sign in sign up
<<
Home , Benny Binion, Downtown Grand, Highly Suspect, Old Vegas, Silver Nugget

$5

ANTHONY CURTIS’ October 2019 Vol. 36 LasVegasAdvisor Issue 10

LVA WEEKLY Free newsletter hits the mark … pg. 2

MATTRESS MACK Furniture salesman bets millions … pg. 1

FOOTBALL UPDATES Weekly contests, reduced juice, and tout evasion … pg. 7

FOOTBALL PARTIES Hot dogs for nothin’ and your drinks for free … pg. 8

WIN A SLOT Slots, video poker, and keno machines up for grabs … pg. 10 Local (702) Toll Free Numbers • 2019 LVA MEMBER REWARDS • (800) (^844) (†855) (††866) (*877) (**888) Local Toll Free Aliante ++Spa...... 692-7777...... 477-7627* ACCOMMODATIONS DRINKS †† 2-For-1 Room () Free Drink Brewers, Kixx, or Havana Bar (); 3 Free Rounds Aria...... 590-7111...... 359-7757 Arizona Charlie’s Boulder...... 951-5800...... 362-4040 (Ellis Island); Free Margarita (Sunset Station) Arizona Charlie’s Decatur...... 258-5200...... 342-2695 BUFFETS Bally’s...... 739-4111...... 603-4390* 2-For-1 Buffet: (Aliante Casino+Hotel, Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, Arizona SHOWS ...... 693-7111...... 987-7111** Binion’s...... 382-1600...... 937-6537 Charlie’s Decatur, Cannery, Fremont, Main Street Station; 2-For-1 Buffet 2-For-1 Hypnosis Unleashed (Binion’s); 2-For-1 or 50% off one Righteous Boulder Station...... 432-7777...... 683-7777 or 50% off one (Boulder Station, , , Gold Brothers (Harrah’s); 25% Off Carrot Top (Luxor); Drink-minimum Mac ...... 731-7110...... 227-5938†† Coast, , Orleans, , Palms, Rampart, Red King (Harrah’s) California...... 385-1222...... 634-6505 Rock Resort, Sam’s Town, , Silverton, Suncoast, Sunset For additional show discounts, check our Printable Rewards Cannery...... 507-5700...... 999-4899†† Station, ; 2-For-1 World Famous Gospel Brunch (House of and show codes at LasVegasAdvisor.com. Casino Royale...... 737-3500...... 854-7666 Blues at ); 25% Off Buffet (Rio) Circus Circus...... 734-0410...... 634-3450 Cosmopolitan...... 698-7100...... 551-7772* RIDES/ATTRACTIONS Cromwell, The...... 777-3777...... 426-2766^ DINING 2-For-1 Tower Ride Ticke ts (Stratosphere); $4 Off Admission ; the D...... 388-2400...... 274-5825 ...... 719-5100...... 384-7263† 2-For-1 Menu Item: (Big Dog’s, Siegel’s 1941 (El Cortez), Fat Choy ( 40% Off Admission to Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Treasure Island); †† Casino); 2-For-1 Menu Item or 50% off one: Club Café (Club Fortune); 30% Off Real Bodies (Bally’s); 25% Off SlotZilla Zip Line ( ...... 507-5700...... 999-4899 El Cortez...... 385-5200...... 634-6703 2-For-1 Entrée: Fuego (Fiesta Henderson), Market Street Café (California), Experience); Massage Special at NV SPA (El Cortez); Couples Massage Ellis Island...... 733-8901...... 800-8000 Sarah’s Kitchen (Klondike Sunset), House of Blues Rest. & Bar (House of Special at NV SPA (El Cortez); Hoover Dam Tour (Grand Canyon Tours); Encore...... 770-7100...... 321-9966* Blues at Mandalay Bay), Sterling Spoon Café (), Pub 365 Grand Canyon South Rim Tour (Grand Canyon Tours); Grand Canyon Excalibur...... 597-7777...... 937-7777 (Tuscany); 2-For-1 Entrée or 50% off one: Freedom Beat (Downtown West Rim Tour (Grand Canyon Tours); 1 Free Game of Bowling at Strike Fiesta Henderson...... 558-7000...... 899-7770** Grand), The Café (Ellis Island), Emerald Grille (Emerald Island), Lucy’s Zone (Sunset Station) Fiesta Rancho...... 631-7000...... 731-7333 Bar & Grill (Lucky Club), The Wrangler (), Skyline Restaurant Flamingo...... 733-3111...... 732-2111 ...... 385-4011...... 634-6045 (Skyline); 2-For-1 Lunch or Dinner Entrée: Magnolia’s (Four Queens); GAMBLING Fremont...... 385-3232...... 634-6182 2-For-1 Coney Dog (the D); 2-For-1 BBQ Plate (Ellis Island); 2-For-1 Burger $25 Matchplay: (the D), (Golden Gate), (Plaza); $10 Matchplay: (Aliante), Gold Coast...... 367-7111...... 331-5334 in Le Burger Brasserie (Paris); 25% Off Bill: Top of Binion’s Steakhouse (Arizona Charlie’s Boulder), (Arizona Charlie’s Decatur), (California), Golden Gate...... 385-1906...... 426-1906 (Binion’s), Wingin’it Wings & More (Fiesta Rancho), Hooters Restaurant Golden Nugget...... 385-7111...... 468-4438^ (Downtown Grand), (Ellis Island), (Fremont), (Gold Coast), (Jerry’s Green Valley Ranch...... 617-7777...... 782-9487†† and Saloon (Hooters); $30 Off Dining: Charcoal Room (Palace Station); Nugget), (Lucky Club), (Main Street Station), (Orleans), (Silver Nugget), $25 Off Dining: Sonoma Cellar Steakhouse (Sunset Station), Señor Frog’s Hard Rock Hotel...... 693-5000...... 473-7625 (Skyline); $10 Slot Matchplay: (Gold Coast), (Hooters), (Orleans), (Sam’s Harrah’s...... 369-5000...... 392-9002 (Treasure Island); $10 Off Dining: b.B.d’s or Boathouse (Palace Station), Town); $10-$1,000 Slot Free-Play (El Cortez); $10-$100 Slot Free-Play Klondike Sunset...... 826-3866 Wild Grill or Brewer’s Café (Wildfire); $5 Off Dining: Grand Café (Texas (Ellis Island); $5-$100 Slot Free-Play Bonus: (the D), (Golden Gate); LINQ, The...... 328-1888†† Station), Beaumont’s Southern Kitchen (Texas Station); $4 Off Entrée: $10 Slot Free-Play: (Binion’s), (Four Queens), (Jerry’s Nugget), (Plaza), Longhorn...... 435-9170...... 800-8000 Guadalajara (Boulder Station), Pasta Cucina (Sunset Station) Luxor...... 262-4000...... 288-1000 (Rampart); $20 Bonus for Slot Play (Klondike Sunset); $10 Bonus for Slot ...... 797-1000...... 673-7678* Play: (Cannery), (Club Fortune), (Eastside Cannery), (Eureka); $15 Bonus, Main Street Station...... 387-1896...... 713-8933 DINING—“LOCAL CORNER” 4-of-a-kind, 25¢ machines (Big Dog’s); 2-1 Payoff on first Blackjack up to Mandalay Bay...... 632-7777...... 632-7800* Comped Menu Item at G.O.A.T Bar & Grill; Comped Steak Special at $25 bet: (Golden Gate), (Silver Sevens); Push on 22 at Blackjack up to Mandarin Oriental...... 590-8881...... 881-9578** Jackson’s Bar; Comped Lunch or Dinner at Sporting Life Bar; $25 Off $25 (the D); 100-Coin Video Poker Bonus: (Sagos Ft. Apache), (Sagos MGM Grand...... 891-1111...... 929-1111 Dining at Rosati’s; 2-For-1 Entrée at Treasures Gentlemen’s Club; 2-For-1 Spring Mtn.); Wheel of Cash Spin (Emerald Island); Bingo Bonus (Plaza) Mirage...... 791-7111...... 627-6667 Menu Item at Sagos Ft. Apache; 2-For-1 Burger or Philly (Home Plate); New York-New York...... 740-6969...... 693-6763 Orleans...... 365-7111...... 675-3267 Pizza Upgrade at Naked City Pizza Shop *The 2019 LVA Member Rewards book is available ONLY Oyo...... 739-9000...... 584-6687†† with a paid one-year subscription to the Palace Station...... 367-2411...... 634-3101 Advisor newsletter. No exceptions. Palazzo...... 607-7777...... 263-3001†† Palms...... 942-7777...... 942-7770†† Paris...... 946-7000...... 266-5687** Park MGM...... 730-7777...... 311-8999 MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS: Planet Hollywood...... 785-5555...... 919-7472†† Plaza...... 386-2110...... 634-6575

FULL MEMBERSHIP: Includes 12 monthly issues of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, mailed first-class; the Rampart ...... 507-5900...... 869-8777* LVA Member Rewards book; plus 365 days of complete access to our website: www.LasVegasAdvisor.com. Red Rock Resort...... 797-7777...... 767-7773†† Rio...... 252-7777...... 746-7482* U.S. Membership $50 Sam’s Town...... 456-7777...... 634-6371 (Includes shipping of newsletter. Member Rewards book is shipped at an additional $3.50, Santa Fe Station...... 658-4900...... 767-7771†† or can be picked up at our office any day after the first business day of the year.) Silver Sevens...... 733-7000...... 640-9777 Canadian Membership $60us Silverton...... 263-7777...... 588-7711 Slots A Fun...... 734-0410...... 354-1232 Overseas Membership $70us SLS Las Vegas...... 737-2111...... 761-7757† (Includes shipping of newsletter. Member Rewards book is shipped at an additional $5us to Canada, Stratosphere...... 380-7777...... 998-6937 $7us to Overseas, or can be picked up at our office any day after the first business day of the year.) †† South Point...... 796-7111...... 791-7626 ONLINE MEMBERSHIP www.LasVegasAdvisor.com LVA Suncoast...... 636-7111...... 677-7111* : Includes 365 days of complete access to , the Sunset Station...... 547-7777...... 786-7389** us LVA Member Rewards book for only $37 .* (Member Rewards books can be picked up at the office or shipped Texas Station...... 631-1000...... 654-8888 to your home via coupon service for $3.50 to a U.S. address; $5us to Canadian and $7us to Overseas addresses.) Treasure Island (TI)...... 894-7111...... 944-7444 Tropicana...... 739-2222...... 634-4000 SINGLE ISSUE: us Call to order—$5 hard copy (First-class postage included. Current issue unless otherwise Tuscany...... 893-8933...... 887-2261* specified. Member Rewards book is not included.) ...... 590-2767...... 745-7767†† LVA Las Vegas Advisor Venetian...... 414-1000...... 883-6423* * The Member Rewards book is available ONLY with a paid one-year subscription to the Westin ...... 567-6000...... 563-9792†† newsletter. No exceptions. Restricted to one per person and two per household, per year. ...... 836-5900...... 937-8461 ...... 732-5111...... 732-7117 Wild Wild West (Days Inn)...... 740-0000...... 777-1514 To Order Your LVA Call: 1-800-244-2224 Wildfire...... 648-3801 Las Vegas Advisor • 3665 Procyon Street • Las Vegas, 89103 ...... 770-7000...... 770-7077* October 2019 ANTHONY CURTIS’ $5 LasVegasAdvisor

COUPONOMY Rise of the CNFs by Anthony Curtis A debate broke out on social media last month when the excellent blog VitalVegas.com reported that the just- opened Mama Rabbit Bar at Park MGM is the latest to Wynn Goes All the Way appear on the growing list of Las Vegas restaurants that charge a concession and franchise fee (CNF). At Mama If anyone was unsure of Wynn Resorts’ resolve when Rabbit, the fee is “only” 2%, less than half the CNF at it partially reversed its stance on paid parking in May, other Strip restaurants that charge it, such as Hexx and they aren’t anymore. Both Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Beer Park at Paris, but it doesn’t stop there. According have ceased charging all guests for valet parking, a to casino.org, the Sahara is now charging an even heftier move that eliminates paid parking at Wynn and Encore CNF: “A receipt from The Foundry shared to Twitter entirely. shows a $14 cocktail ballooning to $16.80 after a man- When the two casinos rolled back the self-parking datory 15% gratuity and 5% service charge.” fees, I speculated that the decision was bottom-line That “service charge” is the CNF. At first, it doesn’t motivated, meaning that the casino’s higher-ups had seem like much, but the fee piles onto everything you looked at the results and determined that charging a fee consume in a restaurant or bar with this policy. As we’ve to park simply wasn’t a sound policy. I remain convinced explained in the past, CNFs are charged to offset fees of it and I’m not alone. beyond rent that are imposed by venue landlords. That’s A recent article by the Motley Fool puts forth some a cost of doing business that shouldn’t be passed on to strong supporting evidence indicating that between the customer in this way. If a restaurant wants to raise 2012 and 2017, when the parking fees went into full its prices to compensate for the added expense, go right effect, 26% of all Vegas visitors drove in from southern ahead. But hiding it in a bottom-of-the-bill tabulation is California. But in 2018, only 19% did. Says the Fool, wrong. Time to start compiling a CNF list. n “That suggests parking fees were a big deterrent.” In addition, “A 2018 community survey conducted by the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance found 37% of Mattress Mack Vegas workers avoid parking at casinos that charge fees and almost 30% avoid using any services at casinos that don’t offer free parking.” Have you heard about the Houston furniture sales- That’s exactly what we’ve been saying: Paid park- man who’s hedging a promotion he’s been running ing in Las Vegas is a flat-out deal-breaker for a lot of at his stores by making sports bets? His name is Jim customers, including the must-have middle market. McIngvale and he’s known as “Mattress Mack.” He’s Avoiding the fees, whether out of principle or just to save done this before and I was always interested in reading money, is something that many casino patrons are obvi- reports about the bets he made, but that was the extent ously going out of their way to do. of my connection to him—until, that is, I took a call last Taking notice, the CEO of OYO and Homes, month from Mack’s attorney. It turns out the attorney is the company that recently purchased Hooters (see a Huntington Press customer who’s purchased several News), says that parking will remain free there after the of our books and he asked if I’d be interested in talking brand transition. to Mack about strategy. I have to believe that MRI, CET, and Cosmo are Gambling! Strategy! I’m in, right? seeing the same results as Wynn did, yet they’ve so far Not so fast. I’ve spoken often about the value of refused to move. working with good partners in gambling and this was no Come on, boys. Repeating what I wrote in May: different. In order to take it on, I needed someone who Who’s next? n continued on next page

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 1 Couponomy continued … NEWS has more expertise in sports betting than I have. Fortu- nately, I know several such people, but my number-one go-to is Frank B. Frank agreed to get involved and we Rio—Caesars Entertainment has sold the Rio for got on the phone with Mack. $516.3 million to a New York-based real estate invest- In a nutshell, Mack’s company, Gallery Furniture, ment group called Imperial Companies. Not much is Inc., has promised to refund millions of dollars worth of expected to change in the near term, as the agreement furniture sales if the Houston Astros win the MLB World calls for Caesars to continue to operate the property Series. Good promo, but there’s a problem—not only for a minimum of two years. The have the Astros made the playoffs, they’re the favorites was not part of the deal and will remain with CET and to win. Mack needs to hedge his promotion position by be played at the Rio at least through next year’s tourna- betting on the Astros, so if he has to refund millions, he’ll ment. The question is whether or not the Rio will con- win millions at the same time. tinue to operate as a casino resort. Analysts speculate It sounded like an easy enough task, until we discov- that the property could be transformed to have a non- ered that a lot of bookmakers aren’t too excited about gaming focus—possibly a residential complex or, an taking really big bets. After a whole lot of haggling, sev- idea that’s been treated as a rumor but now has more eral bets have been credence, another stadium suitable for professional made (with a lot more sports. to come). There’s also Circus Circus—While it hasn’t been officially been a mini-frenzy of announced, it’s being treated like a done deal that MGM media interest over Resorts International is selling Circus Circus to TI owner, this. Everyone wants Phil Ruffin. The sales details aren’t known, but it’s the inside scoop and believed that the adjacent Las Vegas Festival Grounds Frank and I are pre- are included in the sale. pared to provide it, OYO—It didn’t take long for the signs to come but not until the story down—Hooters is out and OYO is in, at least on the plays out. We should main marquee. The new brand won’t officially be have a pretty good launched as OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas until the understanding of how end of the year, but a $20 million upgrade of the prop- it does in time for next erty is already in progress with improvements being month’s LVA. made to the casino, the poolside bar, and the 24-hour In the meantime, gym. Plans call for the Hooters restaurant (one of the at least I can share highest-grossing locations in the chain) and the coun- that we’ve landed a try’s largest Steak ’n Shake to be retained. n new customer. Mattress Mack with the MRB Virgin—When the Virgin Hotel-Casino reopens after its transformation from the Hard Rock in late 2020, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will operate the Sign Up for the Weekly casino. Mohegan will be the first tribal gaming company to manage a casino in Las Vegas. Virgin Hotels will man- age the 1,500 guest rooms. Last month, I outlined our plan to produce a free Las Vegas Village Site—After months of specula- weekly newsletter that spotlights the many features that tion about what would be done with the former Las appear at LasVegasAdvisor.com. The first two issues Vegas Village concert grounds, site of the Route 91 Har- have been published and sent and it’s even better than I vest Festival shooting, firm plans have been announced. originally thought it could be. LVA Weekly is a quick-read digest comprising capsule summaries of the highlighted LAS VEGAS 3665 Procyon Street • Las Vegas, NV 89103 blogs, news items, QoDs, and miscellaneous posts of (702) 252-0655 • (702) 252-0675 Fax interest, complete with direct links to them. Want to read ADVISOR e-mail: [email protected] • Internet: LasVegasAdvisor.com Bob Dancer’s blog? The Weekly explains what it’s about Publisher: Anthony Curtis Customer Service: Nicole Watchus Senior Editor: Deke Castleman Shipping & Receiving: Scotch Henderson and you need only click once to get there. Interested in Accounting: John Leitner Contributing Writers: Jeffrey Compton, Bob the latest room-rate discount we’ve uncovered? Read Production Manager: Laurie Cabot Dancer, Stewart Ethier, Bob Fuss, Scot Krause, Web Manager: Tanya Maynard Bradley Peterson, Blair Rodman, Jean Scott and click. Research Assistant: Brenda Stewart It’s valuable and it’s free. Get a glimpse of the pre- LAS VEGAS ADVISOR (ISSN 1064-167X USPS 008602) is published monthly and is available for $50 per year ($60 Canadian; $70 foreign purchasers) and $5 per single issue at 3665 Procyon St., Las Vegas, NV, 89103. POSTMASTER: Send address sentation on the newsletter cover, then go to Las Vegas changes to Las Vegas Advisor, 3665 Procyon St., Las Vegas, NV 89103. All information is current at press time. Listed offerings Advisor.com and sign up. n are subject to change at any time. Huntington Press ©2019

2 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 In the near term, the south-Strip parcel will be used as a parking lot for games and concerts when Allegiant Sta- Las Vegas’ Top Ten Values dium opens next year. However, long-term plans are to build a community and athletic center on the site, and 1. Steak Dinner • Ellis Island • 24 hours • $7.99 possibly a public memorial. 2. Buffet • Palace Station • Daily • $9.99-$16.99 Strip Target—If you’re wondering about the three- 3. Mac King • Harrah’s • Tues.–Sat. • $14.98 story steel-beamed shell of a building under construction 4. Hot Dog • South Point • Daily • $1.25 just south of Walgreen’s and across from Park MGM, 5. Beer • Stage Door • 24 hours • $1 it’s a small-format Target scheduled to open early next 6. Shrimp Cocktail • Skyline • Daily • $2.25 year on the property formerly occupied by Smith & Wol- 7. Breakfast • Arizona Charlie’s • Daily • $5.99 lensky. The only Target on the will be 8. $1 Blackjack • OYO • 24 hours • $1.20 20,000 square feet, roughly 15% the size of a full-format 9. Football Contest • Boyd Casinos • Weekly • Free normal Target store. 10. No Resort Fee • Four Queens • Daily • $39 and up California—California’s first Hard Rock has announced that it’s on track to hold its soft opening The Ellis Island complete steak dinner is served on October 30. The $440 million Hard Rock Hotel and 24/7 in the Café; get the $7.99 price by playing at Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain is located in wheat- least $5 in any slot machine with your club card land, roughly 30 miles due north of Sacramento, and inserted, then downloading the required discount features a 170-room hotel, a 60,000-square-foot casino coupon from an EI kiosk. If you don’t want to play, with 1,800 slots and 50 table games, a buffet, steak- you can get it for $9.99 ($3 off the listed price) just house, noodle bar, and of course a Hard Rock Cafe. by downloading a coupon from the kiosk that’s avail- Statistics—Nevada’s statewide gambling win was able to everyone with a club card. The Feast Buffet at up 2.9% in July compared to the same month last year. Palace Station (#2) is our choice for Las Vegas’ best The Strip win was up 1.6% and downtown was up 7.6%. buffet when considering the combination of quality The state win is up .3% year-to-date. and price; get the listed prices by showing a Board- Visitation was up for the third month in a row, ing Pass card. Get a ticket to the Mac King Comedy though only slightly at +.7%. A 22% increase in conven- Magic Show and a drink for $14.98 by asking at the tion attendance was credited. players club booth (#3). The hot dogs at South Point Airline traffic was up 2% in July for an 11th straight (#4) are sold from a cart in the sports book from 10 monthly increase. Meanwhile, McCarran International fell am until they close down the cart around 5 pm. Mich- from first to third in J.D. Power and Associates’ annual elob and Michelob Light are $1 at the Stage Door customer-satisfaction survey. slot house on Flamingo, just east of the Strip (#5); a The National Indian Gaming Commission has ¼-pound hot dog and a Michelob is $3. The Skyline released fiscal year 2018 gross gaming revenue num- shrimp cocktail (#6) is available 24/7 at the main bar. bers, which totaled $33.7 billion, a 4.1% increase over The steak or ham & eggs at either Arizona Char- fiscal year 2017 and the highest gross revenues in Indian lie’s (#7) is served in the Sourdough Cafés for $5.99 gambling history. Revenues are based on reports from when you show your club card, available 24 hours 241 federally recognized tribes across 29 states. n at Decatur and 6 am-mid. weekdays and 24 hours weekends at Boulder. OYO’s $1-minimum blackjack game (#8) runs 24/7 in the pit; naturals pay even Sports Betting Scorecard money on bets of $1-$4. The $1.20 listed cost is your expected loss for one hour of play at these stakes. It was a slow month for legalization progress, as it (Yes, the former Hooters is now OYO, see News.) We seemed like everyone’s focus was on the newly legal like Station’s Pick & Play football contest, but Boyd’s jurisdictions trying to handle increased football busi- Pick the Pros remains our top choice in this category ness. The sports books in Iowa accepted more than $8.5 (#9). Swipe your B Connected players card on a kiosk million through the first 17 days of legal sports betting, at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, Sam’s Town, holding $2.2 million (a healthy 26%). Pennsylvania had Aliante, Fremont, California, or Main Street Sta- $109 million wagered in August alone on the strength tion for a shot at $30,000 every week. Must submit of college football betting. On the other side of the led- picks before the kick-off of the week’s first Sunday ger, West Virginia booked approximately $140 million in game. See Gambling for a complete update on this sports bets throughout its first year of operation, but that year’s football contests. The Four Queens holds the produced only about 20% of revenue projections. #10 spot as the last major casino still not charging a Fox Corp introduced the Fox Bet sports-betting resort fee. continued on next page

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 3 News continued … no way to get out of there without being significantly nicked on price. Press platform in New Jersey. It’s the first incursion of a major releases prior to the opening media company into actual sports gambling, rather than indicated a burger option, just coverage of it. FoxBet.com is reportedly preparing but that’s not so. Including to launch in Pennsylvania. $132 in drinks, the bill was Follow the progress of sports betting legalization $640. Add the automatic across the country and track developments as they 20% gratuity and tax and occur via our blog and map at LasVegasAdvisor.com. n it all came to $822. Our group’s conclusion was that it’s a good idea and interest- High prices behind this door ing enough that no one was really put out, but neither DINING did anyone indicate that they’d be coming back, which might reflect the fact that the 50-seat room was only half-full on a Saturday night. n Sara’s

So what’s up with that secret dining room at the Julio’s Tacos & Grill Palms? Sara’s is a private room locked behind a non- descript door inside Mabel’s BBQ at the Palms. All Sometimes after an $822 bill, you want to eat a meal seems good when you first enter. The space is cool—it for under $10. Ellis Island presents several ways to do doesn’t throw off the intended speakeasy vibe (it’s that (see Top Ten) and one is the little taco nook on the described as a “meateasy”), but it conveys a feeling of casino floor. A number of variations of street tacos— exclusivity. The waitstaff is excellent and on top of things beef, chicken, pork—are $2.45 apiece and premium from the jump. But then you look at the menu, or more “super tacos” are $3.85-$4.95. They make ’em right in specifically, the prices: cauliflower soup $19, seared foie front of you, adding rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, gua- gras $28, chicken $45, fish $69, steak Oscar $84. Yikes! camole, etc. to your specifications. Check the board for Not much chance of carving out a bargain here. discounts via various daily specials. Add this one to the We had a party of six and tried several selections, roster of good and inexpensive eats at EI. n but the halibut bouillabaisse and the prime rib, in partic- ular, stood out in a cautionary sense. The reason “bouil- labaisse” is written in quotes on the menu is obvious as Cugino’s Italian Deli soon as it’s presented. Served on a plate rather than in a bowl, it’s pretty much just a piece of halibut with a little crab and a few clams on top. It’s high-quality for sure, Ask us for our choice of Las Vegas’ best Italian deli but it’s not like any bouillabaisse we’ve ever seen, espe- and we have a quick response: Roma Deli on Spring cially for $56. The bigger eyebrow-raiser was the prime Mountain about three miles west of the Strip. But rib, which is available in three cuts—10-ounce for $49, another good one on the east side is Cugino’s, located 14-ounce for $69, and 20-ounce for $99. Heck, the mas- at 4550 S. Maryland Pkwy. near the UNLV campus. The sive double-cut prime at Lawry’s is only $65 and comes menu includes hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, and Ital- with a tableside ian entrées, along with a selection of meats, cheeses, salad, potatoes, and and other deli specialties. The sandwiches run $9 to $13 Yorkshire pudding. and there’s a huge selection, from sausage, peppers, Ellis Island’s even and eggs to chicken cutlet with broccoli rabe and provo- more massive king lone. We’re still partial to Roma, but Cugino’s is an apt cut is $28. We tried substitute if you’re on that side of town. n the 14-ounce option, which comes à la carte, and it looked Mary’s Hash House positively puny all by 14-oz. prime rib at Sara’s itself on the plate … for sixty-nine dollars! It’s been a while since we’ve written about Mary’s The main problem at Sara’s is that there’s absolutely Hash House, but this continues to be one of our favorite

4 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 breakfast plays. Place Buffet, with action cooking stations and outdoor- There’s a big patio dining. There are several specialty nights, including selection of break- Hawaiian (Wed.), crab (Fri.), and lobster (Sat.); however, fast and lunch the unique deli night is no longer in the rotation. items, but who Chicken Nugget—A Chick-Fil-A is coming to the goes to a place Golden Nugget downtown. The fast-foodery is expected called Mary’s Hash to open in the Carson Tower sometime this winter. House and doesn’t Another casino-based Chick-Fil-A outlet is also planned eat hash? Mary’s for Planet Hollywood. hash is made with Mordeo Lunch—The off-Strip hot spot at 5420 corned beef, roast Spring Mountain Rd. serves a three-course power lunch beef, chicken, Mary’s chicken hash & eggs for $28, Mon.-Fri. from 11 am to 2:30 pm. ham, turkey, lamb, Dollar Oysters—The Barrymore on Convention salmon, veggie, and even lobster and costs between Center Drive has $1 oysters all night on Tuesdays. Other $10.50 and $18.95. Our favorite is the chicken hash, Mama at 3655 S. Durango has $1 oysters on Sundays loaded with peppers and onions, with toast and grits on and Mondays from 5 pm till closing, with a limit of 12 per the side. They make their own jelly and the homemade person. cinnamon thing is fabulous with coffee. Namesake Mary Bonus Chicken—The five Las Vegas locations of is almost always in the kitchen. Tell her LVA sent ya. n Bok Bok Chicken are offering a free second rotisserie chicken when you buy a rotisserie chicken Family Meal ($21) and use the code “BOKBOK1.” The meal comes The Right Ham with two sides, pita, and pickles and Bok Bok is a Medi- terranean restaurant, so the sides include hummus, tab- bouleh, and fattoush salad. The deal is good through the The best of the remaining ham & eggs breakfasts end of October. that come with a giant slice of bone-in ham is served at $10 Pizzas—On Mondays in October, 16-inch Norm’s Diner, with locations at 3945 S. Durango on the cheese pizzas are $10 at any Grimaldi’s; good for dine-in west side and 35 S. Gibson on the east. The big ham is or take-out. a banger, but make sure you get the right one. The menu NY Dogs—After losing its lease in front of the Mob has eggs-and-meat Museum last year, the New York Street Dogs cart (LVA selections that 12/17) has finally found a new home at 8090 S. Durango. include ham for Avocado Toast—In USA Today’s list of “10 great $8.50, but that’s places to get avocado toast,” the lead recommenda- for a standard ham tion was Las Vegas’ Toast Society Café (6005 S. Fort portion. You have Apache). We hadn’t heard of it, but “smashed avocado, to ask for the “giant cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, microgreens, sea salt ham.” It’s $10.95, sesame seasoning, olive oil, and an optional hard boiled but worth the extra egg” gets our attention. $2.45, if only for the BOH Brawl—This month’s “Back of the House n spectacle. Brawl” takes place Oct. 19 at the Sand Dollar Lounge and features chefs from Jean Georges Steakhouse, bBd’s, and Esther’s Kitchen competing in a culinary Dining Notes competition. It kicks off at 10 pm with a food-truck rally and the cook-off starts around 1 am. Free Tacos Down—The free-tacos-on-Tuesdays Supper Club—Bellagio is replacing the ultra-lounge deal at the Leatherneck Club Marine bar (LVA 8/18) has Hyde with an old-school restaurant called the Mayfair been discontinued. n Supper Club, which will open over New Year’s Eve weekend. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the May- fair will be based on the dinner-and-a-show concept that “started in Europe, was perfected in New York in the Openings/Closings 1930s to 1950s, and then, of course, was taken over by Las Vegas in the 1960s. Then it faded away.” Bellagio Tim Ho Wan, the long-awaited dim-sum restaurant will attempt to bring it back. Retro is good. from Hong Kong, has opened at the Palms in the new Rampart Buffet—After a four-month renovation, the west-side expansion. Tim Ho Wan is also a late-night old Rampart Buffet has been replaced by the new Market continued on page 8

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 5 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

OCTOBER 10/11–10/12 • Nitro Comedy 10/19 • Vogues • Suncoast • $19–$33 10/1–10/8 • Aerosmith Bally’s • $35–$99 10/20 • Cody Ko & Noel Miller Park MGM • $68–$821 10/11–10/13 • Age of Chivalry Renaissance Palms • $68–$160 10/1–10/29 • Terry Bradshaw Show Sunset Park • $18–$20 10/20–10/26 • Lady Gaga Luxor • $70–$217 10/11–10/13 • Rocky and The Rollers Park MGM • $200–$505 10/2–10/5 • Christina Aguilera South Point • $20–$35 10/21–10/22 • Supercross Futures Planet Hollywood • $60–$226 10/11–10/30 • Gwen Stefani Sam Boyd Stadium • $45 10/2–10/5 • Rod Stewart Planet Hollywood • $54–$230 10/22–10/26 • Paula Abdul Caesars Palace • $49–$234 10/11–10/31 • MMA Playoffs Flamingo LV • $69–$199 10/2–10/5 • Steve Miller Band MBay • $35–$250 10/23 • w/Slothrust Wynn LV • $59.50–$250 10/12 • Dean & Jerry: Martin & Lewis Hard Rock • $31/$87 10/3–10/6 • LV Bikefest • Downtown LV Tribute • Suncoast • $15/$20 10/24 • Devil Wears Prada Events Center • $39–$129 10/12 • Dropkick Murphys Hard Rock • $19/$35 10/4 • Daughtry w/Augustana Bowl • $40–$55 10/24–10/26 • Fat Chance: w/Lisa Lampanelli Hard Rock • $27–$114 10/12 • En Vogue • Cannery • $29–$59 Plaza • $30/$60 10/4–10/5 • We Will Rock You 10/12 • Judy Collins 10/25 • Lizzo • Cosmo • $49–$250 Orleans • $49–$152 Santa Fe Station • $31–$53 10/25 • Sweet 10/4–10/6 • Norm Macdonald 10/12 • Tribal Seeds w/New Kingston Golden Nugget • $29–$109 South Point • $35–$45 & Tropidelic • Hard Rock • $26 10/25–10/26 • Aaron Lewis • Orleans • $55–$75 10/4–10/12 • Billy Idol • Palms • $32–$137 10/12–10/13 • Sebastian Maniscalco 10/25–10/26 • Ron White • Mirage • $68–$88 10/4–12/21 • Ray Romano & David Spade Wynn LV • $59–$155 10/25–10/27 • Donny Edwards Mirage • $90–$120 10/13 • Bridge • Orleans • $35–$60 Suncoast • $30–$40 10/5 • Alexis & Fido • M Resort • $27 10/13 • Common Kings 10/26 • Fetish & Fantasy Halloween 10/5 • Billy Currington Brooklyn Bowl • $30–/$45 Ball • Hard Rock • $82 Sunset Station • $29–$71 10/17 • Adir Miller • Palazzo • $65/$75 10/26 • Great White & Slaughter 10/5 • Demetri Martin 10/17 • Surf Curse • Hard Rock • $13/$24 Cannery • $24–$69 Hard Rock • $35–$80 10/17–10/19 • Warren B Hall • Plaza • $20/$40 10/26 • Nightmare on Q Street 10/5 • Meek Mill & Future 10/17–10/31 • Brian Newman Orleans • $35–$145 MBay • $49.50–$149.50 NoMad LV • $63–$127 10/26 • Steve McCoy: Tom Jones 10/5 • Stabbing Westward 10/17–10/31 • Lady Gaga Tribute • Suncoast • $19/$22 Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 Park MGM • $82.57–$344.95 10/26 • Thom Yorke • Cosmo • $49/$59 10/6 • Steve Martin & Martin Short 10/18 • Frank Caliendo 10/26 • Uptown Funk: Bruno Mars Caesars Palace • $49–$229 Aliante Casino • $35–$60 Tribute • Sunset Station • $19 10/6 • and Rival 10/18 • Gus Dapperton 10/27 • Joe Bonamassa • Caesars Sons • Hard Rock • $50–$195 Brooklyn Bowl • $15/$20 Palace • $84–$204 10/6 • The Cult • Cosmo • $44–$64 10/18 • Haus Party World Tour 10/25–10/28 • Clint Holmes • GVR • $29 10/6–10/13 • A Choreographers Showcase GVR • $25–$45 10/28–10/31 • Shin Lim • Mirage • $70–$240 TI • $29–$49 10/18 • Jonas Brothers 10/30 • Carlos Santana • MBay • 10/6–10/27 • Matt Goss • Mirage • $18–$88 MGM Grand • $49.95–$204.95 $99–$374 10/9–10/26 • Journey 10/18 • Lynyrd Skynyrd 10/30 • Twenty One Pilots • MGM Caesars Palace • $79–$329 T-Mobile • $25–$575 Grand • $66–$292 10/10–10/12 • Tom Green • Plaza • $30/$60 10/18 • Todrick Haus • GVR • $29–$49 10/31 • Marilyn Manson • Palms • 10/10–10/19 • Barry Manilow 10/18 • Tommy James & the Shondells $44–$174 Westgate LV • $32–$140 Golden Nugget • $59–$109 NOVEMBER 10/10–10/24 • Frankie Moreno 10/18–10/19 • Daniel Tosh • Mirage • $65–$104 11/1 • 38 Special • GVR • $19–$49 South Point • $20–$30 10/18–10/19 • Las Rageous • Downtown LV 11/1 • Cherry Glazerr w/Cowgirl Clue 10/10–10/31 • Dionne Warwick Events Center • $136–$688 Hard Rock • $21 Caesars Palace • $125/$150 10/18–10/20 • Christopher Titus 11/1 • Guess Who 10/11 • +Live+ & Bush w/Our Lady Peace South Point • $20–$30 Golden Nugget • $59–$149 Hard Rock • $41–$169 10/19 • Exposé • Cannery • $29–$69 11/1 • Sara Bareilles • MBay • $35–$95 10/11 • Melvin Seals and JGB w/John 10/19 • Frank Caliendo 11/1 • Tower of Power Kadlecik • Brooklyn Bowl • $25 Orleans • $39.95–$59.95 Brooklyn Bowl • $31–$56 10/11 • Steelheart 10/19 • J Balvin • Palms • $55–$165 11/1–11/2 • Daniel Tosh • Mirage • $65–$104 Golden Nugget • $29–$99 10/19 • Jimmy Buffett 11/1–11/2 • Five Finger Death Punch 10/11 • The Neighbourhood MGM Grand • $40–$212 Hard Rock • $31–$178 Cosmo • $30–$60 10/19 • Motor City Nights: Music of 11/1–11/2 • Guns N’ Roses 10/11 • WWE Smackdown Live Motown • M Resort • $23–$43 Caesars Palace • $174–$1,030 T-Mobile • $37–$130 10/19 • Phil Collins 11/1–11/2 • Gwen Stefani 10/11–10/12 • Bill Maher • Mirage • $65–$104 T-Mobile • $55–$305 Planet Hollywood • $54–$230 10/11–10/12 • Michael McDonald 10/19 • Schitt’s Creek: Up Close & 11/1–11/2 • John Cleese Venetian • $53–$236 Personal • Cosmo • $119–$132 Wynn LV • $49.50–$115

6 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

11/1–11/3 • Day N Vegas • MGM Festival 11/14–11/29 • Aerosmith SHOW NOTES Grounds • $299–$899 Park MGM • $68–$821 11/1–11/3 • Carlos Mencia 11/15 • Alessia Cara • Presto! Magic and Mystery has opened at South Point • $30–$40 Cosmo • $39.50–$149 Downtown Grand; tickets are $34.99. 11/1–11/9 • Brian Newman 11/15 • Aquabats • Hard Rock • $27/$48 NoMad LV • $63–$127 11/15 • BJ Thomas • Amazing Magic Starring Tommy Wind 11/1–11/10 • Carlos Santana Golden Nugget • $39–$109 will open at Oyo on Oct. 24; tickets are MBay • $99–$374 11/15 • Built to Spill $55.99/$66.44. 11/1–11/10 • Shin Lim • Mirage • $70–$240 Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 • Ticket prices for Zumanity at NY-NY 11/1–11/24 • Dionne Warwick 11/15 • Frankie Moreno • GVR • $19 have been increased from $93.16/$ Caesars Palace • $125/$150 11/15 • Marlon Wayans 104.06/$110.95/$132.40/$140.40 to 11/2 • Canelo vs Kovalev Mirage • $60–$80 $93.16/$110.95/$140.40/$163.05. MGM Grand • $404–$1,754 11/15 • Melanie Martinez 11/2 • Jazz Funk Soul Palms • $32–$69 • Ticket prices for Atomic Saloon Show at Aliante Casino • $35–$60 11/15 • Richard Cheese the Venetian have been decreased from 11/2 • Long Run: Eagles Tribute Red Rock • $44–$69 $105.88-$178.86 to $96.34-$161.74. GVR • $19 11/15–11/16 • Jerry Seinfeld • Ticket prices for Thunder From Down 11/2 • Sammy Johnson Caesars Palace • $82.50–$165 Under at Excalibur have been decreased Brooklyn Bowl • $23/$25 11/15–11/17 • Beginnings from $63.04-$101.19 to $52.50-$86.29. 11/2–11/8 • Lady Gaga Enigma South Point • $25–$35 Park MGM • $599–$3,500 11/16 • Bad Bunny • MBay • $65–$175 • Ticket prices for X Burlesque at the 11/3 • Jeff Dunham 11/16 • Bert Kreischer Flamingo have been increased from Caesars Palace • $46–$83 Mirage • $54–$98 $79.11-$115.95 to $114.36-$150.70. 11/3 • Tom Morello 11/16 • Fortunate Youth • Ticket prices for X Country at Harrah’s Brooklyn Bowl • $34–$45 Brooklyn Bowl • $20/$25 have been increased from $64.50-$94.77 11/3–11/9 • Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano 11/16 • Mick Adams and the Stones Park MGM • $290–$505 Suncoast • $19/$22 to $77.40-$105.67. 11/3–11/24 • Matt Goss • Mirage • $18–$88 11/16 • Mike Epps • Ticket prices for X Rocks at Bally’s have 11/5 • Fobia • MBay • $24.50 Hard Rock • $31–$114 been increased from $76.38/$87.28 to 11/6–11/12 • Florida Georgia Line 11/16 • Naturally 7 • M Resort • $23–$43 $87.28/$99.18. Planet Hollywood • $35–$324 11/21 • Flatland Cavalry 11/6–11/16 • John Fogerty Hard Rock • $15/$24 • Gordie Brown has closed at Oyo. Wynn LV • $54–$229 11/22 • 4th Ave • Hard Rock • $15/$28 • Vegas Gone Country has closed in the V 11/7 • Nahko & Medicine for the 11/22 • Gary Lewis & The Playboys Theater at Planet Hollywood. People • Brooklyn Bowl • $30/$35 Golden Nugget • $29–$109 11/7–11/10 • Madonna 11/22 • Little Brother Caesars Palace • $200–$694 Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 11/8 • ASIA w/John Payne 11/22 • Private Eyes: Hall & Oates Golden Nugget • $39–$99 Tribute • GVR • $19 11/8 • Helmet • Hard Rock • $20 11/22–11/23 • Snails • Downtown LV Events 11/8 • Octane Accelerator w/Ice Nine Center • $30 Kills • Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 11/22–11/30 • Mariah Carey 11/8–11/9 • Temptations • Orleans • $49–$79 Caesars Palace • $55–$279 11/8–11/9 • Tim Allen • Mirage • $65–$87 11/23 • Cookie Watkins: Tina Turner 11/8–11/10 • My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Tribute • Cannery • $19/$22 Jewish • South Point • $30–$40 11/23 • Everly Set: Everly Brother’s 11/9 • Femmes of Rock Tribute • Suncoast • $19–$24 Cannery • $29–$39 11/23 • Nate Bargatze 11/9 • PJ Morton Wynn LV • $39–$99 Brooklyn Bowl • $30–$45 11/26–11/30 • Paula Abdul 11/9 • Plain White T’s Flamingo LV • $69–$199 Silverton • $25/$35 11/27 • Slayer • MGM Grand • $49–$69 11/12 • TAUK + Jazz Is Phsh 11/29 • Association Brooklyn Bowl • $18/$22 Golden Nugget • $29–$109 11/12 • YELAWOLF 11/29 • Kathleen Madigan Brooklyn Bowl • $25 Mirage • $33–$55 11/14 • Latin Grammy Awards 11/29–11/30 • Jim Jeffries • Mirage • $54/$76 MGM Grand • $136–$545 11/29–12/1 • Engelbert Humperdinck 11/14–11/16 • Jamie Kennedy • Plaza • $25/$50 Orleans • $59–$84 11/14–11/16 • Stirrin’ Dirt Racing’s Sin City 11/29–12/1 • Stayin’ Alive See inside wrap for “Weather,” Showdown • Plaza • $45–$180 South Point • $30–$40 “Room Rates,” and “Key Dates.”

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 7 Dining continued … tion Casino sports book, mostly for their superior deals on drinks and dogs. Last year, Station pulled back in this area, but this year it’s back with $1 hot dogs, $1 beers, play, closing as late as 4 am depending on demand. including Corona bottles, and $4-$5 shot specials for Bella Bistro has opened at the Sahara in the spot call brands such as Patron, Jack Daniels, Crown Royal, that was formerly Cleo. Jameson, and Sixth+mill pizzeria and bar has opened in the Grand Captain Morgan. Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. The Westgate Hatsumi and La Monja, both from the owner/chef of sports book and Other Mama, have opened downtown. showroom are The Blind Pig has reopened at Panorama Towers still big viewing under new ownership by the group behind Off the Strip spots on Sun- at . days, though The Factory Kitchen at the Venetian has changed its aside from $3 name to Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano. hot dogs in the Andrea’s has closed at Encore and will be replaced showroom and by an unnamed Mexican restaurant headed by a team of 5-for-$15 beer acclaimed chefs from , Los Angeles, and Stacked Coronas at Boulder Station buckets, there’s Mexico City. not much in the Center Cut Steakhouse and Café To Go have closed way of bargains. Club Madrid at Sunset Station hosts a at the Flamingo. They will be replaced by a new restau- viewing party on Sundays (but not Mondays) and there’s rant called Steaks & Alibis, due to open in 2020. n a wicked-cool scene in Beer House at Paris, though the beers will cost you about $8 a go (including the CNF, see Couponomy). Other good deals include $1 beer on Sundays at Skyline; 1.25 dogs and $2.50 beers at Rampart; $2 dogs ENTERTAINMENT and $2 beers at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder; $3 domestic beers and 6-for-$15 buckets ($2.50 per) that include choices of Shock Top and Goose Island at Boyd Casi- Football Parties nos; $5 sliders, wings, and brats at Ellis Island; $2.50 beers, $3 patron, and $2 and $5 sliders and pizza at Klondike Sunset. After conducting our annual tour of the casino and Or you can hit the topless clubs, where the deals bar football parties over the first three weeks of the sea- are definitely better than the casinos. Remember that son, it’s obvious again that the big parties have been almost all of these deals come with free entry as long as replaced by smaller gatherings. It still feels strange to you drive yourself; most clubs will charge you to enter if walk past the Railhead at Boulder Station or Ravello at you arrive in taxies or rideshare (call ahead to confirm). M Resort and see the game up on a big screen with no Crazy Horse III has free pizza, plus free beer and well one in the venue (because the parties that used to be drinks until halftime. Treasures has a free buffet with hot held there have been long discontinued). However, foot- dogs, pizza, and soft pretzels, and beers for $2/$3. Pay ball remains a marketing opportunity for many places so $1 for entry at Déjà Vu and get free pizza and wings and there are plenty of associated deals. Here’s a rundown $3 drinks. Two sleepers this year are Spearmint Rhino of what we found. and Play it Again Sam. Rhino has big screens in the front Once again, the exception to the rule is the big MNF with free make-your-own chicken sandwiches and $5 party at South Point. Admission is free, with $1 dogs and drinks. Sam’s has big screens in a sound-proof viewing popcorn, $5 wings, and $2 beers or unlimited draft beer area in the back and free chili dogs. Sam’s is the only for $15. Several screens broadcast the action and every- gentlemen’s club with video poker, so you can play 7/5 one is into the game. There are cash drawings each Bonus Poker and get comped drinks. Once again this quarter ($1,000 total), so you have a free shot at leaving year, the clear leader is Sapphire, where the $22 admis- with more money than you came in with. The party is sion comes with two drinks (with premium choices) and held in the showroom. There’s no party on Thursdays a buffet that includes chicken, corned beef sandwiches, this year. On Sundays, Bud products are $1 at all casino hot dogs, a salad bar, and an assortment of desserts. bars. Non-stop merch giveaways, $1 lap dances at halftime, Other good casino options for Monday night include and a robust karaoke session after the game round out Gold Coast, Ellis Island, Rampart, Sam’s Town, the Tri- the scene. The place is always packed. ple Seven Brewpub at Main Street Station, and any Sta- Of course, lots of local bars run specials. The best

8 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 way to play those is to check ’em out when a team they Entertainment Notes follow is playing. You can determine that with the listing of “Team Bars” in Gambling. n Colosseum Reopens—The Colosseum at Caesars Palace reopened last month after being closed for a remodel. The Colosseum’s floor was reconfigured via an Bars and Happy Hours automated lift system to allow more flexibility (namely, general-admission standing room in front of the stage The new Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles at Rampart when desirable, but seats when not) and added rows of has a late-night happy hour Fri. and Sat. from 9 pm to VIP seating, upgraded video screens, and more bars. close, with $3.50 beer, $4 wine, $6 sake, $7 cocktails, The number of seats overall dropped from 4,500 to and $2.50-$6.50 appetizers, including sushi rolls and 4,450, but room was created for 380 GA concert-goers ramen soup. on the floor. Keith Urban christened the re-launch of the Purchase an appetizer at Greene St. Kitchen at the arena, which opened in 2003 for Celine Dion’s first resi- Palms on Tuesdays and add on all-you-can-drink Caza- dency. dores tequila for $20. Magic at Bally’s—The new name of the old Win- Other Mama has a happy hour daily from 5 to 6 pm, dows Showroom at Bally’s is The Magic Attic. Touted with $3 beer, $5 wine, and $6-$9 appetizers (see Dining as “an intimate entertainment experience and an ideal for $1 oyster details). space for magical productions and illusionists,” the Mordeo has a happy hour Sun.-Thurs. from 5 to venue will go to an all-magic lineup, currently hosting 7 pm, with 50%-off your second drink and pintxos (food Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream, Paranormal Mind on a stick) for $2-$6, Reading Magic, and Potted Potter. The Sahara has opened Beer & Bets in the space See the Advance Planner for dates, prices, and addi- n that was previously Umami Burger. It’s being treated tional show updates. as a placeholder for Chickie’s & Pete’s, a Philadelphia sports bar institution since 1977 that was named the U.S.’ number-one sports bar in 2011 by ESPN and is scheduled to open in 2020. A sports bar called Vagabond opens this month at GAMBLING Excalibur. Able Baker Brewing company has opened down- town at 1510 S Main Street. Football Updates Henderson’s CraftHaus Brewery has opened CraftHaus Arts District at 197 E. California Street. O’Aces Bar & Grill on Rainbow has closed. The Following is a summary of this year’s early football- O’Aces on Decatur is now owned by Michael Gaughan betting-related developments. from South Point, which augurs for good things to come Live contests—Now that the season is under way, there. the only contests worth playing are the free ones with The Philadelphia-themed bar Madison Avenue has weekly prizes. Those include Boyd’s Pick the Pros (see closed. Top Ten), Station’s Pick & Play, and Rampart’s Beat In Sara’s at the Palms, a glass of Acumen Cabernet the Bookie, along with smaller contests at Ellis Island, Sauvignon is $25.98, a martini is $18.40, and a Stella M Resort, Longhorn, Klondike Sunset, and the O’Aces Artois is $8.66. In Mabel’s at the Palms, a draft 805 Decatur bar. Blonde is $8.66. At Scenic Brewing Company, a Gump- SuperContest REBOOT—The Westgate is running tion Cidar is $8.66 and a draft Scenic Mexican Lager is the SuperContest REBOOT, a separate NFL handicap- $6.50. In Beer House at Paris, a draft Busch is $7.63. At ping contest for weeks 9-17. The entry fee is $500 (two Mordeo, a draft New Belgium Voodo IPA is $7.58 and a max) and the deadline to enter is November 2. draft Copper Ale is $6.50. At PKWY Tavern The District, Silverton Pigskin Pass—Last year, we laid out sev- a Heineken is $6.50. At Brandos, an Angry Orchard is $5 eral reasons to be cautious when playing pass-the- and a draft Coors Light is $4. At Chaser’s Pub, a Bud is football or similar promotions. In these promos, the last $4. At Legends bar, a draft Bud is $3. In the Skyline Bar person to hit a 4-of-a-kind at the end of a quarter or at Skyline, a draft PBR is $3. In West Bar at Club For- game wins a bonus, often cash or free-play. Silverton tune, a Bud is $3. runs a $25 free-play bonus at the end of each quarter Notes: The Beerhouse draft was during the Sunday during the Monday and Thursday NFL games that so football party and the Legends draft was during the far is a lot safer than the bar versions. There’s a sepa- n Monday Night Football party. continued on next page

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 9 Gambling continued … picks service to prey on those seeking the “magic pill” for winning. OK, some reputable services do exist, but steer clear of those bombastic claims of “Monday-night rate contest at each of the casino’s four bars (Mermaid, locks” and “seventy-percent winners.” The latest move Shady Grove, Mi Casa Cantina, and Flare). In our limited is to emphasize that betting sports is like playing the observance of the promotion, most of the customers stock market. Actually, it is to some degree, but these aren’t even aware that it’s taking place and you can groups make a big deal about having “inside informa- scout the four bars to determine which has the least tion” and that’s usually BS. Last year, we heard an ad competition. These are fun to play when they’re on the for a website that was trumpeting a 48-2 record. Really? level, and assuming that hitting the quad will win the Anyone doing 96% doesn’t need to sell picks, they need bonus—never a sure thing with time left—you’re playing a mansion-on-an-island salesman. at a little over 99% on the best 25¢ game (see “VPL&F”). NFL Updates—The polar opposite of a tout service Check out the potential problems with this promo in LVA is our new blog at LasVegasAdvisor.com that provides 10/18. frequent NFL sports betting updates by Frank B. It’s a Contest participation—The SuperContest drew quick no-nonsense look at key developments and line 3,328 entries, a new record and the ninth consecutive movement in the sports betting market—information that year that participation has gone up, but the increase was has a lot of value for bettors. n a relatively low 6.6%. The $5K-entry SuperContest Gold drew 117 players, down 11 players (-9%) from last year. The $500 William Hill College Pick ’Em drew 258 entries, Win a Machine down a mere four players from last year. The Golden Nugget contest also had a decline in participation, drop- ping from 308 last year to 282 (-8.4%). The culprit in the Every Tuesday in October, the Plaza is holding a slot slow growth in the SuperContest and declines in the oth- tournament to win a vintage slot, video poker, or keno ers is the new Circa contest, which no doubt siphoned machine. These are older machines that are no longer players in the process of drawing an impressive 1,875 compatible with new casino technology, but still function entries, enough to cover its $1.5 million guarantee and perfectly. First place wins a machine and second gets juice the prizes for the in-contest quarterlies. Equally $250 in free-play. Entry is free to top tiers of the players impressive was Station’s Last Man Standing contests, club and the two lowest tiers can qualify by earning 20 where the College contest had 3,555 entries, up 28.1%, points, which should be $60 coin-in on all but the best and the Pro drew 6,492, up a whopping 42.2%. video poker schedules. We say “should,” because we Station edge—If you’re playing Station Casinos’ Pro learned of this promotion close to deadline and couldn’t Football Pick & Pay contest, either with the intention of verify the coin-in requirement, so you should check first going for the season prizes or just for single-weekend at the club desk. Regardless, it’s an easy qualify given results, it’s important to get your picks in before the the Plaza’s excellent video poker inventory. Also, eight Thursday-night game. Thursday games are included in players will win machines via a month-long “points chal- the Station results, so your chances of winning a prize lenge,” but you should participate in this one only if will be substantially reduced if you don’t include it. you’re a volume player. n Reduced juice—This year there are two weekly promos for reduced juice, both offering -105 pricing (bet $105 to win $100, as opposed to the standard Pluribus Raises $110/$100). As it has for the past several years, West- gate Las Vegas has -105 for football sides on Thursdays from 3 pm till close (be sure to use the betting numbers Chalk up another one for the machines. An artificial off the -105 sheets). And new this year, Caesars Enter- intelligence-based poker-playing computer dubbed tainment sports books are dealing -105 for NFL sides on Pluribus beat a table of five “elite professional” poker Tuesdays from 8 am to 9 pm and you can bet it at the players in a game of no-limit hold ‘em. After tweaking window or on the app. the program through a series of multi-player games, the Sunday totals—In addition to offering some inno- developers “trained” Pluribus for eight days by playing vative NO betting lines (e.g., the Astros won’t win the trillions of hands against itself, then analyzing the results World Series), Circa is posting college totals on Sun- in a process called “counterfactual regret minimiza- days, the earliest we’ve ever seen them put up. tion,” which human poker players essentially use all Tout time—Football season brings on the tout bar- the time when they ask one another how they might’ve rage, meaning every goofball on the planet who thinks played particular hands differently. The entire game was he knows something about football, or scarier yet, conducted online, so Pluribus wasn’t looking for tells, knows he doesn’t know anything at all, puts together a but the computer did know “when to bluff, when to call

10 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 someone else’s bluff, and when to vary its behavior so tournament in the any time soon. n other players couldn’t pinpoint its strategy.” Computers (known as DeepStack and Libratus) had beaten single players at poker previously, but had never come out on Gambling Notes top in a multi-player format. One of the human players, four-time World Poker Tour champion Darren Elias, said, “The success of Pluribus shows that poker can be boiled Flamingo Jackpot—A Wisconsin man hit a royal down to nothing but math. Pure numbers and percent- flush at the Flamingo, taking down a $1.3 million pro- ages. It’s solving the game itself.” n gressive jackpot. He’s the eighth player in nine months to win $1 million or more while playing the $5 progres- sive table-game side bet at Caesars casinos. Ivey Winnings Garnished Hoops Contest—The Westgate is debuting a new basketball contest. The entry fee is $250 (three max) for the Pro Basketball Season Wins Challenge. The deadline Poker superstar ’s total cashes of $133,398 to enter is October 22. in this year’s World Series of Poker were confiscated by M Loss Rebate—The rebate-on-loss sign-up pro- U.S. Marshals on behalf of the Borgata in Atlantic City, motion at M Resort is back, and it’s a juicy $500 offer. to which Ivey owes more than $10 million as a result It’s hard to get too excited about this one, since they of the judgment regarding his baccarat win there (LVA switch it on and off so frequently and the rules are typi- 6/14). An article at cardplayer.com says, “While Ivey cally overly restrictive, but it’s worth taking a look if was running deep in the Poker Players Championship, you’re not already a Marquee Rewards Club member a Borgata lawyer served notice to WSOP management (get some background on this offer in LVA 8/17). that they›d obtained a writ of execution against Ivey Sahara—The Infinity high-limit lounge has opened for his cash. It wasn’t confirmed that the WSOP forked with table games and video poker at the bar. over the money until last week. The article adds, «The —The Link Slot Lounge has opened, latest development in the saga effectively ends the featuring slots from the Aristocrat Link series. chances that the poker world will see Ivey play a poker continued on next page

2019 Football Team Meetings Here’s this year’s list of local Packers are next with six and the & Grill, Good Timez Billards (W. bars that support a specific NFL Raiders have five. Charleston), Chanclas Cantina, team. Every Sunday and on Monday 49ers—High Score Bar & Jackpot Bar & Grill; Rams—Pan- and Thursday nights during football Arcade, Joey’s, Time-Out Sports cho’s Mexican Restaurant, The season, the following places fill up Bar; Bears—Brando’s, Rosati’s (N. Tavern; Ravens—Crab Corner (S. with former residents of, or current Rainbow), Shuck’s (N. Durango), Rainbow); Saints—Lola’s Louisiana visitors from, the teams’ home- Windy City Beefs N Pizza, Bar Code Kitchen (two: N. Town Center Dr. towns. Many offer food and drink Burger Bar, Joe’s Bar, Aurelio’s & W. Charelston), Rhythm Kitchen; specials that sometimes include Pizza; Bills—Johnny Mac’s, Moon Seahawks—Scooter’s; Steelers— cuisine from back home. The com- Doggies, Stake Out, Town Center Noreen’s; Vikings—Blue Ox Cen- bination of lots of people rooting for Lounge; Broncos—Black Moun- tral, Blue Ox Tavern, Blue Ox East. the same team and everyone being tain Grill, Four-Mile-Bar, Jakes Bar; Teams dropping off from last from the same place makes for a Browns—Boulevard Bar & Grill, year are the Giants, Redskins, and super-charged atmosphere in most Giuseppe’s, Kopper Keg West, Cardinals, which join the Bengals, cases. In fact, these are often the Tap House; Chiefs—Blue Diamond Buccaneers, Chargers, Colts, Fal- best venues for viewing the games Saloon; Cowboys—Mr. D’s; Dol- cons, Jaguars, Jets, Panthers, Tex- (when that bar’s team is playing), phins—Tommy Rocker’s; Eagles— ans, and Titans as teams without even if you aren’t from that city. Torrey Pines Pub; Lions—Crowbar; bars. The list that follows has 50 Packers—Big Dog’s Draft House, This is an evolving list that we options that cover 19 of the 32 NFL Jackson’s, Rum Runner (three: keep current at LasVegasAdvisor. teams. This year there was a notice- Boulder Highway, Tropicana, & E. com, where you’ll find an interac- able drop in both categories, down ), The Plate Bar & Grill; tive map that allows you to better from 63 bars following 22 teams Patriots— Tavern, Three determine where they are through- last year. The Bears lead the way Angry Wives Pub; Raiders—Leg- out the city and in relation to one with seven bars following them. The ends Sports Bar & Grill, Lucy’s Bar another.

OCTOBER 2019 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 11 Gambling continued … Bonus Poker Deluxe at 2 pm (10/15); NSU Deuces Wild (10/22); 9-4-4 Deuces Bonus Poker, one class only at noon (10/29). Be sure to check out Bob’s weekly Tues- Arizona Charlie’s Boulder—The live table games day blog and the Thursday “Gambling With an Edge” that we reported removed last month have been podcast, with Bob and Richard Munchkin, both at Las replaced by Interblock electronic table games, just as VegasAdvisor.com. n they were at Wild Wild West earlier this year. Big Dogs—The New England Patriots being favored by 19 over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 was trumped in Week 3 with two games closing with spreads of more Fast Track than 20. The Patriots were -21 favorites over the New York Jets and the Cowboys were -22 over the Sahara Birthday Swipe—You can swipe your club Dolphins. Only the Jets covered. card for a prize at a Sahara kiosk one time during your Laughlin Poker—The poker rooms at the Colorado birthday month. We did it and got 5,000 club points ($2). Belle and Avi have closed. That leaves only two poker All potential prizes that we saw were of a similar low rooms in Laughlin, one at Riverside and the other at level. Harrah’s. n Blood Aces—According to Deadline.com, the 2015 biography of Benny Binion, Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion by Dallas Morning News reporter Doug Video Poker Lost and Found J. Swanson, will be adapted for television. Dead Guys Don’t Count—According to a blurb in the LV Review-Journal under the headline “Passenger If you play Pass the Pigskin at Silverton, the best Must Have Pulse,” a hearse driver was cited for driving 25¢ bar schedule is 7/5 Bonus Poker (98.01%). Assum- in the HOV lane on I-15 near Sahara Avenue. He told ing you’ll win the bonus if you hit a quad, you’re playing the Nevada Highway Patrol officer who pulled him over at a theoretical 99.2%. that he thought the corpse he was transporting met the The online database vpFREE2 reports that Wynn carpool requirement. The hearse driver had a sense of and Encore have removed several of their highest- humor, but NHP apparently doesn’t. During the first returning schedules and the current best game is 9/6 month of HOV enforcement, 518 citations were handed Jacks or Better (99.54%) starting at $5. The best game out. The Nevada Department of Transportation is under for quarters is 7/5 Bonus Poker, available at Wynn only. pressure to reduce enforcement to peak hours. Also reported by vpFREE2, Palace Station has It’s a Girl!—Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and added 25¢ Full Pay Deuces Wild (100.76%). It’s Dolphin Habitat at has a new resident. The also available for 5¢, along with 10/7 Double Bonus baby girl, named Lady Ace to honor the hometown (100.17%) from 5¢ to $1, Loose Deuces paying 15 for WNBA team, is the first in a fourth generation of dolphins 5-of-a-kind and 8 for SF (100.15%) from 5¢ to 25¢, 10/6 at the Habitat; her great-grandmother, Duchess, is 44 Double Double Bonus (100.07%) from 5¢ to $1, and sev- and has lived 15 years past her life expectancy. Visitors eral other schedules returning over 99%. can see the new dolphin during Secret Garden hours, If you’re not overly concerned about players club 10 am to 6 pm daily. Admission is $22 for adults, $17 for points, check out the quarter 10/6 DDB progressive in children ages 4-12, and 3 and under free. the Furnace Bar at Downtown Grand. The royal flush Autumn at Bellagio—The Bellagio Conservatory was at $1,594 on our last visit, yielding a 101.39% return and Botanical Garden has unveiled its 2019 fall display, with perfect play. DG stopped awarding points for video which celebrates the culture of India. “Indian Sum- poker for a short time, but has amended that and now mer” features 20,000 preserved roses decorating floral gives a low, but better than zero, .04%. arches, royal elephants, an Indian wedding scene and a Both Crown & Anchor bars continue to offer their 28-foot enchanted talking tree. The exhibit runs through three-times-daily play-$200-get-$20 bonus. You can play November 30. once per day midnight-1 am, noon-1 pm, or 5-6 pm. You Big Pay—Sands Corp’s Sheldon Adelson led the might even run into Anthony Curtis, who likes to play it list of highest-paid casino executives in 2018, with $24 for a lunch break or in the 5 pm window after work. million in total compensation. He was followed by Wynn Bob Dancer’s free video poker classes run on Tues- Las Vegas’ Matt Maddox ($17 million), CET’s Mark Fris- days in the Silverado Lounge at South Point—beginner sora ($13.2 million), MRI’s Jim Murren ($12.8 million), classes at noon and intermediate at 2 pm, except where and Boyd’s Keith Smith ($7.8 million). It’s the same five otherwise noted. Must be 21. Topics are 9/5 Super at the top of the list as last year, with the exception of Double Bonus (on 10/1); 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe (10/8); Maddox taking the place of Steve Wynn. All had less in Advanced 9/6 Jacks or Better at noon and Advanced 9/6 compensation than they had in 2017. n

12 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • OCTOBER 2019 SEPTEMBERDECEMBER NOVEMBER 11-13 Nat’l Marijuana Business Conf.—26,000 WEEKDAY WEEKEND El Cortez • $41 El Cortez • $78 Wild Wild West • $41 Wild Wild West • $80 JANUARY Four Queens • $42 Plaza • $81 7–10 Consumer Tech. Assoc.—180,000 12–16 Promotional Products Assoc. Int’l—22,500 Downtown Grand • $53 Downtown Grand • $77 21–23 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show—33,000 Tuscany • $55 Circus Circus • $85 21–23 Int’l Builders Show—68,000 Circus Circus • $58 Luxor • $93 21–24 Shooting, Hunting, & Outdoor Expo—61,000 22–25 Adult Entertainment Expo—25,000 Hard Rock • $81 Palms • $138 26–30 Las Vegas Market 2020—50,000 Palms • $98 Caesars Palace • $148 Mirage • $106 Hard Rock • $151 27–30 Int’l Surface Event—25,000 FEBRUARY DECEMBER KEY 2–5 Off-Price Specialist 2020—11,500 WEEKDAY WEEKEND 4–7 World of Concrete 2020—60,000 Four Queens • $39 Wild Wild West • $55 5–7 MAGIC Marketplace Spring—78,000 El Cortez • $45 Fremont • $67 15–17 Nat’l Automobile Dealers–Winter—30,000 Fremont • $50 Main Street Station • $67 16–19 Western Veterinary Annual 2020—15,000 DATES Circus Circus • $51 Downtown Grand • $60 Downtown Grand • $53 Tuscany • $61 OCTOBER Tuscany • $55 Circus Circus • $71 Mean 67° Avg. Max. 81° Avg. Min. 53° Pools: Open Hard Rock • $81 Palms • $116 Balmy days, cool evenings toward the end of the month. Palms • $98 Hard Rock • $126 Paris • $102 Mirage • $136 Attire: Short sleeves during the day, light jacket for evenings. JANUARY NOVEMBER ROOM WEEKDAY WEEKEND Mean 53° Avg. Max. 65° Avg. Min. 40° Pools: Closed Four Queens • $49 Main Street Station • $55 Temperatures drop dramatically this month. Crisp days, cold El Cortez • $52 California • $67 nights. Silver Sevens • $54 Fremont • $67 Attire: Bring something warm, especially for evenings. Downtown Grand • $53 Downtown Grand • $60 Circus Circus • $54 Westgate Las Vegas • $68 DECEMBER Tuscany • $55 Circus Circus • $75 Mean 46° Avg. Max. 58° Avg. Min. 33° Pools: Closed Hard Rock • $86 Hard Rock • $96 Evening temperatures dip into the 30s and even into the 20s. Palms • $98 Paris • $128 Paris • $106 Mirage • $136 The sun makes an occasional appearance. RATES

WEATHER Attire: Desert or not, it’s wintertime and it’s cold. Dress Best rates at press time from sample of 54 Las Vegas casinos. Rates NOT guaranteed, subject to warmly. change without notice, and do not include tax. Lower prices may be available online. Then One Day … by Chris Andrews $14.96 (+S&H) Chris Andrews started booking parlay cards in the fifth grade under the watchful eye of his Uncle Jack Franzi. He followed Uncle Jack to Las Vegas shortly after graduating from college and landed his first job in the sports book at the Stardust during the wildcat early years of legal sports betting in Nevada. After a stint behind the counter at the Barbary Coast, Chris became the youngest sports book director in the business at the Club Cal Neva in Reno. That’s when he started to make his mark on the industry: inventing the pleaser card; 10-point teaser cards; and introducing Super Bowl-style prop bets for Monday Night Football games. Packed with classic stories from both sides of the counter, Then One Day offers a unique look at how a sports book director talks, thinks, and makes book—both in the “good-old-days” and today.

Gambling Wizards by Richard Munchkin $11.21 (+S&H) One of the most sophisticated non-mathematical gambling books on the market. Gambling Wizards focuses on eight of the most successful gamblers of all time, providing details about their methods, while educating the reader along the way on the language and concepts used by the pros. The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide Jean Scott • $12.71 +S&H ($16.95 Retail)

Though Jean Scott was well-known to a select few Las Vegas aficionados throughout the ’90s, it wasn’t until the publication of The Frugal Gambler in 1998 that she be- came a household name to casino players across the coun- try. Since then, it’s likely that no gambling personality has been featured more often in the media than this “Gambling Grandma.” Her frequent national publicity, her long-term success in casinos around the world, and the solid low- rolling advantage-play techniques she’s divulged along the way have all helped catapult Scott’s frugal-gambler series into the ranks of best-selling gambling books. The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide both updates and backdates The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling by covering, in comprehensive detail, the state-of-the-art of casino gambling for low-rollers and the concepts on which frugal gambling is built: how to lose less and play longer. A SPECIAL OFFER Through an exclusive arrangement with daily fantasy sports leader, DraftKings, sign up and receive your choice of Las Vegas Advisor incentive packages. Package #1 Package #2

• One year Diamond Membership to the Las Vegas • A copy of Fantasy Sports, Real Money Advisor* • A copy of Sharp Sports Betting • A copy of Fantasy Sports, Real Money • One free entry into a DraftKings DFS contest • One free entry into a DraftKings DFS contest

CLAIM NOW CLAIM NOW

*Current LVA members will have their membership extended by one year and receive the added year’s Member Rewards Book.

One FREE One FREE DFS DFS entry entry $$$ $$$

Offers available to new members who fund a DraftKings account with a minimum of $25 and play one paid contest. CHOOSE YOUR EXCLUSIVE LVA/DRAFTKINGS OFFER