 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Letters to the EditorsNot the Vegas he knows
© St. Petersburg Times Editor's note: As part of a package of articles on Las Vegas published Aug. 18, the St. Petersburg Times printed a story that sought to refute some common misconceptions about the city and its casinos. Reader Ted Chapman, who signed his letter to the Times "Vegas veteran," takes issue with several points that writer made. Below in bold are the "typical misconceptions" that freelance writer Sarah Graham addressed in the article, followed by Chapman's rebuttal. Editor:The article "Prime Time Vegas" is full of misinformation and perpetuates the very myths (Graham) is trying to debunk: You can win a fortune. Graham states, "Casinos are mostly made up of slot machines and Video Lottery Terminals with a few flashy dealer tables" thrown in the mix. (Actually) casino floor space is dominated by slot and video poker machines, with most of the rest of the casino floor occupied by table games (blackjack, roulette, Caribbean Stud, etc.). She continues with the myth that a machine "is inclined to let you win on a slow weeknight." In fact, machine paybacks . . . must be certified as random by the Nevada Gaming Commission. The payback percentage on a slot machine is set by a computer chip inside, and the casino specifies the payback percentage when the machine is ordered from the manufacturer, typically about 92 to 95 percent (of the money wagered is returned). The chip can be changed, of course, but the casino must file paperwork with the Gaming Commission, and it's not something a casino does every weekend or weekday . . . The odds of winning are the same every pull of the handle, regardless of the time of day or day of the week, or whether or not the machine has just (paid) a jackpot. Las Vegas is a theme park for adults. This was true in the '90s, but the city is swinging back to its "sin city" roots. More topless shows have opened; even Caesars Palace recently opened a bar with (supposedly) nude women dancing in silhouette behind a screen, and has added a topless pool. The Disneyfication has peaked, and the pendulum's swinging the other way. Vegas is the place to see showgirls. No argument here, but on the better production shows, they don't lip-synch (as Graham had written). They're generally talented performers in a competitive business who work their behinds off. Casinos will ply you full of free booze. Graham states free drinks are not as commonplace as they used to be. Not true. I'm a cheap gambler (5-cent, occasional 25-cent level) and have never "wilted from dehydration" (as Graham stated). True, some casinos are more efficient with their drink service than others, but mostly the waitresses are around about every 15 minutes. Vegas is full of $5 buffets. Not $5, but $7 to $13 at the decent Las Vegas Strip buffets. Vegas is, hands down, the cheapest place to eat in the world. I go about five times per year and rarely spend more than $30 for the whole week. See the Web site www.lasvegasvadvisor.com for the "Top 10 Vegas deals," including cheap eats. -- Ted Chapman, Vegas veteran, via e-mail
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times Travel page Letters
From the AP |
