Disturbing Trend in Las Vegas

[Rawlden]

<p>Where to start?</p><p>Sweetpea likes to play Blackjack. She has been to Vegas on many occasions and usually does quite well. Normally she likes to play at the $10 minimum multi deck shoe tables. Not being overly wealthy, she likes to be able to get at least 10 bets out of her usual $100 stake if the cards are not in her favor.</p><p>At the '05 FF she played enough and won enough that between her winnings and the comps she earned, our 5 day stay was virtually free.</p><p>Earlier this year she took a 3 day weekend trip to Vegas to relax and play some Blackjack. While she did not win a great deal of money she did well enough to qualify for a free buy in to a Blackjack Tournament this month. Normally a $2500 buy in.</p><p>So that's where she is right now. Of course, when not actually playing in the toruney she and the other players are very likely to be playing casually in the casino. I'm sure the casino's count on this.</p><p>But on this trip, it's suddenly very hard for her to find a $10 table. All the tables are $15 or $25 minimums. At one point there was one $10 table open. It was full. And there were 5 people, including Sweetpea, standing around waiting for an open seat.</p><p>So they asked the pit boss to open another $10 table. They were refused. And a half hour later that table was now a $25 table and there were no $10 tables to be found.</p><p>Evidently the casino feels it can't make money fast enough at a measly $10 table.</p><p>I hope this is not a trend in Vegas that small gamblers are being priced out. I really hope that when we get to the Rio, there will be $10 Blackjack tables available. Because if there aren't, we won't be gambling and we probably won't ever go back to Vegas. Not even for EQ.</p>

[Sandain666]

<p>Are you talking about the Rio in particular, All of Vegas or just the larger casinos? If the Rio does not have any 10$ tables there are plenty other casinos that will take your money. You will definately not have a problem finding 10$ tables in the downtown area. Also keep in mind casinos often set the table limits according to the people playing and the amounts being bet. If you happen to be in a casino where alot of high rollers are staying you will find the table limits higher. Same goes for big holiday weekends. </p><p>Maybe Sony could arrange to have a table exclusively for FF attendees?</p>

[Rawlden]

<p>I'm speaking specifically of the Rio. We don't care to wander all over Vegas looking for a place to lose our money. If we're going to gamble, we'll gamble in the hotel we're staying at or not at all. If my, or Sweetpea's $10 bets aren't good enough for them then we'd just as soon keep our money.</p>

[Saroc_Luclin]

I'm not a Vegas expert, but considering the Rio was apparently hosting a Blackjack tournament when she was down there, it isn't too surprising that the Rio, expecting a lot of blackjack players, probably expecting people to be a bit looser with their purse strings in general, would raise the minimum stakes. We'll see come August, but it doesn't seem like much to be concerned about one way or another; the Rio was just adjusting to Supply and Demand; and I expect during the Fan Faire the demand should be less so they'll be more willing to supply lower tables.

[Rawlden]

<p>She wasn't at the RIO, she was at the Hilton. Sorry I forgot to specify. And she was in the Blackjack tournement, but was looking to play at some $10 tables when not playing in the tourney.</p><p>Anyway, we've pretty much given up on the Hilton, she was not treated kindly when she complained.</p><p>We're hoping for better treatment at the RIO.</p>

[Starrla]

<p>Gambling is for the rich...so I just watch other folks lose their money.</p><p>And maybe slip a coin in a slot machine or two.  <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I go for the shows and the FF  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>