photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Caesars Palace has added a Pussycat Dolls Casino and retail shop outside of Pure. A first look at the special tables located just outside the Race and Sport's Book in front of the Pure Nightclub.

Hiked through the Tropicana Hotel just to experience the connection with a Vegas of old. I do mean old, the property is celebrating its 50th year on the Las Vegas strip this first week of April. One of the last of the great old brands, the Tropicana once defined the Las Vegas golden era as a period of well dressed refinement, parking lots with winding rose gardens, bone-in prime rib, and sparkling desert air.

Flipchip photos after the jump.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last year, second-wealthiest man in the world Warren Buffet set aside 85 percent of his $44 billion worth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Since then, the Foundation has been using the unexpected windfall to quietly purchase parcels of land around the Las Vegas Strip, and as mentioned in last week's Las Vegas Courier, the latest purchase valued at $10.2 billion now makes the Foundation's ownership over 51 percent of the entire Strip.

Recently, private equity has taken Harrah's, Station Casinos, and Sahara off public scrutiny and into the private sector.

The Foundation aims at going one step further by taking all of Las Vegas private, returning the city to its roots of being run by individuals who didn't have to answer to corporations or the law.

One of the eccentric stipulations in the historic donation to the Foundation is to maintain and cultivate a favorite dish of its donor -- a rather innocuous but tasty macaroni and cheese that's brown on the edges.

In March 2006, the Las Vegas Hilton entered the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest buffet at 510 dishes, but Holmes County, an Amish region in Ohio, is in contention to beat that record with their recent feast.

The Foundation seeks to cease and desist all record seekers by breaking that record when it breaks ground on a hotel-condo spanning 12 acres on the west side of the Strip, one that will house the city's only 24-hour buffet.

Each of the 50 floors will contain up to 500 dishes on a different theme -- Middle Eastern, American, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Fast Food, all the way to the top floor consisting solely of mac & cheese variations. One floor will pay tribute to the defunct Boardwalk casino, which was prior home to Vegas' 24-hour buffet.

Each floor will contain one restroom per 20 square feet. On the Boardwalk floor, that number will be doubled, also in tribute to the late casino.

In a unique twist on standard food presentation combined with family entertainment, conveyor belts will act as ready transportation for the eager diner at speeds of 8 mph.

The hotel will also contain an Olympic-sized pool outfitted with RFID technology to block any swimmer who has eaten within the past hour.

Following the throwback to old Vegas with Harrah's renaming Barbary Coast to Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon, the hotel will be named Buffet's Buffet and is expected to be completed the second quarter of 2008.

Inaugural 2-for-1 coupons and paper barf bags will be published in a special pullout section of the Las Vegas Courier.

As for other plans the Foundation has in store for Las Vegas, stay tuned next April.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow just after midnight (that would be Saturday night), you can meet the women from the topless Fantasy show and revue at Luxor.

They appear and will sign autographs at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce at sister casino Mandalay Bay (a hop, skip, and a tram ride away) and will hand out free show tickets (valued at $45), calendars, and items of clothing (ahem).

The Fantasy girls even have their own risque online slot machine. You get 50 spins to score as high as you can, with top scores placed on their leaderboard. The bonus round has one of the girls strutting toward us on stage and lifting her skirt if she has one.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Las Vegas Hilton hosts a $30,000 Bunny Money slot tournament April 4-6.

Cost to enter is $199, which includes a three-night stay at the Hilton. You can also use your Hilton Reward Dollars to buy your way in.

Everyone is guaranteed to win at least $50 (bringing your cost down to $149).

Prizes are awarded as follows:

$6,000 -- 1st place
$2,000 -- 2nd place
$1,000 -- 3rd place
$600 -- 4th-5th place
$200 -- 6th-10th place
$150 -- 11th-20th place
$100 -- 21st-50th place
$75 -- 51st-100th place
$50 -- 101st-last place

To sign up and book your stay, call 1-800-457-3307.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many a time we've found ourselves seeking our bank's ATM in a casino but have always come up short.

Certainly the outrageous ATM fees are the main reason why it's worth taking a drive to find a branch of our bank. Though that's more and more negligible considering gas prices.

Here's a handy list of 30 ATMs near us in and around Henderson that don't have a surcharge (you'll still be charged however much your bank's fee is). The $5 we save can go toward a blackjack bet at a locals casino.

Our source is Money Pass, a terrific site that also lists a few Rebels, banks, and downtown areas (Hennessey's, Mickie Finnz) that offer free ATMs closer to the Strip.

1. The Downstairs Bar
11261 S Eastern Ave
Henderson, NV 89052

2. Community Bank of Nevada
10895 S Eastern Ave
Henderson, NV 89052-5851

3. Village Pub Horizon
10900 S Eastern Ave
Henderson, NV 89052

4. U.S. Bank Anthem Village - Vons
2511 Anthem Vlg Dr
Henderson, NV 89052

5. U.S. Bank Henderson
10104 S Eastern Ave
Henderson, NV 89052

6. Rebel#85
10000 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89052

7. La Collina Trattoria
645 Carnegie St
Henderson, NV 89052

8. Juice Bar#3
9065 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123

9. Rd Runner Pebble
2430 E Pebble Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89123

10. U.S. Bank Valle Verde Lake Mead Smiths
55 S Valle Verde Dr
Henderson, NV 89012

11. Rebel#83
2412 E Windmill Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89123

12. Ventanos
191 Arroyo Grande
Henderson, NV 89012

13. Mickeys Cues and Brews
7380 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123

14. Cancun Vacation
8335 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89123

15. Chriss Place Food and Spirts
1725 E Warm Springs Rd #18
Las Vegas, NV 89119

16. Rebel#79
980 Warm Springs Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89120

17. Henry's American Bar
237 Stephanie St
Henderson, NV 89122

18. U.S. Bank Las Vegas
610 E Warm Spgs Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89119

19. Luckys Tavern
8025 S Dean Martin Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89119

20. Community Bank of Nevada
370 N Stephanie St
Henderson, NV 89014-8723

21. Rebel#63
6510 S Pecos
Las Vegas, NV 89120

22. Village Pub and Grill
2301 E Sunset Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89119

23. Super Mex Restaurant and Cantina
3460 E Sunset Suite D1
Henderson, NV 89120

24. Yorky's
3720 E Sunset Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89121

25. Orchard St Grill
955 Grier Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89119

26. Rebel 94
7280 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119

27. U.S. Bank Henderson
400 N Stephanie St
Henderson, NV 89014

28. Bank of Commerce
4343 E Sunset Rd
Henderson, NV 89014-2238

29. U.S. Postal Service FCU
1001 E Sunset Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89199

30. Village Pub
4563 E Sunset Rd
Henderson, NV 89104

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want a chance to see a Las Vegas show for free?

Gerry "The Mentalist" McCambridge, headliner at Rampart Casino, has put together a mailing list for publicists to send unused comp tickets to over 5,000 locals who are also subscribed to the list.

Shows are usually emailed at the last minute to the list with a phone number and contact person. Just call the number before the "seats filled" email is sent out, and you suddenly have plans for that night.

The service is completely free and can be received via cellphone texting as well. To receive the emails an hour before everyone else, you can become a premium member for $69.95 per year via PayPal. Complimentary premium memberships are available to the military.

Shows this past weekend included Hypnosis Gone Wild, Larry G. Gones (the Man of 1002 Voices), Steve Connolly's Spirit of the King, the Fashionistas (now at Empire Ballroom), and the Claudine Castro Band.

Other shows have included The Producers, Forever Plaid, Carrot Top, The Wiggles, and Craig Ferguson.

For more information, visit Vegas Seat Fillers.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When the Los Angeles Olympic Games were held in 1984, Las Vegas benefited from being so close. Were it to occur today, the expected economic impact to an Olympic city is in the nine figures.

Though nine years away, Los Angeles and Chicago are the two cities fighting to be the United States host city for the 2016 Olympics.

Los Angeles is working overtime, including San Francisco and San Diego in its Olympic bid. And yesterday, Los Angeles had a last-minute meeting with Mayor Oscar Goodman to piggback Las Vegas onto their bid as well.

Sam Boyd Stadium (pictured above) will be pitched to hold preliminary soccer games after an expansion to accommodate 40,000 people. Just for hosting soccer, as much as $100 million in revenue could be brought to Las Vegas. To say nothing of the gambling.

The U.S. Olympic Committee will decide which city to represent on April 14, and the winner will then move to the international contest where the host will be decided in 2009.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You can win a $25,000 trip to the Vegas Grand Prix poker tournament by bidding the lowest unique bid.

The prize includes a $10,000 seat into the first charity celebrity Vegas Grand Prix tournament on April 7 at Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, a $500 buy-in to the main event, VIP credentials to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, airfare for two and hotel stay, and a two-hour tutoring session from poker pro Patrik Antonius.

To enter the drawing, visit this link or text POKER to 41414 on your cellphone.

The auction doesn't cost anything but you need to be at least 21. You can bid until April 1.

Satellites to the tournament are already underway at Binion's. Celebrities in the tournament will include Robert Williamson III, Marcel Luske, Hoyt Corkins, and Patrik Antonius.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A strange item in yesterday's New York Daily News's Rush & Molloy column has new Vegas resident Michael Jackson in talks to build a 50-foot robotic likeness in the desert as part of a concert deal for him to perform in residence.

The replica would contain laser beams that welcome visitors to Las Vegas, and audience members would be able to control other human cyborgs in a giant rock 'em sock 'em video game.

The column also mentions Paul McCartney is interested in investing in the show.

We somehow doubt the validity of this ever coming to fruition, but our hats are off to Jacko's publicists.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Austria's Doppelmayr Cable Car company and Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group will use the latest cable-drawn transport technology to construct the Cable Liner Shuttle that will eventually connect the MGM Project CityCenter with sister casinos Monte Carlo and Bellagio.

Like its existing shuttle connecting Mandalay Bay to Luxor and to Excalibur, the Cable Liner Shuttle will be fully automated.

Two continuously moving shuttles holding up to 128 people each will travel across almost half a mile in two minutes at a speed of 17 miles per hour.

Three thousand people will be accommodated per hour in each direction.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Illusionist David Copperfield is back in town with "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion" at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre through April 19 (with additional dates May 23-27 and June 14-July 3).

One of the highlights of Copperfield's act is involving audience members in his charming illusions. During each "intimate evening," audience members will join Copperfield in midair suspension and vanish to a deserted island. More audience members will be taken onstage and vanish, only to reappear in the back of the theater.

In one of his many TV specials, we saw Copperfield walk through the Great Wall of China. In each performance onstage, he will attempt to walk through a solid steel wall. We hope to use the trick on Chef Joel Robuchon's refrigerator door.

Copperfield will also take sleight of hand to dangerous heights, as he handles a poisonous Black African Scorpion. We won't be volunteering for that one.

Performances run 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. nightly, with added 4:30 p.m. shows on March 31, April 7, and April 14.

Tickets are $97 (including taxes and fees) and can be purchased at 1-800-929-1111 or by visiting www.mgmgrand.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Rainbow Bar & Grill, the fab 24/7 restaurant and bar across from Hard Rock, has closed as they begin preparations to relocate to another venue with less construction, less road closures, less power outages, and easier and more parking that doesn't involve people rushing to the airport on Paradise Rd.

Possible locations include inside a casino-hotel (the Las Vegas Weekly voted them the best non-hotel bar in Vegas) or within a certain gentlemen's club that cost $30 million to build and was recently put on the auction block for over 2.5 times that.

Let's hope they retain their 2-for-1 entree special between 5 and 10 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

UNLV Running Rebels finished off their dream season with a four point loss to the Oregon Ducks Friday evening. Amazing what winning a few games and going deep into the NCAA Tournament will do to wake up a town that quit cheering for the round ball boys late last century. Making the Sweet Sixteen was remeniscent of the glory days of the 1990 UNLV team that scored a NCAA National Championship win. Next year? Perhaps, but this amazing team has five productive seniors that won't be returning including three point specialist KIevin Krueger, the son of UNLV Coach Lou Kreiger. Making the Sweet Sixteen was sixteen years in the making. Congratulations for the great finish, it was so close.

More local talent was on national display Saturday when Las Vegas native and NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch defended his win at Bristol in 2006 by leading much of Saturday's Sharpie Mini 300 Busch Series race at the Bristol, TN race track. Kyle finally finished third to series point leader Carl Edwards after the car loosened up and became difficult to handle on the short track. Today's Nextel Cup Series' Sharpie 500 from the Bristol Motor Speedway will also feature the Vegas Busch brothers.

Posted by flipchipro at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the fourth year in a row, Morgan Quitno Press has ranked Nevada as the number one most dangerous state.

The company charges $1.99 to see full details of their 16-page report, but criteria for being the most dangerous involves a formula containing murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. All the fun stuff.

They do note that criminologists mention crime levels are dictated by several different factors (such as the more young'uns in a state, the more crime) that Morgan Quitno did not take into account in their annual report.

Incidentally, they rated the safest state as North Dakota. But would you rather visit North Dakota than Las Vegas?

(Note: despite being the most dangerous state, Las Vegas didn't make the top 10 most dangerous cities.)

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow begins previews of Stomp Out Loud, a new show from the Stomp folks that's double in size and loudness.

If you aren't familiar with the show, you'll never look at a trashcan lid and a broom the same way again.

Stomp Out Loud performs Tuesdays through Thursdays at the new $28 million, 1,500-seat theater at Planet Hollywood (with the transition finally almost complete, we won't hyphenate the casino with Aladdin anymore).

Unfortunately, preview prices are the same as regular prices, which range from $50 to $110 and can be purchased at stomponline.com and Ticketmaster.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elton John performs on Celine Dion's offnights (with his next set March 27 through April 10), but if you can't get out to Caesars Palace to see "The Red Piano" or don't want to pay upwards of $250 for a ticket, here's an alternative way to see him live.

If you visit MSN, you can hear samples of almost 500 tracks from 90 singles and 32 albums. Music videos, photos, album covers, and more spanning John's 40-year career will also be available.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

But if you drop by March 25 at 5:30 p.m. PDT, you'll be able to watch the sold-out Madison Square Garden concert "Happy Birthday, Elton" streamed live in its entirety.

Fans can also enter a trivia contest to win a trip to Las Vegas to see Elton John in person, an autographed photo, and his new Greatest Hits CD.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bon Jovi will headline the 10th annual Tiger Jam on May 26 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Tickets begin at $100 and go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.

Created by Tiger Woods to help fund the Tiger Woods foundation, Tiger Jam has raised more than $10 million for Las Vegas youth and other charities including Child Haven, Center for Independent Living, Greater Las Vegas Inner City Games, Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, GRAMMY in the Schools, and The VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

For Tiger Jam X, the event will include a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and a special performance by Bon Jovi.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, Harrah's launched a new online promotion based on the Plinko game from "The Price Is Right."

To play, visit this link.

It's free to enter, you don't have to live in Las Vegas, and you can play once per day. You must be at least 21 years old.

If you get the red gamepiece to land in a slot with a prize, you could win tickets to see the live "Price Is Right" game show at Bally's (valued at $80), dinner for two at the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris Las Vegas (valued at $150), a "Price Is Right" t-shirt (valued at $15), or a Total Rewards bag (valued at $1.79).

By entering, you'll also gain an entry into the sweepstakes that will award two grand prizes consisting of a two-night trip for two to Las Vegas and all of the above prizes. The winner will also get a backstage tour of the show. The grand prize is valued at $930.

The promo ends May 16.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you know the Zappos shoe store is based in Las Vegas?

They are, and have just opened a new shoe outlet containing over 20,000 pairs of namebrand shoes.

The outlet is located at 7770 S. Dean Martin Dr. on the way to the Silverton Casino. It's directly across from the Las Vegas Outlet Center, and on the west side of I-15.

To celebrate, they're giving away a $50 gift certificate every day through March 26 and one $250 gift certificate going to a grand prize winner.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter.

To enter, visit this link and enter your name, address, phone number, and birthdate.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Allegiant Airlines has teamed up with the Las Vegas Monorail by offering its Vegas-bound passengers an opportunity to purchase monorail passes for 20 percent off the normal cost.

Passes are in books of 10 and are good for one-way trips only. The regular cost is $35, but Allegiant discounts to $28, or $2.80 per pass.

The normal cost of a one-way pass is $5.

Alas, the monorail does not yet extend to the airport, but shhh, don't tell the tourists.

Locals with current Nevada photo I.D. can still purchase one-way rides for just $1 at the following places:

• The Downtown Transportation Center, 300 N. Casino Center Blvd.
  
• The South Strip Transfer Terminal, 6675 Gillespie St.
  
• The Regional Transportation Commission offices, 600 Grand Central Pkwy.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over the weekend we were fortunate enough to attend a charity event to help Golden Rainbow, an organization that provides housing and financial assistance to people with HIV/AIDS.

And that charity event was in the form of lots of "f" words, dancing klansmen, and barbed wire in uncomfortable parts of the body that all comprised a concert reading of the musical Jerry Springer: The Opera.

Yep, based on that Jerry, the show was a hit in London and will be making its U.S. premiere in Chicago.

But for two short hours, a collection of Las Vegas theater folk from Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular to Jubilee! to Mamma Mia! gathered together to transform the MGM Grand into tabloid TV by reading and singing through a shockingly hilarious script with music by Richard thomas and book & lyricis by Thomas and Stewart Lee.

We mention this here because we're just a bit tired of the Cirque du Soleil-ification (the new Criss Angel/Luxor show will be announced this Thursday, not last Thursday as posted) that Las Vegas is turning into.

After Chicago, Jerry Springer: The Opera will head to Memphis, Des Moines, and Minneapolis.

Consider this a plea to bring it to our neon city in a full production that it deserves.

Go Jerry!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We confess. We sometimes sit in our home office staring at the above web camera (shown at midnight) that displays a live feed of the entrance to Imperial Palace.

It's our version of checking whether we need a jacket when weatherperson Gina Cancelliere isn't on. That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Two other cameras show Strip traffic and another camera scrolls meetings taking place. There used to be one more camera that panned across the lobby and front casino of the IP, where we often saw people passed out on slot machines.

If you want to not have a life just like us, visit this link.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Runnin' Rebels upset #2 seed Wisconsin to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament. Led by senior guard Wendell White's 22 points, UNLV outplayed Wisconsin, who one month ago were the top ranked team in the country. Kevin Kruger hit four three-pointers including thee crucial ones to give the Rebels the lead with five minutes to go in the game. The Rebels never looked back as they won 64-68. UNLV outshot Wisconsin from all areas including 10 three-pointers to Wisconsin's 5.

#7 UNLV will take on #3 seed Oregon later this week.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Brian Kersey

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wendell White

The #7 seeded UNLV led by as many as 14 points, but Georgia Tech stormed back in the early minutes of the second half to tie the game at 40. UNLV's outside game faltered as they missed 22 shots from three-point range.

Luckily, senior Wendell White stepped up and scored 19 points including a crucial layup to put UNLV up 61-59. The Rebels hit their free throws in crunch time (6 for 8) en route to the 67-63 victory. Michale Umeh also scored 19 points.

UNLV will play #2 seed Wisconsin on Sunday in Chicago.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Brian Kersey

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 2:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cockroach Theatre, our favorite and, okay, only edgy local theater company that does way too few shows for our liking, is having a free reading of Craig Wright's Orange Flower Water, a play about a faithless marraige.

Wright is best known for the play The Pavilion and has recently written for "Six Feet Under" and "Lost."

The reading takes place on March 18 at 11 a.m. at Rejavanate Coffee Lounge (3300 E. Flamingo at Pecos).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from The Palms and Rio is Gold Coast, and they're offering you a chance to sample their casino-hotel next week by giving you a free second night if you pay for the first night.

Choices are:

Stay April 1 for $59, get April 2 free.
Stay April 2 for $59, get April 3 free.

You'll also receive a 2-for-1 breakfast at the Ports O'Call restaurant.

To book, call 1-888-402-6278 and mention code EDE0401.

With the World Series of Poker approaching (anyone actually think they'll get the 10,000 players Rio is making space for?), the closest and cheapest casino to stay in is Gold Coast. Why not use this offer to check 'em out?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Later today, MGM Mirage and Cirque du Soleil are expected to announce their new Cirque du Criss Angel magic show at Luxor. We mentioned those intentions back in July.

But in the meantime, let's take a look at another show that Cirque is generously offering at a discount.

KA, the Cirque du Soleil show at MGM Grand, is offering local Nevada residents half-price tickets to shows through April 14.

Click here for the secret link.

We purchased our tickets last week and since then, the procedure has changed a little.

Now you'll select your date and time, your number of tickets (up to 12), and category 2 ($137.50) or category 3 ($108.90). These are the regular prices; on the next page, you'll see your final total at half price.

Category 2 is in the lower section and category 3 is in the upper section of the theater.

On the next page, you'll see the seats assigned to you with an option to view a seat map.

Choose to pick up your tickets at the box office, where you'll need your credit card and photo ID showing Nevada residency.

(Note that you also have the option of purchasing as an e-ticket for a $2.50 fee... we suspect this would be a way around proving you're a local, as you'd print out tickets on your own... buyer beware.)

After filling out your information and credit card, print the final screen that appears. We didn't receive an email confirmation, so this acts as our only proof.

Our tickets are for April, and if we run into any problems, we'll be sure to post.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today's the day for FBI agents named Joe.

Joe Pistone, author of Donnie Brasco and played by Johnny Depp in the movie adaptation, has come out with another book, Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business. With almost 20 years that have passed since his undercover-with-the-mob true story, trials have now completed and investigations have now declassified, enabling Pistone to be much more revealing about what went on. This followup acts as a sequel and a filler to the original book -- including a behind-the-scenes look on the set of the movie.

Pistone will be reading from and signing books tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The Reading Room at Mandalay Place. It's right in front of the entrance to Mandalay Place on the lower level across from Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce.

For more information, call (702) 632-9374.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's still winter but we had to turn on our air conditioning today.

But don't hate us -- it looks as if temperatures will be dipping into the mid-80s this weekend.

Isn't it time you made a return trip to our fine neon city?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wink Adams

The Runnin' Rebels of UNLV earned a #7 seed in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, as Rebels fans everywhere are hoping that their beloved team can make a run at this year's March Madness title.

This is only their third appearance since Coach Jerry Tarkanian left the team in 1992 after he drew heat for various recruiting violations. The Rebels have not won a game in the NCAA tournament in over 15 years. The last time they won a game in March Madness, the Las Vegas Strip looked much different. Casinos such as the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, the Wynn, Luxor, and New York New York did not exist.

Coach Lon Kruger struggled as a coach in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks. However, he has rejuvenated struggling programs such as Florida, Illinois, Kansas State, and now UNLV.

"I always said that if they get the right coach there, they'll win," Jerry Tarkanian said. "And he's a super coach."

UNLV finished up the season ranked #24th overall and had not been among the top 25 ranked teams in the AP poll over 14 years. The Rebels went 25-6 this season with impressive wins on the road against Nevada and Texas Tech. They have won their last seven games, are 9-1 in their last 10 games, and have won 14 out of their last 16 games after a tough overtime loss in Wyoming. The Rebels leading scorer is Jo'Van "Wink" Adams, a sophomore guard from Houston who has averaged 14.3 points and 1.5 steals a game.

The fans are finally back supporting the Rebels. The Thomas & Mack Center had not sold out a game since 1993. In a game against Colorado State last week, they attracted over 18,000 fans.

UNLV takes on #10 seed Georgia Tech on Friday at 12:25pm ET in Chicago.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Isaac Brekken

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The new owners of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino have wasted no time in announcing significant overhaul plans.

To begin construction at the end of 2007 for completion in two years, they will essentially be building a brand new hotel-casino, more than doubling its current size.

Morgans Hotel Group and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners will expand the hotel by 550 rooms and 400 suites in two towers containing 60,000 square feet of meeting space, 35,000 square feet of casino space, pool, spa, health club, restaurants, bars, and nightclub. They stress they will maintain its boutique feel.

An additional refurbishment of the current hotel-casino will also be performed, including an expansion of The Joint.

Cost of the project will be $750 million, a little under what Morgans spent to purchase Hard Rock from Peter Morton. Along with the property came 23 acres of land, eight of which will be used in the expansion.

Additional plans are forthcoming, and when all is said and done, the project could end up costing $1 billion.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Joe Navarro appears on "The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch" tonight on CNBC at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. (10 p.m. EST and 1 a.m. EST).

Navarro is a retired FBI agent who uses FBI methods to teach courses to show tells in poker players.

His next Read 'Em and Reap seminar takes place March 31 at Caesars Palace for $999, a significant decrease from his previous seminar.

In this all-day class, exclusive to the first 100 signups, Navarro teaches techniques used by federal agents in reading nonverbal behavior.

Breakfast and lunch is included and poker tables will be available at the Caesars poker room to practice what you've learned and for Navarro to give individual feedback.

For more information, call 1-800-989-9767.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The Stardust Hotel is no more. Early this morning the remaining structure was imploded into a large pile of steel and concrete with an even larger cloud of dust. The building quickly came down in yet another Las Vegas perfect demolition.

Here's the best YouTube Video I found from user Mvav:

Flipchip Stardust demolition photos after the jump.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The implosion was preceded by a terrific fireworks display that produced fiery sky scenes inspired by deep space views from the Hubble space telescope. Great cloud nebulae filled with burning points of starlight appeared again and again above the Stardust skeleton. The pyrotechnic show was a most fitting end to the Stardust Hotel's many decades in the center of the Las Vegas Las Vegas Strip.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

And now...the Stardust will always be a part of the Las Vegas strip. When the explosives turned the hotel tower into a great cloud that billowed up and then gently floated up and down the strip depositing the "Stardust" as it drifted through other strip construction projects. When the Wynn Encore and the Venetian Palazzo are completed there will be a little of that 'Stardust' included in both resorts. RIP Stardust memories.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Steve Philiposian, VIP host and promotions manager at Light (Bellagio) celebrates a birthday on March 15 at Moon (The Palms), if you feel like swinging by.

But never mind him. What caught our eye is that Pooly's birthday party is being hosted by our favorite Playboy Playmate Cassandra Lynn (Feb. 2006, if you need to dig through your stacks).

Cassandra Lynn's nickname is Butterfly, after the tattoos on her lower back. Just thought you'd like to know.

Alas, according to her MySpace page, she married last summer. But really, do these things ever last, especially in Las Vegas?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Las Vegas chef Jeff Henderson is the Executive Chef at Cafe Bellagio.

But did you know he was once a cocaine dealer who was sentenced to prison for almost 20 years, got out in 9, and it was there that he learned how to cook?

When he was released, he slowly worked his way up from a dishwasher.

It's all documented in his recently released book and New York Times bestseller Cooked, where in the same sentence he casually talks about how heat can destroy foie gras as well as cocaine.

He says prison saved his life.

Columbia Pictures has purchased film rights to the memoir for Overbrook Entertainment, owned by Will Smith as a possible project for him to star.

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

Golden Nugget is giving away two seats to the main event at this year's World Series of Poker.

Best of all, you don't need to be present to win.

To enter the drawing, just play one of Golden Nugget's four daily NL hold'em tournaments between now and June 6. Tourney times are 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m., and 1 a.m.

The more tournaments you enter, the more entries you'll receive.

Buy-in is $65 ($48 + 5 dealers + 12 fee) with 2,000 chips to start, 20-minute rounds, and one $40 rebuy for 3,000 chips. An optional $5 goes directly to the dealers and gets you an extra 500 chips.

All entries will be placed into a drum and one winner will be drawn on April 2.

The drum will then be emptied, and a second winner will be drawn June 6.

Those lucky players will receive a $10,000 seat to the WSOP main event, to take place beginning July 6.

Winners can be from out of town and do not have to be present at the drawings.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The Stardust Hotel was tenatively scheduled for an early Monday morning implosion that didn't happen. There was plenty of flashing lights, metro police cars, a changing rainbow of colors...everything but an implosion. The skeleton of Vegas history remains standing for another day. A couple of additional Stardust photos from Flipchip after the jump.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

World Series of Poker media organizer Nolan Dalla found out the hard way that the burden of proof is on him when it comes to cashing in high-denomination casino chips.

Friday's Las Vegas Sun mentions he was given a $5,000 MGM Grand casino chip as payment for a debt.

When he attempted to cash it in at the cage, the cashier asked him to show how he had legitimately obtained it. And receiving it from a third-party isn't enough.

Because of theft and counterfeit concerns, they confiscated the chip and Dalla is out $5,000.

And the casinos that do so are within Nevada law, which allows confiscation if the bearer is unable to prove he bought or won the chip.

For high-limit poker players and gamblers who prefer to trade casino currency via the convenience of chips instead of a stack of $100 bills, it might be best to cash in before you leave the casino.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Flipchip photos from the Encore addition to Wynn Las Vegas. Photos were taken Thursday afternoon. The $2 billion plus second phase of the Las Vegas strip resort is scheduled to open for New Year's 2008. Encore will add over two thousand rooms to Wynn's Las Vegas flagship.

The old Stardust Resort seen in the background is scheduled for an early morning implosion on Monday clearing the way for Boyd Gaming's $5 billion Echelon Place.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The days of bells and cherries and one-arm bandits are at an end.

Slot manufacturer WMS Gaming has a fun tongue-in-cheek web page promoting their new slot machine based on the film Top Gun.

Set up like a tabloid rag, the fake news article contains comparison charts, video, and audio clips mythbusting the eyewitness accounts of F-14s on casino floors by saying players are so engrossed in the new game that they think they're really firing missiles at enemy fighters.

Indeed, the new souped-up slot machine is unlike anything we've seen, seeming closer to an arcade game than a slot machine.

Attached to the machine is a chair with speakers and subwoofer embedded to give the player a true surround-sound experience using a BOSE 3Space audio system. Graphics are 24-bit real-time 3D and run on a high-performing Intel CPU and custom operating system.

WMS calls it Sensory Immersion Gaming, and at the end of the article states similar immersive slot machines will be released every 6-8 months.

We haven't yet seen Top Gun in casinos but if it's anything like what they say, we can't wait to play it.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In an effort to attract more mid-limit players, the poker room at The Venetian will be experimenting with a maximum rake of $1 for 8/16 and 15/30 limit hold'em and a maximum time charge of $2 for 30/60 and 60/120 limit.

The regular maximum rake on levels below 8/16 is $4. The regular maximum time charge is $6 on 30/60 and $7 on 60/120.

Though the reduced rake will take place from April 1 through May 31, those mid-limit games began offering the reduced rate today.

In June and July, max rake on 8/16 and 15/30 becomes $2, while max time charge on 30/60 and 60/120 becomes $3.

Then from August through the end of the year, max rake on 8/16 and 15/30 is $3, with max time on 30/60 and 60/120 being $4.

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

The Police are back and performing at the MGM Grand on June 15 at 8 p.m.

Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers have agreed to forgive and forget when one of the members wanted to explore his artistic expression. We won't tell you who, but look at the picture above and see who's trying desperately to smile.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster. Tickets run $131.25, $262.50, and more from scalpers once they sell out.

You can also purchase tickets early on March 8 at 4 p.m. by ordering The Police Tour Fan Club Membership for $100.

Finance always seems to win over art, doesn't it?

Come June 15, we'll be content pulling out our old Victrola and listening to our 33 rpms of Synchronicity while eating popcorn and dancing in our pajamas.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We'd been so busy focusing on getting a possible NBA relocated franchise that we completely missed hockey. And judging by all the gun-totin' excitement when the NBA All Stars were in town, we might prefer the relatively tame hockey fights.

Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle spoke with Mayor Oscar Goodman yesterday about possibly moving the team to Las Vegas.

Burkle hasn't been able to seal a deal with Pittsburgh officials to build a new $290 million arena, despite offering to pay $120 million over 30 years.

The Penguins' lease in Pittsburgh expires at the end of June.

Mayor Goodman has repeatedly said of this and any team that he won't allow anyone to use the possibility of moving to Las Vegas as leverage. Goodman has also been known to want another more modern sports arena than the ol' reliable but increasingly rundown Thomas & Mack.

So far, Kansas City has put out an offer for the Penguins to play in their $262 million Sprint Center rent-free and for half of all revenue.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Imperial Palace, that little Harrah's armpit that we all know and love, has their regular Ace in the Hole blackjack tournament April 6-8 with $35,000 in cash prizes and a $15,000 first place.

Entry fee is $325, which does not include rooms.

What makes this blackjack tournament different from others is that cards are dealt to the bottom of the deck, which makes card counting and position even more important.

Here's a free little bj tip from us to you: like in poker, there's usually one person moving all-in in the early rounds in hopes of doubling up. Play conservatively in the early rounds and you may end up outlasting everyone else who makes big plays and loses.

Prizes are awarded to the top 5 players, with 2nd receiving $8,000, 3rd receiving $5,000, 4th $4000, and 5th $3,000.

For more information or to enter, call 1-800-634-6441 x2 or email events@imperialpalace.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Stardust is widely rumored to be imploded during the early morning hours (2:30 a.m.ish) of March 13.

Casinos generally don't publicize implosions because of public safety and crowd control issues (even though roads around the area are closed). Such was the case early this morning when Wynn Las Vegas quietly imploded their old six-level north parking garage to make way for a $1.74 billion expansion.

For a casino with such history as Stardust, however, we expect quite the mob of gawkers paying their last respects.

Boyd has stated that media outlets that release the exact time and date of the implosion will not be invited to the ceremony. But since we never received an invitation, phooey on them.

The Stardust will be replaced by Boyd Gaming's $4+ billion Echelon Place.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you know your Total Rewards Diamond card from Harrah's can act as a pass into selected other player's clubs?

Just think of it as ready-made credit. If you've played enough to earn Diamond at Harrah's, other casinos will bump you up in status at their player's clubs to try to lure some of your play to their casino.

If you didn't achieve Diamond again last year, your card expires this month. What better way than to try for other casinos' higher tiers?

At The Venetian, you'll be bumped up one level to Gold status, which normally requires 2,000 points (1 point = $20 in slots playthrough or $50 in video poker) in one year. As a Gold member, you'll receive access to the Gold Club Lounge, line passes to the Grand Lux Cafe, a 10 percent discount to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, other discounts at participating Grand Canal Shoppes, a separate line at the Player's Club, and express valet service. Every 100 points you earn while a Gold member, you'll receive $15 in cashback (normally $10).

Take your Diamond card to parts East, namely The Borgata in Atlantic City, and you'll be given their sought-after Black Label Card, normally requiring $300,000 of playthrough before receiving.

The Black Label will get you a free night in a classic room, separate lines at the player's club, restaurant, and hotel, primary seating, access to the Amphora Lounge that contains an open bar, a 10 percent discount off the Borgata Collection, and free self and valet parking (we Las Vegans are spoiled by these always being free).

Other casinos may accept the Diamond card as a sort of prescreened play test, but these are the two that we know about.

Good luck comp hopping!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a dozen miles east of the Strip in Henderson is the little-known gem of Casino MonteLago, well worth checking out for being a vacation on its own. If you've ever wondered where locals go on holiday, this would be the place.

Of course, it wouldn't be in Vegas if it weren't a casino, and Casino MonteLago will clothe you in a nice Polo short-sleeved shirt if you get 10 blackjacks between today and the end of March.

All that's needed is a minimum $5 bet. Considering you get one blackjack every 21 bets or so and factoring in an estimated 5 percent house edge, you're expected to lose $52.50 in 210 hands.

But that's a small price to pay for the shirt off the casino's back, eh?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Las Vegas-based slot manufacturer Konami Gaming had 87 selected slot machines removed from the floor of Ontario casinos after a bug was found that occasionally flashed jackpot wins across the reel symbols.

The four themes removed were Billionaires, Most Wanted, Sgt. Fritters, and Sticks and Stones.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which regulates Canadian gaming, found something suspicious on these games while watching them run in slow motion.

While playing the games, a 5-of-a-kind of the jackpot symbol would flash for a fifth of a second right before the reels began to spin.

Such a flash would be invisible upon regular viewing but could be picked up subconsciously, subliminally inducing the player into feeling as if he's won or is winning.

The regulatory commission tests each machine before sending it to market, but it does not test for subliminal messages.

The Canadian Broadcasting Co. aired the report on "The National," causing casinos in other jurisdictions and countries (including the U.S.) to also pull the machines.

Subliminal marketing is controversial and unproven, with psychologists unable to come up with evidence that it works in controlled testing. Konami states that the machines removed were developed in 2001 and are among the lowest-performing in their entire library.

Konami denies it intentionally placed messages in the machines and is creating a patch to fix the bug. Konami also plans to sue the Canadian Broadcasting Co. for the inaccurate and damaging report to their company that could have long-lasting effects on their integrity.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Flipchip is covering the NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship hosted by Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Check out photos from Saturday's rounds here on the Poker Prof's Las Vegas Poker Blog.

Posted by flipchipro at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They denied it the whole way since owner Lynn Bennett died three months ago, but in the end, Gordon Gaming Corp. has sold the Sahara Hotel & Casino to private investors SBE Entertainment Group and Stockbridge Real Estate Funds.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the sale price is estimated at about $400 million.

The Sahara, built in 1952 with a Moroccan theme, joins the recent private equity buyouts of Harrah's and Station Casinos. It was featured in the original Ocean's Eleven film (and by original, we mean without George Clooney).

Along with the purchase of the 1,720-room casino-hotel is a 17.5-acre parcel of land on the north end of the Strip.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

The 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship held the draw party Thursday evening at Pure Nightclub. A red carpet event with stars from poker and the movies in Las Vegas to play in the event at Caesars Palace. Photos of poker playing movie stars after the jump.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Check out additional Flipchip photos from the draw party here on the Poker Prof's Blog.

Posted by flipchipro at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Every year, the NASCAR Cafe (at the Sahara Casino) holds autograph signings of NASCAR drivers throughout race weekend.

Here's the current lineup:

Thursday, March 8:

5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Matt Kenseth

6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Todd Kluever

Friday March 9

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mark Martin

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Regan Smith

Because of the popularity and short time they have, wristbands will be given out beginning at 10 a.m. that day with your place in line.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the smoking ban has been hotly contested since Nevada voters approved it in December, one casino in Lake Tahoe has decided to become the first nonsmoking casino in Nevada.

Bill's Lake Tahoe Casino is owned by Harrah's and has received relatively few complaints from gamblers in the past couple months.

Smokers are legally allowed to continue smoking in gaming areas, just not around food being served.

If this experiment holds (or increases) the profits, look for other casinos in Harrah's empire to also convert.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)