I wrote last week about my gambling aboard the cruise ship. I mentioned that over the two weeks, I was ahead $1,100. I want to address today how typical that result was.
In a casino, the more games you know the more opportunities you have. For me it is video poker and some slot machines. Other players include blackjack and/or poker, and other games as well, into the mix.
Continue reading Gambling Aboard the Norwegian Jade — Part II of II
It’s business as usual in Atlantic City. For example, it’s no wonder that the Golden Nugget (pictured) is at the bottom of the burg’s casino pile. Our man on the Boardwalk visited the Nugget recently and was charged a steep $90 in resort fees—for a comped room, no less … MGM Resorts International needs to be more George with its Las Vegas Grand Prix guests. It recently sent out an offer for four-day race tickets, free Wolfgang Puck food, opening-ceremony access—but only $40 in free play. That’s not going to attract the big spenders. Maybe event barkers are succumbing to their own hype that gambling revenue is going to triple (we’re not making that up) during Formula One weekend … Bally’s Corp. has quickly redubbed short-term Bally’s Casino as Bally’s Chicago. They’re promoting it to their customer base via Bally’s Vicksburg fliers mailed to Philadelphia customers. As though Vicksburghers are going to fly up to Chicago, especially when no special offers are on the table.
Not much has changed this year compared to last with regard to Monday Night Football parties. As we’ve noted for several years now, the days of the must-have-Monday-night-parties are long gone and every year that it becomes more evident. Not that NFL games in general aren’t big events. The sports books and bars are as busy and raucous as ever. But the organized parties are, for the most part, no longer offered. Of course, there are hold-outs, the prominent being the two tried-and-trues: South Point and Sapphire gentlemen’s club.
Continue reading Monday Night Football Parties
Talks are resuming, albeit with an apparent lack of urgency, between the Culinary Union and the Big Three of the Las Vegas Strip. True, MGM Resorts International sits down with the Culinary on Monday. But Caesars Entertainment doesn’t meet with the union until a week from today—and Wynn Resorts not until Oct. 30. Wall Street thought the labor negotiations would be resolved by now. It thought wrong. Golden Entertainment execs look damned prescient for predicting a mid-November resolution. It will take the oncoming prospect of the Las Vegas Grand Prix to focus everyone’s minds—and maybe not even then. Yesterday, someone predicted on X that Formula One spectators would be greeted by the sight of picketing. We replied that it was too close to the truth to be funny. It would certainly get Big Gaming’s attention in a grave way.
Continue reading Seeing red; Cancer good for biz in South
WARNING! There’s more naughty language in this episode than usual! LOL
The VGK have opened their defense of the Stanley Cup with a 4-0 start. It’s the first time since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings. While the first 3 wins were against less-than-top-flight teams, the 3-2 shoot-out win over the Dallas Stars Tuesday night was the first true test and, in our opinion, the actual beginning of the regular season. Lindsey, Chris, and Eddie break down the game in detail and shed some light on some other significant factors that bode well for the VGK down the road.
The crew discusses the evolution of Jack Eichel since Game 1 of last year’s playoffs and ends the discussion about the goalie rotation going forward. Oh, and be careful! The episode opens with Eddie going on an expletive-laden rant about the lack of professional coverage by some of the press corps. Buckle up! Eddie was really on one!
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.
Continue reading VIDEO POKER: HOW THE CASINO GETS THE EDGE OVER PLAYERSAC Says: How does the casino get its edge in video poker? Pretty much the same way it does in most other games: It pays winning hands at less than true odds. That fact is discussed here, along with a rundown of other methods of creating a casino edge, e.g., taking a rake or commission. The discussion of why casinos sometimes offer games with 100%+ theoretical returns is on the mark and begs the question, why don’t more do it?
Beating the expectations of the boys on Wall Street was Las Vegas Sands, which reported boffo cash-flow numbers from Macao and Singapore. In the former it did $631 million where The Street anticipated $600 million. In the latter, Sands’ EBITDA number was $491 million. Wall Street expected about $450 million. With 20 bucks a share to make up to hit analysts’ price targets by year’s end, Sands reverted to that tried and true form of price manipulation: share buybacks and $2 billion of them. Wall Street boffins predictably did cartwheels at the news. The bottom line is that the Miriam Adelson clan is going to scarf up 15% of the shares it doesn’t currently hold.
Continue reading Sands outperforms; Strike!; Clueless in PA
My guest this week is Ed Miller. Ed is on to talk about his new book, “Interception” which he co-authored with Matt Davidow.
You can reach me at [email protected], or find me on Twitter @RWM21. If you like the show please tell a friend you think might like it, or if you are really ambitious leave a review wherever you listen.
Podcast –Â https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/edmillerepisode10
Books by Ed Miller & Matt Davidow
The Logic of Sports Betting https://amzn.to/3QlG3Ec
Interception https://amzn.to/46Abjoz
As I have written the past two weeks, Bonnie and I recently cruised the Eastern Mediterranean aboard the NCL Jade. I usually avoid casinos on cruise ships, but this time I found plenty of playable opportunities.
Continue reading Gambling Aboard the Norwegian Jade — Part I of II
Last month saw a slight decline in Atlantic City casino revenues, down 2% to $246.5 million. Before we break out the crying towels, note that this is 10% better than the casinos were doing at the same point in 2019. Meanwhile, Internet gambling (+21%) and sports betting (+13%) marched upward. Only two casinos, however, were revenue-positive. Ocean Casino Resort leapt a whopping 29% to $39.5 million and Hard Rock Atlantic City gained 7% to gross $47 million. Borgata retained its top spot with $54 million but plunged 13%, a worrisome number. Despite a much-vaunted spate of renovations, the Caesars Entertainment threesome is settling into second-class status, perhaps the consequence of trying to hang onto too much gambling inventory. The trio was all bunched closely together, led by Harrah’s Resort‘s $22 million (-4%), followed by Caesars Atlantic City (-4.5%) and Tropicana Atlantic City (-8%), both around $21.5 million.
Continue reading Atlantic City dip; Another strike in Motown?