Are you gambling more at a casino closer to home instead of going to Vegas?
Poll
 | 15 votes (41.66%) | ||
| | 18 votes (50%) | ||
| | 3 votes (8.33%) |
36 members have voted
-B
Even so, I voted "Cut Back" because I've cut back on AC trips.
It's 142 miles from AC and 138 miles to Mohegan Sun CT. But I'm only 77 miles to Sands Bethlahem PA - my current casino of choice. I've been to Sands 7 times since table games have opened there, and zero trips to AC and one to CT.
Quote: RobSingerI live in the Phoenix area .... All we have are smoke-filled .... casinos, and the machines are clogged with the lower rung of society.
Yeah, I hear ya, it's the same way here in Las Vegas.
Quote: NareedThere's a casino less than a mile from my place. And at least two others within 10 miles. also a bingo place. I've never been to any of them. They're all slots, bingo, automated roulette and electronic BJ. That hardly qualifies as a casino to begin with...
I agree with you on that 1! I once stopped at an Indian casino south of St. Paul, MN and no poker or craps. I walked around and looked at the VP selection (horrible) and the slots (which I don't play), had the $12 buffet (pretty good) and left without gambling a dime! They did have BJ tables, tho. the only thing that kept it from just being a "slot parlor"!
I prefer to play after midnight and the CT Casinos are rather boring once the bars close at 1:00.
Quote: woodytymeI agree with you on that 1! I once stopped at an Indian casino south of St. Paul, MN and no poker or craps.
If it doesn't have exactly the same games as Vegas, its not a casino in my book.
True. There are surely defects in the various local operations. Some local casinos do not have the desired games, some local casinos simply have skimpy offerings and are somewhat poorly run operations.Quote: EvenBobIf it doesn't have exactly the same games as Vegas, its not a casino in my book.
I think that more and more people are going to the local casinos though. While there, they may hoist a few and drink a toast to Las Vegas. Their hearts may be in Las Vegas and their dreams may be in Las Vegas, but their wallets are in the local casinos. Its travel time, travel costs, airport delays and indignities, etc.
Many people still look forward to "the real thing" from time to time, but they are going to the local offerings as being "good enough" in view of the convenience factor.
Would I play slots at an Indian casino? No way!! However, I rarely play slots in Las Vegas. A slot machine in Las Vegas is where I park my companion. A slot machine in an Indian casino is where I park my companion and wince! The floor personnel in the Indian casinos here seem downright rude and I often view them as rejects from other gambling locations.
In Florida, craps is available but only on the day boats which usually means a 45 minute buffet while sailing into international waters. Such boats have slots as well as BJ and other offerings. The boats are hurting of course because the Indian casinos are open all the time and don't impose a 45 minute waiting period. And face it, the craps games on the boats are usually max bet 500 with would-be dice setters slowing things down from time to time. The dice crews are often trainees or if experienced are not getting much in tips and therefore seem to be inattentive.
The future? More and more people will be opting for their local casinos. They may do it regretfully but they will be doing it.
Vegas is far from perfect, but the gambling experience is much more fun for me when we are there. The casinos in Louisiana are a three hour drive from here; Vegas is a three hour flight. It does cost more to go to Vegas, of course. It isn't just a cost issue. The casinos in Louisiana, as in most "local casino" areas are pretty far apart. You need to drive to get between many of them (some areas do provide a bus)...well, I am not driving and gambling because I just may enjoy an adult beverage with my gaming action.
I also don't like to play when things are just not "fun"...it may not be anything more than money is being lost faster than I like...or it may be a crappy set of dealers...but I stop when the "fun" is not there. If I am in Louisiana, that is it for the time being...
That is not an issue in Vegas. On the strip or downtown, if you don't like the "action" at one casino, literally dozens of options are within easy stumbling distance. I played in 5-6 casinos while walking from Bally's to Treasure Island...and I skipped a few of them. I walked in every one of them, looked at the table limits for craps, and either played or moved on. I tried Rapid Craps or whatever that ridiculous thing is (I hated it...your mileage may vary...we are all different), I signed up for some clubs I will never play in again (most likely...Westin Causerina) and I had a grand time.
So...our best "area" casino for me is an NA casino that appears to play fairly because of they have to draw folks 40 miles further into Louisiana from Texas. They have good table limits and decent rooms. That casino, and the other two near it (one is very nice but has too high of minimums for me), are okay...BUT THEY AREN'T VEGAS!!!!!
So...I am trying to add a trip to Vegas in the fall to our usual winter trip...
the higher prices have lost their sticker shock.
I think LV is still a good destination, and a good spot to fly to in
order to get to Utah, the Grand Canyon, etc.
Which Casinos are you local to? My parents frequent Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.
Quote: gofaster87"I live in the Central Valley of California. There are 5 casino's all within a 2 hour radius. These are nice BIG Indian casino's...however, I have played at ALL of them, and I've come to realize...they do not have good video poker, nor do they have craps...but the MAIN thing is, how hard it is to get comps. I've tried, HARD, and it still doesn't even hold a CANDLE to what I get in Reno for my money."
Which Casinos are you local to? My parents frequent Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.
Comparing Downtown Las Vegas to Reno over a 5 year period they both have had gaming revenue decay 25%-27%.
Dtown $662m-$497m -25.0% (includes Stratosphere)
Reno $763m-$560m -26.6% (includes Atlantis & Peppermill)
But in terms of profit Reno is showing a lot less red ink. I thought Reno might nearly vanish because of Indian competition, but it seems to be holding on by offering a better deal.Reno is doing better because there wasn't any land speculation or buying or selling casinos that resulted in huge long term debt.
Quote: woodytymeI just checked and it would cost aprox $400 for airfare (from Ohio) plus $200 for a decent hotel room Downtown (5 nites). I recently spent 2 days at a West Virginia casino about an hour drive from my house. Played lots of $1-2 limit hold'em and quite a bit of craps (10X odds) and got in some greyhound racing. Stayed at a Super 8 about 7 miles from the casino. Total cost - $300 for room, gambling and gas. In other words, I can make 2 trips to a local casino for what it costs just to fly to Vegas! And considering the offers that I usually get and didn't after my last trip to Vegas, an hour drive is looking a lot better than 4 hour flight!
My wife and I are going back to Vegas in June and booked through Priceline a couple of weeks before Christmas. Here's what we got: Round trip airfare from Providence R.I. to Las Vegas with a 45 minute stop in Atlanta and 7 nights at MGM Grand. Total price $401 per person. We just checked the price for the same trip a few minutes ago and it's now $854 per person.
I'm sharing this to show that if you're able to plan 6 months ahead, there are some deals to be had. We've done it before.
Quote: benbakdoffMy wife and I are going back to Vegas in June and booked through Priceline a couple of weeks before Christmas. Here's what we got: Round trip airfare from Providence R.I. to Las Vegas with a 45 minute stop in Atlanta and 7 nights at MGM Grand. Total price $401 per person. We just checked the price for the same trip a few minutes ago and it's now $854 per person.
Logically, you would think that Atlantic City would be able to capitalize on having rooms within driving distance of almost 20 million people.
Yet, it looks like revenue is dropping at 11 out of 11 casinos (relative to last year).
I think most hotel rooms are enjoyed by the ladies. Guys tend to just focus on the mattress, the shower and the mini-bar. I think the buffets and restaurants and room service are adventures and don't really get tired of them at all. Women probably never get tired of not having to do the cooking or cleaning.
Heat of Vegas? Yeah it can be like a wall of fire, if you leave the casino!! Even decades ago I still remember walking from Circus Circus casino to the nearest parking structure. Hot. I recall the large notices on the entranceway about pets in cars and I knew Vegas was really hotter than I had ever imagined. Maybe there is less casino hopping as the mercury climbs? Even at 3:00am, it can be hot once you leave the air conditioning. No one ever says "Death Valley, Baby! Death Valley" but the temperatures in Vegas are probably comparable.
Quote: FleaStiffI think most hotel rooms are enjoyed by the ladies. Guys tend to just focus on the mattress, the shower and the mini-bar. I think the buffets and restaurants and room service are adventures and don't really get tired of them at all.
I've never understood women and the room service attraction. Women who stay in hotels on business always rave about getting room service and how wonderful it was. I have never heard of a guy, even if he's all alone, talking about room service. Even if you are broke and tired, you always go down to the bar.
Quote: pacomartinI've never understood women and the room service attraction. Women who stay in hotels on business always rave about getting room service and how wonderful it was. I have never heard of a guy, even if he's all alone, talking about room service. Even if you are broke and tired, you always go down to the bar.
See I like room service and my wife thinks it's a waste.
haven't been downtown yet
Mirage volcano wasn't working last time I was there
City Center complex was still under construction
want to hit Ghost Bar or some other high rise nightclub w/ a view
still haven't been to the Wynn/Encore
Quote: Wavy70See I like room service and my wife thinks it's a waste.
I would much rather get take out food and eat it in the room. Thats why I like Downtown. The 4 Queens has a great pizza joint in the casino and I get the biggest monster they have a six pack of Dos Equis from the liquor store down the street and eat it in front of the TV. Or get a bag of Mickey D's from Fitzgeralds and do the same. My fave was getting the prime rib dinner to go from Binions basement cafe, but thats closed now. You always got more of everything when you got it to go. Screw room service, I hate paying a lot for nothing.
Quote: EvenBobI love Vegas, been going there a long time. ..... I can play whenever I want, go to different casinos, get free booze. I just wish I lived there.
Well, the fun things in life can become boring with routine. Even Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt got tired of sleeping with each other.
Quote: FleaStiff
Heat of Vegas? Yeah it can be like a wall of fire, if you leave the casino!! ... Even at 3:00am, it can be hot once you leave the air conditioning. No one ever says "Death Valley, Baby! Death Valley" but the temperatures in Vegas are probably comparable.
Last year, I remember seeing on the news that we broke a heat record. 45 days in a row of highs in the triple digits, including 48 hours straight at one point last summer. That means, over 100 degrees at 5am. Ouch. That's like a blow dryer in the face outside, but inside, the poker rooms are kept so cold you need long sleeves.
Quote: zippyboyThat's like a blow dryer in the face outside, but inside, the poker rooms are kept so cold you need long sleeves.
Thats something I don't like about Vegas casinos, they really do overkill on the air conditioning. You come in from 110 and its 65 in the casino. I get goosebumps when I'm playing my teeth almost chatter.
Quote: EvenBobI would much rather get take out food and eat it in the room. Thats why I like Downtown. The 4 Queens has a great pizza joint in the casino and I get the biggest monster they have a six pack of Dos Equis from the liquor store down the street and eat it in front of the TV. Or get a bag of Mickey D's from Fitzgeralds and do the same. My fave was getting the prime rib dinner to go from Binions basement cafe, but thats closed now. You always got more of everything when you got it to go. Screw room service, I hate paying a lot for nothing.
lazy is usually my reason to order R/S. My wife points out that my burger and fries in the coffee shop would have been 10 but now it's 17. I have to remind her about the added tip. The only time I'm bummed is when my host doesn't cover it at the end.
Still, its not Vegas... but then again those tiny little casinos off in the middle of nowhere really don't pretend to be Vegas. They offer what they offer and if its not on as grand a scale as Vegas, well... its good enough for many.
I think this discussion of the economics of room service versus its convenience and the costs involved is just an example of an attitude many who go to Vegas have: Splurge!! This "Vegas, Baby. Vegas" attitude of "its the casino's money" and "I'll eat fast food at home, but not on vacation" and "hotel amenities" and views from a window the occupant rarely looks out of bespeaks an attitude that people can have when they are in Vegas, but not at local casinos.
I hate room service--never get it unless my wife is along and has to have something soon. However, the last time I went out to get a 6-pack and brought in a pizza to sit in front of the TV eating, I think I was in college not in LV. And I did it for a break in the action.
I used to hit the Vancouver River Rock more often but I don't go to the mainland as often now.
Quote: EvenBobI would much rather get take out food and eat it in the room. Thats why I like Downtown. The 4 Queens has a great pizza joint in the casino and I get the biggest monster they have a six pack of Dos Equis from the liquor store down the street and eat it in front of the TV. Or get a bag of Mickey D's from Fitzgeralds and do the same. My fave was getting the prime rib dinner to go from Binions basement cafe, but thats closed now. You always got more of everything when you got it to go. Screw room service, I hate paying a lot for nothing.
I figured you for a 3 star restaurant type of guy.
Terry Caudill was an old math teacher, who became an accountant for Circus Circus. Eventually he bought a chain of pubs, and a place called Chicago Brewing Company in the west side of the city. He bought the Four Queens and put a small pub in with the same pizza (which is some of the best). Since he was so successful with that casino he bought Binion's in March 2008 (a decision he regrets now).
Quote: FleaStiffBinion regrets are due solely to timing issues, I assume.
Of course. Over the last 4 fiscal year downtown has reported a 21% reduction in gaming revenue, and at the same time a 28% reduction in non-gaming revenue. Income for the region went from +$141m to -$74m.
By comparison over the last 3 fiscal years the strip has reported a 20% reduction in gaming revenue, and at the same time a 13% reduction in non-gaming revenue.
Terry was stuck with a new purchase with new financing for a property that needs heavy maintenance. He has subsequently closed the hotel, the coffee shop, the keno parlor, and much of the poker room.
To the best of my knowledge he is not an ultra wealthy man. He is probably rich compared to most people, but he doesn't have billion dollar pockets like Poju, who owns the Plaza, the Las Vegas Club, and the Western. I am surprised that he has avoided bankruptcy.
Quote: RobSingerthe last time I went out to get a 6-pack and brought in a pizza to sit in front of the TV eating, I think I was in college not in LV.
You went to college? You should try it sometime, pizza is pizza and beer is beer, and it all tastes better in front of a TV watching a hockey game.
Quote: pacomartinI figured you for a 3 star restaurant type of guy.
I don't like restaurants, never have. I do my own cooking whenever possible. There is something barbaric about eating with a bunch of strangers, and its a rather new concept. Restaurants started in France in the late 1700's and didn't really catch on till the late 1800's. Once in awhile I get a good meal eating out, mostly its just mundane crap. Its takes up too much time. I do it because the wife likes it. Oh well.
Quote: EvenBobI don't like restaurants, never have. I do my own cooking whenever possible. There is something barbaric about eating with a bunch of strangers, and its a rather new concept. Restaurants started in France in the late 1700's and didn't really catch on till the late 1800's. Once in awhile I get a good meal eating out, mostly its just mundane crap. Its takes up too much time. I do it because the wife likes it. Oh well.
I guess there's something barbaric about using a computer too because it was invented about 60 years ago. Geez.
I'm not planning a visit to Vegas this year. I've been seven times, and twice in the last year. Vegas counts as a vacation for us and it takes effort and money to get there. We decided to take a major effort and go to Hawaii instead.
In the end, for value, Vegas is great. I don't understand why people decide to stay in a crappy hotel there when you can stay in resorts with fantastic amenities for the fraction of the price that you would spend anywhere else. When we go to Vegas, we like to try the hotel restaurants where the food can be extremely good if you make the right picks. You get a mediocre meal if you don't do your research (yelp, tripadvisor, opentable) and we usually plan at least half of our dinners in advance.
If I want to gamble on the cheap, I go to my choice of local casinos and have my meals at home. In the end, I've reduced my gambling budget somewhat because I've realized that I spend too much on this form of entertainment.
As for room service vs going down to the hotel bar, when travelling alone, I usually opt for room service. I'm on business and get reimbursed. The hotel bar means that you have to remain dressed and be sociable, which is the last thing I want to be doing when I've been dealing with my client all day.
Our next trip to Vegas might be in the fall.
Quote: EvenBobYou went to college? You should try it sometime, pizza is pizza and beer is beer, and it all tastes better in front of a TV watching a hockey game.
Not all beer is the same though (never drink Konkanee) ... and if you've ever eaten some of the discs of dough in the UK... not all Pizza is the same either. And if it's the Maple Leafs... not all hockey is the same :)
That all said, it's a fine way to spend an evening.
The Redwings, a six-er of Phillips Red Ale and west coast pizza from Romeo's and life is Goooodddd.
University students rarely know what good beer is. Kokanee would have been a standard cheap beer on the West Coast. My beer of choice through college was Molson EX. Yuk.
Quote: boymimboI guess there's something barbaric about using a computer too because it was invented about 60 years ago. Geez.
Eating with a bunch of strangers is odd behavior, I'm sorry. Eating with family and friends is not. Ever watch somebody eat? Its disgusting. Watch the dinner scenes in movies, nobody eats anything. They pick at their food and move it around, and talk. The reason for this is, movie makers learned long ago that eating does not photograph well, it makes even the most beautiful woman look awful. So they pretend to eat in the movies and nobody notices.
Quote: EvenBobEating with a bunch of strangers is odd behavior, I'm sorry. Eating with family and friends is not. Ever watch somebody eat? Its disgusting. Watch the dinner scenes in movies, nobody eats anything. They pick at their food and move it around, and talk. The reason for this is, movie makers learned long ago that eating does not photograph well, it makes even the most beautiful woman look awful. So they pretend to eat in the movies and nobody notices.
How odd....
Quote: boymimbo
As for room service vs going down to the hotel bar, when travelling alone, I usually opt for room service. I'm on business and get reimbursed. The hotel bar means that you have to remain dressed and be sociable, which is the last thing I want to be doing when I've been dealing with my client all day.
The US government decided that it didn't want to look at restaurant receipts. They decided it wasn't cost effective, but they still look at hotel receipts. For example, if you travel to Las Vegas they would give you $71 for food and incidental expenses, and smaller of the room rate on your hotel bill (before tax) or $93. You could eat dog food, or filet mignon for all they care. The true avantage players would try to find a hotel room for $93 that also provided food.
My guess is that if you were re-imbursed the same way, you would be motivated to spread that $71 around a little more effectively. But men would take the $71, and buy some good food at the bar. Women would settle on mediocre food in room service because they relished the idea of someone bringing them a cooked meal without having to appear in public.
Quote: pacomartinThe US government decided that it didn't want to look at restaurant receipts. They decided it wasn't cost effective, but they still look at hotel receipts. For example, if you travel to Las Vegas they would give you $71 for food and incidental expenses, and smaller of the room rate on your hotel bill (before tax) or $93.
It's been a while, but in my time with the US Gov't I spent 90% of my time on travel. The policy was exactly as you say. There were, however, addendums to the policy that stated you must provide meal receipts if it totalled higher than the per diem for the city you were visiting and you wanted to be reimbursed for all of it. You had to provide a reason as well as the name of your guest(s) or else you only got the per diem. The hotel reimbursement was a little easier to work. If it was $93 and you felt you were safer or it was more efficient for whatever reasons to be staying at a hotel that cost $149, then all we had to do was provide rationale and there was no issue.
Quote: RobSingerThe hotel reimbursement was a little easier to work. If it was $93 and you felt you were safer or it was more efficient for whatever reasons to be staying at a hotel that cost $149, then all we had to do was provide rationale and there was no issue.
The hotel charge was limited to 150% of standard rate ($139.50 in this case) regardless of your reason. In hundreds of trips I only went over the fixed rate once. It was in the Mafia run city of Catania, Sicily. The hotel rate is now $210, but in 1993 it was something like $70.
I didn't want to stay at a fleabag hotel down at the docks, but I wanted to stay at the Sheraton where I felt safer. When I got to the Sheraton the whole place was covered with teenage military men all openly displaying Uzzi's. It turns out that the deputy PM of Italy was in town and staying at the Sheraton. He was there for the trial of Mafia Don whose arrest sparked the car bombing at the Uffizi gallery in Rome. The huge security contingent was there in case there was an attempted assassination. It would have probably been safer at the shipyards.
Quote: London Times
Bomb Outside Uffizi in Florence Kills 6 and Damages Many Works
Published: May 28, 1993
A powerful car bomb exploded early today on a street behind the Uffizi Gallery, killing 6 people and wounding 26, and destroying or damaging dozens of works in the gallery's priceless art collection.
Quote: boymimboWatching the Maple Leafs is like watching a train wreck... it gives me some warm feelings to watch the Leafs on Saturday night and to feel the familiar pain of failure...
I've only been watching hockey for about four years, and rather lucked into supporting a team that plays well and has done for 20 years.
Quote:University students rarely know what good beer is. Kokanee would have been a standard cheap beer on the West Coast. My beer of choice through college was Molson EX. Yuk.
Amen, but I got a good education early on in the UK from a couple of beer tickers... I've been a bitter drinker for years, but started drinking better lagers. But the first beer I tried on arrival in Canada was Kokanee. For some reason, the fact it was advertised and I'd never heard of it meant I figured it had to be good.
Quote: thecesspitI've only been watching hockey for about four years>> But the first beer I tried on arrival in Canada was Kokanee..
Beer is good with pizza when watching hockey on TV, even in your hotel room in Vegas.
