Some Las Vegas casinos to re-open on June 4th.

[MaybeMaybeNot]

I just returned from a road trip with a friend who booked us one night in Vegas to access a cheap hotel. I had never been to Vegas before. I did not feel super comfortable (as someone taking lots of precautions). I didn't spend much time on the casino floor but had to go through there a few times. Most people were not wearing masks, I would say. We had to go up to the 25th floor for our room, and twice we hurriedly jumped out of the elevator when unmasked people tried to join us (even though the big signs told them not to). The hotel was being kept at 30% capacity. Parking was free. Some people were social distancing in line to check in, others (including the people behind us) were not, despite markers on the floor. They did a temperature scan before getting in line to check in at the hotel, but there was no scan for everyone coming in.

 

Here, and elsewhere, I see no attempts by anyone to cover their coughs. Everyone stands in front of the exit door smoking and coughing. Gross.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

So, I drove to a casino, which comped a couple of nights, just to check out the new rules. I have enjoyed casino fun for decades, but it's over. It's not just the annoying mask requirement, which makes it difficult to hear what anyone is saying; the food options are minimal and lacking; I can't handle cards, a bummer because that means some of my favorite table games are not open; some tables have too few players, which drives down the odds; there's no comraderie or fun among the players; an atmosphere of misery hangs over the place; the table limits are higher to compensate for the lack of gamblers, which means it's harder to weather the dry spells; there's no drink service at the tables; there's no room/housekeeping service; they removed the coffee-makers from the rooms, and on and on...... Until casino life returns, I do not foresee wasting money, time, and effort to fly to Vegas to experience this level of blah. Staying home and savoring country life is a heckuva lot more fun than this.

 

I braved the Columbus casino last weekend - day two of its reopening. Masks were required at all table games and as soon as someone left the table the pit boss was sanitizing it to make it available for another player. We could hold our cards at games that typically would allow it. Only three people allowed at each table, but since there was no wait, it was a moot point.

 

Masks were not required at the slot machines and about half of the guests were wearing them. I may go back this weekend and see if things are more lively.

 

Let me know when you want to venture to the Midwest.

[+ sniper]

Governor of Nevada just dropped the hammer and is requiring masks in all public places except when eating or drinking. Hopefully this gets things under control.

[jawjateck]

Let me know when you want to venture to the Midwest.

 

You had a better experience. I never played baccarat. Not enough tables or seats and a constant waiting list of players. Casino spectating is boring. The casino is not operating 3 games in which players usually handle cards. Most of the tables are blackjack, but I gave up playing that game years ago because too many players are terrible at it; it's more frustrating than fun. Mississippi stud is now a face up game with 3 players max and dealer handling cards. 3-card (which I hate and don't play) is the only game I saw with players handling cards; the table is set-up for 2 players. That is absurd. Similarly, the supervisors were constantly sanitizing the tables and chairs between players. They also schedule a chip cleaning on some frequency. The dealer and a supervisor lay a cloth on the table and unload the rack spraying and wiping all the chips. Time-consuming, but our present reality.

 

I'm not into flying these days, or I'd be knocking on your door to make a casino run.

[hwic04]

Hey, jawjateck. I read your most recent post on your visit to a casino with great interest. Was it in Vegas? Would you mind revealing which casino? Your take on the experience is exactly what I feared as I contemplate contacting my casino host and booking a flight to Vegas. I have many other questions for you. Please feel free to PM me if you’d like. Thx.

[jawjateck]

I visited one of the Harrah's Cherokee properties in the mountains of western NC. I doubt that my experience is going to be representative since there are 4-5 major casino companies and dozens of differing state policies on how to conduct business. NC is more closed than GA. The food options were terrible and primarily fast food; it makes re-visiting that location undesirable.

[D21howie]

I have seen reports where they were saying barely anyone, but when I went to the Wynn I would say over 80% of the people were.

Do you gamble Peter?

[+ peterhung85]

Do you gamble Peter?

I used to, now just a tiny bit if / when my time permits. With clients it is a lot more frequent I'd say! :-)

 

Vegas got a lot better about its mask policy, now they have temperature checks at all points of entries at most casinos, mask policy is very strictly enforced everywhere I have gone. You can find sanitizers in every 10-20 feet. Avoid the one at the Cosmopolitan however, for some reason their sanitizer smells like dog food (the very stinky kind) :oops: