Few things raise the hackles of loyal blackjack fans more quickly than casinos cutting back on what they pay gamblers for hitting 21.

But an increasing number of casinos are quietly doing that, reducing blackjack payouts by 20 percent.

One reason: The casino has to pay for that pretty woman dancing on the little stage in the blackjack pit.

Welcome to the next generation of blackjack player, the trendy younger crowd that wants to play cards in “party pits,” where the furniture has been rearranged to accommodate dancers. And some casinos are saying their costs are on the rise for other various reasons. In either case, casinos are reducing their blackjack payouts from 3:2 (meaning a winner gets $3 for each $2 bet) to 6:5 (winning $6 on a $5 bet).

More here:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/26/blackjack-payouts-drop-oh-those-dancers/

Flair bartender Danilo Oribe shakes up Rock & Rita’s. BY: Jack Houston from Las Vegas Magazine.

It was only a few months ago that Danilo Oribe was cheering on his native Uruguay to a fourth-place finish in the World Cup. Now, the cheers are directed toward Oribe as he balances bottles on his chin and sends them flying through the air as a flair bartender at Rock & Rita’s inside Circus Circus.

Oribe has traveled the world competing in flair contests, winning the IBA World Flairtending Competition three times and besting the field in this year’s Legends of Bartending XII, held here in Las Vegas. The reaction to having such a team of international talents (Oribe’s co-workers are all top flair bartenders as well) in such an intimate space has been positive, to say the least.

“Most of them, they like it. They find time to stop and watch us and cheer for the show, and get free shots at the end,” Oribe said. “We try to do a clean show, but sometimes we have mistakes, which is normal. If we don’t have mistakes, that means we didn’t try hard enough.”

Prior to opening Rock & Rita’s, Oribe worked at another flair bartending hot spot, Treasure Island’s Kahunaville. But the opportunity to work alongside some of the best flair bartenders in the world, from Bulgaria to Argentina and everywhere in between, has made coming to work every day almost like an unofficial competition.

“Of course, everybody wants to win,” Oribe said of competing against his bartending friends. “But after the contest, we are all having a drink and having fun.”

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/22/flair-bartender-danilo-oribe-shakes-rock-ritas/

Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards. BY Rick Garman.

The Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On Award of the Week goes to Justin Shandor, who won the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist for 2010 in Memphis last week. Shandor had won the Las Vegas semi-finals at the Fremont Street Experience in July, which gave him a shot at the national competition. As winner he gets $20,000 in cash and an opportunity to sign on to perform in “Legends in Concert.”

The I’m Not Going to Hold My Breath Award of the Week goes to the London Star, a tabloid paper that apparently was among the first to print the rumor that Madonna is considering a headlining gig in Vegas worth an estimated $1 billion. I have learned enough to never say “never gonna happen” when it comes to Vegas (or Madonna for that matter – the Material One and I have a history but that’s a story for another time) but just about everyone who has looked at this has said that the chances of it being true are nearly zero.

The For Future Reference Award of the Week goes to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which issued a ruling that essentially says that dancing on a baccarat table is frowned upon. they said so after reviewing a case at Caesars Palace in which a man apparently really got into the game and decided to boogie down on top of the table not once, not twice, but three different times. The GCB has said that Caesars failed to police the situation enough and put the player and others in the vicinity at risk. There may be fines involved for the casino.

The Big Splash Award of the Week goes to the Vdara hotel, which has announced that it will be hosting Vegas’ first ever daytime pool club aimed at a gay and lesbian audience. The event is called Abbey Beach and is a partnership with the famous (some same infamous) West Hollywood, California gay nightclub. There will be dancers, resident DJs, and other general merriment Sunday through the end of September.

The Now That’s What I Call a Margarita Award of the Week goes to Ricardo’s Mexican restaurant (4930 W. Flamingo Dr., www.ricardosoflasvegas.com) where they will be attempting to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest margarita. The attempt will take place during a special “block party” October 15-16 and is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. How big does the margarita need to be to claim the record? Pretty big. The current record is 7,039 gallons.

The Mea Culpa Award of the Week goes to me, for incorrectly listing the Westward Ho’s opening date as being in the 1980s. As several astute readers wrote in to let me know, the Ho actually opened in 1963. Sorry about that.

Locals Casinos: A Driving Tour. BY: Rick Garman.

So you’re thinking about taking a day trip away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip but then you sit down to review your options. The Grand Canyon is too far. Red Rock Canyon is closer but it’s, you know, outside. You left your boat at home so Lake Mead isn’t a great option. Then what’s left?

Well, most of you probably came to Las Vegas for the hustle and bustle but there’s plenty of it off The Strip so how about a driving tour of the city’s other hotel/casinos. Scattered around town are more than a dozen so-called Locals’ Casinos – hotels that offer a lot of what The Strip does but in a more low-key way often at lower prices all the way around.

What follows is a day-long driving tour of not all, but many, of these Locals’ Casinos. Think of it like a stay-cation while you’re on your vacation.

If it wasn’t obvious from the name “Driving Tour,” you’re going to need a car to do this.

From the Las Vegas Strip where Caesars Palace and Bellagio are located, head east on Flamingo Rd. about 6 miles to Boulder Highway. Here you’ll find four Local’s hotels. Right in front of you at the corner of Boulder and Flamingo is Sam’s Town, most notable as having the second-largest casino in Las Vegas behind only the MGM Grand. Turn left (north) on Boulder Highway and you’ll run into Arizona Charlie’s East, a small casino with lots of video poker, and then Boulder Station, with plenty of low-limit gambling in a nice building designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century train station. South on Boulder from Flamino is the Eastside Cannery, a newer hotel-casino with an interesting mix of new machines (the latest high-tech wonders) and old including a whole section that still take and dispense actual coins.

From the Eastside Cannery you’re going to continue driving south on Boulder Highway about 4 miles to E. Sunset Rd. Turn right and go about 2 miles to Sunset Station. A sister property to Boulder, this one has a lovely casino with a stained glass ceiling above the main pit and a big bowling alley if you feel like throwing a few frames.

By the way, if you need to do some shopping, right across the street is the Galleria at Sunset mall, filled with all the usual shopping mall suspects.

Interstate 515 is right next to Sunset Station. Get on it heading south and go about 1.5 miles and then take the W. Lake Mead Parkway exit. This is kind of a confusing interchange so watch the signs carefully. As soon as you get off the freeway you’ll see Fiesta Henderson on your right. Originally opened as The Reserve with a jungle theme, it was redone a few years ago with a Mexican Pueblo theme and has lots of low limit gambling and movie theaters if you need a break from driving already.

When you come out of the Fiesta Henderson parking lot, turn left (heading west) onto Lake Mead Parkway and it becomes I-215, which winds around the southern edges of the Las Vegas valley. Take the freeway about 3.5 miles to the Green Valley Parkway exit. Turn left onto Green Valley Parkway and you’ll see Green Valley Ranch on your right. This is one of the nicest of the locals’ hotels; a true resort getaway with a beautifully designed low-limit casino and lots of great restaurants. It’s probably nearing lunch time so while you’re here, maybe pick up a Capriotti’s sandwich from the food court or go explore The District shopping mall right next door where there are plenty of other dining options.

Instead of going out the way you came, exit Green Valley Ranch on the south side to Paseo Verde Parkway and turn right (heading west). In a little less than a mile you’ll run into St. Rose Parkway. Turn left and take that street about 5.5 miles and you’ll arrive at The M Resort. Opened last year, this is a gorgeous hotel with a big, rambling casino (mostly low limits) and some pretty cool views of Las Vegas off in the distance.

The M Resort is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South, otherwise known as The Strip. Head north on that street and in a little more than three miles you’ll see South Point on your left at Silverado Ranch Road. Alternately, you could take Interstate 15 north to the Silverado Ranch exit.

South Point opened as South Coast but was bought by a former Coast Casinos executive who rebranded the property. It features a large casino, many lower priced restaurants, and a giant equestrian center where they often have horse shows and rodeos.

Continue north on Las Vegas Blvd and you’ll come to Blue Diamond Road in about 2 miles. Turn left on Blue Diamond, cross over the freeway, and on your left you’ll see Silverton. This is another hotel that started as something else – Boomtown with a 1800’s mining theme – but got completely redone with an Aspen ski-lodge look and feel. It’s got a nice casino, a giant aquarium with plenty of colorful fishies and the occasional mermaid, and the huge Bass Pro Shops if you’re in the mood to pick up a fishing pole, a gun, or that boat to go out to Lake Mead with.

When you leave Silverton, turn right onto Blue Diamond and then take the I-15 northbound. In less than a mile you’ll see the exit for the I-215/Las Vegas Beltway. Go west (young man) away from the airport and you’ll take this freeway about 14 miles around the outskirts of Vegas. As you get to the west side of town you’ll be able to see the red rocks of Red Rock Canyon just off to your left, but remember that’s outside and so why bother? Instead, go to the Charleston Blvd. exit and turn right where you’ll almost immediately see Red Rock Resort.

This is one of my personal favorite hotels in all of Las Vegas – a gorgeous, mid-century modern design with lots of eye candy in terms of the decor. They’ve got a great, lively casino and plenty of places to eat if you’re feeling peckish again.

Exit Red Rock Resort and turn right onto Charleston. Take that about 2.5 miles to Rampart Boulevard and turn left (going north). Note that the same street to the south has a different name (Fort Apache Drive) so pay attention to what you’re doing. Actually you should be doing that the entire time you’re driving, but you get my point.

In about half a mile you’ll see Alta Drive. Turn left (west) and the Suncoast Hotel and Casino will be dead ahead. This one is part of the same family as Orleans and features lots of gambling action and another chance for bowling if you didn’t take my suggestion the last time.

Back the way you came on Alta to Rampart again and turn left (north). In less than a mile you’ll see signs for the JW Marriott Resort and the Rampart casino. This one is small-ish but there’s still plenty of gambling options and it’s located in a beautiful resort property so why not?

Go back to Rampart Blvd. heading north just a few feet and you’ll see Summerlin Parkway. Take this freeway-like road east toward Las Vegas a couple of miles and it will merge with Interstate 95 heading east. A warning that this particular interchange is notorious for traffic so pay even more attention than you already are while you pass through it. Four more miles (give or take) and you’ll come to the Rancho Drive exit. Go north on Rancho a little less than 2 miles and you’ll come W. Lake Mead Blvd. (which is totally different than the Lake Mead Parkway you were on a bit ago). At that intersection are two locals’ hotel-casinos – Texas Station, a yeehaw themed sister property to Boulder and Sunset, and Fiesta Rancho, another Mexican themed joint that is kin to the one on that other Lake Mead road.

If you time it right and are there around dinner, do check out Austins Steakhouse at Texas Station. It’s one of the best steak joints in town.

If you’re done, you could go back down Rancho to Sahara Ave., turn left, and take that back to The Strip. But if you have the energy for a few more, we still have the North Las Vegas area to explore.

Go north on Rancho Drive from Fiesta about 5 miles and you’ll come to Santa Fe Station on your left. This one is yet another sibling to the other station properties you’ve seen and is similar in design (although not quite as nice) as Green Valley Ranch.

Just past Santa Fe Station on Rancho, you’ll see an entrance to the I-95 northbound. Take that about 2 miles and you’ll see signs pointing you to CR-215, the Las Vegas (or Bruce Woodbury) Beltway. Take that eastbound a little less than 5 miles and you’ll come to Aliante Parkway where you’ll see Aliante Station. Yes, it’s another Station property but this one looks more like Red Rock Resort and has a great casino.

Head south on Aliante Parkway and it becomes N. Simmons St. In about 2.5 miles you’ll arrive at W. Craig Road. Turn left and take that another 3.5 miles to the original Cannery hotel. This one has a fun 40’s theme, a nice casino, movie theaters, and much more.

When you leave The Cannery, turn right onto Craig road and in less than a mile you’ll come to Interstate 15. Take that south and you’ll get to the Strip exits including Sahara, Spring Mountain, Flamingo, and Tropicana.

Then you can go back and gamble in the casino where you’re staying!

Cirque-us Maximus. BY Rick Garman.

When Cirque du Soleil opened their show “Mystère” at Treasure Island in 1993, it revolutionized entertainment in Las Vegas. The days of the showgirls, magicians, female impersonators, and has-been headliners were numbered and in 2010 the group operates an almost mind-boggling seven shows on The Las Vegas Strip.

Known for their awe-inspiring circus style acrobatics mixed with avant garde theater pieces and dramatic visuals, Cirque du Soleil is a must-see when visiting the city. Obviously you can’t do them all… well, I suppose you could if you tried hard enough and felt like spending a small fortune, but realistically most people only have the time and budget for one or two on any given trip. So which of them should you spend your money on? And if you’ve seen a couple, which ones should you see next? Or see again?

Here’s what I think.

If you’ve never seen a Cirque show before, either in Vegas or somewhere else, then you absolutely must start with the one that started it all in Sin City, “Mystère” at Treasure Island. Filled with the kind of evocative, emotional, and eye-popping set pieces that they are most famous for, “Mystere” gives you everything you need for an entry point. It’s also the show you should go back to see if you’ve already done the others.

Once you’ve gotten that one under your belt, go to “KÀ” at MGM Grand. It takes everything that Cirque does well (dramatic stunts, stunning eye candy) and puts it against a story about twins (a prince and princess), separated by war, who take a dramatic journey to reunite and save their kingdom. The martial arts battles are amazing and the floating stage is a technological marvel that shouldn’t be missed.

Third on the list should be “Viva Elvis” at Aria Las Vegas. This is the best example of Cirque’s new breed of show, which has an increased emphasis on dance in addition to stunts and big spectacle. Set to the music of Mr. Presley (with both live covers and remastered/remixed originals), this is their most accessible and downright fun show.

“O” at Bellagio is often at the top of critics’ lists and for good reason – it is, in a word, stunning. Performed in, around, and above a giant pool, it has all of the classic Cirque elements only with water. There are two reasons I don’t put it higher on the list. First, the pool – while interesting – tends to limit the action (they swim, they dive, they do aerialist tricks above it). It just isn’t as awe inducing as “Mystere” in my opinion. Also, “O” is much more aggressively “out there” in terms of its theater and set pieces, something that can turn off the uninitiated.

Before “Viva Elvis,” Cirque first did the tribute angle with “Love” at The Mirage, featuring the music of The Beatles. It is very heavy on the dance and interpretations of the Fab Four’s classics while lighter on the traditional Cirque elements. It’s a good show – don’t get me wrong – but you really don’t need to be an Elvis fan to enjoy “Viva Elvis,” while with “Love,” if you don’t know (and/or appreciate) The Beatles, it can leave you a bit cold.

Of course there’s always the underappreciated “Zumanity” at New York-New York. This is Cirque’s “adult” show, filled with all sorts of stunts, dancing, and comedy that celebrate all aspects of human sexuality. It strives to be titillating and sexy and sometimes gets there but more often than not it winds up being just kind of naughty (and occasionally downright vulgar). While this show is not my favorite, it’s still an interesting derivation of the form.

Last, but not necessarily least, is “Believe” at Luxor. This co-venture between Cirque and illusionist Criss Angel has gotten panned soundly by, well, just about everyone. My problems with it were mostly that there wasn’t enough Cirque for Cirque fans and there wasn’t enough magic for Criss Angel fans, but the show has been getting a revamp over the last few months and word on the streets is that it is significantly improved. I’ll be going back to check it out this fall after they’ve gotten their trick legs under them and will let you know what I think.

And of course, if none of these sound good, you can always wait until 2012 when there will be an EIGHTH Cirque show featuring the music of Michael Jackson.