Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 31, 2017 - Bellagio

One of the best things about the big casino resorts in LasVegas is that sometimes they build in interesting things to look at - things that can give you quiet joy in the 39 seconds between getting your ass kicked at the last slot machine and getting your ass kicked at the next slot machine.

It might be the way something's decorated, or a whimsical architectural element.that is almost as good as a work of art.

Bellagio staff are very good about standing still while you photograph them from your knees in front of the Chihuly.

Or, it can be an actual work of art.

Like this one, in the foyer of the Bellagio. It's stunningly beautiful, made of hand blown glass. The artist is Dale Chihuly, whose last name sounds like it should be either a dance craze or the name of a flaming cocktail of some sort.

Put your hand on your hips, yeah
Let your backbone slip
Do the Chihuly
Like my little Julie...

And that's today's Las Vegas Pic of the Day.

Na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na!

Barkeep, make me another Chihuly!

---

Check Bellagio rates at Vegas.com

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 30, 2017 - Barbary Coast

Continuing along the Lost Vegas theme, here's one from the good ole Barbary Coast.

How many Vegas tourists who've had a few too many have taken a header down those stairs?

It had everything. A great restaurant. Full pay deuces wild. Big Elvis playing for free.

So of course, they gutted it.

Actually, the one thing it didn't have was a name that made any sense to me. Why would anyone go to the coast for a haircut and gambling?

And that's today's Las Vegas Pic of the Day.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 29, 2017 - Vegas Degeneracy

I'm walking down Main Street, between Main Street Station and the Plaza.

I happen to look down at this enclosure they have around one of the trees by the sidewalk, and what do I see?

Las Vegas in a Nutshell

A Tecate beer can, some dice, and a set of keys.

What the fuck?

Maybe somebody really didn't want somebody driving.

Or drinking Tecate while shooting craps in a back alley.

I often wonder what this was about and the only answer I come up with is "Vegas, baby, Vegas!"

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 28, 2017 - Las Vegas Club

As the long history and slow decline of the Las Vegas Club comes to an end - literally, Derek Stevens is totally swinging the wrecking ball on it - we remember and wonder what happened.

I put it down to the crazy rules they had for blackjack - the most liberal "21" in the world.

The Las Vegas Club got caught in a spiral where the owners, who didn't have the wherewithal to figure out how to market the place back to success, couldn't wait out the slow resurgence of Downtown.

(Hey, it's Monday morning, might as well make this a 2-fer.)

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 27, 2017 - Vegas From The Air

You land in Las Vegas for your trip and it seems like you have all the time in the world.

Some number of days later, doesn't matter how long, all of a sudden, it's over, and you're on the plane out.

Last Glimpse of the Las Vegas Strip

It always seems like that moment when the roller coaster comes to a stop. You've got a big grin on your face and you're asking yourself, "What just happened?" And, "Where's my money?"

The climb out if you are taking off to the west often gives great views of the Strip from the right side of the airplane.

If you're lucky, you'll make a tight right hand turn over Red Rock, and have a chance to pick out Downtown on the way back to the hammering drudgery that is your every-day life.

Salut!

And that's Royal Flusher's Las Vegas Pic of the Day for today, Aug 27, 2017.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 26, 2017 - Imperial Palace

Way at the back of the Imperial Palace (aka the Inferior Palace, aka the Interior Smellass, aka the Quad, aka the Dinq) was a bar. Back at the back, on the south side.

It might have been the Mai Tai bar, and near there were some great old full pay coin dropper 25 cent 9/6 Jacks or Better machines. These ones were made by Sigma and had blocky Vic-20 style graphics. I'm talking some of the first video poker machines ever made.

And on one of those machines, I had a run that has never been equalled in my personal history - I played for a solid four hours on $20. Never fuck with a streak!

Within sniffing distance of these machines was the Men's room. I always got creeped out when I went in there. It was like I was walking into a train station in 1922 or something.

There was a shoe shine stand just in the door (which is not that much of an oddity, some are around even today, like at the Nugget and TI), and there was an attendant whose job it was to force towels and other sundries on you just after you were done taking a dump.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 25, 2017 - Siegfried and Roy

Siegfried & Roy were a staple of the Las Vegas strip for years, particularly during their run at the Mirage.

I guess when you are the Magicians of the Century (and Masters of the Impossible), you can expect some respect, stability, and your picture on a huge sign along with a giant pussy cat.

Same for Danny Gans, who topped the reviews year after year.

Everywhere you looked it was Siegfried, Roy, Gans, and Pussy.

And also that guy advertising the Rosewood Grill, holding the picture of the giant lobster.

Apparently, it is bad luck to have your picture on this very large sign at the Mirage.

And that's the Pic of the Day for Friday August 25, 2017.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 24, 2017 - Vegas Neon Lights

Here's a Royal Flusher Savvy Tourista Travel Tip for you. One of the best times to take photos of Las Vegas is at twilight.

I call it the magic time.

What's so frickin' magical about it?

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 23, 2017 - El Cortez

Pic of the Day for Wed Aug 23, 2017

You haven't experienced Vegas until you've stayed in a Pavilion room at the El Cortez!

You could have this view from your front door, and from the picture window just to the right.

The casino is about 90 seconds away, if you have luck getting the elevator.

Pavilion room is a nice way of saying 'a room in the parking structure' at the El Cortez. There are cars parked both above and below these rooms.

You want vintage Vegas? Here it is.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 22, 2017 - Goofing at Caesars

Pic of the Day for Tues Aug 22, 2017

Live Keno used to be a staple of Las Vegas casinos, but its pretty much been eradicated on the Strip.

There are still a few places you can find it, and Downtown has lots of live Keno.

This attendant at the Caesars Palace Keno Lounge had a sense of humor and a big smile. And she looked like Audrey Hepburn.

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 21, 2017 - Slot Jackpot

Pic of the Day for Monday August 21, 2017

So you put $20 in a machine. You bet 50 cents a pull twice, and come up with a $300 jackpot.

Sounds like savvy gambling math to me!

James Bond can suck it, he only got 007.

I got 007 times six!

Flusher

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 20, 2017 - Caesars Belly Dancer

Pic of the Day for Sunday August 20, 2017

Back when Vegas knew it was in the entertainment business, not the resort fee business!

Caesars Palace featured wandering entertainers from time to time, including a Caesar's entourage that would wander through the casino.

Beefy guards and gorgeous dancing girls put on a quick eye candy distraction.

Then you could right back to your cocktail and Roman Rewards coin-dropper slots.

Those were pretty good days in Las Vegas!

Royal Flusher's Daily Vegas Pic - Aug 19, 2017 - Fremont Showgirl

Pic of the Day for Saturday August 19, 2017

The Fremont Street Experience is an unqualified success as of 2017. It wasn't always so.

If there were a fifth Queen, she'd be it.

It's been about 20 years since the canopy was put in to try to breathe life into the worn out downtown properties. This brought marginal improvement over the next 13 or 14 years.

Three things have happened that have made the difference in the last 5 or 6 years.


The first thing is the bands. Live music on a regular basis made being on the FSE a cool thing to do, and brought in a younger crowd.

Royal Flusher Vegas What's New!

It's fun getting Las Vegas casino offers! And it's interesting to see how my screwing certain properties play adjustments have affected the offers.

The last time I reported on places where I used to play and get sweet, juicy offers, last April, I was Flushera non grata at:

• Wynn
• Mandalay Bay and all of MGM
• CET
• Golden Nugget
• Downtown Grand
• Four Queens

It's amazing how things change in the comp world. Take the Golden Nugget. (Please!).

"But I've burned this to the ground, dropping in, playing the freeplay on my and Mrs. Flusher's cards, and walking with the proceeds.

Well, it's caught up to me. The offers have dried up in the last 2 months for both of us. So it looks like the Smug Nugget is off the table."