Well I have always felt if there is a place that can survive even in the worst of times, it would be Vegas.  With that being said, I just know how they are holding up given the grim economic times.  44 and Goldie are on their way out there today so it will be interesting to hear what they have to say about the state of Vegas, but that will come in another post.

I have to assume that things are tightening up because I got an offer the other day from Planet Hollywood that was just amazing.  The offer was for free nights over New Year’s  or right after for 4 nights, with gaming credits, spa, and reduced entry to their “extravaganza”.  Unreal.  I have never been offered anything over what has to be the busiest time for Vegas.  On top of that, I almost never play at PH, so who knows what they are offering their actual regulars.

Stay tuned for 44’s post and we will see if anything is actually happening in Vegas to stay there.

It still amazes me how Vegas can affect people in so many ways.  Our friend LL is a prime example of this.  In a previous post, we had talked about how she only gambled the one time on her first trip out and wouldn’t you know it, a winner.

She actually sent me a picture that we had taken that I didn’t even know about.  Look at that grin.  You can actually see the “Vegas” come over her.  Now she has the bug like the rest of us.  It’s a beautiful thing.

I think that the allure of what Vegas “is” and what it “isn’t” has always been a very powerful thing.  This is something that everyone defines for themselves, which is why that catchy slogan about what happens and what not still resonates with so many people.

It’s a great town with endless possibilities.  Your Vegas is most certainly showing!

So this has been an absolutely crazy time.  Lori, being a stockbroker, has been completely buried with the Market virtually eating itself every day for the last two weeks.  I actually thought that we would have two “guest” posts from a couple of guys who just went out there, but basically they have “FAIL“ed me (MDF loves this term, and frankly I do too).

On top of all of this, Vegas is hurting.  I am getting calls from casino hosts, emails, mailers; you name it.   At least I know that postal service will not be going under any time soon since I am getting offers every day now from all of the various casinos.  They miss me, and I miss them (Sad Face).

Not to fear though, 44 and his lovely wife are going to sneak away for some well deserved R&R and maybe I can get a guest post from them (cough, cough). 

Thankfully I have had some great College football games to hold me over until Lori and I can make it out to the desert. 

So at least I have some great shots of UF vs. LSU this past weekend.  I have had a perma-grin on my face for the last 72 hours!  Hopefully the UF/GA game will be equally grand (re: big win for the Gators).

I just don’t know how they do it.  Since we went to Boston over the Labor Day weekend, I am guessing that Vegas is missing us. 

The number of offers that we have been receiving is only slightly out of control.  This is normally a good thing; check that, it’s a great thing.  However, finding the time to go has been nothing short of challenging.  So the offers just keep piling up.

The only thing I can say is that getting rated is a nice thing.  Oddly enough, the most aggressive casino has been Planet Hollywood.  I have only played there on maybe 2 occasions.  Yet they have been sending in offers at about a 2 a week clip.  It’s crazy.  I guess in this down economy you do what you need to do to get the crowds to come.

Now it’s just about finding some time.  Vegas is calling…

One of my favorite Vegas stories involves a pretty risk averse friend of ours, LL, who went to Vegas for the first time during a New Year’s that I am sure she will never forget.

It’s actually a good tale of the magic that is Vegas.  Basically it goes like this…

“The Schinde” loves this slot machine at New York New York, called appropriately $100 or nothing.  Basically you put in a dollar and if you get 777 you win $100.  Anything else gets you nothing.  Easy enough.

So we find ourselves all kinda grouped around this machine watching one dollar after the next go in with no pay out.  Schnide is hypnotized by this machine and swears that it will pay out, it always does.  MDF’s wife was about to play since it was her turn, but was looking for a dollar.  While she is doing that, LL is on the phone with her mom telling her how much fun she is having even though she has not gambled one bit and we are on day 3 of the trip. 

I think it was Lori who convinced LL to put a dollar into the machine and give it a spin.  LL begrudgingly gives in and pulls out one of her hard earned dollars, puts it in the machine and pulls the lever.  And wouldn’t you know it, the tumblers on the machine read 777.

Now we are all freaking out to various degrees and the look on LL’s face was priceless.  She was still on the phone with her mom and was telling her how she won!  Total pandemonium.

So of course LL promptly hits the cash out button, grabs the winning ticket, cashes out, and never plays another thing while we are there.

Going home we were all doing the financial math in our heads, the obligatory “up or down” as one tends to do while leaving Vegas.  I think that LL was the only one who went home up, and by $99 at that!