A good timely question with an answer that's sure to please many.
In case you didn't know, the Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday, and several casinos are hosting events and parties -- Mint Juleps, free T-shirts -- the usual kind of thing. The D, however, is taking things to another level by hosting the first-ever Sigma Derby tournament this Friday.
What? A Derby tourney? Yes, loyal QoD readers, you read correctly, and we can almost hear the squeals of delight as you digest this profound piece of news. (For those couple of people out there who don't know what Sigma Derby is, it's that low-tech mechanized coin-operated horse-racing game that's been on the brink of extinction for some years now, kept alive by a legion of fanatics and a Facebook page.)
While once Las Vegas had more than a handful of Derby games, including one at Luxor that featured racing camels (cute touch), for a long while the single standard bearer was the MGM Grand, which still has a game near the race and sports book. Then along came the D, and with it a whole new world of opportunity for Derby enthusiasts, including this weekend's turf-shattering tournament, which promises to be a wild and crazy affair, whether you're competing or simply there to watch. Here's the lowdown:
The buy-in is $50 and the prize pool is $10,000, distributed as follows, in free play:
We don't know if the prize money is guaranteed, but if it is, it will be a positive-equity tournament (returns more than it takes in) if there are fewer than 200 entrants, which might happen with this short-notice event (although that's a lot less likely now that we've run this QoD). For the $50 buy-in, players will receive 40 quarters to wager over ten races, with registration for the big event taking place at the Vue Bar from 4-8 p.m. this Thursday. Tournament play gets underway at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3 (don't be late!) with the final, nail-biting round taking place on Saturday.
As if all that excitement isn't enough, the D is also running other race-related promotions, including a $500 buy-in keno tournament that begins on May 3 and a separate giveaway in which another $10,000 will be distributed among bettors who pick the winner in the real race (as if anyone will care, when there's Sigma Derby to play!). The race itself will be broadcast across the flat-screen TVs at the Longbar, which will be serving up those de rigueur Mint Juleps for $6 on race day.
Other Derby events around town include four free race-handicapping seminars. The first is at Palace Station at 6 p.m. on Thursday night, followed on Friday by seminars at Sam's Town at 4 p.m., and at South Point and Sunset Station, both at 6 p.m.
While every sports book will be broadcasting the race on its big screens, dedicated viewing "parties" with free admission have been announced for the Orleans, Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Golden Nugget, and South Point. Make a $20 race wager at the latter to get vouchers for food and drinks at the party. Bet $20 at Charlie's and get a Kentucky Derby collector's glass. Jerry's Nugget -- always Derby-central on race day -- will give you a Derby glass for just a $10 bet, or a T-shirt for a $25 wager on a special parlay card, not to mention they'll be selling $2 hand-carved turkey and roast beef track sandwiches. See you there!
