UPCOMING LAS VEGAS REGIONAL
Another popular Vegas tournament is on the horizon. In fact, it is almost upon us .. starting Monday, June 17th and concluding on Sunday June 23rd at the popular old bridge stomping ground of The Riviera Hotel. Everyone seems to love Sin City Tournaments. Their Spring and Fall Sectionals are the biggest in the country and the Summer Regionals rank third in attendance (behind only the legendary Gatlinburg and Palm Springs).
These traditional outings draw thousands of players because of the accessibility by plane from McCallum Field (just a brief, cheap cab ride to the site) and with the even less expensive option of driving from so many nearby locations — besides being deluged by localites (both originals and transplants from here and other countries). You will get to meet and play against some of our country’s best players and experts from abroad as well. However, there will also be Gold Point Events (where no one playing has more than 750 masterpoints) and you can fight it out among your peers!
The hotel bridge rates are well negotiated (a far cry from those of other major cities) and offer twenty-four hour casino gambling and eateries, a sports book, free parking and an array of shows with famed entertainers — both at the hotel and nearby ones on Las Vegas Boulevard — where The Riviera is located. The playing schedules offer a multitude of choices (at either 9 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.). There will also be pair events at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. So — you can play non-stop or take a break to enjoy the excitement of what our city has to offer. It is also appealing to non-playing spouses (with or without offsprings) as other non-bridge activities are a hop, skip and a jump away.
Future tournaments include revisiting Bally’s for our Sectional from Monday through Friday (September 23-27) — as well as jumping ahead to the 2014 calendar. Because of next year’s Summer National in Las Vegas, the 2014 Regional has been earmarked for January 20-26 at Bally’s. The Flamingo will host the Spring Sectional (March 31-April 4) and the Fall Sectional will be held at the Tropicana from October 20-24.
There you have it. If you don’t have a reservation for the Regional — less than a month away — pick up the phone (800-634-6753 to book a room through LVregional.com). That site can also be used if you are looking for a partner or teammates and to check out the full schedule.
Should you need any help, the new and ever-capable Co-Chairs are Bruce Rubin who can be reached at brr32196@aol.com and his better half, Jane Rubin at janee1212@aol.com. They’ll be happy to answer your questions.
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I checked out the room rates and they are phenomenal — a far cry from what we have on the East Coast — especially big metropolitan areas. I envy you both living in Vegas and playing in the local tournaments. Sounds like an unbeatable source of fun — especially for card players.
You got that one right, JS. Although I loved Philadelphia, it’s history and above all the people — especially my bridge cronies — Vegas cannot be beat in so many ways.
The weather here (though proclaimed “hot” in the summer which one can easily remedy with something called air-conditioning) — is a far cry from my freezing winters in Philadelphia. The people we met (mainly bridge players) are warm, friendly and most are like yours truly — migrants from other parts of the United States. The suburbs where we live are quiet as compared to The Strip but we visit the hustle and bustle of the area whenever there is a tournament in town. However, because of the laborious daily travels back and forth to our house every day which takes about twenty-five minutes each way, we have been ‘staying over’ at the host hotel as the prices are so minimal, it pays to save our energy to devote to the game. In fact, if you give the casino (in this case, The Riviera) a noticeable bit of action, you get rewarded with some type of comp/s — depending upon how much you gamble.
It is really a sensational place to hold a tournament — as is substantiated by the record breaking attendance of late.
As my husband, Bruce, and I are chairing the Las Vegas Tournaments, we are so pleased that you have written such a positive and wonderful blog regarding the upcoming Regional. It appears to be another large one, as the rooms for the weekend are already booked. If anyone plans to come to the tournament and has not booked their rooms yet, they should do so ASAP, as there are few left at the bridge rate. Las Vegas is a great place to hold these tournaments!
By the way, Bruce and I also appreciate all you and Bobby do to promote bridge.
Hi Jane R.
No need for Thank You’s! It is what Bobby and I consider “payback” for the incredible pleasures bridge has afforded us over many decades and we want to encourage others to raise their glasses on high and pursue this marvelous game.
I was very much impressed by the room rates at The Riviera. Actually, we are having a local Regional in the suburban Philadelphia area (your old haunt) the same week. I and several others were discussing it and if you take into account the difference in room rates between here and LV, there is little or no extra cost as your plane costs are covered by the saving on rooms by the many players who stay at the hotel to avoid the drudgery of daily back and forth commutes. Too late — we already made dates — but perhaps next year. Thanks for enlightening us!
Hi Sandy:
You rekindled lots of exciting memories of my attending Philly Sectionals and Regionals for more years than I care to admit. In fact, I never missed one as a single gal or as Norman’s wife. It was an enjoyable addiction to which I proudly admit. Luckily for us, we were a stone’s throw from both playing sites (in town where we lived and King of Prussia after we moved to the suburbs), so we never had occasion to stay over. I have marvelous recollections of John Marks’ ever watchful eye on the goings on as he always ran a super tournament. I see he is still at the helm.
Say hello to my old buddies and tell them to find a Vegas tournament that is not in conflict with their local ones, It is the experience of a lifetime — a real hoot and very affordable!
Hope to see you again one of these days.
Judy
Can’t get there this year, but we will see you for the 2014 regional and the NABC! We will be bringing a horde of Minnesotans out there to party!
Hi Steve:
We’ll look forward to seeing you in 2014. I heard from Jane Rubin, the reservations (especially for the weekend) have come pouring in for the June Regional.. Stay well, keep enjoying the game and continue blogging.
Cheers,
Judy
Been to your Regional many times in the past, hope to come again sometime soon. Enjoyed both at and away from the tables 🙂
GL in your games.
Hi Michael:
Always nice to hear that our visitors have been pleased with both the bridge playing and the after (and between) sessions entertainment. Yes, it is fun when one’s spare time is absorbed by so many pleasurable activities while awaiting the next starting bell. Hope to see you here again soon.
Cheers,
Judy