First off, the flight left from a terminal I'd never seen before,
I gather it's an international terminal as there were special
hallways directing people through customs. Before I knew
that I found they have much better stores there! Nice.

Wanted to grab a bite to eat, we were looking around, there
was a Gallagher's Steak House. Supposed to be a good place
in Manhattan, I have never been. In the window hung meat.
Rib roasts. Aging. Now ... maybe it's me, but dried out old
looking meat, it just didn't whet my appetite. More like, ew,
don't go in there. Hanging right there next to the menu.

That's okay, I'm here for a flight, not for a big meal. Split some
kind of cheese steak and fries.

Got there, it was late. Late for me if it was real time, probably
7:30 or so. Late for me as in eating dinner. Of course in real
time it was 10:30 at night. Better get used to it.

Went to the Venetian. Looking for a good meal, but not like
a $300 meal, you know how those casino restaurants can be.
Dinner. First food place we hit, a food court. No, nancy hardly
does food courts at all, I'm sure not grabbing something from a
chain and eating it at some icky table. Nancy is a snob. Yes.

So we asked at some information desk just past the food court,
is there some place not super expensive, you know ... she looks
as us ... and points back to the food court. That's not expensive.
No, not what I had in mind. She pointed in the general direction
one might find a sit down restaurant.

Let's try here. Grand Lux Cafe. Huh ... looks pretty nice. Table
for 2? Sure. Holy Crow! What a nice looking place! Even the
ceilings were gorgeous. Nothing wrong with the Venetian, they even
have a Guggenheim museum for pete's sake.

Ron ordered the short ribs, I ordered Mongolian beef. Didn't really
know what to expect. Italian waiter (as in from Italy) asked Ron how
he wanted the ribs done. Uh. Well ... (thinking) they are slow roasted,
aren't they already well done? Okay, I'll take them well done. Oh, the
disappointed waiter said, they'll be crunchy and dry. I give up, you
order them the best way.

Turns out the guy thought he'd ordered something else, who knows what,
so all was well.

Wow, what a dinner. SO good. Couldn't believe it. The food, the
service, the decor, it had the whole package. Had dessert, dulce la
leche cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (note: I think they might
own the restaurant), after all we ate, we were just being piggy.

That was just the first night. What's not to like?

nancy

On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:48:28 -0400, "Nancy Young"
> rummaged among random neurons and opined:

<snip>

>Went to the Venetian. Looking for a good meal, but not like
>a $300 meal, you know how those casino restaurants can be.
>Dinner. First food place we hit, a food court. No, nancy hardly
>does food courts at all, I'm sure not grabbing something from a
>chain and eating it at some icky table. Nancy is a snob. Yes.

<snip>

If you want a really, really, really good steak, hop over to the Hard
Rock Casino and AJ's steak house. OMG, you'll swear you'd never really
eaten a good steak before in your life.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA

"Most vigitaryans I iver see looked enough like their food to be
classed as cannybals."

Finley Peter Dunne (1900)

To reply, replace "spaminator" with "cox"

Nancy Young wrote:
> [snip]
> That was just the first night. What's not to like?
>
Vegas is a hoot, and there's more to like now than ever. Far more
variety of things to do than in the old days. There's even a
developing Chinatown out a couple of miles on Spring Mountain Road,
complete with a Ranch 99 market (major Asian market chain) and a Sam
Woo's Barbecue. I haven't checked out the restaurants there, but the
Chinese population has grown enough now that I expect that there are
some good ones.

I've been to the Gallaghers in the NYNY casino, with the hanging/aging
beef that turned you off, and the steak I had was outstanding. That
casino also has a branch of the Il Fornaio chain, which isn't bad for
mainstream Italian.

Do you any tips for playing craps? -aem

aem wrote:
> [snip]
>
> Do you any tips for playing craps? -aem

Sorry for the typo omission. Now that I look at it, it could be
either, 'do you need any tips?' or 'do you have any tips?'.

Did you know that the only bet in Vegas where you are paid the true
odds is at craps? -aem

"aem" > wrote

>> Do you any tips for playing craps? -aem
>
> Sorry for the typo omission. Now that I look at it, it could be
> either, 'do you need any tips?' or 'do you have any tips?'.

Heh, I didn't even notice.
>
> Did you know that the only bet in Vegas where you are paid the true
> odds is at craps?

That's interesting. I'm not a better (bettor?), it's not the money but
that you *know* they're just ripping you off. Blatantly. I lost my
share of money in the poker slots, at least I had fun, what card
to keep, etc. Otherwise I can't believe people play the slots.
Hey, if they have fun, not for me to say.

Blackjack looks like something I'd like. Never once considered
craps, I don't even know how to play. Maybe I should have.

nancy

"aem" > wrote in news:1146161745.087716.238780
@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

>
> aem wrote:
>> [snip]
>>
>> Do you any tips for playing craps? -aem
>
> Sorry for the typo omission. Now that I look at it, it could be
> either, 'do you need any tips?' or 'do you have any tips?'.
>
> Did you know that the only bet in Vegas where you are paid the true
> odds is at craps? -aem


Never bet on the come-out roll and no field bets. Just the Place bets.
Take down winnings after every pay! Never let it ride!!! Dice have no
memory.

Wear earplugs (helps cut down the noise distractions) to concentrate.

Don't gamble drunk. You'll bet stupid and not care.

And remember, you can't win 'em all, most of the time.

Imho,

Andy
$1.00 chance on Powerball >$100 Million. (Down $100.00+) Proving you
don't have to be drunk to be stupid.

Nancy Young wrote:
Wow, what a dinner. SO good. Couldn't believe it. The food, the
service, the decor, it had the whole package. Had dessert, dulce la
leche cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (note: I think they might
own the restaurant), after all we ate, we were just being piggy.


That was just the first night. What's not to like?


nancy


nancy, I love the Venetian and the Grand Lux Cafe is a good mid priced
restaurant. We ate there a couple of times, but the most wonderful meal
was in The Bellagio, a place caled " Sensi " Beautiful place, with
different kinds of Granite, an open kitchen , water etc. But the really
wonderful part was the steak we had there.l It was the besst I have
ever eaten, I could not eat the whole thing and I almost cried, the
service was excellent, and the soups and sides were all wonderful.. My
fvavorite place, and in Las Vegas there are so many great places.
Rosie

Steve Wertz > wrote in
:

> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
> house, by card counting.

In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is impossible, but
they asked me if I knew how to count cards for some reason (maybe because
I've beat the casino every time)!?!?

Andy

rosie wrote:
> in The Bellagio, a place caled " Sensi "

Where in the Bellagio? Did it replace Prime? Or Olives?

--Blair

"rosie" > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:

> Wow, what a dinner. SO good. Couldn't believe it. The food, the
> service, the decor, it had the whole package. Had dessert, dulce la
> leche cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (note: I think they might
> own the restaurant), after all we ate, we were just being piggy.
>
> That was just the first night. What's not to like?

> nancy, I love the Venetian and the Grand Lux Cafe is a good mid priced
> restaurant.

Oh, I'm so happy to hear from someone who's been there.
Actually, we took some people there a few nights later, sort
of a family thing. Everyone raved about their food, so I'm happy
we went there. Hey, when you're taking people you don't want
to take a chance on a place you don't know.

For one thing, we ordered this appetizer, it was a whole
bunch of different things, it was excellent. Came on 4 dishes
that they lined up in the middle. Nice presentation.

> We ate there a couple of times, but the most wonderful meal
> was in The Bellagio, a place caled " Sensi " Beautiful place, with
> different kinds of Granite, an open kitchen , water etc. But the really
> wonderful part was the steak we had there.l It was the besst I have
> ever eaten, I could not eat the whole thing and I almost cried, the
> service was excellent, and the soups and sides were all wonderful.. My
> fvavorite place, and in Las Vegas there are so many great places.

If I'd known I would have gone there, and to the Hard Rock as
Terry said. I did have one meal in LV that wasn't worth it, I sure
would prefer to have gone somewhere good. When my salad arrived,
I'd ordered caesar salad, Ron instantly said, that's an unusual
interpretation. He doesn't go around saying stuff like that. (laugh)
I knew it was not going to be a good night. Don't interpret my food.

Four romaine leaves, whole, lined up across the plate, with an
anchovy filet draped just so over them. A fried flat thing about
the size of a softball stood in for the crouton. Fine.

I got a chicken dish. Pieces of chicken sauteed, placed around
a mound some something purple and mashed. I would say potato,
but I can't say it tasted like a potato or was good. It oozed all
over everything. The other vegetables, don't especially know what
they were, either, not happy about that.

Anyway, that was my one strike out on the whole trip.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:

> [snip] .... I did have one meal in LV that wasn't worth it, I sure
> would prefer to have gone somewhere good. When my salad arrived,
> I'd ordered caesar salad, Ron instantly said, that's an unusual
> interpretation. He doesn't go around saying stuff like that. (laugh)
> I knew it was not going to be a good night. Don't interpret my food.
> [ snip ]

Where was this, so I know where to avoid? -aem

Steve Wertz > wrote in
:

> On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:15:56 -0500, Andy wrote:
>
>> Steve Wertz > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
>>> house, by card counting.
>>
>> In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
>> never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is impossible
>
> I'm surprised more casino's don't do that rather than trying to
> detect and eject the counters. I guess it's a PR thing.
>
> -sw


Steve,

Not only is it smart, it's a time-saver. There's never a dull moment
while the dealer shuffles 8 decks of cards while you sit and wait. Plus
there's less eye-in-the-sky security required. Holland is described as a
"highly evolved democracy". We, in the US are backwards to a point in
that regard.

Imho,

Andy

"aem" > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> [snip] .... I did have one meal in LV that wasn't worth it, I sure
>> would prefer to have gone somewhere good. When my salad arrived,
>> I'd ordered caesar salad, Ron instantly said, that's an unusual
>> interpretation. He doesn't go around saying stuff like that. (laugh)
>> I knew it was not going to be a good night. Don't interpret my food.
>> [ snip ]
>
> Where was this, so I know where to avoid? -aem

I can't think of the name, it was an Italian restaurant on the casino
floor of Treasure Island.

nancy

"Steve Wertz" > wrote
> On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 17:34:19 -0400, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> Four romaine leaves, whole, lined up across the plate, with an
>> anchovy filet draped just so over them. A fried flat thing about
>> the size of a softball stood in for the crouton. Fine.
>
> That's a fairly common (relative term) presentation. I assume it
> had some dressing drizzled over the center or ends of each leaf?

It's a presentation I hadn't seen before and hope not to again.
It didn't quell my salad craving. Just me. I will give them this,
and this is a very good thing, each leaf was beautifully and
evenly dressed.

nancy

Blair P. Houghton wrote:
> rosie wrote:
> > in The Bellagio, a place caled " Sensi "
>
> Where in the Bellagio? Did it replace Prime? Or Olives?
>
> --http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/restaurantissue/risingchefs/2005/martinheierling.htmlon


I think it is one the main entry floor, it did not replace Prime, but
it is the newest rest., in the Bellagio. It is very simply the best.
>From the understated decor, the excellent service to the lat ny not
least supurb food, it is the best Test I have eatedn in , in the USA.

Go, take a look.
Rosie

Steve Wertz wrote:
> On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:15:56 -0500, Andy wrote:
>
> > Steve Wertz > wrote in
> > :
> >
> >> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
> >> house, by card counting.
> >
> > In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
> > never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is impossible
>
> I'm surprised more casino's don't do that rather than trying to
> detect and eject the counters. I guess it's a PR thing.
>
Or maybe just availability and getting customers/players accustomed to
it. I saw those machines in use at all the major casinos I visited on
my last trip. Typically a busy room will have a table or two single or
double deck, some tables with a shoe and manual shuffling, some with a
shoe and a mechanical shuffler, and some with the continuous automatic
shuffler. -aem

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> Steve Wertz > wrote in
> :
>
>> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
>> house, by card counting.
>
> In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
> never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is impossible,
> but
> they asked me if I knew how to count cards for some reason



(maybe because
> I've beat the casino every time)!?!?
>
> Andy

Andy, do you expect anyone to believe this? Ha ahahahaha.
Dee Dee

"Dee Randall" > wrote in
:

>
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> Steve Wertz > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
>>> house, by card counting.
>>
>> In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
>> never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is
impossible,
>> but
>> they asked me if I knew how to count cards for some reason
>
>
>
> (maybe because
>> I've beat the casino every time)!?!?
>>
>> Andy
>
> Andy, do you expect anyone to believe this? Ha ahahahaha.
> Dee Dee


Yes.

Andy

"aem" > wrote

> I've been to the Gallaghers in the NYNY casino, with the hanging/aging
> beef that turned you off, and the steak I had was outstanding.

I'm not sure why we didn't go in there. We were right across
at the MGM (lunch at Stage Deli, a pale imitation of the original)
(jazzed about the lions at the MGM, that was GRRRREAT),
then hit the M&M store for 2 pounds of different color M&Ms.

I am kicking myself about not going into the Guggenheim at the
Venetian, I think I saw they had a Monet exhibit. Stupid me.

nancy

"aem" > wrote

> I've been to the Gallaghers in the NYNY casino, with the hanging/aging
> beef that turned you off, and the steak I had was outstanding.

Whoops, what I started to say, I know aged beef looks like that,
I'm sure it's fabulous. Was kind of a turnoff, just me.

nancy

Andy <q> wrote in :

> "Dee Randall" > wrote:
>> Andy, do you expect anyone to believe this? Ha ahahahaha.
>> Dee Dee
>
>
> Yes.
>
> Andy
>

I don't mind adding that there weren't huge amounts of money exchanging
hands. If I won enough to pay the day, I left. I'm not a high-roller. And I
managed to do it, somehow.

Andy

In article >,
"Nancy Young" > wrote:


> That was just the first night. What's not to like?


Most everything. I hate LV. I've been there twice.

I know that I'm in the minority. A lot of people like it. It's very
interesting and I'm glad I went.

--
Dan Abel

Petaluma, California, USA

"Dan Abel" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>
>
>> That was just the first night. What's not to like?
>
>
> Most everything. I hate LV. I've been there twice.
>
> I know that I'm in the minority. A lot of people like it. It's very
> interesting and I'm glad I went.
>
> --
> Dan Abel
>
> Petaluma, California, USA

It's been since 1991 since I've been there. The Venetian boats, etc were
there when I was last there, but relatives who go there said I wouldn't know
it, that it had changed so much.

Maybe you don't care a whit about LV, but I certainly don't think you are in
the minority. Give yourself some slack. You're allowed to like things
others think are stupendous. <G>
Dee Dee

"Dee Randall" > wrote

> "Dan Abel" > wrote

>> "Nancy Young" > wrote:

>>> That was just the first night. What's not to like?

>> Most everything. I hate LV. I've been there twice.
>>
>> I know that I'm in the minority. A lot of people like it. It's very
>> interesting and I'm glad I went.

> Maybe you don't care a whit about LV, but I certainly don't think you are
> in the minority. Give yourself some slack. You're allowed to like things
> others think are stupendous. <G>

Hey, I was there by matter of circumstance, I had a good time,
but I don't know what would get me there again. If I live this close
to Atlantic City and hardly ever go, I'm not going to make a whole
lot of effort to go there. Not for the gambling, maybe for a couple
shows.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
>
> Hey, I was there by matter of circumstance, I had a good time,
> but I don't know what would get me there again. If I live this close
> to Atlantic City and hardly ever go, I'm not going to make a whole
> lot of effort to go there. Not for the gambling, maybe for a couple
> shows.

I've been there at least once a year for the past ten years. About six of
us from work (with spouses) go for an industry conference. We enjoy the
shows, golf, the food, the fun we have together as a group, but none of us
really give a damn about going for a vacation. Last year, my wife did a lot
of gambling and just blew the whole five bucks at one time!

It is something to see once in your life. See a few casinos, take a ride to
the desert, to Lake Mead, the Dam and you are set for life. I've been there
in May and it hit 100 degrees so don't go in the summer unless you like
heat.

In article >,
"Nancy Young" > wrote:

> First off, the flight left from a terminal I'd never seen before,
> I gather it's an international terminal as there were special
> hallways directing people through customs. Before I knew
> that I found they have much better stores there! Nice.

Nancy, when were you in Las Vegas? Was it the week of April 24th? I was
supposed to go that week, but I had to skip that trip. I was in Las
Vegas in January and I had a great time! I am only a modest gambler, so
$100 takes me through a whole week of gambling there, but I had an
opportunity to drive out into the mountains one day and the scenery was
spectacular.

Finding good restaurants to eat in Las Vegas without spending a lot of
money is easy. One of my favorite meals is the off menu $7.77 sirloin
steak and broiled shrimp special at Mr. Lucky's in the Hard Rock Cafe.
You get a nice size steak and a skewer of broiled shrimp, plus mashed
potatoes and a huge green salad for a mere $7.77.

In article >,
Steve Wertz > wrote:

> On 27 Apr 2006 11:15:45 -0700, aem wrote:
>
> > Did you know that the only bet in Vegas where you are paid the true
> > odds is at craps? -aem
>
> Not quite. Casinos wouldn't be offering ti if they didn't make
> any money at it. Mnay people don't play the free odds, which the
> casinos like, but you had to place a regular bet to get into that
> position in the first place.
>
> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
> house, by card counting.

Which is also a myth. I have seen two or three card counters play. All
they manage to do is keep their money in play longer than the average
guy. There is some very advanced mathematical theory that the casinos
know quite well that allows them to always have the odds in their favor
at black jack. This is mainly achieved by always having the house be the
dealer. As long as none of the players never get to deal, they will
almost always lose their money if they play long enough.

I sat in on a casino gaming theory course a few years ago that was
taught by a famous Harvard-educated mathematician and he showed quite
clearly why people will usually lose at black jack in the long run. The
house has a huge advantage by always being the dealer, and than they
stack that advantage even more in their favor by playing with multiple
decks.

The reality is that no card counter can count perfectly enough to offset
a casino's odds and even those few who can, still do not have the same
odds that the casinos do.

In article >,
Steve Wertz > wrote:

> On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:15:56 -0500, Andy wrote:
>
> > Steve Wertz > wrote in
> > :
> >
> >> Blackjack is the only game where you can gain an edge over the
> >> house, by card counting.
> >
> > In Amsterdam, Holland, at the Holland Casino in Leidesplein, they use
> > never-ending automatic shuffling machines. Card counting is impossible
>
> I'm surprised more casino's don't do that rather than trying to
> detect and eject the counters. I guess it's a PR thing.

A lot of people would refuse to play under such conditions. The casinos
are masters of gambling. The casinos know where the line is that
separates their greed and the players' greed. This is also why casinos
do not object to people using betting cards at the tables as long as
they do not interfere with the game play.

"Shawn Hirn" > wrote

> "Nancy Young" > wrote:

> Nancy, when were you in Las Vegas? Was it the week of April 24th? I was
> supposed to go that week, but I had to skip that trip.

I left on the 25th. "Picked" a bad time to go there, there was a
huge media convention and every hotel room, every flight was
booked. Oddly enough, finally found a room ($$) a half block
from the brouhaha, the convention center.

> I was in Las
> Vegas in January and I had a great time! I am only a modest gambler, so
> $100 takes me through a whole week of gambling there,

(laugh) That's about what I dropped over the week I was there.

> but I had an
> opportunity to drive out into the mountains one day and the scenery was
> spectacular.

That was the best, driving up around Mt. Charleston (?) and around
there. So nice, got some pictures. Also, the trip to the Hoover Dam,
that was excellent, and then drove up along Lake Mead and through
???? Fire Canyon? I think? I am lame when it comes to names. Maybe
it was red rock or something. Spectacular, and I loved the flowers.
Orange and yellow. Have no clue how they survive.

> Finding good restaurants to eat in Las Vegas without spending a lot of
> money is easy.

Heh, not if you're me. I could be standing in the middle of five
great places to eat and not notice one of them.

> One of my favorite meals is the off menu $7.77 sirloin
> steak and broiled shrimp special at Mr. Lucky's in the Hard Rock Cafe.
> You get a nice size steak and a skewer of broiled shrimp, plus mashed
> potatoes and a huge green salad for a mere $7.77.

You're the second one to say Hard Rock and steak in the same
breath, even though I'm not sure you're talking about the same
restaurants there.

Funny, I was flipping through the yellow pages at the hotel, looking
for an In n Out no doubt, amused myself by looking at restaurant
menus. Who knows, maybe I would have found a place to try.
Came across this Mexican restaurant, Cantina something or other,
the chef's specials cracked me up. Not a complete list, but quite
inclusive of what they we Osso bucco, Picatta de Pollo,Marsala,Parm,
Shrimp fra diavolo. Linguini portafina, Atlantic Salmon, Lobster
fra diavolo.

Gotta love those mexican specialties. (laugh)

nancy

On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:13:56 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
rummaged among random neurons and opined:

>I've been there at least once a year for the past ten years. About six of
>us from work (with spouses) go for an industry conference. We enjoy the
>shows, golf, the food, the fun we have together as a group, but none of us
>really give a damn about going for a vacation. Last year, my wife did a lot
>of gambling and just blew the whole five bucks at one time!
>
If you get a chance, there's a guy by the name of Mac King who does a
show at Harrah's that's a magic/comedy show that has the best bang for
your buck in Vegas for entertainment. He only does a single matinee a
day and he is absolutely hilarious. We've seen him twice and I
wouldn't mind seeing him again, even though it's the same stuff, he's
that good. $19 a head.

>It is something to see once in your life. See a few casinos, take a ride to
>the desert, to Lake Mead, the Dam and you are set for life. I've been there
>in May and it hit 100 degrees so don't go in the summer unless you like
>heat.

We get over there twice a year - the DH seems to have a Gathering of
Lawyers over there about once a year and we go *every* New Year's Day
to watch the bowl games in the sports book and have the place just
about all to ourselves. There's a gang of us who have been doing this
for some years now, go over on New Year's Day and come back a day or
two later, depending on what day of the week New Year's falls. It's a
hoot. The casino/hotel where we stay also has a really good spa
<eyebrow wiggling>

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA

"Most vigitaryans I iver see looked enough like their food to be
classed as cannybals."

Finley Peter Dunne (1900)

To reply, replace "spaminator" with "cox"