What is better than Vegas? You'd be surprised!

If anyone frequents Las Vegas, they will tell you about the clubs, the shows, the buffets, the shopping, the immensity of the hotels, etc.  When did good gambling options become as much of an after thought? Don't get me wrong - Las Vegas is my favorite place in the world.  However, to someone that loves Vegas as much as I do, there are some very annoying, if not aggravating, things about the place these days.  My wife and I have witnessed the expansion of "Sin City" over the last fifteen years - both the good and not so good.
Some of our best memories include:

• roads to nowhere out in Summerlin
• stopping to spin for free airfare at Vacation Village
• drinking great brews  at the "Holy Cow" across from the Sahara before the craft-beer-brewing craze
• the first time we drove through Red Rock Canyon without seeing the urban sprawl
• getting "fun books" at places like Lady Luck
• seeing "Mystere" for the first time
• finding 9/6 JOB almost everywhere

(Still wondering what this has to do with New England Casinos?  I'm getting to it.)

But, I'm afraid some of the fun just doesn't exist like that anymore.  I mean, it's still gambling's "Mecca,"  (look out for Macau!), but with the porn slappers, the show / tour hawkers, those insane people in every costume imaginable for picture taking, and scantily clad women dancing above almost every blackjack table, yadda yadda yadda, it's just not the Vegas I prefer.  (I guess they think the entertainment makes up for the lower BJ pays of 6/5).

(yea, yea, New England - read on....)

OK, so my third entry, and I'm already on a rant!  But even my love for downtown, "Old Vegas," is tainted by a lot of the "Strip destination" crap.  Call me crazy, but I prefer to go to Vegas for. well, the GAMBLING!!!! - but good VP pay tables & low limit table games with dealers that shuffle instead of machines, for example, is getting harder and harder to find.  (I now prefer to gamble at the likes of Red Rock, Silverton, M Resort, Main Street Station, and El Cortez - away from the insanity of the strip ).

What does this have to do with gambling in New England?  Well, for one thing, I'm glad to be back.  Let's face it, the pay tables and % payback are comparable to the Strip (check Casino Player's monthly stats), and it doesn't cost an arm & and a leg to get here.  And - it's class III gaming - unlike that in much of New York State (which is like playing bingo with 1000 people).  So, I guess the point is simple: drive less, pick your games wisely, use the NE Casinos' bonuses and special offers during the holiday season and enjoy your recreational gambling closer to home.

This blog thing is tiring, I think I'll go take a nap before I look at Holiday specials at NE Casinos in my next entry.  Until then, gamble responsibly and may all your flushes be royal. 

Binbin