CityCenter's towering Vdara Hotel shines brightly in the Vegas sun.

Like a Broadway debut from the city it’s trying to emulate, CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip is opening…softly. Beginning last week with the December 1st grand opening party at the 1,495-suite Vdara Hotel, project CityCenter continues to open piece by glittering piece with the Crystals retail and dining complex and the new Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas now open as well. All three properties are, however, a prelude to the main act: the 61-floor MGM MIRAGE Aria Resort & Casino featuring over 4,000 rooms, a new Cirque du Soleil show – Viva Elvis – plus eateries from such well-known chefs as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Julian Serrano. Aria will open December 16th.

CityCenter is not just another high-end gaming property opening in Las Vegas. This 67-acre parcel of prime Strip real estate — site of the biggest privately financed construction project in United States history — is now home to a “city within a city,” an urban landscape of shining skyscrapers, public art displays, an elevated train, residential condos and even a “pocket park.”

We visited last week and got a first glimpse of the Vdara Hotel and the Crystals shopping area. Both are striking examples of the city-chic contemporary architecture guiding the entire project. All sharp angles and shimmering surfaces, the thin December sunlight bounced from one building to the next creating an urban canyon of sorts.  And, honestly, having lived in D.C. as well as having spent considerable time in NYC, we have to say that we really did feel like we were in a major metropolitan neighborhood.

We entered CityCenter via the new pedestrian walkway running from the Bellagio into the Vdara Hotel. It is a striking contrast to go from the lush Italianate surroundings of the Bellagio and into the stark yet stunning halls of the ultra-modern Vdara. (Be sure to check out the bar at Silk Road restaurant before continuing on into the hotel’s reception area.)

Bar Vdara is a cozy spot for a cocktail (albeit an expensive cocktail )and affords a great view of the interior courtyard of CityCenter which features a Nancy Rubins sculpture in a starburst design composed of castoff canoes. (Read more about the artist and see a similar sculpture here.)

The Crystals retail and dining area can be accessed from the Strip via a new pedestrian bridge and walkway (across from Planet Hollywood) or by tram (the “elevated train” mentioned earlier) from the neighboring Bellagio. (The tram continues on to the Monte Carlo conveniently linking all three MGM MIRAGE properties: Bellagio, CityCenter and the Monte Carlo.)

At Crystals, we found a lot of construction still underway with only about 40% of the retail area occupied by stores. This is high-end (think nosebleed-level) shopping. From the three-story flagship Louis Vuitton boutique ( a Strip-side LED light show will take place every night from dusk to dawn) to Roberto Cavalli, Mikimoto pearls, Hermes and Prada, this is destination shopping at its finest. BESO, a fine-dining spot from actress Eva Longoria Parker with celeb chef Todd English in charge of the kitchen, is open on the first floor. The spot also features, Eve, a swank nightclub.  Additional restaurants from English, Wolfgang Puck and other top toques will be opening in the future.

Here are some pics from our recent trip PLUS the latest promotion codes and links for getting the best room rates at both Aria and Vdara.  Also, check out the CityCenter website for more information on the project.

The multi-level Crystals shopping and dining area at CityCenter Las Vegas.

Opening December 16, the new Aria Resort & Casino is the crown jewel of CityCenter Las Vegas.

Veer Towers form a background for the new Crystals shopping area at CityCenter Las Vegas.

Bar Vdara at CityCenter is highly-recommended for people-watching.

There's a sculptural feel to the burnished metal portico marking the entrance into the Vdara Hotel.

The CityCenter tram runs past the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas and Veer Towers.

Vdara “Winter Special” Rates from $139/nt (2nt Min). *Stay Two Nights at Vdara Hotel & Spa at a Special Introductory Rate from $139 and Receive a $50 Resort Credit (*See site for additional detail and restrictions). Dec 1, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: VRLVCVA (Exp 4/1/10)

ARIA “Winter Special” Rates from $159/nt (2nt Min). *Enjoy this incredible offer at ARIA, MGM MIRAGE’s newest resort-casino at CityCenter – Stay Two Nights at a Special Rate from $159 per night and Receive a $75 Resort Credit (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Dec 17, 2009 – Apr 1, 2010. Promo Code: AR159G75 (Exp 4/1/10)

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the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 10.1-Inch Netbook

I can't wait to use this pretty red and gold Mikasa Parchment dinnerware on Christmas Eve.

In addition to the hourly deals, there is a whole section of all-day Cyber Monday sales also going on at Amazon.  I picked up this Mikasa Parchment Red 40-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8 for the holidays for just $130.  That’s 78% off the regular list price of $580!

I’m also getting this Wusthof knife — Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku. The Santoku is made in such a way that the blade cuts through food with less drag and allows for thinner slicing of almost anything. (Caution: This includes your fingertips!) The lowest price I’ve seen on this particular knife is $89 so this is a fab deal, especially for cooks like me who first became a fan of the brand back in culinary school.

(And, yes, I know this post has nothing to do with Las Vegas or gaming but I just felt that my readers would love getting a good deal(s) as much as I do!)

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The posh pool complex at the M Resort in Las Vegas was featured in a recent episode of Top Chef Las Vegas.

We’ve always been big fans of the Bravo channel’s popular reality show, Top Chef.  We confess –watching some of the contestants’ huge egos positively wilt under head judge Tom Colicchio’s incredulous stare or sharp-as-a-Wusthof criticism is the high point of our Wednesday nights. (No doubt that particular joy comes from our experiences dealing with the many prima donna chefs we encountered during our decade-plus in the restaurant industry.)

So, take one of our favorite guilty-pleasure TV shows, combine it with our favorite guilty-pleasure city in the world then set it within the walls of a swanky new casino resort and… wait, wait, you know it’s coming… you have a recipe (there, we said it!) for a hugely entertaining waste of an hour every week.

This year, filming takes place at the stunning new Henderson-located M Resort Spa Casino. When I interviewed the M’s Anthony Marnell III back in March for Casino Player magazine, the CEO made it very clear that food and the nine dining outlets of the M were going to be the highlights of the new resort. At the time, Mr. Marnell said “We believe food is one of the most, if not the most important reason why guests will visit the property. The restaurants we have developed will introduce a new kind of dining experience that reflects my family’s reputation for great food and great value.” We think that by agreeing to let the show film at his resort, Mr. Marnell further cements the M’s reputation as a “destination-dining” spot in Las Vegas.

Now, back to the show: Last week’s episode offered viewers the chance to get a glimpse of some of the best chefs working not only in Las Vegas but in the world today. The assembled group of top toques was so impressive that even Chef Colicchio admitted to being humbled in the presence of such cooking masters as Joël Robuchon, the man awarded the title “Chef of the Century” by the venerable dining and travel guide, Gault Millau. Chef Robuchon’s Las Vegas restaurants — L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon at The Mansion – are located at the MGM Grand. 5 Diamond Award Winner: Joël Robuchon Restaurant at MGM Grand.

Last night’s show found the contestants far from the neon lights of the city and cooking over open firepits in the sizzling 100+-degree stark Nevada desert. Their guests (and critics) were a group of real Southwestern cowboys. As always, some dishes stood out for their taste and originality while others were remarkable for their awfulness. Ceviche for cowboys? I don’t think so. With that, Mattin, the French chef (who reminded me of the character Remy from the movie “Ratatouille“) was told to “pack up his knives and go.”

Tips and More Info:

• For a taste of the new M, try the resort’s highly-praised 500-seat buffet restaurant, “Studio B,” where a live-action exhibition kitchen features the restaurant’s chefs preparing signature appetizers, entrées and desserts.

• Check out Top Chef on Bravo TV’s website and you’ll find lots of ideas for hosting viewing parties with a Vegas vibe.  You can also catch up on past shows from this season as well as those from other years.

• Get a glimpse into the world of renowned chef, Joël Robuchon, with a visit to his website where you’ll see pics of his Las Vegas and other restaurants plus read articles on his accomplishments in the culinary field.

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Bally's Las Vegas features big, comfy rooms, a great center-Strip location and more at discount rates.

Several years ago (and, no, we’re not saying how many) when we first started taking frequent trips to Las Vegas  we got a recommendation for a hotel from an unlikely source: our dentist. The topic of “favorite hotel in Vegas” came up during one of those routine visits — the type where you can still talk during the appointment — and our fav D.D.S. (who is a native of Phoenix) told us he traveled to Vegas quite a few times each year for both vacation and to attend dental conferences. His hotel of choice on the Strip: Bally’s Las Vegas.  Now here’s a guy who could stay pretty much anywhere — and had — yet he chose Bally’s time after time.  He gave us a bunch of reasons so we decided to give it a try and ended up agreeing with a lot of what he said.

Since that conversation and first stay, we’ve hung our hats at Bally’s a number of times not only because we use our Diamond status in Harrah’s Total Rewards® club to get free rooms but also because we actually like staying at Bally’s. Is it the fanciest hotel on the Strip? No, not by a long-shot but it may be the best budget hotel on the Strip!

Location: It doesn’t get much more “center-Strip” then the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo.  If you want a prime location at a very reasonable price, Bally’s will fill the bill perfectly.     View Map of The Strip here.

Monorail Station:  Take the escalator down, trek through the tunnel past the shops, restaurants and pool and there’s the Bally’s/Paris Station ready to take you up and down the Strip.  Especially convenient during the summer when temps can easily top 100 degrees.

Access to Paris Las Vegas:  Bally’s is adjacent to Paris Hotel & Casino — complete with interior walkway — so it’s like having two casinos in one.  We can easily  head to all of our fav Paris restaurants including Mon Ami Gabi and La Creperie (and its chocolate banana confection) and those “Goldfish” slot machines we like so much.

That “old Vegas” feel:  We admit it — we’re suckers for all that gold and brass in the casino; the daily “Aces Cracked” poker tourney; and the large hotel rooms featuring touches of baby blue or dusty mauve velveteen.   Plus, don’t forget that Bally’s is the home of the long-running showgirl extravaganza — Jubilee! – an absolute must-see variety show for any Vegas visitor.

If you’re looking for a world-class spa, celebrity-chef restaurants and ultra-lux rooms then Bally’s is not the hotel for you. (Think Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, Venetian Resort & Casino, Encore.)  But, if like lots of visitors to Las Vegas, you want a great location, comfy room and more-than-reasonable rates, Bally’s Las Vegas may be your great stay.

We found discount July and August hotel rates starting at just $49 per night mid-week and that rate includes a coupon book worth $700 in Harrah’s discounts!  Check it out at Bally’s Hotel & Casino

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The Las Vegas landmark, Caesars Palace, features prominently in new comedy, "The Hangover."

What’s the next best thing to being in Las Vegas?  Seeing the city in all its racy, glitzy glory up on the silver screen of course!  Ready for its close-up, Caesars Palace Las Vegas plays a starring role in the new comedy, “The Hangover,” which opens nationwide, tomorrow, June 5th.  The film stars Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper (you may know him from “Nip Tuck” and “Alias” plus lots of big screen flicks,) Ed Helms (we love Andy on “The Office”) and Zach Galifianakis (yeah, spell that 20 times really fast!) as guys out on the town in Las Vegas for a last bachelor party splash.

Things go completely awry when three of the friends wake up in their Caesars Palace suite only to find a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet and no groom-to-be in sight!  The comedy, directed by Todd Phillips of “Old School” fame, is already garnering good pre-opening reviews including this article at “The Hollywood Reporter” which calls the movie “head-poundingly (in a good way), sidesplittingly funny.”

Look for lots of of great shots of Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, the Strip and other easily-recognizable Vegas landmarks as the boys re-trace their steps while trying to find the missing groom.  It may not be Vegas but it could serve as a “fix” until you can make that next trip out.

Expedia Hotel Sale! 5000+ Deals worldwide, hotels from $24! – Expires 6/30/09

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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:

• $40 in Free Play – present coupon at the A-List Players Club Booth
• Miracle Mile Shops – Shop-Dine-Save Coupon Book – Up to $2,000 total savings throughout the mall
• Planet Dailies – 10% Off your Food & Beverage Lunch purchase up to 4 people
• Planet Hollywood spa by MANDARA – one complimentary admission with purchase of one
• The Playing Field – 2 for 1 Well Drinks

Planet Hollywood is home to one of the Strip’s hottest new shows, the burlesque-style revue, “Peepshow,” as well as several popular restaurants like P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Trader Vic’s.  With it center-of-the-Strip location, Planet “Ho” is a terrific spot for a summer stay especially with rates starting at just $89 per night.

To reserve this offer, click here: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

The venerable Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas is another cool hotel offering a hot summer deal!  The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino is giving customers of i4vegas.com a THIRTY PERCENT (30%) DISCOUNT on rates between now and August 31, 2009 good over most dates.  Don’t miss this opportunity to stay at a beautiful AAA Four-Diamond hotel at rates like just $53 per night midweek!  Through 8/31/9, i4vegas customers will also receive the Golden Value Book valued at $250.

* One complimentary breakfast or lunch buffet with purchase of one
* One complimentary ticket to “Simply Ballroom” with purchase of one
* One complimentary cocktail or beer at Claude’s Bar or the International Beer Bar
* Spa – $10 Off any salon service totaling at least $50
* $10 in FREE Slot Play when you join the 24 Karat Club
* $25 in FREE Slot Play when you are a qualified member of the 24 Karat Club by earning 1,500 points
* $10 Match Play Voucher on any table game except poker
* Receive $60 in chips for a $50 buy-in in the Poker Room (non-smoking)
* Receive 10% Off a retail purchase at Essentials or Style & Trend
* $5 Off any entree at any Landry’s restaurant location (except at Golden Nugget)
* 15% off a Budget car rental (Budget is located in the hotel lobby)

The Golden Nugget is perfect for those who love hanging out at one of the City’s best “ultra-pools.” Enter “The Tank,” the hotel’s $30 million, one-of-a-kind pool complete with an aquarium and three-story waterslide!  Check out a neat video of the pool here on YouTube.

To reserve this offer, click here: Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

Bally’s, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace, Paris and Rio have joined together in putting together a spectacular Coupon book valued at $700.  Plus, one of the coupons is good for a VIP Special Offer Booklet featuring valuable offers from participating shops & restaurants in The Forum shops at Caesars Palace.

Rates are just as enticing with Bally’s at  just $44 midweek, Rio Suites Hotel & Casino as low as $64 or how about Harrah’s at just $53 per night.  (If you visit Harrah’s be sure to check out Penazzi’s Oyster Bar for some great seafood and ice cold beer!)

Stay at one of the six hotel/casinos & receive Free Offers & Discounts on Shows, Food, Golf, Shopping and Attractions from all six (6) properties!  Some Highlights of the Coupon Book:

• Bally’s:  2-for-1 ticket to Jubilee!
• Flamingo:  2-for-1 tix to Vinnie Favorito & Nathan Burton, $5 off Buffet & gift w/ $15 purchase at  Margaritaville
• Harrah’s:  2-for-1 tix to Legends in Concert, Mac King & Improv, $5 off Buffet
• Imperial Palace:  2 FREE tickets to the Auto Collection and $5 off Buffet
• Paris:  2 FREE Eiffel Tower Experience admissions and $5 off Buffet
• Rio:  2-for-1 tix to Chippendales & Penn & Teller, 2 FREE admissions to VooDoo Lounge & 2 FREE drinks, 2 FREE ride tickets for  Masquerade Show in the Sky
• Discounts on Grand Canyon and Vegas Strip Tours

To check out this and other great offers, click here: Great Vegas Hotels From $29

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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. You’ll still have access to the current point balance available on your MGM MIRAGE Players Club account and will not lose any existing complimentaries or points associated with your account. We will continue to offer comps and POINTPlay based on your play at TI. Your past TI play will continue to qualify you for our exciting events including slot, blackjack & poker tournaments, giveaways, shopping sprees and much more. If you would like to see the offers for which you are currently qualified, please log on to playersclub.com.

And coming soon… the all new Treasure Island Players Club!

The Treasure Island Players Club is TI’s new player loyalty program, where you’ll have the opportunity to receive rewards based on your TI slot and table games play. All past points and comps earned at TI will continue to be retained on your new Treasure Island Players Club card.

Be on the lookout for more information regarding the new Treasure Island Players Club. If you have any questions regarding your account or for assistance in making reservations, please do not hesitate to contact TI Casino Marketing at 800.944.3777.

Sincerely,

Phil Ruffin
Owner”

It will be interesting to see how the new players club shapes up.  Some advice to Mr. Ruffin:  Check out what Anthony Marnell III is doing over at the new M Resort with his iMagine players club.  100,000 new player sign-ups in one month can’t be wrong!

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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.

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1.  Check out this very cool eBags “Piazza Day Bag.”  We love the summery violet color, all the zippered pockets and compartments (perfect for holding our players club cards!) plus the adjustable shoulder strap makes it very easy to carry.  It’s an eBags award-winner and at $49.99, it’s a great deal for a good-looking organizer bag Mom will love.  (You can check out other colors when you visit the eBags site.)

2. If Mom loves to play cards — from Texas Hold ‘Em to Bridge! — she’ll really enjoy receiving and wearing this Eve’s Addiction Lucky Club Casino Pendant. In sterling silver and featuring sparkling CZ accents, this fun necklace is sure to be one of her favorites.  Order now from Amazon and get an extra 20% off the low price of $28 plus FREE shipping for a gift you’ll both love.

3.  Okay, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again:  We LOVE our iPods!  From listening to the latest music to all the free podcasts we download each week — we have our earbuds plugged in almost every day.  The cool new Apple iPod nano 8 GB Pink (4th Generation) is our current favorite.  The vibrant fuchsia tone makes it easy to find in our tote bags and the clear, bright LCD screen makes navigation much easier than in earlier models.

4.  Give Mom a reason to go out on the town more often with these amazing Restaurant.com gift certificates.  For just $10 each, you can buy Mom $25 worth of dining at your choice of 1,000′s of restaurants around the country.  (Yes, you read that correctly, JUST $10 EACH for $25 in individual restaurant credit!)  You can choose restaurants in your own town or pick some great Vegas spots if Mom has a trip planned for the summer.  Either way, it’s a sweet deal on a great gift!   Restaurant.com Gift Certificates

Just in — this great 20% OFF coupon from eBags.com! Get 20% Off Now Through Sunday May 3 at eBags.com

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In addition to great room offers, free shows and merchandise giveaways, I’m also noticing quite a few more tournaments and promotional events for both slot and table game players.  Even the offers recognizing my April birthday have better incentives such as the $25 in bonus birthday play from — thank you, very much — Casino Arizona in Scottsdale.  (A side note:  Casino Arizona’s April giveaway is an umbrella.  These are the same people who gave away mittens and a scarf earlier this year.  Hmmm, someone needs to tell them it rains here just about as often as it gets cold enough for mittens and a scarf….)

Also interesting, a number of the offers are coming to me from the casinos via my email box.  Sending offers through email makes so much sense.  Got rooms to fill in a hurry?  Put together a quick email and send it to thousands of club members within a matter of minutes!

So, what does this all have to do with you?

1. Always, always sign up for a players club card even when you don’t plan on playing a lot.  A casino can’t send you offers if they don’t know who you are and where to find you.
2. Do not throw away the mailers unopened.  Who knows what goodies await inside?
3. Sign up for email notifications from the casinos.  You’ll get some great last-minute offers.
4. If you live somewhere it rains a lot, I’ve got an umbrella you can have….

Hotels.com Spring Sale- Last Week to Save up to 30% at Hotels.com! – Expires by 4/13/09

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Take a trip to the Las Vegas Strip for less with Expedia's spring/summer airfare sale.

Quick! Don’t let time run out on these discount airfares to Las Vegas!  Expedia is offering great deals on flights to top cities across the country – including Las Vegas – through the peak travel season.  With tickets starting at just $98 round trip, now is the time to plan that spring or summer trip to Las Vegas or anywhere in the nation while prices are this low.

We checked on trips in April and May and here are some sample roundtrip fares:

Salt Lake – LV   $98         Chicago – LV     $199

Baltimore – LV   $178      New Orleans – LV   $178

Pittsburgh – LV   $189     Seattle – LV   $159

These fares are valid all the way through August 12, but you must book by April 6.  A 14-day advance purchase is required.  Hurry and book your flights while these prices last.  For even more savings, look at booking your hotel at the same time. Last-Minute Hotel Deals at Expedia.com

To see the full list of fares and to book you flights with Expedia go to: Summer on sale! Fly roundtrip from $98+ Expires – 4/6/09

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Viewers can probably thank Maksim Chmerkovskiy, one of the most popular professional partners on “DWTS,” for getting the Le Reve performers on the show since he joined the Wynn show’s artistic team to choreograph three dance scenes – “Tango,” “Paso Doble” and “Piece Montee.”  (Unfortunately, the talented “Max” and his partner Denise Richards are no longer on “Dancing With the Stars” having been voted off earlier in the season.)

Le Reve was created by Franco Dragone, the internationally acclaimed director, whose credits include O, Mystere and Celine Dion: A New Day.

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Check out this excerpt from the “official rules:”
“To enter the promotion, Reef Club Members must earn a minimum of 50 Bonus Points on any day and swipe their membership card at the Entrance Terminal on that same day, to automatically receive 1 entry form….

6. A minor prize draw for 1 Easter Basket will be conducted on Sunday the 29th March at 4:00pm and again on Sunday the 5th April 2009 at 4:00pm. A major prize draw for 150 kilograms of assorted chocolate will take place at approximately 4:00pm on Sunday the 12th April.

7. The major prize winner will win an amount of chocolate equivalent to their body weight up to a maximum of 150 kilograms, or if they do not wish to disclose their body weight, they will automatically win 150 kilograms of assorted chocolate.”

Considering my love for all things chocolate, I would SO BE THERE for the drawing.  Even if I wasn’t chosen, I might be able to talk the lucky winner into sharing the wealth because, as the rules state…

15. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash, services or other goods.

(Now, I also have you wondering what that magazine article is all about but you just have to wait ’til the May issue release to find out!)

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Dine for less at Enoteca San Marco at The Venetian and check out Chef Mario Batali's signature orange Crocs.

We’re always thrilled to bring you news of great deals on Las Vegas hotel rooms and now we have an amazing offer on some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas.

We’ve sung the praises of Restaurant.com in our “Las Vegas Values” article for “Casino Player” magazine (March 2009) and right here on RoyallyFlushed so we were excited to see this fantastic deal from the money-saving website.  From now through March 31 — you can purchase $25 dining coupons for just $3! Yes, you read that right…three bucks buys you twenty-five dollars in dining at restaurants all around Las Vegas.

And here’s what we really like about the program:  you buy certificates only for those restaurants you plan on visiting.  No more buying a whole “book” of coupons only to use one or two.  At Restaurant.com, you choose only those places you like or you’d like to try while on vacation.  (And if you live in Las Vegas, it’s a great way to try some new spots for a lot less dough or save some bucks at your favorite places, too.)

Here are some of our recommended restaurants in Las Vegas:

One of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, a consistent “locals favorite,” the award-winning and nationally-recognized Rosemary’s.  Chefs Michael and Wendy Jordan will wow you with their contemporary cuisine and wonderful atmosphere. Rosemary’s Restaurant

Three Strip favorites:

• RM Seafood (Located @ Mandalay Bay Shops) (Definitely have the clam chowder!)
• Border Grill at Mandalay Bay
• ENOTECA San Marco (Located Inside the Venetian Hotel & Casino) (Read our review here.)

Other favorites include Little Buddha at The Palms, Hennessey’s Las Vegas on Fremont Street downtown and Al’s Garage at The District near Green Valley Ranch.

Oh, and two other favorites of ours:

• McCormick & Schmick’s (Their planked salmon is especially good and they’re located just minutes off the Strip.)

• Hash House A Go Go — Popular with locals and visitors alike, this off-Strip joint rocks for breakfast or anytime at all!

Also, keep in mind that restaurant.com offers dining certificates for restaurants all around the country so be sure to check and see if your fav neighborhood place isn’t also on their extensive list of participating restaurants.  (We use them here in Phoenix and Scottsdale all the time!)

Here’s the link and code to get your great dining deals now: Save 70% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code SAVE and pay $3 thru 3/31/09.

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Our initial idea was to do one site which would cover lots of great gambling destinations and give recommendations – and hot deal alerts! -  on where to stay, places to dine, where to shop and what sight-seeing and special events were not to be missed.  We’ve now decided that there is so much to see and do in so many of the good gambling spots we visit that it would best serve our readers to build some additional websites focusing on specific destinations.

With that in mind, we are pleased to announce our first “sister” site, AZCasinoTravel.com.  With 23 casinos spread throughout the state plus so many special things to do and see here in the Grand Canyon State, we felt we had more than enough to work with in building an info-packed site for visitors to our beautiful state. In addition to our casino guide and reviews, we’ll also keep readers up-to-date on the best deals on Arizona hotels, dining, golf, shopping and all types of vacation activities.

This new site is the first in what will be a family of websites our readers can go to for help in planning a casino trip that includes not only where to play but also where to stay, dine, shop, play golf and more.  (We think you’ll find these sites helpful in planning any trip to the specific destination – with or without gaming!)

Also, because these sites will be more location-oriented, we hope our readers will feel comfortable in asking for suggestions, posing questions and leaving comments about each spot we feature.

Click on the name – AZCasinoTravel – to visit our new site now and let us know what you think!

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Steve and Elaine Wynn head for divorce court again.

While this isn’t a Las Vegas news site so to speak, I do keep up on — or try to keep up on — what’s happening in Las Vegas and when it’s something I think readers would be interested in, I do like to mention it here.

What has struck me as interesting lately is all the news about “splits” — both corporate and personal — happening these days in Las Vegas.  Here’s a quick rundown on what’s caught my eye lately:

Split #1 — Steve and Elaine Wynn filed for divorce.  While no one on the outside can ever know what’s going on within a marriage, this news made me sad.  I would think that having a string of successful properties, stock prices that haven’t tanked like the rest of the industry, and what would appear to be a “wynning” working relationship would allow them as a couple to sit back, relax and enjoy their family and what they have built together.  And it’s not like this is their first trip to the courthouse — they divorced once before and got remarried.  But, again, that’s just my opinion.  Read more about the Wynn divorce here.

Split #2 — “Cannery Casino Resorts and Crown Terminate Merger Agreement; Crown to Make Investment Into CCR” is the headline on a press release I received this week.  Also verbatim from the release, “Cannery Casino Resorts LLC (“CCR”) today announced that it has entered into an Agreement with Crown Limited (ASX: CWN) under which CCR will receive $370 million from Crown, which will consist of a $50 million cash fee and a $320 million non-voting investment in CCR, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals. The Agreement terminates the previously announced Cannery Purchase Agreement whereby CCR was to be acquired by Crown.”  (The $50 mil is basically a penalty for canceling the merger deal.)  So it looks like beleaguered billionaire™ (and aren’t they all these days?) James Packer is “packering” up his bank book and heading back to Australia.  Read more about Mr. Packer, his casinos, his stock, his ranches and more here.

Separation #1 — In the “it might happen” category is this news that MGM MIRAGE may be willing to part with its Bellagio property for the right price.  Yeah, I know you’re saying “Well, duh! — Anything is for sale for the right price.”  And you’d be correct.  Considering the massive financial burden of building the CityCenter project, MGM needs to come up with some cash, especially after negotiations with Deutsche Bank fell through earlier this month.  Selling Treasure Island earlier this year is a good start but with the credit markets still nailed down tight, the Company needs to find funding elsewhere and selling assets may be the only option.  It sure didn’t help their cause to have Moody’s downgrade some of their ratings this week.

Seems to be a good month to be just a casino player, not a casino owner.

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You can check out some terrific opening night photos by visiting ratevegas.com as well as read a “players” look at the new M Resort from David Matthews at his “Gambling in Space” blog.

And don’t forget to look for my interview with Anthony Marnell III in the March issue of “Casino Player” magazine.

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Book a stay at Caesars Palace in Vegas for just $90 a night this spring.

We’re back….  After a driving trip across the country’s mid-section (and, sadly, no time for stopping at the numerous casinos along the way) we came home to a mailbox full of outstanding Las Vegas deals.

Las Vegas really does represent one of– if not the — best travel values available in the country right now.  Take a look at these rates for the best in Spring getaways:
Enjoy Caesars Palace from $90 a night or
Las Vegas on Sale: Trump Hotel from $89 a night.
and, remarkably,
The luxury of the 5-Star Wynn Las Vegas from just $129 a night!

You can also get great values on things to do while you’re in town by booking your shows and more online at Expedia.  Pick up tickets for less to shows like the highly-recommended KA at MGM Grand (plan on dinner at Nob Hill Tavern before or after) or the fast and funny “V – The Variety Show” at Planet Hollywood.  (While at Planet “Ho,” have a drink at the casino’s Heart Bar or play a couple of hands of blackjack with their “Pleasure Pit” dealers.)

You can also book trips to visit nearby Hoover Dam or explore the breath-taking scenery of the Red Rock Canyon area while on a Pink Jeep Tour. For all the coolest activities at terrific prices check out: Best of Vegas at Expedia.com

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Better than a box of chocolates? A stop at Payard Patisserie at Caesars Palace on Valentine's Day.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we were going to run a list of our favorite romantic (read expensive) restaurants in Las Vegas.  However, with all the talk about how Las Vegas has become such a great “frugal” destination for travelers (it is!) plus considering the state of the economy — not to mention our wallets — we’ve decided that in lieu of that list, we’ve come up with this list: Seven inexpensive yet fun and romantic things you and your sweetie can do this coming weekend.  (Lots of these ideas can be used in places other than Las Vegas so take a look even if you won’t be traveling for V-Day.)

1.  One of our favorite stores is Bijoux Terner, otherwise known as the “$10 boutique.”  Everything (and we really mean everything) from purses to watches to bold and brassy necklaces and earrings is just $10.  Why not treat your sweetie to a week’s worth of colorful watches or five new handbags in spring’s brightest shades.  No, not “designer” pieces but who wants to spend a ton on a bright orange watch or a psychedelic pink purse anyways?

2.  Try a “celebrity chef” for less.  Case in point; Tom Colicchio, famous head judge on Bravo TV’s smash-hit “Top Chef” is the brains (and toque) behind ‘wichcraft at MGM Grand.  His fabulous meatloaf sandwich is just $10 and almost as good as the beefy entrees at his high-priced Craftsteak restaurant just down the corridor.  Oh, and make sure you save room for the decadent “Whoopie Pie” — chocolate cake layers filled with vanilla pudding.

3.  Sugar & Ice café at Wynn Las Vegas is an all-time favorite sweet stop for us.  Splurge on double scoops of rich, velvety ice cream — the lemon tart just sings with flavor — while relaxing on the gorgeous patio that looks out onto the “Lake of Dreams” and the lush surroundings of the Wynn grounds.

4.  Plan a dessert tour.  Chocoholics will love a stop at either Jean-Philippe Patisserie at Bellagio or Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace (or maybe both!) and then on to Cocolini in St. Mark’s Square at The Venetian for bowls of authentic gelato.  End the evening with chocolate martinis at Table 10 at The Palazzo.

5.  Treat each other to body lotions at Kiehl’s at The Forum Shoppes.  There’s a yummy Forest Rain lotion for guys plus a warm vanilla-scented cream for her.  Take your purchases back to your hotel room and have fun.  (You can plan ahead and make sure your MP3 player has a special “romantic songs” playlist just for the occasion!)

6.  Stroll the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens together.  Ask a kind stranger to take your picture — kissing — while surrounded by this floral wonderland.  After your walk, head for the hotel gift shop and pick up one of the sparkly “Bellagio” keychains ($10) as a reminder of your trip.

7.  Sip a cocktail, or better yet, a glass of champagne in the plush, dimly-lit Napoleon’s at Paris Las Vegas.  The piano bar comes alive later in the evening, but until then, this bar features smooth jazz, no cover charge and a very romantic atmosphere.

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Video poker machines wait for tourney players at Bally's in Las Vegas.

One of the benefits of joining a casino’s players club is getting invitations to free tournaments — slots, video poker, table games, even bingo — along with the free hotel stay and other perks that go with the invite.  (Of course, you have to have past play in the casino to receive these types of invites.)

In a previous post, I mentioned that our last trip to Las Vegas was planned around a video poker tournament that we played in at Bally’s Las Vegas.  The tournament consisted of two 10-minutes sessions (one per day for two days) and it is no exaggeration when I say neither of us could hit anything during the tournament play.  No four-of-a-kinds, no straight flushes and certainly no Royals.  We both held four to the Royal, three aces, three low cards, three high cards — you name it — and still couldn’t hit for anything.  Funny thing though, while playing “for real,” we both did pretty well.  All those hands we couldn’t hit on in the tourney, we did, in several instances, pull off in the casino.

I’m thinking about this because we’re playing later this week in another video poker tournament — this time here in Phoenix — and I’m hoping that our luck will have a change of heart and maybe one of us will end up “in the money” this time out.  But, as always, even if we don’t win it’s always fun to compete, meet and talk with other players and generally just go out and have a good time on the “house’s” dime.

By the way, I’ve been practicing my Double Double Bonus tournament-style “holds” at videopoker.com, a great site for free, non-wagering game play.

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Use our tips to get a great deal at mid-Strip favorite, Bally's Las Vegas.

How do you get the best hotel deals when you are planning your Las Vegas vacation? A little time, a little effort and some “web-work” will help you get the best rates on Las Vegas hotels.

Here are our favorite ten tips for booking the best rates on your hotel room in Las Vegas (or in any casino resort town) :

1. Be flexible in your dates. Can you stay early in the week or mid-week instead of over the weekend? Also, if you haven’t locked in your dates check the convention schedules for your destination and plan to be in town when they – the conventions – are not!

2. Try a new resort or one that is off the major drag. In Las Vegas, the new Eastside Cannery is offering a $29.95 per night special or check out the new M Resort opening March 1 in Henderson for some great deals. Also, off-Strip favorite, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, is offering nights in March as low as $48 and has a free shuttle to the Strip.

3. Check out the deals at places like hotels.com and Expedia.com for room and package offers and hotel/flight specials. I looked at dates in March and found a deal on Expedia for The Palms for three nights starting March 9 for $53 per night while the hotel’s website showed $89 per night for same the time period.
Book with confidence thanks to the Best Price Guarantee from Expedia.com
Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!

4. Search for promo codes. Offer codes, promo codes, discount codes – hotels issue them either by email, in mailers or right on their own websites and having one can save you lots of money when making reservations. We regularly publish codes here — see the Venetian and Palazzo post for February — on our site and are always on the look-out for ones we can pass on to our readers.

5. Call the hotel directly and ask if any special promotions or discounts are available. If you have your heart set on a specific hotel, simply call and ask what the best rate would be for your vacation dates. I’ve seen several stories lately in the travel news saying that this was a great way to get discounts.

6. Make sure you join the “players clubs” at all the casinos you visit. Casinos can’t offer you rooms and other discounts or package deals if they don’t know who you are or how to contact you! And don’t throw out those mailed offers – they may contain the “casino marketing” phone number that you can use in the future to get other great deals.

7. Once you have a players card and number, be sure to visit the casino’s website and register your email address with their online “guest book.” Lots of last-minute offers come through my email box, especially from Harrah’s properties, all the MGM Mirage resorts and the Venetian and Palazzo hotels.

8. Use your contacts. Do you have friends who frequently visit Vegas or other casino resorts? They may have a special “friends and family” discount code for their favorite resort that they would be willing to share with you.

9. Forgo a few of the amenities, especially if you aren’t going to use them. If having a world-class spa on property is important, then by all means book a hotel that offers one. On the other hand, if you plan on spending your time out and about, seeing the sights, playing in the casino and otherwise just using your room as a place to crash, then book a hotel with a great location and fewer in-house features. One of our favs when it comes to a great location for less dough — Bally’s Las Vegas

10. Take advantage of last-minute deals. The old advice was always to book way ahead for the best prices but in this uncertain economy (and one in which companies are cancelling bookings left and right) planning a spur-of-the-moment trip is becoming a great way to save some bucks.

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Here are some examples of the latter from Bodog Sportsbook:

- “Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today’s annual Ad Meter?”

- “Who will be tackled by his hair first in the game?”  Troy Polamalu (+450) or Larry Fitzgerald (-650)

- “Which QB Will John Madden mention by Full name first after the Opening Kickoff?”

- And my personal favorite, “What four songs will make up Bruce Springsteen’s half-time playlist?”  (The current front runner is “Glory Days”, “My Lucky Day”, “Badlands”, and “Born to Run.”)

Bodog also has a fun “Super Bowl Prop Sheet” that you can use at your party on Sunday.  Just print out as many copies as you need and have each of your guests fill one out with their predictions.  At the end of the game, while the Cardinals are celebrating their victory, you can tally up the sheets and name a ” Bodog Boss of the Props” winner.  Maybe even throw in a special prize like a Kurt Warner Cardinals jersey for the victorious prognosticator.

Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl Red Replica Jersey

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The "Deep Stack Extravaganza" poker tournament starts soon at The Venetian Las Vegas.

The highly successful “Deep Stack Extravaganza” poker tournament returns February 2 to The Venetian Las Vegas poker room.  Appearing on many “Top 10 Poker Rooms in Las Vegas” lists, the 11,000 square-foot Venetian room will host this well-attended event for the third consecutive year.

- Starting chips for the $330 NLH event will be $10,000 and an additional $2,000 in chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

- The $550 and $1,070 NLH events will begin with $12,500 in starting chips and $2,500 additional chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

- The $2,500 NLH event will begin with $15,000 in starting chips and $5,000 additional chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

Total cash prize: Payouts are based on the number of participants that enter the tournament. 3% of prize pool is withheld for poker room staff.

All participants must be at least 21 years of age and have a Venetian players club, “Club Grazie,” card.  You can find all the details plus the results from both the 2007 and 2008 tourneys here on the Venetian’s website.

The poker room offers a special hotel rate available to anyone who plays in a DSE event or plays at least six hours of live play in the poker room. Rates are based on prevailing rate and availability.  Contact The Venetian Poker Room to inquire: 702-414-1000.

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What's missing from the entrance to the Monorail station at MGM Grand in Las Vegas? In a word - riders.

Having just gotten back from almost five days in Las Vegas, I have been puzzling over what subject to post about first in regards to this trip.  We visited the new Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, ate at a number of good and not-so-good restaurants, traipsed up and down the Strip, traveled to a couple of outlying casino properties, played a lot of games including a video poker tournament and indulged in my favorite activity – the always interesting Las Vegas people-watching.   All of these experiences and more will be subjects for future posts.

But today, as I sit here this morning organizing notes and photos, trying to make some sort of logical sense of all the information and images we collected, I am watching and listening to today’s remarkable historical event – the inauguration of our 44^th president, Barack Obama.  As we all know (unless you’ve been living under not only a rock but a virtual boulder these past few months,) this is the candidate who ran on an almost single-word platform:  change.  Speaking in economic terms, for Las Vegas that change cannot come quickly enough.

We report here regularly on the downward trend of “numbers” coming out of Nevada’s Gaming Control Board but when you can leave your hotel at eight o’clock on a Saturday night and have no cab line – none – that is when those black-and-white numbers become a full-color reality.  Or take Thursday night when we decided to hop the Monorail for a quick trip down to MGM Grand and found maybe ten people (again during the peak dinner hours) on the whole train.  These instances along with the sight of half-full restaurants and bars, sidewalks not clogged with tourists, and the rows of empty blackjack and poker tables told us much more than numbers on a page ever could.

The good news?  Las Vegas – crowded or not – remains the city of joyful extravagance and neon lights and fabulous restaurants and over-the-top design and world-class shopping and the promise of riches gleaned from a dollar dropped into a slot machine.  Oh, and desserts – luscious, decadent, gaudy desserts.   NONE of that has changed a bit.

We, as always, had a terrific time in Las Vegas and can hope, along with the rest of the country, that this new administration will bring with it a change in our collective economic condition.  I don’t even mind if Las Vegas goes first.

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Caesars Palace will wait to add 660 more rooms as Harrah's puts hold on new tower.

When it comes to gambling revenues these days, if there is any bright spot to be found for Las Vegas casino managers it could be — “Well, at least we’re not Atlantic City.”

The numbers coming in from the two biggest gaming Meccas in the country aren’t pretty and certainly serve to justify all the recent changes and holds* we’ve seen on several casino construction projects.

Gambling revenues for the state of Nevada fell 14.8 percent in November compared with a year ago according to figures released last week by the state’s Gaming Control Board.  Within the state, LV Strip properties recorded a 16.02% drop while North Lake Tahoe casinos fell a whopping 26.94%.

Across the country in Atlantic City, revenues dropped a record-setting 18.7% for the month of December.  That number broke the previous decline record of 15.1% set in September.

Back in December, Fitch Ratings said that the casino industry would probably not show any signs of recovery until 2010.  This article in The Wall Street Journal goes on to explain how rising unemployment and continuing real estate market woes — among other reasons — will continue to affect consumer spending.

So what does this mean for loyal casino-goers like us?  Look for more great deals on trips to Las Vegas and other top gambling spots.  The current environment allows us to stay and play in 4- and 5-star properties for less so let’s take advantage of it while we can. Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

*  Harrah’s Entertainment announced yesterday that it is halting construction of 660 rooms in the new Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace Las Vegas until demand returns.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a good article on the announcement plus info on year-to-year room occupancy rates.

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Here’s a run-down on the current highlights (and lowlights) of life in Las Vegas for some of the major casino industry players:

From MGM Mirage:  “CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, today announced certain scope changes related to The Harmon Hotel & Spa which include postponing the opening of the hotel to late 2010 and cancelling The Harmon residential condominium component.”  The press release cited “contractor construction errors” as partially to blame for the reconfiguring of the project.  All other components of CityCenter remain on schedule for a December 2009 grand opening.

Speaking of CityCenter, it began taking applications Monday to fill the approximately 12,000 jobs available at the new property.  Myriad positions from food and beverage service to hotel and casino operations, retail help and more will need to be staffed before the December grand opening.  Check the CityCenterCareers website for more information.

In mid-December, while we were all busy buying gifts at the local mall (or maybe Walmart this year,) Phil Ruffin, former owner of the New Frontier, was busy getting his own bargain – Treasure Island from owner MGM Mirage for a reported $775 million.  Ruffin, a Wichita, Kansas businessman, sold the New Frontier in May 2007 for more than $1.24 billion. That casino was closed shortly thereafter and demolished in November 2007.  The deal on TI is expected to go through in early-summer.

Are there more property sales ahead for MGM Mirage?  The answer “possibly” is leaning more and more toward “probably.”  See what you think after reading  this article at Bloomberg.com based on an interview with new MGM Mirage CEO James Murren.  The reporter says that Mr. Murren “plans to “dramatically” reduce debt and will consider further casino sales as he overhauls the company’s balance sheet.”

One question we can easily answer is “Will there be more massive changes in Las Vegas this year?”  And that answer is a resounding “most definitely.”

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From the company’s website:  “The 22 guests are comfortably strapped into a leather seat that is secured to a dining table.  The dining table and seats are connected to a crane which then performs the lift.”

Lots of pictures and video can be found here on the Dinner in the Sky LV website.  I can see this as a unique way to celebrate a Las Vegas wedding.  (Just make sure no one has a fear of heights or flying waiters.)

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A gorgeous view of the mountains and a moonlit Colorado River as seen from Harrah's in Laughlin.

I think one of the best ways to recall a year is to sort through the photos I’ve taken over the past twelve months.  They bring back lots of great memories either through the specific image or by tweaking my brain into remembering what all happened on that occasion.  To break down a whole year into a few paragraphs isn’t easy, especially when I’m fortunate enough to say lots of great stuff happened in the past twelve months.  So rather than doing a monthly blow-by-blow, I chose to pick out some highlights from our year in gaming.

Best Casino “Hits”:  P.B. – Dealt four 4′s then hit for two out of three kickers on the draw playing Triple Double Bonus Spin Poker Deluxe™ with a payout of $1190.  C.C. – Dealt four 3′s and a kicker playing TDB Spin Poker Deluxe™ with a $1600 payout.

Best Discovery:  The Diamond Lounge patio over-looking the Colorado River at Harrah’s Laughlin, Nevada casino.  A great spot for relaxing with a drink, especially on a warm full-moon night.

Second-Best Discovery:  Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas with its selection of video poker machines and its very cool pool area.  (Yes, we know it’s been there all along but we usually stay and play on the Strip so this was a big “ah-hah” moment for us.  You’ll see more here on off-Strip properties this coming year.)

Most Surprising Stay:  Harrah’s Joliet casino.  Beautiful spacious room, really nice Diamond Lounge, and a winning night in the casino.

Best High-End Meal in Las Vegas:  BOA Steakhouse at Caesars Palace.  Meltingly tender steaks, truffled potato chips and for dessert – warm, crispy donuts with caramel dipping sauce.

Best Casual Meal in Las Vegas:  Lunch at our perennial favorite, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, with chicken liver pate, sautéed trout with capers and chocolate-drenched profiteroles for Le Dessert.

Best New Spot in Las Vegas:  The Double Helix Wine Bar at the Palazzo.

Best Las Vegas Dessert:  A tie between the Lemon Tart ice cream at  Sugar & Ice at the Wynn and the Chocoban Tart at Jean-Philippe Patisserie at The Bellagio.  (Thankfully, much more research is needed for this category in 2009.)

Best Meal at a Casino Not in Las Vegas:  The Indian Fry Bread plate at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde, Arizona.  (Good doesn’t have to be expensive.)

Most Memorable Night in Las Vegas:  Attending a surprise party at Table 10, Emeril’s new restaurant at The Palazzo, for our friend’s sixtieth birthday.  Friends and family from across the country showed up and the look on her face when she saw all of us was priceless.

2008 Will be Memorable for:  Starting this website, RoyallyFlushed, and for all the new experiences we’ve had, things we’ve learned and friends we’ve made because of it.

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Say good-bye to one of the worst years for the casino industry.

Onward with more resolutions we think casinos should make for 2009.  Getting butts into the chairs – gambling, restaurants, and show seats — is the Number One priority for stayin’ alive in ’09 so here are some ideas to help you do just that.

– Stop screwing around with your Player’s Club rules and regs – particularly as they affect your faithful players.  I have heard more complaints from players about this one issue than any other this year.  You have less money but so do we.  The more cuts you make, the more we make and the more apt we’ll  be to check out your competitors so think hard before you make changes.

– Resolve to use more immediate forms of marketing – think email, social media like Twitter™, and your own frequently-updated blog site – to get offers out to players.  Here at RoyallyFlushed, we’ve given out our email addresses to casinos large and small and have seen very few effective email campaigns or other uses of that gem you collected from us.  In social media, props go to the LuxorLV on Twitter™ for interesting updates, special offers and more.

– Put some of the fun back into your casinos.  Instead of letting that bank of dedicated machines sit there dead, throw a noisy daily slot tournament, maybe even more than one each day.  You don’t have to give away a ton of money and you could even do a cheap $5 or $10 buy-in if you need it.  People love bells and whistles so have lots happening on your floor.

– Bring back a few of the eye-popping food deals that helped make Las Vegas and casino food service legendary everywhere.  Have a 99¢ shrimp cocktail or prime rib slider at the bar, a $6.99 steak dinner, a $2.99 breakfast deal.  It’s kitsch, it’s retro in an “old Las Vegas” kind of way, and people will love it.

– Resolve to take good care of your players and guests in 2009 and they will take care of you.

Happy New Year to all!

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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.)

Or, how about their September back-to-school Casino Arizona backpack?  This one still has me shaking my head — once I quit laughing.  I can just picture little Johnny going off to school with this slung over his shoulder.  Should add some spice to that next parent-teacher conference.

So, here’s some advice to all the casinos thinking about what to give away in 2009:

How about giving away a nice little case to hold my players club cards or a lighted key chain with a four-leaf clover?  Really anything that a.) I would possibly use and b.) isn’t ugly.  (Note that neither suggestion is expensive.)

Marketing people — think about your players.  What would they actually use?  Considering that the average age of casino players is north of 40, you can pretty much bet that backpacks aren’t high on their list of must-have items.

Cash works.  I know it doesn’t have your name emblazoned across the front but trust me, it will get me in the door faster than a pair of mittens or a backpack ever would.

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"Harrk the Harrald Angels Sing"...(and play instruments, too!)

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" -- who looks an awful lot like the next-door neighbor.

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Hanging stockings at Caesars Palace.

I think I see Santa! No, wait...it's just that big picture of Donny Osmond.

More photo fun all this week!

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Steve Wynn at the entrance of the captivating atrium at Encore Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Wynn Resorts.)

It seems completely appropriate that the signature restaurant of the just-opened Encore Resort at Wynn Las Vegas should be “Sinatra.”  Owner Steve Wynn and “Ol’ Blue Eyes” have at least two things in common:  they do things their way and they are very good at what they do.

In a city, in an industry and in an economy that are all seeing their biggest downturns in recent history, Steve Wynn opened this glamorous $2.3 billion property on Monday — yes, a Monday! — during what is traditionally the slowest week of the year in Vegas.  Pure genius.  The timing is perfect for working out any slight bugs — and with Wynn’s legendary attention to detail, the problems are apt to be small — prior to the big New Year’s Eve holiday and the major conventions coming in early-2009.  I also like his approach of simply opening the doors to the public.  No massive grand opening events, it’s just like he says in the commercial:  “THIS is Encore.”  Let the resort speak for itself.

Using a “back-to-basics” approach — when those basics include paying attention to what makes a resort a Five Diamond experience — owner Steve Wynn, told The Associated Press that guests at the new Encore resort should expect “better service, nicer rooms, better lighting.  Themes that are corny get old quickly, but real and wonderful environments with great service are timeless.”

In addition to Sinatra, the 2,034-room Encore will feature four additional chef-driven restaurants including “Switch” – a dining experience where walls, ceiling and even server uniforms change colors every 20 minutes.  The resort also boasts the highly-anticipated exclusive new nightclub, “XS,” which opens for the first time at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.  Also, long-time Strip entertainer Danny Gans will begin his run at Encore in February.

See photos of the resort on the Encore website here and video reports including interior shots are here at local Channel Eight’s Las Vegas Now.  (We’ll be making our maiden voyage to Encore in January so look for more coverage then.)

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A lot of thought went into this intricate light fixture at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Things may not be looking up in Las Vegas — yet — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.  Look up, I mean.  Here’s another entry in our “Las Vegas Look Up” series of posts and photos showing some of the striking design elements we’ve found in Las Vegas casinos.

Today’s entry comes from Caesars Palace — the registration lobby at Caesars to be exact.  For some reason, this light fixture really caught my eye.  From a distance, it reminded me of some sort of giant cell colony.  Don’t ask me why but when I looked up it instantly reminded me of something you’d see under a microscope.  Upon closer inspection — click on the photo to enlarge — those cells are actually etchings of classic Roman figures and symbols.

Check out, too, the intricate flourishes painted onto the ceiling surrounding the base of the fixture.   And, yes, that is accent lighting surrounding each of these accent lights!  I LOVE this lavish attention to detail that you always find in casinos throughout Las Vegas.

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The new Encore website is up and running with lots of photos and information along with a video of the very cool Encore commercial showing owner Steve Wynn atop the stunning copper-colored tower.

For up-to-date information along with “live” reports from the opening celebrations, tune into a new website built specifically for this grand event.  This exciting new venture is helmed by the editors/bloggers of two popular Las Vegas websites, vegastripping and ratevegas.  Thanks to them, we can all ride along as they experience the exhilaration of opening night at the fabulous new Encore resort and casino.

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We’re also being showered with bigger and better coupons for “free slot play.”  Even our local Indian casinos here in Arizona are not only joining in the marketing fray but upping the ante with $100 for Diamond members at Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Maricopa and $25 from Fort McDowell in Fountain Hills, just to name a couple.  Those same offers usually come with food coupons as well.  Free buffets, free dinners, free food vouchers – if you’re hungry they’ve got you covered.

Email offers?  Check.  Offers by phone?  Check again.  Leather jackets, Dooney & Bourke handbags, gift cards?  Check, check, check.

So what really gets us into the casino and sitting at a machine or table?  Locally, coupons for free slot play or cash are number one for us with merchandise giveaways a close second.  But only if the item is something we want like the Sony PSP® we got last year at Harrah’s Ak-Chin.

When we travel several times each year to Las Vegas, we do look at the offers we’ve gotten when planning the actual dates.  We especially enjoy slot and video poker tournaments and try to play in a couple of those each year.  Oh, and cash and free slot play and gift cards are good, too.  Merchandise doesn’t really get us to go to Las Vegas – too far for a leather jacket with “Caesars Palace” emblazoned on the back.

We’re curious.  What are your favorite offers?  What gets you to make the date?

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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!

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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.

Worst numbers?  The “Boulder Strip” which brought in $62.9 million and saw the biggest decline in the state with a 28.2% plunge.

Faring somewhat better was the Downtown Las Vegas area which saw its “win” decline 19.6% to a $48.4 million take.

Almost all areas of the state showed a marked decrease in October numbers.  Here are some additional results from around the state:

Reno — $57.5 million, down 7.4 percent.
Laughlin — $45.7 million, down 14.9 percent.
Sparks — $12.9 million, down 10 percent.
Stateline — $20.9 million, down 23.8 percent.

Considering that economic experts are predicting a “long, slow recovery,” we can expect to see more sobering numbers coming from Nevada in the months ahead.

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Here is the comment Al posted about his favorite/first big casino hit: 

“In the late 80’s I was in the process of traveling from The Presidio of Monterey, CA to San Angelo, TX for advanced training. As a private in the army I didn’t have a lot of money. Bargain rooms, casino freebies and cheap buffets were the order of the day. I saw a big banner over “Slots-O-Fun” that advertised 75 cent Heinekens. That was exactly the kind of bargain I was looking for. Walking in I was handed a free painter’s cap and won a $5 chip on the slot pull. I also got a coupon book that offered a $5 match play for any table game. I had seen Blackjack and knew that the coupon made it a good bet, especially with their $5. My wife had saved about $10 in change and wanted to play slots, so I wandered around sipping my premium beer and eventually found a seat at a table.

I put down the coupon and the $5 chip, and was dealt two cards face up, but it wasn’t Blackjack, it was a game called Red Dog, which is essentially Casino Acey-Duecey. I got and Ace and a trey. The dealer told me to put down another $10. I didn’t understand at the time it was not only optional but a good idea, nonetheless it was $10 and that was a lot of money to me. (A bunch more 75 cent Heinekens!) Still, I dug into my pocket and pulled out the ten, putting it down. A face card fell, and instead of my one red chip I now had seven. (The $20 bet paid even money, less the $5 match coupon.) I put two red chips in my pocket to replace my beer money and bet two more. After a dozen or so more hands I had stashed another $40 in red chips and decided to put down a last $20 bet before cashing out.

The first card was a Queen. A good start, but I was really disappointed when a second Queen fell. I assumed that the hand was a push and was pondering just picking up my bet when the dealer turned another card, a third Queen. The rest of the table whooped and I was paid off at 11:1. JACKPOT! I took my $240 and went in search of my wife. She had just hit a $16 jackpot on a nickel machine. I showed her the handful of red and green chips I had, and I remember saying “Red and Green, just like Christmas.”

I only made about $800 a month and she made even less. But that night we had just short of $300 between us, we walked all the way down to Caesar’s Palace to have the prime rib buffet with homemade pasta. It was awesome and we even splurged on a cab to save us the walk back to our off strip hotel. I won’t comment on the rest of the night, but I will say I have very fond memories of my first big casino score.”

*(Each comment was assigned a number based on the order posted.  Those numbers were placed into the proverbial ”hat” and the winner was drawn.)

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The new volcano show features a musical score by Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead fame and Indian impresario Zakir Hussain and comes from the acclaimed design firm WET, creators of The Bellagio lake show.  Fireballs and the aptyly-named Fireshooters explode into the air and send fiery waves of burning lava across the Strip-front lagoon during the four-and-a-half-minute blazing spectacle.

See it for yourself with this terrific video of the opening night’s show from KLAS television.  Mirage Volcano Video.

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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. “

While all the Star Trek machines in place at different casinos allow players to “save” their game information from trip to trip, the Harrah’s program (if I am reading this right) will give TR club members the ability to further personalize the game and earn additional Harrah’s-only bonuses. 

According to Tim Stanley, chief information officer and senior vice president, innovation, gaming and technology of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., (His business card must be “super-sized” to fit that title on it….) –  “As players advance through the dynamic Star Trek storyline, they can save their progress through the game and pick up where they left off during their next visit, regardless of which STAR TREK gaming machine in a TOTAL REWARDS enabled casino they visit. Additionally, by using TOTAL REWARDS® to enable their personalized STAR TREK account and ‘avatar,’ they can transport their previous play status from non-Harrah’s based Star Trek games, earn ‘Bonus’ achievement medals for their Harrah’s play, and get access to new games, unique communications and special promotions and offers as part of our innovative introduction of this new capability.”

So, thanks to WMS Gaming:  Video game meet slot machine.  Slot machine, meet video game!  And to Harrah’s good job on going boldly where no casino has gone before!  Now, if I just have a little more luck in actually finding an open machine next time I visit Harrah’s….

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The PRIZE:  The 2009 edition of the American Casino Guide which contains 496 pages of detailed information on every U.S. casino, plus it includes more than $1,000 in valuable casino coupon offers!  This book is a gem for casino players and retails for up to $18.95.  

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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.

Any slot machine fans on your list will have a ball playing casino-like games at home.  Sure to be a hit are these PC video games like the very popular IGT Slots: Little Green Menfeaturing casino slot favorites like “Triple Diamonds” and “Haywire” or this CD-ROM Slots from Bally Gaming with “Popeye” and “Blondie & Dagwood” games just to name two — $19.99 each.  The Hand-Held Slot Game (far right) will provide lots of entertainment while traveling for just $16.95.

Help that someone on your list save up some dough for that next trip to Vegas with this  “Crazy Diamonds” Slot Machine Bank, $46.98. Spin the reels to “hit” for fun!  In the center, the “Wild Cherry” Watch for her ($99.99) features the well-known IGT® game logo, a crystal-accented case, and a mother of pearl face all on a snazzy red leather band.  Right, this handsome and well-made men’s water-resistant chronograph stainless steel watch ($299) features the famous ”Megabucks” logo plus date and three sub-dials. Megabucks IGT Stainless Steel Men’s Watch.

Be sure to check out our expansive “Gift Guide” for even more great ideas in all price ranges!

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Win THIS!

Beginning today and continuing for the next few weeks, you have a chance to win a copy of the 2009 American Casino Guide FREE just by leaving a comment on that week’s designated “Hot Post!”  The winner will be randomly selected from all comments left on that specific article. 

This Week’s Hot Post – “And It Feels Like the First Time!”  Just leave a comment on this post and tell us about your first big win, or your favorite game, or simply a note saying “hello.” 

The PRIZE:  The 2009 edition of the American Casino Guide contains 496 pages of detailed information on every U.S. casino, plus it includes more than $1,000 in valuable casino coupon offers!  This book is a gem for casino players and retails for $18.95. 

Each contest will run Wednesday to Wednesday and the winner from the random drawing will be announced each Thursday.  An email confirmation will be sent to the winner so be sure to use a proper email address when registering your comment.  Good Luck!

“The Fine Print”

All winners must be 21 years of age or older, unless otherwise stated and/or posted.

Entering Contests and Choosing and Contacting Winners
Winners of random comment contests will be chosen at random from comments posted as specified.  Comments left prior to the contest start or on other posts will not be considered.  You may enter only once each week.

Participants must enter using the form requested in the contest announcement — in this case a comment submitted to the “Hot Post” designated for that week. Royallyflushed.com is not responsible for and will not consider incomplete or incorrect entries, or emails sent but not received by Royallyflushed.com for any reason, as potential contest winners.  Royallyflushed.com reserves the right to alter any rules of any contest at anytime.

Winners of all contests will be contacted at the “sender” email address used to enter the contest, and the person receiving and replying to the winner announcement email will be considered the winner unless they specify another person within the reply email as the winner. Royallyflushed.com will mail the contest prize to the postal address supplied by the recipient of the winner announcement email.

Only one entry per email address will be considered for contest entry.  Unless otherwise specified in an individual contest post, no person may enter any contest more than once using multiple email addresses. 

Claiming of prizes requires an email response to Royallyflushed.com from the winning sender email address within 30 days of being notified of winning at the email address used to enter. Failure to respond shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize. Royallyflushed.com is not required to award elsewhere any prizes forfeited by the chosen winner(s).

Winners may not request substitutions of prize winnings. All winners are solely responsible for any and all taxes and/or fees, and all such additional costs that may be incurred.

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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. 

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Dale Chihuly's exquisite art glass adorns the ceiling at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. (Click on the photo to show detail.)

I have been a huge Dale Chihuly fan for years.  Even before seeing his masterful installation at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, I had admired his bold work at exhibitions in Washington, D.C. and in New York.  I even have a beautiful peach and gold  “Chihuly” rose bush in my garden — which is about as close as I’ll ever come to owning anything with his name on it.

So you can imagine how excited I was to see that his fanciful glass works are now being shown here in Phoenix at our beloved Desert Botanical Gardens.  Whether you are visiting the area or a resident, fans of his Bellagio work will definitely want to plan a visit to the gardens to see “Chihuly: The Nature of Glass.”  It should be especially interesting to see his intricate works of art set against a backdrop of our stark native plants. 

The show will be here until May 31, 2009, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to the gardens.  Advance tickets are mandatory so visit the garden’s website for more information and to see some gorgeous pictures of just a few of the wildly colorful pieces included in this exhibit.

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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.

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