Gaming Revenues in Nevada fall by Biggest Annual Percentage Ever

In Nevada gaming revenues fell by 10.4% in 2009, which is the biggest drop in the history of the state. Throughout the state casinos made $10.39 billion from gaming revenue in 2009 and that was the lowest total since back in 2003. However, in the latter half of the year the decline was not so bad.

According to Control Board Tax and License Division Chief Frank Streshley Nevada gaming revenues in the first 6 months of 2009 were down 13.4% as compared with the same period in 2008. In the last 6 months of 2009 the drop was only 7.2% compared to the year before. Streshley recently stated, “I guess you can say we improved in the second half of the year. In reality, that stretch between October 2008 and March of last year was a horrendous period for the industry.”

The most recent drop follows a trend with the economic slump, as 2009 saw a 9.7% increase from 2008. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has been keeping records of casino revenues since back in 1956 and the only repeat in dropping revenues from year to year were in the past 10 years.

The Strip saw a big drop, as their revenues in 2009 were $5.5 billion, which is a drop of 9.4%. Clark County, which is the county that Las Vegas is located, fell 9.8% to $8.8 billion.

North Las Vegas actually saw an increase in revenue last year and the main reason was the opening of the impressive Aliante Station in November 2008. North Las Vegas was the only part of Clark County that saw a revenue increase last year. The Casinos in North Las Vegas reported gaming revenue of $286.2 million, which is a 1.2% increase over the totals from 2008.

In looking at the main games of the casinos slots saw the biggest drop in revenues from the previous year of 10.8% while table games fell 4%.

Every county in Nevada had a drop in revenue, but what is their loss can be your game. If you look all around Nevada, especially in Las Vegas, you can find killer deals on hotels and package vacations. If you go to Las Vegas and visit the Strip on down times of the year you can find really good bargains and you gambling money can go a lot further. Take some time to research some deals online and you will be surprised how much money you can save.

February 14th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Slots, Table Games | No Comments

Las Vegas Gambling Tips – Cages and Chips

When going to Las Vegas, or any other land based casino, you should know the info about the casino chips and cages. Here is some info on both that you should be armed with before you gamble so you will have no problems.

•    The cage is a term for the cashier at a casino. The casino will only have one area for the cashier located in the casino. Generally, it is a row of windows much like a bank. At the cashier area you can deal with money, chips and coins. It is also the area to go to in order to set up a line of credit if you plan to do some significant gambling. By getting a credit you will just have to sign a marker at the table rather then carry a lot of cash on you.
•    The change booths at the casinos are generally smaller booths that are located throughout the casino. In many casinos the booths will have bars on them, no not the drinking ones, which makes them looks like cages. These booths or cages are also the cashier and they deal with the transactions of coins to cash and vice versa. The cages will not deal with the chips, which is the reason they tend to be located near the slot and video poker machines in the casino.
•    There tends to be 2 attendants that handle the transactions of cash to coins. Roving change attendants tend to be located in the middle of the machine area and they will also give you the plastic buckets for you to hold your change in. The slot and change attendants work around the machine area all day and night at the casinos. You can ask them which are the loose machines and if they give you a good tip remember to tip them if you hit big.
•    The casinos will have their very own house coins. The house coins with be in denominations of $1, $5, and $25, and some casinos will have higher limit coins. The penny, 5 cent, and 25 cent machines will take the U.S. coins. At the cages and booths you can only exchange the coins for cash. Most machines will take bills in many bill denominations.
•    The chips at casinos will be in denominations of $1, $5, and $100 and can even be more. There are also smaller casinos that will have chips for 25 and 50 cents. You can get the chips at the tables and you can exchange them for money at the cashier section of the casino. However, the Roulette chips work differently, as the chips are color-coded and you must exchange them before you get up to leave the table. When you are done playing just ask the dealer to color up or cash out.
•    Many times casinos will not honor coins or chips that come from another casinos. Before leaving a casino to go to another cash out your chips.
•    When you are passing through a casino you can lay down cash bets at the Roulette table, and other tables usually, and you do not have to use chips. If you are going to play for some time you should always use chips.
•    Even though many casinos will use the same color-coded chips do not use them if they are from a different casino.

August 18th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Slots, Table Games | No Comments

Be Smart when Gambling at Las Vegas Casinos

You have to be smart when you gamble in Las Vegas, or any other land based casinos, so you can have fun and not lose your shirt. Here are a few tips you can follow in how to gamble in an intelligent way.

•    Know that gambling is a form of entertainment. Obviously everyone wants to win, but you have to know that the edge is with the casinos and the chances are you will lose. Gambling should be fun and not stressful and you never want to leave thinking you threw away money. The gambling bankroll you have should be seen as a cost that should be taken into consideration for a trip. Hey, you may lose, but there are not many entertainment offers where you can walk away with more money then you came with.
•    The bankroll you use should be part of the entertainment budget. This should be money that you can afford lose and you should not be bummed if you do lose it. The gambling bankroll should not be money that you need for bills or other important expenses. Unless it is the case that you are very disciplined with money then it is a good idea to have the bankroll on you and only that amount. This will allow you to stick to your amount and not go past it. Nothing is worse then losing a lot of money when gambling when you go past what you can afford to lose.
•    Pick you bankroll denomination very carefully. If you play dollar slots and your bankroll does not last long by doing it then switch to quarter slots. Lower your betting denomination if you go on a cold streak or your bankroll is getting drained quickly switch to lower denomination bets. Lowing your bets is the best way to stretch your gambling dollar.
•    Take breaks from your gambling session. Nothing will drain your enthusiasm quicker then staying at a game for hours on end. Take a break, go get some fresh air or go to the bar and get a drink. Even changing games or watch a sports game or horse race and drop a little cash on them to still feel the juice.
•    Gamble at a slower pace. Pick tables that you can play slowly at, which means making fewer bets. There is no reward for gambling at a fast pace. Chat with your table neighbors and have a good time, as if you are at a table where you have to bet quickly then find another table.

If you are a person that uses common sense in the every day world then you should do so when gambling in Las Vegas. Don’t leave your common sense at the casino entrance. By following the above tips it can make your gambling experience what it is meant to be, which is fun.

August 16th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, Slots, Table Games | No Comments

Basic Las Vegas Betting Guidelines

When you go to Vegas you should have some sort of betting guideline that you should follow. If you do not it can cost you some significant cash. Here are some betting guidelines that you should follow when heading to Las Vegas or any land-based casino for that matter.

•    Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you will be bummed out when losing a certain amount of money have a gambling bankroll that is less then that amount. You should be heading to Sin City to have fun not for financial gain. Gambling is fun and the gambling bankroll you use should be an amount that you do not mind losing, as there is a possibility that you will lose it.
•    When heading to Las Vegas you should expect to leave your bankroll behind. The chances are that you will lose your bankroll, as there is a reason why casinos make money. The house has an edge with every game and overall they will win more then they lose at your expense. What makes you win is the good streaks that you hit while playing the games.
•    When you hit a hot streak and you are ahead go ahead and quit. Don’t press your luck and ride a hot streak longer then you should. Streaks will end quickly, so if you are ahead bank your winnings and walk away, as you are sure to leave with more then when you came. If you are cold right off the bat it may be a good idea to switch games or casinos.
•    Don’t get down when luck is not with you. If you have a bad session where Lady Luck is not on your side do not get depressed. Those types of bad sessions happen and it is how you ride out the cold streaks that will determine how well you do.
•    Never chase your bets. Chasing bets is increasing your next bet after a losing one in order to get your money back. This is the easiest way to lose a significant amount of cash. This is a telltale sign that greed and desperation are kicking in. It is always better, and more likely to happen, to chip away at your losses rather then trying to win all your losses back in one play. Keep to your original bet totals and stick with them. The only time when you should increase them is when you are on a major hot streak and you have already banked some money.
•    If you are losing lower your bets. If you hit a cold streak it is a good idea to lower your bets until the cold streak is over. Play lower bets until luck is back in your corner.
•    Never buy a system or book that will guarantee that you will win money. You will see a lot of systems and books, especially online, which will guarantee that you will break the casino. Do not fall for these, as they simply are not true. Every casino game is a game of chance, with the exception of poker, so there is no surefire way that you can use a system to break the casino and win big bucks. Sure, there are systems that you can use, but they should be ones that you can find for free and they tend to deal with betting systems not ones that will beat the games.

August 15th, 2024 | Posted in Blackjack, Casinos, Craps, Gambling Thoughts, Roulette, Table Games | No Comments

Gaming Revenues Fall by 13.8% in Nevada in the Month of June

Gaming revenues fell in the month of June in the state of Nevada to their lowest single month total in almost 5 years. Casinos in Nevada took in $818.2 million from customers in June compared to $949.3 million in June of last year, which is a drop of 13.8% according to figures that were recently released by the Gaming Control Board.

June’s total was the lowest monthly total that casinos took in since July of 2004 when they took in $813 million. June was the 18th straight month that there was a decrease in gaming totals, as the gaming industry is getting hit hard by the American, as well as global, struggling economy.

The Strip in Las Vegas was hit harder in the month of June, as they only took in $$414.5 million compared with $486.4 million in June of last year, which is a whopping 14.8% drop in revenues.

The chief of the Gaming Control Board’s tax and licensing division, Frank Streshley stated that the month of June is generally a light gaming revenues month. The decline of double digits in gaming revenue in Nevada was not the result of the basic June decline, but rather people are just not spending as much money as they used to and not as many people are visiting Las Vegas these days. Besides the gaming industry in Nevada the hotel industry is also taking a big hit.

In June the amount bet on slots was down 10.7% and table game revenues also were down by 12.7%. Streshley recently stated that the table game revenue for June, which was $1.8 billion wagered, was the lowest bet on table games since way back in November of 2003.

Gaming revenues went down in double digits in every area of Las Vegas with the exception being downtown Las Vegas, as they still had decreasing revenues but only to the tune of 5.6%. Downtown Las Vegas is cheaper to stay at then the Strip is and more people are going to less expensive hotels and casinos since they are watching their dollars more these days.

I have written about this before, but with the falling revenues in the gaming and hotel industry you can benefit from it. You can not only get cheaper hotel rooms, but you can also play at lower stakes tables, especially on the Strip, and you can get more comps, as casinos are hurting for customers. Now is the time to head to Sin City, as you can get a great deal on hotels and flights.

August 12th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, News, Slots, Table Games | No Comments

Tips for Playing Roulette

You will find, especially on the Net, many Roulette systems that will guarantee that you will win. Don’t fall for these bogus systems, as Roulette is a game of chance and there are no legit systems that will beat the game. There are some tips that you can follow that can help you be more successful when playing Roulette and here they are!

•    Never base your Roulette play on the screen. A lot of players will base their play, bets, on the screen in looking at what previous numbers have hit. The casinos know this, which is why they have the screen. However, unlike other casino games Roulette is a game where the previous play has no effect on the next one. The chance that 13 hits 5 times in a row is the same as 5 different numbers hitting.
•    Try to find European Roulette. You can find the European version in some land based and online casinos and you should try to play this version, as it reduces the house edge. The American version of Roulette has a 0 and a 00 while the European version only has the single 0. A Roulette wheel that has a single 0 has a house edge of 2.70%, while a 00 Roulette table has a house edge of 5.26%.
•    Stay away from bad bets. A bad bet is betting against yourself. Never make a bet that you know you will lose, such as betting on both Red or Black or Odd or Even. Sure, the chances that you will win at least some money is good, but the payout will not be significant and it is more likely that you will lose more then you win.
•    When playing Roulette on the Internet play at casinos that publish their payout percentages. There are scam online casinos that will not use a RNG (Random Number Generator) and that means the numbers are not random and the casino can base the numbers on the bet you make and win your bet. You can be sure that the Roulette game is fair if it uses a RNG and they have payout percentages that are published. If you cannot find the payout percentages at an online casino head to another one, as the legit ones will publish them.
•    If you have Roulette system or find one to use do not pay for it. There are some good systems out there to use, but you have to buy many of them and they will guarantee that you win, but this is impossible. You can find many free Roulette systems on the Net, as they are not really systems, but rather betting patterns that will help you stretch your money when playing.
•    If you come up with or find a Roulette system try it out for free before you lay down cold hard cash. There are many online casinos that offer Free Play, which allows you to play the game for free. Try out your system at one of these casinos and if the system works for you then you can use real money. However, if the system does not work and you play for free it did not cost you anything to find that out.

August 11th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, Roulette, Table Games | No Comments

Simple Vegas Table Game Tips

Why go to Las Vegas casinos, or any land-based casinos, and spend all of your time and cash playing the easy to follow games of video poker or slots? Table games can be the most exciting games in the casino and they are also much more social with you interacting with other players and the dealer. There is nothing wrong with playing slots or video poker, but you can have a lot more fun when playing table games. Also, the odds for slots and video poker favor the house more then they do for table games.

Here are some simple tips that you can follow and some basic rules that can make it easier for you to play table games.

•    Almost all casinos will offer free lessons for the table games they offer. Check with the casino to see when these lessons are and never play the game for real money before you really know the ins and outs of the game.
•    Take some time and watch the game you want to play before you play it. This is even the case if you have gone to the table games lessons and you know how to play. If you do this you can pick up some insights like where you can place bets and how to interact with the dealer. It will also allow you to see if chatting with other players is OK and what not to do at the table.
•    Don’t be afraid to ask the dealer questions if you have them. The dealers have rules they have to follow and they are not betting their money, so they really have nothing to hide. Again, make sure you know the game, as other players can get a bit annoyed with you if you ask too many questions and are slowing down the pace of the game.
•    Make sure you know the table limits of the game before you start to play. This seems pretty obvious, but you have to know what you are getting into when you play.
•    Don’t let the pit bosses at the casino intimidate you. It is their job to look at everyone like they are cheating. Since you are probably not cheating so you have nothing to worry about. If you are having a problem do not be afraid to sit out a hand, roll, or spin and go up to a pit boss to voice your concerns.
•    The payout odds will vary between casinos. Make sure that you check with the dealer or look on the table to confirm the odds you are getting for the game.
•    Don’t think you can’t use your player’s card when playing table games because you can. Generally, you can put the card on the edge of the table, but make sure the dealer sees the card, so you can get your comps and points.

August 7th, 2024 | Posted in Blackjack, Casinos, Craps, Gambling Thoughts, Roulette, Table Games | No Comments

How to Earn Comps at Casinos

In order to get credit for your casino you need to get a Player’s Card, which you can do free of charge. Even if you are not going to gamble a lot you should still get a card, as if you have one you can get mailed and e-mailed for discounted hotel rooms. It is a fact that in Atlantic City that almost 2/3rd of hotel rooms are given away for free.

When you have your Player’s Card and play slots all you have to do to get comp points is put your card in the machine before you begin playing. If you are playing table games then just put the card next to your money when you buy chips. When you play slots or video poker the printout on the card reader will show you the amount of earned comp points you have accumulated. The bigger casinos will also have a brochure at the Player’s Club desk that will show you how many points you must accumulate before you can get such things as free rooms or free buffets.

Typically, casino comps are given depending on how much you gamble and not how much money you lose. Even if you win you can still get comps. Casinos are aware that even if you are a winner that they are as well with the house edge, so they look at the amount of money that you are wagering and now if you are winning or losing. One exception is that it is the case that you can get more comps if you lose big. The size of the casino will be the depending factor on how big a loss is. Another exception is that you can be rewarded for your big win with comps. When you win you will get comped, as the casino wants you to come back so they have the chance to get their money back.

Claiming Your Comps

You have to ask for your comps to get them. If you play machine games you need to head to the Player’s Cub desk and they can give you what you have earned depending on how many points you have accumulated. When you play table games you should ask the pit boss for the comps. If you are not sure how much you have to play to get the comps that you want to get all you have to do is ask, as the pit boss will tell you. Why wouldn’t they, as if you play more the casino makes more money.

Ways to Increase Comps

When you are playing at table games the comps you will get will be based on the average size of your wager. The crew on the floor, pit bosses, will input into their computer you bet size. The bet that is the most important is the first one that you make and the bets directly after that. If your first few bets are more then they usually are the pit boss might input a higher number for your average bet.

You can also get comped more if you slow play at the tables. Play at a table that is full and take your sweet time when decision-making. If you play slower you will lose less, but it may be the case that you will be comped just like you would be by playing at a normal pace.

July 30th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, Promotions, Slots, Table Games, Video Poker | No Comments

How to Tip Blackjack Dealers

Tipping dealers is something you should always do, especially if the dealer is good to you, teaching you how to play, and giving you good advice on what bets to make. Tipping dealers is not only a nice thing to do, but it can also give you some good karma. When you tip dealers you should always tip them in chips rather than cash. You can either directly tip the dealer or make a bet for them. Every dealer likes to be tipped a certain way and you should find out how they like to be tipped.

To bet for the dealer put their bet on the outside edge of the betting area. For example, you would bet $10 inside the circle and then $2 at the top of the betting area. If you lose your bet then the dealer will then lose their tip as well, but if you win the dealer wins. Slide the winning tip to the dealer. In most land-based casinos the dealers cannot take chips unless you slide them in their direction.

There are two ways that you can get more money for your buck when you tip a dealer. One way is to give a dealer one chip and then bet the other so you are basically repeating the dealer wager. If you win a few hands in a row then you have a few chips instead of only one and it only cost you one chip. Conversely, if you lose the 2nd hand the dealer still keeps a chip. The second way is to put your wager on top of the bet you make and if you win the hand you can bet the entire bet for them if that is what they prefer. For example, you make a $5 bet and put a $1 on top for the dealer’s bet. If you win the hand you can, again, ask the dealer of they want the tip or they want to bet it again. It seems a lot of dealers will bet the whole thing a couple of times. However, there are others that like to take the original tip.

You have to know that, pretty much, all dealers have to pool their tips, as this evens out the tips that casino dealers are making and it avoids player collusion. Just because dealers pool tips it does not mean that you should tip good dealers less just because they will not get all the money, as you should reward good dealers no matter what. Also, you should not feel like you have to tip bad dealers because it rips off the good dealers at the casino. If a dealer is not a good one do not tip them much, as they may get the point and their peers may pressure them into being a better dealer, as it is costing them money.

So, overall you should tip dealers no matter if you are winning or losing. It’s not just about the whole karma thing, but it is the acceptable thing to do when gambling.

July 29th, 2024 | Posted in Blackjack, Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, Table Games | No Comments

Sin City Tips

When you visit Vegas is can be an awesome experience, but here are some tips that you can follow to make it more enjoyable and affordable.

•    Visit Vegas midweek Accommodations in Vegas can be 3x to 4x more expensive on the weekends. Also, with the crowds on the weekend it will be more difficult to find open tables you want to gamble at, harder to get taxis, and harder to get open dinner reservations. It is also easier to get comps with less people gambling.
•    When you gamble get a player’s card – When you hit the casino first go to the Player’s Club desk even if you are not going to gamble there. You will get mail of e-mail offers for free and discounted rooms on your next Vegas visit.
•    Set a gambling bankroll before you gamble – Set a gambling budget that you can afford to lose and when you get to that point stop gambling. This will help you not lose more then you can afford.
•    Stay away from slots – Slots can drain your money quickly, as they have horrible player odds. If you want to play slots for fun play the games with low money denominations.
•    Make sure to tip dealers and cocktail waitresses – This is not only a nice thing to do, but it could bring you some good karma.
•    Ask for comps – When playing table games and slots the casino will often give you comps for things such as buffets, tickets to shows, or even rooms. Inquire at the player’s club booth if you play slots and at the tables if you play table games how you can get your comps.
•    Use the buses to go from place to place – The buses in Vegas are very cheap and check out for Strip passes, which you can get for cheap and travel the whole Strip for the evening.
•    Get taxis at the hotels on the Strip not the Strip itself – Taxis will not stop right on the Strip, as you need to go the taxi area at a hotel to get one. Do not be afraid to ask other people at the taxi area at a hotel to see if anyone else is going in your direction, as it can be much cheaper when you share a taxi.
•    Take a walk! The Strip is 4 miles long and it does not take a long time to walk from one end to the other. Walking the Strip is also one of the best places in the world to people watch. Also, when there is a lot of traffic it is the fastest way to get around.
•    Hit the 3 booths on the Strip to get show tickets at ½ price – There are 3 booths on the Strip where you can get show tickets at ½ off and they are located just south of the Rivera Hotel and Casino, outside the Fashion Show Mall (across from the Wynn Hotel and Casino), and in the Hawaiian Marketplace (across from the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino). If you are downtown there is a booth for discounted show tickets outside the Four Queens Casino.

July 28th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, Promotions, Slots, Table Games | No Comments

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