Primm Valley: Catering to the Hispanic market
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:58:32 AM
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New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/us/30primm.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/us/30primm.html
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:19:35 AM
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It's a smart marketing move which kinda makes you ask, "What took so long for someone to decide to do that?"
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:24:44 AM
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Quote: teddysNew York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/us/30primm.html
Looks like vegas is mostly safe, anyway ;) I'd hate ot have to find some place else to get away...
BTW "Juegue blackjack en su idioma"?? As they say in America, WTF?? What language are BJ hand signals in? Quebecois Sign Language? Are there different Spanish Sign Language signals?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:28:37 AM
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I'm sure hand signals are required and are unchanged.
The difference is, when talking to the dealer and pit crew, whether conversationally, or to ask for rules or strategy, they speak Spanish there.
The article DID indicate that signs and table printing is in Spanish...
The difference is, when talking to the dealer and pit crew, whether conversationally, or to ask for rules or strategy, they speak Spanish there.
The article DID indicate that signs and table printing is in Spanish...
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:29:08 AM
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Of course there's different signals in Spanish. The citizens of present and future Aztlan don't need to assimilate.
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:35:56 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearThe difference is, when talking to the dealer and pit crew, whether conversationally, or to ask for rules or strategy, they speak Spanish there.
The article DID indicate that signs and table printing is in Spanish...
Ok. But a regualr gambler would know the signals, bets and wouldn't ask for advice. So playing with the rules in Spanish, English or Swahili printed on the table would be the same to him.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:44:04 AM
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So what are you saying? You prefer to sit there in silence?
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:52:25 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearSo what are you saying? You prefer to sit there in silence?
I don't play BJ at all.
But if I were to go to, oh, say a casino in Germany or Macau, I could play BJ easy as you please without knowing much more than the local expressions for "please" and "thank you." I wouldn't expect nor require signs in English or Spanish.
Furthermore, the people featured in the story reside in California, right? Haven't they learned English by now? If I were to move to Brazil, for example, I expect I'd have to learn Portugese to get along. I wouldn't go looking for casinos, stores, etc in Spanish.
I was born in Mexico and I've lived here all my life. I know how chauvinistic Mexicans can be. Worse yet I know how they like to exclude strangers and foreigners as well. But we're getting widely off topic anough as it is.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:57:54 AM
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Sometimes I watch Spanish television and the casinos do advertise Latin music concerts on those channels. However, I do find it strange that there is not one casino in the city that seems to target the Spanish-speaking market with Spanish-speaking dealers and signage. There are so many Asian pits, but zero Spanish pits. If there were, I would probably play there and annoy the dealers with my Español horrible. It would bring back memories from Panama.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:02:33 AM
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Quote: WizardThere are so many Asian pits, but zero Spanish pits. If there were, I would probably play there and annoy the dealers with my Español horrible. It would bring back memories from Panama.
"Probablemente jugaría ahí y molestaría a los crupieres con mi horrible español."
I'm pretty sure "dealer" is acceptable Spanish when talking about casino play. But according to the dictionary the correct word for sucha person is "Crupier." I think I've mentioned this before.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:02:57 AM
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Would you feel the same way if you didn't already know how to play?Quote: Nareedif I were to go to, oh, say a casino in Germany or Macau, I could play BJ easy as you please without knowing much more than the local expressions for "please" and "thank you." I wouldn't expect nor require signs in English or Spanish.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:26:23 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearWould you feel the same way if you didn't already know how to play?
No. But I wouldn't expect a casino in another country to speak my language.
Ok, actually I might expect there are enough English speakers the world over that I should get along using English in many places. I found in my last visit to israel, in 1985, that this is not so. I'll say I was surprised becasue I know that Israeli schools teach English as a matter of course. Anyway, recaling vague memories from Hebrew class and paying attention, I was able to muddle through well enough.
In tourist spots, like Elat and Downtown Tel Aviv, English was spoken widely. In other palces, like the old city in Jerusalem, a mix of Englisha dn Hebrew worked. Fortunately in all the country street signs are written in both Hebrew and Latin letters.
I also found the essentials for every tourist are:
Please
Thank you
the numbers one through ten
basic directions like left, right, up, down and cardinal points
basic queries like what, where, when.
the lcoal words for taxi, airport, train station, bus station, hotel, and restaurant
and some more stuff like that. it helps if you can read street signs, particularly the anmes of streets, and if you pronounce the local names near enough to local pronunciation.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:14:07 AM
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There's a joke that is told in other parts of the world:
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bi-lingual.
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Tri-lingual.
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American.
My point is, although most only-English-speaking Americans do not like how Spanish is becoming an almost "official" language, I think it's a great idea that these casinos are embracing not just the language, but the culture, and having entertainment that caters to the clientelle they are attracting.
For the record, I'm one of those only-English-speaking Americans. However, I have not forgotten my immigrant roots.
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bi-lingual.
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Tri-lingual.
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American.
My point is, although most only-English-speaking Americans do not like how Spanish is becoming an almost "official" language, I think it's a great idea that these casinos are embracing not just the language, but the culture, and having entertainment that caters to the clientelle they are attracting.
For the record, I'm one of those only-English-speaking Americans. However, I have not forgotten my immigrant roots.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:27:33 AM
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I'm one of those only-English speakers too. Like the Wiz, although for a different reason, I too watch Spanish channels sometimes, even though I don't understand a thing they're saying.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:34:14 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearIt's a smart marketing move which kinda makes you ask, "What took so long for someone to decide to do that?"
I thought they did... isn't that Circus-Circus in Las Vegas??
LoL... this reminds me of a time when I was MUCH younger (like 13 or 14) visiting my cousins who had moved out to Vegas. We went to Circus Circus for the theme park. At the time, they had this really cool video arcade game where you were a fighter pilot and the whole thing flipped upside down as you played.
Anyways, when it was my turn, the attendant doing the regimental instructions, in which I responded, "Got it" or something like that. She said (and I'll never forget this), "Oh thank God! You speak English..."
That was at least 14 years ago, and when I was up there last week, I noticed signs printed in both English and Spanish all over the casino. No, there wasn't a table game that specifically had Spanish rules and such, but everything else seemed to be in two languages.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:17:08 AM
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A few Vegas casinos tweet in Spanish and have Spanish type bands performing.
I favor an English only attitude but do realize markets change. I think the poker room has to be English only. Some other games can have chatter that might officially be banned but the house really doesn't much care. Some jerk playing LIR can collude with another jerk all he wants.
I prefer that English be spoken at the Mini-Bacc table but alot of Asian players jibber jabber away in some Oriental tongue.
I think the dealer should do his best to stick to English. Its not that I think anything improper is being said by the dealer, I just want to understand it. I can understand that an occasional tourist may be inconsiderate or simply lack skills entirely but in general I expect English to be spoken.
I favor an English only attitude but do realize markets change. I think the poker room has to be English only. Some other games can have chatter that might officially be banned but the house really doesn't much care. Some jerk playing LIR can collude with another jerk all he wants.
I prefer that English be spoken at the Mini-Bacc table but alot of Asian players jibber jabber away in some Oriental tongue.
I think the dealer should do his best to stick to English. Its not that I think anything improper is being said by the dealer, I just want to understand it. I can understand that an occasional tourist may be inconsiderate or simply lack skills entirely but in general I expect English to be spoken.
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:23:52 AM
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I think I can answer that. Or at least I can repeat the great answer I once heard.Quote: AlanI'm one of those only-English speakers too. Like the Wiz, although for a different reason, I too watch Spanish channels sometimes, even though I don't understand a thing they're saying.
Remember the Man Show? On one episode, during the Q&A portion, a guy asked, "How come I always get a chubby when watching the Spanish soap operas?"
The answer was, "First, those girls are hot. Second, since you don't understand the language, in your head, she's saying all kinds of filthy stuff."
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:30:37 AM
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Yep, you go it.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:27:51 PM
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Some interesting points:
1. English is forced to be used is most casinos, in spite of latin nights and latin shows - as foreign language might represent collusion. A casinp pit fear from early Pai Gow collusion.
2. There is a Hispanic casino in town - the Aztec Casino, by the Stratosphere on Las Vegas Boulevard. Don't know if its slots only.
3. The table games mix is different in a latinized pit: Roulette and BJ are the primary games; dice and Pai Gow are extremely secondary.
1. English is forced to be used is most casinos, in spite of latin nights and latin shows - as foreign language might represent collusion. A casinp pit fear from early Pai Gow collusion.
2. There is a Hispanic casino in town - the Aztec Casino, by the Stratosphere on Las Vegas Boulevard. Don't know if its slots only.
3. The table games mix is different in a latinized pit: Roulette and BJ are the primary games; dice and Pai Gow are extremely secondary.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:02:20 PM
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At the card room I work at Mexicans love to play the pai gow tiles.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:56:15 PM
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Quote: Paigowdanhere is a Hispanic casino in town - the Aztec Casino, by the Stratosphere. Don't know if its slots only.
Primarily slots and internet rental, boarding pass printing. What makes you refer to this as a Hispanic casino?
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:14:48 PM
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"but there is evidence that Latinos are less likely to look for treatment if they do have a problem."
Vegas calls people like that 'casino oriented'.
Vegas calls people like that 'casino oriented'.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 3rd, 2011 at 6:24:25 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearIt's a smart marketing move which kinda makes you ask, "What took so long for someone to decide to do that?"
It's not completely new. Ceasars tries to market Rio as a comfortable place for all Latinos. Jerry's Nugget has been marketing too Latinos for years now. The biggest complaint is the lack of betting on soccer (or showing it on television).
Tufesa Internacional is a bus line that offers buses where you don't have to change at the border reducing the length of the trip considerably. Vegas is a big destination. They have recently added an English language version of their website.
Plaza Hopes Strategy Will Woo Growing Hispanic Community {5 April 2005} was a high profile effort to turn the Western into a Latino themed casino. The effort appears to have gone nowhere.
People have talked about a casino marketing towards the black community, or specifically one for gay community. Usually these efforts receive minimal effort (like the Paris casino trying to insist it is the first choice for LGBTs).
What makes the Primm makeover unique is that this effort is the first I've heard of specifically marketing towards California Latinos. It should be pointed out that it is also a move made out of desperation, not inspiration.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:48:13 PM
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Quote: pacomartinIt should be pointed out that it is also a move made out of desperation, not inspiration.
I suspect that the desperate policy change was a last-ditch effort. They had tried giving the hotel rooms away free, then they simply closed them during the week, their Spanish speaking bus riders were there because its cheap and close for the bus companies and their customers. Nothing much else the casino could do.
Was Paris sacrificed to a gay marketing because they had to sacrifice someone? I don't know. A few ads in a gay yellow pages and perhaps a few other token steps will keep the rabid picketers at bay.
I once walked into a Home Depot type place in Miami and was greeted with Buenos Tardes or something like that. I hated it. I'd hate it in Primm too. But if its Turn to Spanish Speaking Dealers or Turn The Key then I guess they had no choice.
September 4th, 2011 at 1:36:00 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffPrimarily slots and internet rental, boarding pass printing. What makes you refer to this as a Hispanic casino?
One, because of its name, and two, I was told so by an gaming industry person. I deal at the Fiesta Henderson Casino, which is just a regular "anglophonic" casino.
"Yo recuerdo este pais cuando fue Americano."+
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
September 4th, 2011 at 3:48:20 AM
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>because of its name
Ain't no stampeding cattle at the Longhorn or the Western.
Ain't no maiden Aunt named Dotty.
The Eiffel Tower was made in Japan.
The Casino Royale does not have a charter from the King.
City Center ain't near the center at all.
So having Aztec as its name means zip as far as its clientele or ownership.
Now you might be right and whoever told you that it was Hispanic may have spent far more time there and noticed things but signage is in English. The occasional trip promotion is to Hawaii, not Mexico or Spain.
Ain't no stampeding cattle at the Longhorn or the Western.
Ain't no maiden Aunt named Dotty.
The Eiffel Tower was made in Japan.
The Casino Royale does not have a charter from the King.
City Center ain't near the center at all.
So having Aztec as its name means zip as far as its clientele or ownership.
Now you might be right and whoever told you that it was Hispanic may have spent far more time there and noticed things but signage is in English. The occasional trip promotion is to Hawaii, not Mexico or Spain.
