Question of the Day - 06 May 2007

It was back in July 2005 that we last tackled this subject and although we've added updates along the way, it felt timely to revisit what's one of our most popular FAQs.

The general answer is that there's not much to write home about in the way of birthday specials, which might seem surprising. But on the other hand, if you consider that there are about 40 million potential birthdayees each year, combining visitors and locals, that means it's about 110,000 people's birthday every single day. That's a lot of free cake. If you're a signed-up member of a players club, it's highly likely that they'll contact you with some little gift or incentive to visit on your birthday, just to show they care. What follows is a list of what you can get if this is hypothetically your first visit to town and you're coming to celebrate your special day.

Casinos.

• Boulder Station: The Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant still offers a free dessert with valid ID and the players club will give you a free T-shirt. That works.
• Fitzgeralds: Earn one point on your players card within 14 days of you birthday and receive a 500-point-valued gift.
• Four Queens: Become a players club member and receive a 2-for-1 meal offer at Magnolia's Verandah.
• Gold Coast: Earn one point on your players card during your birthday month and receive a 2,500-point bonus.
• Nevada Palace: The players club will give you a free T-shirt, coffee mug, 500 points, and a balloon that's worth double pay on royal flushes on any that you hit that day. Now, that's more like it!
• Orleans: Earn one point on your players card during your birthday month and receive a 2500-point bonus.
• Sam's Town: Get two nights at a special rate during the month of your birthday (on-line and for out-of-state residents only), plus everyone (i.e., locals too) gets a free T-shirt, margarita, and dessert from Willy & Jose's when you purchase an entrée costing $9.95 or more and have valid ID.
• Silver Nugget: If you're in the players club and have over 5,000 points, you can choose between two bowling sessions, $5 in blackjack chips, or an $8 dinner voucher. If you're a new member you can take your pick from two bowling sessions, 600 points, or, if you hit a 4 of a kind, get a 20-coin bonus.
• South Point: Earn one point on your players card during your birthday month and receive a 2500-point bonus.

That's about it, as far as we know, for casino offers. There are also some non-casino freebies worth knowing about, notably at Todai, the upscale all-you-can-eat Japanese sushi and seafood buffet in the Miracle Mile shops (planet hollywood), which, with valid ID and a full-paying companion, will reward the birthday boy/girl with a complimentary meal (lunch or dinner). Sweet. Other eateries around town that will routinely push the boat out a little with cookies, decorated desserts, singing waiters etc. include André's downtown (401 S. Sixth St.), Rosemary's (8125 W. Sahara Ave.), Top of the World (Stratosphere), and Maggiano's (Fashion Show Mall, opposite the Wynn).

And last but not least, if it's your 21st birthday, there's a site called blackjackbirthday.com, which offers special passes for $35 (plus shipping and handling) that grant complimentary VIP admission to various clubs and shows around town, including Studio 54, Coyote Ugly, The Amazing Jonathan, American Storm, and others. If you can prove your birthday's on the 21st of the month, then the whole pass is free. Visit the Web site for more details.

If anyone knows of any other good freebies and treats, please let us know.

Many thanks to the reader who wrote in today with the following personal story: "Not really a question, but a related follow-up to today's question on birthday specials. "For our 25th anniversary I made reservations at Bellagio and mentioned in passing that it was our anniversary to the reservaton clerk. "When I registered I was surprised with: -A room upgrade to a view of the fountain -A certificate good for two samples of the Bellagio fragrances from their gift shop -A card good for pass line seating at three of their best restaurants "While I am a member of their players club, I had no points and had never stayed at Bellagio before. This was a great surprise from a top rate operation. I'll be back."