Royally Flushed

Gifts are great...just not mittens and backpacks.

Lists, lists and more lists!  Best of, worst of, most notable, most notorious.  So as not to be left off the year-end bandwagon, this week we are going to list some New Year’s resolutions we’d like to see the casinos make for 2009.   (Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section.)

To all casinos both large and small; please resolve to stop giving away dumb stuff.  I love “gifts” - quote marks used because we both know I have more than paid for them with my play — but puh-leeze make it something I would even remotely consider using.

For instance, I am the proud owner of Casino Arizona’s latest marketing giveaway — mittens and a scarf.  Uh, did someone miss the Arizona in that name?  If you’re trying to make an impact, wouldn’t you want to give a gift that has some sort of relationship to your business?  Yeah, black mittens and a fuzzy scarf immediately say “Let’s go to the casino…in sunny Arizona” to me.  The month before, a thin “stadium blanket” was the featured free gift.  (This fascination with cold weather is really starting to make me wonder if they know something we don’t and the newest Ice Age is upon us starting in the Arizona desert.) (more…)

We’ve got a few things to pick up in the stores this holiday season but most of our shopping is being done online this weekend.  Easy on the budget and the feet plus we can buy lots of unique gifts without ever leaving the couch! 

So, sit back and relax, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, and shop for all the casino fans, poker players, and slot players on your list with our tailor-made gift guide.  We sorted through tons of items and websites to bring you our “Best Gifts for Casino Players.” 

I’m giving P.B. a watch this Christmas and in my search found a great site with a huge selection of the most popular watch brands including Fossil, Citizen and more – both men’s and women’s — at phenomenal prices with free shipping and a 110% price guarantee.  Be sure to use the special coupon code “10off” to save an additional $10 on any watch purchase.

Here’s the link: 
Watchco.com- HOLIDAY SPECIALS- BRAND NAME WATCHES- 40%-70% OFF!

A custom thermal from Bad Beat Clothing.

Also, check out the custom-designed tee-shirts, thermals and more at Bad Beat Clothing.  This stuff rocks!  Speaking of poker, great article at Poker Listings about the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic that starts today at The Bellagio. 

And here’s a quick-click way to access all of our holiday gift posts so far this season:
Gifts for Poker Players       Gifts for Slot Players/Casino Gamers         Holiday Gifts for Players     JAQK Wines

Happy Shopping!

You knew the October numbers weren’t going to be pretty but I’m not sure anyone guessed that Nevada gaming revenue would be down - are you ready? - 22.3% as compared to a year ago.  That is the single largest monthly drop in reported “win” in state history and the 10th straight month that gaming revenues have declined.

Here’s how the numbers released today by the Nevada Gaming Commission played out in the Silver State:

Nevada as a whole brought in $905 million for a 22.3% drop.

The Las Vegas Strip was hit hard with its $475 million take which represents a 25.8% drop compared to a record “win” in excess of $637 million in October of last year. (more…)

Here’s a very smart move from Harrah’s Entertainment.  They’ve collaborated with WMS Gaming, makers of the wildly-popular Wizard of Oz machines, (you know, the ones I can never play!) and will introduce a special TOTAL REWARDS® version of WMS Gaming’s new Star Trek machine beginning this week in Las Vegas. 

Here’s the skinny from a joint press release dated December 1, 2008 (Emphasis mine) - “Players who are members of Harrah’s TOTAL REWARDS® program will be able to use their cards to create a personalized and differentiated gaming experience on the STAR TREK themed gaming machines at most of the company’s casinos in North America, as Harrah’s moves forward with a market-by-market implementation plan, subject to additional jurisdictional regulatory approvals.

“This server-enabled, networked gaming platform provides players with the unique ability to personalize their game play, allowing them to save their play status and unlock additional bonus rounds and game episodes over time. ” (more…)

The slot-playing casino kings and queens on your shopping list will simply love receiving one of these great holiday gifts.  We’ve chosen the best gifts for casino lovers in a wide range of prices ($10 to $299) that will keep them organized, entertained, on time and more while you get all the credit for your gift-giving savvy.

I love a compact wallet or little case that can hold all my players club cards, my room key, some cash, my credit cards and keep everything perfectly organized.  These all fit the bill and do it stylishly to boot!  Left to right:  I love this Colorful Credit Card Holder.  Check out the rainbow of hues on this one — from basic black to “Pumpkin” and “Ocean,” $14.88.   Pictured in the center is the sleek little Metro Mini Designer Card Case which will hold all the necessities and comes in ten great colors/textures.  At just $9.88 each, this hard case makes a great stocking stuffer. The zippered leather case on the right is perfect for my sweetie. He can pack it with all his club cards, stash it in a pocket and off to Vegas we go!  Leather Credit Card Holder, $25.50. (more…)

Yesterday I told you all about P.B.’s memorable $1,000 Royal Flush at The Rio and today I want to tell you about my first big hit in a casino.

Mine is a classic story of beginner’s luck.  This happened more years ago than I’d like to count while I was on my honeymoon with P.B.  We were in the Bahamas staying at what was, at the time, the Paradise Island Princess Resort & Casino.  After a full day of sight-seeing and snorkeling, we had dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants and headed for the casino.  We walked around the crowded gaming floor for quite a while before deciding on which machines to play.  Because it was so packed, we weren’t able to find games next to each other but we were at least in the same general area.  I sat down at a multiple-line fruit and 7’s slot machine and started feeding quarters in and pulling down the lever.  (Told you it was a while ago!)  I went through one roll of quarters and had just cracked open the second roll when I hit a bunch of red sevens.  I didn’t even know it was a big hit until the lights started blinking and the bells started ringing!  In my excitement, I left — yes, left — the machine to find my new husband who immediately told me to go back to my machine and wait for the attendant.  NOW!  I still laugh when I think about it.  (Smart man.  No wonder I’m still married to him.)

My total win was 2500 quarters — $625 — which went toward our hotel bill for the week and toward my enduring fascination with casinos and casino gaming.

Now, I open the cyber “floor” for the story of your first big win.  Check out our “Post Contest” for your chance to win a copy of the new 2009 American Casino Guide. 

Everyone who enjoys casino gambling can remember — always in great detail — the first time it happened.  Where you were, what you were playing, who you were with.  I’m talking about your first time.  The very first time you hit big in the casino.

For video poker players, it was no doubt their very first Royal Flush.  For slot players, maybe it was three Triple Diamond symbols or three Blazing 7’s appearing like magic across the screen.  I will always remember my friend, Mark, calling me on his cell phone from the California casino in downtown Las Vegas to tell me he had just hit for $10,000 on the Triple Double Diamond dollar slots.  Cha-ching!  For blackjack and poker players, craps and roulette fans, it was that first “streak” that just went on and on until your bankroll looked like nothing you’d ever seen. 

Here’s a “first story” for P.B. and me.  While it wasn’t his first $1,000 Royal, it was the first one he got while he and I were playing together.  We were sitting side-by-side at the bar at The Rio in Las Vegas sipping wine and playing Double Double Bonus video poker, quarters, when P.B. nudged me and said “Look.”  That’s it, just one word - “look.”  When I glanced over, all I saw was the “Call Attendant” notice on the screen so I thought his machine was broken.  I was saying something dumb  like “Oh, I’m sure someone will come and FIX it” and he said … “No, LOOK!”  That’s when I saw the Royal Flush and the big fat $1,000 JACKPOT sign!  It was a very fun hit with everyone at the bar coming to look and even the bartender calling people over to see it.  (By the way, he hit it in diamonds and he held the Ten, King and Jack and drew the Ace and Queen.  See what I mean about remembering in great detail!)

Tomorrow — My first big hit in slots PLUS the announcement of a fun new contest for our readers.

Want to know what’s happening in Las Vegas right now?  Is the Mirage Volcano open yet?  Are renovations at New York New York completed?  Where can I play “Bigger Bang” slots?  For answers to these questions plus lots of other great info, head over to Five Hundy by Midnight and tap into the latest podcast from hosts Tim and Michele Dressen as they share their views on Vegas from a recent “stealth” trip to The Strip.  (They’ll explain in the podcast what “stealth” is all about.)

As you would expect given the state of the economy, they found Vegas to be a lot less crowded than usual over the Thanksgiving holiday.  From the short cab line at the airport to the less-than-busy intersection near The Flamingo casino and Margaritaville bar and restaurant, it was obvious to them that fewer and fewer tourists are making their way to Vegas these days. 

The "Pig-A-Pult" bonus screen from the new "Bigger Bang" slot game from WMS Gaming.

For those of us who enjoy gaming, a highlight of this week’s podcast is their review of the several new slot games they played on their trip.  Games including “Bigger Bang” at Caesars Palace and Bill’s, “Star Trek,” “Happy Days” and the” Cliffhanger” version of the popular “Price Is Right” game are discussed.  The “Bigger Bang” machine is a “group slots” game (and yes, that does sound funny when you say it out loud) and it’s the newest version of WMS Gaming’s popular “Big Bang Piggy Bankin’” slot game and that’s why it’s called “Bigger Bang.”  There’s also a good update on the reported demise (false) of Wheel of Fortune™ machines at properties on The Strip.

You’ll find much more of interest in the very entertaining one-hour-plus show including a call-in segment featuring listener restaurant reviews and updates on hotel room rates so listen to it here.

Shopping for the poker player on your list couldn’t be easier this year!  Here, we’ve pulled together the essentials for great times playing poker at home with friends and family.  We’ve got the gifts — from clay poker chips to poker sets to poker cards — so let the games and the holidays begin!

What poker night would be complete without a kick-ass poker table?  Check out these high-quality yet affordable beauties from BBO Poker Tables including their new “Custom Lab” tables with full-color graphics.  Free crating and shipping on all tables really does bring “Poker to the People” — BBO’s motto.  Plus, here’s a special offer to sweeten the pot:   Save 5% off poker tables at www.BBOPokerTables.com by using coupon “POKERHOLIDAY”!  And be sure to check out their “Poker Chips and Accessories” category, too, for some distinctive card guards as well as nice chips.

Paulson clay poker chip set.

Speaking of chips, they’re really a matter of budget and design appeal. Got big bucks to spend on Paulson’s — here’s a great offer with a sweet 37% discount on the classic Top Hat & Cane chip.  This impressive set also comes with two decks of cards, a cigar tray and more.  Trademark Games 240 - Pc. Paulson® Top Hat and Cane Poker Chip Set with Wood Case.

Or, try these popular 10g chips complete with cards, dice, dealer buttons, aluminum case and with a hefty 50% discount (click on link to show price) Casino Da Vinci Authentic All Clay Casino Quality Poker Chip Set w/ 300 Chips, 6 Dealer Buttons, 2 Cut Cards.

Prefer to save your money for that upcoming trip to Vegas?  Then consider this good-quality set of 500 composite chips with a nice design and jaw-dropping price of just $39.99!  ChipsAndGames Premium Set of 500 11.5 gr Ace-King Suited Poker Chips w/6 Dealer Buttons & Poker Dice.

KEM poker cards

You’ve saved a lot of money so far so why not splurge a little on these KEM plastic cards?  Set of two deluxe decks with the WPT® logo.  KEM Poker World Poker Tour Standard Index (Black/Silver).

Tell your poker-playing buddy to drop the kitchen timer with this Poker Genie Home Tournament Manager Timer.  The Poker Genie is a poker tournament clock that electronically displays the time remaining in the current blinds level, the ante and the small and big blinds. It is a hardware-based blind timer that will also help set up your poker tournament. The Poker Genie will automatically calculate your blind schedule and tell you how many chips of each color to issue each player. It will estimate how long your tournament should last and … it does all this within a minute or two. You can also use The Poker Genie to display your own custom blind schedule.  No more “How much time is left?” or “What is the big blind?” questions.

Looking for some stocking-stuffers?  Maybe some hand-painted card guards will bring you luck. I’m particularly partial to the “Royal Flush” version.  Hand Painted Poker Card Guard Protector - Choose from 6 Designs. 

And last, but certainly not least, give the players on your list some great card-playing movies they can show to set the mood for poker night.  Check out the titles in our ”Gift Guide” and choose from classics like “The Sting” and “The Cincinnati Kid” or new favs like “The Rounders” and “21.”

So it’s now the Sunday evening after Thanksgiving and I haven’t set foot in a store all weekend.  (Well, except for the grocery store and that was just a quick stop for bread to make turkey sandwiches!)  No Christmas shopping, no bargain-hunting, no “Black-Friday-up-at-o’dark-thirty-to-hit-the-mall” stories, nothing … nada.  Instead, P.B. and I headed out to Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Maricopa for Black Friday where we played our favorite video poker game, Spin Poker.™ 

Harrah's Ak-Chin casino in Maricopa, AZ.

Harrah’s was actually pretty crowded Friday, probably due in part to people using the free slot play coupons — good for the holiday weekend only – like the $100 ones P.B. and I had just received in the mail.  (Way to get people in the doors, Ak-Chin marketing!)  Plus Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are when the qualifying drawings are held for the $1,000,000 giveaway finale coming up on December 28 at Ak-Chin so I’m sure lots of players came out for that, too.

We had a fun day at Harrah’s — much more fun than slogging through the stores looking for some Holy Grail of gifts.  We each started out playing Triple Double Bonus games on nickel Spin Poker Deluxe™ and not hitting much at first but then the cards started coming and we each hit for some aces, some deuces, and then threes with a kicker.  I even hit for a Royal Flush in hearts.  P.B. had the “best pay of the day” (we always have a fun competition going between us) with his four aces and a kicker on two lines which paid a little over $440.  We stayed most of the afternoon and left with a little more than we walked in with so a good trip in more ways than one. 

Oh, and on a side note, the bank of new Wizard of Oz™ slot machines was crazy-crowded with people gathered around watching the players and rooting them on during bonus rounds.  People love these new Wizard of Oz machines!  Guess you have to get there early to snag a seat at one. 

The rest of the weekend I’ve spent pulling together the holiday “Gift Guide“ along with the other gift suggestions you’ll find here on our site — all for you to give to the players on your holiday list.  The Internet is a wide and wonderful place if you know where to look!

And how did you spend your holiday weekend?  Get any gaming in you want to tell us about?

I like to share places I find on the Internet that I think other players might also enjoy visiting.  Forums are, I think, particularly interesting because you can post questions and polls, write about your own experiences or get a different perspective by reading what others have to say on a specific topic.  In regards to gaming, I learn a lot about different casinos, strategies, promotions, pay tables, hotel offers, shows and even restaurants just from reading posts from players throughout the country.  When and if you do choose to join a forum, jump in and participate.  There are sure to be people like me who are looking for the kind of personal input only YOU can provide.

Here are some of my favorites: (more…)

With lights that change colors like an Arizona sunset, a soaring canopy greets visitors to the new Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Arizona.

So what does it sound like when every one of a casino’s 850 slot machines are ALL being played at once?  You would know – or you would have heard – if you were at the grand opening yesterday of Gila River’s new Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Arizona.  Casino-goers flocked to the handsome new gaming facility for a first look and to try their luck at one of the new machines.  Guests not seated in front of a machine or at one of the 24 table games milled around eagerly waiting for the opportunity to play.  Even the new “High Limit” area was crowded with players hoping to hit it big.

The Gila River Community is to be commended on this classy addition to the Phoenix gaming scene.  The interior is light and bright and highlighted by the use of natural materials like sandstone.  (more…)