Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. may not be out of the running for a casino just yet.

A few months ago in a hot $2.75 billion bidding war for Tropicana, Pinnacle lost out to Columbia Sussex Corp.

Pinnacle had actually signed a merger agreement to purchase Aztar, parent company of Tropicana, but because they accepted Columbia Sussex's unsolicited bid, Pinnacle walked away with a $42 million breakup fee and $13 million in expenses.

Now it appears Pinnacle, still eager to enter the Las Vegas/Atlantic City market, is in the lead to purchase the Sands in Atlantic City.

Carl C. Icahn, owner of the Sands, has recently floated word that the casino is on the bidding block.

If the sale goes through, expect to see Sands imploded and replaced with a $1 billion megaresort to compete with the Borgata.

In early summer, Morgan Stanley spent $70 million for 20 acres on the Boardwalk for possible casino development.

There's also talk of municipal airport Bader Field -- all 130 acres of it -- being sold next month for $1 billion... and rumor has it Steve Wynn is interested.

We could very well be at the beginning of a desperately needed Atlantic City casino boom and makeover that could eventually give Las Vegas a run for its money.

Last year, Atlantic City brought in a record $5 billion in casino revenue from just 12 casinos... in the same timeframe, Las Vegas' revenue was $6 billion, with many more casinos.

(And let's not even mention Macau and their $5.6 billion in gaming revenue last year...)

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Latina Style, the national magazine for contemporary Hispanic women, has named MGM Mirage as one of the 50 best companies for Latinas to work for.

The first and only gaming company to make the list, Washington, D.C.-based Latina Style in association with the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and national Hispanic organizations, developed a survey sent to the Fortune 1000 companies, resulting in evaluations of over 800 companies. Of those, the top 50 were culled and named in the list that the magazine has been compiling since 1998.

Criteria for the top 50 included what readers deemed most important, such as educational opportunities, benefits, and mentoring programs.

In February 2007, an awards ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C., honoring the 50 companies.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We know you've been waiting with bated breath since the success of last year, and you're in luck because this Saturday, Sept. 2, the Pimp 'n Ho Costume Ball: The Erotic Circus is back!

Ladies, dress as your favorite ho. Men, dress as your favorite pimp.

In fact, costumes are mandatory and you'll be paying a surcharge if you aren't dressed up.

It all takes place for one night only beginning at 9 p.m., and trust us: you won't recognize the place.

Vince Neil of Motley Crue will perform, along with the "King of Miami," DJ George Acosta, "Jes" of Motorcycle, DJ Donald Glaude, rock mash-up master CB Shaw, Danny Love and 4Real, Eric Cubiche, and the Rubber Dolls dancers.

You must be 21 or over to attend. Tickets are $66 or $118.75 for VIP (which gets you into VIP platforms and bars) and can be purchased at the Orleans Arena.

If you don't attend and just want to play spectator, hang out at The Orleans before and after the event. Last year, we played poker with a gentleman, he excused himself, then returned in a complete bling get-up. We couldn't bear check-raising him from then on.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a firm showing it will not be imploded anytime soon, Flamingo Las Vegas will be renovating and updating guest rooms to offer modern accommodations and amenities.

Every time we stop by Flamingo, we see work being done -- whether on the Diamond Lounge or new carpet near the Total Rewards area. (This, alas, cannot be said for Imperial Palace.)

New rooms will be equipped with MP3 player docking stations, entertainment systems, and other technologically advanced amenities.

Of Flamingo's 3,500 guest rooms, 636 will be renovated. About 10 percent of those are expected to be finished by next month, with the rest of the 636 to be completed by February 2007.

When reserving, ask for a remodeled room, which will be on the 17th through 26th floors.

We'll quote their press release, since their PR department spent so much time thinking up flowery descriptions for what you can expect:

The fresh Flamingo experience begins at hotel check-in, where guests will receive a CD of rock songs specially compiled for the hotel, along with newly designed room keys that complement the resort's new room decor. The contemporary atmosphere is carried all the way to the room via redesigned elevator banks and vibrantly striped hallways.

Guest comfort is at the forefront in the innovative bedroom and bathroom designs, with splashes of signature Flamingo pink accenting the space. Bedrooms feature oversized white vinyl headboards, posh carpet, and sleek, modern furniture. Ultra-soft pillow-top mattresses are tripled-sheeted with plush linens and are flanked with LED chrome reading lights. White drapery adorns the bedroom walls, adding an air of sophistication. Deluxe bathrooms include stylish frosted glass walls and doors, multiple jetted shower fixtures and luxurious bath amenities.

The new accommodations indulge tech-savvy guests with a host of cutting edge digital accessories. Living space becomes an area of leisure with a top-of-the-line sound system with MP3 player docking station, CD/DVD player, electronically controlled window treatments and wireless internet connection. Rooms also are equipped with 42" flat panel, high definition television sets and built-in screens in the bathroom mirrors.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tropicana isn't the only free evening pool in town.

Treasure Island would like you to know that they have their own adult pool party, also with a name -- "Whisper."

Free admission for locals as well as guests of the hotel begins at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 31, with music by DJ Inferno and Red Bull, Fosters, and Las Vegas Vodka drink specials.

TI brags that they've dragged away the regular dancers who made Trop their hangout, including ladies from Scores Las Vegas, Spearmint Rhino, Seamless, and other gentlemen's clubs.

Here's your chance to see your favorite dancer with clothes on.

Just be sure to get grab some extra towels... because it's supposed to be a hot day, silly.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A long time coming, New York New York's rollercoaster unveiled its makeover yesterday morning. No longer is it called Manhattan Express, which sounded like an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, it's now called a bare bones Roller Coaster at New York New York.

Well, not too creative, but at least potential riders know what it is.

The individual cars have been transformed into little yellow Checker cabbies that fly through the rails at speeds of 67 mph. With a nod to the cabbies, all cab drivers with ID can ride free through Sept. 1.

The roller coaster reaches heights of 203 feet and drops of 144 feet. It contains a "twist and dive maneuver," which lets riders feel what negative g-force is like (very similar to feeling your heart in your throat). We can do no better than to quote NYNY: "Simulating a barrel-roll in a jet fighter, it rolls 180 degrees, hangs 86 feet in the air, then dives back under itself -- promising dizzying excitement and white-knuckle thrills!"

We vouch for the truth of this statement and recommend not stopping by for an Auntie Anne's pretzel beforehand, like we did the first time.

The cost was pulled from NYNY's website, but expect it to be in the $14 range with a discount for a second ride, and an all-day pass for $25.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Surveillance camera networks installed in London continually help identify terrorists and other wrongdoing, but currently there's no similar network in place in Las Vegas.

Outgoing Clark County Sheriff Bill Young wants that to change, and he's in the process of soliciting casinos along Las Vegas Boulevard to finance the project.

Young wants Big Brother all along the Strip, from Russell Road up to Sahara Avenue, and he wants cameras installed on the casinos' private property, all fed into a central network.

A consultant estimates the cost at $3 million for 120 cameras, excluding operational costs.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Only one more Saturday left to enjoy Tropicana's free pool party, and you don't even have to be a guest.

Called "Wet," anyone 21 and over is welcome to swim and dance to a live band on Sept. 2 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The swim-up blackjack will also be available.

Drink and barbecue food specials will be offered all night, including $2 Miller draft beer.

Women have the chance to show off their best bikini, with the winner taking home $1,000.

With Tropicana changing hands to new owners, this could be your last chance to check out the Trop's 12,000-square-foot pool or even the Trop as it now stands.

By the way, did you know Tropicana has one of Vegas's few indoor heated pools that's open year-round? This is also where dancers at gentlemen's clubs allegedly hang out.

Yep, we're going to miss the Trop. Sniff.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The Killers hanging out in downtown Las Vegas Saturday afternoon.

Hiking around downtown Las Vegas on Saturday I came across "The Killers," the local Las Vegas rock group that has hit the national music scene. Hanging out on the sidewalk beside Binion's downtown the four rockers-Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.-were busy posing for the cameras of Rolling Stone Magazine, obviously to plug their new album, Sam's Town, in stores October 3rd. The Killers are scheduled to perform at this year's Vegoose, Halloween weekend 2006 right here in Las Vegas.

Posted by flipchipro at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Las Vegas Skyline

RENO vs. VEGAS

Reno and Las Vegas may be in the same state, but there the similarity ends. The two towns relate like Cain and Able, Lee and Grant, Gibbons and Titus.

Reno was built by cowboys, ranchers, railroaders, and miners; hard working folks. Las Vegas was the creation of gangsters; a guy with a short stogie, no neck and a chip on his shoulder.

photos by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Raymond "Pappy" Smith, who founded Harold's Club and made Reno "The Biggest Little City in the World", wore suspenders, loud ties and cussed a lot. In contrast, Bugsy Segal, the mobster who started Las Vegas, preferred fine suits, silk ties and diamond stickpins. Pappy passed away; Bugsy was blown away.

Reno epitomizes the West. The place and the pace are warm, friendly, come-as-you are. Las Vegas is flash, and dash. If Reno were a car it would be a Ford or Chevy; Las Vegas would be a Cadillac or Corvette...where you either lead, follow or get out of the way.

Las Vegas has been called "the East Coast capitol of the West." The cabbies are all immigrants from New 'Joy-see' or New Yawk'. People greet each other with the warmth and zeal of a Nor'easter. It's a fast moving, fast talking, bustling, hustling town where everything goes (and sooner or later does).

"The City of Lights", Las Vegas is the pinnacle of casino gaming and entertainment. Its mega-magnitude amazes. It's a fantasy beyond imagination, from rollercoasters to Roman statues, jousting knights to world class fights, Pyramids to Paris. It's a Mirage, you see it but you don't believe it.

Visitors fly to Vegas. Folks flock to Reno. Reno has an arch; Vegas has New York.

Reno is a rodeo. It's boots, blue jeans, beer and bulls. Stetsons and 4-wheel pickups fill its streets. Las Vegas is a James Bond epic. Action is the attraction; you've got super stars, expensive cars, every sin, and a few who win.

One writer described Las Vegas as "a town that faces the facts of life and lives up to them." Las Vegas is famous for beautiful, nearly naked ladies. Around Reno, you're more likely to see only bear breasts.

Las Vegas is an indoor destination. You can play night and day. You can wine, dine, sin and win. And remember, anything or anyone you do stays there.

Reno rests in the shadow of the High Sierras. Lake Tahoe is less than an hour drive from downtown. Skiing, hiking, boating and sightseeing are just part of the cornucopia of outdoor delights tantalizing Reno visitors.

So, if you prefer a large scale, intense, fantasy, visit Vegas. If it's a casual, manageable, variety of indoor and outdoor activities you like, relax in Reno.

Email: mousehohl@aol.com

Posted by Edgar 'Mouse' Hohl at 5:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you feel like a quick trip to Las Vegas to elope, you'll have to do it during the daytime.

As of Aug. 30, the Marriage License Bureau will no longer service marriage licenses from midnight to 8 a.m.

This is more a cost-saving move for taxpayers, who are expected to save $200,000 per year from the closing. Last year, Las Vegas issued 122,259 licenses but only 4 percent came from the midnight hour.

You can still marry in the middle of the night, you'll just have to wait until daylight to pick up your license.

We recommend installing slot machines in the chapel to fund the graveyard shift.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What's the world coming to if our fine neon city can only muster a ranking in the top 20 list of drunkest city in America?

Forbes.com, evidently on sabbatical from more important studies, ranked 35 of the largest metropolitan cities in terms of number of drinkers, number of heavy drinkers, number of binge drinkers, and alcoholism. Combined with state laws and information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Forbes came up with a list of America's Drunkest City.

Las Vegas was 14th.

And that's with free drinks.

There must be something we can do to increase our rating next year. Darn poker players who just drink bottled water must be pulling us down.

For your vacation plans (or to know which cities to stay off the road), here are the top 35 drunkest cities in America:

1. Milwaukee
2. Minneapolis-St. Paul
3. Columbus, Ohio
4. Boston
5. Austin, Texas
6. Chicago
7. Cleveland
8. Pittsburgh
9-10. Philadelphia (tied)
9-10. Providence, R.I. (tied)
11. St. Louis
12. San Antonio
13. Seattle
14. Las Vegas
15. Denver/Boulder
16-17. Cincinnati (tied)
16-17. Kansas City (tied)
18. Houston
19. Portland, Ore.
20-21. San Francisco-Oakland (tied)
20-21. Washington-Baltimore (tied)
22. Phoenix
23. Los Angeles
24-25. New Orleans (tied)
24-25. Tampa (tied)
26. Norfolk
27. Dallas-Fort Worth
28-29. Atlanta (tied)
28-29. Detroit (tied)
30. Indianapolis
31. Orlando
32. New York
33. Miami
34. Charlotte, N.C.
35. Nashville

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Review-Journal is offering free passes to Paris Hilton's upcoming CD release party on Aug. 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight at Beacher's Rockhouse Street Festival on Caesars Way (between Flamingo and O'Sheas, south of Imperial Palace).

One ticket is good for 10 people and can be claimed at this site.

That Tuesday night also kicks off the grand opening of Beacher's Rockhouse Bar.

Hilton's debut CD is entitled Paris.

We don't know about you, but we plan to attend just to stare at Hilton's left arm, which was recently bitten by Baby Luv. BL, as we like to call it, is her pet kinkajou that she somehow has been able to keep despite her smuggling into Los Angeles, where it's illegal to own such monkeys.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When Steve Wynn makes a change, people listen and people follow.

So when it's something as controversial as sharing dealer tips, many dealers are upset at a possible upcoming trend that may spread to other casinos.

At his Wynn Las Vegas casino, table dealers will soon have to share their tips with pit bosses and floor managers.

Wynn released a memo earlier this week comparing dealers with waitstaff, saying it's a team effort and everyone will now share as of Sept. 1. Sharing will reduce a dealer's payday by 10 to 20 percent.

Want to complain? Competition is so great for dealer positions, that dealers disagreeing with Wynn's new policy are allegedly being suspended or fired.

With daily dealer tokes reaching upwards of $500/day and therefore earning more than their managers, this could be Wynn's way at solving the pay disparity. When supervisors could be making more money dealing, there wasn't much demand for managing.

Wynn dealers are tipped more than any other casino, Vegas or otherwise.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The first batch of late night shows for Vegoose have been announced. Starting on Friday October 27th and ending on Monday October 30th, various concerts will be going on at selected venues around Las Vegas including Orleans Arena, the MGM Grnd Garden, House of Blues, and The Joint at Hard Rock.

Trey Anastasio will be making two apperances in the late night series. One gig is with Robert Randolph and the Family Band. The next night Trey throws down with Phil Lesh as the two take the stage at the Orleans Arena.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
Friday 10.27.06
MGM Grand Garden
Time and Price is TBD

Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Friday 10.27.06
The Joint @ Hard Rock
Doors 10PM / Show 11PM
$34.50 + $3

Keller Williams
Friday 10.27.06
House of Blues
Doors 9PM / Show 10PM
$25 + $3

Trey Anastasio with Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Friday 10.27.06
Orleans Arena
Time TBD
$36.50 + $2

Maceo Parker
Saturday 10.28.06
House of Blues
Doors 12AM / Show 1AM
$25 + $3

STS9
Saturday 10.28.06
The Joint @ Hard Rock
Doors 12AM / Show 1AM
$25 + $3

Phil Lesh & Trey Anastasio
Saturday 10.28.06
Orleans Arena
Doors 12AM / Show 1AM
$36.50 + $2

String Cheese Incident
Sunday 10.29.06
Orleans Arena
Doors 12AM / Show 1AM
$32.50 + $2

Widespread Panic
Monday 10.30.06
MGM Grand Garden
Time TBD
$36.50

Stay tuned for more artist additions to the Late Night Vegoose line up. Stop by the Vegoose website for sale dates.

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 5:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's not too late!

If you're a dancer or think you look good onstage with a pole as your partner, the new gentlemen's club Minxx wants you.

Tonight from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Minxx is holding open auditions at the Rainbow Bar and Grill (across from Hard Rock and near the big Minxx billboard).

And not just dancers, either -- bartenders, waitstaff, barbacks, porters, security, valets, hosts, managers, cashiers, promoters, and DJs.

Jeez, is anyone working for Minxx?

$1,000 will be awarded in a cash drawing for those who auditioned as a dancer. Which, coincidentally, is about what dancers earn on a really good night.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With all the kiddies heading back to school soon, the grownups can go to Detention at Scores (3355 Proycon St.).

Tonight is Scores' giving back to the serving and hospitality industry, by offering free hors d'oeuvres and drinks between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

RSVP by calling Shai at (702) 812-7472.

The celebration kicks off the 2006 Adult Expo, and they'll also be raising money for the Clark County School District, because most dancers are still college students. Or at least that's what they say, anyway.

Scores' tagline: "get a dance from your favorite teacher or student."

Is that a number 2 pencil in your pocket, or...

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stay two nights at The Orleans at a special discounted rate for Mardi Gras.

Yep, we realize Mardi Gras isn't till Feb. 20, 2007 (mark your calendar), but if your casino is called The Orleans, every day is Mardi Gras.

The special is good Aug. 23-24, 27-31 (for Sunday-Wednesday check-in only) for $109.

A $199 rate is Aug. 25-26 and Sept. 8-9.

The rate is for a two-night stay (they say tax is even included), breakfast for two, a dinner buffet for two, and a funbook with coupons adding up to $250.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Killers - Image from Free Indy Blog

Posted by pokerprof at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As an example showing our government is hard at work, a Las Vegas City Council ordinance was recently passed prohibiting going to the bathroom in public.

As part of that ordinance, it is also illegal to sleep within 500 feet near urine or feces.

Five hundred feet is an awful long distance when it comes to urine and feces, though.

Apparently the distance was a mistake and will be corrected when the council meets again Sept. 6.

In the meantime, watch for those number 1s and 2s, 'kay?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Down at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, Silverton recently offered a promotion called 4-of-a-Kind Fever, in which players who hit 10 quads in video poker received $250 in free slotplay.

All players qualified if they played at a Silverton bar or lounge between Aug. 7 through Sept. 30.

Although they're still giving out fliers as if the promotion is still running, Silverton has already terminated 4-of-a-Kind Fever as of Aug. 17.

Why did they pull the program early? Silverton players' club reps are mum as are our favorite source (the bartenders), but we suspect players were simply hitting quads too many times, and probably on a one-coin bet.

At a bar/lounge, players were also receiving comped drinks at a faster pace than on the floor. And, the promotion was for every 10 four-of-a-kinds that you hit.

Let's see... in Jacks or Better, you should expect to see quads about every 423 hands, or 10 quads in 4,230 hands.

A fast player can pull off 600 hands per hour.

That makes 10 quads in about 7 hours for $250 freeplay, which only has to be played through once before cashing out. And the freeplay can be thrown back into video poker.

Free drinks, a paytable near 100 percent, $250 freeplay every time you received 10 four-of-a-kinds, not to mention the payouts on quads and the food comps you'd receive... not a bad way to spend a day.

Or every day.