All by myself

[pokeherguy]

This week made my second straight trip to the Harrah's Casino in Tunica in which I ended up being the only one playing the larger denomination vp machines. There were a couple of others there playing the 25 cent denom but I was the only one once again playing $2 denom. I went back to where the $5 denoms were and it was like a ghost town back there. They have sure come a long way since the glory days of the Grand Casino. I used to have to stand around and wait to get on a machine.

[bigsteve5273@yahoo.c]

Yes, Even Vegas was peculiarly quiet on my last trip.  The throngs of people that usually mob the strip were absent.  The lovely buses on the Sam's Town run had only 6 riders rather than being full.  The "Deuce" had seating available as it was carrying only locals.   It was so ghost town like that the only people I saw were in line in front of me at whatever attraction or show I hoped to attend.  The high roller area at the Palms was deserted as was the same area at Bally's.  I'm glad pokeherguy found some peace and quiet in the in the $2 denom section in Tunica. 

[MikeA]

BS...when you were in Vegas, was it during the week or over a weekend?I've seen no reduction in the numbers of people at the Oklahoma and Kansas Casinos.  Well, except for one Oklahoma casino and it has everything going against it.  Bad location with three casinos far more accessible to Kansas travelers and, it doesn't sell booze while the newer more accessible ones do.  They were the first in that area just south of the Ok/Ks border and just don't have the goods any more.  They (KAW) are hurting though you'd never get that admission out of them.  They still have BINGO going for them.The story is somewhat different at what used to be our favorite casino up in Kansas City: "AmeriStar".  They started cleaning house about 4 years ago.  Doing away with good VP, removing $3 Blackjack tables, and admittedly trying to cater only to the upper end players.  It has backfired on them.  Now that casino is pretty much a ghost town from what I've heard.  However, as far as I know, the other Kansas City, Missouri casinos are still doing okay (Isle of Capri, Argosy and Harrah's).

[EDC1977]

  Mike, I played the weekend BigSteve was there and Sams wasn't busy like usual for a Saturday. Lots of VP available including the PE or FP machines, several denoms. I also played at Fiesta and the bank of FP optimums were empty! Casino was about 2/3rds of normal.

[scorpio2]

it'll probably get worse.bad economy=maxed out credit cards for gas,etc..no smoking policies,etc!doom,and gloom my friends.

[EDC1977]

Nevada's smoking policy is smoking only in gaming areas and designated areas. No outdoor restrictions yet except around hospitals and doorways. California started that way and now bans it in many places.

[pokeherguy]

I thought it might have just been me. Maybe I smelled funny or something, everywhere I went the other players made sure to head the other direction. 

[vidopoker]

it seems like the only legal place to smoke in California is in an indian casino.
 
incidently, when i was at the indian casino a few weeks ago (and it's in a pretty low-income area) on a Saturday night, it was PACKED!
 
regarding Vegas, evidently the tourism is down a few %. i heard them talking about it on the news or something. i've gotten 3 free slot tournament offers in the last 2 weeks for 2 different hotels in vegas plus 4 other offers! they want (and need) the biz!

[bigsteve5273@yahoo.c]

  BS...when you were in Vegas, was it during the week or over a weekend?
      Sun. Sept. 7th- Thurs. 11th.  Sorry I missed you, Cat.  It would have been fun to me a VP hero. 

[cddenver]

I've seen no reduction in the numbers of people at the Oklahoma and Kansas Casinos.  Well, except for one Oklahoma casino and it has everything going against it.  Bad location with three casinos far more accessible to Kansas travelers and, it doesn't sell booze while the newer more accessible ones do.

 
Here in CO I'd say there's been a dropoff of about 1/3 in the number of players I see in the times I play (daytime, usually).   Gas prices would be a big part of that; the places here are off the beaten path and also a fair distance west of town.
 
I wonder if the gaming industry knows something about what's coming in terms of the economic downturn that we don't.   At least one place here raised its paytables in the last year (albeit on only one bank of VP).  I'd never seen that before in the many years I've been playing.  With no increase in my $'s played, another local place doubled the $'s on the cash coupons they send me every month.  Never seen that before, either.