My strategy of only playing between 11 pm and 6 am helped me to avoid the smokers (and made it possible to find a machine). During other times, the place was quite busy. The table games were a mixed bag--BJ, etc. not very active, but craps going full steam ahead. With every other machine turned off, I would say that 90% of machines were in play at any given time (other than when I actually played, during which time it was still by no means deserted).
I found that the best people-avoidance strategy was to play on a bank of four machines (or eight); the middle two would be turned off. The worst situation would be a bank of three, where only the middle one was dark. Throughout the casino, there were spots and niches, such as up against the back of the bar near Baja Miguel's, where one could be more isolated. It was also possible to play at the edge of low-trafficked open areas.
The buffet was, I would say, about 2/3 of its former self. Selection ranged from good to often, very poor. For instance, the Mongolian grill station only had five ingredients to choose from. The dessert selection was poor, with no sugar-free options offered. There in general was a little less of everything. Fewer choices. The staff served all selections while you stood there and pointed.
I had terrific meals at Primarily Prime Rib (full meal for $19.95), Zenshin (they currently are offering their excellent Happy Hour menu all day), and the Coronado Cafe (a great breakfast, especially late night). They were following the standard protocols of only half the tables open, and people were generally complying with mask rules (only remove them when seated and eating).
My room was very nice, as is always the case at South Point. No maid service, which was partially compensated for by an abundance of towels. The shower had an odd malfunction, but otherwise everything was fine.
My gambling results are somehwat irelevant here, but I did quite well on their VP machines. Overall, it was a somewhat diminished and kind of odd experience. I enjoyed the restaurants and the good VP (and the fact that my play earned some actual points, as opposed to say, what Boyd or Stations dole out these days). I was very disappointed, though, to see that they weren't taking the measures needed to make everyone safe. They were NOT, repeat NOT, enforcing their own rules, let alone the ones mandated by the governor. I suppose it would have been unrealistic to expect that they would ban smoking altogether, but I expected them to discipline smoking no-maskers. They've evidently decided that doing so would affect their bottom line, which means that "keeping our customers safe is our top priority" is a blatant lie.
I'll be back again--when we get rid of the gang of crooks and criminals currently running things and we develop and distribute a vaccine. Hopefully, by sometime next year. And if the South Point ever becomes a nonsmoking casino?? I'll stay there for a frickin' MONTH!
