station, El Cortez, Fiesta Rancho, Four Queens, Gold Spike, Golden Gate, Hooters, Palace Station, Plaza, Sahara, Sam’s Town, Terrible’s, Texas Station, Vegas Club, and Wild Wild West, all of which came in at less than $20. Yes, less than $20! Rates change quickly and these are base prices that may be subject to any combination of taxes, booking charges, and resort fees, but they’re an excellent place to start if you’re trying to track down great room deals this summer. The entire list, along with tips for finding these rates, can be viewed at the website listed at the end of this column.

High-Enders: The summer brings good deals at the elite resorts too. The following represent the best prices found at the upscale casinos: New York-New York $53, Palms $55, JW Marriott $59, Paris $64, MGM Grand $66, Planet Hollywood $71, Green Valley Ranch $75, Mirage $79, Westin Casuarina $79, Caesars $96, Mandalay Bay $96, THEhotel $110, Venetian $110, and Bellagio $112.

Daydream: M Resort’s Daydream Pool Club will become the permanent summer home to Wet Grooves, America's #1 touring pool party. Famous for its annual marathon parties at the Winter Music Conference in South Beach Miami, Wet Grooves’ DJs, live acts, guest hosts, drink specials, contests, and "decorative themed props" will take over Daydream every Friday. No word yet on ticket prices.

Question: What’s the status on Lance Burton at Monte Carlo? Is he gone or on vacation?

Answer: It hasn’t been decided. The master magician was injured last month and had to cancel several shows. However, his 13-year contract with the resort expired during his absence and has not yet been renewed. For now, Burton is not performing at Monte Carlo, but that’s not officially permanent.

Work Halted on Another Las Vegas Megaresort

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:56:00 -0800

June 10, 2009

Construction has officially stopped at Fontainebleau, the north-Strip megaresort that’s embroiled in a dispute with its lenders and recently had its CEO resign. Slightly more than two-thirds finished and towering above the Strip, it was scheduled for an October opening. F’Bleau follows in the footsteps of the Cosmopolitan and Echelon Place, both of which were stopped in mid-construction, along with several Strip casino and condo projects that never got off the drawing board, due to the economic hard times.

Cheap Drinks: From 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays in June, all drinks at all bars at South Point are $1. It’s a good way to get a fast start on the weekend.

Cheap Trick: The rock band Cheap Trick has been signed for a September residency at the Las Vegas Hilton. Backed by a live orchestra, they’ll perform Sgt. Pepper Live. Show dates are September 13-15, 17-19, and 21-23, and tickets are priced at $65, $80, and $90.

Cheap Stunt: To promote the debut of Holly Madison as the new lead of its production Peepshow, Planet Hollywood blocked out the “wood” in its sign so it read “Planet Holly.” OK, not so cheap a stunt! Madison takes the stage for the first time on June 22.

Brewpub Closing: The long-running Brewpub at Monte Carlo will close July 12. It’s not a surprise, since the Brewpub actually stopped brewing back in '06, when the CityCenter project took over the land that housed the former brewery. Still, it’s been a popular venue since the day it opened along with the rest of the resort.

Question: How has the economy affected attendance at this year’s World Series of Poker?

Answer: Once again, poker has proven impervious to these difficult times. The WSOP's "Stimulus Special" tournament (with a lower-than-normal $1,000 buy-in) sold-out, drawing 6,012 players. It was the fourth largest field of all time, trailing only the main events in 2006 (8,773 players), 2008 (6,844) and 2007 (6,358). The winner was 24-year-old Steven Sung, who pocketed $771,106.

(Anthony Curtis weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.)

Topless Vegas

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:11:00 -0800

June 16, 2009

For the third time, Thrillist has picked one of our products or features to star in their weekly "best of Vegas" email blast. Here's what the had to say about Topless Vegas:

"If you buy one e-book this year, it clearly must be Arnold Snyder's Topless Vegas, a staggering breakdown of Sin City's entire naked scene: 41 establishments rated for excellence or lack thereof, plus info on rules, etiquette, and the procurement of a 'Monday Night Football Titty Blizzard'.

For the rest of the feature and Thrillist's interview with author Arnold Snyder, click here.

Afternoon Gridlock

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:04:00 -0800

June 3, 2009

Anthony Curtis was the special guest on Las Vegas' acclaimed "Afternoon Gridlock" radio talkshow today with Mitch Moss and Seat Williams (ESPN Radio, AM 1100), sharing his gambling-strategy expertise and talking about how Vegas has changed from a gambler's point of view since he fist arrived here 30 years ago.

Big Changes for Iconic Las Vegas Casino

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:31:00 -0800

June 10, 2009

A return of the Tropicana to Strip prominence has been promised by its new owners, who take the reins of the former “Tiffany of the Strip” on July 1^st. Near-term plans include adding two restaurants and building a bar in the middle of the casino, renovating the sports book and opening a poker room, and redoing the pedestrian bridges from the Strip and Tropicana Avenue so they flow directly into the casino. Longer-term plans call for remodeling the hotel rooms, convention area, pools, and Tiffany Theater. The Trop had been scheduled for a possible demolition and makeover two years ago, before the economy halted those plans.

Vic’s Vacates: Just north of the Tropicana, the Trader Vic's restaurant at Planet Hollywood will close later this month. No plans have been announced for the space, which includes a patio with one of the town’s Strip-side views.

Halfsteak: Craftsteak, the celebrated steakhouse at MGM Grand, has introduced a new menu featuring smaller portions for half the price. Steak items start at $19, but what’s amazing about this restaurant is its vegetable list—perhaps the most extensive you’ll ever encounter at a meat-and-potatoes restaurant.

Downtown Breakfast: The Omelet House, a local non-casino institution, will open location in downtown’s Plaza Casino next week. Famous for its zucchini sticks and big breakfasts, hours will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Gans Death: Five weeks after the sudden death of Strip star Danny Gans, the cause of his demise has been ruled accidental. Gans died from toxicity produced from painkillers that was heightened by pre-existing health issues.

Question: Was there recently another casino fire? Where? And what was the extent of it?

Answer: Not in an operating casino, but you’re likely referring to the vacant Moulin Rouge, which was the scene of a four-alarm fire in May. It was the third fire there in six years and may have finally marked the end of efforts to reopen the casino, famous for being the first integrated (for guests) gambling hall in Las Vegas.

(Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media.)

Las Vegas Pools Start Party Season

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:12:00 -0800

June 4, 2009

Want to go to a pool party? You can every day of the week in Las Vegas, whether you’re staying at the sponsoring casino or not. As part of the morphing from just plain pools to all-day party destinations, several casinos have opened their complexes to the public (usually for a fee). Here’s the list. Open parties run every day of the week at Green Valley Ranch, Las Vegas Hilton, and Red Rock Resort. On Monday parties are also held at the Flamingo and Hard Rock; Thursdays at the Mirage; Fridays at the Palms and Palazzo; Saturdays at Palazzo; and Sundays at the Hard Rock, MGM Grand, Mirage, Venetian, and Palazzo. Many of these are held at specific pools—e.g., the Mirage parties are at BARE Pool—so call ahead to get the details.

Free for All: In an interesting experiment, the Tropicana pool is open to everyone with no fee for admission all summer long. It’s a great offer from a place that’s been known for years for its lush pool area, but although this has been verified, you should still call ahead to make sure the offer hasn’t been rescinded.

Charo to Riv: Sitcom actress, singer, and primo guitarist Charo will perform at the Riviera beginning July 10. While it appears that the intention is for this to be a permanent show, that hasn’t been confirmed. However, current plans call for a Wed.-Mon. schedule; ticket prices are $62.45, $75, and $85.

Question: I’ve read here that several Broadway shows have failed in Las Vegas, yet you wrote last week that The Lion King has just opened at Mandalay Bay. Is Broadway in Vegas in or out?

Answer: In more than out. The Lion King has opened to terrific reviews, joining Strip mainstays Phantom at Venetian and Jersey Boys at Palazzo. Plus, work is about to begin on a $245 million events complex located between the Strip and downtown, planned for a 2012 debut, that’s expected to bring in additional Broadway shows, along with symphony, opera, and other similar productions.

It's Poker Time in Las Vegas

Wed, 27 May 2009 19:04:00 -0800

May 27, 2009

The biggest gambling event in the universe, the World Series of Poker (WSOP), begins this weekend at the Rio in Las Vegas and runs through to the $10,000-buy-in no-limit Texas hold ’em championship event on July 3. The public is welcome to watch the action; however, the main-event champion won’t be determined until November. In honor of the tournament’s 40^th anniversary, a special $40,000-buy-in tournament will be held this weekend; the prestigious $50,000-buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event kicks off June 26.

More Poker: This year, parallel tournaments will be held at Binion’s, the Venetian, and Caesars Palace, each with events running every day in June. These tournaments have much lower buy-ins than the WSOP (in which the buy-ins are $1,000 and above). The Venetian and Caesars buy-ins are in the $330-$550 range, while the Binion’s buy-ins are $100-$300.

Wine Play: Every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mirage, bottles of wine can be purchased at 50% off the regular price at Onda Wine Lounge, Kokomo’s, Samba, Caribe Café, and Cravings.

Downtown Concerts: If you’re visiting next weekend, head downtown for a free concert by Rare Earth and Bill Haley’s Comets. The Fremont Street Experience is running several free concerts this summer, with acts that include Jefferson Starship, the Fifth Dimension, and Canned Heat.

Question: Do you have the wheres and what-fors concerning a record-setting dice session of late?

Answer: It wasn’t in Las Vegas, but at the Borgata in Atlantic City where a New Jersey woman held the dice for 4 hours and 18 minutes at craps. She played without losing for a total of 154 rolls. It was an unofficial record, breaking the mark of the previous longest roll set by Stanley "Golden Arm" Fujitake, who held the dice for 3 hours and 6 minutes and 118 rolls in 1989 at Las Vegas’ California Casino.

Big Slot Jackpot Had Help

Fri, 22 May 2009 16:52:00 -0800

May 20, 2009

Nevada’s recently hit Megabucks jackpot was the second-largest in the system’s history, but it left a lot of questions in the minds of players who monitor Megabucks closely. Specifically, how did the total climb from $19 million to more than $30 million in a week? In reality, the jump took place in a day, when International Game Technology (IGT) decided to retire its Penny Megabucks system and combine the two jackpots. Adding the money from the penny game to the dollar progressive resulted in an instant jump to $31 million, which grew to $33,000,563 before it was hit at Terrible’s Rail City in Sparks, Nev. (the record remains the $39.7 million bonanza hit at Excalibur six years ago).

ECan Buffet: Las Vegas’ newest buffet is Cannery Row at Eastside Cannery. After opening with an all-you-can-eat buffet hybrid, ECan has switched to a traditional smorgy with low pricing: $8.99 for lunch and $11.99 for dinner (except for the $17.99 Wed. seafood night).

Bellagio Summer: The new summer display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features cold-air balloons, a spectacular 42-foot-high Ferris wheel, an aviary with lorikeets and parakeets, and patriotic displays of the Stars and Stripes. The display is open to the public all day every day.

New Lead: It will be a Madison-for-Monaco trade at Las Vegas’ newest skin revue, Peepshow. Holly Madison, formerly of the TV show “The Girls Next Door,” will take over in June for Kelly Monaco as the lead in the Planet Hollywood show. It figures to be an interesting transition—Madison had a less-than-stellar turn on “Dancing With the Stars,” while Monaco is a “DWTS” winner.

Question: Is there any rule that dictates whether the player’s cards in blackjack are dealt face down or up?

Answer: No, the individual casinos decide. However, the rule of thumb is that single decks are dealt down, four decks or more are dealt up, and double decks are dealt both ways.

(Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.)

Las Vegas Numbers Show Improvement

Fri, 22 May 2009 16:49:00 -0800

May 13, 2009

While Las Vegas continues to be hit hard by the financial contraction, the most recent reporting numbers provide reason for at least a smidgeon of optimism. Although an 11.6% decline in gambling win in March was Nevada’s 15^th consecutive monthly downtick, the magnitude of the drop was the lowest since September of last year. It’s a weak signal taken alone, but March also produced the smallest drop in Las Vegas visitor volume in seven months. Analysts are crediting the ongoing discounting of rooms for the improved visitation, a trend that should remain intact with the traditional summer discounting season about to begin.

All-Day Buffets: Three more casinos have joined Excalibur in offering day passes to their buffets. At MGM Grand, you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for $29.99 weekdays and $39.99 on weekends. At Stratosphere, it’s unlimited access for $19.99 every day except Friday, when it’s $24.99. And at Luxor, it’s $35 and includes wine and beer.

Wynn’s Beard: Paul Bartolotta, executive chef at Wynn Las Vegas’ Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, has won the prestigious James Beard award for “Best Chef: Southwest.” The restaurant sells its fish by the gram.

Healthy Hour: Loews Lake Las Vegas has a “Spa Happy Hour,” when treatments costing $90-$130 are sold for $75. The deal is offered all day Sunday through Thursday.

Question: Have you ever heard of a gambling movie called Yonkers Joe? I’ve been told it’s a superb gambling flick, but I haven’t seen it in theaters.

Answer: Yonkers Joe is one of the best technical gambling movies to come out in years, as it was made by Las Vegas filmmakers with strong ties to the professional-gambling world. Because of its independent status, it didn’t have wide distribution, but it comes out on DVD this month and is listed as available on Netflix when it does, so you can track it down.

(Anthony Curtis weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.)

Always Bet on Black and White

Thu, 07 May 2009 17:25:00 -0800

May 7, 2009

"This was an amazing story.” Anthony Curtis is pumped as he relates something he reported last week in his Las Vegas Advisor consumer newsletter, a bible to gamblers both in Las Vegas and across the globe.

Click here to continue reading.

(Anthony Curtis, publisher and CEO of Huntington Press and the Las Vegas Advisor, is the subject of this week's cover feature in the Las Vegas Weekly, penned by Vegas writer and LA Times blogger Richard Abowitz.)

Las Vegas Mega-Project Back on Track

Thu, 07 May 2009 16:45:00 -0800

May 6, 2009

After several months of uncertainty, MGM Mirage’s massive CityCenter project has secured the funding it needs to open as originally planned, by the end of this year. After making peace with its partners in Dubai and securing a needed $1.8 billion in financing, CityCenter is now fully funded and on track to open in December 2009. With doubts surfacing about the planned October opening of Fontainebleau, CityCenter now appears to be the odds-on favorite to be Las Vegas’ next resort opening.

French Toast: Or make that a chocolate-bacon waffle with warm maple syrup. Paris Las Vegas’ Mon Ami Gabi has initiated breakfast service, from 7 to 11 a.m. daily. Along with the good food, the restaurant features one of Las Vegas’ best Strip-sidewalk dining areas.

19ers: Downtown’s Golden Gate has been running a consistent $19-per-night room rate, even on weekends. The rooms are smallish, but recently renovated, making this a great bargain play. The casino also serves great food, including the city’s best shrimp cocktail for 99¢.

99ers: Also downtown, the spruced-up Western casino has added a nine-item 99¢ menu in the coffee shop, including a cheese quesadilla, two hamburger sliders, and a baked potato with the works. Drink specials in May are Corona in the bottle for $1.50 and Corona and a shot of Sauza Gold tequila for $2.50.

Gans Gone: Sadly, the great Strip singer-impressionist Danny Gans passed away last week. His unexpected death of a so-far unknown cause leaves the Encore showroom empty and Las Vegas mourning one of its all-time showroom legends.

Question: It seems like I’ve been reading this column for years. How long have you written it?

Answer: This question was held till this week for a reason: It marks the completion of 13 years of consecutive weekly submissions. Las Vegas might be the only city in the world that could provide that much to write about on a weekly basis. Cool!

Las Vegas Fontainebleau Latest to Feel Sting

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:42:00 -0800

April 29, 2009

The shoe may have finally dropped for the one Las Vegas megaproject that had so far dodged the slings and arrows of an outrageous economy. The $3.2 billion Fontainebleau condo-hotel-casino complex has come under pressure from its lenders and may face a fight in obtaining the remainder of its financing. The problem is in the “condo” part of the equation. Casino-based residential offerings have been particularly susceptible to the downturn and that’s put a crimp in F’bleau’s plans. While there appears to be little concern that the project faces a prolonged postponement, it now seems possible that a planned October debut will be delayed (though the company still denies it).

Lion King Opens: The Lion King opens at Mandalay Bay for preview performances May 5-14; ticket prices for the previews (and after) are $63-$168.50.

Passport: New York-New York offers a package called “Passport to the Big Apple” for $25 that includes a drink at Nine Fine Irishmen, Pour 24, the Center Bar, and the Bar at Times Square, plus a roller coaster ride and a line pass and admission to the nightclub Rok Vegas.

Eat All Day: Two more casinos have added a one-price multiple-meals option to their buffets. At MGM Grand, you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for $29.99, a whopping $28 off the rack rate for all three. At Stratosphere, it’s unlimited access for $19.99 every day except Friday, when it’s $24.99. That’s a $21 saving on three meals.

Question: Last week you wrote that a dozen Las Vegas pools allow topless sunbathing. Quit holding out. Which?

Answer: Here they are: Caesars Palace (Venus), Encore, Flamingo (GO), Golden Nugget, GVR (Pond), MBay (Moorea Beach), Mirage (BARE), Red Rock (Cherry Cabana Club), Rio (Sapphire), Stratosphere (Beach Club 25), Venetian (Tao Beach), Wynn (Sunset). Only Encore and Wynn are restricted to hotel guests only.

For more information on these and all of Las Vegas' other Cool Pools, just click the link. And don't forget to sign up for our new Topless Vegas Twitter feed! The Topless Vegas guide book will be released imminently ...

Annie Duke: Games beat reality

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:08:00 -0800

April 28, 2009

("Movable Buffet" blogger Richard Abowitz references Anthony Curtis and the feature he's currently writing about him in relation to Annie Duke's game-playing strategy on "Celebrity Apprentice.")

I don't usually watch television, and so I missed Sunday's moment when Melissa Rivers called poker player Annie Duke "a whore pit viper." Her mother, Joan Rivers, then apparently used shameful comparisons to those who commit genocide to equate her daughter's losing a game show meant to raise money for charity to a professional poker player...

...So how do I know this?

First, I am reporting and writing a feature for Las Vegas Weekly on Anthony Curtis, the owner of the gamblers' consumer newsletter Las Vegas Advisor as well as the publisher of Huntington Press [which has a title by Annie Duke in the works].

To read the complete article, click here.

"Day Life" Begins at Las Vegas Pools

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0800

April 22, 2009

It's not just a fad. The extension of Las Vegas' vibrant nightclub/nightlife scene to the casino pools that has picked up steam over the past few years is already underway for the summer of 2009. The phenomenon—christened "Day Life"—is now one of the city's hottest entertainment elements. The season officially begins on Memorial Day weekend, but several of the bigger venues have already opened, including the Hard Rock Beach Club, MGM Grand's Wet Republic, the Venetian's Tao Beach, Mandalay Bay's Moorea Pool, and the new Daydream Pool Club at M—all accessible to the public (though there's usually a fee to enter). Among the 30 or so casino pools that offer some type of nightclub element, almost a dozen now allow topless sunbathing.

Summer Sirens: Summer hours are in progress for the "Sirens of TI”"pirate show at Treasure Island. Weather permitting, the shows run nightly at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 p.m. It's free to view.

Elton Done: After a run of more than 250 shows, Elton John has concluded his "Red Piano" show in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. No replacement for Elton has been announced.

Trop Adds Shows: Following the closing of Folies Bergère, the Tropicana has added two new shows: Soprano's Last Supper and Hypnosis Unleashed. Both have ticket prices below $60.

Question: I've noticed casino coffee shops being replaced with chain restaurants. What's the strategy?

Answer: The main conversions have been T.G.I. Friday’s outlets showing up at Gold Coast, Orleans, and Sam’s Town, and Denny’s restaurants replacing the cafes in the three Wildfire Casinos and the Wild Wild West (not yet open). It's a business strategy designed to reduce overhead in lean times, but it's also turning up some good deals for the customers, such as the Denny's Grand Slam breakfast being offered for just $1.99 around the clock.

For more information about the summer '09 pool season, visit our ever-expanding Cool Pools feature.

Shortcuts to Gambling Nirvana

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:59:00 -0800

No less than three LVA/Huntington Press authors/affiliates are featured in the June issue of Cigar Aficionado in an article sub-titled "Englighten your path to enlarged winnings at poker, sports, blackjack, and golf by gambling writer Michael Kaplan.

Kaplan talks about "easy" steps players can take to get an edge in gambling. Kill Phil author Blair Rodman discusses the all-in move for poker tournaments, Knock-Out Blackjack author Olaf Vancura explains a simple version of the K-O count, and Fezzik (who'll be returning to the LVA stable soon) promotes line-shopping in sports betting.

Poker Delay to Remain Intact

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:36:00 -0800

April 15, 2009

Harrah’s must have been happy with the results of delaying the final table of last year’s World Series of Poker main event, because they’re doing it again. This year’s main event will begin on July 3 and reach the final nine players on July 15. At that point, play will cease for four months, before the finalists reconvene on November 7 to determine the champion (on the 10^th). This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the WSOP. Play will begin May 27 and there will be a special $40,000-buy-in no-limit hold ’em event to celebrate the milestone.

Skeelz: While on the subject of poker, the skills and gamesmanship that define the game’s top players are on display every Sunday night by way of Annie Duke’s deep run on the TV show “Celebrity Apprentice.” Annie, considered one of the world’s best poker players, is still going strong, with the field that began at sixteen competitors now down to eight.

New Joint: After a two-month closure, the Joint at the Hard Rock reopened this weekend with concerts by the Killers and Paul McCartney. The casino has announced that it will aggressively seek big-name bands for its revamped live-music venue.

All-Day Dollar: Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, on the east side of Las Vegas, runs a 24/7 happy hour, with $1 beers at all bars.

Free Drinks: In a Las Vegas first, the new M Resort has three drink kiosks where you can get free juice, soft drinks, and water. You don’t have to be gambling to partake of the self-serve beverages.

Question: Which casino has Frank Sinatra’s Oscar on display?

Answer: Sinatra’s Oscar for From Here to Eternity is displayed in the restaurant Sinatra’s at Encore. The restaurant is pricey, but the statue—along with a Grammy and a gold record—is positioned at the front of the restaurant. All three awards can be viewed easily from the outside, even when the restaurant is closed.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

HP Author on ABCNews

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:28:00 -0800

April 8, 2008

A feature on Huntington Press author Matt O’Brien’s Beneath the Neon title appeared on ABCNews’ "World News Now" and "America This Morning" nationwide overnight newscasts this today. The item will also play prominently on ABCNews.com over the weekend, and possibly on additional newscasts as like “Nightline.”

The book is a narrative of the author's five year stint exploring the storm drains beneath Las Vegas. Armed only with a tape recorder and flashlight, he followed the footsteps of a psycho killer, braced against a raging flood, partied with naked crackheads, learned how to make meth, and discovered that art is most beautiful where it’s least expected...

Here's a link to the "City Secrets" video, in case you missed it

Las Vegas Numbers Remain Bleak

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:18:00 -0800

April 8, 2009

Nevada casinos continue to cope with double-digit decreases in year-over-year comparisons of key revenue and tourism numbers. The latest bleak gambling numbers are from February, showing an 18% drop statewide, which included a 23% decline on the Strip. February visitor counts were off 8% and hotel occupancy was down to just 84% of capacity. The poor figures continue to fuel bargain pricing, especially in room prices, which were down 23% from February 2008 rates.

Happy Hours: Another form of discounting is showing up in numerous happy hours around town, in casino and non-casino restaurants and bars. For example, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Japonais at the Mirage, you can get seven different appetizers for $7 each; LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock is selling beer for 75¢ with the purchase of an entree until April 15; and Stoney’s North Forty at Santa Fe Station offers free beer from 7:30 p.m. to midnight on Fridays (after you pay the $5 cover).

Aria Restaurants: Six new restaurants have been announced for the high-end Aria, scheduled to open this year in the new CityCenter complex. They are Masayoshi Takayama's Shaboo and Bar Masa, the Chicago restaurant Sage, Michael Mina's American Fish, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Sirio Maccioni's Sirio, and the eponymous Julian Serrano. Along with a group of five others named earlier this year, the Aria line-up is shaping up to be one of Las Vegas’ best.

Question: With the closing of Folies Bergere, how many old-time topless shows are there now in Las Vegas?

Answer: Jubilee! at Bally’s is now the only one of that ilk. However, eight shows in all currently feature topless dancers. The other seven are Crazy Horse Paris (MGM), Zumanity (NY-NY), Crazy Girls (Riviera), X Burlesque (Flamingo), Bite (Stratosphere), Fantasy (Luxor), and Peepshow (Planet Hollywood). Also, Sin City Kitties plays at Whiskey Pete’s in Primm and a sister show, Sin City Kittens, is poised to open at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Math tricky for show tickets

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:52:00 -0800

April 2, 2009

Repeat after me: Never, ever pay full price. Unless, of course, you get to meet Marie.

That's the basic message of an annual tally of show ticket prices conducted by the Las Vegas Advisor, a publication that sniffs out the best values in town with Consumer Reports-like intensity.

In the 18th annual attempt to crunch hard numbers, publisher Anthony Curtis finds the average show price has gone up again, by almost $6, to $76.18.

(LasVegasAdvisor.com's annual in-depth review of show-ticket prices is highlighted by Las Vegas Review-Journal entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford. Click here to read the rest of the article.)

Las Vegas Goes Dark

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:47:00 -0800

It was an eerie sight last Saturday night when the Las Vegas Strip shut off its lights at 8:30 in support of the worldwide observance of "Earth Hour." The hour-long "dark" period included almost all of the Strip casinos (Wynn, Encore, and Circus Circus were notable exceptions), as well as several off-Strip casinos. Perhaps the most pronounced effect of the blackout came when the lights came back on, as the magnitude of lighting in force every night on the Strip became abundantly evident.

Closed Book: And speaking of dark, Bally's has closed its race and sports book, pending a reopening prior to football season. Customers are being directed to the sports book at Paris.

Closing Kane's: In another surprise announcement, Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce nightclub at Mandalay Bay closed abruptly last week. MBay says a new bar and lounge will open in "late summer" to take its place.

Carlos in the House: In what's being called a "resident" gig, rock icon Carlos Santana will play a 20-month engagement at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that will result in about 35 dates per year. Supernatural Santana: A Trip opens May 27 and will cover 40 years of Santana's music; tickets are $79-$299.

Early-Bird Buffet: One of Las Vegas' best buffets, Cravings at the Mirage, has lowered its dinner price by $5 if you dine between 3 and 5 p.m. The $19.99 early-bird dinner buffet is available every day and qualifies as one of Las Vegas' best deals.

Question: Does Nevada have a lottery?

Answer: Believe it or not, lotteries are illegal in Nevada, due to a constitutional ban that's been in place since 1864. Lottery backers have brought up the issue for debate 27 times since 1975, including a recent effort that seems to have a chance of amending the Nevada Constitution. But even if it's approved, it couldn't get through the entire legalization process until 2013.

For video and slideshow images of Earth Hour in Las Vegas, check out the current Spotlight feature at lasvegasadvisor.com

Van Vechten Meets Zagat

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:03:00 -0800

Ken Van Vechten, author of Golf Las Vegas, is among the contributing editors of Zagat's America's Top Golf Courses, which hit shelves yesterday. Drawn from the experiences of over 6,000 golfers, the book rates and reviews 1,149 courses. A "Golf by Zagat" companion software is being simultaneously launched for iPod and iPhone users. Among all U.S. golf courses, Cascata received top marks in the "Facilities" category and was rated #2 for "Service" PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs got an honorable mention in the "Top Newcomers" division.

Las Vegas Show Prices Take Big Jump

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:50:00 -0800

The Las Vegas Advisor’s annual comparison of show prices in Las Vegas indicates that the average cost of a production-show ticket (touring headliners not considered) is now $76.18. That’s a big $5.97 increase over last year’s average, rendering show tickets about the only thing in Las Vegas that’s getting more expensive these days. The average price of an A-List show (which doesn’t include lower-priced afternoon shows and comedy clubs) is $80.06, which is $4.62 more than last year. The most expensive show ticket in town is $280.50, the “VIP” option for Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. The least expensive is $19.95 for magician Dixie Dooley at the Royal Resort. There are now 25 shows with a top ticket price of $100 or more (up from 21 last year).

Free Play: How do you combat the high prices? Seeking out discounts—such as half-price outlets in Las Vegas and magazine coupons—is one way. But taking advantage of the city’s many free-entertainment options is even better. One of the best is a new free show in the lounge at Texas Station, where Skip Martin, a former lead singer with Kool & the Gang, performs from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The first set is jazzy and instrumental, then the second delivers the hits you’ll remember. No charge! Great play!

Dinner Show: And here’s one more. Though it’s not a traditional dinner show, you can be entertained while you eat at the Las Vegas landmark, restaurant, the Marrakech. For $39.95, you get a six-course menu of Moroccan food (that you eat with your fingers) while belly dancers perform.

Question: I’m curious to know if statements from various politicians that Las Vegas is an inappropriate place to hold a convention in these tough times has affected business?

Answer: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that 340 Las Vegas trade events have been cancelled so far this year, costing the local economy more than $130 million in lost spending, including the loss of 111,800 guests and 236,700 room nights. Judge for yourself.

For more information about current Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.

Anthony Curtis' column is syndicated weekly to all the above publications

Curtis on nationwide sports betting

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:29:00 -0800

Anthony Curtis is quoted in an Associated Press story today. It concerns a lawsuit filed by a New Jersey lawmaker that seeks to roll back the federal prohibition on sports betting, because it exempts four states (including Nevada) and is therefore discriminatory. Should the federal law be overturned, Curtis sees little threat to Las Vegas. "If anything, it would probably be positive. I wouldn't sweat it," he says.

Curtis, direct to your iPod

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:46:00 -0800

Anthony Curtis' Friday appearance on KNPR-FM's State of Nevada is now available online, either in streaming audio (requires Quicktime) or as an MP3 download. Curtis discusses how the recession has affected slot and video poker paytables. A hint: It's not "for the better."

Zender on casino (in)security

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:05:00 -0800

Casino-ology author Bill Zender was quoted in a Sunday Las Vegas Review-Journal story on casino security measures. The piece, by Benjamin Spillman, dealt with the legal penumbra which clouds the issue of whether casino patrons are allowed to take photographs on the casino floor. The impetus of the feature was the forcible detention of a soft-spoken poker player after he snapped a photo of a mural at Cannery Casino, in North Las Vegas. Taking that one picture got him banned from the property. Zender, recalling his tenure as one of the owners of the old Aladdin (1992-7), said, "I like people taking pictures of my casino so they can show their friends. It is free advertising."

"High-end foreclosure inventory shrinking"

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:35:00 -0800

LVA real estate blogger Robin Camacho was quoted at length in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Business Matters" blog last Friday. She says the inventory of foreclosed homes is drying up ... at least in the $1 million-plus range. Even at 70 cents on the dollar, they're harder to find. It's the opposite case for homes in the $250K-$300K range, which are being foreclosed faster than they're being sold. And when they're resold, it's often at 30 cents on the dollar. At those prices, bankers are disinclined to discount further, except in the case of cash purchases and older, distressed homes.

Big Las Vegas Deal Hits the Skids

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:32:00 -0800

The big $1.75 million deal that was to put Las Vegas’ Cannery and Eastside Cannery casinos in the hands of Australian media king James Packer has been scuttled, though it’s not necessarily finished. Packer’s Crown Ltd. didn’t meet specified conditions of the deal, but has indicated it may still go through with the acquisition on an extended timetable (up to two years). Crown also had plans fall through earlier this year for a 1,064-foot tower and casino on the Strip. Meanwhile, the “Can” and “ECan” will continue to operate as they have since opening, which is a good thing for consumers—these are two of the best value-oriented operations in Las Vegas.

Fabulous Fator: The critics are raving about the new Terry Fator show at the Mirage, and rightfully so. Fator is reminiscent of impressionist Danny Gans, when Gans burst onto the scene more than a decade ago. Ticket prices are $59-$125.

Comedy Stopped: After 18 years, the Tropicana has declined to renew its contract with the "Comedy Stop." The club will reportedly relocate.

Madness: The annual March Madness frenzy is on. While last week’s opening rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament drew the biggest crowds, the next couple weeks through to the Final Four and Final will also be big in the casinos, with sports books televising all the games and supporting them with promotions and food and drink specials. Three casinos that hold big March Madness parties are the Las Vegas Hilton, the Orleans, and South Point.

Question: Is it warm enough to get in the pool? When does the big pool season start?

Answer: With temperatures in the 70s, it’s warm enough to swim now (plus many of the big pools are heated). Las Vegas’ vaunted “Daylife” pool scene officially begins its season on Memorial Day weekend, but several of the bigger operations have already opened, including the Hard Rock Beach Club, MGM Grand's Wet Republic, and Mandalay Bay’s Moorea Pool (weekends only). Check out our “Cool Pools” feature for updates all season long.

Anthony Curtis' column is syndicated weekly to all the above publications

More Progress in Downtown Las Vegas

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:05:00 -0800

Despite tough times, downtown Las Vegas continues on a steady pace of casino upgrades. As mentioned a few weeks ago in this column, the formerly dilapidated Gold Spike casino has a whole new look and improvements are ongoing. Up the street at the Golden Nugget, it’s been announced that a $150 million 500-room tower will be completed on schedule and open in December; the 25-story tower will give the Nugget a total of 2,400 rooms. And a 47-story 1,000-room hotel and casino has been proposed for a 6.4-acre corner of the Union Park development, right behind the Plaza. If it’s built, it will be called Union Park.

Wicked Numbers: More evidence of the above-referenced tough times came with reports that the January casino win on the Strip plummeted by 15%, compared to the same month last year. It was the 13^th consecutive year-over-year decline. Additionally, following a decline in visitors in 2008, January visitation dropped a whopping 12%. The upside? The casinos have to discount and room rates are down 20% and more.

Enviable: The non-casino Envy Steakhouse, inside the Renaissance Hotel on Paradise Ave., has debuted a new Sunday brunch called “Mimosas & Music.” The brunch comes with unlimited mimosas, sparkling wine, and build-your-own Bloody Marys. It’s served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $25 and live music accompanies. This compares favorably in price with two other high-end brunches that debuted recently—Springs Preserve ($29) and Simon Brunch at Palms Place ($45).

Question: What’s the play for St. Paddy’s Day?

Answer: You’ve got plenty of options at several Irish-themed pubs in town. Here’s the list. The casino pubs include Jack’s (Palace Station), Brendan’s (Orleans), JC Wooloughan (Rampart), McFadden’s (Rio), Quinn’s (Green Valley Ranch), and Nine Fine Irishmen (NY-NY). Prominent non-casino pubs are Fado, McMullen’s, Three Angry Wives, and Hennessey’s. And the theme is casino-wide at Fitzgeralds downtown and at O’Shea’s on the Strip. For the full picture, check out the Special Events section at LasVegasAdvisor.com.

Anthony Curtis column is syndicated weekly to all the above publications.

Im Paradies, Untergeschoss (rough transl., "Paradise's Basement")

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:44:00 -0800

Huntington Press author Matt O'Brien's Beneath the Neon is garnering international attention, with a big feature in this week's issue of German publication Der Spiegel, one of Europe's largest magazines with a circulation of more than one million per week. For German readers, here's a link to the article (the rest of us must be content to enjoy the photo of Matt in a tunnel).

The story is apparently generating a lot of interest across the Pond and has already spawned at least one TV feature, with a crew from Germany heading over to investigate Las Vegas' storm drains and their secret inhabitants with Matt next month. We'll keep you posted.

In Las Vegas, a Break in the Real Estate Action

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:34:00 -0800

February 5, 2009

“I hear from a lot of people who are only familiar with the Strip, who think they want to live a few blocks off the Strip,” said Robin Camacho, a real estate agent who writes the House Advantage blog for the Las Vegas Advisor, a Web site aimed at visitors. Ms. Camacho, whose 27 sales in 2008 put her among the top sellers in the region, said all were foreclosed properties. “You’ve got to have an awful lot of money to not think twice to put down $1 million on a condo near the Strip,” she said, “and it also might not be worth it.”

(LasVegasAdvisor.com blogger Robin Camacho is quoted today by writer Steve Friess in his New York Times feature on the current state of the Las Vegas Real Estate market. To read the full article, click here. And check out Robin's unique guide to the Current Top 10 Las Vegas Real Estate Values.)

New Las Vegas Resort Draws Raves

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:17:00 -0800

M-azing is the consensus on Las Vegas’ latest casino, M Resort, which has proven an instant hit with early visitors for its design, layout, views, and even loose video poker schedules. But what stands out is affordability in the restaurants, including the spectacular Studio B Show Kitchen Buffet, priced $7.95 for breakfast, $10.95 for lunch, and $17.95 for dinner (with $2 off any meal if you have an M players card). Other M notables (“Motables”?) include the 32 Degrees Draft Bar with 96 beers on tap and the Hostile Grape wine cellar, with 120 wines served by the glass. M Resort is located off I-15 about nine miles south of the start of the Las Vegas Strip.

Prime Rib Poll: The results of LasVegasAdvisor.com’s survey of the best prime rib deal in Las Vegas are in. After almost 1,200 votes, the winner was the 24-hour king cut that comes with a draft micro-brew for $12.99 at Ellis Island (17% of the vote). Coming in second with 12% was the downtown California’s prime rib that comes with salad bar and cherries jubilee for $7.25. See all the results at the website.

All-Day Buffet: You can eat the buffet at Excalibur as often as you like in a day for $25. It would be a saving of $20 if you were to pay for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

VP Royalty: If you’re in town on March 13, you can meet the world’s premier video poker expert at the Eastside Cannery. Bob Dancer will be signing his new book, Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner, in ECan’s new 16^th-floor nightclub One Six from 5 to 8 pm. The event is free to the public.

Question: I watched the poker star Annie Duke on “Celebrity Apprentice” and she was impressive. How do you rate her chances?

Answer: Very high. Annie is a game-playing expert and “Apprentice” is a game. Plus, she has the right skill set to impress Donald Trump—she’s logical, analytical, and assertive (and she can muster a mean streak when necessary).

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

Las Vegas on Travel Channel

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:32:00 -0800

Saturday February 28, 2009

It's another Vegas marathon on Travel Channel this Saturday, including shows featuring our own Anthony Curtis, plus other LVA friends and associates. Here are the (local) times these old favorites will air:

"Vegas Revealed," 12 p.m.

"Las Vegas: Sucker Bets," 1 p.m.

"Las Vegas: Cheaters Beware!," 2 p.m.

"Vegas Cheaters Exposed," 3 p.m.

For complete listings of all the week's Las Vegas- and gambling-related TV shows and movies, don't forget to check out our unique customized Vegas TV feature.

M Resort Opens in Las Vegas

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:48:00 -0800

February 25, 2009

The billion-dollar 93-acre 390-room M Resort opens today (at 10 p.m.). With a 90,000-square-foot casino, nine restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa, and a two-acre pool area, M will serve the 500,000 people living within 10 miles of it, as well as the base of tourists willing to stay about four miles south of the south end of the Strip. Room rates will run $85-$200. Glass is the name of the design game at M, with picture windows and glass ceilings common to the lobby, porte cochere, restaurants, and rooms. Plans for a 1.3-million-square-foot shopping mall, a 14-plex movie theater, and a couple thousand more hotel rooms are on hold.

Hachi Hour: The Red Rock Japanese restaurant, Hachi, has unveiled a “38 under $8” menu. Several soups, skewers, hot dishes, tempura, sushi, and sashimi choices are available from $3 to $8 apiece (a must-try is the taste-explosive fluke tiradito for $4). And if you hook it up with “Hachi Hour,” Mon.-Fri. from 5 to 7 p.m., you can get Japanese beers for $2.50 and sake for $4.50.

King Delayed: After announcing a debut date of April 22, The Lion King at Mandalay Bay has pushed its opening back to May 5. A 10-day preview period will lead up to the official opening on May 15. Ticket go on sale March 14; they’ve been announced at $53-$168.50.

Poker Dates: The dates for this year’s World Series of Poker have been announced. The 40^th WSOP will convene at the Rio on May 27, with the World Championship set to begin on July 3. Similar to last year, the main event will play down to nine, then reconvene the final table November 7-10.

Question: Can you tell me about the iPhone program that counts cards?

Answer: It had to happen. An iPhone app that counts cards at blackjack has been developed. But don’t get too excited. The necessity to input the dealt cards as they’re played makes the app’s use at the tables nearly impossible from a practical point of view. And while card counting isn’t illegal, using a “device” to count cards is, so don’t. (For more on Anthony's expert take on this, click here to read the LasVegasAdvisor.com "Spotlight" feature on this controversy.)

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

In video poker, you've got to know what to hold

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:22:00 -0800

February 24, 2009

"In the fine poker novel “Shut Up and Deal,” author Jesse May describes a fictional writer of instructional books named Larry Sandtrap, who appears as a disembodied voice in the mind of the main character, Mickey...

"I’ve long considered Bob Dancer, the Las Vegas author and high-stakes professional gambler, a sort of Larry Sandtrap of the video poker world."

Click here to read the complete article.

(Huntington Press author Bob Dancer's new book, Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner, is profiled by Las Vegas Sun columnist Jeff Haney.)

Some wiseguys were killers while others really lived to kill

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:13:00 -0800

Columnist John L Smith continues his coverage of the Frank Cullotta story, in which interest has recently been rekindled due to the ex-Vegas mobster's role in helping to solve a three-decades old murder case in Illinois.

Jesus, don't ever unleash that bastard on me, whatever you do."

-- Tony Spilotro to Frank Cullotta about Larry Neumann

"Spilotro was suspected of many homicides, but was never convicted before his own murder in 1986. For his part, Cullotta knows plenty about killing, having admitted to the act himself prior to becoming a government witness in 1982...

"I posed a loaded question to Cullotta during an interview last week..."

(Click here to read the full article and interview with the co-author of Huntington Press' title, Culotta: The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness.)

Mobster's biographer scoops clueless Illinois detectives, fingers 1981 killer

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:59:00 -0800

Columnist John L. Smith writes in the Feb. 15, 2009 Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"Dennis Griffin admits he's no Shakespeare, just a retired New York health care fraud investigator who had a story to tell and caught the writing bug when he retired in 1994.

"Since then he's churned out 10 books, none of which will make you forget Hemingway or compare him to Steinbeck. But Griffin has done something none of those other mopes ever accomplished: He wrote a book, Cullotta: The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness, that's helping to solve a real-life murder mystery..."

(Click here to read the complete article.)

Las Vegas '08 Numbers Dismal

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:40:00 -0800

The numbers for gambling win and visitation in 2008 are in and the results bear out what most already knew—Las Vegas had a tough 2008. In fact, it was the worst ever in terms of year-over-year comparisons. Statewide, the gambling win was down 9.7% from 2007, only the third time in 53 years that the win has decreased and the biggest percentage drop ever. It was worse on the Las Vegas Strip, where the win was down 10.6%. More troubling was a 4.4% decline in visitation to Las Vegas; the total fell from 2007’s record 39.2 million to 37.5 million, the lowest number of visitors since 2004. Concerns about the trend continuing into 2009 were fueled by data indicating that the lion’s share of the declines occurred in the fourth quarter of last year.

Strike Force: One positive on the road to economic recovery is the five-month-long U.S. Bowling Congress Open Championships, which kicked off in Las Vegas last week. The tournament is being held on lanes recently constructed inside an exhibition hall in the North Las Vegas Cashman Field complex, which is where the Las Vegas 51s baseball team plays. The lanes will be torn down following the meet. The event is expected to draw 85,000 bowlers and 240,000 spectators.

Mmm!: Information has been released on the restaurant line-up for M Resort, which opens March 1. M will debut with nine restaurants, including Marinelli’s (Italian), Terzetto (steak & seafood with an oyster bar), Veloce Cibo (appetizers & sushi), Piazza Grille (Mediterranean), and a 24-hour coffee shop. There will also be a sports book deli, a bakery, the Studio B—Show Kitchen Buffet, and the Hostile Grape Wine Cellar, which will offer more than 120 wines by the glass. The restaurants have been designed with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor dining terraces to take advantage of M’s elevation and view of Las Vegas.

Question: With so many outstanding restaurants now located in Las Vegas, which is considered the best of the best?

Answer: Only one restaurant in Las Vegas has received the triple crown of eatery accolades—AAA 5 Stars, Mobil 5 Stars, and Michelin 3 Stars. It’s Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

Las Vegas Casino Spruces Up

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:43:00 -0800

No one believed it would happen, but the formerly dilapidated Gold Spike casino downtown has a whole new look. Cleaned up and featuring a new bar and restaurant, TVs throughout, and a pit area that brings live gaming back with two blackjack games and a roulette table, the Gold Spike is now downright respectable. And the improvements are ongoing. A new pizzeria is about to open and work has begun on renovations in the 110-room hotel.

Classic Closes: After 23-plus years on the Strip, the Riviera's La Cage female-impersonator show closed suddenly, the victim of falling attendance and the poor economy. Emcee and Las Vegas cult icon Frank Marino intends to seek out a headliner gig elsewhere on the Strip.

Joint Replacement: Another entertainment staple closed last week, but this one’s coming back. The Joint, Hard Rock’s rock ‘n’ roll venue that’s hosted some of the world’s most famous artists, closed after a performance by Mötley Crüe. The Joint will be expanded, renovated, and reopened in April with an inaugural concert by Paul McCartney.

New Cat: It’s a boy. A leopard cub named Java, who was actually born back in November, is the latest inhabitant of Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage. Java made his public debut last week. Visiting hours at the Garden are 11 a.m.. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12.

Prime Rib Poll: South Point? California? Gold Coast? Who serves Las Vegas’ best prime rib dinner? Vote for your favorite among these and more at LasVegasAdvisor.com. The winner will be announced in this column.

Question: What is the “Ono”?

Answer: The club XS at the just-opened Encore features a drink that blends Dom Perignon Enotheque Champagne and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac and comes with a choice of a men’s or women’s jewelry piece. It’s called the Ono, possibly describing what you say when you get the $10,000 tab.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

How do I love Scottsdale? Let me count the ways.

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:47:00 -0800

"My celebrity partner was ace starting pitcher Dan Haren of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and my other playing partners were “Traveling Joe,” aka Joe Passov, an editor at Golf Magazine, and Ken Van Vechten, author of Golf Las Vegas. How did one hard throwing MLB star and three crack golf writers fare against the best local players who turned up?" Click here to read the whole entry.

(Huntington Press author Ken Van Vechten referenced in the Tues., Feb 9 entry for Larry Olmsted's "The Golfer's World" blog.)

In hard times, you can bet on Vegas

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:11:00 -0800

A trip to Vegas might sound like a gamble, but deep discounts make it a better bet than it's been in years...

In the last decade, there has been a movement to make Las Vegas a high-end destination by inviting celebrity chefs and adding resorts and designer shopping, says Anthony Curtis, president of LasVegasAdvisor.com, a Web site following Las Vegas tourism. But, Curtis, who has tracked tourism in the city for the last 20 years, says the economy is changing that now.

Anthony Curtis is quoted in the Travel section of CNN.com today. Click here to read the whole article and Anthony's comments.

Super Bowl Draws Reduced Action

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:52:00 -0800

Not even sports’ biggest game is immune to economic market forces. This year’s “handle” (amount wagered) in Nevada sports books for the Super Bowl was $81.5 million, down 11.5% from last year and the lowest since 2004. But it wasn’t a bad thing for the books, which rebounded from a loss in last-year’s game (one of only two times the casinos lost money) to win a healthy $6.7 million, or 8.2% of the handle. The books won by virtue of the Steelers failing to cover the 6.5 pointspread, as Pittsburgh won 27-23. Winnings from the multitude of “proposition” bets also contributed.

No OT: Speaking of propositions, last week’s column pointed out that there has never been an overtime in a Super Bowl. The end of that streak was as close as it has ever been, until Pittsburgh scored a touchdown in the last 35 seconds, saving the no-OT bettors big money (read about another prop in the Q&A).

Folies Closing: The Tropicana’s iconic Folies Bergère will close after its March 28 performance, less than a year away from its 50th anniversary (it opened on Christmas Eve 1959). The producers say it’s the longest-running show in the United States.

Lion Opening: Tickets for Las Vegas’ next big attraction, "The Lion King” at Mandalay Bay, go on sale February 28. Tickets are $168.50, $113.50, $86, and $53. Previews start April 22 and run through May 1. The first 100 ticket buyers get a free copy of the original cast recording.

Question: There was a Super Bowl proposition on how long it would take for Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem. How did that turn out?

Answer: This is the second straight year that this prop was available, though only at online sports betting sites. The time at most sites was 2:04 and the anthem came in at 2:10, so the over For more information about current Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

Next Las Vegas Casino Releases Details

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:12:00 -0800

Opening day for M Resort, the billion-dollar 390-room hotel-casino located on 80 acres on the far southeast side of town, is on schedule for March 1. Innovative features at M include a gas station where players can redeem club points for gasoline and a full-service pharmacy. In-room amenities include Bose Wave sound systems, iPod docking stations, and 42-inch HD flat-screen TVs.

The restaurants, almost all of which have views of the city, will feature Italian, steak & seafood (with an oyster bar), sushi, Mediterranean, the Studio B Show Kitchen Buffet, and the Hostile Grape Wine Cellar. There will also be five bars.

Springs Brunch: The non-casino Springs Preserve is a 180-acre park in the middle of the city with a restaurant that’s affiliated with Wolfgang Puck. It’s just debuted a new Sunday spread with fresh salads and fruits, cheeses, Cajun peel-and-eat shrimp, shellfish Benedict, carved lamb and duck, and the best smoked fish you’ll find at any Las Vegas brunch. The dining room overlooks the expansive green of the Preserve and a jazz combo plays. At $28.95 ($12.50 ages 4-17), this rates as one of the town’s best Sunday brunch plays; hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Buffet Poll: As promised, here are the results of the best-buffet poll referenced in this column a few weeks ago. With more than 4,000 votes cast, the Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas barely nudged out the Buffet at Bellagio—524 votes to 511. Third was the Rio (405 votes), fourth was Planet Hollywood (302), and fifth was Paris (273). Of these, the least expensive for dinner is the Rio, $23.99.

Question: Can you convey a couple of the more interesting proposition bets for this weekend’s Super Bowl.

Answer: The most interesting from the online sports books is whether the number of songs played by Bruce Springsteen at halftime with be over or under 3.5. But here’s a classic game bet to sweat. The bet “no overtime” requires that you wager $13 to win $1. That $13 “lay price” doesn’t seem so bad when you consider that there’s never been an overtime in 42 prior Super Bowls.

Anthony Curtis' weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

Tower May Be Back in Las Vegas Mix

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:34:00 -0800

The Texas-based developer whose plans to build a 1,064-foot tower on the Strip were dashed when the land deal fell through is making another bid for the same land. Christopher Milam has entered an agreement to purchase the 27-acre site where Las Vegas’ water park, Wet ‘n’ Wild, was located. The $618 million price tag comes in just under $23 million per acre, which is a hefty premium over the original deal of roughly $18 million per. Whether or not the tower is still in the plans hasn’t been disclosed, but some version of a major megaresort is almost certainly earmarked for the parcel.

6,745-Room Hotel?: And if the tower doesn’t materialize, maybe this will. An Israeli developer has applied for use permits to build a four-tower 6,745-room hotel, casino and retail complex on 60 acres along Harmon Avenue west of the Hard Rock Hotel. The permits would give the group two years to begin construction. If the long shot comes in, it will create Las Vegas’ largest hotel.

New Prez Waxed: President Barack Obama’s wax likeness has joined four other U.S. presidents in the “Spirit of America” room at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas wax museum, just a few feet from the statue of George W. Bush. The likeness cost $300,000 and took three months to create; work began on the eight statues that will grace Tussaud museums worldwide as soon as Obama was elected.

Water Show: Las Vegas’ latest “free spectacle” has opened in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. It’s a choreographed water show, with fountains that shoot 50 feet into the air in tandem to music. The show plays four times a day, starting at 12:30 p.m. and repeating every two hours, until 6:30 p.m.

Question: How many video poker machines are there in Las Vegas?

Answer: The exact number is hard to determine, but according to the most recent counts, Las Vegas has roughly 30,000 video poker machines and 70,000 slot machines. Southern Nevada, which includes Primm, Mesquite, and Laughlin, has an estimated 46,000 video poker machines.

Anthony Curtis' column is syndicated on a weekly basis to all the above national media outlets.

Las Vegas, a Best Bet for Bargain Seekers

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:09:00 -0800

“You can stay at the Trump that was just built here for 99 bucks now,” said Anthony Curtis, the founder of LasVegasAdvisor.com, a booking site that tracks deals (and offers further discounts to its members, who pay $37 a year). “You can stay at Wynn Las Vegas for well under $200.”

LasVegasAdvisor.com publisher Anthony Curtis quoted in the Travel section of the New York Times (Jan. 11, 2009) that dubs Las Vegas the "frugal destination of the year." To read the entire article, click here.

Have they loosened the slots up so we can enjoy our gambling jaunts again?

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:34:00 -0800

Anthony Curtis is the expert consulted by "Mr Sun" in his Dec. 30, 2008 column in answer to the above question.

"Each casino uses different tactics to turn a profit, so it’s impossible to draw one conclusion about all slot machines in Southern Nevada. But if you’re painting the situation with a broad brush, Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, says there’s a convincing case to be made that slots are tighter than they were before the economic downturn."

To read Anthony's complete answer, click here.

Beneath the Neon

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:43:00 -0800

Another HP title profiled this week (Dec. 12, 2008)

Something you hopefully don't already know: underneath Vegas lies a maze of storm drains and tunnels where thousands of very low rollers make their home, a sub-city documented in photographs and text by the author as he follows the footsteps of murderers, dances with naked crack-heads, and learns how to make meth. Exactly how Gore Vidal got his start.

Make sure you have a flashlight before checking out BeneathTheNeon.com

Conquering mountains and Vegas expenses

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:49:00 -0800

Travel writer Kitty Bean Yancey relates her "Best Bargain" find of 2008, thanks to LVA's Anthony Curtis, in her latest blog entry (December 18, 2008).

Best bargain

I'm putting my money on Vegas. LasVegasAdvisor.com value maven Anthony Curtis taught me to parlay free membership in casino players' clubs into complimentary blackjack bets; a tasty 99-cent shrimp cocktail in a tulip-shaped sundae glass at the Golden Gate casino downtown; and a $6.99 sirloin dinner with big salad, baked potato, green beans and homemade root beer at locals-favorite Ellis Island casino...

Click here to read the whole entry and more of Kitty's best/worst '08 experiences.

Vegas bets on its ties to Mob: Museum to link crime and law

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:22:00 -0800

".. Former New York cop turned crime writer Dennis Griffin, author of The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law vs. the Mob, says Vegas was an "open city" -- no one family or organization controlled it. Cooperation was required, he says, because various families had a representative on the Teamsters union pension board, and its funds were a source of of money for new developments."

Huntington Press author Denny Griffin quoted in the December 18. 2008 issue of USA Today. Click here to read the entire article.

Las Vegas Shows Take a Break for Holidays

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:34:00 -0800

During December, many Las Vegas shows go “dark” to allow cast members to take extended holiday vacations. If you’re going to Las Vegas between now and New Year’s and have your heart set on seeing a particular show, make sure to check that there will be performances during your dates. The dark days for the major productions are listed below (dates are for December): Bally’s Jubilee! 1, 3, 8, 10, 31; Bellagio O 8-23; Caesars Palace Bette Midler 11-29; Excalibur Louie Anderson, 1-31; Flamingo Donny & Marie 23-27; Nathan Burton 4-12; Golden Nugget Defending the Caveman 5-12; Harmon Theater Amazing Jonathan 16-25, 31; Harrah’s Rita Rudner 10-19; Las Vegas Hilton Barry Manilow 1-16, 21-28; Luxor Carrot Top 2-9, 16-26; MGM Grand Crazy Horse Paris 9-23; Mirage Love 2-17; New York-New York Zumanity 1-16; Paris Anthony Cools 16-25, 31; Planet Hollywood Stomp Out Loud 31; Rio Penn & Teller 4-5, 11-19, 31; Riviera Barbra & Frank 22-25; Crazy Girls 23-31; Outrageous Comedy Hypnotist 8-22; Stratosphere American Superstars 7-10, 14-25, 28-31; TI Mystere 24-25; Tropicana Comedy Stop18-25; Folies Bergere 5-7, 12-25; Venetian The Real Deal 22-25, 29-31; Wynn Le Reve 9-23.

Holiday Happenings: A few casinos are known for making a big deal out of the holiday season. It’s hard to say which will keep the tradition going with the economic climate as it is, but look for displays at Sam’s Town (a decked-out atrium and Santa), Bellagio (conservatory), and Hard Rock and Palms (cocktail waitresses in Santa outfits), along with the non-casino Fremont Street Experience, Fashion Show Mall, Ethel M Cactus Garden, the drive-through display of lights at Sunset Park ($13 per car), and the holiday display at the Springs Preserve ($8 adults, $6 ages 5-17).

Question: When this month does the NFR come to town?

Answer: The National Finals Rodeo is in progress right now and will run until December 14. Immediately following will be the period of deep room-rate discounts for the pre-holidays, lasting till December 24.

Anthony Curtis' column is syndicated on a weekly basis to all the above national media outlets.

Guide to cheap Vegas hotel rooms

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:36:00 -0800

USA Today's Kitty Bean Yancey references the recent annual Las Vegas Advisor guide to the cheapest hotel rates in Las Vegas in her Hotel Hotsheet blog:

"I told you that I met with Las Vegas Advisor head honcho Anthony Curtis, who knows the town like few do, and he told me he is blown away by the deals out there now..."

To read the rest of the blog entry, click here.

HP Author on NPR

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:35:00 -0800

"Beneath the Neon" author Matt O'Brien's scheduled to appear on NPR's "Day to Day" this Friday (runs noon - 1 p.m)., for a feature about his experiences in the Vegas netherworld.

Vegas Day on Travel Channel

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:42:00 -0800

Need a Las Vegas fix? Don't want to stretch for airfare and hotel right now? Fear not! You can get a dose of your favorite party destination for free from the comfort of your armchair as Travel Channel airs another day of Vegas specials today, featuring Anthony Curtis and other LasVegasAdvisor.com staffers and associates. Just check out our Vegas TV feature for the lowdown on shows and airtimes.

Oh yeah, and we're also heavily quoted in the James Bond "Quantum of Solace" article in the Neon section of today's "Las Vegas Review-Journal," so check it out.

Winning Wisdom

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:27:00 -0800

The newest member of Team PokerStars and WSOP, EPT, and WPT champion Gavin Griffin reviews Huntington Press' Kill Everyone in his weekly column for Card Player magazine.

'This time around, Nelson teams up with Tysen Streib and Kim Lee to produce a book that gives suggestions on early-round tournament play and a very good mathematical breakdown of endgame strategies. There is even a section on shorthanded online cash games written by Mark Vos ...

'All of these points are the reason that I like Lee's book so much, and why it has become my favorite poker book as of late. Admittedly, I haven't read all of the recently released books on poker, but of the ones that I have ready, I enjoyed Kill Everyone the most. Thanks for writing a great book, Lee.'

This is an extract from the review that appeared in the Oct. 3, 2008 issue of Card Player. To read the entire review and Gavin's glowing praise for the title, click here.

Anthony Curtis on NBC's "Today" Show

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:04:00 -0800

Monday, October 6

Anthony Curtis appeared on this morning's episode of NBC's "Today" show discussing cheating in casinos. Also featured was Richard Marcus, author of Dirty Poker, and the pair revealed and demonstrated some of the slicker methods by which people try to extract money from the casinos by illicit means.

If you missed it, you can watch the segment now by clicking here.

Las Vegas' Losing Streak

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:44:00 -0800

Anthony Curtis, who runs Las Vegas Advisor, a magazine and Web site for bargain-hungry Las Vegas visitors, says the discounting is most evident in room rates, some of which are down as much as 30% from last year. Casinos are throwing in other perks as well. MGM's high-end Mandalay Bay Resort was offering midweek rates of $109 per night that included such extras as two-for-one spa treatments and breakfast at its House of Blues restaurant, as well as a free round-trip airline ticket for a return Vegas trip if three nights are booked. "They're all getting relatively creative," Curtis says. "It's a nervous time here, no doubt."

To read the whole article, click here.

(Anthony Curtis quoted in the October 2, 2008 issue of Business Week.)

Riversider's Guide to Las Vegas Courses a Real Ace

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:23:00 -0800

Huntington Press author Ken Van Vechten's Golf Las Vegas garnered high praise in the September 30 edition of the Press- Enterprise:

"Riverside's Ken Van Vechten is big on Las Vegas. And if you aren't already, you certainly could be after a trip through his latest book 'Golf Las Vegas: The Ultimate Guide.'

"Van Vechten uses his chops as a freelance travel writer to flush out helpful, fun-to-read reviews of the Las Vegas area's 60 or so golf courses. Or, as he described the book, early in the book, it's 'essentially a travelogue, a narrative romp through Sin City golfdom that's put together as a how-to guidebook.'

"Readers get top-10 lists broken into categories such as 'Money (Perhaps) Be Damned' and 'The "Hey, I Work For A Living" Top 10.' They're treated to tips galore, on just about everything pertinent. Tips on getting your clubs to Vegas; tips on where to eat; tips on tipping"

To read the complete article, click here.

(Press-Enterprise, Tuesday September 30, 2008)

Las Vegas: Great odds for cheap frills

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:58:00 -0800

"With the iffy economy, high fuel costs and tight travel budgets, Las Vegas is dropping prices and betting again on bargain hunters. You can find an under-$40 room on the Strip and book luxury lodgings like the Bellagio and Trump International for less than $200..."

Las Vegas Advisor CEO Anthony Curtis helped USA TODAY's Kitty Bean Yancey scope out the odds of scoring a value weekend in Sin City. (Friday, September 19, 2008)

Las Vegas Advisor: Monday Night Kicks Off in Las Vegas

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:06:00 -0800

"With football season comes Monday Night Football parties in Las Vegas. This year at least two casinos--Sam's Town and Suncoast--are hosting parties where you get your first hot dog and beer free. In fact, at Sam's Town you get a choice between the hot dog and..."

Las Vegas Advisor's Anthony Curtis' Monday Night Football party coverage is featured in the Saturday, September 13, 2008 edition of the Press-Enterprise. Click here for the full article.

Latest Vegas Marathon on Travel Channel

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:27:00 -0800

In case you missed the posting in Today's News, this Labor Day weekend features another Vegas marathon on Travel Channel, with four days of Vegas-oriented shows. Many of them feature Las Vegas Advisor CEO Anthony Curtis, plus other LVA staffers and Huntington Press authors including video poker expert Bob Dancer. For the full run-down, check out our unique Vegas TV listings.

The Chips Are Down in Vegas, but Steve Wynn Is Betting Big

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0800

"At this point, everyone has essentially the same product," says Anthony Curtis, who publishes the Las Vegas Advisor, a newsletter. "So the trick is finding a way to differentiate yourself... Everyone needs a gimmick."

Anthony Curtis quoted in the Aug. 3, 2008 New York Times, which features an in-depth interview with Steve Wynn about how the current economic climate is affecting business -- or not. To read the rest of this article, click here.

Hotels Offer Relief from Stress of Summer Travel: Booming construction brings out the bargains

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:07:00 -0800

"I’m looking out my window, and there are cranes everywhere,” says Anthony Curtis, president of LasVegasAdvisor.com, an online newsletter. “CityCenter, Fontainebleau, Echelon — their [construction] budgets may have increased, but they’re still going up.”

Anthony Curtis quoted by MSNBC.com regarding LasVegasAdvisor.com's July 2008 Summer Room-Rate Survey. To read the whole article, click here.

Coming July 21st... Vegas Day on Travel Channel

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:12:00 -0800

It's "Vegas Day" again on Travel Channel, with every show featuring Anthony Curtis and various Las Vegas Advisor staff/associates and Huntington Press authors. Here's the schedule:

"Las Vegas: Sucker Bets" -- 2 p.m.,

"Las Vegas: Cheaters Beware" -- 3 p.m.,

"Vegas Cheaters Exposed" -- 4 p.m.,

"Vegas Dos and Don'ts" -- 5 p.m.,

"Vegas Revealed" -- 6 p.m.

For a complete round-up of all Las Vegas and gambling-related TV/movie programing for the upcoming week, check out our Vegas TV feature.