I was playing blackjack during our last visit to Las Vegas. The dealer was dealing from a hand-held double deck. On three almost back-to-back deals, every player at the table showed a good and potentially winnable hand. On all three occasions, the dealer drew a 21 and beat every player. I’ve seen some amazing tricks and am aware of what can be done with a deck of cards. Is it possible that some dealers are so good that they can control a hand now and then to give the house a bigger advantage? In this case it sure seemed like it.

Is it true that direct train service from California to Vegas is in the works?

I am a continuous subscriber of your newsletter. Could you please help me with a question concerning hotel booking in Las Vegas? We are planning a trip Nov. 10-15, 2016. Hotel prices seems very high compared to previous years. I read in your August newsletter that hotel prices in Las Vegas generally were going up. Should we hurry our booking now before prices rise even more, or might there be lower prices if we wait closer to the dates of travel?

How about an update on the old Stardust site? Anything happening?

What’s up at Stage Door Casino? We stop in every time we are in town. When we went last night, we were carded and wanded at the door. And there were several security personnel around. They even told us we could no longer have plastic glasses for a "traveler." Were gray-haired seniors, so the carding seemed ridiculous.

We've seen a number of progressive slot machines in Nevada where the casino limits the jackpot to a certain amount. For example a 2 $1 Ten Times machine where the jackpot which started at $20,000 stopped increasing when it hit $85,000 and a $100 Red White & Blue machine where the jackpot which started at $100,000 stopped increasing when it hit $300,000. Is there a reason for this other than casino greed?

We live in Arizona and visit Vegas 2 to 4 times a year. We love playing 3 Card Poker and Let It Ride. The tables seem to be pretty full all the time. We just got back from a visit to LV and we are seeing less and less of these table games. Are they going away? Hope not, it is fun playing these 2 games.

Can you tell me if Lonnie Hammargren’s Museum Home will be open this year and the latest details?

Nevada Landing, in Jean, used to be our favorite steak-and-eggs stop on the way home. Every time I drive past the big empty lot, I have to wonder, why? Was it losing money? Will another casino ever be built there again?

What is happening with Matt Goss? I hear he is leaving Caesars after many years residency there at the end of September. Is he going to a different venue on the Strip? We always enjoyed his show there! Great band, very intimate.