A lot has been said and written about lately concerning the sad state of casino affairs because of the faltering economy. Employees are being laid off, their hours are reduced and/or their salaries are being cut in order to avoid a more costly scenario. Previously hyped construction projects are either in panic mode as they scramble around for renewed financing, or their owners are scared stiff trying to figure out just who’s gonna be staying and playing in them if they’re lucky enough to get them opened before failing.

But all through this, if you are a casino regular, the only thing you see is more of the same. I myself spend hours each week reading about the industry’s doom and gloom, then when I hit the casinos it just doesn’t seem any different. Sure there’s a noticeable amount of traffic missing on Las Vegas Blvd., not nearly as many seats are filled in the casinos, and in some of the higher end resorts you’re a minority if you’re from this country. Yet gambling is gambling, and if that’s what you’re there for then nothing has ever changed.

Nothing? Well, there’s the small issue I’ve been studying this year concerning the validity of the video poker machines being totally random. But just like everyone else, I’ve never taken the time to look at this before because when a player is playing they’re rarely going to do anything else. When I did, however, it surprised me at what I found. And given the relative obscurity under which gaming control and everything surrounding it operates, there’s absolutely no reason to assume what I’m seeing now hasn’t always been the case. Of course, the critics of my reporting babble on about how such non-randomness would be against the “Regs”, but all that does is expose their own inexperience with anything in the business world – especially that with Governmental business. Imagine State or US Governments telling us EVERYTHING? Well, imagine State Governments and CASINOS telling us EVERYTHING.

Here’s something for every video poker enthusiast to think about. Bob Dancer has recently come out with yet another book, and this time it’s geared towards beginners. My question is, with all that supposed success under his belt and with a plethora of video poker paraphernalia on gaming store shelves waiting to put more gambling money into his pockets, why such a desperate move that automatically makes the author look like anything BUT a success story? I mean, come on...I haven’t read it yet, but I’m betting there’s no way he can outgun the gem put out by Linda Boyd for new players around 3 years ago anyway! I wonder if his publisher made him do it...

Bait and switch. Ever heard of it? – and no, I’m not talking about President Obama’s campaign promises and pledges vs. what he’s now doing for real. It’s what Hooter’s has been doing with their offers in 2008, except that recently, probably because very few were responding after hearing about their free-play scam, they’ve made a huge change in their players’ offers. Before, their mailed offers claimed “$200 in free-play” yet there really was no free-play as typically defined in the gaming industry. Instead, they lead you to a cramped bank of one armed bandits in the center of the casino labeled $2 machines, and you played with very little chance of winning anything over 20 bucks. Now, however, their offer is for a refund of gaming losses up to $100 (in my case) which is far better than the misrepresentation they used to market.

Have you been out to the new Aliante Station past Santa Fe Station yet? I have, and to me it’s a slightly scaled down version of Station’s fabulous Red Rock. I give it A+ for its inventory of HD widescreen video poker machines only, but for having a dismal TGI Fridays on property - that’s sure to keep patrons away. And from the reports I’ve read that’s been the exact case, as more and more people just aren’t going there because of the distance from all the action around town. I did receive a call from one of their hosts offering me 2 comped nights along with $100 in food, but when I called him back to make the reservation he no longer worked there, and the bumbling remainders in that office would not honor his offer. No problem though – I’ll just go elsewhere!

Encore is now open – aren’t we lucky! Yes, it’s an over-the-top sort of place, and you can tell Mr. Eccentric had a hand is just about everything right down to the toilets. But if you feel like playing some video poker and would like to do that at any of their bars, just bring along an extra $55 or so for your drinks. It seems our favorite casino mogul has chosen to somehow believe he can bring in more revenue by NOT serving comped drinks at his bars to video poker players, even if they’re playing $50 a hand! But sit at a machine on the floor and play nickels, and you can drink all day and night on the house. No wonder this guy opened something no one needs, in the middle of a recession.

You’re likely noticing an inordinate number of lucrative casino offers filling your mailboxes, and it seems there’s still no end in sight. I’m trying my best to respond to all of them that have something other than a hotel stay with food, and I’m so far succeeding. Just today I was invited to Hugh Hefner’s 83rd birthday party complete with Playboy bunnies, dinner, and an all night party inside Moon nightclub at the Palms. I think I’ll pass on that one though. I don’t want to steal all his girlfriends...