Mark’s Las Vegas Blog - Your Source for Vegas Info

Harrah’s announced the other day that they will be delaying the final table of the world Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event final Table for…..16 weeks???? Are you kidding me? 4 months??? I’m sure someone at Harrah’s thought this was a good idea, but I’m not so sure. Could you imagine this happening with other sports? Like football for example. The Super Bowl is always a couple of weeks after the Championship game, in late February or early March. I couldn’t see the NFL going “OK this year the Super Bowl will be held the first week of July, 4 months after it should be played.”

Harrah’s has a couple of reasons for this. For one thing it has to somewhat do with the TV programming. It usually takes a few weeks to edit the telecast and have it ready for broadcast. There’s several bloggers and publications posting hand-by-hand updates from the WSOP and the results are known to anyone with an internet connection almost immediately. Harrah’s wanted more control over the way the results are known as far as I can guess and that’s one of the reasons behind the change.

But let’s think of all the possibilities. For one, it takes away from the mental and physical toughness that’s required to pull off a WSOP win these days, which is even more so with the huge fields we have nowadays. It’s a bit different trying to outlast 8000 people rather than 800! Also, it gives someone a lot more time to work on their game, hire a coach, study past broadcasts (hopefully) of their opponents. And lets be extreme about it. What if something happens to someone? What do they do if someone’s unable to return to finish the tournament? Take away their chips? If so, are their chips taken out of play, distributed equally among the remaining players? Do they forfeit?

Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s a silly idea. I can see maybe, maybe a week or two inbetween. But four months is just nuts. I feel it’ll take away too much from the integrity of the game and there’s just too much that can happen in that kind of time frame. But hey, maybe I’m wrong. You tell me.

One of the awesome things about living in Las Vegas is there’s always stuff to do. For free! As you all know I’m a big music fan and go check out live bands every chance I get.

 One that I saw was coming was the Queen tribute band “Queen Nation” . They were playing for a few days downtown on Fremont St. & I went down and checked them out. Out West there’s a ton of great tribute bands, the Atomic Punks being the most well known one. I had never heard of Queen Nation before but I figured what the hell, why not go see them. I’m glad I did! They kicked ass.

As you may or may not know, Queen was one of the biggest and best bands to come from the 70’s and 80’s, having several huge hits such as “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, and the sports anthem “we Will Rock You.” Unfortunately, lead singer Freddie Mercury died of complications from AIDS in 1991. (Coincedently, Kiss’s drummer Eric Carr, who replaced original drummer Peter Criss, died on the same day of cancer, however, his passing was overshadowed by Freddie’s. Still it was a tough day for Rock ‘n’ roll.) He was one of the best frontman the rock world had ever seen, both vocally and visually. So, needless to say, a tough act to follow!

But Queen Nation came very close to the real thing. The singer did a fantastic job recreating the presence of Freddie, never an easy thing. He even resembled him to a certain extent The guitarist did an excellent job of pulling off Brian May, replicating his signature stage moves and even though he plays left-handed, he had one of Brian’s well known custom model guitars and his trademark curly hair. He was a great player, recreating his parts pretty much note-for-note.

The rest of the band was excellent too. The drummer had a flashy sparkle finish kit and the raspy voice Roger Taylor is known for. The bass player, while not really a look a like for John Deacon, covered his melodic bass parts with ease.

I’ve always been a huge Queen fan and they’re one of the bands I never got to see, being too young at the time they stopped touring. But Queen Nation did a tremendous job pulling off Queen’s trademark layered sound. They really are worth seeing if you ever get the chance!

I forgot to bring my real camera but I got some ok shots from my cell phone. Here ya go!

Keeping with the Mirage theme of my last post Las Vegas Mirage Volcano Under Construction here’s a couple of shots of the revamped aquarium behind the check-in desk in the main lobby.

The Mirage has been doing a lot to keep up with the times. Adding new restaurants, ravamping the buffet, opening the JET nightclub, and also upgraging the famous aquarium. It was a big deal when it first opened and after many years (like a lot of us!) was ready for a facelift. Here’s the finished product:

So this time I’m gonna show what it’s like to be a high roller & win millions! (well maybe dozens!)

The game of choice for us locals is predominately video poker. Really the only ones that play slots are tourists.

One of the weirdest things about moving here was seeing video poker machines basically everywhere! Yes, they’re in the airport as anyone whose traveled here has seen, but it took some getting used to seeing them in the 7/11, the grocery store, the gas stations, and especially all the local bars.

Anyone that’s played knows that you drink free while playing, just be kind and tip the cocktail waitress at least $1 per drink. It works the same at the local bars.  As long as you’re playing drinks are comped and tipping well keeps the drinks coming (and stronger too!)

Anyway I was out at my usual haunts over the weekend and was playing some video poker. Usually I don’t have the greatest luck but got lucky and hit this awesome hand on a Friday night:

That’s right folks. A royal flush! The very best hand you can hit playing video poker! It’s only the second one I’ve ever hit.

Remember before when I said I’m gonna show you how to be a high roller. Well look closely at the picture. That’s right folks. I was playing a nickel machine. 50 cents a hand. HUGE stakes! the hand payed a whole $200! American dollars thank you very much! (Of course worth about $17 with the devalued dollar these days!) Ehh I can’t complain it got me some new shoes and a nice dinner!

The very next night (that’s Saturday for those of you keeping score) I was out yet again (2 nights in a row! Somebody stop me!) and was playing some more VP and somehow managed to hit this beauty:

4 aces! That’s the second best hand you can hit on VP. Again notice the high roller here playing nickels. I’m like butter baby, I’m on a roll!

(Hey now! Be sure to tip your bartenders & waitresses they’re working hard for you. 2 shows on Sunday, try the special!)

Ok sorry I got carried away & thought I was a comedian again. Anyway just wanted to show you that anyone can hit it big in Vegas. Even me!

I was down on the strip and got some photos of the renovation of the Mirage volcano. It’s weird to see it just, well, naked! It’s hard to believe it’s been there almost 20 years now. That’s a lifetime in Vegas years!

For those who don’t know, Steve Wynn opened the Mirage in 1989. It was the first new casino resort built on the Las Vegas strip in many years and at the time was the most expensive hotel-casino in the world.

It kicked off a huge boom and ushered in the era of the “mega-casino.” At first Wynn was called crazy, that it’d never work etc. I think he proved them wrong! It looks just a bit dated today but still remains one if the jewels of the strip.

Before the Bellagio was build (also a Steve Wynn property at the time) the poker room at the Mirage was considered “ground zero” of the poker world and you could always see the biggest stars of the game playing for huge stakes.

Here’s what the volcano looks like as of April 2008:

One of the most famous sights on the Las Vegas strip has to be the Bellagio Fountains. Built at a cost of 10 million dollars it was one of the most striking visuals ever in a city known for it’s sensory overload. It’s one of my favorite sights to see and another on the “must see” list when you visit our fair city.

A little known trick is the best view of the fountain show is across the street. But you have to take an elevator for the view. What’s the elevator to you ask? Well it’s up to the observation deck in the Eiffel Tower replica. It’s only a few bucks but offers an awesome view of that part of the strip, including the fountains. Check out these pics:

It was pretty windy that day & if the wind is too high they don’t run the fountain show. They shot of a couple of test shots & figured it was ok. Lucky for me!

From up there you also have a great view of the Planet Hollywood, the HUGE CityCenter project (it really is massive and it’s still 2 years from being finished) and most of the middle strip. Like everything else in Las Vegas the view is better at night and both the fountain show and the tower run until midnight most nights, weather permitting.

I was out on the Strip yesterday and found myself walking by the former site of the New Frontier.  It was one of the last “old Vegas” casinos left and was imploded last November. IT didn’t quite have the love and nostalga some of the others had but it’s still a little sad to watch Vegas history pass.

Even though towards the end it wasn’t a glamorous place it still had it’s fair share of Strip history:

Elvis has his first Vegas appearance there in 1956 and it hosted the final show of Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1970. Siegfriend and Roy had a 7 year run there until being hired away by Steve Wynn to appear at the soon to open at the Mirage in 1988 and they would remain there until Roy’s tragic accident in 2003.

It was also the site of the longest union strike in American history, lasting over 6 years before being resolved!

A group that owns the Plaza hotel in NYC plans to build a replica on the site. Thing is, there’s already a “Plaza” hotel here, down at the end of Fremont St. I’m not sure how they’ll resolve the name issue but it’s up in the air at this time.

 All that’s left is the main sign and a parking sign at the opposite end of the property.

 Just an empty lot now. Or is it? You see something in the picture? Let’s zoom in…

Yup. That’s an office chair! It’s just sitting in the middle of the dirt! I dunno how it got there but it’s all that’s left!

Ok I lied there’s more. Around the side the guard house is still there from the demolition project.

The gold building in the background  of some of the pics is the new Trump Tower. It had just opened up a few days before. I’ll get over and check it out close up soon.

With the Stardust gone as well that part of the strip is looking pretty desolate. It’s a weird thing to see just nothing where a huge hotel and casino once stood, especially one that was there for so long. Time will tell if the Plaza project works out. For now, just dirt and memories.

I hadn’t been up in the Stratosphere tower in a while and now that the weather’s getting nicer I figured it was a good way to spend a few hours and take some pics.

For anyone that’s never been up there, it’s one of the Vegas “must do’s”. It only costa a few bucks but offers the best views of the valley.

You have to enter through the retail mall on the second level and wind your way around until you get to the elevator banks. For safety reasons since 9/11 they require everyone to pass through a metal detector. Then you get your picture taken and can purchase it after you come back down.

Now comes the fun! You get in a double-decker elevator which are some of the fastest in the world. They bring you up 108 stories in under 40 seconds! Yes your ears pop it’s that fast!

When you step out you are on the lower observation deck. It’s fully enclosed and has a 360 degree view of the Las Vegas Valley. You really get a sense of the scope of the valley and a great view of the mountains that surround Las Vegas.

On the upper level is the outside observation deck. It only goes partway around because of the thrill rides up top. Sadly they took the roller coaster down a couple of years ago but the BigShot is still there. The rides they addes are the X-Scream and the Insanity. I’ll admit I’m not brave enough to go on these but I’ve spoken to quite a few that have and they say it’s like nothing else!

Here’s a couple of shots of the X-Scream from up top & outside:

It was too windy that day for the Insanity ride but trust me it’s, well, insane! Here it is though.

Another “only in Vegas” thing at the top is the world’s highest Starbucks. They’re literally all over out here and why not have one up at 109 stories? Want proof? Here you go!

Here’s a shot of the downtown Fremont St. casinos:

A view of the huge sign at the Las Vegas Hilton:

And finally a view of the Las Vegas strip:

The Stratosphere tower is the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River & like almost everything out here is uniquely Vegas. Take a couple hours on your next trip out here & check it out. You won’t regret it! If you’re really brave check out the rides and let me know if you had the ride of your lif

The Trump Tower opened this week here in Las Vegas. It’s the Donald’s first venture into the Vegas valley. He’s been quite successful in Atlantic City and has wanted to be in Vegas for a long time.

Unlike his East Coast properties his tower here is only condos. There’s no casino on site. It’s a concept called “condotel” where you own the unit but rent it out when you’re not using it.

In typical Trump style it’s been designed as a luxury destination. The whole outer glass is a shiny gold and really gleams in the daytime sun. There’s a spa, pool and coming later a high end restaurant.

But here’s the rub. As some have pointed out (and I agree) there’s some down sides. Yes it’s beautiful place, but…

1. There’s no casino. It’s just rooms and the usual amenities.  Which leads to…

2. It’s in kind of a bad location. Yes you can see it from the strip. But it’s not ON the strip. The closest casino (ironically belonging to Trump’s rival Steve Wynn) is about a half-mile away. All that’s really close is the Fashion Show Mall.

3. The rate is estimated to be $350 a night. That’s a LOT to stay at a place with no casino, no shows, and no restaurants. You can easily find a room on the Strip under $100 if you look around.

Time will tell if Trump’s place will work in our market. He does have plans and the financing for a second tower though.

My opinion? This is just his first venture here. He’s had success in Atlantic City and had long wanted to be in Vegas as well. Plus add in his rivalry with Steve Wynn & I’m sure we’ll see more of Donald Trump in the future.

One of the places I’ve been meaning to check out forever is the Burger Bar over in the Mandalay Place. I finally had the chance to head over there the other day. Let me tell ya it was worth the wait!

Their whole thing is about gourmet hamburgers.  For a restaurant that’s mostly about burgers the choices are quite impressive. They have regular beef, turkey, veggie and even Kobe beef if you so choose.

Also they have one of the biggest list of options I’ve ever seen. Any kind of topping, bun, and side you could imagine. You want sweet potato fries? No problem. 8 kinds of cheese? Sure thing. Pesto sauce? Absolutely. Even truffles if you so desire.

Even the most pickiest eater (like myself) should have no problem customizing the burger of your dreams. Add a huge selection of bottle & draft beer  you have the makings of a meal!

“But do they make good burgers?” I’m glad you asked! They make FANTASTIC burgers! I had the Angus beef burger with Swiss, peppered bacon & Blue cheese cooked medium-well (I call it the Mark ) with some fat fries. It was quite tasty thank you very much.

Even though I do love In & Out it was a treat to have a gourmet burger made to my taste. One thing though is it’s always busy at dinnertime (hey no one wants to eat at an empty restaurant!) so either plan for a wait or try to go off-peak. We went in the afternoon & easily found seats at the bar.

If you love a good burger I highly recommend the Burger Bar. They’re located in the Mandalay Place between the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor. Check it out & let me know what you think!