Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 8 . ABOUT CASINO GAMBLING
Tips A Breath of Fresh Air
Las Vegas is one of the few cities in America that welcomes smokers with
open arms. Smoking doesn’t just exist in the casino hotels, it runs rampant.
(Would you like some air with your smoke?) Which is why we were pleasantly
shocked when Bellagio’s poker room and The Mirage’s keno lounge
and poker room went completely smoke free. It seems the hotels are doing
their darnedest to attract those most rabid of anti-smokers—Californians.
(Right across the border, California is one of Sin City’s biggest markets.)
to walk through it to get to other Aladdin goodies, but what that does mean is
that, in some ways, it’s kind of hard to find—which is not good for business.
That may change, maybe even by the time you read this, as there are plans in
the works to restructure the outside to make casino passage virtually mandatory.
A bigger potential change to keep in mind is that as this book went to press,
Planet Hollywood had just bought the Aladdin and was planning to remake the
casino in its own image (what that means is hard to say, but we can all probably
look to the Hard Rock for ideas). Do notice the European-style gaming salon
that is operated by famed London Clubs International. It has its own private
entrance and elevator, a gourmet restaurant, and 24-hour butler service in addition
to the high-stakes tables and slots. Too rich for our blood, but perhaps not
for yours. 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/736-0111.
Bally’s Las Vegas Bally’s casino is large (the size of a football field), with lots
of colorful signage. The big ceiling makes for a low claustrophobia level. There’s
Park Place Connection, a players club valid at sister properties like Caesars
Palace and Paris, offering members cash rebates, room discounts, free meals and
show tickets, and invitations to special events, among other perks. The casino
hosts frequent slot tournaments, and free gaming lessons are offered. 3645 Las
Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/739-4111.
Barbary Coast The Barbary Coast is an 1890s-style casino ornately decorated
with $2 million worth of gorgeous stained-glass skylights and signs, as well as
immense crystal-dangling globe chandeliers over the gaming tables. It’s kind of
small, dark, and cluttered, but it’s also old Las Vegas (and we mean “old” loosely),
and small is rare on the Strip. The casino has a free Fun Club for slot players; participants
earn points toward cash and prizes. 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/737-7111.
Bellagio The slot machines here are mostly encased in marble and fine
woods. How’s that for upping the ante on classy? In all fairness, Bellagio comes
the closest to re-creating the feel of gambling in Monte Carlo (the country, not
the next-door casino), but its relentless good taste means that this is one pretty
forgettable casino. After all, we are suckers for a wacky theme that screams
“Vegas,” and European class just doesn’t cut it. Sure, there are good touches—
we always like a high ceiling to reduce the claustrophobia index, and the place
is laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid with ultrawide aisles, so walking through
doesn’t seem like such a crowded collision-course maze. (Tip: The main casino
path is identified with black carpets.) And we won big here, so there’s that. Anyway,
the cozy sports book has individual TVs and entirely denlike leather
chairs—quite, quite comfortable. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 888/987-6667.
Caesars Palace Caesars’s casino is simultaneously the ultimate in gambling
luxury and the ultimate in Vegas kitsch. Cocktail waitresses in togas parade