IGT Slots put some of our favorite games into this home version including Lobstermania and DaVinci Diamonds.

Best home slots game — IGT Slots: Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania

IGT strikes gaming gold with this fun in-home slots game that includes such favorites as Cats, Carnival of Mystery (love this game at Caesars in Las Vegas,) Frog Princess and Stinkin’ Rich.  At less than $20, it’s a great deal for those who want to play, not pay!

Best Cross Body Bag for Women — Cole Haan Bailey Bag

Here’s the dilemma — as much as you (or the woman in your life) love toting around that jumbo purse/suit

case/carryall, it just isn’t very practical for a day at the casino.  Do you keep it on that sticky shelf between machines or clutch it to your body like you’re protecting the family jewels?  And, please, don’t even think of hanging it off the back of your chair!

Solution:  enter the Cross Body bag which — just as the name suggests — smartly and compactly sits across the chest holding valuables and necessities in neatly and stylishly.  We couldn’t believe the price on this beauty (less than half the regular price!) and it comes in a gorgeous shade of lipstick red as well.  This doesn’t have to go in her stocking…it can be her stocking! Love it.

Also, be sure to check out our extensive Gift Guide here.

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Scaredy cats need not apply.... Fright Dome in Las Vegas is ranked in the Top 5 of Haunted Houses in America.

The popular annual fright fest, Fright Dome at Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, opens this Saturday, October 1 with a first-ever grand opening event — the premiere  Black Carpet!  The hotel promises the arrival of celebs, local headliners and more to opening night of one of the scariest haunted attractions in the nation.  Carpet arrivals start at 6pm and doors open at 7pm.

Created by Jason Egan, Fright Dome at Circus Circus has been horrifying visitors to Las Vegas since 2003.  Ticket prices this year are hovering right around $40 for General Admission.  For an extra $15,guests can buy a VIP Pass and the ability to skip to the front of the line at attractions within the Dome.

More info can be found at the event’s website:  Fright Dome at Circus Circus Las Vegas.

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Home to Barry Manilow, Paris LV is hoping new nightclub Chateau attracts its own set of fans.

March in Las Vegas means much more than basketball this year.  Coming in like a lion, March pretty much stays that way all month long with performances from some top names in music plus the much-anticipated opening of the new nightclub at Paris Las Vegas and the return of Celine Dion to Caesars Palace.

Let’s start with the opening of Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris.  Making its debut on March 4, Caesar’s hopes this newest entry into the hot Las Vegas club scene will impress guests with its phenomenal Strip-side location and outdoor dance floor and cabanas.  (We’re going to miss the gorgeous fountain they removed to make way for this club but, hey, we understand — commerce is commerce.)

Two stories of club action and six bars dotting a 40,000-square-foot venue will merge such seemingly disparate features as lushly-classic French gardens and architecture with DJ’s spinning “an eclectic blend of house, dance, hip-hop and mainstream music. “

The Grand Opening on March 5 features an appearance by Drake while on March 25, Flo Rida checks in to see if this club can handle him – or not.  And what club in Vegas worth its designer-vodka drinks and scantily-clad servers doesn’t have an upcoming visit from at least one or more of the Jersey Shore crowd?  The Chateau doesn’t disappoint with scheduled appearances by “The Situation” plus a Sammi Sweetheart birthday bash.

Links for more info:  Chateau Nightclub LV newsletter or check out this official Caesar’s  Chateau Las Vegas website. You can also follow them on twitter here: @chateaulv

Tomorrow – March’s must-see concerts in Las Vegas.  In the meantime, enjoy this Flo Rida video –

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Dogs are welcome at eight Caesars properties where bad beat jackpots are paid in kibble and Nylabones.

You know the look.  The one you get as soon as you pull out the good suitcase and start packing it with all your Vegas finery.  The guilt-inducing look that says “So I’m off to the kennel while you go have all the fun.” (Personally, we get the “We’re stuck here with Aunt Marge (who still hasn’t figured out that we like our dinner microwaved for 28 seconds not 30) while you go dine at Guy Savoy” – death stare.)

Well, fret no more:  Caesars Entertainment now welcomes your canine friends at eight of their Las Vegas properties.  The new PetStay program debuted in October at Caesars Palace, the Rio and Imperial Palace and now includes Paris, Bally’s, Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s and the Flamingo.  The program seems to be doing quite well as we saw a number of dogs out and about during our last visit to Caesars Palace.  And, yes, we mean the four-legged variety.  Sort of.

In addition to the $25 (Imperial Palace) to $40 (Caesars Palace) upcharge per night, there are some rules and restrictions:

* Dogs staying at any of the participating hotels must weigh 50 pounds or less and be present at the time of check- in.

* Up to 2 dogs per room are allowed.

* Dogs are permitted to walk through designated common areas while on a leash and accompanied by the owner.  (Damn, we figured we’d stick a leash on them and let ‘em run wild through the sports book while we hit the spa.)

* Can only play blackjack if they know not to split 10′s.

Okay, so we made up that last one.  Sort of.

For more info on pet-friendly hotels in Las Vegas, visit the Caesars website for all the PetStay policies.

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8.  The newest slot game to hit the casino floor is the “community game” based on American Idol and you can play it at any of the MGM Resorts properties.  MGM has a 30-day exclusive on this new IGT game and going by what we saw of it at the gaming expo in November it is going to be a blast to play.  Look for it at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, NYNY, Luxor, Mirage, Bellagio and ARIA.  (We snagged a photo of it from the gaming expo’s trade show floor.)  Just think, this may be your last chance to see Simon snark his way through the competition – other than in reruns.

The coolest game to hit the casino floors this year -- American Idol -- can be found exclusively at MGM properties this weekend.

9.  We dig the new Munch Bar at Caesars Palace.  It’s located within ear-splitting distance of the Pussycat Dolls blackjack tables but the food is fast, fun and a good nosh when we feel like eating lunch at 3 p.m. or 3 a.m.  Try the Philly Cheesesteak sliders, the sweet potato fries with a wicked garlic dip, the grilled cheese bites with tomato dipping sauce or one of the monstrous burgers.

10.  PBR Rock Bar – the cowboy-themed BBQ spot that opened at Planet Hollywood is another good spot for lunch or dinner.  Two people can easily share the plate-sized pulled pork sammich with the mini-vat of creamy potato salad.  The place heats up at night when the mechanical bull starts bucking drunks patrons onto the floor.  And you definitely don’t want to miss this: Friday, January 7, 10 p.m. — “Party with some of adult entertainment’s finest and get a chance to compete in the mechanical bull riding competition. The most impressive bull rider will win a $500 cash prize. Revelers can get down and dirty with 2-for $8 beers and two-for-one Hoedown-Throwdowns, PBR Rock Bar’s specialty cocktail.”  Honest, they’re calling it the Hoe-Down Pornstar Bull Riding Contest.  (Kinda’ makes that American Idol slot game look a little less exciting, huh?)

11.  Check out the Strip’s first high-end Greek restaurant — ESTIATORIO MILOS — at the new Cosmopolitan.  An NYC/Montreal  import, the restaurant features fresh fish and other menu items done up in creative Mediterranean style.  We can’t wait to try the fried zucchini and eggplant appetizer.  (We heart zucchini done this way.)

12.  While Las Vegas is expecting some chilly weather this weekend, it will be downright freezing if you stop by the Monte Carlo and the newest Minus5 Ice Lounge.  Enjoy Vodka cocktails in this lounge made entirely of Canadian ice.  (Why Canadian ice?  Imported is always better.  We think….)

Here’s that guarantee we talked about:  Not having an enormously exciting time in Vegas?  We’ll be at PBR at Planet Hollywood, sitting at the bar enjoying a giant guitar-sized frozen fruity-thing, at 11 p.m. Saturday night and will ride the bull if our promise to provide you with fun things to do in Vegas has not been met.  No, really, just look for us.

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Tapas at Julian Serrano at the ARIA are perfect for sharing with a crowd and the sangria rocks.

Headed to Las Vegas this week for CES 2011? Here are some new places to see/things to do/food to eat guaranteed – yes, this post comes with a guarantee – to make your CES visit enormously exciting.  (Okay, so we know the electronics are the raison d’etre for this trip but trust us, Hubert Keller’s “Top Chef Masters” competition-winning “In The Shower” Mac & Cheese made with lobster and brunoise vegetables is what you’ll still be talking about come summer.)

1. Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – You’ve seen the ads now see the real thing (sans kittens, goats, Westies and hopefully, pants-free bellboys.) Drinks at inside The Chandelier bar is a must as is dinner at Jaleo which will no doubt be the toughest table to lay your hands and fork on this weekend.

2. Hash House A Go Go has opened on the Strip. At Imperial Palace to be exact. Lots of great diner food including the famed – for good reason – Farm Benedicts. Open Friday and Saturday until 2 AM, it’s the perfect spot to head for when you need something to soak up that bottle of Grey Goose that kept calling your name at the club.

3. While it may be too cold for swimming, check out the new pool digs at Encore and the renovated space at Caesars Palace. Summer – in Vegas, anyways – is just around the corner.

4. New games to try: Lord of the Rings at Caesars Palace; Sex and the City at ARIA and Planet Hollywood; Triple Spin Poker at ARIA or Ultimate X video poker at the Bellagio.

5. If you didn’t make it over to ARIA last year or if you did but missed dining there, be sure to check out Julian Serrano for tapas (the warm spinach salad and the country bread with tomatoes are both wonderful as is the white sangria.) Sage Restaurant is awesome as well. The boy knows what to do with scallops, foie gras and lamb.

6. Sip some outstanding grape while noshing on small plates at the new La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway located inside Wynn Las Vegas. We’ve heard good things about the space and will also be checking it out for the first time this week. (We’re the two chicks – dressed in East Coast black — huddled over the baked clams with pepperoncini and Parmesan.)

7. That mac and cheese we were talking about? Find it here at Fleur by Hubert Keller, now open at Mandalay Bay and serving, as the press release calls them, “inventive small plates, sweet endings and dramatic cocktails.” (Hey, put enough liquor in and we find any cocktail to be “dramatic.”) We are ginormous fans of Chef Keller and of liquid nitrogen so we’ll be there as well this weekend.  (We’re the two dramatic chicks at the bar no doubt dressed in black.)

Come back tomorrow for more ideas and that guarantee we told you about….

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LAVO at the Palazzo will ring in the New Year with hostess Holly Madison on hand to party with Las Vegas revelers.

“Maybe it’s much too early in the game
Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year’s,
New Year’s eve?” *

Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve? That’ll work. So “who” will be lighting up the desert and ringing in 2011 with the masses? Here’s a list of “hosts” (we’re still not quite sure what that means…) plus performers booked into various Strip venues this year.

New Year’s Eve 2011 Events, Las Vegas

Reality star/entrepreneur/serial dater and “smart” sister, Kim Kardashian, will be hosting the party at TAO Las Vegas at the Venetian.  (Unfortunately for us girls, her liaison with Halle Berry ex, Gabriel Aubry, is over so no extra eye-candy for the $$$ you may be shelling out.)

Holly Madison, Las Vegas’ version of the girl-next-door (if you happen to live next door to a huge casino resort such as Planet Hollywood,) will be mingling with revelers at LAVO, the Palazzo’s celeb-heavy club. (We thought it odd that she wasn’t snapped up for a gig at one of the Harrah’s Caesar’s properties.)

Mario Lopez (we’re assuming sans baby and Screech) will be making an appearance at Eve nightclub inside the Crystals at CityCenter. Eve – owned by Eva Longoria (we’ll drop the “Parker”) – has a ton of packages available including the $10,000 “Celebrity VIP” blitz with admission for you and 14 of your BFF’s plus “Unlimited Premium Liquor, 4 bottles at a time, and 2 Bottles of Dom Perignon Magnum.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs will be hosting the blow-out at LAX at the Luxor. Other hip-hop and rap stars in town and hosting and/or performing for the night’s festivities include Ludacris at Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel — packages start at $150 with open bar – plus NELLY at Haze in the new ARIA Resort and Casino or how about B.o.B. at the Mirage’s JET nightclub.

The most talked about “by-invitation-only” event is the Jay Z/Coldplay concert at the brand-new Cosmopolitan casino resort. Reportedly, the Empire State star is getting a cool mil for his performance. For this event, high-rollers only need apply. If your casino play is grand enough to impress the Cosmo’s powers-that-be, here’s a run-down on the event — Coldplay & Jay-Z LIVE Concert, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas NEW YEARS EVE 2011 — plus an email addy you can use to try for tickets. (We’re assuming your 2009 tax return complete with W-2G’s is the key to getting your golden ticket.)

Check out all the info on lots of New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas events at our favorite BestOfVegas.com site where tickets, line passes and more are available for purchase.

*  “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Music and lyrics — Frank Henry Loesser

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The Cosmopolitan resort, the newest component of CityCenter Las Vegas, opens December 15.

Some news you probably already know – The Cosmopolitan opens tomorrow in Las Vegas. We say “probably” because we assume you’ve either seen the TV commercials (they started in 2005 or maybe it just seems that way) or read the press releases or followed any number of the Yellow Brick blog posts/tweets leading to the opening of the newest Emerald CityCenter component.

We’ll be checking out the new digs come January and here’s what we’ll be looking for:

The Casino at The Cosmopolitan — Although you wouldn’t know it from the ads, they do have one.  Already we know that Blackjack at The Cosmo is nothing to write home about so we’ll be interested in seeing the pay tables for video poker along with which slot games made the cut.  Wanna’ really be avant-garde, Cosmo?  Be one of the few on the Strip to give your guests a fair gamble.

The Cosmopolitan Restaurants –  The biggest coup for the new property no doubt comes from bringing acclaimed Spanish chef José Andrés (protege of famed El Bulli chef Ferran “The Father of Foam” Adrià) to Las Vegas.  Andres will be at the helm of Jaleo, China Poblano and The Henry.  We’ve eaten at Jaleo in Washington, D.C. so we’re most interested in trying out China Poblano which promises diners a spot where “Noodles and tacos come together in a festive, stylish setting designed by SEED.”  Hmm.

Other top toques brought in to run the high-end hash houses of the Cosmo include both Scott Conant (Italian,) and David Myers (who looks like Kerry Simon’s moody younger brother.)  The spot we’re really psyched about is Estiatorio Milos by restaurateur Costas Spiliadis, the Strip’s first 5X$ Greek restaurant.

The Guest Rooms at The Cosmopolitan — Honestly, the balconies over-looking the Strip — with doors-that-open-so-you-can-sit-out-on-them-balconies — are what most piqued our interest.  Because we like to gamble and eat and enjoy the random cocktail — a lot — we don’t spend all that much time in the room.  We are hoping, though, that one of those cute little Westie terriers got lost during the filming of the Cosmopolitan’s TV commercials and we find him/her under the bed.  A hotel that would offer a room complete with cute puppy or kitten — or maybe a duck for the tub? — would be our idea of a really great hotel concept.

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The Crazy Diamond Slot Bank is a top-seller this holiday season.

We posted ideas for buying gifts for poker and card players so time to give you some hints on what to get for the slot machine fan on your list.  There’s still time to order these items from Amazon.com and have them under the tree on Christmas morning.  And don’t forget — if none of these ideas floats your boat there are scads more in our Gift Guide storefront.

This is, by far, my fave gift for women, myself included…hint, hint — a cozy Pashmina-style wrap for those chilly casino floors.  Really, I’ve been in meat lockers that are warmer than your average casino.  In a luscious solid color, posh print or smooth neutral, this is a great gift item for travelers as well.  (Sure beats those skanky-looking airplane blankets.)

Maybe we have a skewed sense of humor but we love this hoodie! The BusyBodies Slot Machine Hooded Sweatshirt simply makes us smile every single time we put it on. Win or lose, it’s a great gift for a dedicated slot machine player.

Redesigned for music and Multi-Touch, the Apple iPod nano is smaller and lighter than ever. You can clip it to your sleeve, jacket, or running shorts and keep your favorite songs at your fingertips. There’s even a built-in FM radio so you can tune into your favorite game while you play the machines.

Top Gift Idea — Here’s a cool way for your slot machine fan to save up for that next trip to the casino — the Crazy Diamonds Slot Machine Bank. This large-scale replica features a chrome bevel and tray, a jackpot bell and a flashing light. This is our best-selling item for 2010.

Book a stay at the ARIA Resort and Casino and you'll be in the heart of the exciting new CityCenter Las Vegas.

Last but not least, how about a trip to Vegas for the casino lover on your list?  We can’t think of a better gift than a three-night stay at the Bellagio, Caesars Palace or one of CityCenter Las Vegas’ newest spots — the ARIA Casino Resort or Vdara Hotel.  Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

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According to the Company’s own press release, “The Harrah’s name will continue to be one of the company’s primary brands, along with Caesars, Horseshoe, Total Rewards and World Series of Poker.

“In recognition of Caesars’ status as the world’s preeminent and most respected casino brand, we have changed the name of our parent company to Caesars Entertainment Corporation,” said Gary Loveman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Caesars Entertainment. “The change reflects our evolution as the industry’s leading provider of branded casino entertainment.”

We don’t care a whole lot about the name change but what we do wish they would change is their video poker pay tables.  We would be happy to “All Hail Caesars” if we saw more 9/6 games in their casinos.

More information:  Here’s an interesting article on the Pokerati.com website about the name change — “Harrah’s Inc. is now Caesars Corp. – we think..“

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Caesars Palace will turn their huge Roman Plaza into an ice palace for the Fourth of July.

If you’re heading to “Camp Las Vegas” (don’t you just love this year’s ad campaign!) for the Fourth of July you’ll find lots of special events planned to entertain you this weekend.  From celebrity-hosted pool parties to fireworks shows, Las Vegas will be flashier and more fun than ever.  Here are just some of the special events going on plus some links to get more info to turn your Las Vegas Fourth of July into a weekend to remember.

Caesars Palace will be the site of a “fire and ice” celebration as the hotel giant transforms its Roman Plaza into an ice palace then lights up the Strip with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4th.  The huge plaza area just in front of the hotel (behind Serendipity 3) will be transformed into a winter playground for the holiday weekend!  This cold zone will feature snowboarding and skiing on a four-story snow jump plus plenty of other 4th of July activities.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will also host a 9 p.m. fireworks display originating from the hotel’s famed “Mandalay Bay Beach Club.”  A $25 cover charge on July 4th includes admission to the stunning pool area, the fireworks show plus music by Mystic Roots.

Station Casinos celebrates the Fourth of July with five of their casino properties offering free fireworks displays.   Fireworks displays — nine-minute shows at each location — will begin at 8:45 p.m. at Green Valley Ranch, Aliante Station, Red Rock Resort, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station.

Check out these links for all the Fourth of July 2010 events coming to Las Vegas this weekend:

• “Best of Vegas“ has all the info on the Caesars Palace celebration plus tickets for shows, concerts and more.

• Vegas.com — Find all the special events and fireworks happening in Las Vegas at this comprehensive site.

• The Las Vegas NBC TV affiliate lists lots of July 4th events on this website page:  Fun Events for the Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July and stay cool my friends.

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The iconic Garden of the Gods pool complex at Caesars Palace debuts a major reno this summer.

Summer comes early to Las Vegas with the opening of “ultra” pools all around town and none is more famous than the sybaritic “Garden of the Gods” oasis at Caesars Palace. Debuting March 19th, Caesars has taken its already iconic pool complex and renovated the Roman-themed attraction to  feature eight — yes, EIGHT — pools primed and ready for summer sunners, swimmers and gamblers.  To celebrate the renovations, Caesars is offering summer “pool packages” with special room rates, pool credits and more.

At the heart of the mega-resort, the sprawling Garden of the Gods has been completely redesigned to highlight lavish amenities, over-the-top statuary and landscaping plus, of course, the stunning new water playgrounds. For instance, the new Fortuna pool features an 18-foot waterfall plus swim-up blackjack for guests who want to catch some rays and, with a little luck, a few 21′s! Over at the “invitation-only” Bacchus pools, private shallow sun chaise pools and butler-attended cabanas are featured.

Private pool cabanas at Caesars Palace

In addition to the extravagant new pools, there are 44 new private cabanas each with a stocked refrigerator of juice and water, flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, wireless Internet access, ceiling fan and plush furniture. With hundreds of new vibrant blue deck chairs, plush daybeds and loveseat-inspired scoop chairs, guests can keep it simple and do nothing but enjoy a day of sun-worshiping. Completing the Garden of the Gods additions is an all-new whirlpool retreat and an added garden wedding venue.

Spa treatments at the pool

For guests looking to indulge not only in the sun but also spa, CP’s Qua Baths & Spa, a Strip-favorite, offers poolside treatments. Spa services also include neck massages at deck chairs as well as full-service massages in the large Jupiter spa cabana.

Promo code for special Caesars Palace pool package

To be among the first to experience the new Garden of the Gods, go to caesarspalace.com/gog to book hotel, pool and dining accommodations. The “Garden of the Gods Pool & Hotel Package” includes a 3-day, 2-night stay, $25 Garden of the Gods pool credit and a pool bag complete with bag, towel and other necessary pool items. Package begins at $110 per night, based on availability. Use promotion code: PKGCGOG.

Insider’s Tip:  When staying at CP, escape the crowd with breakfast at the tiny but plush Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace.  Surrounded by buttery walls and vanilla leather banquettes, enjoy the rich, European-style coffee and luscious Eggs Benedict on Croissant.  Before you leave, be sure to pick up one of Payard’s fabulous pastries at the counter next door.

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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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Save on great gifts like laptop bags, handbags and travel items at eBags.com with our links.

The ravishing raspberry hue will make this travel kit stand out in any suitcase.

Here’s an exclusive offer from eBags.com — Use this link and you’ll get to take 25% off on one item this Monday only:   Cyber Monday Super Deal: 25% Off Any 1 Item! Got more shopping to do at eBags?  Do it and you’ll also save 20% off additional items plus get free shipping today. Use link:   Cyber Monday Double Deal: 20% Off + Free Shipping on Orders over $100 at eBags.com. We’d love to see this “pack it flat” travel bag (in raspberry!) under our tree this year and at less than $25 on sale, it’s an affordable gift idea.

From Restaurant.com comes this 80% off deal on their popular $25 restaurant gift certificates. Think stocking-stuffers for friends who love dining out at top restaurants in Las Vegas or in lots of other major U.S. cities. Also, be sure to check out all the new restaurants now participating in the program including several at Las Vegas favorite, Mandalay Bay. 80% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificates. Use code SAVE and Pay just $2 through 11/30/09.

You have until midnight on Monday to save $25 on a hotel stay when booking at Expedia.com with the travel company’s first-ever Black Friday weekend promotion.  Use promo code BlackFriday25 to get your discount along with this link: Black Friday Special: Get $25 off a hotel booking of $150+. Use Code BlackFriday25 at checkout. – Expires 11/30/09.

Looking for a pre- or post-holiday getaway?  Then check out this deal at the all-new Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter in Las Vegas:

Vdara “Winter Special” Rates from $139/nt (2nt Min). *Stay Two Nights at the new Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter 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).

Happy shopping!

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Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas will host special performances by Garth Brooks beginning in December.

Country superstar Garth Brooks is ending his retirement in a deal with Steve Wynn where the singer will perform a  limited number of engagements at the Encore Theatre in Las Vegas.  The all-acoustic performances begin with a single weekend in December and will continue on select dates throughout the term of the 5-year arrangement.

The price for tickets (said to be a point of discussion between Wynn and Brooks) is a very “reasonable-for-Vegas” $125 plus a $5 service charge and a $13 tax to equal a total of $143 and go on sale this Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific (9:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. CT and 11:00 a.m. ET). Tickets are available by calling 702.770.1000 and online at the Wynn Las Vegas box office.

The following weekend dates have been released with all performances happening at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas Resort:

December 2009:  11 – 13

January 2010:  1 – 3 and 22 – 24

February 2010:  12 – 14 and 26 – 28

Performance times are:  Fridays – 8:00pm; Saturdays – 8:00pm & 10:30pm; and Sundays – 8:00pm.

More information about ticketing can be found on the official Garth Brooks website plus there’s lots more info on the deal in a good article on CMT News online:  “NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Garth Brooks Goes Back to Work.”

You can check out room rates here for  Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and for Wynn Las Vegas where we found rates ranging from $235 on up with a $75 resort credit.  There are lots of options nearby including TI – Treasure Island Hotel and Casino ($101 – $139,) or The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino and The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino at the Venetian for $219 per night each plus slot credit of $50 and dining credits as well.

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Harrah's will host the "Great Gift Wrap Up" from November 12 - 16, 2009. Another event happens at Caesars Palace in December.

If you’ve been playing Las Vegas this year and using your all-important players club cards, you’ve probably been racking up “gift points” at lots of casinos up and down the Strip.  Now is the time to make plans to cash in those annual points by attending the big “gift-o-rama” events held each year by the various participating casino companies.  Make your room reservations now since you must be there in person to cash in your points and these special shopping days bring in lots of visitors to Vegas.

Here are the dates and venues for this year’s big gift giveaways in Las Vegas:

Harrah’s Entertainment will be hosting their fourth annual “Great Gift Wrap Up” on November 12th – 16th, 2009 at Harrah’s Las Vegas and again from December 3rd – 7th, 2009 at Caesars Palace.  Go to GreatGiftWrapUp.com for details plus a look at this year’s merchandise catalog. You can even get your point total.

MGM Mirage’s popular “Holiday Gift Shoppe Event” will be taking place at participating Las Vegas properties from November 28 – December 13, 2009.  Check out this special event at the company’s PlayersClub.com site and click on the “Holiday Gift Shoppe” logo for gift ideas and a special count-down clock.

Grazie Club members can cash in the points they’ve earned by playing at both the Venetian and Palazzo resorts during the “Grazie Gifts” Holiday Shopping Extravaganza in November.  From November 20 – 29, 2009, players here can choose from such high-end names as Tag Heuer, Ralph Lauren, Coach and more in exchange for their points.  Get the details on this event at Venetian.com and click on the “Grazie” tab then select “Grazie Gifts” as your destination.

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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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"MGM Grand restaurant SeaBlue will be just one of the top dining spots participating in next week's Las Vegas Restaurant Week." Photo/content copyright 2009 RoyallyFlushed.com

Restaurant Week Las Vegas starts just one week from now and brings with it your chance to try some of the city’s best – and we mean absolute BEST – restaurants for a fixed price of $20.09, $30.09 or a high (we think “low”) of $50.09. Running from August 31 through Sept. 6, more than 50 of the city’s top dining establishments will participate in the annual event which benefits Three Square Food Bank, a partner organization of Feeding America. Working to end hunger in Southern Nevada, a portion of all Restaurant Week sales will benefit Three Square.

When we say best, we aren’t kidding. Take a look at just some of the top restaurants (link to a list of all participating restaurants at the end of the post) that will be firing up the stoves for this national charitable event:

Wynn/Encore: Alex, Botero, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, Daniel Boulud Brasserie

MGM Grand: Cat House, Diego, Pearl Chinese Restaurant, SeaBlue

Caesars Palace: Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, Bradley Ogden

Palazzo/Venetian: Pinot Brasserie, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro

Mandalay Bay: miX, Fleur de Lys (a favorite of ours,) RM Seafood, Aureole

Bellagio: Prime Steakhouse, Café Bellagio

In addition to the special pricing on select meals, many of the city’s best resorts are also offering Restaurant Week diners exclusive entertainment, spa and overnight packages.

For instance, MGM Grand is offering deluxe accommodations and a tasting menu for two starting at just $159 at any one of their signature restaurants including L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Nobhill Tavern, SeaBlue, Italian favorite FiAMMA, Diego, Pearl, Shibuya and the highly-rated Tom Colicchio restaurant, Craftsteak.

At Bellagio, the “Unforgettable Night” package is just $178 per person and includes a ticket to “O™” by Cirque du Soleil®, a prix fixe dinner menu at FIX or Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge (terrific sushi!), a complimentary drink at Caramel Bar & Lounge as well as complimentary entrance to the high-energy nightclub, The Bank.

At Mandalay Bay, Aureole, Fleur de Lys, miX, Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood and StripSteak will all offer specially priced three and four-course tasting menus to pair nicely with the resort’s overnight packages. Both Mandalay Bay and THEhotel will offer special room rates for Restaurant Week visitors that include a dining credit to the House of Blues Restaurant plus other resort goodies.

There are no “tickets” but reservations should be made in advance if you want to secure your seat at the table for what will most definitely be a busy week at participating restaurants.

A complete list of participating Restaurant Week establishments may be found by visiting www.threesquare.org.

Tomorrow, see what the chefs at Wynn and Encore have planned for Restaurant Week Las Vegas.

MGM Grand Las Vegas “Maximum Escape” Rates from $69.99/nt. *Plus, $35 Activity Credit (per stay), 2 Line passes to Studio 54 or Tabu, and 25% off Spa Services (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Jun 23, 2009 – May 31, 2010. Promo Code: MKT205 (Exp 12/30/09)

Bellagio Hotel Promotions

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas

If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://www.RoyallyFlushed.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at c.c.royal@royallyflushed.com PLEASE. All text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. © 2008-2009 RoyallyFlushed.com

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The Crystals in Las Vegas will open its doors to shoppers on December 3. (Photo/content property of www.RoyallyFlushed.com)

So much has happened since our January report on the happenings at MGM Mirage’s CityCenter Las Vegas that what we’ve decided to do is post our newest CityCenter photos and then give some highlights of the project along with a list of websites/articles you can go to for more info.

Aria Resort & Casino

Scheduled to open December 16, Aria is taking room reservations now at their new website. Click around the ARIA Home Page and you’ll find photos of the rooms, a section on some of the chefs and restaurants planned plus info on the new “Elvis” show at Aria which, to quote the website, comes from the “creative geniuses at Cirque du Soleil® (who) have created a new show exclusively for ARIA. The production pays tribute to Elvis’ music and life, fusing dance and acrobatics, live music and iconic tracks, nostalgia and modernity, high technology and raw emotion. In short, the show will be in Elvis’ image: powerful, sexy, whimsical and truly unique.”

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Las Vegas

This 47-story non-gaming hotel features 227 residences plus 392 Adam D. Tihany-designed rooms and suites with contemporary decor and “subtle oriental touches.”  The 23rd-floor Sky Lobby is just one of the luxurious design elements guests will encounter when staying at the new hotel.  Check out the Mandarin Oriental Hotel website for artist’s renderings of the rooms, the soaring lobby and an exclusive online brochure.  Opening date is currently scheduled for December 4th and the hotel will begin taking reservations on August 17th.

A new bridge constructed over the Strip will give pedestrians easy access to the massive CityCenter Las Vegas project. (Photo/content property of RoyallyFlushed.com)

The Crystals Retail Complex

More than 500,000 square-feet of retail and dining space will open December 3rd in this stunning shopping complex fronting the Las Vegas Strip.  High-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, TIFFANY & CO., jeweler H. Stern, apparel store Marni and luxury men’s retailer/designer Ermenegildo Zegna will be among the exceptional brands dotting the corridors of the contemporary space.  A French brasserie from CelebuChef extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck will join Katana, a sushi/Robatayaki concept (and L.A. favorite) from the same restaurant group that currently operates Las Vegas restaurants Sushi Roku and BOA Steakhouse.  Read more here about the Crystals.

Vdara Condo-Hotel

The newest rumor has it that Vdara’s lackluster sales may push the project into a holding pattern while developers try to sell more of the Veers Towers and Mandarin Oriental residences.  The newest info can be found in an August 15th article by Brian Wargo for the “In Business” section of the Las Vegas Sun.

The Harmon Hotel & Spa

This part of the massive CityCenter project was put on hold early this year and is not slated to open until late-2010.  The original plans called for a condo component to the building but that has been scrapped in favor of an all-hotel-room project.  The Light Group is still scheduled to operate the hotel once it opens.  Read the latest on Light Group here.

Cosmopolitan (for now!)

What can we say about this project?  Not a part of CityCenter but neighboring it and The Bellagio, this project has gone bankrupt and is currently owned by Deutsche Bank AG who has hired and fired architects in an attempt to make the project more commercially-appealing.  (Not sure to whom.)  The broken lines of the glass-fronted lobby are certainly interesting — not attractive but interesting.  The Cosmo now has a new leader, former Caesars Palace exec, John Unwin, and there’s rumor that the Hilton group may be coming on-board to manage the hotel.  The project is slated to open in September of 2010 but stay tuned for more info.  Read more about the Cosmo’s troubles at the LV Business Press website and an article by Tony Illia.

For a fascinating look at Las Vegas today including an interview with the Sands Corp.’s Sheldon Adelson plus a report on the town’s real estate woes, check out TIME magazine writer/videojournalist Joel Stein’s article “Less Vegas: The Casino Town Bets on a Comeback.”

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We'll be checking out the new "Peepshow" starring Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood while on this trip to Las Vegas.

Leaving in a couple of days for a week in LasVegas and here’s a  “hit” list for some of the stops we’ll be making to check out some new places both on and off the Strip:

- Lunch and a famous “Frrrozen Hot Chocolate” at Serendipty 3 at Caesars Palace.

- Late-night sliders and the “Lucky Onion Soup – $7.77″ at First Food Bar at the Palazzo.

- Dinners with our discount restaurant gift certificates (from Restaurant.com) at Mandalay Bay spots Aureole, Fleur de Lys and Strip Steak.  Since we’ll be spending so much time at Mandalay Bay’s restaurants, we’ll just have to check out the new Mandalay Bay Beach Side Casino.

- A night with Holly Madison at “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood.

- Visits to the new M Resort with either lunch or dinner at their highly-praised “Studio B” buffet plus a stop to see what’s shakin’ at Treasure Island since new-owner Phil Ruffin took over (and to sign up for their new players club card.)

Also on the agenda — lots of pool time at The Bellagio, Spin Poker™ at Green Valley Ranch and a stop at our fav bakery, Payard at Caesars Palace.

We”ll report back with all our findings both from the road and after we return home!

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Sunset Station is one of the casino resorts taking part in this year's huge "Station's 4th of July Blast" fireworks show. (Click the pic to check on rooms.)

Station Casinos will be hosting the biggest fireworks show in Las Vegas this 4th of July 2009 when each of the Company’s nine properties participate in a huge simultaneous pyrotechnics show to celebrate the holiday.  Called the “Station’s 4th of July Blast,” the monster production will go off at 9:30 pm on Saturday with shows at Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Fiesta Henderson, the new Aliante Station, Santa Fe and Sunset Stations plus the shared location of neighboring properties Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho.

The show will be coordinated and produced by the Grucci Family, a company famous for providing magnificent displays at presidential inaugurations as well as legendary Fourth of July shows from coast-to-coast. During the show, several radio station including KSNE Sunny 106.5 FM, KWNR New Country 95.5 FM and KOMP The Rock Station 92.3 FM will provide a musical accompaniment choreographed to highlight the nine-minute fireworks show.

Want the “best seat in the house” for watching the show?  Here’s a list from Station Casinos of recommended public viewing areas that  each property has carved out  for their guests:

* Aliante Station – Hotel valet/parking lot area

* Boulder Station – Parking garage rooftop

* Fiesta Henderson – Parking garage rooftop

* Fiesta Rancho – Parking garage rooftop

* Green Valley Ranch – Backyard pool area

* Palace Station – Parking garage rooftop (south parking garage connected to casino entrance)

* Red Rock Resort – Pool area and amphitheatre

* Santa Fe Station – Parking garage rooftop (north parking garage) and the race and sports book patio

* Sunset Station – Amphitheater

* Texas Station – Parking Lot C off Rancho entrance

In addition to the free fireworks show, all Station Casinos will be celebrating the holiday weekend with food and drink specials, live entertainment and more.  Be sure to check with each casino for more info on the big Fourth of July bash.

Holiday Hint: Make it a “playcation” and book a night or two at one of the hotels.  Rooms are still available at several resorts including: Sunset Station Hotel And Casino,  Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa and Fiesta Rancho Station Casino Hotel.

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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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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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Avenged Sevenfold ended their nearly two-year tour with a performance at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.)

There’s lots of hot new stuff happening at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this spring!  With the grand opening of the new mega-music venue “The Joint” (including performances by The Killers, Avenged Sevenfold and Paul McCartney); the grand opening of Carey Hart’s Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; and the season opening of Rehab — complete with a Snoop Dogg set — the property was buzzing with capacity crowds and celebrity cameos throughout the past (4/17 – 4/19) weekend. Here’s a recap of the events and celebs that came to party at the HRH:

The Killers at the Opening of The Joint:

The Vegas hometown band, The Killers, officially opened the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas to a sold out show of 4,000 fans. Owen Wilson and Stephen Dorff caught the performance from a studio suite and were ushered backstage post-show to meet the band.  Also spotted were motocross star Carey Hart plus favorite Las Vegas residents, Andre Agassi and wife Steffi Graff (who were also seen dining pre-show at Rare 120, the new restaurant at the Hard Rock.)

Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.:

Carey Hart opened the doors to his famed Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. with friends Benji Madden and members of the band Avenged Sevenfold on hand to support. TV host Sal Masekela was first to go under the needle as he got a tattoo on camera for his show, the Daily 10.  Later that evening Hart, Madden and company set up shop in the Joint to watch fan favorites Avenged Sevenfold play the last show of their nearly two-year-long tour to another capacity crowd.

Famed Sunday Pool Party Rehab Debuts:

A 30-minute set from best-selling rapper Snoop Dogg kicked off the 6^th season of Rehab, the world-famous Sunday pool party at the Hard Rock.  Both locals and visitors alike came out to celebrate the beginning of pool season with over 3,000 people in attendance.  Celebrity partiers included New Orleans Saints Reggie Bush and Sedrick Ellis.

“Macca” Wows Crowd at Sunday Concert:

Paul opened with “Drive My Car” and played for more than two hours to a sold-out house, before getting back onstage for a double encore. Singing lots of old Beatles favs, cuts from his Wings days plus newer songs, the “cutest Beatle” was in fine voice for a now 66-year-old rocker. Celeb McCartney fans included: Donald Trump; Andre Agassi with wife, Steffi Graff; David Spade; Donny Osmond; and NASCAR driver Robbie Gordon.

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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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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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The M Resort’s iMagine Rewards club members may use their points for dining, cash back, complimentary rooms and suites AND free play. Members can also redeem points at M Resort’s on-site gas station, car wash and pharmacy. ($1 played = 1 point. 333 points = $1 and the resort offers 1,900 slot machines and 64 table games.)

In regards to the overwhelming success of the new resort, Chairman and CEO of the M, Anthony Marnell III, earlier this month said,  “The response has been exciting.  We knew we had a great product to offer our guests and the last few days have confirmed it.”

The new $1 billion resort opened with a bang earlier this month in a grand celebration featuring fireworks, celebrities and a “Who’s Who” of Las Vegas faces.  Located on South Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, the M features 390 guest rooms and suites, nine dining venues, a state-of-the-art spa, meeting and convention areas and more than 92,000 square feet of gaming space.  The resort’s highlight is a lavish pool and outdoor entertainment plaza with commanding views of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding mountains.

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Camera and lots of memory cards. I can’t believe how cheap memory cards are these days! We love this $84 Nikon Coolpix L22 12.0MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD in bright red along with lots of LESS THAN $4 memory cards such as the Kingston 4 GB Class 4 SDHC Flash Memory Card SD4/4GB which holds hundreds of pics. Everywhere I go, my camera goes with me. You just never know when the perfect Vegas view will happen.

Ladies, you’ve heard me talk about this before but I always take a light pashmina-style Shawl/Wrap with me. Recently, it really came in handy when we headed over to Botero Steak at Wynn Encore and the doors to the pool area were open and letting in a really chilly breeze. The fresh air was great but I was very glad I had my cozy wrap with me.  They’re also great on plane trips — much better than those skanky cheesy blankets the airlines pass out have the gall to charge for.  Trust me, pack one of these babies just once and you won’t travel without it.

Take sunglasses and sunscreen.  There are always long lines at the sidewalk sunglasses shops because people forget that it is almost always sunny in LV – summer, fall, winter, spring! Be sure to take good sunscreen as well. Even on overcast days, we have some strong UV rays in the desert. No sense using up valuable vacay-time hunting down (and paying way too much for) shades and lotions.  We’ve found this sunscreen (> $15) to be really convenient and easy to pack. We even throw a couple of the little foil-wrapped packets into our pocket for a quick touch-up on hot days.  Coretex SunX SPF30 Sunscreen Towelettes – 25 Individual Foil Pouch Towelettes. PABA Free, Oil-free, Water and Sweat Resistant, UVA/UVB Protection, Easy Wipe on Application.

Again, this one’s for the girls.  Nights out demand a glamorous little bag — one you can take onto the dance floor or into a chic restaurant. We love this Prezzo Square Cross-Body bag in shiny metal mesh.  It’s perfect for stashing my room key, credit card, cash and a tube of lip gloss.  What more do you need for a night on the town?  It’s also very light-weight so it’s easy on the shoulders and it comes in inky black or glowing silver to go with anything.

More tips on what to pack for Las Vegas here: What to Pack for Las Vegas.

Do you have any “must-haves” when it comes to your Vegas packing list?

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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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Nine dining venues will be a major draw of the new M Resort which opens March 1 in Las Vegas. (Image courtesy of the resort.)

When the new M Resort, Spa and Casino opens its doors on March 1, Chairman and CEO Anthony Marnell III  will be able to gaze down upon the legendary properties designed in part by his father’s company, Marnell and Corrao Associates.  With a pedigree that includes work on such resort icons as Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Mirage and more, the newest generation of the Marnell family is bringing mega-resort luxury, amenities and design innovations to a 90-acre spot on the “South Strip.”

Perched 400 feet above the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the new $1 billion-plus resort – located about nine miles from Mandalay Bay – uses this vantage point as a key design element in the positioning of the resort’s nine restaurants, 390 guest rooms and suites, as well as the lavish outdoor swim and stage complex called  the Villaggio Del Sole Pool and Entertainment Piazza.

Those staying overnight in one of the resort’s rooms will enjoy dazzling views of both the Strip and the Las Vegas skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows gracing each of the 550-sq.ft. or larger accommodations.  Some of the state-of-the-art amenities are a 42″ HD LCD television, Bose “Wave” sound system, an iPod docking station, an in-room safe large enough to hold a standard laptop plus high-speed Internet access.  While “techies” will love the new digs, old-fashioned luxury is also part of the room and suite design.   Terry robes and slippers, spa bathrooms with separate tubs and showers plus turndown service are all de rigueur.

The resort’s casino features over 92,000 sq. ft. of indoor and poolside gaming with 1,847 slot and video poker machines, 64 table games, a live poker room as well as race and sports book.  Casino players will be able to sign up for the resort’s exclusive new “iMagine Club” to earn rewards including restaurant meals, cash back, free slot play plus shows and entertainment offers.

In addition to the attention being paid to the rooms and casino, the new resort is putting a huge focus on the nine dining venues that are all owned and operated in-house.  With a goal of being the new “favorite locals casino,” Mr. Marnell and company are relying on the quality and variety of dining options to not only bring people into the casino but back as regular visitors.

When talking about the resort’s restaurants, 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.”

What’s sure to be a hit is the resort’s 500-seat buffet restaurant, “Studio B,” where a live-action exhibition kitchen will allow diners to enjoy their meals while watching the restaurant’s chefs prepare signature appetizers, entrées and desserts.  Guests will also enjoy a selection of beer and wine as part of their meal at no extra cost.

Other restaurants include the rooftop Restaurant Veloce Cibo and Bar Veloce; Marinelli’s for authentic Italian dishes (including some from the Marnell family recipe book) and Terzetto, the resort’s steak house and oyster bar.  A casual deli, a coffee house and an artisan bakery plus the outdoor Piazza Grille round out the extensive dining options.

For oenophiles, the creatively-named “Hostile Grape Wine Cellar” – wine with an attitude – will offer guests the opportunity to discover more than 120 wines by the glass including hard-to-find boutique wines from throughout the world.  A unique wine dispensing system will be used to pour one-, three- or five-ounce portions so that aficionados can create their own tasting “flights” of wine.

The “spa” part of the M Resort, Spa and Casino is represented by the 23,000 sq. ft. “Spa Mio” that includes a fitness center, salon, 16 treatment rooms plus sauna, steam and Jacuzzi.   Also on-site is the new M Resort Conference Center.  Built to accommodate small to mid-size meetings, the 60,000 sq. ft. area is home to the resort’s Grand Ballroom along with multiple other reception rooms.

Two additional features of the “M” are the wholly-owned gas station where customers can redeem player points for gasoline as well as an on-property, full-service pharmacy, which will be open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for both customers and employees.

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ACES stands for Atlantic City Express Service and is a joint venture with partners Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.  Upon arrival in AC, shuttles will ferry riders from the depot to any one of the three casinos.

Train service will be offered on eight multi-level rail cars designed with upgraded leather seating, a private lounge, custom-designed food and beverage kiosks and both first and coach class travel experiences.

Introductory ticket prices — on sale now — will start at $50 for one-way coach seat and $75 for one-way first class seat.  Get additional ticket pricing and purchase information at the well-designed www.acestrain.com website. Visitors to the website will be able to reserve their seats and book hotel stays at Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!

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A view of the new CityCenter project in Las Vegas. (Click on each photo to enlarge.)

Check out these latest photos from two new construction projects happening on the Strip in Las Vegas.  With soaring glass towers in shades of cool blue and chartreuse, wickedly-angled walls and sharp points define some structures while sinuous curves soften and enrich others.  These are the elements that define the new CityCenter project and its neighbor to the north, the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino.

CityCenter, from MGM Mirage and partner Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World, is slated to open in late 2009, and is currently the largest privately financed development in U.S. history.

Directly from an article on CityCenter’s own website comes this description of the massive $8 billion project:   ”Located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, CityCenter will feature ARIA, a soaring 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; non-gaming luxury hotels including Vdara Hotel and Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; approximately 2,400 condominium residences; a $40 million Public Fine Art Program; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district.  Additionally, The Harmon, a luxury 400-room boutique hotel, is anticipated to open at CityCenter in late 2010.”  Read more on the CityCenter website.

I don’t know about you, but the only thing I see that’s missing is the flying cars ala “The Fifth Element” to take us from one futuristic tower to the next.  I can’t wait to check out these newest additions to the Strip but I’m interested:  What do you think of these new designs?

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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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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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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’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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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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Here’s the perfect gift for that would-be Steve Wynn or Sheldon Adelson on your holiday shopping list.

Yes, Casino Mogul really is a game.  Yes, you can actually buy it.  And, once again, yes, I really, really want this for Christmas.  (And here you thought I was going to try and sell you a half-finished Echelon.  Maybe next year.)

How do you play you ask?  Well, directly from the advertising copy on the box comes this riveting description: 

   “Build, design and manage your own casino!  (Hmm, I would think you would want to design it and then build it.  But, then, what the heck do I know since I’m not (yet) a casino mogul?) 

   “Hire and Fire Staff!”  (Oh yeah, that sounds like fun but better make sure they’re not union before you do it!)

   “Manage Your Clients!  Fleece Them (but keep them happy!”)  I didn’t make that up — it really says that on the box.  They must be talking to the people who run the real casinos.  Except for the happy part.

And my personal favorite right off the box “Become the Bugsy Siegel your parents always wanted you to be — run your own casino and make bucks!” (Well, you would have made bucks, Bugsy, if you had gotten out sometime before October.)

 The game is from Monte Cristo software and you can buy it here – Casino Mogul – for your own budding little gambling boss!  Just one of the items featured in our new gift guide. 

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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.  Shimmering walls of water surround the aptly-named, Cascades Lounge.  In the center of the casino, another water feature –this time a playful fountain — is the focal point of an outdoor courtyard.  Serving as a seating area for both the casual 24/7 Cafe on one side as well as the more formal Verona Chophouse opposite, this lovely outdoor space is perfect for taking a break from all the bells and whistles inside.  Another gem here is the cozy round wine bar adjoining Verona with a design reminiscent of a Napa Valley tasting room. 

Slot players will love this new casino.  Lots of games — both snappy new video reels as well as old favorites — in all kinds of denominations, will keep players happy.  There are the new eBay™ slots, free-spin favorites like Golden Chariots and the perennial fav — Wheel of Fortune®. 

Check it out yourself if you live in or plan on visiting Phoenix soon.  Lone Butte is located at Kyrene Road and the Loop 202 in Chandler.

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JAQK Cellars wines would make great holiday gifts.

In advance of the holidays, we’ve been combing the ‘net looking for some great gift ideas for the casino players on your holiday list.  We wanted to find fun items that we would like to give (as well as receive!) and feature them in a series of posts leading up to the holidays.  We do the work, you get all the kudos.

Today’s gift suggestion — definitely one of my favorites – actually originated with my web designer, Chris, at Tornado Design.  He emailed me some photos of these absolutely striking wine bottles.  The bold graphics on these bottles all riff on the themes of luck and play and games of chance and the designs figure greatly in the story of the JAQK™ Cellars winery.  I wish I could run photos of ALL their bottles here but you have to go visit their site. 

A single bottle of any of these California wines with names like “22 Black,”  “Charmed,” “Bone Dance” and “Pearl Handle” would be a great gift and possibly the start to a new collection.  Or, if you want to spring for a few more bucks, check out their multi-bottle gift boxes like the “Four Soldiers” set with a different historical figure on each label.  Either way, the player on your list (or maybe you?) will love this unique gift.

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So, if you really want to know how slot machines work then this article chock full of details (I’m talking charts and graphs and full-color diagrams…with cross-sections!) and with words like step motors, digital pulses and solenoids is for you.  For instance, here’s a brief excerpt from the article section entitled “Computerized Slot Machines” –

“Most modern slot machines are designed to look and feel like the old mechanical models, but they work on a completely different principle. The outcome of each pull is actually controlled by a central computer inside the machine, not by the motion of the reels.”

At the end of the article, you’ll find lots of links for other gaming and casino-related subjects you might also want to explore.  And, if after all that, you still have a need for unusual knowledge, there’s always this Thursday’s seasonally-appropriate episode of “HowStuffWorks” television simply entitled — “Turkey.”

Custom poker tables at 50% OFF for your home game

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Company                          Symbol        Current Price     52-Week-High   % Change

The casino owners:

MGM Mirage                      MGM                   $10.45                   $ 93.19              -89%

Boyd Gaming                     BYD                    $  4.21                   $ 39.38              -89%

Las Vegas Sands Corp.     LVS                    $  6.11                   $122.96             -95%

Wynn Resorts                    WYNN                 $43.00                   $139.75             -69%

The manufacturers:

Int’l.GamingTechnology      IGT                     $10.74                   $49.41              -78%

Bally Tech                           BYI                     $17.18                   $52.83              -67%

WMS Gaming                     WMS                   $21.11                   $41.23              -49%

So we have a range in decline in stock price from a whopping 95% (Las Vegas Sands) to a decline of “only” 49% at WMS Gaming.  For comparison purposes, the DOW has declined approximately 38% since its 52-week high of 13,851. 

With numbers like these, I’m thinking this should be one interesting Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this week.

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MGM Mirage – Announced in its third-quarter earnings release on October 29 that the company is postponing indefinitely its MGM Atlantic City project citing “current economic conditions and the impact of the credit market environment.”   In Las Vegas, MGM Mirage has also halted plans “for the development of a major resort complex on the southwest corner of the Las Vegas Strip and Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas….” 

There’s better news, however, for MGM’s CityCenter Las Vegas development.  In an interview with Market Watch, company officials said the $9 billion resort complex “will get the financing it needs to be completed.” 

Pinnacle Entertainment - The company’s plans to build a casino resort in Atlantic City are on “indefinite hold due to credit market conditions and an evolving competitive environment….”  The company cited the recent election results allowing casinos to be built in Maryland as one of the factors in its decision to suspend the project.

Boyd Gaming - Construction abruptly stopped in August on the company’s $4.8 billion Echelon project on the Las Vegas Strip.  The site – previously occupied by the legendary Stardust which was imploded to make way for the new Echelon – is now a deserted reminder of the lousy economy.  Boyd has announced that it will take most of 2009 to “evaluate alternatives” to the halted project. 

Las Vegas Sands Corp. – While continuing to build the casino portion of the Bethlehem, PA project, construction was stopped in late-October on the non-gaming portions including the planned hotel, events center and shopping mall.

Seneca Gaming Corp. - This Native American casino operator suspended both the construction of a $333 million casino and hotel in Buffalo as well as a planned $130 million expansion of the hotel at the Seneca Allegany Hotel and Casino in Salamanca, NY. 

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority – Plans for a House of Blues theater and a 39-story, 922-room hotel addition to the Mohegan Sun casino complex in Uncasville, CT were put on hold in September.   The tribe did open its new “Casino of the Wind” – part of its “Project Horizon” expansion plan – in August of this year.

Like I said above, so far….

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Owner of The Palazzo -- Las Vegas Sands Corp. -- sees troubled times ahead.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. — owner of The Venetian and The Palazzo casino resorts on the Strip in Las Vegas, plus the Macau Venetian, Sands and Four Seasons — said in a regulatory filing today that it probably won’t meet the requirements of loans arranged by Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. unless it cuts spending on developments, boosts earnings at its Las Vegas Strip casinos and raises more capital.

An earnings boost in Las Vegas seems remote considering that Las Vegas Strip casino gambling revenue slid 6.7 percent this year through August and remains on track for its biggest annual decline ever.

Casino owner Sheldon Adelson today saw his stock (LVS) price fall today by $3.81, or 33 percent, to $7.85 in the New York Stock Exchange composite.   In contrast, the stock had seen a 52-week high of $122.96.

Currently, both The Palazzo and The Venetian are offering their “Ultimate Escape Packages” with rates as low as $119 per night weekdays PLUS $50 in slot credits per stay for reservations made by November 30.

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Missouri — Proposition A passed and with its approval lifted the ” no more than $500 in losses every two-hours” spending limit imposed on casino players.

Ohio — No casino for my friends in Ohio.  Steve Wynn sighs with relief. 

In other state news –

An initiative in Colorado passed with the result allowing state casinos to remain open 24/7 while also lifting the maximum bet or play to $100 (it was $5!) and permitting roulette and craps to be added to the list of games offered in Colorado casinos.

Also, in Maryland, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment awarding the addition of 15,000 slot machines to five locations in the State – in Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties, Baltimore City and on state-owned property in Rocky Gap State Park in western Maryland.

In Maine, voters said no to a proposed new casino for the southern part of the state and in Massachusetts, voters approved a ban on dog-racing in the state.

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Workers recently installed this sign at the new Gila River Casino, Lone Butte.

The new Gila River casino, Lone Butte, at Loop 202 and Kyrene Road in Chandler, Arizona is coming together nicely for the scheduled November 20 opening date.  I am really looking forward to playing in this new Phoenix-area casino which is slated to have 850 slot machines, a 750-seat bingo hall, new high-limit player areas and exciting table games including Fortune Pai Gow Poker Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus and Three-Card Poker.  And, for a non-smoker like me, the thought of a state-of-the-art smoke removal system built right into the facility makes me swoon.

In grand opening promotions, casino customers can play their favorite games for cash and prizes including a new Pontiac Soltice which will be given away on December 4th.  Prior to the main event car giveaway, the “Luck Has a New Home” promo will award cash prizes to players from 6 – 10 p.m., November 5, 12 — at the current Lone Butte location —  and on the 26th at the new casino.

The new Phoenix-area casino promises guests fun new slot games like eBay™ and Star Wars™ as well as popular favorites Wheel of Fortune® and Blazing 7′s. 

In addition to playing at the new casino, I am also looking forward to trying the new upscale Verona Chop House for either dinner — think certified Angus steaks and martinis — or for a relaxing Sunday Brunch. 

Maybe this Phoenix player will find a “new home.”

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