DAY FOUR AT BALLY’S
The first LV Tournament held eons ago at the Union Plaza and later The Riviera found a new location at the exciting Bally’s hotel in the heart of the Strip. The table attendance at this point (with eight sessions = two on Monday and three each on Tuesday and Wednesday) are setting records with 810 tables to date – up quite a bit from the Riviera. The intrigue and fascination of a new locale always peeks the curiosity of the bridge crowd. Although most attendees are locals, it has drawn many big names from other parts of the country and everyone is having a blast – not only seeking master points but enjoying all the novel gambling opportunities. A game not offered at most LV hotels is called Black Jack Switch, an unusually exciting and action-packed concept which Bobby and I have been playing (and jut about holding our own). All this and heaven too.
Last night after the game (at 10:30), as we only had a nosh for dinner we treated ourselves to dessert and coffee. Since the hour was so late, we ordered room service for breakfast as we had a 9 a.m. kickoff this morning. However, as I am writing to you, our breakfast room service arrived. We had been advised in advance that they sent the wrong order. The proper one arrived fifteen minutes later. However, the kicker was we could not sign it to our room. CASH ONLY. Did you ever???? Bobby refused to pay cash so finally I negotiated for a credit card which they accepted belligerently. What is this economy coming to??
I’ll leave you with the piece desistence. The minimum wager at BJ Switch is $30 per hand. which is not my style). Bobby was playing for more. After about 8 sessions before and after the bridge, we were having a blast at the table (and they give you a Rewards Card to track your gambling … a bit of a consolation, if you lose).
Out of curiosity, I asked what we were entitled to (thinking at least a nice dinner in the hotel). Hold on to your hats folks. My total credit was $1.65 and Bobby’s was $8.35. Honest Injun!
However, great playing space. Nothing’s perfect.
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Funny story about your room service. I have never heard that room service could not be charged to the room! How is this even possible? I agree that Bally’s seems to be a hit. It is nice to have so many choices for meals, whether it be just for a snack or a full blown dinner. I have not heard a bad word at all about the rooms either, which is great for locals and out of towners alike. The playing room is nice as well. I understand we are back at the Riv for the regional. I wonder if this will hurt attendance now that all of us have seen what Bally’s has to offer. I realize we have a contract with the Riv, so I heard we will be there for the regionals for another year or two.
Played in Swiss teams yesterday afternoon; my first time to be in flight A in a Swiss. (Not because of me, I assure you, but our team mates were flight A.) Had I been better the first round on two boards, we would have had a chance to win the event. Guess this is the glory, and defeat, of team games. My mistakes cost us the first round, but after that, we were good.
I like those one session Swiss events. Not too long, and we played some really nice teams.
This tournament starts on a Monday, and ends on Friday, right? How do the players who work 8-5 M-F get to play? And arent’ these the younger players, the ones we’re supposed to bring into the fold?
Jane:
Yes, I saw you did well. Keep punchin!
Judy
Georgiana:
It is for practical reasons. Economy or not — LV is still very popular and booming. On the weekend they are packed. For those who are so-called gamblers, it is $40 during the week and $70 Fri-Sun. The unit must get a big break on price to fill the place during the week. The playing facilities were wonderful and everyone seemed to be happy.
Remember most of us old folks who live here are retired — so the 8-5 doesn’t apply but I surely understand the point you are making. As of late Wednesday the table numbers were unreal. I don’t know what the final count was — but people were crawling out of the woodwork.
I am learning slowly but surely that three sessions a day are too much at my not-so-tender age. Probably six man teams are the solution — that or the rescue squad. Just too exhausting. We stopped for a lovely dinner after leaving Bally’s and I was even too tired to eat so I boxed it for tomorrow’s lunch.
Bridge is fun but like everything else — has its time and place.
Thanks for writing.
Cheers,
Judy
When I moved to Las Vegas in 2004, our sectionals were seven days long! Coming from the Midwest, and only having three day sectionals there, the Vegas tourney was like a mini regional to me. The weekend events had less attendance however. I think the board decided to drop the weekend days and go to a five day sectional because of economics. Seems to be working pretty well. Bally’s was a hit also, and I did not hear any complaints, but I did not stay at the hotel since I live here. Us ladies did joke about the fact that there was no hot water for hand washing in the restrooms, but other than that, it was all good!
Jane:
My only complaint (and we stayed there and ate every meal on site) was they are very chinchy with comps. They have this special Blackjack Switch which Bobby and I played whenever we were not eating or bridging. You must play two hands at once, so Bobby was betting two green chips and I had to put up three red chips twice to enter the game.
We played Sunday through Friday even after the second session the last day. We broke about even — maybe $100 one way or the other — but the piece deresistence was when we went to pay our bill (including scooter rental and internet use), they took off our “bonus” of a shade under $25 (combined) whereas the Riviera (for less action) sent us to Kristopher’s (for about $125 credit).
Times must be bad for Bally’s to be so cheap about all the action every moment we were free. We mentioned it to several people and they said it was impossible. Oh well, serves us right for gambling (lol!).
We attend the Vegas Regional every year and would be very happy to see it move to Bally’s. The Riviera never offerred us much in the way of comps or cheap room rates. Now we usually stay at the Imperial Palace, which is a reasonable walk even in hot weather. We play a modest amount of slots, and Harrah’s Total Rewards ( includes 7 different casinos) gives us a good deal on rooms. We still work, so no sectionals for now. See you in June!
Hi Steve:
Happy to hear you were so pleased with Bally’s and have
everything under control. It is a lot different for us as we live in Summerlin and play at only one casino (The Suncoast) which we love — but there is no carry over of points as you have with Harrah’s
The playing site is great and I think (excepting the food costs), it was an overwhelming
success. It would be nice if they could have some food set-up but I understand it would be very pricy.
As you say — see you in June!
Cheers,
Judy