Fontainebleau Las Vegas right now, Saturday, 6:30 PM

They,got what they voted for

Since the 2010s, Adelson has been one of the Republican Party's largest individual donors, and since 2016 she has been one of the most prominent financial supporters of Donald Trump. She and her husband provided the largest donation (Israel first) to his 2016 campaign, his presidential inauguration, his defense fund against the Mueller investigation into Russian interference, and the 2020 campaign.She was the third largest donor to Trump's 2024 election bid, donating $106 million.

I thought you meant the interior.

Fucking hideous!!

i have no idea what the OP means.

Would someone translate? I don't happen to live inside his brain.

Isn’t this hotel newer, lesser known?

Don’t they try to attract the young and hip as well?

The young and hip aren’t going to Vegas.

🤷🏻‍♀️

R4

The casino is empty

Saturday night is Las Vegas's busiest night

The decline of tourism in Las Vegas is a big story and a huge recession indicator

Do you not read or watch the news? Or do you confine yourself to Datalounge and reruns of Designing Women?

I think OP is saying that it's empty on a Saturday night, which is because of Trump's policies, and the owner of this casino is a big Trump supporter. Do better, OP.

[quote] Isn’t this hotel newer, lesser known?

The Fontainebleau is a new-ish 5 star luxury property with a concert venue, a mall and lots of dining. It is at the north end of the Strip.

It’s controlled by the Koch family. 😖

I looked into staying there a few months ago when I had to meet up with some relatives also visiting Vegas. The problem with that hotel is that while it is technically on The Strip, its' at the far end no one wants to walk too. The prices were higher than most of the other similar size hotels on the strip, the interior looks like it was designed by one of the glammy Beverly Hills House Wives, and they offered no incentive to make a special trip there. The name is what THEY think is a big enough draw, which it's not.

R7 is also an idiot. Neither Steve Wynn or Miriam Adelson own the Fontainebleau.

It’s good to see that those fucking owners are losing their shirts in their fucking hotels.

May they have the days they voted for.

Fuck them all.

It’s way down on the strip.

When I went to Las Vegas, I actually stayed in Lake Las Vegas. Talk about a different world for the strip. Properties like those probably will feel the change in travel the least. They don’t have slots in those properties, at least to my knowledge.

Sculptor's Statement: A burning sack of dogshit!

the ignore function works

[quote] I think OP is saying that it's empty on a Saturday night, which is because of Trump's policies, and the owner of this casino is a big Trump supporter.

Well…fine…But isn’t 6:30 a bit early for a casino to be hopping?

They went to all that trouble…

R17 9PM

OMG THEY HAVE WHITNEY SLOTS

HOW THE FUCK IS THIS STILL A THING?

OP/r6 likes to WW herself

[Quote] Do you not read or watch the news? Or do you confine yourself to Datalounge and reruns of Designing Women?

I do the latter—don’t we all?

[quote] ] is also an idiot. Neither Steve Wynn or Miriam Adelson own the Fontainebleau

I'm an idiot for not knowing who owns every hotel in Vegas or for not understanding what the OP's point is?

Sure.

Ha ha. Hope Vegas dies a horrible death.

The Fontainebleau is basically off the strip. Who the fuck wants to go all the way down there?

Check in the Cosmo.

Whitney slot machines?? JFC

R21 Circus Circus is actually profitable. All the other casinos owe hundreds of millions in construction. Also the casino conglomerates don't actually own the land their casinos are on. They sold all the land and are now leasing the properties. It's all a big scam by rich private equity.

Inside Defacto’s trousers right now, Sunday morning 1:59am

Circus circus stays open because it’s still cheap and so people still go there. You only need so many luxury hotels in Vegas. Most people going to Vegas who anrent going for convention are looking for cheap deals. Not a luxury experience.

It looks like a shithole casino

there is something really sick about a whitney houston slot machine.

Vegas used to be the place for cheap food, free drinks and cheap hotels. All of that's gone now. People just don't gamble like they used to so the profits that used to pay for those things have dwindled down to a trickle. The hotels now charge close to what you would pay in a major city like NYC, and the restaurants do the same, no more buffets or 9.99 steak dinner specials, it's all fake 4 star recreations you see in LA, Chicago, and NYC dinner for 4 can easily be $500. Not a lot of people want to pay that unless it's on some corporate convention tab.

That's the real reason Vegas is dying. It's too damn expensive and no longer a cheap getaway in the desert. And these days, even if you are a big international gambler, you can do that a lot more places in the US and around the world than there used to be.

I’m only interested in seeing seedy old Vegas.

There’s still a Fontainbleu? Is this 1963 Miami?

For the Whitney slots, I’m assuming that 5 bathtubs in a row is the jackpot and receipts for the purchase of crack are the wild cards?

They need to bring in DJT as a consultant. He has lots of experience running casinos…

He already has a casino there Sherlock.

But he doesn’t own or consult for the Fontainebleau, Dr Watson.

OP means the stink of poo water has cleared the public rooms of the hotel. It's hard to see in the tiny photo but the fecal flood is entering the lobby from one of the corridors.

oh pee is the turd calling people idiots.

Vegas is just too top-heavy now.

Once upon a time, gambling ran the show: cheap rooms, cheap buffets, and the house made its fortune on the tables. Then came Atlantic City and tribal casinos, and suddenly Sin City wasn’t the only game in town.

There’s a delicious irony in that. Steve Wynn doesn’t even own his own namesake property anymore (his ex-wife does, and she’s a Democrat), and his original crown jewel, The Mirage, is being bulldozed into the new Hard Rock Las Vegas, to be owned, at least partly, by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Vegas built an empire on taking everyone else’s money. Now the house belongs to someone else.

That’s poetry.

I was in Vegas in July for a friend's birthday (and... Beyonce's final show... course.) We stayed at Resorts World which was a 10 minute walk from Fontainebleau. We grabbed some gelato one night at Fontainebleau and, yes, were struck by how empty the place was. It's too isolated from the main strip to attract walking tourists (unless they're REALLY trying to get their steps in) and hardly that much of a destination to attract people to it in particular. I can imagine that isolation is part of their appeal to the guests who do book with them, but, that's probably too niche a segment to sustain a massive hotel casino.

[quote]The Fontainebleau is a new-ish 5 star luxury property with a concert venue, a mall and lots of dining.

After it opened, it was immediately notorious for its prices, which were ridiculous even for Las Vegas. There was an infamous "nachos" snack plate with five chips that cost $38. I forget how much a bottle of water was, but it was in the $20 range. Someone else paid $22 to have an electric kettle in room. Combine all that with the poor location and people neither want to stay there nor visit.

[quote]I was in Vegas in July for a friend's birthday (and... Beyonce's final show... course.) We stayed at Resorts World which was a 10 minute walk from Fontainebleau.

I was at Resorts World back in May 2024, and if you found the Fontainebleau worse than RW, which I swear was designed by a spreadsheet in Kuala Lumpur....

I didn't find Fountainebleau worse than RW. I was just commenting on a brief walk through the FB we took due to our relative proximity to the hotel. When we walked through it was much emptier than other hotels we visited on the main drag of the strip.

FB is obviously more upscale than RW. We only stayed at RW because we got a very good deal -- which, in of itself tells me that Vegas is not doing well. We got rooms for less than $70/ea a night -- without any offers/coupons.

And, ha! Designed by a spreadsheet in Kuala Lumpur pretty much covers it for RW!

It’s not right, but it’s okay, R32.

[quote]there is something really sick about a whitney houston slot machine.

Better than a line of Whitney upscale bath accessories.

There is a (shitty) Trump hotel in Vegas but it's non gaming.

Trump can't get a gaming license from Nevada.

R34 Check out Circa. It’s on Fremont, it’s new, and quite nice. The outdoor pool area “Stadium Swim” is very cool. Less than half the price of strip hotels, and you are in the much more interesting part of Vegas.

I was there two weeks ago, and everything felt decidedly quieter though.

RW is just…why is it there? I like that they have some little touches of Old Vegas (one of Liberace’s pianos and I think the original Stardust sign), but it’s like the biggest, emptiest soulless thing.

The Mob is gone, the moguls are gone, it’s just oligarchs and spreadsheets.

Online gaming can't be helping.

Location, location. location. Nobody wants to go that far up. On a map, they don't look too far away, but, they are quite a walking distance from the rest of the strip.

Car manufacturers continue to churn out $100,000 Chevy Tahoes and Suburbans, $85K Ford F150 pick-up trucks, and $60K Jeep Wranglers.

American homebuilders continue to churn out $800K McMansions with 3000 square feet of space, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and expensive upgraded kitchens that get used mainly to reheat pizza and McD's.

Las Vegas has decided to abandon its traditional market and go after the luxury market like this latest fiasco, the Fontainebleau.

All three of these industries face severe problems, but their executives keep plodding along in the same direction, catering exclusively to the "luxury" crowd.

[quote] Well…fine…But isn’t 6:30 a bit early for a casino to be hopping?

No. As you might know, casinos are 24 hour establishments and are designed without clocks or windows so gamblers can't keep track of time.

[quote] The Fontainebleau is basically off the strip. Who the fuck wants to go all the way down there?

It's ON the Strip just at an edge, by Resorts World, Circus Circus, The Wynn and Wynn Encore.

[quote] there is something really sick about a whitney houston slot machine.

Why? Just cause her mama and her daughter are dead don't mean we ain't still got bills to pay, and nobody in this family has any real job skills. Whitney said she'd take care of us forever and I am holding her to that promise.

I was there recently for the spa. Lovely setup but the masseur was so hard on me it wasn’t enjoyable and I was sore a week later.

[quote] All three of these industries face severe problems, but their executives keep plodding along in the same direction, catering exclusively to the "luxury" crowd.

$200 million ballroom.

Vegas is America in microcosm.

[quote]Why? Just cause her mama and her daughter are dead don't mean we ain't still got bills to pay, and nobody in this family has any real job skills. Whitney said she'd take care of us forever and I am holding her to that promise.

Has anyone checked on Miss Warwick?

[quote] I’m only interested in seeing seedy old Vegas.

It's still there. Go to Fremont street.

I remember staying at Circus Circus in 1991 and it was $39 a night.

All of these corporations are in the FAFO stage.

They raise all the prices together - massive resort fees, ridiculous prices to for bottled water, cocktails - charging for parking at the casinos, etc.

You push a customer from annoyance to anger. Anger is a very difficult emotion to overcome - people feel hurt and cheated. They will not be back.

Same with all of the big brands charging insane amounts for their food products - $6 for a bag of Doritos? People will buy the off-brand, realize it's not that much difference - and you've lost that customer for a LONG time.

Building loyalty and preference takes billions of dollars and a lot of time - but it can be eroded SO quickly with just a few experiences.

GOOD! I hope Vegas falls and they have to re-invent. But I suspect it will never come back again - there are too many other places to gamble and once prices go up, they almost never go down.

Those Whitney slots have been in casinos for a few years now, and their payouts are cheap as fuck.

6 dollars for doritos, which is not food, 8 dollars for a box of cereal. 5 dollars for a carton of 12 eggs and 5 dollars for a package of toilet paper, you just spent 20 dollars for only four items which is not enough to feed you for a week.

President Biden was held personally responsible for the high costs of living, no one holds his successor responsible.

The Dump Economy!

I stayed at Resorts World Las Vegas in September to see the Queen -- Janet Jackson. RWLV is Hilton-branded, it has a Hilton, a Conrad and a Crockfords but it's super-expensive and poorly managed, not at all like a big city Hilton luxury chain (Conrad, Waldorf, LXR). So I can't recommend it unless you're seeing a show there.

Even during peak hours before and after the show, when the bars and restaurants were packed, I noticed that its casino was only moderately active and almost empty other times of the day.

I also stayed at Resorts World in September. It did have a very empty feel. I mean, it doesn't help that it's still pretty ghetto around it. I was at the food court area on a Friday night and it was empty. This was my first time in Vegas and I liked it but it just seemed quiet.

I went to the Magic Mike show, lol. it's so over the top and silly that it's a riot. The only dancer I really liked is the Asian guy, Patrick.

I stayed at Resorts World when it was new, like a month after it opened. It was super expensive, boring, and not crowded then either. I don’t know how it’s still in business. It probably helps that they book bargain basement entertainers like Janet Jackson.

TPTB in Vegas decided a few years ago that they wanted to cater to rich Europeans and Asians (hence bringing the Formula 1 racing, a much bigger thing in Europe) apparently not connecting that their orange Jebus was going to wreck international travel and turn the USA into a pariah state. Womp womp.

Miriam Adelson can join her husband in hell. And the devil can hardly wait for Steve Wynn, may his delay be short.

Vegas...baby!

R45 why on earth are you replying to yourself?

[quote]I stayed at Resorts World Las Vegas in September to see the Queen -- Janet Jackson. RWLV is Hilton-branded, it has a Hilton, a Conrad and a Crockfords but it's super-expensive and poorly managed, not at all like a big city Hilton luxury chain (Conrad, Waldorf, LXR). So I can't recommend it unless you're seeing a show there.

I was there for EDC Las Vegas in 2024 (another poor idea, but that's on me). They did the official festival hotel ini the Hilton tower, but I had a prestay that was at the Conrad tower but got a last minute upgradeto the Crockford. The entire thing is too big and empty.

I had a nice view from my room, and hosted a nice college student from Grindr who was the one good thing that happened on that accursed trip. If he'd stuck around the weekend, it might not have gotten ruined. Alas.

I follow a Canadian Youtuber called Guard the Leaf who specializes in covering the Canadian boycott of the US. A recurring theme is how unaware most Americans are of how bad Trump's policies are unless it directly affects them personally. International tourism is dropping and the hospitality industry is in trouble.

The sad part of the Vegas slump is the hardship on the workers, the hourly employees who are finding that they are either losing their jobs or their tips, etc. have been severely affected. Since the entire city is basically the service industry, they are the ones being hurt the most, not the Wynns, Adelsons, or the other billionaires.

R74 You mean the Vegas workers who voted for Trump because of his (half baked) promise to eliminate taxes on their tips?

That’s a shame.

The Nevada unemployment rate keeps ticking up and it'll only get worse as the economy continues to slump. Our state budget will be fucked once again like every time there's a recession or the pandemic.

The increase of sports betting has also really hurt the city. So many states allow it now. The reality is that we have actually seen a huge boom in gambling for young people it’s just not happening in Vegas.

I stayed at Bellagio for a week in January and things seemed mostly as usual. And I go all over the place. Bellagio and Caesars were jammed as usual. Casino and restaurants at Fontainebleu were lively, same at Mandalay all the way on the other end of the strip and most places I checked out in between. I saw Mariah Carey at MGM and it looked like it was a sold out show. Even the the little theme park at Circus Circus had a decent crowd, although it was my first and last visit.

I guess things have probably deteriorated since then. I don’t doubt it, considering how much worse our national nightmare has gotten since then. I’ll keep my eye out for some bargains, but prices don’t seem to be coming down, at least not at any place I would stay. I don’t know how businesses can sustain their current high prices if OP’s pics are the new normal.

And what a cruel trick Trump played on these hourly workers... which they'll discover in about 6 months when they go to file their taxes and realize that they indeed still do have to pay tax on their tips, just rather than collecting it a little at a time, they have to cough it all up at once. It depends on their tax bracket, of course, but the people it would have benefited the most (those who earn under $15k) already don't pay Federal taxes, and the window of the benefit narrows dramatically as the filer's income rises; and they still have to pay state and FICA. I read that the average savings will amount to about $400 for those in the bracket that qualify the most.

And, of course, the rise in their health insurance premiums will wipe away these paltry savings by factors of magnitude. Voting for Trump on the promise of lower taxes was a lose-lose proposition for tipped workers.

The LV Strip is over-saturated. The Fontainebleau and Resorts were initially proposed before the Great Recession of 2008. Construction started on both but they sat there blighted for over a decade as those companies went bankrupt. They finally finished them and opened, but they're both giant, bland places with nothing special to offer. I imagine they're both losing money hand over fist.

Two points, R78: January was still firmly within the Biden boom economy; and January is a big trade show month in Vegas.

the recession hit las vegas hard and i am shocked people have no memory of it.

"But isn’t 6:30 a bit early for a casino to be hopping?"

Obviously R17 has never, ever been in the lobby of a Vegas casino hotel.

They're pretty much alive with people coming and going. checking in and checking out 24/7. They're not like your local Hampton Inn where the doors are locked at 2AM and the lobby is quiet as a church from midnight to 6AM.

R82 It also rebounded in a big way in 2001. Too big. They adjusted prices to account for that boom and it got out of control.

Now things like 2-3% restaurant surcharges on top of already ridiculous pricing is everywhere for example.

Good summary in this article.

If California ever legalizes sports betting, it'll be the death knell for some of the Reno/Lake Tahoe casinos. There's plenty of other nice casino resorts throughout Cally and there'd be less incentive for Californians to come spend money here.

Clark County ( and the hourly workers) voted for Harris over Trump. The rest of the state went for Trump.

I live in SoCal and used to go to Vegas at least once a year. I haven't been since COVID and will probably never go back. I can afford it, but it's just not worth it when there are so many better options for travel.

R86 Yes but by a lesser margin than before. They used to be able to outweigh the MAGAt parts of NV. But not any more. So it’s the same difference.

[quote]It's still there. Go to Fremont street.

Freemont Street is the equivalent of Hollywood Blvd. It's trashing and brings in a lot of undesirables. Sure it might be fun to watch the show of people during a night out, but it's really not a place you want to stay dragging your luggage though old casinos, keeping you eye on your valuables every second and trying to get some sleep with all the bands playing full force all night. Lots of a-hole "bro" types and trashy girlfriends.

Fremont Street was once very glamorous.

R90, that was long ago and far away. Freemont Street went downhill ever since they built that LED roof turning it into a tacky strip mall. This is how it looks today:

I wonder if Vegas will be able to rebound this time. Even if hotel prices go down and international travel comes back. I still feel like Vegas is fucked because of the increase in legalized sports betting. I know that, in the past, they were able to start getting a younger crowd again with the EDM DJs and the big weekend-long festivals. But I struggle to think of what Vegas could do to get Gen Z interested in Vegas.

Gen Z doesn't have the disposable income to gamble. With the exception of tech brahs.

Happy this is happening to Vegas. It used to be the place to go for an affordable nice hotel experience......

When I went to Vegas, I just treated it as a cheap hub to fly directly to and see something new. There are certainly other attractions in the area not related to the strip. If you have a car, you can drive out to Hoover Dam, or Boulder City and make side trips far from the strip. I remember one of the days I just drove down in the Mohave valley, and ended up going to Laughlin which was like a mini old Vegas and it had things like a small boardwalk area and a car museum. It’s a game of creativity, and you can certainly have options other than the strip which is a rip off. I think on a 5 day trip I spent maybe one day there.

Went to college in L.A. It was nothing to decide on Friday to spend the weekend in Vegas. Go to the airport, pay cash at the Western Airlines counter (I think it was $19 or $29), get into town, find a cheap hotel and have fun for 48 hours. Tickets to things like Redd Foxx, Elvis impersonators, or random magicians were cheap. Drinks were free or practically free.

Vegas was fun then, but life is always more fun when you're young and spontaneous.

I've begun going to Gamblers Anonymous meetings, so I've lately been hearing anecdotes and reading more on Reddit ("GamblingAddiction").

It's all about the Apps, fellas. Young people and old, nobody needs Las Vegas resorts or any other physical gambling entity when they can place bets of all types on their cellphone while in the grocery checkout line.

Not to mention that Vegas' Peak Cool was ca.1962, and died with Elvis. .

Omg some of you are so cute, thinking the primary reason anyone goes to Las Vegas is to gamble when most Americans live within a few hours drive of a casino nowadays.

r89 r91 FREMONT, not Freemont.

What is the reference to "spreadsheets" about?

R98, Even the local gambling spots are unnecessary now.

So why DO people visit Las Vegas? Residencies of divas and ventriloquists? The desert heat? The neon?

[quote]So why DO people visit Las Vegas? Residencies of divas and ventriloquists? The desert heat? The neon?

From what I've seen, $50 "Instagrammable" bloody marys and ice cream floats.

Whores.

I used to be a regular, but the only reason I’d go now is for a conference or event I want to attend that’s being held there. Otherwise there are plenty of better places to vacation, and there are casinos almost everywhere.

R89 See my post upthread at R37. Circa is a new hotel on Fremont that is quite nice. Staying off Fremont likely cuts your Vegas costs in half when you consider room, food and drinks compared to the Strip. I’ll take the vibe of Fremont over the Strip every time.

I can be a cheap whore. Even took the city bus “CX” to/from the airport and it was shockingly convenient. $2.

^ Apologies, meant my post at R51,

Fremont was too loud for me.

The Station properties are nice, cheaper, and off-strip. Red Rock, Durango, and Green Valley Ranch are nice and much closer to hikes, bike trails, and the Hoover Dam/Colorado River. You can still gamble and enjoy the amenities too, but without the overpricing on the Strip. And they're more of a locals place, so you won't have the obnoxious tourist crowds from the Strip.

Wynn is doing huge business and had one of the best summers in their existence. The big spenders are spending but the others aren't. Genie is out of the bottle and Vegas is now for the rich.

I saw an ad for this hotel featuring a really hot guy. No idea who it was but made me look

My (large) tech company has our annual conference in Vegas. We always have a great time. But, I don't think most people gamble. We work all day then go out to various restaurants/people watch, etc. at night. We always have lots of fun. Of course, it's easy to have fun when you're not paying for it, I suppose.

My hell would be stuck in Vegas forever with no money, no booze, no drugs, no cigarettes. And even with all that I can’t stand it.

r112 I think being stuck ANYWHERE with no money, no booze, etc. would be pretty bad. Duh.

I have never had fun at a work conference - ever. You’re lucky.

They getting ready to film the latest Jerry Lewis movie at the Fontainebleau. That's why it's empty right now.

r115 *They're

casinos are for the old. In the 80s and 90s Atlantic City would be filled during the week with seniors who came for the day by bus and were given 12- or 20-dollars' worth of tokens and a free buffet.

R91. You're right. That frigging roof ruined Freemont Strret.

r117 No, when I am there for work, there are lots of young people in the casinos, oddly.

r109 - That's very interesting. And actually aligns with reports that suggest exactly what you're saying -- the economy is being held up by wealthier Americans' spending.

[quote]The top 10 percent of U.S. households now account for nearly half of all spending, Moody’s Analytics recently estimated, the highest share since the late 1980s.

I'm a gambler and go to Vegas about twice a year. I always stay at Bellagio and get a rental car. I will play slots at Bellagio but reserve table gams for off-strip casinos which have better house rules. I like to visit Red Rocks Casino. Durango, South Point and Palace Station. I also will squeeze in a show and have visited a lot of non-gaming attractions (hiking in Red Rocks Canyon and Valley of Fire; Death Valley; Neon Museum; Mob Museum; Hoover Dam).

This Fountain Blows

It's a Boomer's paradise but they are all dropping like flies and spend their gambling days playing Bingo in their assisted living facilities. Gen-Z does not see the point of even going there except for social selfie pics.

That’s pretty uncanny, r121. I could have written that verbatim. I do two tours of duty a year and always stay at the Bellagio. Even if I decide not to do any gambling, I still always enjoy myself. Lots of naysayers who’ve either never been, or went once twenty years ago and stayed in a $60 room at the Tropicana. I would never live in Vegas, but it does have excellent dining, every ultra luxury fashion brand has at least one store along the strip, tons of shows and residencies. Plus it’s conducive to the types of quick day trips you describe. I think it’s sort of an “if you know you know” vacation destination. If you’ve never been then it’s a pricey hangout for white trash.

Prices have been going up for as long as I’ve been going there. In generally I just put down my AmEx without looking at the bill or the register; whenever I get home from a long weekend in Vegas my jaw hits the floor when I check my account and realize I managed to spend ten grand without even doing any gambling.

R119 With a shift in betting culture and a decreased consumption of alcohol among the youth, Las Vegas is quickly losing its appeal

Though gaming revenue remains steady—indicating that those who do visit are still placing bets—retail spending is slipping. Across the past 11 months, spending on food, drink, clothing, and jewelry has declined by “millions of dollars,” prompting some establishments to reduce staff.

Just a few years ago Vegas was filled with fat fraus from Indiana during the week and drunk college kids from LA on weekends. Now, the fatties are still there, but the drunks have left.

r126 The weekends are still packed with drunk young people - at least every time I go.

R124. I couldn't fathom spending all of my time on the Strip. It gets old quickly and there is a lot to see. For me, a rental car is a must. Bellagio even has a side valet parking area on Flamingo so you dont have to get stuck in the Strip traffic..

I also would not want to live in Vegas but enjoy the visits. I've had some great food off the Strip as well. Last trip, I found an outstanding Thai place in Chinatown.

I'm a gambler and like casinos. Frankly, if it was 100% about the gambling, there better options than the Strip. IMO, the best table games (favorable house rules; variety of casinos) currently is the Mississippi Gulf Coast area.... where you can also get fantastic, fresh, cheap seafood.