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Gambling & Politics, The Sequel

You would have to be living under a particularly large rock to fail to see the ongoing intersection of these two forces. Political issues dominated the gambling discussion last week and again this, particularly as the Illinois Lege moved to hike the tax on online sports betting to as much as 40%, depending on how much you make. More on that anon. Our focus falls first on the newest story, involving a tribal juice job that was sleazier than the Department of the Interior could stomach. It entails Kings Mountain Casino‘s permanent iteration, which has been more off than on lately, thanks to Interior Department intervention.

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Bobby Vegas: If Life Ain’t All Rainbows and Unicorns, One Rainbow Is All You Need

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

This is Commander Vegas speaking. Proceed directly to Rainbow. Pass the Strip and all the other crummy games and hustles. Wander down an old main street starting to come alive.

It’s sure not hard these days to see that life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, but I’m pretty sure there’s still gold at the end of Water Street in Henderson after getting my new monthly mailer. Yes, I was bemoaning the reduction of the super-lucrative points conversion and possible loss of my weekly free meal, so I was very pleasantly surprised to get both this month.

Your assignment (should you choose to accept it) will be to earn lots of tickets for the 7:15 p.m. drawing on June 26 for one of four pairs of Las Vegas Aces courtside tickets at Rainbow (worth $2,000 each) or the June 27 drawing for one of four sets of Rod Stewart tickets for his July 27 show (worth $700+) at Emerald Island.

I’m telling you now, so you have all month to earn tickets. You think I’m sexy now, people?

As outlined in previous posts, at these drawings, I often see them running through multiple names before they get a winner. People don’t show up and the barrel isn’t very big. You have eight chances in two drawings to win.

A month or so ago, they gave away four Rolex watches.

Use your $64 worth of MRB coupons for two free wheel spins and a 2-for-1 at Rainbow’s Triple B café (yes, you can use that with points … stacking!).

Your further assignment will be to play positive-expectation (or very close) games during high multiplier periods. Stop after these periods end and have a handmade milkshake for the points equivalent of $4, which should take you about 10 minutes to earn. If you’re really hungry, treat yourself to any of the Triple B daily specials for the points equivalent of $9, which should take you less than 30 minutes to earn or less during 25x, 50x, and OMG 100x earning periods.

Playing and hungry after 10 p.m. or before 7 a.m.? Emerald Island diner is open 24/7. Try Anthony’s fave, the one-pound hamsteak special breakfast. I take home the ham and biscuits for snacks later.

I’ll post this article on BobbyVegas.com with the incredible 25x, 50x, and on Friday evenings 10-10:30 p.m. 100x points multiplier schedule. That makes the lame Jacks or Better at the Rainbow bar 99.88%. Add in your MRB wheel spin, extra cash, gifts, ticket drawings, and yes, it’s a positive play, baby.

I’ve played lots of VP games at Emerald Island that ended up earning multiplier points. (Refer to VPfree2 for the game details). You’re earning comps, at an amazing rate. Gift days and contest credits are earned only on base points, but you need only 200. And if you’re a new signup, they’ll give you another food comp too. Wheel spins Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as well as free ice cream each evening and extra free cash.

That you’re doing point multipliers during free wheel spins while earning comp dollars at a ridiculous rate and base points for tickets all at the same time — wait! I have to sit down, my head is spinning.

Okay, I just called casino promotions for clarifications. On the 26th they’re giving away four sets of two courtside tickets for the back-to-back world-champion Las Vegas Aces at Rainbow. On the 27th four sets of two tickets for Rod Stewart at Emerald Island.

We’re looking forward to hearing who won tickets or went to the game or show.

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ESTIMATING THE RETURN OF PROGRESSIVE VIDEO POKER

This post is syndicated by the Las Vegas Advisor for the 888 casino group. Anthony Curtis comments on the 888 article introduced and linked to on this page.

A.C. says:

What do you do when you run into a video poker game with what seems to be an inordinately high progressive meter? Maybe play it? Sure, but it’s difficult to make a spot decision about what the return percentage might be and whether or not you should play it relative to other options on the same machine. This article provides some guidance for assessing a progressive on the fly. It doesn’t give you everything you need to know, but the author makes that point and the shortcut advice provided is valuable. Print out the charts to consult or just commit the breakeven points to memory for the games addressed. Take the next step by applying the rules of thumb regarding the value of specific royal-flush-meter increases and you can make informed decisions in real time. Also, pay attention to the “Cautions” at the end of the article, which identify other important considerations. For the last word on playing progressives, check out The Secret World of Video Poker Progressives by Frank Kneeland, which goes beyond anything else currently in print on this subject.

This article was written by Jerry Stich in association with 888Casino.

ESTIMATING THE RETURN OF PROGRESSIVE VIDEO POKER

Progressive video poker offers benefits and challenges for players. One of the major challenges is determining the return at a specific level of the jackpot. This articles explores that aspects of the game.
In a progressive game, one or more lines of the pay table increases as the game is played. The most common pay line is the royal flush.

At reset value, the royal flush pays the same as a non-progressive – 4,000-for-5. As the game (or linked bank of games in a casino) is played, part of the amount bet goes towards increasing the amount paid when the jackpot is hit. Once a royal flush (or other progressive jackpot hand) is hit, the amount paid is returned to the reset value.

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Tier Matching—an Excellent Advantage Play

In last month’s Las Vegas Advisor, we ran a “Reader Leader” describing a players club tier-match procedure involving the Mirage and Fontainebleau that netted a $100 meal comp at Fbleau, along with parking privileges at both casinos. The contributor of that Leader, Peter B. emailed this update.

1) Take your Fontainebleau Silver card to Wynn and they will upgrade you to Platinum. Good for free parking, $150 birthday-month dining credit, two comp master classes for two people (worth up to $250 per person), a $100 spa credit, and more goodies.

2) Then go back to the Fontainebleau and upgrade to Gold from Wynn Platinum for a $150 dining credit, $150 spa credit, comped self-parking and valet daily, comped ATM fees, and more. See

3) Upgrade Wynn Platinum to MGM Gold. No resort fee, free parking, and more, but this is good for 90 days only.

4) Club One at the Circa, D, and Golden Gate will upgrade to Maverick for free parking at all three Fremont Street casinos from MGM Gold, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime match.

5) Caesars will upgrade to Diamond from Wynn Platinum, but only once for new members. Here, you get: dinner credit for $100, free self- and valet parking, priority access to the Bacchanal Buffet and restaurants, and two free tickets to the High Roller every month.

Non-Nevada residents have to start with Caesars Platinum from getting a no-annual-fee Caesars VISA card. Bring that to the Wynn for Platinum, then take the tour as above. Alternatively, take MGM Pearl, from getting a no-annual-fee MasterCard, to Fontainebleau for Silver.

Note that the Wynn Rewards Early Tier Upgrade Promotion ends May 31.

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Buffet Update – June 2024

Bellagio – The Buffet at Bellagio: Seafood Brunch turned to Seafood Dinner. Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. for $79.99. Brunch was 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for $66.99. A $13 difference.

Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: This week’s buffet schedule is: Breakfast Buffet was Friday only but now it changed to Monday only. Same time 7:30 – 11 a.m. for $19.95. Weekend brunch is Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for $24.95, and weekend dinner is Friday-Sunday, 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. for $24.95.

Luxor – The Buffet at Luxor: Weekday and Weekend Brunch ends 1 hour sooner. From 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. now. Weekday brunch is still at $30.99 per person. While Weekend Brunch increased by three dollars to $36.99.

Westgate – Fresh Buffet: Brunch went up by two dollars to $30 per person. Crab Leg Brunch was added this month. It’s served Friday and Saturday starting at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for $37.

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Otoro Robata Grill & Sushi (Mirage)

The Mirage is closing next month, so why are we reviewing Otoro Robata Grill now? Two reasons. First, we had a terrific meal there. Second, we figure lots of people will be heading over for a last look at the casino, so dinner at Otoro might work in well with that plan.

As the name indicates, this is robata cooking, which pretty much means skewers cooked over very hot charcoal. There’s also a full sushi/sashimi menu. The oysters in truffle ponzu with kizami and chives are a great starter if you don’t mind fading $39 for eight ($4.88 per). Sweet-and-sour calamari with wasabi vinaigrette ($18) is another winner.

A tall Kirin beer was $22 and a single Murai Nigori sake was $13.

The Skewers

Meat skewers are $10 (chicken) to $32 (baby lamb chop), seafood is $10 (salmon) to $28 (lobster), and vegetable is $6-$10. Trying all three categories, we went with Togarashiu sirloin steak, lamb chop, Chilean sea bass, and shishito peppers. We haven’t reviewed many robata restaurants, so we don’t have a lot to compare to, but the Otoro skewers were as good as any we’ve had. They’re not the teeny skewers you get at the Japanese Izakaya’s; instead, they’re substantial and three to four per person are enough.

The Sushi

Sushi and skewers make a good combo. There’s nigiri, rolls, and sashimi. The nigiri comes two pieces to an order, most selections priced $10-$14 ($21 for uni, $38 for bluefin tuna belly). We had several, including akimi tuna and a spicy yellowtail hand roll. Although the robata cooking is the main focus, the restaurant’s name comes from otoro bluefiin tuna, so the sushi is also a priority.

The Verdict

Everything we tried was good. It’s ironic that we’d have the best meal we’ve ever had at the Mirage (except for some buffet visits when it was there) just as the casino is about to close. It’s not cheap—the bill was $263 for two, including $55 for drinks—but you can get the experience for less during the Fri.-Tues. happy hour (see ENTERTAINMENT), which might fit in even better on a farewell visit to the Mirage. Check out the full menu here.

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Xiao Long Dumpling

This place opened in Chinatown (4275 Spring Mountain Rd.) in late 2021 with a ton of hype and high expectations, given that the restaurant’s name is its purported specialty, xiao long bao soup dumplings. We were impressed at the start — big room, plenty of customers, interesting menu — and it was looking like another good play in Chinatown. But it didn’t hold up. We tried several items—wonton in chili sauce, scallion pancake, beef chow fun, sauteed green beans, and, of course, the soup dumplings. Odd as it may sound, the best dish was the green beans. Price isn’t a problem; most of the dishes we had were $10 and under, with the chow fun most expensive at $14.95. A tall Asahi beer was $12. Our bill for two with two beers was $97 and we had a lot to take out.

Scallion pancake
Sauteed green beans
Beef chow fun

Peanut Butter Wontons?

One dish did stand out, but not in a good way. The spicy wontons are served in a peanut sauce that tastes a lot like peanut butter (the wontons are at the bottom). It’s a strange mix of flavors that we found interesting at first, but then too strange to keep eating. Think wontons mashed in with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

The Soup Dumplings

The dumplings were good. The pastry is very delicate, so you have to eat them with a spoon. It was a minor annoyance that they stuck to the paper they were served on, so some were punctured in the process of getting them out of the basket. Overall, we’d rank them below others we’ve sampled, e.g., China Mama or Shanghai Taste.

The Verdict

Hours are 11:30 am to 10 pm daily. Located in the Chinatown Plaza, Xiao Long Dumpling is easy to find and and get to, but there are too many other good options in the area to make it a priority, unless you just gotta try those Reese’s wontons. Click here to check out the full menu.

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Big rebound for Vegas; The woman who said no

Hardly the cruelest month, April made up for some recent and discouraging numbers for Las Vegas in particular and Nevada in general. Gambling receipts on the Las Vegas Strip tallied $666 million (the Mark of the Beast?), a 6.5% improvement over 2023 and 38% higher than May 2019. Locals casinos fared up even better, being up 16% overall, to $270 million. Table game hold was up on the Strip and baccarat was much tighter as well. Wagering at the tables (+20%) and slots (+43%) eclipsed 2019 figures. Baccarat winnings vaulted 80% from last year (when, to be fair, hold was very loose) and non-baccarat table games nosed up a percentage point. The one-armed bandits saw a 4% decline in coin-in.

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Chicago Brewing Company at the Four Queens

Chicago Brewing Company at the Four Queens

A Reader Leader alerted us to the great scene and good affordable food at the venerable Chicago Brewing Company in the back of Four Queens. Though we’ve had drinks and watched games at this venue’s bar many times since it opened in 1999, we couldn’t recall eating there and a search of the archives turned up no review. Given the attention that Terry Caudill, the owner of Four Queens and Binion’s, has given us over the years with coupons (plus a recent two-part Question of the Day interview), we were happpy to give it a try.

In the far corner of the casino, you walk up a short staircase and enter the bar. With its brick walls and picture windows overlooking the slots, it’s a classic brew-pub and sports-bar scene, with numerous screens filling the walls, all showing sports.

It’s open 24/7, serves breakfast all hours, and boasts a non-smoking taproom. Cigars are available for the smoking section. The beer brewed on the premises has won awards at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. Ales include golden, brown, and pale; you’ll also find American amber, Bavarian wheat, and Irish stout, among other small batches and specials.

The food, as our LVA correspondent insisted, is good at great prices from a big menu.

Appetizers start at $6 for garlic knots and include meatballs, quesadillas, fries, chicken tenders and jumbo wings, calamari, and shrimp cocktail ($8-$16). Soup, chili, and side salads are $5-$6. Numerous sandwiches and burgers (including filet mignon sliders) go for $10-$15. Thin crust and deep-dish Chicago-style (natch) pizzas come in 9-, 10-, and 16-inch pies from $10 to $15 with various toppings at $1, $2, and $3 extra. Desserts are $4-$6. As you’d expect from the same casino with Magnolia’s and Hugo’s Cellar, it’s big food at reasonable prices. There’s also a happy hour Sun.- Thurs. 3-6 p.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. with $2 off drafts and 50% off house wines and well drinks.


We tried the raspberry-pear-almond salad and chicken club with onion rings, both excellent and filling.

Best of all, we had the pleasure of lunch with our very old and dear friend and best-selling author Jean Scott. It was appropriate that we ate at Chicago Brewing with her; this reviewer first met Jean and her husband Brad in a room upstairs (comped, of course) way back in 1992. She was here on a visit from Georgia to play in a mahjong tournament, her new passion. We’re happy to report that she’s still as vital, frugal, and, as you can see from the photo beautiful, inside and out, as she was 32 years ago.