Comparing Las Vegas To Other Gambling Cities/States

[Steve]

This week's Topic Of The Week Question is:

Was Las Vegas your first casino exprience ?

If not ,where? How would you compare it to other places where you have gambled?

[JEndicott]

The first casino I ever entered was Grand Casino Coushatta in Kinder LA. It was September 1997. I distinctly remember that as I walked through the doors and heard the sounds of a casino.....I just started laughing as it was exactly what I had imagined.

[Boston_Bill]

My first casino experience was actually Atlantic City at the Golden Nugget. I was blown waay by the whole experience of the noise, lights and glitter. It wasnt until a few years later that I finally made it to Las Vegas. I've been to Foxwoods in Connecticut and it was nothing like Vegas. It's only a two hour drive to Foxwoods but it just doesnt compare.

[54hoppin]

Even though it was labor day weekend, and my trip was to Vegas, the first two nights my friend and I went out a couple of days early to visit my cousin in Needles. We all went over to Laughlin and I can't remember the casino, but I won 150.00 at the crap table. All I knew how to bet was the field. Went back the next day with the same results. We were not supposed to go back to Vegas until the next day, where a room at the brand new Excalibur was waiting. But I couldn't wait, so about midnight we drove back from Needles to Vegas. If you have never done this, it is a sight. Pitch black in the desert, then you come over a hill and there it is Sin City. What a sight. Anyway that was my first experience in a casino and Las Vegas. I have been in love ever since. Come see me in Vegas for my 50th birthday Super Bowl weekend.

[Zelda22]

In the mid-70's, my husband & I visited Vegas for the first time. My husband put a nickel into a slot machine and lost it. He had me try, and I lost my nickel too. I promptly told him to take me to the mall because when I shopped at Sears, I knew I would get something for my money!!

Well, we have lived here in Vegas for 3 years now, and we are in a casino every night. I guess I changed my mind about gambling!

[Nanni]

The first casino experience for us was at the Jack Tar resort in St. Kitts. After our vacation there we were hooked and could not wait to go to Las Vegas. We have not missed a year there since, and sometimes more than once a year. ;)

[mturner]

Yep, and I played one quarter at a time at Ceasars. Went back the next year, as I had a friend that had since moved out there and won 600 dollars at Bally's on quarter slots. Been hooked every since then... which is probably not a good thing as we now have several "boats" in my area and I have dropped much more than I have won but only play VP now. ( maybe that is my problem ) Still, even if I didn't gamble, Vegas is the most exciting place to be! EVER!

[Diilite]

Since I live in No. Calif. we always went to Tahoe or Reno. I've never really felt at home in Reno, but I still love Tahoe. I never made it to Vegas until about 20 years ago. I love Vegas for its glitz and glamor. It is a fun place to be and the energy is nice. But for a nice, less frenetic weekend getaway, I still prefer Tahoe. I can gamble as much and as long as I want and win and the energy is more peaceful.

Sometimes when I'm in Vegas I feel that the people there are trying to do everything at once because there is so much to do, their time is so short and they don't know when they'll get back.

[EllaBear]

It was the Tropicana in AC, friends had told us about a deal at a hotel next door that would give you $25 each and 2 meals a day on a weekend. Played one quarter at a time and visited every casino on the boardwalk. Biggest surprise was the wife who I never thought would like gambling. We wound up getting comped at the Trop and then Harrahs for rooms and I got comps for meals from the blackjack tables. We now live in Vegas and attend local casinos.

[honeyswife]

My first trip was to Atlantic City. Went on a bus trip with a friend. I had the nerve to wear heels. Within 2 hrs my feet were killing me plus I immediately lost the $100 I brought with me within that 2 hr span. That was when AC first opened up.
My first trip to Vegas was in 1991. went with 2 girlfriends and couldn't lose I came home $1500 more than I left with even after all expenses. My friends lost their money. Sorry to say that hasn't happened since.
I live in Vegas now and go to the casino at least 3 days a week. I do find I gamble differently since I moved here. My bets are much lower.

[leighw55]

The first casino I ever went into was in Vegas about 20 years ago. But since then I have been to Tahoe a few times and Reno, and also Laughlin. Plus we have tried various indian casinos all over Wa and OR states. But our favorite place to gamble is still Vegas. There is no other place like it.

[JMVegas5866]

Living in South Jersey for all my life, unfortunately my first casino experience was in Atlantic City. When I was a real young kid in the 80's I remember vaguely some of the origional casinos on the Boardwalk like Brighton Place (now Claridge), and the Playboy Casino. So I seen that place from the 80s to present. Nothing to brag about. It's crap folks.

My first trip to Vegas was in 1994 at the age of 18. Vegas, the gambling capital of America, totally put Atlantic City in perspective for me. Atlantic City is a dump. Unfortunately the casinos made it a dump by having a major effect on the change of the surrounding neighborhood by "ghetto-izing" it. Take a look at Atlantic City pre-1977 (b.c. before casino's) and you'll see it was much nicer. It use to be a top credited tourist destination back when my parents grew up and a classy city with top notch entertainment. No more Steel Pier, no more 500 Club, and quality of service and dining doesn't even compare to Vegas. Everything that was great about Atlantic City is all gone now, and to top that off they lost the historic Miss America Pagent. Las Vegas is now the host of that pagent. The casinos are trying to wipe out alot of the ghetto surroundings by extending their property outward some, and also the city is trying to put high end retail shops in town. Since 2000 they have been trying to build Atlantic City up. The buildings may be newer now, but that's about it.

[wiley]

The first casino we went to was Tropworld in AC, around 1988. We'd been hearing so many people talking about AC, and as a child our parents took us there for occassional long weekends - riding bikes on the boardwalk, riding horses on the beach, playing skee ball, etc.

Hubby wanted to go to an AC casino, and I resisted, saying it wasn't for me - too glitzy, too big... (LOL). Well, I gave in, and we looked in the Ramada Inn directory for a place to stay, made reservations, and we went. Drove up and down looking for Ramada Inn - none to be found. Finally asked somebody and were told that "That hotel (Tropworld) is owned by Ramada." I really didn't want to go in. Again he talked me into it.

The rest, as they say, is history. Of course, I loved it. They had an amusement park theme at the time, with that ferris wheel in the lobby, games, rides - what fun! Loved the hotel, loved the casino, loved the boardwalk. To top it off, just before we were leaving the next day, my husband hit a jackpot ($600) on a quarter slot.

Went to Las Vegas for the first time 8 or 9 years ago, and have gone 3 times since then. We enjoy both places equally, and have been fairly lucky in both places. We're close enough to AC to go there 4 times a year -that's our fast getaway (one night at Tropicana and one at Borgata). Besides the gambling, I love the shopping and the boardwalk, sometimes a show, and great food.

Las Vegas is our once-a-year real vacation - a show every night, the sight-seeing, wonderful meals, and always something new to see.

We've also been to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, but we've never been lucky gambling there, and there's not enough to do outside the casino, so we only go there if we're on our way to Boston, Mystic, etc.

T-45 weeks.

[ChicChas]

Back in 1978, I was moving from Denver to Eureka, California, and driving across country. One of my overnight stops was in Reno. I checked in to a little motel and went to bed. Then I started thinking, "Hey. I'm in Reno. I ought to at least check it out." So I got dressed again and went out. I bought $10.00 worth of quarters at a casino -- don't remember which one -- and played them in a slot machine one at a time. When the money was gone, I wandered around people watching.

I didn't set foot inside a casino again until 2004 when I visited Montreal for a week and had a remarkable dinner at their casino's upscale restaurant followed by gambling. (By the way, their beautiful casino was originally the Canadian exhibition hall at the 1967 World's Fair) I was enjoying myself so much I lost track of time. All of the people I went with left long before I did at 3:00 in the morning.

I made my first trip to Las Vegas in August of 2005 and now have tallied five trips, the last one just two weeks ago. I'm already beginning to plan another for late winter or early spring.

[Lori R]

Yes, Las Vegas was my first casino experience. I think I was 27. It was 1983 and so different than it is today. Then, indian gaming started cropping up in Southern California. I had gone a couple of times but it was nothing impressive. Now, our local casinos are very nice. It just doesn't "feel" like Vegas so I still want to go as often as possible.

[LostStooge100]

My first casino experiance, was at the Luxor Las Vegas. Got married to the greatest woman in the world, stayed at and learned to play craps and black jack there. We still consider the Luxor our casino, but now we stay at Paris. We go to Vegas evey year for our anniversiary, June will be year 5. Las Vegas is the best city in the world.

[iam4nd]

We played our first slot machine in the late 70's at a resort in the Bahamas while on a cruise. Quit after losing $20 between us. Ten years later we tried Vegas and had a great time. There are five (soon to be six) riverboats within a 35 minute drive from our house but we seldom frequent them. For us Vegas is an experience---the boats are just a destination.:cool:

[vpugno@aol.com]

First trip was in 1974. It was mesmerizing to me at that time. Gambled only nickels. Came home with a little money. Had a memorable time and have been going every year since. Casinos in Detroit can't even hold a candle to Vegas. We go here only to practice??? Vegas is number ONE in our book.

[JanG]

I had travelled all over the world and never entered a casino. Then my home city opened a casino and I visited it and enjoyed trying roulette for the first time. When I went to vegas the first time I loved every thing about it except the roulette because of the 00. I have visited six times since and despite the long flight from Australia - love Vegas and the surrounding areas. It is like three holidays in one with Vegas at the beginning and the end.

[N8VETEX]

My first casino was in vegas in the early 80's. Went there on honeymoon stayed at the Flamingo. During the next ten years or so only went back
once or twice but did go to Reno/Tahoe once. The last seven years however
I visit Vegas about three times a year or more. Have casinos close to DFW
but never go. Save all my fun money for Vegas. Leaving on the Dec. 18th. for the forth time this year. Luv me some vegas!!!

[dscs007]

My first casino experience was in Mississippion the Gulf Coast. We went to Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis Miss ( now Hollywood Casino ).not very long after they opened, and have been back many times since ( until Katrina ). Wife and I may be going tommorrow to check out some of the new and renovated places.

David

[tryon4]

My very first experience was in 1977(?) and it was in Vegas. My older brother let my father and myself use his time share at Flamingo Gardens. I walked down the street to the side enterance of the MGM hotel. Yes it was the MGM then. I walked up the steps and opened the door. BOOM what a sight for a kid from a small town in NH. I just absorbed the scene. I walked around and couldn't believe the enormity. I remember going to a slot machine and losing $5.00. This sucks, says I. The next morning I returned at 6:00 A.M. and wondered if the place would be open at that hour (:confused: Not only open but jumpin. I watched some loud guy with a cowboy hat, big cigar and 2 neices play Black Jack for an hour as I was fascinated at how someone could just sit there losing money and not get upset.
I went to a slot machine that took dollars and it took 9 of mine. I played my last one and wow I won $125.00 and the rest is history. The hook was in and I have been vacationing there ever since.

[Steve]

My first experience was Las Vegas and I went with my Mother many years ago. I remember staying at The Frontier. Sigfrield and Roy tickets were $12.50
and the dinner buffet was $6.99.

Eileen and I have gone to Atlantic City, Foxwoods and Mohican Sun a few times but it no the same as Las Vegas. The original is still the best.

Steve

[fskovacs]

was in Arubu in 1973 and I didn't go to a casino in the U.S. until the indians opened one here in CT. I been to Las Vegas now about eight times since 2000 and have had to cancel or defer about four more trips, which I guess indicates that we do like it. It's definitely more fun the Atlantic City.
In fact, we just got back last night from another visit

[HedoTom]

My first gambling experience was in 1980 in Atlantic City. I gambled at Resorts International and the Playboy casinos with a budget of $30 (actually I spluged and ended up losing $32) from what I had saved from quitting smoking the previous 2 months.

Tom

[lhswayne]

In 1966, I had my first experiences with slot machines at a military club in Saigon. There was a certain amount of excitement in playing nickel-size slugs in the slot machine. You could only play one slug at a time and the big jackpot was $15!
In 1969, our family had an overnight stop in Vegas as part of a car trip from the west coast to the east coast and back again. We stayed at some motel on Main Street. We went to the Las Vegas Club for supper. I remember all the slot machines and the noise, but we did not invest any money. Don't really know how that happened.
My first experience actually betting any money was in 1977 when I went to Vegas with one of my friends. At that time, we could get a room and meal package at the California Hotel for $9.95 per person for a three night stay. The price was unbelievable and unbeatable! The first game I played was blackjack and I lost my first two $2 bets.

[Chump and BG]

So enthralled with Vegas were we over the prior decade, we had never visited Biloxi, an easily accessed and popular gambling destination from the Tampa Bay area. Then in March of 2004, I was approached by my boss to participate in meetings to be held at the Beau Rivage later that month and again in July. While I had told him any number of times before never send me to Vegas for any kind of business activity, as I would surely mutiny, I thought, this I can handle. After these two visits, I saw that Beau was in fact commensurate with any Vegas resort and was excited to introduce BG to it. Simply put, Beau was a beautiful resort, the younger sister of the famous Bellagio. Her staff knew their jobs well, they performed with a quiet, down home, earthiness. Although they lacked flair, they also lacked that Vegas arrogance which can be so insulting. Another motive was that we were most aware that TI, our Vegas home, was racing away from us in its quest to attract the party crowd. The Beau stands out head and shoulders above everything else in Biloxi. It really is the Belle of the South! It is the largest building in Mississippi at 3.2 mm sq ft and it’s tallest at 32 stories. The Beau had been built in 1999 by Steve Wynn who spared no expense. It is a lovely, charming, player’s casino, not a night club with a casino attached. The 85,000 sq ft casino provides everything a player wants to test their luck upon except Keno and a Sports Book. Mississippi residents had reluctantly approved gambling, their legislators could only gain populist approval by insisting that the gambling would occur over barges floating over navigatable waters. Thus the gaming industry of Biloxi was built upon barges anchored over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. So much of the accrued revenue went into the States school fund that the residents saw their schools rise from dead last in the nation to the middle of the pack. Gambling had accomplished for Mississippi’s children what nothing before had!

In October of that year, we received a great offer from them including; three nights, a daily buffet, show tickets, $200 in Free Play and airfare for $89 each. We booked early December looking upon it as a Christmas gift to one another. We arrived to find the Beau totally decked out in Christmas decorations. It had many Dickens figures and Christmas trees in the shopping, lobby, theater and conservatory area. We had NEVER seen anything remotely like this in Vegas. The decor along with their special Christmas show, just enchanted us. By the time we got to know half of the bartenders at the Hurricane bartops, we were falling for the Beau. The casino was allowing us to play even and offered a good variety of VP. It looks and feels so much like the Bellagio. One evening, we had a delicious dinner in their Port House Restaurant which was surrounded by a million dollar aquarium. I think it was over this dinner that we decided to make Beau a new Christmas tradition. We were also sold on the idea of including the Beau in a rotation with Vegas. We returned home and awaited a spring offer which did in fact come but minus the airfare. We saw why after checking out separate flights. Air Tran had exploded their airfares to $900 RT for the two of us. This airfare piracy lasted until early August, when the Beau resumed its offer to us at the $89/person. Wonderful, we would book another Holiday Season at the Beau! Nature had other plans for the Beau Rivage however!

Hurricane Katrina was the August 2005 storm which would not die. As a tropical depression, it all but dissipated several times after passing over Barbados, then the Bahamas and finally after glancing Cuba, but somehow the storm reformed each time and continue on its erratic path. It next passed over the southern tip of Florida as a more developed Category 1 hurricane but afterwards limped off to the west as a tropical depression once again. Eventually, it drifted into the midst of the Gulf of Mexico with its warm water and we had a “Perfect Storm” scenario. It quickly gained strength. From the 26th of August to the 28th, Katrina grew into a maximum Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 173mph and 50’ seas! We had a killer storm in the Gulf headed for New Orleans reaching out 200 miles from its center in all directions or with a circumference of 1250 miles! As we watched the weather report that evening of the 27th, it hit me that the storm would veer to the east away from New Orleans and strike the Mississippi Coast. I don’t know why I felt this but I turned to BG and said, “Katrina is going to turn east and decimate Biloxi and the Beau with it”. Katrina did in fact veer 70 miles east of New Orleans before making landfall in Buras, La. Miraculously, the storm had lost its southern eye wall from wind sheer hours earlier and came on shore as a strong 3 just under a category 4 hurricane. While the eye was 150 miles west of Biloxi, it was to the right side of the eye and given the counter clockwise spin of a hurricane, it brought the sea ashore on to the Mississippi Coast. Katrina hit Biloxi with 130mph peak winds, damaging enough by itself, but it was the 30’ storm surge which leveled the coastline. The Beau Hotel was built to withstand Category 4 winds. Its casino however sat upon five enormous barges, the largest semi submersible type in the world, which in turn were anchored with 9 million pounds of steel pilings driven 170’ into the shoreline. The casino and restaurants were actually designed to normally float 20’ above sea level. The 30’ storm surge however flooded the first two floors of the Beau. The water in the casino went into its ceiling. While the barge held firm unlike all of the other casinos, there was massive damage to it and the interior of the resort, but the Beau withstood the storms fury structurally intact. Had this occurred in Florida, there would have been several staging points of thousands of relief vehicles akin to armored military divisions to quickly reach storm victims, but Mississippi didn’t have the resources for anything of this magnitude. Relief was painfully slow in arriving. Afterwards, the storm victims spoke so highly of the helpfulness of the American Red Cross in getting them through those first weeks after the storm. We are so glad that we donated to this terrific organization! MGM dispatched its engineers and architects at the earliest opportunity. They were amazed at the devastation to the area. About 90% of the buildings along the Mississippi Coast, about 65,000 structures, were GONE! The flood waters had reached inland for a half mile destroying bridges and roads as well. There were 238 people in Mississippi killed. They surveyed the damage and advised while extensive throughout; the footings and the foundation of the hotel remained structurally sound. They estimated a 22 month reconstruction period. I will never forget the humanity extended by MGM to its employees. In this era of large heartless corporations, they were there for their people. Everyone was to be paid their wages for four months, support and relief tents were erected in front of the Beau and job opportunities were given to workers in Las Vegas and Tunica. The hotel chefs were cooking food on outdoor grills to feed its families in those first weeks. Since many had lost their homes, they temporarily relocated and some to this day still await their homes reconstruction in order to return to Biloxi. MGM’s CEO, Terry Lanni and MGM President, Bobby Waldin arrived to the Beau a month after the storm in a scene which could remind one of MacArthur’s return to the Philippines. They looked out at their employees and their 3800 families, and announced, we are going to rebuild. They looked at the 22 month construction estimates and quietly told the general contractor that the Beau would reopen in 11 months. Twelve hundred construction workers went to work. The Beau did reopen on the annual anniversary of Katrina. It was the costliest hurricane and one of the five deadliest in US history. MGM had spent $550 mm to not only restore the Beau Rivage, they have made it better!

Living in Florida, we know that communities impacted by a hurricane can go for weeks without the most basic necessities. It can take over a month to restore electricity, phones, water and sewerage. A town can look like a war zone requiring its residents to spend a good part of the day simply looking for food and water. Reconstruction in these areas of massive damage is inevitably slow. Labor and materials are in far too short of supply for the enormous task at hand and construction costs explode to two and three times what they would be in normal times. It is difficult to import additional workers as there is no lodging available for them either. For these reasons, I thought it would be well into 2007 before we could return to Biloxi. We were so surprised to learn this past April that the Beau was going to reopen on August 29th, one year to the day after the storm. There was no doubt in our minds whatever that we would return. We wanted so much for this to work for us, and it most certainly did, that we decided to give the Beau a few weeks to get things put back together before our visit. We booked October 19th to the 22nd, one year and seven weeks post Katrina.


Our only non stop carrier out of Tampa to Gulfport/Biloxi is Air Tran. We departed Tampa on time at 3:00 in the afternoon for our one hour and 15 minute flight. We upgraded to their “Business Class” for $40 each. It was probably wasteful to do so but we so seldom fly first class that we took the inexpensive opportunity to enjoy this luxury, no matter how brief. Seemingly in no time at all, the pilot came on to announce preparations for landing. I patted BG’s hand and said, only four more hours sweetheart. I was of course being sarcastic about our long, 4 hour and 45 minute flight out to Vegas which we always spend in the coach’s children sized seating. As we walked up the ramp and into the terminal, we couldn’t but help stop in our tracks. You see, the Gulfport airport looks like that of a third world country right now. No, it was not damaged by the hurricane. This was a planned expansion and renovation before Katrina had hit. The floors were bare concrete, exposed steel beams, piping and wires hung visible everywhere and all of the chairs had a good layer of dust upon them. Talk about letting your dirty laundry all hang out! It seemed the flight crew must have had to off load our luggage as it took over 30 minutes to go the short distance to pick up. In the meantime, I used the rest room on the main floor which could best be described as that memory of an old gas station on RT 66, 30 years ago. We departed the terminal to find the main arrival road in front of it as big of mess as the inside of the airport. I followed the signage for the temporary car rental offices which took me out deep into the middle of the parking area. Thank goodness I had told BG to wait at the entry for me as I got soaked in a steady rain. Well, the signs stopped and I stood there in the rain thinking that this was all just a dream. A car drove by and the driver asked if I had lost my car and I told him that I was looking for the car rental offices and he pointed them out to me at the far end of the terminal. WHAT? Was the signage some kind of joke? Well, by now my only pair of shoes were thoroughly soaked but at least Thrifty had me in and out in about 90 seconds in a brand new alien hovercraft called a PT Cruiser. I am obviously being very critical of the Gulfport Airport in the midst of their renovations but they deserve a big black eye. The Air Tran and security people could not have been more pleasant or helpful but the airport management is showing a complete lack of pride and competence here, even taking into account their construction. Forget about us, give the thousands of our young military people coming in and out of Keesler AFB better than this mess! The new terminal is supposed to open in March and I trust it will be a HUGE improvement over our experience on that day in the rain. I drove around in a nonsensical circle from Thrifty, loaded BG and the bags up and headed for the Beau, just 20 minutes away. What an ugly arrival it had been.



Our arrival at Beau Rivage was herald with long lines at check-in. There is no “invited guests” queue unless you’re a VIP and are able to use those services. We joined the masses foraging to find the fastest moving line. It still took about 30 minutes but once it was our turn we were up and out in a flash. (What in the world do those people talk about standing at the desk for ten minutes at a time?). The lobby was artfully decorated for the autumn season. Pumpkin patches abounded and hundreds of potted golden mums filled the sea of gardens. In Florida we only notice a subtle change in seasons but here we were thrust into a forgotten realm of fall foliage and harvest time. It was spectacular. Collectively, there are more plants and flower plantings in all of the Beau’s flowerbeds than there is in the Bellagio Conservatory!

The elevators are a very short walk from the lobby as well as to the casino. We dashed up to our 10th floor room to unpack. The old Beau’s décor was mostly floral and had a tropical feel. The new Beau room’s basic room design is the same; only the color schemes have changed, blue spreads, rust chair, beige draperies (which do not have the lovely remote control of Bellagio). It works well and is cheerful and bright. They have added 32 inch plasma TVs to the guest rooms. The bathrooms are decent size; separate tub and shower, large marble vanity with one sink but lots of counter space. The amenities were of good quality; shampoo/conditioner, two kinds of soap, mouth wash etc. A make-up mirror and hair dryer are attached to the wall. For those of you who remember the poor water pressure here, you will be pleased to know it’s much improved! You will also find a safe inside a very ample closet that also houses an iron and ironing board, all the creature comforts of home. The new pillow top mattresses are wonderful and the pillows are of better quality. Besides the desk/dresser, the room has two club-type chairs and a small table. Our room was made up impeccably by early afternoon each day.

The casino itself has a new look. You will find at the casino entrance a wide spacious walkway that runs all the way back to the High Limit Room which has a section for table games and slot machines. The draperied canopies over the table games are reminiscent of Bellagio. The restaurants can be found along the outer walls of the casino. The biggest surprise was the demise of the old Hurricane Bar and the erection of The Breeze. It is an exact replica of the The Breeze at Treasure Island! There were many times while playing there that I had to ask myself, “Where am I? Am I at Beau Rivage or TI?” The only real difference was that we had to settle for Makers Mark Manhattans and not Blanton’s or Knob Creek. They still had plenty of Grey Goose though!


While the casino and rooms were ready for the opening, only casual dining was available during our trip; Terrace Café, The Buffet, Memphis-Q, The Coast, Snacks, and of course room service. We visited the café, buffet, Coast and had room service one morning. Vast array of choices at the buffet: heaps of southern vegetables, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, crab legs, prime rib, pork loin, and cat fish. We didn’t partake of dessert but the selection looked outstanding. Friday evening we had dinner in the coffee shop. We each ordered a seafood platter; fried catfish, oysters, shrimp, crab cakes and hush puppies. Oh, we had forgotten how these Southerners can cook—yum! Those hush puppies were like eating dessert! And the crab cake wasn’t just a lump; it was stuffed in a shell and baked until crusty—yum, yum! We visited the Coast for lunch on Saturday. I had a shrimp po’ boy and Chump had spectacular burger. We both had a cup of white bean soup that was outstanding! Excellent service and nice atmosphere. They have live entertainment on stage in the evening and several big screen TVs for sports spectators. Sunday morning we ordered room service for breakfast while we packed. As usual we only order one breakfast and split because they are always huge. This one was over the top: scrambled eggs, toast, 2 pancakes, one each link sausage, ham slice, and bacon, hash browns, juice and coffee. Fantastic!

Just Opened:

Olives
“Celebrity chef Todd English brings his acclaimed restaurant, Olives, to the Gulf Coast. Here, a masculine look of golden tones, dark wood and distressed leather, designed by renowned restaurant architect Jeffrey Beers, complements the award-winning, rustic Mediterranean cuisine. Wood-oven flatbreads, home made pastas, rotisserie prepared meats and flame-licked seafood are all beyond indulgence.”

BR Prime
“BR Prime's classic yet contemporary decor and relaxed cosmopolitan ambience will beckon you to experience the finest culinary cuisine the Southeast has to offer. Dramatic shifts of light and color will set the tone with warm-colored stonework set against hardwood flooring and striking walls of glass and wood. BR Prime will have a classic American steakhouse menu with regional influences and expert flair. Prepare for delectable menu items such as wet-aged and dry-aged prime beef, Gulf shrimp, 3-pound Australian lobster tails, and stone crab.”

Asian Restaurant
“Walk a fine line between edgy and traditional with a true crossover Asian food concept that is sure to bring a sense of excitement and inspired serenity. Authentic sushi, teppanyaki and Pan-Asian dishes are created from basic ingredients with an uncompromising insistence on quality and purity. Our menu will also spotlight a variety of soups, salads, noodles and regional specialties from Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong-style barbeque. Complementing the exotic fare is an extensive beverage selection including specialty drinks, a variety of Asian and domestic beers and an eclectic selection of fine Sake.”

We are looking forward to trying them all!


One thing that stood out particularly for us was the fantastic service we received from everyone we encountered. This staff gives new meaning to Southern hospitality. If we heard it once we heard it one hundred times, “Thank you for coming back to the Beau. We’re glad to see you! Thank you for contributing to the economy of Mississippi. Thank you for helping to rebuild our community.” These fine people humble me with all that they have been through and are now striving to make their lives bigger and better.

By Thursday evening we had caught up with several of the bartenders from pre-Katrina and made acquaintance with a number of new ones. We learned to drink very slowly as someone was always Johnny-on-the-spot to offer a refill. It seems that the bartenders were all preparing for a contest featuring signature drinks of their own design. Everyone wanted you to try their specialty always with the disclaimer: “you don’t have to drink the whole thing—just try it and see what you think!” A new young bartender, by the name of Matthew, adopted us and I became his guinea pig. I experimented with a new frozen margarita, a Chocolate Covered Strawberry, a Dreamsicle, a Water Moccasin, a new and improved White Russian and several others that had yet to be named. Enough Matthew, I’ll have to crawl to the elevator!

On Saturday we played through the morning into the afternoon. It was time to get some lunch. We told Matthew that we would see him later. “It’s going to be really busy here by the time you get back with all the football games on TV. I’m going to save your two chairs here so you’ll have a place to play after lunch.” True to his word, when we returned an hour later, there were two seats for us and a packed bar. That’s Southern hospitality!

We had no idea of what to expect on their quarter VP going in. What we found was better than our Vegas haunts. A player will find numerous multi Game Kings offering quarter and dollar; Aces & Faces (which appeared to be much closer to 6/5 Bonus to us), 6/5 Deuces Wild, 8/5 JOB, 6/5 Bonus paying 175 credits for any quad, 8/5 Joker, 5/3 One-Eyed Jacks, 9/6/5 DB, 9/5 DDB, 8/5 Bonus Deluxe, 9/4 Wild Sevens, 7/5 White Hot Aces, and 8/8/8 USA Poker. There are 6 upright STP machines offering 8/5 JOB, 6/5 Bonus and 4/3 Deuces on 3, 5 and 10 play. You will also see behind them 6 uprights offering Spin Poker; 8/6 Bonus Deluxe, 8/6 JOB, 6/5 Bonus and 7/5 White Hot Aces. There is a slant back bank of 8 Multi-Strike machines and an upright bank of 3 Ace Invaders games. There are many 3/5/10 play slant backs in front of the slot club and other slant backs and upright machine banks of these throughout the casino. There is also an upright bank of 10 Penny/Nickel 100 line games. We found a progressive quarter bank of 12 DB and DDB slant backs in the far corner by the poker room. At last look, the Royal on DDB was $1950, the Ace Quad w/kicker was $750, the 2-3-4- bonus quad was $375, and the Quad Aces was $250. Although we played everything briefly, it was at this progressive bank and on the Breeze bartops which we predominately played for 14 hours each day.

We hit no Royals this trip but luckily hit many quads on DDB and Bonus Deluxe which paid 400 credits for any quad. I hit the Ace Quad w/kicker three days in a row and 8 quads on Deluxe. Otherwise, I hit Aces three times, all the other bonus quads at least once and many others. BG did not any bonus Ace Quads but otherwise did much the same as me. In summary, we hit too many quads to count! We predominately played DDB, then Bonus Deluxe, then some DB. I have never hit more Flushes and Straights on DB before. The paytables for quarter and dollar are the same everywhere in the casino. I spent my last three hours in the casino playing dollars. I found a bartop where I was winning on the 8/5 JOB game. The only progressive at the Breeze is on JOB and the dollar game stood at $5100+. Four times, I was dealt four to the Royal, three times the draw produced a straight and once a high card pair. So close but so far! I guess it was frustration at this which prompted me to switch to DDB, Bonus Deluxe and DB where I would lose only to return to JOB where I would recover. I should have stayed with Jack. He gave me everything but the Royal including a dealt Straight Flush. The VP techs have been all over the Breeze for the past few months and again shared with one of the bartenders that the Game Kings have a separate RNG for each game. This is the third bar I have been told this indirectly by a tech. My own experience also tells me this must be true as there can be such an extraordinary difference in the play from one game to another on the same machine. The only real point of this is that should a player be losing on one game, try another before giving up on the machine altogether. We will do better next visit. We have gained familiarity with the machines and will spend less time experimenting around the casino.

It has been seven weeks since our return from the Beau and we have reflected individually and together on our experience there. We have a lot of respect for what they have accomplished there, both for themselves and their community. They have a lot be proud about. They seem to have grown since we last visited there. Their experience has changed them into better and wiser people. Perhaps they are closer to the real meaning of life than the rest of us. As for BG and I, we will most certainly return to the Beau in the coming months. Our 2007 plans at the moment include two visits to Vegas and Bellagio and three to Biloxi. Beyond that, time will tell. The Mississippi legislature has changed the law allowing the casinos to move over land within 1,000 feet of the salt water. The concern over making big investments in vulnerable property has been removed. They can build the structures strong enough to withstand the wind and now they can build them high enough to protect them from flooding as well. Harrah’s has announced that they will be building a one billion dollar Caesars up the road from the Beau. Foxwood is planning $500 million project to open in the fall of 2008. The Golden Nugget is coming to Biloxi, as is a master-planned resort called, Broadwater. MGM owns the tract of land across from the Beau and is beginning to discuss their second Biloxi resort. Hard Rock, which was nearly destroyed by Katrina a few days before it was to have opened, will be completed by next summer. We think that Beach Blvd. is going to look like the Las Vegas Strip within a decade. As we walked through the Beau that last Saturday night, I told BG, “We have never been in a casino before in which so many players are playing so many machines at once. Of the 2,000 machines in the casino, I would have bet that 1,800 of them were humming all night. People come to the Beau to gamble, not a little but a lot! Biloxi is not a cheapo gambling junket anymore. The whales there sail into the Beau Marina and dock for several days. Yes, their new marina is now also completed. There were people of all ages having a good time together and no one, seemed to be staggering about in a daze looking for a place to get sick. You will not hear any hip hop rap music; the Beau is a casino, not an ultra lounge. Oh, the Beau is sexy enough, their cocktail waitresses in their jaw dropping outfits will match up to any in Vegas. But, What Happens In Biloxi, Can Go Home With You! Perhaps we have found our new destination but an hours flight from home.

We took a few pictures intending to take many more but as usual we found ourselves with a loaded memory card.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chumpandbg/album?.dir=/91a5re2&urlhint=actn,del%3as,1%3 af,0

[debbiebeigh]

My first visit to a casino was at Fitzgerald's in Las Vegas, in 1998. I was taken by the sounds and the lights most of all. I had no idea video poker existed; I played slots until we were getting ready to leave and I spied a video poker machine. Now, eight years later, I am a dedicated video poker player who prefers Vegas, even though I am two hours or so away from the riverboats of southern Indiana. I would rather save my money and fly to Vegas 4-5 times a year. The casinos aren't nearly as crowded as the boats, and the paytables are better. I am still a "downtowner".

[billhrsh]

I was 15, we stayed at the real Aladdin, after Elvis got married there. Great swimming pool. I saw Shirley McLaine there if my memory serves me right. my pop smoked the free smokes they gave out on the casino floor. He complained when we got off the plane 'what the he-- are we gonna do here?
he asked my mom---it was the old McCarron airport and it was mid June and hot and dead looking.
I went to see Goldfinger, my parents went to the Dunes, for a show. A cop told me there is a cerfew and I couldnt be out, after 9 or 10 pm]
so I went back to the room. I was going there anyway as the movie was over. I'm from Allentown PA but have been back many times and although I know the city geographically well and the new casinos are awesome looking but i miss the days of the other real Vegas!!!! But its still a city thats great to visit

[magicfish]

Vegas was not my first casino experience. We lived in Houston for years, and my hubby and I would occasionally sneak away to the Lake Charles casinos for
day trips. I also went to Coushatta with friends.

With relatives in New Orleans, and a dad who owned
a beach house in Mississippi, I have visited all the New Orleans area and Gulfport/Biloxi/Pass Christian casinos.

I loved Beau Rivage for its beauty and gorgeous marina area, and Casino Magic Biloxi for its adjacent beachfront, and Casino Magic Gulfport/Pass Christian for its Buffet which always featured marvelous seafood and Cajun food!

My dad and his wife sold the house last January, and Hurricane Christina came through since. :(

My hubby had been to Vegas a few times over the years, but it was not until 1999 that I got the chance to go. We have gone every Christmas season since, as well as for Anniversaries, and have taken trips to meet up with siblings and friends - I now try to average 4 trips a year (although my husband doesn't get to go as often).

There's absolutely nothing that compares to Vegas - not just in lights or the no. of casinos - but in atmosphere, dining, entertaining options!!! My husband says I'm Vegas obsessed!

We leave tomorrow for our Vegas Holiday trip - I can't wait !!!! :D

[ASTIDIXIE]

Vegas was not my first encounter with gambling..........Atlantic City was, then came Foxwoods.
But I must say I overwelmingly prefer Vegas to both of them.

[jevica]

My first experience was in Atlantic City [Resorts] had a good time there. But after the first time I went to Las Vegas there is nothing to match the Vegas experience. Visiting Vegas is great. Nothing can compare to it. I go back every year.

[stevevarro]

My first casino experience was while I was in the Navy in 1968, at a hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while on shore leave. A friend and I had $7 between us and we decided to pool our money and play a little Blackjack. I played and he cheered me on. I ran it up to $20 and asked my friend what we should do. He said "Play on!" So play on we did, until finally after over two hours we lost it all. But for $7 we really had a great time! :) More fun than those sailors who went to old San Juan and came away with some STD's.:eek:

My first Vegas experience was while living in So. California. My Mother and Aunt came out from Indiana to visit and we took an overnight trip to Vegas. We were mesmerized. Stayed at a cheap motel and went to a couple of smaller casinos. None of us knew anything about Vegas, so we just played the slots and had aa fun time. No winners that trip but lots of fun.

Since then I have been to many casino boats and overseas casinos, but none compare to Las Vegas! Always looking forward to my next trip.;)

[cindyinnj]

I live in New Jersey....Atlantic City was my first casino experience. I was 18 and all I did was play the slot machines. I lost, of course, but I had fun gambling and drinking (that was the age back then) with the other "adults"! ;)

But, as Jevica said...there is no comparison to Vegas. I've gambled on cruise ships, and on St. Kitt's Island, but there is no other place like Vegas Baby!!!!!!

[SandyA]

First trip to Vegas was in the late 60's, stayed at the Riviera and probably gambled less than $20...hit lots of shows, though! Fell in love with the city and have kept returning since....up to 4 trips a year now<g>. Tried Atlantic City 2 or 3 times but really didn't like it; did Reno and Tahoe once - liked Tahoe, really didn't care for Reno. I've been playing at Mohegan Sun here in CT but it's not Vegas! 36 more days until my first trip of 2007 to my favorite city!

BTW, Chump, you've sold me on a shot at Beau Rivage. I visit the family in the Tampa Bay area 3 or 4 times a year....will have to take a little detour one of these visits!

[Janine926]

We had a layover in LV and I gambled for the first time at the airport in 1997 but was sick when I lost about 15.00. Then, the first casino experience was in Indiana at Grand Victoria, again, did not like losing and was done early.
It took my husband another 4 years or so to talk me into going to LV and it was different that time, I lost but loved the place. We go every year now and I feel more and more comfortable with gambling and have had some great luck too. We live in the Cincinnati area so we do go to the boats in Indiana but it's totally different and only good for a small fix.

[Chump and BG]

SandyA,
If you generate 10,000 MGM/Mirage points daily, ask the Beau about their free or discounted airfare deal from Tampa. Otherwise, it's but $175 RT. Please do try the Beau, it would be the third most beautiful resort on the LV Strip! We do love it there and the folks are so nice to us. Ask about dinner at Mary Mahoney's or just pull the website. It's a taste of the charm of Orleans. We are going there just after Christmas and will post some more pics on this thread. Their Christmas display exceeds anything you will ever see in Vegas. Good Luck!

[Deb]

First casino experience was Primm/Stateline, it just made me curious and that summer, we went to Las Vegas for our first time and love it!
Went to AC once in the late 90's but it seems to have changed so much, would like to go back. We liked it. Also visited Reno/Tahoe a couple of times. We liked it too. But nothing compares to Las Vegas!
We have many casinos in our area, one less than ten miles, cannot remember when we last visited. Also, we are close to Palm Springs and now visit there about once a month. The thing we like, is much shorter drive. We also like the shopping, entertainment, weather, the relaxing feel. Hubby likes the golf.
But it doesn't compare to Las Vegas!

[maeve]

My first vacation was to Las Vegas, and I lost my gambling virginity to a casino (probably long gone) on the strip. My first time I had a winning streak playing the slots and I became mesmerized by them, until I realized I had lost all my winnings as well the money I started out with. :eek:

[HeyNow]

I had a great time gambling both time I was in the Bahamas, but that was before I had ever been to Vegas. I don't think it would be as fun now.

Atlantic City sucked. I hated it, I was only there for about 4 hours but it was not fun and I have no intention of going back.

I've been to Foxwoods a bunch of times, but the last time I went I made the mistake of going a week after returning from Vegas. It was impossible to get a drink. I think there was 1 cocktail waitress for 2,000 gamblers. I also had to stand around waiting for 30 minutes to get a $25 blackjack table.

Vegas is so much fun that I don't really have the desire to gamble anywhere else.

[MissCyn]

My first casino experience was at the Niagara Falls Casino in Canada. It was kind of fun, but the guy I was there with didn't know how to gamble at all, and I only knew blackjack. The first time I went to Vegas it was February 2003 so people were still nervous about planes and terrorists. It rained several days and it was still pretty chilly, many of the shows were dark, and there were hardly any crowds- but I had the TIME OF MY LIFE! All of my co-workers were calling to see how I was and if I was having fun and the friends that didn't get to go gave me money to play on the slots for them while I talked to them on the cell. I felt such a since of calm and relaxation during that trip, and have felt it almost every time since - like I have no responsibilities and I can really relax.

[Mulberryflash56]

Yes, my first experience in a casino was in Vegas, at the ripe old age of 56. Imagine, if you can, a 56 year old "kid" in the middle of MGM for four days. The very first 36 hours I was alone because my wife was asleep in our room suffering from jet-lag. I would see something exciting and I would run to the room to arouse my wife to come and witness what I had just experienced; however, to no avail for a day and a half. When she finally arose from the dead, we had a blast playing on a $20 a piece per day on nickel slots and an occasional quarter. Believe it or not we had fun and returned home with money in our pockets.....After that, we have gone exclusively to Vegas at least twice a year. A couple of years before Hurricane Katrina hit the Misssippi Coast, I frequented the casinos on the coast, but there is no place like VEGAS. I had a great four days there last week during the NFR. Gene

[dean_1492]

My first trip in Vegas, I stayed at the Marina (now part of the MGM). We went casino hopping, ended up at Circus Circus, and won 800 on a $1 slot! Went back the the Marina, and LOST it all. I had a great time, even though I lost! :D

I have been to indian casinos, and they do not compare to Vegas. Slots are way tight, not even close.

[KingFishX]

Yep, Vegas was my first gambling experience, spring of '96...and I'll NEVER forget my first gambling experience, playing craps at the SLOTS-O-FUN dice table, located a mere 2 wide-open feet from the sidewalk. To this day, that's one of my fave dice tables in LV - which means it'll probably be closing in the next 12 months due to another development project! Agghh!

[dreamcatcheril]

End of March 1974, being from Chicago you stayed at the Stardust. The Chicago boys owned that one. Being from chicago no one would mess with you as long as you didn't try to cheat them.
My white pants and white patten leather shoes walked from the Stardust to Ceasars. It looked like a short walk. In some places there was no side walk just a dirt path along side the 4 lane road where drivers would stop to let you cross the street.

locally the Grand Victoria Casino river boat. The pay scale on quarter, jacks or better is actually better than many strip hotels at 8/6. they even have 9/6 dollar jacks or better VP. you won't find 8/6 at the Mirage, the Mirage reserves the 9/6 for the $5.00 machine.

I have done AC yes there were bunny's back then, at least 5 places in Reno, Gila River and some other place in Phoenix , the one up in the Wisconson Dells, All of them in Aruba, Atlantis and Chrystal Palace in Nasau and a couple riverboats over towards Gary Indiana.
I hate to say this, all those places over the years and where did I enjoy playing the most. You won't believe this.
The Imperial Palace
Hit a Black Jack get a strand of beads, Dec 2nd I had about 25 strands of beads around my neck. Looking the total fool as I left the IP... Elwood Blues looks at me and says into the microphone... "nice jewelery sir".

[dmfam]

My first was in Atlantic City for a bachelor party. The bachelor party was a blast... The casinos seemed to be much more smokier. Vegas definately is by far more exciting and cleaner. Atlantic City is closer but I fly to Vegas instead.Just got back 2 days ago and broke even.

[denpubl]

:D I love this thread! I'm not really surprised at the number of 1st timers who are mesmerized by it all! Las Vegas gets over 130,000 visitors a DAY! It is a wonderful place to live or vacation. No matter how many times you visit it is nearly impossible to see and do everything there is! People come here from every little corner of the globe, and sorry to say many don't have a clue as to what to prepare for. Preparation for a vacation is essential when visiting Vegas, planning your time is something you must do (there is never enough!). I publish articles about Las Vegas specifically for this reason.

If you would like learn some very valuable Tips and Cautions please read the article "Las Vegas Tips, Tricks and Cautions" (especially the Cautions) here's the link: www.lasvegas-discount.com

It will help make your vacation a memorable, safe unforgetable experience.

Welcome and ENJOY:D

[G-Alan]

I received an award with the company I worked with and was offered an all expenses paid chance to go with the owners and co-workers to Vegas in 2002. There were 10 of us but most of them had wife/ husband with them. I was single. I of course ran off the airplane to sink some money into the slots that I had heard were at the airport. They had to pull me off those to go get our bags. We checked into TI and someone had left me a cheese and fruit tray that I don't believe I ever touched. We checked in at noon on Wed and it was Fri before I realized I hadn't been outside since we checked in. I remember being amazed that everything a guy could want was right there in one hotel. (except a clock) I did, with co-workers help, finally get myself outside and walked with them down the strip. I wanted to go in everyone of the hotels. We left that Sunday and I vowed that I would be back. Because I had a blast and because I hadn't hardly seen 1/2 of everything there. I have been 6 times now and every time I leave I always say how I wish we could have done this and that. Vegas I will be back!

[PinkFloydActuary]

Actually, one of the Colorado mountain towns (Blackhawk?) was my first experience, in preparation for a Vegas spring break trip.

I've now been to Reno, Laughlin, Council Bluffs, Tunica, Cripple Creek, and Deadwood. Nothing is like Vegas. Reno and Laughlin are the closest, but nothing has the Vegas feel in my eyes.

Two months until my next visit!:D

[barfar1]

I've gambled in AC, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, cruise ships, Puerto Rico and Vegas and it's like comparing Apples To Oranges. There's no place like Vegas:D

[dicewoman]

My first gambling experience was not in Las Vegas. It was in a remote area- Marksville, LA in 1999. I took a 10 hour bus ride from Austin, TX to Marksville with many of my boyfriend's family members (he is my husband now) and my best friend.I was so thrilled to be in a casino although I had a sinus infection, bronchitis, and an upper respiratory infection. (I didn't know how sick I was until we got back and I went to the doctor) I was fascinated by the lights and the noise of the slots (back in the good ole days when you actually got to cash in real coins) I stayed on the nickel machines the whole time! It was a great time, and I was with a fun group.

My first trip to Vegas was in December of 2000 with 3 of my friends from college. We stayed at the Mirage. Vegas was and is more than I ever could imagine it to be! I remember when we got onto the shuttle to go to our hotel, I couldn't even tell the driver where to take us as I was filled with excitement! We had a great time and a made a few hundred bucks on the slots. I didn't know how to play table games, but of course I have been back to Vegas several times so I know how to play now.

I will be going to Vegas next month and it will be my 8th visit. . There is so much to do and all the lights are so exciting!
I have also gambled at Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Shreveport, LA, Kinder, LA, Lynn, MA (boat that goes out on Ocean) and Port Aransas (boat that goes out on Ocean). There is no place like Vegas

[JMVegas5866]

There is no comparison. Vegas is the best gambling city hands down if you compare it to Atlantic City. I've lived in South Jersey for all my life and can honesty say that after I saw Vegas for the first time that it put Atlantic City into better perspective for me. Basically Atlantic City in a nut shell is total dump (casinos in a ghetto city). It was better off in the days without the casinos when it had places like Steel Pier and the 500 Club. No one cares about A.C now. It's just 'somewhere to go' because it is close by. IF I go to Atlantic City I'll only stop at the Borgata because it is the only thing that comes close to Vegas. Otherwise I don't even go there that often anymore and save all my gambling funds for Vegas.