Recently, the Coasts properties in Las Vegas decided to slash pay
tables on most of their full pay video poker games. Previously the
Suncoast, Orleans and Gold Coast had some of the best games in town
and obviously were making the Gaughans very wealthy. This privately
held property has been expanding and growing each and every year.
Many other properties such as the Stations, Palms, Tuscany and
Cannery still offer great games like full pay deuces wild.
I enjoy responsible gambling for fun. In fact later this week, I
will be enjoying the 99.95% PE, 9/6 JOB & 98.98% DDB .25 progressive
in Shreveport and the $5, 100x craps in Bossier City. I'm sure I'll
have a great time win or lose. Playing for me is reasonably priced
entertainment and recreation. I don't play to get rich, that's why I
work!
Next month I will be in Las Vegas and I may even play some FPPE and
the 9/6 JOB consecutive royal machines at the Palms. I'll play less
than 100% return games in Las Vegas. I have nothing against playing
more challenging games like 10/7 DB. I enjoy craps and make the
occasional sports bet too. But I'm a staunch believer in supporting
the casinos that offer the best games in any
particular "jurisdiction". So I can assure you I won't play any
games at the Coasts next month. As a matter of fact, I cancelled two
rooms which I had been comped upfront for five nights at Coast
properties.
I admit I am being selfish. At this time, I plan to retire in Las
Vegas. I want to HELP keep 100%+ ER VP in LV. There are too many
other properties where full pay games are more available and my rooms
will also be comped. When January 2005 rolls around I plan on taking
an inventory of the games available in both Shreveport & Las Vegas.
If the games are just as good in Louisiana, then I can just as easily
retire to East Texas. After all, in twenty-five years of being a
visitor to Las Vegas, I have never attended a single show. Texas
like Las Vegas has no state income tax and the buffet at Boomtown
beats both the Coasts and the Stations. The State Controller is
recommending slots/video poker machines be allowed at the Horse Race
Tracks in Texas (I live 15 minutes from Lone Star).
My point is simply that unless Las Vegas offers much better games
than other jurisdictions, there's not a compelling reason for some
players to visit there and in some cases for players to retire
there. Gaming is becoming more and more available all over the
country. I once asked a retiree from San Diego if he liked living in
Summerlin more than Southern California. He responded that he liked
Vegas but absent the excellent video poker, he would live elsewhere.
I don't think he is the only one that feels that way.
You can join the fight to preserve full pay video poker at: