Is it just me, or are our casinos putting the screws to their slot machines, and I don't mean in a good way? I'm talking about tightening them up, which means reducing their payout percentage. I see signs in almost every casino touting high payback machines. They scream out "98% return" or "100% return". I've even seen the claim that some machines in a casino pay out more than 100%. The day you see a casino lose money on a slot machine is the day you'll see tickets to see Celine or Elton, or just about any Strip show, selling tickets for $5.
I was sitting at home the other night, feeling bored, so decided to go and play some video poker. It was a choice between Sunset Station to the south or the Cannery to the north. I decided on Sunset. I parked myself at a poker machine and immediately went 41 hands without a winning hand. I moved to another machine. Much better. Only 34 hands in row without a winner. Thirty minutes after I first sat down, I was out $100. Time to move, but this time right out of the casino and into my car.
Instead of going home, I took the 95 to I-15 and made my way to the Cannery. Found a machine that looked lucky (don't they all?) and dropped another hundred in less than 20 minutes. I was not a happy camper. In less than an hour playing video poker on quarter machines, mind you, I had lost $200.
By law in Nevada, slot machines, and I imagine this includes video poker machines, have to have a minimum payback of somewhere around 80 percent. I realize that doesn't mean that every time you sit down to play a machine, the most you can lose is 20% of whatever you put in. But I would like to think that it is impossible to go 41 hands in a row -- and more, as I have often done -- without getting one winning hand.
From e-mails I get and people I talk to, this complaint is getting louder and angrier. Most of us are smart enough to know we are not going to beat the house, but we do expect to get a fair run for our money. High prices for show tickets or for meals in its restaurants aren't going to hurt our casinos as much as the gouging that's going on at the slot machines. More people, both visitors and locals alike, should let their feelings be known to the casinos' management.
BE A SUPERSTAR
Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, let's see what's happening around town. I'm sure there's a lot of you out there who fancy yourselves better singers than anyone on American Idol. Now you can have a chance to prove it at the Fiesta Rancho's Las Vegas Superstar promotion, which the hotel is calling it the "ultimate singing competition."
You'll get to perform on a large concert stage with a million-dollar professional lighting and sound system in Club Tequila. The contest begins at 8:30 p.m. with contestants performing until midnight. Cover charge is only $5 and includes one free drink from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Winners will be selected by audience applause based on a sound meter, so bring as many friends as you can. There will be a total of five winners, who will move forward to the final competition. The prize for 1st place is $100 cash and an invitation to perform in the final competition.
The final competition takes place following eight weeks of qualifying nights and the winner will be judged by three celebrity judges, so your friends won't be able to help you out if you make it that far. The winner will win the title of Las Vegas Superstar and will receive $1000 cash and a trip for two to Hollywood. Not bad. To find out which nights the contest is going to be held, call (702) 638-3771.
CULTURE CLUB
Haven't had my Culture Corner for a while, so for all you snobs, here goes: Sultry, steamy, sensuous. This is what the Nevada Ballet Theatre is calling its presentation of the classic Arabian masterpiece, Scheherazade. In addition, the Theatre's own Bruce Steivel will reprises his popular one-act ballet, The Class. It all takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, May 12; Saturday, May 13 at 2 & 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 14, at 1 & 4:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $65 and you can get them by calling 702-895-ARTS, or order online at http://pac.unlv.edu
You are also invited to join them for "Dinner & The Ballet" on opening night, Friday, May 12. Dinner will take place at the Stirling Club, 2829 Paradise Rd. Cocktails at 5:30, dinner at 6 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Pretty fancy-shmancy. Dinner tickets are $80 and are separate from your ballet tickets. For dinner reservations, call Jeanne Frederick, 702-243-2623. There will also be an "after-hours" Scheherazade party, immediately following the performance. As of this writing, the location hadn't been determined, but don't worry, it won't be at a McDonald's.
And speaking of McD's, I haven't had breakfast yet, so if you'll excuse me, my oatmeal awaits.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
