On a North Carolina Barrier Island, true pirates abandoned horses hundreds of years ago and their descendants still roam. There, I collect seashells, bags full, then haul them back to my lair, happy in my discoveries and tickled by my finds.
I’m a lover of old vinyl. Searching through the dusty worn $1 bins for that elusive find, I saw Ahmad Jahmal’s One. It’s worth $25. A great jazz album or an old Four Tops in near mint condition. Nice.
And in Vegas, I search for that elusive golden moment where all the cards come up hearts or spades. Diamonds are fine too and no, I don’t hate clubs.
And having researched the venue and stacked my deals and coupons, I’ve tilted the odds in my favor, so the winning is just the confirmation. It’s “just a game” for me, less about the amounts I’ve won and more about the adventure. Though the money doesn’t hurt either.
I’ve found that this is what I love — learning a new field, finding some valuable knowledge, applying it and hopefully walking away a winner, then sharing that tale with you. These things leave me satisfied.
Searching for hidden values. Discovering a silver dish in a thrift store. Not quite as adventurous as Black Beard, but a 50/50 matchplay will do fine for me in 2025.
What do you search for? And why? Why do you come to Vegas? To pretend to be a high roller? Or maybe you actually are and just want to live it out guilt free. Your favorite performer’s incredible show? The exotic dining? A sexual fantasy fulfilled? For the whole experience?
Which games do you choose over others? What’s the psychology behind your game choice? The tight win potential of blackjack? The camaraderie of craps?
I like video poker. It’s clean, clear, thoughtful, absorbing. I can play at my own speed and am not at risk to the whims of a roller calling out stupid plays.
I really like craps, but the style of play and the decision tree don’t work well for me.
I’m way too transparent to bluff, so I’m not attracted to poker.
Moving right along to news of the day. With the media all over the Vegas crash, the LVCVA has come out with an embarrassingly awful ad campaign. They still don’t get it. Not surprised at all.
Vegas was once a mecca for many things, an adult Disney World, and most folks willingly came hoping for a score, ready to party and play. But when the hustles got so strong and things got tight at home, well, paying $75 to park and walk in the door just left a bad taste.
Will the house learn? Based on their track records, I don’t have a lot of faith in corporate types making good decisions. But Vegas still has ways to play. For me, rule one is simple: Avoid the Strip.
My take, it’s an age thing. From 1988 to now everything in Las Vegas got ‘fancier’, more fit and finish, the next new hotel, etc. Not much is new these days. What seemed “wow” in those days isn’t anymore. Just more of the same. Almost like cars…they all look the same. Can’t tell a Jaguar from a Chevy anything. All the SUVs look alike. We brake for a 1964 Mustang, or of course a ’55 Chevy. There are the wonderful safety features with new cars, the thing that tells you “get back in your lane”, rear vision, no oasis from phone calls. But no surprises. Car shopping is stressful now…do I want EV or Hybrid or what?
In 1988-90 a Vegas vacation felt exciting…anticipation. Any little thing, like the coupon book, a Host approaching you on the casino floor, a pit boss granting…or God forbid offering a buffet comp. Now we expect it, no sudden rush in being ‘given’ something. It is all about the tier, as in “must get ‘Diamond’ by the end of the year, no matter the cost.”
No 24/7 cafes; now you must remember to get something from the snack bar to not be hungry if you go to the room after 9 PM, ’cause few real eateries are open after that. “Snack” lines are way long after 8, ’cause nothing much else is open. And the ‘Snack’ employees are stressed trying really hard to get you through that line quickly, but I don’t really want “quickly”. Shouldn’t that tell “the house” something? We want to sit down at a nice quiet place for a late sandwich or breakfast type meal, hold an actual menu in our hand, enjoy being served. Some places are trying to get away from a menu, want you to scan that code and peruse the offerings on your little cell phone.
But…Vegas has the upper hand because…there is still nothing like it anywhere.
I hear you O2B..
Finding ways to keep it exciting? Well.. it’s like sex.. be creative!
But the tide is turning and many places are wising up, even if its out of desperation.
The other thing about Vegas that’s unique is there are so many options there’s always a way, where there’s a will. Just ” keep coming back!”