Analysis
We received a highly gratifying response to this poll, over 15,000 votes. As always, thanks to everyone who weighed in.
The number-one pick was a bit surprising to some of us, but not to others. It was surprising, because we receive perhaps one in seven to nine gambling questions via the Question of the Day pipeline. It wasn’t surprising, because dining (3rd place), accommodations (4th), entertainment (7th), coupons (9th), attractions (12th), and shows (13th) notwithstanding, gambling still remains the first and foremost reason most people come to Sin City.
So we’ll endeavor to run more gambling polls.
Another surprise was that dining came in third place. As noted in the Question of the Day that surveyed the poll results over more than 10 years, and inspired this poll, the ones on dining were the least popular. We’ll keep running dining polls, but third place might be an anomaly.
Resort fees and parking policies are current hot-button issues, placing 2nd and 8th, though smoking, which once was, didn’t garner much enthusiasm, coming in 17th.
Coupons, of course, are a perennial favorite, but we found it interesting that it received marginally more votes than history.
And history received more votes than current events. On reflection, this wasn’t unexpected. Las Vegas does, certainly, have a storied and fascinating past, while present-day happenings are less so.
It was also interesting to see how many of you participate in these polls. Even after more than 200 of them, “always” and “occasionally” received upwards of 2k thumbs-up. A number of you thought we missed the “usually” level, between “always” and occasionally; “usually” received some write-in votes.
For example:
“I answered always, but usually would be better. I don't live in Vegas, so I don't participate in those polls and on occasion some poles are just not to my interest. Most of your polls are right on the money.”
“I picked ‘occasionally’ when ‘usually’ would be more apt. I don't always, because some things don't matter to me.”
“If you had a ‘I usually participate in the polls,’ I would have chosen that. As I don't always participate, I chose ‘occasionally.’
Some people love the polls, as the following show:
“I like everything you do. I will do every poll, unless I know absolutely zero about it -- like the favorite dive bars.”
“I always vote in polls. There a rare exceptions, though. Sometimes, not often, the poll does not apply and I don't have an answer. But there is no specific category that we wouldn't be able to vote on, just a rare niche that does not apply.”
“I like to vote and see the results, but I refuse to vote if I'm ignorant on the issue and simply base my vote on what my ‘gut’ tells me. That would provide people with worthless feedback. I'm relieved to know that people don't vote based on their gut. Pffffewwww!”
“I vote every time (except when I lack the knowledge to do so). I don't live in Las Vegas and visit less frequently than previous. Between the terrible blackjack pay and the traffic on the 15, Vegas has lost much of its charm for me. When I do visit, I have my fave places to shop/dine/play. I don't have enough time to experiment with new restaurants, etc. I love the polls though (even when I can't vote)!”
After checking that I occasionally participate, I checked almost every box of interest. Maybe I vote more than I thought! :) The pool scene and clubs don't interest me, but other than that, I guess I want to be heard.”
A few of you usually or occasionally participate, but always read the results:
“I probably participate about 75% of the time, but I always read results, whether I participate or not.”
“I just like to see what other people are thinking and if their thoughts are similar to mine.”
A couple of you expressed the opposite, never reading the results:
“I never participate in the polls, obviously with the exception of this one, because for the most part they do not interest me. I typically go to Vegas two to three times a year and love the city. I also love Question of the Day, but the poll results rarely catch my attention.”
“I occasionally participate in a poll, when one interests me. [But] it's all subjective. You simply cannot pin down people’s interests this easily.”
We also heard from people who have a hard time finding the poll—and it’s true; it is hard to see on the home (it won’t be on the new website):
“I visit your site often, but never saw you had a poll question.”
“I know you run polls. I see them when you don’t have a Question of the Day. But if I don’t vote immediately, I never see it again and it slips my mind.”
Finally, one wag pointed out the obvious shortcoming of this poll (some wag always does!):
“You left out one poll topic for people to vote on: LVA polls!”
