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ANTHONY CURTIS’ August 2018 Vol. 35 LasVegasAdvisor Issue 8

THE GOAL, G.O.A.L.G.O.A.L. THE SHOT, & ELVISES New book chronicles hockey Vegas-style … pg. 1

THE SHOOTING SUIT MRI’s messy misstep … pg. 1

LATE-NIGHT IN CHINATOWN Fewer options than you think … pg. 4

NEW BEST- VALUE BUFFET After 30 years, the Feast is back on top … pg. 4

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forget is a valid one, but maybe MRI should also try do- COUPONOMY ing something pro customer for a change. That might by Anthony Curtis help people forget faster. Something pro customer— there’s a thought. n MRI in PR Jackpot VGK Book In gambling parlance, a jackpot isn’t always a good thing. When a gambler says he’s “in a jackpot,” it means A year ago, gambling expert and lifetime hockey he’s got trouble. MGM Resorts International is in a jackpot. fan Joe Pane came to us and said, “What do you think News that MRI had filed a federal lawsuit against about me writing a blog about the Golden Knights’ inau- the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting gural season?” Though expectations for the Las Vegas drew immediate scorn on social media and in the court expansion team were low, it was still our town’s first of public opinion: “Unconscionable.” “Reprehensible.” major-league presence, so we let Joe take his shot. Ten “Disgusting.” “Kill them in the Advisor,” one wrote. months later, the “Golden Misfits” came within three I’d kind of like to. I’m no fan of MRI. They’re easily games of hoisting the Stanley Cup. the biggest gouger of all the casino companies (resort When it looked like the Knights would make the fees, paid parking, comp tightening, etc.) and have been playoffs, we started thinking about a book. When they strikingly LVA unfriendly in recent years. But I can’t com- emerged victorious from Rounds 1 and 2, we started pletely slam them for this move. planning it. And when they were one game away from Was filing suit against more than 1,000 mass- winning the Western Conference Championship, we shooting victims a crappy thing to do? Absolutely. But pulled the trigger and spent two feverish months produc- anyone who’s surprised by odious business tactics just ing Vegas Golden Knights—How a First-Year Expansion hasn’t been around big business. And that’s what this Team Healed Las Vegas and Shocked the Hockey World. is, a business tactic. While MRI is technically bringing Strong move, right? I mean, who else could put a suit against the victims, which is offensive in one sense, book together that quickly? We found out. Two other it’s not an offensive move designed to win judgments or books on the VGK have just come out. One’s a coffee- recover court costs. Rather, it’s a defensive maneuver. A table volume, the other’s 128 pages. Both were done by bunch of lawyers and accountants (I get the feeling that the local newspapers, so I’m guessing whatever non- the public relations arm was left out of this one) got to- photo content they contain is reconstituted from news gether and made a quantitative decision—based on what accounts. a gambler would call an “expected-value assessment”— Ours is distinctly different. It’s a big 368-pager that that the possibility of heading off lawsuits was valuable covers the epic Knights story from start to finish—the enough to accept the inevitable public relations hit. business end, the brilliant maneuvers to assemble Do I agree that it was the correct EV play? I don’t the team, the Strip-shooting tie-in, the quirky twists have enough information about their chances to obtain and turns of the season, and, of course, the gambling the ruling to make that evaluation. Regardless, the big aspect, complete with a quick primer on how to bet mistake was in the way they executed the plan—bulling hockey. Additionally, if you’re new to hockey, sidebars in with no warning or damage-control prep. It’s some- throughout the book will familiarize you with the jargon, thing that even CEO Jim Murren conceded in a letter to strategy, and nuance of the game. Ours has photos, MRI employees, in which he apologized for not doing a too—a big full-color 16-page center spread, including “better job of communicating.” vivid shots of William Karlsson’s between-the-legs goal, So now they’re in that PR jackpot. I’d bet a big part “The Save,” and some private photos that even those of the EV equation included banking on the short mem- picture books don’t have. ory of the public. The assumption that people will soon continued on next page

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 1 VGK Book continued … to press. Currently, 13 of 28 casinos in the state have applied for permission to operate a sports book and are reportedly scrambling to create temporary betting areas. The book will be back from the printer and ready Betting windows in Mississippi are almost certain to be to ship in mid-August. See the wrap for the good pub- open sometime this month, but other states look to be lisher’s discount. moving more slowly. Here’s a short excerpt that highlights the type of The main action has been among the operators, insight our book has that no other will. n who are jockeying furiously for position. MGM has made deals with Boyd Gaming and European bookmaking gi- ant GVC Holdings. FanDuel has partnered with Tioga The Elvises Downs in New York and announced plans to produce What would a Vegas party be without Elvis? One of the sports betting TV shows. DraftKings has hooked up staples of the wild and raucous T-Mobile home-game scene with Resorts in Atlantic City and del Lago in New York. was the line-up of Elvises positioned in the front row adja- Churchill Downs is working with the Golden Nugget in cent to the visiting-team’s bench. If you watched a Knights Atlantic City. playoff game, you probably saw them. During each post- With football season looming large, this month season game at home, the Elvises were the surest bet on the figures to see more action. We’ve initiated a new blog board to get television exposure. called “Captain Jack on Sports Wagering” at LasVegas The Elvises were the brainchild of a former professional Advisor.com. Captain Jack is a long-time professional blackjack player of fine repute who’s known in gambling sports bettor and observer of the sports betting scene. circles as “KC.” He hatched the idea heading into the play- He’s closely following developments and will report on offs for the Elvis line-up, pitched it to his seat neighbors (who the growth of sports betting throughout the U.S. and the bought in) and VGK brass (who sold them a second row of world, as well as some of the opportunities it brings for seats at a sweetheart price to accommodate more Elvises), players. n and had costumes made. Throughout the playoffs, home and sometimes away, as many of 12 from the original group were in attendance, while at least three other copycat Elvis groups showed up (plus another in Washington with Elvis-Capitals garb). NEWS “We did it to support the team,” KC said. And it wasn’t his only attempt to do so. “During the season, I started tapping my wedding ring SLS—It’s being reported that permits have been on the glass,” he said. “It wasn’t that loud, but it was a filed indicating that the name of SLS Las Vegas is being steady and monotonous tap that obviously was getting un- changed to Grand Sahara Resort. SLS says it’s only a der the skin of the visiting players, who one by one got up “working name” for now, but given that SLS was previ- and moved to the other side of the bench. How do I know ously the Sahara and the new owners have a casino in it got to them? Because they complained—and twice I was Reno called Grand Sierra Resort, the prospective new escorted out of the T for doing it.” name makes sense. The casino has also ended its affili- In a bizarre postscript after the Capitals won Game 5 ation with the W Hotel and has taken back control of the to take the Cup, KC ran into Alex Ovechkin in the high-roller W-branded hotel tower. Inside there’ve been some path- room at Aria. ways cleared on the floor making it a little easier to move “I sat next to you during the games,” KC confided to around and the carpeting with images of old movie stars the Capitals’ captain. has been removed. Otherwise, not a lot has changed “Yes, you were dressed like Elvis,” Ovi responded. since the new owners took over. “You were very annoying.” Palace Station—The interior of the casino has un-

LAS VEGAS 3665 Procyon Street • Las Vegas, NV 89103 (702) 252-0655 • (702) 252-0675 Fax Sports Betting Scorecard ADVISOR e-mail: [email protected] • Internet: LasVegasAdvisor.com Publisher: Anthony Curtis Customer Service: Nicole Watchus Senior Editor: Deke Castleman Shipping & Receiving: Scotch Henderson Accounting: John Leitner Contributing Writers: Jeffrey Compton, Bob So far things have gone as expected. Following Production Manager: Laurie Cabot Dancer, Stewart Ethier, Bob Fuss, Scot Krause, the mad dash of Delaware and New Jersey to enter the Web Manager: Tanya Maynard Bradley Peterson, Blair Rodman, Jean Scott, Research Assistant: Brenda Stewart Michael Shackleford sports betting market, the other states that were poised Projects Coordinator: Lynne Loomis Cover Image: KC to move haven’t yet. For example, despite being cleared 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 to offer sports betting on July 20, no wagers have been changes to Las Vegas Advisor, 3665 Procyon St., Las Vegas, NV 89103. All information is current at press time. Listed offerings taken in any of Mississippi’s casinos as this issue goes are subject to change at any time. Huntington Press ©2018

2 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 dergone several changes, with the big new buffet room Las Vegas’ Top Ten Values and two more soon-to-open restaurants completely transforming the look of the east end of the floor. The 1. Steak Dinner • Ellis Island • 24 hours • $7.99 former upstairs buffet space is now empty, as is the old 2. Buffet • Palace Station • Daily • $8.99-$14.99 poker room. The expansive sports book space has been 3. Draft Beer • Flamingo • Daily • 5¢ reduced, with part of the remaining area used for poker. The bars have been overhauled and work continues be- 4. Mac King • Harrah’s • Tues.–Sat. • $14.98 hind some walled-off areas. 5. Hot Dog • South Point • Daily • $1.25 18 Fremont—It’s been disclosed that the Sassy 6. Shrimp Cocktail • Skyline • Daily • $1.99 Sally cowgirl marquee will be incorporated into the out- 7. Beer • Stage Door • 24 hours • $1 side design of the new downtown casino that will be 8. Prime Rib • Klondike Sunset • Daily • $5.55/$12.99 built on the site of the former Las Vegas Club. Not to 9. $1 Blackjack • Hooters • 24 hours • $1.20 be confused with Vegas Vic’s pal Vickie, Sassy Sally 10. Half-Price Dining • Downtown Grand • Daily • $5-$8.50 formerly sat atop the changing roster of casinos on the north side of Fremont Street. The Ellis Island steak dinner (#1) is served in the California—We’ve gotten an update on the renova- Café and requires that you print out two coupons from tion that displaced the second-floor slots at the Cali- an EI kiosk, the second after playing at least $5 in any fornia. The mezzanine is being redesigned to double slot machine with your club card inserted, to get the convention space from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet and $7.99 price. The Feast Buffet at Palace Station (#2) is a new set of escalators is being installed. Upon comple- our new choice for Las Vegas’ best buffet when con- tion, there will also be a “small designated gaming area,” sidering a combination of quality and price. It’s every preserving the Cal’s status as one of Las Vegas’ few bit as good as our former top choice at the Palms, but two-level casinos. $2-$5 less expensive (see Dining). Get the listed prices Motel 8—The shuttered Motel 8 and Mr. Deli conve- by showing a Boarding Pass card. The 5¢ beers (#3) nience store located across the Strip from Mandalay Bay at the Flamingo are served in the Margaritaville Casino have been sold for $7.4 million to an Israeli developer area’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar from 5 to 6 pm. Get a who says he has plans for a small casino on the 1-acre ticket to the Mac King Comedy Magic Show and a drink parcel. No other details were provided, but proximity to for $14.98 by asking at the players club booth (#4). the Raiders stadium was cited, which may be a sign of The hot dogs at South Point (#5) are sold from a cart similar deals to come in the area. in the sports book from 10 am until they close down Monorail—Work on the monorail extension to the cart around 5 pm. South Point says that in 2017 it Mandalay Bay has been delayed, due to hang-ups in re- sold 215,142 of them. That’s 589 dogs per day, or more ceiving required construction permits. There may also be than one per minute considering the hours the cart is in a problem with funding, which is causing concern that operation. After a few months’ absence, we’ve brought the project may not be completed in time for the open- back the shrimp cocktail at the Skyline (#6). Even with ing of the Raiders stadium, if at all. the price increase to $1.99, it’s still a better overall Jean—Terrible’s has opened the world’s largest value than the 99-center at the Fremont (or so several Chevron Travel Center in Jean, 30 miles south of Las of you have told us in letters and emails). It’s all shrimp Vegas on I-15. The 50,000-square-foot Terrible’s Road and sauce (no filler) and available 24/7 at the bar. Mi- House features 96 fuel pumps, 60 restroom stalls, 4,000 chelob or Michelob Ultra in the bottle is $1 at the Stage square feet of candy sales, a 30-foot-long coffee bar, a Door slot house on Flamingo, just east of the Strip (#7). 72-head Coke machine, 15 slot machines, a drive-thru Klondike Sunset serves two good prime rib specials in White Castle, the only Red Bull lounge and merchandise Sarah’s Kitchen—one for $12.99 beginning at 11 am store in the country, and a Jack Link’s beef-jerky store, and another for $5.55 beginning at 3 pm (#8). Hooters’ complete with a 13-foot-tall Sasquatch. $1-minimum blackjack game (#9) runs 24/7 in the pit; Laughlin—Golden Gaming has purchased the naturals pay even money on bets of $1-$4. The daily Edgewater and Colorado Belle in Laughlin from Marnell half-price dining deal in Freedom Beat at the Downtown Gaming for a price that will fall between $168 million Grand (#10) requires you to swipe your players club and $190 million, depending on a future earnings report. card to get 50% off a choice of several entrees, includ- Golden Gaming, owners of the vast PT’s tavern group, ing a former Top Ten-listed prime rib for just $8.50; you already owned the Aquarius and is now the dominant can swipe daily. n casino operator in Laughlin. Japan—After years of discussion, Japan’s parlia- cessions, but this will get the sweepstakes started, with ment has passed a law that allows up to three casinos 2020 considered to be the earliest these decisions will in the country. It hasn’t been determined where the casi- be finalized and 2025 the earliest a resort could open. nos will be located or which companies will get the con- continued on next page

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 3 News continued … tions. The list quotes only weekend times, so some won’t be open as late on weekdays. We also didn’t include the good Chinese restaurants at Gold Coast, Sands, Wynn, MRI, and CET are all expected to vie for a Rio, and Palms that serve till midnight at least, but we spot, with Sheldon Adelson recently stating that Sands wanted to stay outside of the casinos for this one. has the inside track in what’s being projected as a $21 billion market upon opening. Sam Woo BBQ Chinatown Plaza midnight Macau—A recent article in GGRAsia about smok- Chengdu Lao Zao Hot Pot 5740 W. Spring Mtn. 12:30 am ing lounges in Macau says that there are 47 “gaming Harbor Palace Seafood Chinatown Plaza 2 am venues” there (of which only 11 petitioned for a smoking Café Noodle & Chinese BBQ 4355 W. Spring Mtn. 2 am lounge). The number will vary based on what a source considers to be a casino; this article included casinos Joyful House 4601 W. Spring Mtn. 3 am and slot parlors. Hong Kong Garden 5300 W. Spring Mtn. 6 am Statistics—Nevada’s statewide gambling win was H.K. Seafood Garden 4300 W. Spring Mtn. 6 am up 5.3% in May compared to the same month last year. The Strip win was up 6.3% and downtown was down We found seven restaurants that serve till midnight 3.5%. Visitation managed a .8% up-tick, making it two and beyond, with H.K. Seafood Garden and Hong Kong months in a row with an increase of less than 1%. Airline Garden Seafood and BBQ Café 2 open till 6 am. Hong traffic set an all-time record for a single month with 4.36 Kong Garden 2 is the “failsafe” that used to be on Jones. million passengers, up 3.6% and the 15th consecutive The original was closed after a fire and the #2 location year-over-year increase. n opened in its place. n

Palace Station Feast Buffet DINING When considering the quality, variety, and value of Las Vegas buffets, most probably don’t realize or Late-Night Chinese remember that it all began 30 years ago when Palace Station introduced the “action” concept with the first Feast Buffet. Since then the format of live cooking and Last month, Anthony Curtis and a friend were out on multiple serving islands has been copied and improved a Friday night and wanted some Chinese food at 10 pm. on to the point that the original Feast has long been an The first choice was Yunnan Garden, a recently discov- afterthought. No longer. Along with the Palms’ A.Y.C.E. ered favorite located in the secretish area on Schiff Dr. buffet, Palace Station’s new Feast raises the bar again. off of Valley View Blvd. and south of Spring Mountain Relocated downstairs in a sparkling new space, the Road. “No,” said the waiter. The place was closing in 15 choice and quality of this buffet is equal to that of the minutes. Not to worry. Chengdu Taste, another of Ve- Palms, while priced $2-$5 lower across the board. In gas’ top Chinese restaurants, is right next door. Nope. what’s being termed “introductory” pricing, breakfast They were closing, too. So they headed to China Mama is $10.99, lunch $12.99, and dinner and brunch $17.99. on Jones. It was also closed. The China Mama selec- But that’s if you’re a rube walking in off the street. Show tion was actually a hedge, because across the street a players card and the prices drop to $8.99, $10.99, and was failsafe all-nighter Hong Kong Garden. But it, too, $14.99, respectively (there are deeper discounts at the was closed (as in for good). The guys finally had to settle next card level). for Vietnamese at District One back at the China Mama Even at retail, the value is incredible. For breakfast plaza. District One serves till 2 am and it’s always good, but how could they have been shut out for Chinese in Chinatown at 10 pm on a weekend? Carded for Breakfast As it turns out, not that many Chinese restaurants When we presented our players card for the discount on serve late. Plenty of the Vietnamese and Korean places the Feast breakfast (an amazing $6.99 with a Gold card, the do, as do some of the Japanese izakayas, but Chinese, second level in the Station system), the cashier requested an not so much. There are a few late-nighters, however, ID and wouldn’t process the discount without it. An ID for a and after checking hours at more than 20 restaurants, buffet discount never used to be required, but it’s becoming we found out where they are. Keep in mind that the the rule in many places. When you go, remember to bring list that follows is restricted to the Chinatown area and your players card and your ID. doesn’t include any of several other Asian-cuisine op-

4 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 there were six kinds of scrambles (shiitake, ranchero, practice mornings during the season). It’s a cool place to ham and cheese, carne asada, barbecue pork, even a grab a craft beer and watch the skaters. But what about country-scramble pot pie), three hashes (Kahlua-pork, the pizza? Knowing that Mackenzie River is a chain two-bean, and individual corned-beef hash and eggs), out of Montana, a state not exactly known for its Italian individual spinach-mushroom frittatas, three hot cere- cuisine, you wouldn’t expect a classic Roma-inspired als (grits, oatmeal, and congee), and plenty of traditional product. But they can make pizza in the Northwest, too. breakfast offerings (plain scrambled eggs, individual Small pies that feed two or three start at $12.50 and eggs Benedicts, mini-quiches, bacon, hash browns, larges top out at $24.50. There are several variations— potato pancakes, pancakes, biscuits and gravy). Ethnic BBQ, Hot Hawaiian, Buffalo Wing—but the play is the selections keep it interesting: menudo, lychee pineapple Stockman that comes with pepperoni, bacon, hot Italian salad, mini loco mocos (a Hawaiian rice-burger-egg sausage, and steak strips. dish), egg foo yung, tofu shaksuka, sopes (masa cakes There’s more than with various toppings), along with several kinds of fruit pizza; Mackenzie River boba teas, agua frescas, and horchata (a rice drink with has a full menu with nuts, sugar, and cinnamon). Two carving stations serve burgers, sandwiches, kielbasa, sliced ham, and pork belly with roasted jalape- salads, and a decent ños and pineapple. On top of all that are made-to-order chicken chili ($7.50) egg and power-bowl stations, plus plentiful sugar-free that comes with and regular desserts. The small-plates format allows you cheese and onions. to sample several items. Standouts were the individual It’s more about the ex- eggs Benedict and hash & eggs, and the potato pan- perience than the food cakes (just like Mom used to make). here, so it’s worth vis- We walked right iting whether you eat in at 9 am on a Thurs- The Stockman or just grab a beer and day. The buffet had check out the ice. n been open for only two days, so the word wasn’t out yet, but Leatherneck Club Galley early is usually better for avoiding crowds (there were lines the The Leatherneck Club, featured this issue in Enter- next day for lunch). tainment, is also a good place to grab a bite. The menu We’ve only walked is made up of diner-type selections—burgers, hot dogs, through for lunch and cheesesteak, BLT, pizza, nachos, burritos, and quesadil- haven’t visited yet for las—all $11 or less. The burger is a dandy. Served with fries (onion rings $1 extra), fresh toppings, and a pickle, Hash & eggs/potato pancakes dinner, but reports have all been stellar. the big half-pounder comes with or without cheese and As a sidebar, we ranks with any $8 burger in town. Specialty burgers in- witnessed what must have been a consultant of some clude a patty melt for $8 and the open-faced “Chesty sort walking the buffet and making comments as one of Burger” (referencing the legendary Marine, Chesty the chefs was listening intently and taking notes. They’re Puller), smothered in chili and cheese, for $11. The hot serious here and the result is that after decades, Palace dog ($5) is loaded with kraut, onions, tomatoes, and Station has regained its rightful place at the top of the pickles and comes with Half-pound burger best-value-buffet pack. n fries. It’s almost too much to eat like a traditional hot dog, but give it a go Mackenzie River Pizza for a few bites to get the full effect, then finish it off Grill & Pub with a knife and fork. The chowder ($6) is homemade Inside the City National Arena complex, at which and available every day. the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team practices, is the It’s a full bowl with a good Mackenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub. The restaurant/bar quantity of clams, but sits on the second level with big picture windows look- not as impressive as the ing onto both rinks, where some sort of youth and/or burger or dog. The kitchen n adult community hockey is often being played (the VGK is open until 9 pm. continued on page 8

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 5 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

AUGUST 8/17 • Dispatch 8/31 • Tommy James & The Shondells 8/1 • Decemberists Brooklyn Bowl • $39.50–$55 G. Nugget • $69–$149 MBay • $36–$56 8/17 • Gary Lewis & The Playboys 8/31–9/1 • George Lopez 8/2–11/23 • Clint Holmes and Earl Turner G. Nugget • $29/$39/$109 Mirage • $65–$87 Westgate LV • $48–$98 8/17–8/18 • Gipsy Kings 8/31–9/2 • Air Supply • Orleans • $40–$50 8/3 • English Beat Wynn LV • $75–$125 8/31–9/2 • Ambrosia Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 8/17–8/19 • Psycho LV 2018 South Point • $30–$40 8/3 • Firefall • G. Nugget • $29–$99 Hard Rock • $99–$499 SEPTEMBER 8/3 • Greatest Gen Khan 8/17–8/19 • Tony Orlando 9/1 • Cedric • Hard Rock • $45–$73 Hard Rock • $20 South Point • $50–$60 9/1 • Queen & Adam Lambert 8/3 • Godsmack/Shinedown 8/17–12/15 • Ron White • Mirage • $68–$88 Park MGM • $72–$917 LV Events Center • $42–$350 8/18 • Bill Burr • Park MGM • $53–$103 9/1 • Shakira 8/3 • Train • Palms • $59–$149 8/18 • Cheech & Chong MGM Grand • $89–$477 8/3–8/4 • Dat Phan • South Point • $15–$25 Orleans • $50–$70 9/1 • YES • Westgate LV • $40–$125 8/3–8/11 • Stevie Wonder 8/18 • Lloyd • Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$30 9/1–9/10 • Mariah Carey Park MGM • $63–$321 8/18 • Nacho • MBay • $45/$68 Caesars Palace • $59–$259 8/4 • Chris Brown 8/18 • Niall Horan 9/2 • E-40 • Brooklyn Bowl • $27–$45 T-Mobile • $59.99–$149.99 Palms • $59.50–$149.50 9/2 • Peter Frampton 8/4 • Color Me Badd & Tag Team 8/18 • Pray for the Wicked Palms • $49–$109 Aliante • $35/$45 T-Mobile • $30.75–$70.75 9/2 • Smashing Pumpkins 8/4 • Serpentine Fire 8/18 • Rob Garrett: Neil Diamond Tribute T-Mobile • $36–$168 Cannery • $20/$24 Cannery • $20 9/2 • Wayne Brady 8/4 • Shania Twain 8/22 • Attila w/Suicide Silence, Mirage • $50–$70 MGM Grand • $54.95–$179.95 Hard Rock Live • $25 9/5–9/8 • Kenny Loggins 8/4 • Whitesnake 8/23–8/24 • Jack White • Cosmo • $59–$109 Wynn LV • $49.50–$125 Red Rock Resort • $35 8/24 • Atmosphere and J Boog 9/7 • 3 Doors Down & Collective Soul 8/5 • EVO 2018 World Finals MBay • $40 Palms • $49–$119 MBay • $48/$97 8/24 • Gavin DeGraw & Phillip Phillips 9/7 • Helloween • MBay • $29–$89 8/5 • KINGDOM HEARTS Orchestra Palms • $45–$149 9/7 • Hot Tuna Electric w/Steve Kimock Hard Rock • $74/$114 8/24 • Rodrigo Y Gabriela Brooklyn Bowl • $35–$93 8/6 • Ryan Hamilton • Rio • $25–$55 Brooklyn Bowl • $34–$65 9/7 • J. Cole 8/9 • Ivan Neville 8/24 • Steven Adler T-Mobile • $49.50–$149.50 Brooklyn Bowl • $22/$25 G. Nugget • $29–$99 9/7 • LV House Party Tour 8/10 • Alice Cooper • Palms • $54–$339 8/24–8/25 • James Darren LV Events Center • $23–$60 8/10 • Chuponcito • MBay • $32–$62 South Point • $20–$30 9/7 • Ms Lauryn Hill 8/10 • Coheed and Cambria 8/24–9/2 • Anita Baker Hard Rock • $83–$178 Hard Rock • $59.50–$129.50 Wynn LV • $59.50–$200 9/7 • Nasty Tour w/Rico Nasty 8/10 • GapX • G. Nugget • $39–$99 8/25 • ABBA The Concert Hard Rock • $16–$54 8/10 • Grateful Shred • Hard Rock • $20 Tropicana • $29.95–$34.95 9/7 • Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike 8/10 • Struts • Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$27 8/25 • Arturo Sandoval Red Rock Resort • $45/$65 8/10 • TOTO • Sunset Station • $29–$49 Aliante • $35–$55 9/7 • Taylor Dayne 8/10 • wellRED • TI • $39.19/$54.45 8/25 • Chris D’Elia • Mirage • $50/$60 G. Nugget • $29–$149 8/10–8/11 • Four Freshmen 8/25 • EllisMania XV 9/7 • Vanilla Ice South Point • $15–$25 Hard Rock • $27–$45 LV Events Center • $23–$60 8/10–8/11 • Jim Jeffries 8/25 • Lil Duval • MBay • $35 9/7–9/8 • Jerry Seinfeld Mirage • $54.49/$65.39 8/25 • Lita Ford & Vixen Caesars Palace • $82–$165 8/10–11/3 • Amy Schumer & Friends Cannery • $20–$60 9/7–9/9 • Crystal Gayle Cosmo • $59–$199 8/25 • Martin Castor • Orleans • $25 South Point • $40–$55 8/11 • Billy Gardell • GVR • $29–$59 8/25 • Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson 9/7–10/27 • Bill Maher • Mirage • $65–$87 8/12 • Charlie Puth • Palms • $59–$155 MGM Grand • $45–$79.50 9/8 • 70’s Soul Jam 8/12 • Harlem Globetrotters 8/25 • Tyler Hilton • MBay • $13/$45 Cannery • $39–$79 T&M • $24–$132 8/26 • Flower Power Time Machine 9/8 • Def Leppard and Journey 8/12 • Kyle and Mistie Knight Suncoast • $14.95–$24.95 T-Mobile • $49.50–$179.50 Suncoast • $24.95/$29.95 8/29–9/12 • Jeff Dunham 9/8 • Lost 80’s 8/12 • Rebelution • Cosmo • $35–$110 Caesars Palace • $49.50–$89.50 LV Events Center • $23–$60 8/15–8/25 • Reba, Brooks & Dunn 8/30 • Jack Johnson • Cosmo • $79 9/8 • Leon Bridges Caesars Palace • $59.50–$205 8/31 • Blue Oyster Cult Palms • $39–$149 8/16 • Yuridia • MBay • $37–$75 GVR • $29–$59 9/8 • Neck Deep 8/17 • Avenged Sevenfold 8/31 • Mariah Carey Brooklyn Bowl • $25/$85 T-Mobile • $29.50–$79.50 Caesars Palace • $59–$259 9/8 • Original Wailers and Ozomatli 8/17 • Brett Young • MBay • $42.50/$87 8/31 • REVERENCE • MBay • $32 w/CHALI 2NA • MBay • $32

6 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 ADVANCE PLANNER—HEADLINERS AND EVENTS

9/9 • Australian Pink Floyd 9/28 • Association SHOW NOTES Hard Rock • $35–$99.50 G. Nugget • $29–$109 9/11 • Residente • MBay • $35/$75 9/28 • Fall Out Boy w/Machine Gun • Le Magique Fantastique has 9/12 • Dead Daisies Kelly • MGM Grand • $59–$290 opened at Bally’s; tickets are Fremont Country Club • $25 9/28 • J Balvin • MBay • $39.95–$350 $71.75/$93.75/$103.75. 9/12 • Jimmy Eat World 9/28 • Lee Brice • MBay • $45/$87 Brooklyn Bowl • $30–$45 9/28–9/30 • Frankie Avalon • “The Hilarious 7” comedy club has 9/12–10/31 • Carlos Santana South Point • $45–$55 opened at Hooter’s; tickets are MBay • $99.50–$300 9/28–11/10 • Daniel Tosh $43.35/$54.25. 9/13–9/14 • Luis Miguel Mirage • $70.99–$106.99 • Ticket prices for SOUNDTRACK at the Caesars Palace • $79–$339 9/29 • Al Di Meola Westgate have been decreased from 9/14 • Banda MS Santa Fe Station • $45 $62.40-$116.90 to $52.30-$73.30. MGM Grand • $69–$500 9/29 • Alanis Morissette 9/14 • Chayanne • Cosmo • $69/$99 Palms • $59–$279 • Ticket prices for Miss Behave Gameshow 9/14 • Felipe Esparza 9/29 • Boy George and Culture Club at Bally’s have been increased from Hard Rock • $73–$91 LV Events Center • $26–$109 $71.60 to $82.41/$94.31. 9/14 • Outlaws • G. Nugget • $39–$109 9/29 • Nick Cannon • Ticket prices for Purple Reign–The Prince 9/14–9/15 • Franco Escamilla T-Mobile Tours • $35–$150 Tribute at Tropicana have been increased MBay • $69.50–$169.50 9/29 • Sublime w/Rome from $56.53-$106.54 to $79.31-$114.19. 9/14–9/16 • Dennis Deyoung MBay • $45/$87 South Point • $75 9/29 • Whispers & A Taste of Honey • Ticket prices for Cons of Comedy at 9/15 • Alejandro Fernández Cannery • $29–$79 Hooters have been increased from MBay • $49–$225 9/30 • Piano Men $54.25/$65.15 to $64.25/$75.15, but now 9/15 • Canelo vs GGG 2 Suncoast • $16–$30 include a $10 drink voucher. T-Mobile • $1,000–$5,000 OCTOBER • Worst Show in Vegas has closed at 9/15 • Hunter Hayes 10/1 • Get the Led Out M Resort • $29.99–$39.99 Brooklyn Bowl • $22/$25 Hooters. 9/15 • Jeffrey Osborne 10/1 • Superfruit & Betty Who Aliante • $40–$50 Cosmo • $28 9/15 • KC & the Sunshine Band 10/2 • Kick Out the Jams Palace Station • $40 Brooklyn Bowl • $35–$55 9/15 • KORN • Palms • $49–$129 10/3 • Rebel SoulJahz 9/15 • Romeo Santos Brooklyn Bowl • $25–$45 MGM Grand • $65–$375 10/4 • Front Bottoms • MBay • $25 9/15–9/16 • Enrique Iglesias 10/5 • Garbage • Cosmo • $25–$39 Caesars Palace • $46–$349 10/5–10/6 • Drake w/Migos 9/15–9/16 • Gabriel Iglesias MGM Grand • $59.50–$194.50 Mirage • $70–$100 10/5–10/6 • Rise Festival 9/17 • Shoreline Mafia • MBay • $20 Moapa River Res. • $79–$129 9/19–10/6 • Moody Blues 10/5–10/7 • Robert Klein Wynn LV • $59.50–$275 South Point • $50–$60 9/20 • Distillers 10/5–12/22 • Ray Romano & David Spade Brooklyn Bowl • $30–$45 Mirage • $90–$120 9/20 • Hair Nation • MBay • $20 10/6 • Arch Allies–Tribute Band 9/21 • Ben Bailey • GVR • $27.50–$45 Aliante • $25–$35 9/21 • Los Angeles Azules • MBay • $50 10/6 • Chelsea Wolfe, Russian Circles 9/21 • Zac Brown • Palms • $89–$279 Brooklyn Bowl • $22/$25 9/21–9/22 • Gary Puckett and The Union 10/6 • Peabo Bryson Gap • G. Nugget • $29–$129 Orleans • $39.95–$59.95 9/21–9/23 • Lettermen • South Point • $35–$45 10/7 • Sebastian Maniscalco 9/22 • Daytime Stage Caesars Palace • $39.50–$95 MGM Resorts • $29 10/9 • Dashboard Confessional 9/22 • Patton Oswalt MBay • $39.50–$65 MGM Grand • $39.99–$69.99 10/10–10/20 • John Fogerty 9/22 • Tierra • Silverton • $25–$35 Wynn LV • $59.50–$500 9/22–9/23 • Englebert Humperdink 10/10–10/20 • Reba, Brooks & Dunn Orleans • $60–$80 Caesars Palace • $59.50–$205 9/27 • Amorphis • MBay • $27.50 10/11–10/14 • LV Bikefest 9/27 • Dark Tranquility LV Events Center • $15–$115 See inside wrap (pg. 13) for MBay • $27–$55 10/12 • Anjelah Johnson “Weather,” “Room Rates,” and 9/27 • Dua Lipa • Cosmo • $49–$59 TI • $55/$71 “Key Dates.”

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 7 Dining continued … the Hard Rock Casino in the location that used to be Origin India. He says he’ll also produce a reality show surrounding the opening of the restaurant. The opening Michael T’s date is slated for October. Banking on Bank—A new Thai restaurant called Lamaii is expected to open on Spring Mountain later this Michael T’s Steaks, Ribs & Burgers (7325 W. Warm year. What makes this noteworthy is that the man behind Springs) is the latest in a growing number of hybrids that it is Bank Atcharawan, formerly of Lotus of Siam, Chada combine a video poker-bar atmosphere with finer dining. Thai & Wine, and Chada Street. Bank can do some Thai. We’ve tried several items here and the food is good, but Indoor Farm—Oasis Biotech has opened on Annie two selections stand out. The roasted grilled artichokes Oakley Dr., about six miles east of the Strip. It’s an “in- from the tapas door vertical farm” that uses hydroponic watering and menu ($8) and the micro-climate controls for crop cultivation. Oasis will be rosemary lemon able to supply Las Vegas restaurants with fresh produce chicken ($18) are within 24 hours of harvesting. A spokesman for Oasis must-tries that described Las Vegas as “the city with the highest-densi- you just wouldn’t ty of high-end restaurants,” which led to the building of expect in a bar, one of the largest such facilities in the country. n hybrid or other- wise. Both are superbly prepared Openings/Closings and seasoned. The half-chicken comes with veg- The Montecristo Cigar Bar at Caesars Palace has etables only, opened a dining area where customers can smoke ci- but sides can gars while eating off the menu from the Old Homestead be added for $4 Steakhouse. each. During daily Shinya Maru Ramen & Izakaya has opened in down- happy hours from town’s Fremont East district. Shinya means “late night,” 2 to 6 am and 2 and the restaurant will serve till midnight weekdays and to 6 pm, all appe- 2 am on Saturday and Sunday. tizer and tapas selections are half-price. A taco sampler Mirchi, serving south Indian food and open 24 hours, or four mini-burgers are $5, chicken wings or the good has opened on the south end of the Strip across from artichokes are $4, and bacon-wrapped dates or stuffed Mandalay Bay. mushrooms are $3. n A second Goodwich sandwich shop has opened on the west side at 7365 S. Buffalo. A fifth Naked Pizza will open this month in the PT’s Dining Notes Pub at 10940 S. Eastern. Slater’s 50/50, a chain out of Southern California, has opened its first Nevada restaurant at 467 E. Silvera- Bacchanal Buffet—The price of weekend dinner at do Ranch. It’s known for burgers made from 50% beef Caesars Palace’s Bacchanal Buffet has been reduced and 50% bacon. from $69 to $64.99. Sip N’ Savor is the new restaurant at Serene Resort Lobster Roll—The price of a lobster roll at the (formerly Rumor). Miracle Mile Shops location of Lobster ME has gone up Downtown’s Le Thai has closed for a remodel. $1 to $24. The three restaurants at Venetian and Palazzo that Best Breakfast—According to Delish.com, the best were partially owned by Mario Batali have closed. Carn- breakfast in Las Vegas is at Mr. Mama’s Breakfast and evino, B&B Ristorante, and Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria all Lunch. Described as a “hole in the wall” on S. Jones at closed last month after sexual misconduct allegations the corner W. Russell, everything is praised: best pan- against Batali prompted Sands Corp. to cancel their cakes, cinnamon rolls, vegetarian options, coffee, and leases. A new Italian restaurant out of L.A. called The service. We went by and 15 people were on the waiting Factory Kitchen has opened in the B&B space, while list at 10 am, but we’ve heard that it’s less busy later. Mr. Carnevino, at least, will seek another location. Mama’s is open till 3 pm weekdays and 2 pm weekends. The Canter’s Deli that opened in October at Tivoli Chicken Shaq—Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal Village has closed. A second Canter’s remains open at is opening a restaurant called Big Chicken across from Promenade. n

8 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 Hard Rock HH—MB Steak at Hard Rock has a ENTERTAINMENT happy hour daily from 5 to 6 pm, with $5 beer, $9 wine and cocktails, and complimentary “light bites.” Mob Museum HH—Downtown’s Mob Museum has a happy hour Mon.-Fri. from 5 to 7 pm, with 20% off Leatherneck Club Bar & Galley beer, wine, and cocktails. Homemade “Moonshine” and 4360 Spring Mountain Rd., 702-368-1775 “Underground Vodka” can also be purchased, starting at $6. Spring Mountain Rd. is home to several little strip Bandito HH—Bandito Latin Kitchen & Cantina (325 malls populated with ethnic restaurants and bars. In Hughes Center Dr.) has a happy hour daily from 4:30 to one of them, located in the middle of Chinatown a block 6:30 pm, with $5 beer and margaritas and half-price ap- east of Arville St., sits the Leatherneck Club. The bar is petizers. themed for and celebrates the U.S. Marines, complete Cloudy Comp—The Backstop Sports Pub in with a mini-museum displaying an impressive collec- Boulder City advertises a free drink “any day the sun tion of weaponry, vintage photos, and memorabilia. One doesn’t shine.” of the bartenders told us that it’s the only such place Drink Prices—In Tempo and the showroom bar at west of the Mississippi. We couldn’t verify that, but we the Westgate, a Bud is $8.12. At Mackenzie River Pizza, do know that the Leatherneck Club has been operating a GNB Huckleberry Wheat is $7.57, a Lovelady Golden right under our noses for more than 30 years, and since Knight is $7.03, and a Bud is $4.60. At Michael T’s, a we never thought to look in this unlikely spot, we’ve only Heineken is $6.50. In Center Bar at SLS, a Bud is $5. just discovered it. At Club Fortune, a draft Guinness is $5. At Hong Kong Garden, a Tsing Tao is $4.33. At Leatherneck Club, a Heineken is $4 and a Bud or MGD is $3. Openings/Closings—Gondola Bar has opened in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian in the space that used to be Zeffirino. Tiki di Amore has opened in a space behind the Casa di Amore restaurant at 2850 E. Tropicana. Billed as Las Vegas’ only outdoor Tiki, the décor is highlighted by a giant octopus dubbed the “Tikipus.” Nevada Taste Site, decked out with eclectic Nevada memorabilia, has opened in the downtown Arts District A Marine bar in Chinatown at 1221 S. Main Street. n Of course, the clientele is Marine-centric, but a sign out front insists, “Everyone is Welcome.” Over several visits, we’ve found that to be true, experiencing nothing Entertainment Notes but friendly interaction with the patrons and bartenders. If you’re a current or former Marine, your first drink is Britney’s Back—Britney Spears has signed on for on the house, then it’s easy going from there with beers a two-year residency at Park MGM. The starting date served in cold mugs for just $3. The museum is free (get hasn’t been announced, but she will reportedly be paid a virtual look at leatherneckbar.com). The food is good, a guarantee of $500,000 per show, which we’re told is too (see Dining). The bar is open daily from 11 am to the highest of any performer in Las Vegas (but you might 10 pm, 11 on weekends. n want to run that by Celine). Divas Closes—Frank Marino’s long-running Divas Las Vegas all-male drag show has closed at The LINQ. Bars and Happy Hours Marino first began starring as Joan Rivers in An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera in 1985, where he performed for 25 years. His 33 years of continuous appearances on Ladies Drink Free—In Shady Grove at Silverton, the Strip are the longest for any performer in the history ladies drink free daily from 5 to 7 pm; includes domestic of the city. beer, house wine, and well cocktails. Backstreet Boys Bolting—Backstreet Boys—Larger Venetian HH—Sugarcane at the Venetian runs than Life has added 18 dates at Planet Hollywood, but happy hours daily from 4 to 7 pm and 11 pm till close, they will be the final performances in this run. In addition with $6, beer, wine, and cocktails, creative small plates to already scheduled Aug. 1, 3-4, 8, 10-11; Oct. 24, 26- from $5 to $8, and $1.50 oysters. continued on next page

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 9 Entertainment Notes continued … Lynskey ($1.5 million), Artem Metalidi ($1.25 million), and Antoine Labat ($1 million). The money cutoff was 1,082nd position. All players 27, 31; and Nov. 2-3, 7, 9-10, 14, 16-17; the new dates from that point on got a minimum of $15,000. This year’s are Feb. 6, 8-9, 13, 15-16, 20, 22-23; and the final shows official bubble boy—the player finishing 1,083rd—was will be April 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20, 24, 26-27. Tickets start Matthew Hopkins, who was awarded the traditional at $55 base. $10K entry into next year’s Main Event. Lionel Leaving—Lionel Richie will conclude his This year’s Last Woman Standing was Kelly Minkin, residency at Planet Hollywood this year. The final show who went out in 50th place. It was the second time that dates for Lionel Richie – All the Hits will be Aug. 15, 17- Minken has been the last woman out; she also did it 18, 21, 24-25, 28; Oct. 3, 5-6, 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20. Tick- in 2015 when she was 29th. Minkin joins , ets start at $59 base. Maria Ho, and Gaelle Baumann, who were also last to Illusionists Disappearing—Following a surprise be eliminated twice. For those who wonder why women closing of Inferno at Bally’s last month, two more Strip don’t make it further, it’s mostly a numbers thing—of this magic shows are also on the way out. Masters of Illusion year’s 7,874 players, only 301 (3.8%) were women. will conclude its run at Bally’s September 3, while Imagi- The players’ ages on the ME final table were 23, 28, narium at the Tropicana will close September 30. 29, 29, 30, 32, 32, 33, and 35, putting the average age Departing the Caveman—Kevin Burke is leaving at 30.1, the fourth year in a row with an average over 30. Defending the Caveman after 11 years and more than Cyn’s win is only the second in 11 years for players age 5,000 performances in Las Vegas. The show will con- 30 and above, but also the second in the last three (with tinue at the D with other performers. Qui Nguyen in 2016). As the poker boomers age and Marijuana Museum—The Cannabition Cannabis sports betting takes center stage in attracting new play- Museum opens this month at downtown’s Neonopolis, ers, it figures that future champions will continue to be featuring multi-sensory exhibits on cannabis art, educa- older. tion, and culture, including a 360-degree theater. The Outside of the Main Event, remains museum’s centerpiece is a 22-foot-tall bong. Tickets Phil Hellmuth, winning the $5K No-Limit Hold ’Em event start at $4.20. Of course. at the very end of the meet to give him 15 World Series Really?—T-Mobile Arena is offering one-hour tours of Poker bracelets, well ahead of second place , of the complex on Mondays and Thursdays for $25. , and who are tied with 10 Combined with the parking fee at NY-NY or Park MGM, each. It was Hellmuth’s 134th WSOP cash, also a record. it’ll only set you back about thirty-five bones to see an , Shaun Deeb, and were this empty arena. Nice! year’s only double-bracelet winners (see “Cada”). One See the Advance Planner for dates, prices, and addi- of Bonomo’s wins was the $1 million-buy-in Big One for tional show updates. n One Drop. The $10 million first prize makes him the lead- ing all-time tournament money winner with $42,979,593. This year’s event drew only 27 players; entry numbers have dropped each year since the inaugural tournament drew 48 players in 2014. GAMBLING Which brings us to participation. While we keep ex- pecting a drop in numbers, it’s not happening. Despite a slow start in some of the early events, this year’s WSOP WSOP Champion drew a record 123,865 players, making it six consecutive years of increases. The total prize pool also set a record at $266 million. It was thought that new competing tour- The new poker world champion is John Cyn, naments were siphoning players from the WSOP, and a 33-year-old professional player from Illinois who they might have, but the high-flying economy and an emerged from the starting field of 7,874 to take down infusion of online qualifiers, especially from New Jersey, the $8.8 million first prize in the ’s were enough to overcome the drain. n Main Event. Cyn outlasted Tony Miles in a 10-hour 199-hand marathon heads-up session that had 11 lead changes. On the final hand, Cyn had K-J suited to Miles’ Cada Q-8 suited. The K-K-5 flop gave Cyn a set of kings, which held up against Miles’ eventual two pair. Miles earned $5 million for second, followed by Michael Dyer John Cyn’s is an amazing story given that he also ($3.75 million), Nicolas Manion ($2.825 million), Joe finished 11th in the Main Evnet in 2016, but an even big- Cada ($2.15 million), Aram Zobian ($1.8 million), Alex ger story in this year’s World Series of Poker was Joe

10 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 Cada. The 30 year old was the WSOP ME champion in Reader Leader 2009 and made it to this year’s final 9. It’s the first time a former champion has gotten back to the final table since The Golden Gate has a new promotion called “Morning did it in 2003 and 2004, but that doesn’t Match.” If you buy in for $100 between 6 am and noon any begin to tell the whole story. morning, they give you a $10 matchplay (actually two $5 There’ve been four multiple winners of the Main chips). You can do it every morning (I did it three times on my Event: Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Stu Unger trip). You don’t have to be a hotel guest. each won twice and won three times. LVA: A $10 matchplay and $10 in (non-promotional) However, all of those titles were won when the fields chips are two different things, with the value of the former be- were below 315 players, and in Brunson’s and Moss’ ing slightly less than half the latter. But who cares! Either is a wins, fewer than 35. This year, Cada finished fifth out of good deal and worth doing if you want to get some blackjack nearly 8,000 players, after beating almost 6,500 when he play in before noon. won it. Cada’s first- and fifth-place finishes easily eclipse the accomplishments of any of the multi-time winners. For good measure, Cada won an early event in this still a good deal. However, the offer is for out-of-state year’s meet. Then, after falling just short of winning his customers only. No locals. This restriction is a head- second WSOP Main, he turned right around and won scratcher, especially with the 30-day time lag in the “The Closer,” a $1.5K-buy-in No-Limit Hold ’Em tourna- second disbursement. Nevermind that the conventional ment that drew another huge field of 3,120 players. The wisdom has been that the new SLS owners would court $613K first prize topped off an amazing World Series for locals. These redemption rules also exclude any out- Cada, in which he won two bracelets, giving him four of-state visitor who comes only once or twice a year. If total, cashed seven times, and staked his claim as one you’re a frequent visitor with out-of-state ID, this is an of the most accomplished poker-tournament players of excellent deal, but be sure to confirm the 90-day re- all time. n demption window and be sure you’re able to meet it to get full value from the promotion. n Poker HOF Gambling Notes John “Johnny World” Hennigan and Mori Eskandani have been voted the 55th and 56th members of the Poker Quarter Roulette—Following up on a “Reader Hall of Fame. Hennigan is a 5-time World Series of Poker Leader” from last month, we’ve verified that Club For- bracelet winner, and has racked up more than $8 million tune deals a 25¢ roulette game. There’s an aggregate in tournament winnings. Eskandani was honored pri- minimum of $1 on inside (numbers) bets and $2 outside marily for his work in poker-TV production, having been (red/black, etc.), but you can make them with 25¢ chips. a key creative force behind “,” “High There’s one table open in the evenings only, beginning Stakes Poker,” and ESPN’s airing of the World Series of at 5 pm. Poker. n Baccarat Tourney—The $1 million Grand Dragon Master Baccarat Championship at the Venetian runs Aug. 3-6, with a $25,000 daily prize pool and advance- SLS Loss Rebate ment to tournaments with bigger prizes. Club Grazie members get one complimentary entry per day (unlim- ited rebuys are $50 each). The tournament is played with SLS Las Vegas has initiated a new-member sign- non-negotiable chips, which means the free entries are up promotion offering up to a $250 rebate on losses, worth using if you’re in the neighborhood. but some odd redemption rules will exclude many from EC Comps—El Cortez is making deals with outside participating. Currently, no written rules are available restaurants in the downtown area to redeem players explaining the program (a recipe for disaster by itself), club points. A recent ad indicates that EC comp dollars so this information comes from conversations with the are now accepted at Rachel’s Kitchen, Eureka!, and Ta- booth and isn’t completely verified. queria El Buen Pastor. According to what we were told, the rebate comes Sign-Up Kiosk Gone—The Skyline has removed its in two phases—half the day after playing and half in players club self-sign-up kiosk. It seemed like a good 30 days, with a 90-day window (you can redeem the idea, but we haven’t seen one anywhere else, suggesting second half between 30 and 120 days after playing). All that some deficiency is keeping it out of the marketplace. play, both to qualify and to play through the rebate, must Jackpots—A $1.2 million jackpot was hit on a be on reel slots. No video poker. That’s no problem; it’s continued on next page

AUGUST 2018 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • 11 Gambling Notes continued … days in the Silverado Lounge at South Point—beginner classes at noon and intermediate at 2 pm except where otherwise noted. Must be 21. Topics are 8/5 Bonus Wheel of Fortune slot at Harrah’s. Also, Caesars Enter- Poker Quick Quads, one class only at noon (on 8/7); tainment’s Fortune Pai Gow Poker Progressive was hit Advanced 8/5 Bonus Poker, one class only at noon for $1.4 million at the Rio. The pai gow poker side bet (8/14); NSU Deuces Wild (8/21); 13-4-3 Deuces Bonus links 37 tables at nine casinos and pays for a 7-card Poker at noon and 13-4-3 Deuces Bonus Poker Progres- straight flush. sive at 2 pm (8/28). Be sure to check out Bob’s weekly Lottery—The big Mega Millions lottery jackpot was Tuesday column and the Thursday Gambling With an hit by a single winner for $522 million. The winning ticket Edge podcast, with Bob and Richard Munchkin, both at th for the 11 -largest U.S. lottery prize in history was pur- GamblingWithAnEdge.com. n chased in San Jose, California, with the numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 29, and Mega Ball 20. If the lump-sum payment op- tion is chosen, the winner will receive $303 million. n FAST TRACK Video Poker Lost and Found

50%-Off Barleys—Get 50% off dining at Barley’s in After severely devaluing its paytables last year, East- August when you pay with club points. side Cannery has returned to form, adding several 99%+ Purple Discount—Get 40% off tickets to Purple schedules, including Triple Bonus Poker Plus paying 9 Reign—The Prince Tribute at Tropicana by ordering at for a full house (99.80%), NSU Deuces (99.73%), 9/5 ticketbat.com and using the code “LETSGOCRAZY”. Super Double Bonus (99.69%), 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe The deal is better for locals, who can get up to four tick- (99.64%), and 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%), all in de- ets for $19.99 each by showing ID at the box office. noms from $25¢ to $1. According to the online database Musburger to Call for Raiders—Former national vpFREE2, similar schedules and limits as those at ECan sports broadcaster Brent Musburger will become the have also been put in place at the Cannery and other voice of the Oakland Raiders beginning this season. Boyd casinos. Musburger signed a three-year deal to be the play-by- Check out the 25¢ bar progressives if you go for a play announcer for the Raiders, which means he’ll be shrimp cocktail at the Skyline (see Top Ten). On our last at the mic when the team moves to Las Vegas in 2020. visit, the royal on the 9/6 JoB was $1,216, just below the Musburger will continue hosting the sports betting show $1,220 breakeven point at which you have a 100% re- “My Guys in the Desert,” which airs on SiriusXM 204 and turn with perfect play. streams at VSin.com. The play-$500-get-$50 bonus at Jackpot Bar & Grill Triple Knievel—Modern-day daredevil Travis Pas- was replaced with a daily $20-for-$20 deal in July, but is trana replicated three famous Evel Knievel motorcycle reverting to $500/$50 in August, running all day on Sun- jumps in July for a special on the History Channel. Pas- days, Mondays, and Thursdays. The bonus is dispensed trana, an X Games champion, first jumped 52 crushed manually, so you have to inform the bartender after you and stacked cars (Knievel jumped 50). He then jumped earn 500 points. 16 busses parked side-by-side (Knievel jumped 14). And The play-$500-get-$50 bonus at G.O.A.T. bar was for the Grand Finale, landed the famous Caesars Palace also discontinued last month, then reinstated on a Sun- fountain jump that Knieval never accomplished. The days-only schedule. If you go between 10 am and 3 pm, event also served as an introduction to Pastrana’s Nitro you can parlay with the good G.O.A.T. Sunday brunch Circus show, which is slated to come to Bally’s in 2019. (the bonus is offered all day). G.O.A.T. is also adding Paid Parking in Tahoe—Paid parking is now in raffles and monthly slot tournaments for free-play. place at Harrah’s and Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe. Rates will Michael T’s has a juicy play-$50-get-$50 sign-up vary from $10 most times to $20 during special events. bonus and a play-$100-get-$20 promo that runs Mon.- Both are Caesars Entertainment properties. Wed. from 6 to 10 pm and 2 to 6 am. The best game Trademark Shared—The Vegas Golden Knights is 6/5 Bonus Poker (96.87%) and from 2 to 6 pm, quad and the U.S. Army have settled their trademark dispute. 5-Ks spins the bonus wheel. The restaurant is good The Army filed a challenge with the U.S. Patent and here, too (see Dining). Trademark Office over the use of the Golden Knights Ichabod’s has improved its best static game to 7/5 name, which has been the name of its parachute exhibi- BP (98.01%), but you might find higher returns on the tion team for more than 50 years. The two parties have quarter progressives (LVA 8/17). entered into a trademark coexistence agreement that will Bob Dancer’s free video poker classes run on Tues- allow both to use the name. n

12 • LAS VEGAS ADVISOR • AUGUST 2018 SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 14-15 Mr. Olympia 2018—45,000 WEEKDAY WEEKEND 24-27 ASIS International—21,000 Four Queens • $35 Wild Wild West • $87 27-29 International Vision Expo—23,000 Wild Wild West • $38 Silver Sevens • $95 28-30 Las Vegas Fan Fusion—15,000 Silver Sevens • $40 AZ C. Decatur • $96 Circus Circus • $54 Circus Circus • $103 OCTOBER Sam’s Town • $58 Sam’s Town • $112 8-10 Nat’l Assoc. of Convenience Stores—30,000 Excalibur • $59 Silverton • $126 9-11 G2E Global Gaming Expo—26,000 11-14 American Int’l Motorcycle Expo—25,000 Hard Rock • $84 Hard Rock • $191 16-18 IMEX America—12,000 Paris • $112 Green Valley Ranch • $192 18-20 Specialty Graphics Ann. Nat’l Con.—23,000 Red Rock Resort • $115 Red Rock Resort • $219 19-21 Live Design Int’l—14,000 30-11/2 Automotive Aftermarket—160,000 OCTOBER KEY NOVEMBER WEEKDAY WEEKEND 6-10 Supply Side West—14,700 Four Queens • $35 Wild Wild West • $58 8-11 Rock ‘n’ Roll LV Health & Fitness—66,500 Wild Wild West • $38 AZ C. Decatur • $96 15-17 Mecum Collector Car Auctions—15,000 Fremont • $55 Four Queens • $97 23-25 Motor Trend Int’l Auto Show—17,000 DATES Circus Circus • $60 Sam’s Town • $129 Sam’s Town • $69 Downtown Grand • $130 AUGUST Downtown Grand • $70 Silverton • $136 Mean 88° Avg. Max. 102° Avg. Min. 73° Pools: Open Hard Rock • $112 Hard Rock • $192 A very hot and wet month. Desert electrical storms are Palms • $131 Mirage • $216 spectacular but can cause dangerous floods on and around Mirage • $135 Palazzo • $217 the Strip. Attire: Summer cool, bathing suits. NOVEMBER

ROOM WEEKDAY WEEKEND Four Queens • $35 Wild Wild West • $56 SEPTEMBER Wild Wild West • $38 Silver Sevens • $65 Mean 80° Avg. Max. 95° Avg. Min. 65° Pools: Open El Cortez • $40 Four Queens • $79 Warm sunny days, mild evenings. It doesn’t get any better than this. Circus Circus • $55 Luxor • $89 Silverton • $56 Circus Circus • $94 Attire: No need for jackets or sweaters. Excalibur • $60 Silverton • $96 Hard Rock • $78 Mirage • $139 OCTOBER Paris • $96 Hard Rock • $142 Mirage • $116 Green Valley Ranch • $180 Mean 67° Avg. Max. 81° Avg. Min. 53° Pools: Open RATES Balmy days, cool evenings toward the end of the month.

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William Foley took a big risk when he and partners paid $500 million for a Las Vegas expansion hockey team. Would they be competitive? Would the locals support them? Would visitors sacri- fice gambling time for hockey in the desert? The answer to all these questions was a resounding, “Yes!” Vegas Golden Knights delves deeply into the unlikely but mo- mentous journey that took the Knights to the top in their inaugural season, even as they carried the weight of a grieving city along the way. This book details: • how Las Vegas got its first major-league sports team • how the expansion draft resembled a poker game • why the Golden Knights and the mass Strip shooting will forever be linked • the over-the-top merchandising, ticket sales, and fan mania • how Las Vegas’ legal sports betting helped fuel the phenomenon • profiles of the players • recaps of all 102 games • explanations of key hockey terminology and concepts

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