Lucky Dragon casino now open!!
I went there yesterday. It's in it's soft opening right now. Grand opening December 3rd.
Quick review: it's amazingly beautiful. All Asian & lucky red/gold themed throughout. Small elegant space, fantastic restaurants.
Mostly baccarat. $10 gets you a face-up game played on a midi table. $50 gets you a Macau-style game in the high limit room where you can bend the cards. $100 gets you a Macau-style game in the cavernous VIP room on the second floor, which is more private.
Blackjack pays 3-2, no surrender, no RSA, yes DS. I think that makes it 0.66% house advantage. No craps. Casino Hold 'em, Asia poker, 3 card poker. I didn't see Pai Gow or Pai Gow Poker or Sic Bo, but I assume they were there somewhere since it's Asian themed. Slots are the giant screen type. Less of the floor is slots than is typical in Vegas. The VP is a great deal. Jacks or Better pays 9/5 for 25 cents throughout the casino, including at the bars! Staff is mostly Asian and all are very friendly.
That doesn't surprise me at all.Quote: speedycrapNo craps? Are you sure??
In Asian casinos, which might have a hundred or more baccarat tables, you're lucky to find one craps table, and just a couple blackjack tables. So no craps tables at Lucky Dragon doesn't surprise me. On the contrary, I'd be surprised if there WAS a craps table there!Quote: Lucky Dragon WebsiteTABLES & SLOTS
The resorts 27,500 square-foot casino will focus on tables games popular in Asia, such as Baccarat and Pai Gow, with only a few Western-style tables such as Blackjack.
Quote: lllStaff is mostly Asian
Lawsuit incoming? I can't imagine this came about organically.
Any local members interested in combining it with a visit to the Golden Steer -- the best steak house in Vegas?
Quote: WizardI heard a rumor it had a soft opening. I'll have to investigate.
Any local members interested in combining it with a visit to the Golden Steer -- the best steak house in Vegas?
Is it in that casino? Are the steaks cooked by a dragon? I'd go.
Quote: beachbumbabsMentioned an article last week on this. No craps. 4 Pai Gow tables (they didn't specify between tiles and poker), roulette, a few Asian themed slots. Mostly baccarat.
How anyone could play baccarat for longer than two minutes without losing their mind escapes me. No decisions, no strategy--just flipping a coin, essentially, and yelling "MONKEY MONKEY MONKEY." It's the Asian equivalent of Casino War.
Though I understand that Phil Ivey gravitated to the game's heretofore undiscovered intellectual challenges :)
Quote: Ibeatyouraceshttp://vitalvegas.com/lucky-dragon-casino-opens-las-vegas
Excerpt: You can do the math, but in our book, math is the opposite of fun.
Sounds like my kind of publication. I'll read vitalvegas more often.
Only $150/person and you want the Dragon to cook for you? You are really demanding.Quote: JoeshlabotnikIs it in that casino? Are the steaks cooked by a dragon? I'd go.
Everyone already burnt out the good $25 VP, speculating 25k in EV of course.Quote: WizardI heard a rumor it had a soft opening. I'll have to investigate.
Any local members interested in combining it with a visit to the Golden Steer -- the best steak house in Vegas?
What is "Casino Hold'em"? Is it not Ultimate Texas Holdem? Is it MrCasinogames (Stephen Au-Young's) Casino Hold'em? If it is, congrats to Stephen; finanally making it's way into USA.Quote: lll
No craps. Casino Hold 'em, Asia poker, 3 card poker. I didn't see Pai Gow or Pai Gow Poker or Sic Bo, but I assume they were there somewhere since it's Asian themed. Slots are the giant screen type.
From what I see in forums, and what I read I understand that this bet is a casino besides the obvious for the oriental player, which plays in community, is a different casino on the Strip, less space and directed to the game pure and hard , Changing the tendency to seek income for non-gaming.
Anyone know about specific promotions they are putting on baccarat?
thanks.
Quote: AxelWolfEveryone already burnt out the good $25 VP, speculating 25k in EV of course.
Mock me if you like, but I was ready, able, and willing to do just that. It was disappointing that the video poker wasn't playable. Oh well, maybe next time.
Quote: UCivanWhat is "Casino Hold'em"? Is it not Ultimate Texas Holdem? Is it MrCasinogames (Stephen Au-Young's) Casino Hold'em? If it is, congrats to Stephen; finanally making it's way into USA.
It was UTM. I was mixing names with Casino War :)
Quote: lllIt was UTM. I was mixing names with Casino War :)
Ad someone who built a game often confused with Casino War, I find this very amusing. :)
Quote: BobDancerMock me if you like, but I was ready, able, and willing to do just that. It was disappointing that the video poker wasn't playable. Oh well, maybe next time.
Maybe someone tipped them off.
Babs, sounds like you knew what UTM was. or UTH?Quote: beachbumbabsAd someone who built a game often confused with Casino War, I find this very amusing. :)
Quote: UCivanBabs, sounds like you knew what UTM was. or UTH?
Gosh am I struggling to say 'Ultimate Texas Hold'em'
I would think it very sensible for a small footprint place to not bother with splashy nightclubs full of young drunkards instead of gamblers.
Oriental Tray Lizards? Fine. Ive never liked it when a German restaurant has a Black waiter. Unless he can sing the songs and get everybody drunk.
No Craps. Would be a drawback for me, but one can always 'just visit' a casino. If Orientals go for Baccarat, then that decision has already been made for the casino before they even turned the first shovel of dirt.
Token games in some hidden alcove? Keep looking. Who knows?
Quote: BobDancerMock me if you like, but I was ready, able, and willing to do just that. It was disappointing that the video poker wasn't playable. Oh well, maybe next time.
Isn't it pretty much a Vegas trope by now that a casino opens, it has pretty good video poker, and the moment the doors open, the local fleas descend on the good games, and 24 hours later, everything is 6/5 Bonus? Maybe the LD just decided to save themselves the trouble this time.
There doesn't appear to be any reason to set foot in the joint, except maybe novelty. You can get 8 bucks for joining the slot club. Then you can watch people play.........baccarat, the Asian version of Casino War.
I'll bet the Asian food is actually not as good as that you can get elsewhere in town. After all, they have an essentially captive audience. Why would they provide quality?
Quote: JoeshlabotnikIsn't it pretty much a Vegas trope by now that a casino opens, it has pretty good video poker, and the moment the doors open, the local fleas descend on the good games, and 24 hours later, everything is 6/5 Bonus? Maybe the LD just decided to save themselves the trouble this time.
There doesn't appear to be any reason to set foot in the joint, except maybe novelty. You can get 8 bucks for joining the slot club. Then you can watch people play.........baccarat, the Asian version of Casino War.
I'll bet the Asian food is actually not as good as that you can get elsewhere in town. After all, they have an essentially captive audience. Why would they provide quality?
I'll play:
Fleas? Thanks for telling us what you think about players looking for an edge. Perhaps you are at the wrong site. Ever try Forex? Just asking.
Baccarat is Asian War? Can you even begin to discuss the difference in odds between the 2? Just asking.
Would love to have your reviews of the best Asian food joints in town. After all, there is not a casino in Vegas with any of the highest rated restaurants in the world.
Why would they provide quality? It's not like they have competition for gamblers. Build it, they will come, right?
Quote: JoeshlabotnikThere doesn't appear to be any reason to set foot in the joint, except maybe novelty. You can get 8 bucks for joining the slot club. Then you can watch people ccarat, the Asian version of Casino War.
I'll bet the Asian food is actually not as good as that you can get elsewhere in town. After all, they have an essentially captive audience. Why would they provide quality?
Could you be more obnoxious? While you're masturbating about EV other people are having a good time. I've done graduate work in mathematics, and work as an engineer, yet I'm "stupid enough" to play slot machines. Because they're fun. As for bacc, it's a wonderful game with a rich culture around it that you're too closed minded to appreciate.
Quote: BozI'll play:
Fleas? Thanks for telling us what you think about players looking for an edge. Perhaps you are at the wrong site. Ever try Forex? Just asking.
Baccarat is Asian War? Can you even begin to discuss the difference in odds between the 2? Just asking.
Would love to have your reviews of the best Asian food joints in town. After all, there is not a casino in Vegas with any of the highest rated restaurants in the world.
Why would they provide quality? It's not like they have competition for gamblers. Build it, they will come, right?
If those fleas didn't appear instantly at every casino opening, maybe decent games would last longer than 24 hours.
I wasn't referring to the odds of the two games, I was referring to their simplistic nature. Like flipping a coin--no thinking at all.
The Asian places I was referring to are definitely NOT in the casinos. A drive along Spring Mountain road, to give one example, will take you past dozens of terrific Asian restaurants.
I agree, they have no incentive to provide quality--if they are thinking only in the short term. They can ride a wave of novelty for a while. But look at what's happened to the Downtown Grand, the SLS, the LINQ. They are struggling because they relied on their novelty to attract customers and didn't offer any real reason to go there other than that novelty. Casino operators don't seem to understand that casinos are more alike than different--they delude themselves that the Golden Commode is somehow special.
Quote: lllCould you be more obnoxious? While you're masturbating about EV other people are having a good time. I've done graduate work in mathematics, and work as an engineer, yet I'm "stupid enough" to play slot machines. Because they're fun. As for bacc, it's a wonderful game with a rich culture around it that you're too closed minded to appreciate.
Do you masturbate while you play the slots or baccarat?
Quote: JoeshlabotnikIf those fleas didn't appear instantly at every casino opening, maybe decent games would last longer than 24 hours.
I wasn't referring to the odds of the two games, I was referring to their simplistic nature. Like flipping a coin--no thinking at all.
The Asian places I was referring to are definitely NOT in the casinos. A drive along Spring Mountain road, to give one example, will take you past dozens of terrific Asian restaurants.
I agree, they have no incentive to provide quality--if they are thinking only in the short term. They can ride a wave of novelty for a while. But look at what's happened to the Downtown Grand, the SLS, the LINQ. They are struggling because they relied on their novelty to attract customers and didn't offer any real reason to go there other than that novelty. Casino operators don't seem to understand that casinos are more alike than different--they delude themselves that the Golden Commode is somehow special.
Or alternatively, bacc offers a game of pure chance, which some people find preferable to one involving skill. Perhaps even entire gambling cultures find skill to be regrettable. Before the Thorpe-induced blackjack craze in the US, the dominant game, craps, was pure luck. The world doesn't revolve around EV, basic strategy, card counting, 100%+ VP, and advantage play. Every game has something to be said for it, whether it be pace of play, variance, max payouts, house edge, min bet, max bet, beeps and boops and lights, simple strategy, complicated strategy, location of play, prevailing player culture, or some other consideration.
They key to not being a grumpy gambler is versatility. At some price point I'll play any of: blackjack, freebet, baccarat, craps, roulette (yes, the dreaded 00), slots, VP, 3-card poker, and I'm only looking to learn more games. Instead of grousing about declining BJ rules on online forums, I have a fantastic time when I do go gambling.
Quote: lllOr alternatively, bacc offers a game of pure chance, which some people find preferable to one involving skill. Perhaps even entire gambling cultures find skill to be regrettable. Before the Thorpe-induced blackjack craze in the US, the dominant game, craps, was pure luck. The world doesn't revolve around EV, basic strategy, card counting, 100%+ VP, and advantage play. Every game has something to be said for it, whether it be pace of play, variance, max payouts, house edge, min bet, max bet, beeps and boops and lights, simple strategy, complicated strategy, location of play, prevailing player culture, or some other consideration.
They key to not being a grumpy gambler is versatility. At some price point I'll play any of: blackjack, freebet, baccarat, craps, roulette (yes, the dreaded 00), slots, VP, 3-card poker, and I'm only looking to learn more games. Instead of grousing about declining BJ rules on online forums, I have a fantastic time when I do go gambling.
It's true that Asian gambling is drenched in superstition and that most Asians tend to think that skill is irrelevant to winning, and it's all about appeasing some god or making the right bet on the right day at the right time when all the omens are auspicious.
It's an oversimplification to say that craps is pure luck. You can choose what bets you make, and there's a huge difference among them in terms of house advantage. It's also an oversimplification to paint gambling as luck OR skill. Luck-based games can be played skillfully; skill-based games have an element of luck. You enjoy slots. Fair enough. I enjoy video poker, and it has the same random elements that slots do (and BTW, I don't obsess about EV and will play a negative expectation game if I think it's fun). I prefer to play games where what I do (other than simply making a bet) matters.
It might be because I have gambled enough that I'm not hypnotized by the "uncertain outcome" shtick--because I think in terms of EV. I put a dollar in a slot machine and press the button--I've just turned that dollar into 90 cents. And that's BEFORE the reels stop spinning and regardless of the actual result. Takes the thrill element away, but that's kind of the whole point. I prefer to use my brain and consider doing so recreational. For many folks, thinking is the OPPOSITE of recreation. That's why slots are so popular. You just passively stick the money in and push a button, and wait. I do think that if people understood the mathematics of gambling, casinos would have to shut down. After all, would anybody saunter up to a roulette wheel and put $100 on Red if they realized that all they were really doing is setting fire to a $5 bill?
Quote: JoeshlabotnikIt's true that Asian gambling is drenched in superstition and that most Asians tend to think that skill is irrelevant to winning, and it's all about appeasing some god or making the right bet on the right day at the right time when all the omens are auspicious.
Western games are equally drenched in superstition. BJ has flow of the cards, unlucky third base over hitting, bad mid-shoe entry, and many others. Craps has too many to count, from hits coming in threes, to lucky women shooters (but hey, i won't complain about that one because a guy from the Bellagio gave me $20 in chips for hitting his number). The Asian superstitions are less familiar and therefore more exoticized by Americans. Plus, superstitions are fun, they enhance my enjoyment even as I understand probability very well.
Quote: JoeshlabotnikIt's an oversimplification to say that craps is pure luck. You can choose what bets you make, and there's a huge difference among them in terms of house advantage.
Still pure luck to place pass line and max odds every hand. Don't kid yourself.
Quote: JoeshlabotnikThat's why slots are so popular. You just passively stick the money in and push a button, and wait.
Not for me. I like the recent slots games because of the graphics, sounds, giant screens, clips from my favorite tv shows, and any number of other factors. The expected cost of slots play is lower than driving down to Dave & Busters, another favorite pastime of mine. Different games have different things going for them. My initial attraction to gambling was all the interesting probability questions, but I've branched out a lot since then. I think it's annoying how the mathematically inclined gamblers look down on everyone else in the casino. But hey, everyone has their Vegas experience. If yours is feeling superior to slots and Asian players, go for it.
Quote: JoeshlabotnikDo you masturbate while you play the slots or baccarat?
Where is the flag feature?
Quote: lllCould you be more obnoxious? While you're masturbating about EV other people are having a good time. I've done graduate work in mathematics, and work as an engineer, yet I'm "stupid enough" to play slot machines. Because they're fun. As for bacc, it's a wonderful game with a rich culture around it that you're too closed minded to appreciate.
I think baccarat is as fun as watching paint dry. However, I played next to 2 full tables of Asians on midi-bacc tonight who were having a screaming, groaning, table pounding good time of it ,thousands of dollars a hand. It made me want to join them. They were getting their money's worth of entertainment, no question.
Quote: Joeshlabotnik\
There doesn't appear to be any reason to set foot in the joint, except maybe novelty.
The reason to go to new openings is to find the mistakes. Some of the new video poker machines have thousands of setup options and you may be the one person who finds the $5 17/10 Loose Deuces game that the employee accidentally put in instead of the 15/8 that is was supposed to be. You may be able to play it for a few days before the mistake is realized.
Quote: DeMangoWhere is the flag feature?
I assume you were wanting to flag the post I was responding to.
Come on now lighten up, it was a joke(something I do often) I was not mocking.Quote: BobDancerMock me if you like, but I was ready, able, and willing to do just that. It was disappointing that the video poker wasn't playable. Oh well, maybe next time.
If you read my post regarding your SLS play, I was in agreement there was/is nothing wrong with speculating, I certainly get it. I assumed you had good reason and it's worked out more than not.
You have only just now noticed that?Quote: Boz
Fleas? Thanks for telling us what you think about players looking for an edge.
You need to play catch up as there's some interesting things regarding him and AP.
Remember he said he was an AP for 8 years himself during the "golden 90's"
Booksmarts != StreetSmarts.... Or how about in SQL: BookSmarts <> StreetSmarts...Quote: lllCould you be more obnoxious? While you're masturbating about EV other people are having a good time. I've done graduate work in mathematics, and work as an engineer, yet I'm "stupid enough" to play slot machines. Because they're fun. As for bacc, it's a wonderful game with a rich culture around it that you're too closed minded to appreciate.
I'm not saying you're smart or that you're not, just that what you stated really doesn't tell people much about your intelligence level... Especially since you have conflicting intellectual comments (graduate math work vs I play slots because they're fun). You realize you could play free slots on your cell phone, tablet, or computer all day, right? Why GIVE someone else your money? Because their slots are more fun somehow?
The days of having main street gems is long gone. Nothing is going to pop up on the strip and have a good play, for long. Too many people would hit it too hard and it'd be gone the next day (as others stated above for the typical lifespan of good plays).
Or something significantly better. I'm highly surprised with his 8 years of AP during all the casino grand openings he didn't know this(of course he will claim he did).Quote: DRichThe reason to go to new openings is to find the mistakes. Some of the new video poker machines have thousands of setup options and you may be the one person who finds the $5 17/10 Loose Deuces game that the employee accidentally put in instead of the 15/8 that is was supposed to be. You may be able to play it for a few days before the mistake is realized.
1 Casino grand opening on average was worth more than he made in a couple of months. Oftentimes with little or no risk, including plays over 200%.
Quote: AxelWolfYou have only just now noticed that?
You need to play catch up as there's some interesting things regarding him and AP.
Remember he said he was an AP for 8 years himself during the "golden 90's"
Well, Axel, one of the reasons I stopped was that APs started getting greedy and were beginning to burn out plays as fast as they appeared. Descending on a newly opened casino and hoping to find and pounce on a mistake is an example of that--it draws too much attention. For a while, in the 90s, there were as many good plays as there were APs, at least it seemed. But you know what? We didn't abuse good plays. We didn't play something to death, we treated the employees right, we milked the cow instead of killing it. But soon there came a thundering herd of wannabe APs whose mentality was slash-and-burn.
It became a self-fulfilling prophecy. They all thought you had to leap on a play and devour it like a pack of starving wolves because it would be gone soon anyway. And that attitude hastened the very results they were trying to prevent.
An an example, I remember when the Bellagio opened. At first, they had HUNDREDS of bonusing slots. It was a freakin' candy store. Then some players started hovering at the ends of banks of those machines, When a ploppy got off a Cherry Pie or whatever, they would DASH for the seat--sometimes two or three at once. Also, if a ploppy had a few cherries to go but only a few credits left, they would stare at the player as if willing them to quit before they cashed in the bonus. They eventually became so obnoxious, between harassing customers and getting into fights among themselves, that management tossed them out--AND removed all but a few of the bonusing machines.
Today, there are a LOT of APs out there trying to divide up a very small pie. The AP world is dog-eat-dog now, and that attitude and mindset pretty much ensure that no good play will last long, Jump on it. Play it to death. Burn it out. Move along. No discretion, no self-control. And yeah, most of the APs I've encountered recently are jumpy, surly, temperamental, and generally no fun to be around. Probably the nature of the pursuit more than anything else.
Quote: joeshlabotnikWell, Axel, one of the reasons I stopped was that APs started getting greedy and were beginning to burn out plays as fast as they appeared.
Surely that was one of the least important reasons though, right? Or are you insinuating you couldn't keep up and get on better (than scavenging) plays?
Usually a new opening usually makes the list
Maybe still waiting on the "official" opening
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm
Could not even cut it as an ap. Saying there are few opportunities out there just shows you how little you know. I have been on 3 of my largest plays just in the last 3 months and without naming names names or plays have worked with numerous people on this site on others.
You really should just go to a forex board
Quote: onenickelmiracleWill people not Asian feel comfortable here, feel treated the same, not nudged to just feel tolerated?
I think it's up to the non-Asian. There are some aspects of playing with Asians that are very attractive; they usually know the games they sit down to, they're very direct about resolving problems, they like to play fast and efficient (with the notable exception of baccarat ), and they're funny and having a good time or getting up fast.
So if a non-Asian walks into a casino designed for and attracting Asians, there's a different vibe. You have to have a thick skin, but once you demonstrate you're not a road block with money, they accept you pretty well. They just wait to see if you're a serious player regardless of bet level before they interact, in my experience anyway. My advice is to flow with it or find another place you like better. All fwiw.
I mainly had in mind how the casino would treat people.Quote: beachbumbabsI think it's up to the non-Asian. There are some aspects of playing with Asians that are very attractive; they usually know the games they sit down to, they're very direct about resolving problems, they like to play fast and efficient (with the notable exception of baccarat ), and they're funny and having a good time or getting up fast.
So if a non-Asian walks into a casino designed for and attracting Asians, there's a different vibe. You have to have a thick skin, but once you demonstrate you're not a road block with money, they accept you pretty well. They just wait to see if you're a serious player regardless of bet level before they interact, in my experience anyway. My advice is to flow with it or find another place you like better. All fwiw.
Will Asian people feel comfortable at Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, Aria, etc, feel treated the same, not nudged to just feel tolerated?Quote: onenickelmiracleWill people not Asian feel comfortable here, feel treated the same, not nudged to just feel tolerated?
For Lucky Dragon, The COO is Mr. David Jacoby and the President and CEO is Mr. Andrew Fonfa, both are non-Asian. So as a non-Asian, you should feel welcome there.
Quote: UCivanWill Asian people feel comfortable at Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, Aria, etc, feel treated the same, not nudged to just feel tolerated?
For Lucky Dragon, The COO is Mr. David Jacoby and the President and CEO is Mr. Andrew Fonfa, both are non-Asian. So as a non-Asian, you should feel welcome there.
I see your point but bad example. None of those casinos specifically say they cater to one race of people over another. If Bellagio came out and said they only catered to Europeans, or Africans, non Europeans/Africans would wonder if they would feel comfortable there.
