American Casino Guide

June 28, 2009 Vegas Values Report

Here’s what we found for the week of June 28, 2009...

Here are great Las Vegas coupons, discounts, savings and offers we have for you this week...

Jerry’s Nugget: From Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, BBQ Beef Ribs is the special at Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop, served 24 hours. The $5.95 special features an ear of corn and baked beans on the side, as well as your choice of: soup or salad; baked potato, French fries or mashed potatoes.

Las Vegas Hilton: Will continue its tradition of shooting fireworks on July 4th. Although the property will be hosting a private fireworks party for it casino customers, (including Sin City Bad Girl Lorena Peril singing the national anthem) the fireworks can be seen by the public from the front of the Las Vegas Hilton, or from the parking lot next to the SuperBook off Joe W. Brown Drive.

Tuscany: July Promotions: Mondays - Earn 500 points and get $10 Free Slot Play for use Wednesday – Sunday. Tuesdays - Earn 500 points and get $10 Free Slot Play for use Wednesday – Sunday.

Stratosphere: $40,000 Reel Time Challenge July 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, every Friday and Saturday in July, ending July 25. Play for your share of $40,000 in cash. $2,500 top winner daily. $5,000 for 8 days. Top ten point earners win guaranteed cash prizes each day of promotion. Five from Top 50 point earners will be drawn for $100 in Free Slot Play. Drawings will be held on Sundays at 10 am. No registration is necessary. Just play with your rewards card on Fridays and Saturdays and you’re in the game. Digital leader boards placed around the casino floor will display and continuously update the current Top 10 and Top 50 point earners. Promotion is based on slot points. Players’ club members can earn points by playing any reel machine, excluding video poker, video roulette, video blackjack and multi-game machines.

July Gambling Podcast - 1,000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets with Bill Burton. The American Casino Guide has a monthly podcast hosted by the book's author, Steve Bourie, who talks about topics of interest to travelers who like to visit casinos and during the course of each show he  interviews a special guest from the world of casino travel or gambling.

For the July podcast Steve interviews Bill Burton, the casino gambling guide at About.com and author of "1,000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets." They discuss various aspects of casino gambling including: money management; odds/probabilities; tipping etiquette; and the best strategies for playing slots, video poker and the major table games. To visit the podcast page, go to: americancasinoguide.com/podcasts.shtml

On that page you can also access past interviews with noted gaming authorities, including: Jean Scott, Max Rubin, Bob Dancer, Stanford Wong, Arnold Snyder, John Grochowski, Henry Tamburin, John Robison, The Wizard of Odds, Bill Burton, Jeffrey Compton, Anthony Curtis and Linda Boyd.

Silverton Casino Lodge: Through July 5, buy one entree or buffet at any Silverton restaurant and receive a second entree or buffet of equal or lesser value for FREE. Available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Must be a Discovery Club member.

Rampart Casino: Teamed up with the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa and United Blood Services to host a blood drive on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday July 5. Patrons who donate blood between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the JW Marriott’s Marquis Ballroom will receive one FREE buffet and a FREE gift from the Rampart Casino in addition to a free 30-minute golf swing diagnosis from GolfTec. To make an appointment to donate blood, please visit www.bloodhero.com and enter the sponsor code “Rampart.” Walk-ins are also welcome.

M Resort: $10 in FREE slot play or a FREE Buffet during the month of July when you sign up for a player’s club card.

Sahara: “Dollar Days” are every day and running indefinitely. $1 BJ tables (6:5 on blackjacks), $1 hot dogs, $1beers and $1 shots, all available 24/7.

That's it for this week.
Luck, Royals, Good Food and Jackpots to all..... Regards, H.  Scot  Krause
Author not responsible for omissions, changes and/or errors.

Ongoing June Promotions

Vegas Values Updates: The American Casino Guide web site has a discussion board where you can read about any updates to each week's Vegas Values report. You can also post any questions or comments you have about any casino promotions. Go to - http://forum.americancasinoguide.com/

El Cortez: For the month of June, Club Cortez players winning a jackpot of $200 or more on a slot machine, a $200 or more jackpot on a video poker five-cent or lower denomination machine, a $300 or more jackpot on a video poker ten-cent or high denomination machine, or a $200 or more jackpot on live keno will receive a prize ticket redeemable for their choice of either one El Cortez logo Hawaiian shirt or a winning wallet (while supplies last).  Winning wallets contain $10 to $1,000 dollars in free play.  All jackpot winners receive an entry into the weekly Saturday night 40” LCD HDTV giveaway and $2,000 cash prize drawing.  There is no limit to the number of tickets that a player can collect for this promotion.  See Club Cortez for additional information and to redeem tickets.

Golden Gate: June Scratch Card promotion. For every 100 points earned in the same day, players get one FREE scratch card.  Scratch cards are worth up to $1000 instant free play and every card is a possible winner.  Scratch cards must be picked up on the day they are earned.  Free play is awarded instantly.

Club Fortune Casino (Henderson): Now offers exclusive prizes for all of its loyal Players Club members through the Fortune PLUS Points program. Fortune PLUS Points is a unique loyalty program for Players Club members to earn special points beyond standard casino comp points. Fortune PLUS Points can be redeemed for exceptional prizes ranging from the Apple iPod Touch, Panasonic Wireless Blu-ray Disc Theater System, Char-Broil Gas Grill, one-of-a-kind vacation packages, Movado watches and even a Victory Vision Motorcycle. Fortune PLUS Points are earned as follows:--Video and Reel Slots = One PLUS point for every $10 Coin-In
--Video Poker = One PLUS point for every $20 Coin-In
--Tables = One PLUS point for every 10 Base Points received in rated session
--Poker = 50 PLUS points per hour
In addition to Fortune PLUS Points, Players Club members continue to receive Base Slot Points which can be converted into free slot play or used at Emily’s Café, The Deli or the Player Rewards Center. Five hundred Base Points are equal to $1 and are earned as follows:
--Video and Reel Slots = One Base Point for every $1 Coin-In
--Video Poker = One Base Point for every $2 Coin-In
--Tables = Base Points determined by each rated session
--Poker = 500 Base Points per hour

A complete listing of rules for all promotions and a merchandise catalog for Fortune PLUS Points are available inside the Player Rewards Center. (Ongoing promotion.)

Fitzgeralds: Crazy Maze Days – Summer of ’69 edition. Random players selected to win FREE slot play, prizes and an entry to win a classic car. Get a chance to qualify to win a Vintage Chevy Camaro daily from 2 pm-10 pm. Daily prizes which include hotel stays, free slot play, food and drink comps. Grand Prize drawing September 6. See club for details.

Gold Coast: 50% off when you pay with your points at the buffet every Thursday in June. Full amount must be paid with your points.

Hard Rock: June 30: Get your 1st Hard Rock logo cap FREE! Earn an additional cap for every 250 slot points. And you keep the points! Limit 3 caps per player.

Rampart Casino: FREE Twin Head Massager June 28 and 30. Earn 200 same day points and receive one FREE Twin Head Massager. Limit one per customer per day.

Silverton Casino Lodge: The following concerts will be held poolside at Silverton this summer, with more announcements to follow:
Blues Traveler – July 11
Fabulous Thunderbirds – July 25
Morris Day & The Time – August 7

Rampart Casino: During June, earn 500 same day points or 2,000 anytime points and receive a lobster tail dinner at the Carmel Room, Saturday thru Thursday. See the players club for details.

Fiesta Rancho: Card of the Day. Available at the Cabo Lounge & Sports Bar only. Guests that win a 4 of a kind that matches the “card of the day” will win prizes from the prize wheel. Must be “natural” 4 of a kinds only. See participating bars and/or the Amigo Club for complete rules and details. (Ongoing promotion until further notice.)

Rio: World Series of Poker runs thru July 15 and spectators can watch for FREE.

Station/Fiesta Casinos (all): Feast BBQ Giveaway. Win a Weber Grill, every day thru July 19. Receive one entry for every paid buffet. Drawings nightly at 6:30 pm at all locations.

Eldorado/Joker’s Wild (Henderson): Tuesdays at Joker’s Wild and Wednesdays at Eldorado, earn 499 points and receive a FREE Tote Radio and you keep your points.

Mandalay Bay: Mystic Roots Band (MRB), known for its original style of reggae, hip-hop and dance music with overtones of rock, funk and ska, will perform live on the Mandalay Bay Beach stage Saturday, July 4. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. followed by the concert at 9:15 p.m. Tickets priced at $20, not including applicable service charges, are now on sale and available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino).  Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Mandalay Bay at (877) 632-7400 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available for purchase at mandalaybay.com or ticketmaster.com

South Point: Earn ½ point gas cards in June. Earn $25 in points and get a $50 Chevron Gas Card good anywhere in the U.S. Points must be earned between June 1 and June 30. No machine restrictions. See The Club Booth for complete details.

M Resort: New “M Call” promotion guarantees winnings of up to $1,000 daily in iMagine Rewards Club points.  Beginning June 1, the casino is giving Las Vegans the chance to win up to $1,000 in iMagine Rewards club points every day. iMagine Rewards members can call 1-877-977-THE-M (8436) from noon until midnight every day beginning June 1 until June 30. Everyone who calls is a guaranteed winner. Upon calling, a text message is sent instantly letting them know what they have won in points.  Points can be used for complimentary dining, FREE slot play and more. Members must redeem their awards the next day by inserting their iMagine Rewards card at any M Resort slot machine from noon until midnight. Awards not claimed will expire at midnight.

PT’s and Sierra Gold (Taverns and Pubs): June “$35,000 TAG A Day” giveaway and a weekly Bud Light Port Paradise Cruise giveaway. Members of the Golden Rewards program for PT’s and Sierra Gold will have the opportunity to win a TAG Heuer watch every day (assorted styles will be available) from June 1 through 30 as part of the on-going “Play Today, Win Today” promotion. The daily winner of the “$35,000 TAG A Day” promotion will be posted at 10 p.m. at each of the 32 participating PT’s tavern locations and three Sierra Gold locations throughout the Las Vegas valley. One TAG Heuer watch will be given away per day, with a grand total of 30 in June. Every 10 points earned by a Golden Reward member will grant them one entry to win a watch. Entries will be accumulated every 24-hours beginning at 10 p.m. each night.  Guests can also win a luxury cruise and see Dave Matthews Band perform live in the Bahamas. Each week in June, PT’s and Sierra Gold are giving away a Bud Light Port Paradise Cruise for two featuring a special performance by Dave Matthews Band. Guests can enter simply by purchasing a 25 oz. Bud Light throughout June.  PT’s and Sierra Gold will be awarding a total of four cruises for two during the month with the winners announced each Monday.

Opera House Casino: During the month of June, players will receive a Cash Bonus each time they hit four Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces at the Main Bar on any machine when playing  .25, .50, $1, or $2 denomination with max credits wagered and without the use of wild cards to form the winning hand. Players slot club card must be in reader and hand must be showing on the screen at time of verification in order to be eligible. The Aces & Faces Bonus Drum features the following breakdown of prizes (99 envelopes):
(1) – $50.00 Cash
(2) – $40.00 Cash
(3) – $15.00 Cash
(12) – $10.00 Cash
(81) - $5.00 Cash
This promotion will end at management’s discretion, or when all 99 envelopes have been drawn.

MGM Mirage Properties: Offering 2x Holiday Gift Points during June, July, and August.  You must redeem all gift points you earn gift in person from November 28 through December 13, 2009.

Mirage: In celebration of its 20th anniversary, The Mirage is partnering with Walters Golf to offer guests a “stay and play” package available thru the end of the year. The package allows guests to receive a 20 percent discount when booking a minimum three-night stay at The Mirage and earn up to 40 percent off green fees at one of three select courses in town, including Bali Hai Golf Club, Royal Links Golf Club and Desert Pines Golf Club. The Mirage/Walters Golf packages are available by calling 866-838-3387. Room rate is per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy; with a minimum three-night stay required in order to receive the preferred golf rate.  A minimum two-day golf package purchase also is required. Offers are subject to availability, blackout dates apply and guests must be at least 21 years of age.

Wolfgang Puck (Restaurants): Expressing appreciation to Las Vegas locals this summer by offering guests 25% off their check. Beginning June 1 through September 30, guests may take advantage of this special offer at Spago (Caesars Palace), Postrio (Venetian), Chinois (Caesars Palace), and Trattoria del Lupo (Mandalay Bay).

Sahara Hotel & Casino: Giving away 100 VIP five-day Baja, Mexico cruises to its top 100 slot point earners during its Point Challenge promotion which began April 1 and continues through July 31, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

Venetian: Blue Man Group introduces a new offer for Las Vegas locals as “KIDS GO FREE” to its show at The Venetian. For the first time ever, Blue Man Group is offering one FREE child’s ticket with the purchase of one regularly-priced adult ticket for Las Vegas locals. Tickets can be purchased by mentioning the code KIDS FREE at any Venetian or Palazzo box office or by calling 702-414-9001. Individuals must present their Nevada ID when picking up tickets. Blue Man Group performs shows nightly at 7pm and 10pm at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. The FREE ticket offer is valid for children ages 3 to 12 and applies to all ticket prices. Blue Man Group is recommended for children ages 3 and older.  FREE children’s tickets are subject to availability and are not valid during holidays.

Western: “$20,000 Spring Into Summer Cash Giveaway.”  The promotion, which runs through July 4, gives players the opportunity to earn drawing entries four different ways:  $100 Plus Jackpot, $2 Royal Match Play Win, Natural Blackjack and $5 Cash Food Purchase. Drawings will be held every Saturday in May and June at 8 p.m. for five $100 winners and one $500 winner. Over July 4th weekend, players can win their share of $11,000. Drawings will be held Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m. for five $500 winners and on Saturday, July 4 at 8 p.m. for one $5,000 winner, one $2,500 winner and one $1,000 winner. See the promotions booth for complete details.

Sahara: Wheel Promotion every day thru August 31 giving Club Sahara members the chance to win prizes including a cruise, televisions, cash, show tickets, dinners and much more. Five lucky winners will be drawn from the drawing drum twice daily – once at 2 p.m. and once at 9:30 p.m. to spin the Wheel set up next to the Craps pit to land on one of an assortment of prizes.  Winners must be present to spin the Wheel. Players can earn drawing tickets daily and receive one drawing ticket for each of the following – Slots: 10 points earned on any slot machine from 9:30 p.m. the previous day through 9:00 p.m. the day of the drawing; Craps: $5 Pass line bet or more, when a 7 or 11 rolls on the come out roll only; Any Blackjack with a $5 bet or more; Blackjack: When the dealer has a Blackjack everyone on the table receives one drawing ticket; Poker Room: Full house or better (player’s two hole cards must play); and New Club Sahara sign-up. Prizes on the Wheel include a Cruise – 3-Day Carnival Cruise arranged by TripRes.com (valued at $700); Television – 42” LCD or Plasma flat screen or a $450 cash option; Cash - $5 to $100 as displayed on the Wheel; Free Play - $20 free play good for table games or slots; Free Buffet – free buffet for one anytime during the promotion period; Caravan Café – good for any meal for two, up to $40; NASCAR Café – good for any meal for two, up to $40; Tournament – one free entry into any upcoming “Invited Guests Only” slot tournament; and Show Tickets – good for two show tickets to any show at the Sahara.

Atlantic City Blog - The American Casino Guide web site has an Atlantic City blog with information about promotions and events at all Atlantic City casinos. To visit the blog, go to: http://atlanticcity.americancasinoguide.com/

Summer Pool Promotions

M Resort: Spring/Summer: FREE poolside entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9 pm.

Las Vegas Hilton: Las Vegas Hilton Cool by the Pool (located on the 3rd floor pool deck) is back for the summer. Enjoy Happy Hour from 4PM - 8PM daily along with FREE live entertainment, 2-for-one drinks, $2 shrimp cocktails and Ceviche for only $3.)

Imperial Palace: Welcomes another sizzling summer season of the poolside, Imperial Hawaiian Luau. In its 18th year, the open-air dinner show features an all-you can eat buffet, all-you-can drink adult beverages and a souvenir Pagoda cup for every ticket holder. The Hawaiian Imperial Luau performs every Tuesday and Saturday through Sept. 29. Tickets for the Imperial Hawaiian Luau are on sale now at the Imperial Palace box office, or by calling 702-731-3311. General admission tickets are $49.95 (plus tax & fees) and VIP tickets are $59.95 (plus tax & fees). VIP tickets come with preferred seating, all you can drink “you call its” and a traditional Hawaiian lei.

See a list of ongoing casino promotions! Las Vegas casino promotions