Vegas last week:slot tournament and advantage slots

I need to write a little about last week's slot tournament at Excalibur to purge myself, will not mention my score because I've never had 4 rounds without a score over 900k, and this is the first time I've ever done a rebuy where it didn't pay for it self.  It was a strange format compared to others, basically it was all day Saturday which made being a loser worse because I had to hang around hoping for a draw in.  

Did use my new-found knowledge of advantage slots to observe, and actually did benefit. I was playing the skunk slot (definitely not an advantage slot), and watched a guy put hundreds into one that's in the book.  When he left I took the poor little ticket over and found a bet that was very close to hitting, it did not.  But I did hit some good line pays and left with about $75 in profit.  I guess this paid for the book but really I knew about this slot from before.  

At Park I watched a crew of people work a carousel of a. slots, I don't get it. When I got ready to leave and gave up my seat the boss? took my seat, but all 4 were playing at the $1 level, makes no sense. Especially since I had hit the bonus and it was basically a dud, paid out about 4 bets worth.  

Other tidbits, Excalibur was very busy.  Judging from some conversations, that inclusive package is a real draw, and I talked to a couple of people who were hitting the buffet early for breakfast and then a later lunch, that's allowed I guess. The $3 margaritas are nothing special to me but very popular, I think leaning into the budget minded is paying off at least short-term.

Did not try the new In and Out, long lines and it's hot.  I understand that those high end shops work different but I really think the only thing in Blvd that makes real money is probably the ABC and now the In and Out. Bojangles at Planet Hollywood is open but I'm not a fan really, lots of chicken options out there.

all in all I did ok, and it was kinda nostalgic to see the crowds of families roaming around.  I usually go earlier in the year and late August after school starts, kids don't bother me but the parents...

So, then, this looks to possibly be the new sport, new recreation, new form of "people watching"...AP watching!  those who bought the book, at least.  LOL.

Thanks, Randall, for your interesting slot tourney-AP watching report.  I'd go for some $3 margaritas buffets/lunches.  The $1 margaritas, i.e. casino floor/tip, are iffy at best.  When I stumble on a good one I keep on with those for a while, as long as there isn't a bartender change of shift!

Back in the day when slot tourneys were substantially good events (Harrah's LV in the 90s had the best), by the last round I had the top score.  That last round clobbered me...finished out of the money.  Snif;( 

I'm always surprised when folks drag their kiddies to casinos.  But then that's the Baby Boomer in me.

Candy

They do that because the casinos will allow you to sell your children for slot credits and food comps. It's a way to avoid those predatory ATM fees. And it really keeps the little buggers in line. "You behave, or mommy's gonna sell you to Caesar!" Sort of like how families used to sell children to the navy, or to pirates.

Fat children are especially prized at casinos that have buffets. Add a little curry and some diced veggies, and little Joey will be the star attraction at the Bacchanal.

Pretty funny, we started taking our kids when they were young teens because they were ruining family vacations by not wanting to do things, figured we could get a Vegas trip out of it.  They loved it, so we kept it up for years. 

Our son grew up in Vegas.  We did all the touristy things and Circus Circus, Excalibur and NYNY were the big draws.   One of us would play games and do the rides with him, the other would gamble and then we'd switch.  As he got older he was more into the pool or watching movies,  while we played.   Now he likes to play blackjack and some VP, as well as hit up places like the Meow Wolf,  or whatever it's called.

Very cool, Edso.  Sounds like you did it right.

Candy

I would never, ever, ever take a teenage kid to Vegas, as that town is the ultimate "abandon your impulse control" destination, and adolescents famously lack that quality. I wouldn't want to teach them how to self-destruct at precisely the time in their lives when they gain the ability to do so but still lack the judgment to avoid it.

That said, Vegas has sure gone out of its way to appeal to young children and adolescents. The "family destination" vibe started with the Mirage and Treasure Isalnd and has expanded ever since. I don't think it's an appropriate family destination, even so.

I would take my kids to see nature, camping trips, road trips, maybe some historical stuff, different cultural areas and sites, that sort of thing. Showing them Vegas is presenting them with the worst of humanity and the worst of human behavior, and tacitly encourages them to maximize self-indulgence. You take your kids to a place where everyone throws self-control away (like the month of May in "Camelot"), and that's not exactly going to teach them self-control, at a time in their lives when that education is critical.

Buy hey, I'm being a Grinch on Christmas, I know. It just seems like a place where the two primary activities--gambling and drinking--are forbidden to kids isn't a suitable destination for them.