Royally Flushed

We love technology and anything that can get us the best and most up-to-the-minute deals on Vegas shows, restaurants and more is something we are definitely interested in using.  So when we heard that you can get notice of great deals while you are AT the casino, we had to investigate.

Introducing the newest of the new technology where special offers come via your cell phone and its “text messaging” feature!  Called “mobile marketing,” this tool is currently being tested in some of the Harrah’s Entertainment properties such as the Rio in Las Vegas.   According to the company, the program provides real-time offers, property information, and Total Rewards® points balance to Rio guests directly to their mobile phones.

For example, visitors to the Rio will see signs posted throughout the property informing them of a number to call if they wish to “opt-in” to receive text messages.  If they choose to participate, guests can then expect to receive text alerts offering special deals on show tickets, dining and more sent right to their mobile devices.

According to David Norton, chief marketing officer, Harrah’s Entertainment, the new program offers the casino operator “the capability to communicate directly with specific guests via their mobile devices, offering great promotional opportunities when it’s most relevant.”

With growth predicted to be in the 150% range over the next five years, expect to see even more of this targeted mobile marketing from casinos and resorts in the future.
Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

It seems we are always looking for cool travel bags.  Bags that hold all our can’t-live-without-’em electronics and overnight “stuff.”  We’ve also been on the prowl for some great Father’s Day gift ideas so this exclusive one day only sale from eBags.com is just in time for summer travel and for Father’s Day gift-giving.  We are big fans of eBags when buying all types of luggage, laptop bags, travel cases, handbags and more. (Honest. We’ve bought lots of travel pieces and laptop bags from eBags and have nothing but good stuff to say about the products, service and prices!) Good on May 28th ONLY, you get 25% off on a single item when you use the link below!

Check out some of these nifty bags for the special guy in your life:

A cool option for Dads or grads is this Commute – Medium messenger bag from Timbuk2. It’s available in lots of different sizes and colors (we like this chocolate/licorice combo) plus the rugged line offers a wide array of coordinating wallets, travel bags, backpacks and more.

This all-business-black CaseLogic
16″ Executive Laptop Case will hold all 15″ – 16″ computers in style. Constructed of nylon with leather straps and accents, the case has lots of padding plus adjustable straps to keep you comfy and your computer safe while traveling.

We LOVE this rolling duffel bag — the Mother Lode TLS Mini 21″ Wheeled Duffel. Check out all the inside compartments — perfect for packing our travel necessities — plus there are lots of outside pockets for stashing books, magazines, files, iPods and more. This funky “soylent green” shade is our choice but you can get it in a much more subtle gray or even basic black!

Be sure to click on the link below when going to eBags so you get this terrific one-day offer. (And, ladies? If you don’t see something for him, be sure to scope out the handbag section on the site. This summery Tignanello hobo will definitely be in our shopping cart today!)  Touchables Cargo Hobo

Exclusive Offer – Get 25% Off a Single Item at eBags.com – valid 05/28 Only!
*Some brand restrictions apply.

Summer deals await at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Time is running out to book this Las Vegas suites and dining deal from The Venetian.  Starting at just $109 per night weekdays, The Venetian, one of the top Las Vegas hotels, is offering guests a luxury suite plus:

• 25% off bill at Postrio, Wolfgang Puck’s trendy Grand Canal Shoppes eatery.
• $50 off any spa service 80 minutes or longer at Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.
• $30 off your dining bill at Woo (with $60 minimum purchase) located at sister property, The Palazzo.
• Complimentary upgrade to Blue Zone tickets with purchase of Red Zone tickets to The Venetian’s popular Blue Man Group stage show.
• $50 in Slot Credits per stay.

Be sure to use Venetian promotion code “EVBMAY” when booking your Las Vegas room.  Hotel reservations at The Venetian must be made by May 31 to take advantage of this special offer.

To book your luxury Las Vegas room, click here:  Venetian Summer Room Promotion

Other great Las Vegas promotions can be found here: Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

MGM Mirage has some great news for slot club players!  Not only will the wildly popular “Players Club Holiday Gift Shoppe 2009” take place over TWO weeks this year but to sweeten the deal even more, the club is doubling the points earned on slot play beginning June 1 and continuing through August 31.  (Las Vegas properties only.)

Players Club members have been accruing Gift Shoppe points since January 1. Gift Shoppe points are completely free and club members accrue them automatically – no extra sign-ups required.  Plus, these points are in addition to other slot club points and benefits.

Players can redeem Gift Points at the fabulous year-end Players Club Holiday Gift Shoppe 2009 which will take place during the two week event happening November 28 – December 13 where you can get watches, jewelry, electronics, home & sporting goods, Gift Cards, FREEPLAY^® and more!

Check for details at MGM Mirage’s website at playersclub.com or at the players club desk at each casino location.    Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

Get great room deals this summer in Las Vegas.

Looking for low rates and great hotel deals for your Las Vegas vacation?  Here is a booking site plus several  hotels in Las Vegas offering not only smoking hotel room rates but also lots of vacation package add-ons like free room upgrades, food coupons, show discounts and more.  These are — by far — some of the best deals in Las Vegas.

The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is offering i4vegas.com customers a FREE UPGRADE TO A RESORT ROOM for stays through 6/26/9. (Stays during May 18-19 & 22-24 are excluded.)  This is a $50.00 per night value! Just book a Hollywood Hip room, and you will be upgraded at no charge when you check-in.  Now thru Sept 30, guests also receive a $25 Buffet Credit (liquor excluded), and these coupons: (more…)

The adults-only GO pool at Flamingo Las Vegas is a tropical oasis in the summer.

It may be hot outside but Las Vegas offers lots of great attractions all summer long and you don’t have to break a sweat to enjoy them.

1.  Tour Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino.  Cruising through the more than 1 million gallons of seawater can’t help but make you feel a whole lot cooler.

2.  Order TWO scoops of super-rich, intensely-flavored ice cream at Sugar & Ice at Wynn Las Vegas.

3.  Enjoy a frozen, fruity concoction while lying poolside at any of the city’s fabulous “ultra-pools.” We enjoy the surprisingly hidden tropical gardens and pool complex at Flamingo Las Vegas — complete with real pink flamingos.

4.  Sip a cold beer inside the Fontana Lounge at the Bellagio while watching the fabulous fountain show taking place just outside.

5.  Wander the wide halls of the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood then stop for lunch at the beach-themed Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant (complete with bikini-clad servers!) (more…)

New Owner Phil Ruffin assures players that their points and play will be safe even with the sale of TI.

We received this — “A Message from the New Owner of TI” — and wanted to share it with our readers who may not be signed up to receive emails from MGM Mirage’s “Players Club.”  It answers a number of questions that have been floating around since the announcement of the sale of TI – Treasure Island Hotel and Casino to Phil Ruffin.  It’s good news for those of us who have frequented TI in the past.

“Dear _______,

I am very excited to announce the acquisition of Treasure Island by Ruffin Companies. TI is a property that is in pristine condition, ideally located in the heart of the strip and benefits from a wonderful team of outstanding employees. Ruffin Companies was able to purchase TI while acquiring little or no debt, therefore making TI a financially strong company within the Las Vegas market. I, along with the entire TI team, appreciate your loyalty and we want to assure you that, although there is a new captain at the helm, we are all committed to providing you with the amazing experience that you have come to expect at TI. (more…)

Poker Buddy scores with a double Royal Flush for a cool two grand.

P.B.:  “Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is announcing their Alaskan cruise contest winners tonight.  Do you want to go out for it?”

Me:  “Not really…I’m kinda’ tired today.”

Three hours later —

Me:  “Okay, I got my second wind.  Let’s go out and see if we won a cruise.”

P.B.:  “Yeah, let’s go but I don’t want to play too much.”

Me:  “Nah, me neither.”

Two hours later –

See above photo!  Poker Buddy hits for $2000 on a quarter Triple Play DDB video poker game.  Dealt four to the Royal Flush, he pulls the queen twice for TWO Royals.  Cha-Ching!

Hmm, maybe we should not “want to play too much” more often?  (No cruise by the way.)

Got any stories you wanna’ share?  We’d love to hear them so tell us about your big wins in the comments section of this post.

Want to practice your video poker strategy for free online?  Just go to videopoker.com to play your favorite games on the ‘net’s largest non-wagering video poker site.