ANTHONY CURTIS OF THE LAS VEGAS ADVISOR OFFERS TIPS, JULY-AUGUST 2010

In late July, 2010 I interviewed Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and www.lasvegasadvisor.com and publisher of many gaming books under Huntington Press based in Vegas.  Anthony Curtis is an expert on Las Vegas gaming (he was once a professional blackjack player) and he is an expert on travel deals and bargains and getting the most for your vacation dollar. 

Anthony Curtis of the Las Vegas Advisor is frequently seen on TV shows about Vegas, and interviewed for news reports about Las Vegas tourism and gaming and I had the pleasure of interviewing him for two segments on my KABC 790 Radio Show "Best Buys, Deals & More."  Below is the audio of those radio segments, along with some video from a previous TV interview that I did with Anthony.  

In these radio interviews conducted in late July, Curtis discusses the business climate in Vegas, how it affects tourism and prices, and book sales, and how his newsletter and website businesses help consumers save money.  We also talk about the importance of knowing the games in a casino before you bet and how his Las Vegas Advisor newsletter can also help tourists stretch their vacation dollars with a special value book with several thousand dollars of money saving Vegas coupons including two-for-one specials (two fers) for famous Las Vegas buffets and shows.  Perhaps the most famous coupon is the $50 "Comp" at the Palms which you'll hear about in this interview. 

The radio interview with Anthony Curtis of the Las Vegas Advisor is presented here in two segments as it was broadcast on KABC 790 in Los Angeles.

CELINE DION RETURNS TO CAESARS PALACE

This website was among the first (if not the first) to report the talk that Celine Dion would return to Caesars, and on February 10, 2010 it was confirmed that Celine Dion will be back at Caesars.  Since then, Harrah's has started to offer reservations and ticketing for the first concerts (or shows) and the signs and billboards are already up in Vegas.

The rumors and speculation about Celine Dion returning to Caesars Palace started on the Internet months before the actual announcement.

The rumor that we heard months ago was spread by the staff at the Caesars salon.  The talk was that Celine's hairdresser was slated to return to Caesars Palace and that was the giant clue that Celine Dion herself would return.  Well, we know ladies who wouldn't go anywhere without their hairdresser in tow-- so it made about as much sense as all of the other rumors we'd been hearing.

(I have a confession to make: Celine's hairdresser used to cut my hair at the Caesars Salon.)

What did make sense all along is that Celine Dion had a consistently sold out show at Caesars Palace, so why not bring her back if the management at Caesars can get her back?

In the meantime Jerry Seinfeld is performing on a regular basis.  Caesars has the best venue in town for stage shows and if Celine had any ideas about returning to Vegas, Caesars Palace is definitely the place to do it.

Personally, I love that it's going to happen.  I'm a true fan, and saw "A New Day," Celine's show at Caesars no less than ten times.  Really, I saw "A New Day" ten times.  And I also played craps with Celine's husband at least ten times.  And the truth is, Celine is a much better performer than her husband is a craps player.

A NEW COMPANY WANTS TO START PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND VEGAS

Las Vegas Railway Express is the company that hopes to start regular passenger train service between Los Angeles and Fullerton and Las Vegas by the fall of 2011.  It is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, and I recently interviewed company executives about their plans.

There hasn't been much significant news since the time of that interview and my TV report and my interview with them that was heard on KABC 790.  You can see the original TV report on our "Travel / Vacation" page -- please see the index on the left.

If there plan is successful, we might see a highly decorated train, reflecting the Vegas theme, and no doubt there will be cocktail waitresses in appropriate "Vegas dress" and I wouldn't be surprised if there were even entertainers on board to complete the party atmosphere.  Too bad, slot machines on board would not be allowed in California and I doubt they would have them for the short ride while in Nevada-- even if they were allowed.  But the last I heard is that they won't be allowed.

The train ride is expected to take five hours, and for those of us who regularly drive either the 15 or Pearblossom Highway, five hours by train sounds like a wonderful idea, especially if we don't like to fly and having to put up with troublesome security checks.

The stock is now public trading under the symbol XTRN.  There is a website that went live and the organizers are building an email "interest list" which makes good marketing sense if a new public stock offering is coming.  As I obtain more information about the project and the company I will post it here.  Below is a link to a website for the project.  And please see the video report on our "Travel / Vacation" page.

THE GOLDEN NUGGET IS AT IT AGAIN TO WIN OVER YOUR BUSINESS

The Golden Nugget did this about six months ago and they are doing it again, sending out "free play" offers to players at other casinos offering those players 150% of the free play amount that they get from their usual gaming destinations.  So, as the Golden Nugget mailers explain, if you have a $500 free play offer from your regular casino, The Golden Nugget will give you $750 of free play,  Free hotel accomodations are usually included.

We heard from a player who has a $2,500 free play offer at Caesars Palace and got the offer from The Golden Nugget which would be worth $3,750 at the downtown casino.  The Golden Nugget offer includes the usual free stay offer that this player also gets from Caesars on The Strip.  "I think I might try downtown," he said.  "It's worth an extra $1,250 of free play."

But The Golden Nugget isn't targeting only high rollers with this promotion.  We heard from another player who usually only gets $150 of free play from his regular casino, and this offer from The Golden Nugget would be worth a total of $225 for her, with a free room included.

So where did The Golden Nugget gets this mailing list from?  The players list at any casino or casino company is closely guarded.  Perhaps this was an inside job?

Also, we've been hearing about many casinos cutting back on their free play and cash offers because of the slowdown.  The Golden Nugget is doing just the opposite -- spending more.

GETTING COMPS IN A HIGH LIMIT ROOM

It comes as no surprise that players in high limit rooms at casinos get all sorts of comps, or complimentaries, or free things.  Drinks are, of course, free.  And players in the high limit areas also get the premium drinks, and the premium bottles of water with the "high end" brands -- not the "casino labeled" bottles of water that are given out in the rest of the casino.  High limit players also can get free cigarettes-- and that's also no surprise.

But what is a surprise is that some players in high limit rooms who do not smoke will still take offers of the free cigarettes because they give the packs of smokes to friends in the casino who do smoke or they simply bring them home for friends.  You can't blame them because a pack of cigarettes is expensive.

So taking those free packs of cigarettes by non-smokers for their friends who do smoke is another way that high limit players stretch their casino privileges.  And as I've told you before, there are other perks for playing in high limit rooms including upgraded bathrooms, sometimes snacks and buffets, and certainly better attention from cocktail waitresses.

And there is another trick that casino players use.  They might sit at a slot machine in a high limit room -- but that doesn't mean they put much money into that high limit slot.  One or two spins here or there just might be enough for that drink service or pack of cigarettes.  And honestly, anyone can use the rest rooms in the high limit areas.

A LITTLE BIT OF GAMBLING IRONY

I found this to be ironic:  Legendary baseball player Pete Rose signs autographs at The Field of Dreams sports collectible store in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on a regular basis -- usually on Saturday afternoons.  Among the balls he will autograph and sell is the ball that says "I'm sorry I bet on baseball."  Imagine, someone being sorry for betting -- and making the apology in Vegas.  Oh, if you're interested Pete Rose will inscribe the ball and sign it for you -- live and in person -- for $299.  A "regular" Pete Rose autographed ball sells for $99.  Yes, Pete is a regular at the store.  I haven't seen him in the sports book though.

SHOULD WE DRIVE OR FLY TO VEGAS?

I hear that question -- "should we drive or fly to Vegas?" -- more than I hear "should I stand on 15 when the dealer is showing a 12?"  Well, I don't know much about blackjack, but I am familiar with the drive from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas -- and I am familiar with the flight schedule from the Los Angeles and Orange County airports to Las Vegas, so I can offer some opinions here.

Personally, I'd rather drive because then I am not stuck with an airline's schedule.  If I run out of money I can leave early.  If I am having the gambling run of a lifetime and my wallet is stuffed with winnings, I can stay longer (wishful thinking, however).  The reality is, flying is a pain.  You have to arrive at the airport here in the Los Angeles area early and endure the security checks.  You have to wait for your plane.  You have to get off the plane in Vegas and if you have luggage you have to wait and wait for it.  If you just have a carryon, then you only have to get on that endless taxi line.  Unless you have a limo waiting for you from the hotel/casino where you are staying.  Check into the limo option as you might find the charge for the limo is about $35 plus tip.  A taxi ride plus tips will probably cost you $15 to $20 depending on where you are are going.

If you are driving you have several routes to take including the 10 to the 15 north, or the 210 to the 15 north, or the 405 to the 14 east and the back road Pearblossom Highway route to the 15 north.  Depending on the weather and the time of day or night, I prefer the Pearblossom Highway route but you might find the highway routes safer especially at night or when there is weather to deal with.

Baker is a nice stop for food and refreshments and it's about 90 minutes south of Vegas.  But don't buy gas in Baker -- it's about fifty cents a gallon cheaper in Barstow or Victorville.

Driving to and from Las Vegas gives you one more option that flying can't give you-- you can make the stop at the casinos at State Line (Primm, Nevada) for an early try on the way to Vegas or "one last try" on the way home.  And at Primm you can always check out the outlet mall and do some shopping.  Yes, you promised yourself you would shop while you were in Vegas, but you didn't, right?

I will say this about flying to Vegas-- if you can fly from Burbank.  Many times I flew out of Burbank to Vegas.  It's a much smaller airport than LAX or John Wayne or Ontario and for that reason it is easier to get through.  Parking is a breeze -- and it's even easier if you use the relatively low cost valet parking.  There is a garage directly across from the terminal.  The terminal is small.  Southwest has lots of flights from Burbank to Vegas, and I never had a problem with security at Burbank-- they are quick and efficient at Burbank.  I've also flown out of John Wayne and it's almost as good as Burbank.  Nope, never flew out of Ontario, but Ontario is also on the small scale which  must make it better than LAX.

MORE CASINOS OFFER "FREE PLAY" GIVEAWAYS, AND HOW YOU SHOULD PLAY THEM

You are likely to see more "free play" promotions from casinos, especially this summer.  With most "free play" promotions, you will get a certificate that is awarded by the casino based on your previous betting level.  Let's say you get $500 of "free play."  But you might find that the free play promotion is for a certificate for slots, and you are a blackjack player.  What do you do?  Well, the first thing is to ask the casino (ask your "host" if you have one) if the slot promotion certificate can be exchange for table play -- that's your best option.  If that can't be done, then play your slot certificate "carefully."

What does "carefully" mean?  Well, it means this: if you get a $500 certificate you can't cash in the certificate, and you must play through the entire $500.  But you don't have to play anymore than the original $500.  So find yourself a slot and keep track of your bets.  As soon as you have bet all $500, you can keep whatever is left which are your "winnings."

Some casino slot machines might be set up so that you can push the "cash out" button after each win and collect that winning amount, while you leave the promotional value of your promo certificate still in the machine.  This eliminates the need for counting the number of bets you have to make to exhaust the value of your promo certificate.

WHAT CASINOS ARE DOING TO BOOST BUSINESS.

Everyone knows just how poorly the casinos in Vegas and even in California have been doing because of the tough economy.  Well, the casinos are now offering some richer cash incentives to get players to show up.  The cash incentives include "show up money" as well as money for shopping sprees and gift cards.  There are even promotions for free slot play.

In the California Indian casinos, players are getting monthly mailers with free slot or free table play.  Harrah's Rincon and Pechanga both send out the monthly mailers for free play, and Harrah's Rincon is also sending out "mystery" vouchers that players can insert into a slot machine for free play.  You don't know how much money you get until you show up at the casino.  Harrah's Rincon is also sending out bonus "checks" to players each month with a bounce back offer -- cash to play on the next visit.

And what else are the casinos, especially in Vegas, doing to boost traffic?  Well, many casinos are now cutting their room rates.  As one host told me, "I can stay in a strip hotel for a month for less than what my mortgage payment costs me."  And then there are the obvious cutbacks in spending.  When it comes to cash promotions, some players are finding their promotions are not as generous as in years past.

HARRAH'S STARTING NEW SLOT MACHINE VIDEO SERVICES

Harrah's has started new high tech links on slot machines that will allow slot and video poker players to order drinks, redeem cash offers, order show tickets, check offers for shows and rooms, and a lot more things that will save time and money.  The system is called "Total Touch" following the theme of Harrah's "Total Rewards" concept.

The new system is getting its first test at Harrah's Rincon Casino in San Diego.  This casino is known as an "alpha casino" because it is used to test many of Harrah's systems before they are used in Las Vegas and in other markets.  Harrah's will also test the system in its Biloxi, Mississippi casino.  I tried it and it works but it is clumsy to use.  Frankly, I prefer the old way for getting free slot play offers when you are given a slip to insert into the machine just like inserting a $20 bill.  With the Harrah's Total Touch System at Rincon you have to insert your player's card (no problem) and then punch in the exact promotion code.  Punching in the code can take time, and sometimes you have to do it several times to redeem all of your free play offers.

The system will require that new video display screens are installed on slot machines and video poker machines.  Players will use their video display screen to order drinks directly from the bar, and once the drinks are prepared a server will deliver them to the player.  This will eliminate the need to find a cocktail server to order -- the player will order their drinks directly.  The video display system will also "store" information about what drinks players like-- so a player could simply indicate "send another" and the bar's computer will have the player's "favorite" already in the system.

The video display system main purpose to to have the player's promotions.  For example, if a player has an offer for $50 of free play, the player will be able to access that free play directly at the machine -- and there will be no need to visit the players club or, in the case of Harrah's, the Total Rewards desk.

Players will also be able to use the video display screen to check out their offers for shows and events, and even to order tickets.  Harrah's hopes this will cut down on phone calls to the Total Rewards departments at its casinos, and will also save time for players as well as its personnel.  And the video display screens will also remind players about what "offers" they have for future stays or that current visit to the casino.

Of course the "personalized information" will be dependent on the player inserting their "players card" or Total Rewards card into the machine's system.

Employees at the Rincon Casino have been trained and know the system well, and when a "bug" in the system develops they know how to fix it.  The next step is for new computer systems to be installed at the casino to handle the new high tech methods for ordering drinks, ordering show tickets, and checking comps.  Some of the slot machines and video poker machines already have video screens (they look like "windows") at the top of the casings, but it is not clear if larger screens will need to be installed.

"Once we get the bugs out of the system," a Rincon manager told me in mid-March, "the system will be installed in Vegas."

So just imagine -- no more searching for a cocktail waitress.  In the future you'll click on a drink (yes you might even be able to order a Martini with extra olives or order a coffee with Amaretto without whipped cream, or click "send another" and it will be deliverd to your slot or video poker machine.