Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE CASINOS 231
The World Series, Las Vegas–Style
Binion’s Horseshoe is internationally known as the home of the World
Series of Poker. It was “Nick the Greek” Dondolos who first
approached Benny Binion in 1949 with the idea for a high-stakes poker
marathon between top players. Binion agreed, with the stipulation
that the game be open to public viewing. The competition, between
Dondolos and the legendary Johnny Moss, lasted 5 months with breaks
only for sleep. Moss ultimately won about $2 million. As Dondolos lost
his last pot, he rose from his chair, bowed politely, and said, “Mr. Moss,
I have to let you go.”
In 1970, Binion decided to re-create the battle of poker giants,
which evolved into the annual World Series of Poker. Johnny Moss
won the first year, and went on to snag the championship again in
1971 and 1974. Thomas “Amarillo Slim” Preston won the event in 1972
and popularized it on the talk-show circuit. In 2002, there were more
than 7,595 entrants from over 22 countries, each ponying up the
$10,000 entrance fee, and total winnings were in excess of $19 million
(the tournament was also televised on ESPN). During one memorable
year, the participants included actors Matt Damon and Edward Norton,
fresh from Rounders, a movie in which they played a couple of card
sharks. They decided to try out their newly acquired moves against the
pros, who were unhappy that these kids were barging in on their
action, and so, rumor has it, offered a separate, large bounty to whatever
player took them out. Both actors got knocked out on the first
day but took it with good grace and apparently had a blast.
Slot players can join a club to accumulate bonus points toward free meals, rooms,
gifts, and cash prizes. And if you’re traveling with kids ages 2 to 7, you can leave
them at an in-house babysitting facility free for 3 hours while you gamble. 2800
Fremont St. (between Charleston Blvd. and Mojave Rd.). & 702/385-9123.
El Cortez This casino is one of the last shreds of pre-1980s Las Vegas, which
is either wonderful or horrible depending on your view. It features frequent bigprize
drawings (up to $50,000) based on your Social Security number. It’s also
popular for low limits (10¢ roulette and 25¢ craps). 600 Fremont St. (between 6th and
7th sts.). & 702/385-5200.
Fitzgeralds This casino is done up in greens and golds, and the overall effect
is not quite as tacky as you might expect. In fact, it’s rather friendly and with a
medium to low claustrophobia level. The casino actually has two levels: From
the upstairs part, you can access a balcony from which you get an up-close view
of the Fremont Street Experience.
Blackjack, craps, and keno tournaments are frequent events here. Slot
machines that paid back over 100% the previous week are marked with a Mr.
Lucky sign. The Fitzgerald Card offers slot players gifts, meals, and other perks
for accumulated points. Several slot machines have cars as prizes, fun books provide
two-for-one gaming coupons, and there are $1-minimum blackjack tables.
301 Fremont St. (at 3rd St.). & 702/388-2400.