Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 8 . ABOUT CASINO GAMBLING
Mandalay Bay or Luxor. The Circus Bucks progressive slot machines here build
from a jackpot base of $500,000, which players can win on a $2 pull. Gaming
facilities include a 10,000-square-foot race and sports book with 30 video monitors
ranging from 13 to 52 inches, 40-seat and 89-seat keno lounges. Unfortunately,
the casino is crowded and noisy, and there are lots of children passing
through (making it more crowded and noisy). That, plus some low ceilings (not
in the Big Top, obviously), makes for a very high claustrophobia rating, though
the current commedia dell’arte clown motif (as opposed to the old garish circus
motif) has upgraded the decor. 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/734-0410.
The Riviera The Riviera’s 100,000-square-foot casino, once one of the largest
in the world, offers plenty of opportunities to get lost and cranky. A wall of windows
lets daylight stream in (most unusual), but as the hotel gets shabbier, every
inch of the casino smells like smoke and age. The casino’s Slot and Gold (seniors)
clubs allow slot players to earn bonus points toward free meals, rooms, and show
tickets. Nickeltown is just that—nothin’ but nickel slots and video poker. The
race and sports book here offers individual monitors at each of its 250 seats, and
this is one of the few places in town where you can play the ancient Chinese game
of sic bo. 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/734-5110.
Sahara This is one place where there seem to be more tables than slots and
video-poker machines. It’s also one of the few Strip casinos that offers low-rollers
good deals such as $1 craps and blackjack. But belligerent drunks and other funkilling
folks are often found at these $1 tables. When we were last there, they
had a whole row of Piggy Bankin’ machines that were all paying off, so we were
happy. The Sahara runs frequent slot tournaments and other events, and its slot
club, Club Sahara, offers cash rebates and other perks. Note: This is the only
Strip casino that offers pan, a card game. 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/737-2111.
Stardust This once-popular casino features 90,000 square feet of lively gaming
action, including a 250-seat race and sports book with a sophisticated satellite
system and more than 50 TV monitors airing sporting events and
horse-racing results around the clock. Adjacent to it is a sports handicapper’s
library offering comprehensive statistical information on current sporting
events. Stardust Slot Club members win cash rebates, with credit piling up even
on nickel machines; free rooms, shows, meals, and invitations to special events
are also possible bonuses. We usually do well here, so even though it’s a little
loud, we like it. Check out those $1 slots just inside the front door—they’ve
been very good to us. 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/732-6111.
Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower Originally set up to evoke a world’s fair
but ending up more like a circus, Stratosphere redid its whole casino area to make
it more appealing to the many adults who were staying away in droves. This
should lure many of you, because it is a nicer, and less crowded, place to play. They
heavily advertise their high payback on certain slots and video poker: 98% payback
on dollar slots and 100% payback on quarter video poker (if you bet the
maximum on each). We can’t say we noticed a difference, but other people around
us were winning like crazy. There’s a test area for new slot games, a Harley slot area
with motorcycle-seat stools, and a high-roller slot room ($5 minimum bet) where
chairs move up and down and can vibrate to give you a back massage while you
play. The Stratosphere Players Club sponsors frequent tournaments, and its members
can earn points toward gifts, VIP perks, discounted room rates, meals, and
cash rebates—just a bit of play here, and you may be getting more free-room offers
than you know what to do with. 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/380-7777.