I talked to my host at LV Hilton and they are not giving ANY Barry Manilow
show comps at this time. This includes not being able to buy a ticket with
your accumulated extra comp money. I'm a C2 there with heavy play and the host
was apologetic but no comp tix. This seems nuts to me, since if you play at
Bellagio/Mirage, etc., you can get comped "O" or "Ka" or "Mystere" tix.
Caesar's players can get Celine or Elton tix. Harrah's has occasional special
promotions to give tix to other casinos, including the aforementioned shows.
At Bally's/Paris I can see their shows, plus use extra accumulated Connection
comps for shows at other Park Place venues. In short - everyone is comping
their own shows (for at least my level of play) - so why not Hilton?
···
----
Regarding that house on my block for rent - interestingly it is $1500 a
month for 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2500 sq foot house. Doesn't sound too bad.
----
Palms - I finally found the "this machine doesn't qualify for promotions"
signs - they are tiny on FP machines. I'm still unhappy with Palms and not
playing much there anymore. I'm getting much better treatment in terms of total
comps, tournaments, cashback, and "bonus" things like shopping sprees from
places like LV Hilton and Bally's for same level (or less) of play. (This
play is on 9/6 JB, 9/6 DDB, & reel slots.) For 10/7 DB and NSU players, I'm
sure you can do better at Orleans (especially with 2x point days) and Stations
and other venues.
-------
Do non-locals get Free play mailers? Please contact me if you do with
amounts/approximate play.
-------
Palms buffet is half closed down. They say they are building a new buffet
inside the new tower and the current area will become gaming area after new
tower opens. Word is this will be in 6 months. Their bakery is closed,
causing them to have to bring in baked goods. They also have stopped serving the
good crepes at dinner.
-------
Rio redecoration of front doors is over. New bar inside and newly
redecorated All American Bar look good. New poker area is now open right near Bikini
Bar. Right next to it is a new BJ area with dealers in bikini tops (at least
they were there tonight). Rio is a very noisy place, what with lots of
people, Masquerade in the sky show, Bevertainers. Not a good place for serious
gamblers of any sort. 6/5 BJ now available in shoe games (ouch!). The place
is always jammed, but more people seem to be party-goers, onlookers (some
with kids), or conventioneers than gamblers. Many new machines are in place,
and some old ones gone or changed. 8/5 Bonus machines seem to be gone. New
type of Pick-Em has a bad pay table (I forget it's name - Pick Two? or
something).
------
Harrah's now has poker - near Sport's Book.
-----
Poker mania is everywhere. Poker tournaments of all sorts are now being
offered too.
-----
Harrah's/Rio continues its "swipe" contest until some time in April. Swipe
and win, and if you don't win, get a special card for another contest. Two -
Two chances to Lose in One! Chance of winning is supposed to be about 1 in
10, but seems lower. After about 12 swipes and 12 cards, we got one prize -
$5. Woopie.
----
Vegas continues to be more and more crowded. People seem to be more rowdy
too - with people yelling for sports, craps, blackjack, slot jackpots, slot
near-misses, and just for the hell of it.
Traffic seems to be worse and worse since we moved here about 4 years ago.
Taxi drivers are complaining more.
And what is going to happen to the traffic on the strip and intersecting
roads once that huge project of condos/casinos is built replacing the tiny
Boardwalk? And when the Wynn opens and another hotel is built? And all those
Condo projects all over? And what will happen to the Palms parking situation
once a new tower opens? They are planning a 3rd tower of condos - where are
those people going to park - not to mention all the new employees who will work
there? And I didn't see anything in the plans about tearing down or
rebuilding their already crowded parking garage(s).
I think I heard that there are 80 new condo projects being planned. But
what about the cars??
-------
I love the blue skies in Vegas. Well - loved.... what's with the rain??
We were behind the Imperial Palace today with small amount of rain - big
fjord of water. Don't ever park back there or walk back there (or drive back
there) on a rainy day! There's a wash that goes right through there.
We saw a new condo development being started on Swenson, right where the
Flamingo Wash goes. What are they thinking? It seems to be on both sides of
the wash??
-----------
We are headed to New Orleans next week for a Harrah's charter. Harrah's may
have dismal cashback, and I never seem to win there anymore, but they do
have some nice extras -- like tickets to "O" (coming up in April), Shopping
sprees (got $400 in American Express traveler's check a couple of weeks ago), and
now a charter flight and rooms in New Orleans.
Also I will be able to pick up a coupon good for a free 5-day cruise leaving
from N.O. in Oct. while I'm there! Nice.
I hope it isn't too hot and muggy in N.O.
-----
Hope you are all having the royals I'm missing.....
Best, Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
IMHO, he's worse than elevator music.