Las Vegas Blog

Roulette is one of the most appealing games in any Las Vegas casino. It’s relatively easy to learn, and it’s a social game. Oh, and there’s usually free liquor involved. Like we were going to forget that one.

One of the things that makes roulette so fun is the wide variety of bets you can make. You can bet “straight up” (on one number, which pays 35-to-1), split a bet between two numbers (paying 17-to-1) or make a “corner bet” (on the corner between four numbers, which pays 8-to-1). There are also “neighbor” bets, “street” bets and “stream” bets.

Freaky roulette fact: All the numbers on a roulette table add up to 666.

Of course, in a casino, the house always has the edge (known in gambling parlance as the “vig”). In the case of roulette, the house edge is 5.26%. Not too shabby!

That percentage applies to the typical Vegas roulette table, one with both a zero and double zero. Several casinos in Vegas have single-zero, European-style tables, but those are generally reserved for high limit salons, rather than the main casino floor.

This blog loves it some roulette.

So, what’s the “worst” bet at roulette? It’s all about probability in roulette, and while just about all bets in roulette keep to that 5.26% house edge, one has an edge of 7.89%.

The least player-friendly bet in roulette is the “basket bet,” or a bet that covers five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. Now you know!

Does that mean you shouldn’t bet it? Of course not. If you’re feeling it, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you how to work your mojo. It’s Vegas, baby!

Las Vegas can get pretty crazy, and we found a great example while roaming The Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood.

Stuff about to get crazy.

It took approximately two minutes inside the Crazy Shirts store to realize something wild was afoot. Specifically, many of the T-shirts in the store get their color from things like rum, coffee and chocolate.

Seriously.

No, we did not lick this shirt. We are a trained professional. Probably.

That’s right. Through the magic of modern science, the rum-themed shirts are dyed with rum, and the wine-themed shirts are dyed with actual wine. There are even shirts dyed with Hawaiian volcanic ash and money. Each money-dyed shirt uses about $165 in recycled currency to get its color. Read more.

We do not condone this T-shirt.

Bonus crazy: All the store’s swimwear fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, with each swim short containing up to seven 16-ounce bottles.

Why are you always so skeptical? You might want to have that looked into.

Crazy Shirts got its start in Hawaii in 1964, making it the oldest specialty T-shirt shop in the history of, oh, ever.

Some of the T-shirts on display also seem to have the ability to peer into one's soul.

Note: The only shirts that maintain the fragrance of the things they’ve been dyed in are the coffee and chocolate-dyed shirts. We’re cool with that.

Yes, while we're at it, do adopt a dog.

See more things you can dye things with on the official Crazy Shirt site, and drop by the store when you’re in The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

Looking for new things to do in Las Vegas? Sin City has you covered with the just-opened Chuck Jones Experience.

Even if you don’t immediately recognize the name Chuck Jones, you’re sure to know the names of the beloved characters he brought to life during his 60-year career as an acclaimed Hollywood animator and director: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Sylvester, among them.

This new Vegas attraction is sure to be a big draw. See what we did there?

Chuck Jones passed away in 2002, but his amazing legacy lives on in the Chuck Jones Experience, an attraction where the goal is to “Educate, Inspire & Entertain.”

You know 'em, you love 'em. Now, see 'em life-sized.

Jones was a four-time Academy Award-winner for his pioneering animation and direction, creating many of the most memorable Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons for Warner Bros.

We were taken on a tour of the attraction by Craig Kausen (pictured below), grandson of Chuck Jones, and Jones’ daughter, Linda Jones Clough.

Craig Kausen shows off some of his grandfather's bling.

The new attraction, located at the Circus Circus hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, is a 10,000-foot showcase of highlights from Jones’ unmatched career, including an extensive collection of artwork, writings and films.

Bugs Bunny goes 3-D.

The Chuck Jones Experience features a 1930s-style theater that plays cartoons non-stop, an area where guests can create their own sound effects for a Chuck Jones cartoon, a multimedia wall with works from chuck Jones’ expansive career, a Moviola machine used for editing, and life-sized 3-D characters like Bugs Bunny, above.

Cartoons find their way to the big screen again in the Chuck Jones Experience theater.

One item guests might miss if they’re not looking for it? A manhole cover with the words “100,000 Bad Drawings” on it. See below.

Please don't step on the exhibits.

When Chuck Jones started at the Art Institute (later CalArts) at age 15, his art teacher, Francois Murphy, told the eager students, “Each one of you has 100,000 bad drawings in you, and the sooner you get them out of you, the better off you’ll all be.”

The oldest original piece in the collection is an ink drawing (in the photo below, behind the wooden horse), which Jones signed “Cholly,” and was done when he was just 19 years old. He submitted the piece to a magazine, but it was rejected. He got over it.

Artifacts from the golden age of animation.

Chuck Jones trivia: The animator never had a dental filling in his life. Yep, one of the interactive exhibits poses trivia questions, and that’s one of them.

The Chuck Jones Experience is open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week (last admission at 9:00 p.m.). Ticket prices are $19.95 for adults, children (5-17) $14.95, children four or younger get in free. Seniors, members of the military and students get tickets for $14.95.

Chuck Jones' wall-sized filmography lists more than 300 films.

Get more details about this impressive, family-friendly attraction on the Strip by visiting the official Chuck Jones Experience site.

Enjoy our wildly unworthy photo gallery from the Chuck Jones Experience in Las Vegas.

It’s our blog. We can say anything we want. And we think it’s awesome.

We need more eyes to take in all the Paris Vegas gorgeousness.

Today’s thing you didn’t know about the Paris Las Vegas: The Arc de Triomphe (at right in the photo) is a two-thirds size replica of the famous French landmark, the size difference resulting from spending too much time in a cold pool. Note: We may have made that last part up.

In case you also think this is an awesome photo, we’ve conveniently sized it for use as a computer desktop image thingy. Click here to download the 1600×1200 version.

And don’t say this Las Vegas blog never gave you anything.

In what is definitely not a shameless ploy to get more Twitter followers, Southwest Air is giving away five Vegas vacation packages during its “Venture to Vegas” Twitter contest.

Oh, and for the record, there’s nothing wrong with a shameless ploy if it might result in a free Vegas vacation!

Las Vegas sign photo, you sure do come in handy when we don't have a photo of a Southwest plane.

The giveaway from Southwest is in honor of the company’s 30th anniversary of flying folks into (yay!) and out of (sad face!) Las Vegas. This blog loves it some Southwest, and we have to agree with Southwest’s blogger who says you can just tell when a flight is heading to Vegas, the excitement is palpable.

Southwest has partnered with a number of Las Vegas hotels, including Bally’s Las Vegas, the Stratosphere, Monte Carlo, Hooters and Vdara, so we’re thinking that’s probably where you’ll end up staying if you win. Especially Bally’s, because that’s one of the Las Vegas hotels Caesars Entertainment owns, and you’re currently reading their awesome, completely objective Las Vegas blog. Moving on.

Bally's photo, you sure do come in handy when we're plugging Bally's.

Here’s how the contest will go: Follow Southwest on the Twitters. Don’t panic. Twitter is still free. Watch for a riddle each day, then answer the riddle in the form of a photo. Tweet it and use the hashtag #VegasLUV30 so your work can be judged and you might win some stuff. Details here.

You’re welcome, and please learn more about all the Las Vegas hotels in this giveaway. Especially Bally’s. Objectively speaking, of course.

Today’s Las Vegas event we know virtually nothing about, yet wholeheartedly endorse, involves Playboy Playmate Jayde Nicole celebrating her birthday at Gallery Nightclub inside Planet Hollywood on Feb. 18, 2012.

Don't strain yourself. That tattoo says, "Respect."

Yep, that’s the same Jayde Nicole who’s been featured as Peepshow star Holly Madison’s arch nemesis on the reality TV hit, “Holly’s World.”

Visit the official site for Gallery Nightclub at The Planet.

Popular comedian and actor Jay Mohr returns to The Improv comedy club at Harrah’s Vegas, Feb. 10-12, 2012.

Mohr’s been in the business of facilitating the comedic trinity of chortles, cackles and guffaws for nearly two decades, and the versatile performer was named one of the 100 greatest stand-up comics of all time by Comedy Central.

Jay Mohr: Master of comedy and the sideways glance.

He’s also starred in 25 films, including “Jerry Maguire,” as well as making appearances on more than 50 TV shows.

Here’s a little blast from the cinematic past, as Mohr gets his sports agent smarm on.

Jay Mohr is also a best-selling author. Of books. Look it up on the Interwebs. We’d do it, but this blog is very busy being an alleged Las Vegas expert.

Catch this singular comedic talent live at The Improv at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Tickets are $45 and $55 (VIP seating). Find out more on the official The Improv site.

There’s nothing more delicious than lunch at a Las Vegas restaurant. Unless it’s dinner. And breakfast isn’t too shabby either, come to think of it. Oh, and brunch rocks it, too. Let’s try this again.

Lunch in Vegas is pretty awesome. Partly because, well, it’s Vegas. But also because Sin City is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Today, we bring you some mouth-watering lunch offerings from Mesa Grill, celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s eatery at Caesars Palace.

Tip: When dining at a restaurant known for its wide selection of tequilas, take a photo of the sign so you'll remember where you dined.

Starting things off are the appetizers, of course.

The signature Blue Corn Pancakes aren’t especially pancake-like, but they do contain barbequed duck, habanero chile and a star anise sauce. Yes, we actually managed to take some notes this time, thanks.

The Blue Corn Pancake. "Pancake" should probably be in quotation marks.

Next appetizer? It’s the Rough Cut Tuna “Nachos.” See? The good folks at Mesa Grill even agree quotation marks are required on this one. That’s because when you hear “nachos,” you kind of get a picture in your mind. This. Ain’t. That.

You can almost see the chips from here.

If this blog knew anything about cooking, we’d venture a guess these “nachos” are “deconstructed” or something, mainly because we watch a lot of “Iron Chef.” Moving on.

Let’s talk burgers. Below, we’ve got the Green Chile Cheeseburger, with queso (Spanish for “cheese”) sauce, roasted poblanos (a mild chili pepper from Puebla, Mexico), pickled red onions and a side of Southwestern Fries. Easily one of the more photogenic lunch items at Mesa Grill, in our humble opinion.

Thank you, pickled red onions, for giving this burger the culinary equivalent of jazz hands.

You can check out more lunch offerings in our photo gallery below, including the awesome bread included with your lunch, the Tiger Shrimp and Roasted Garlic Corn Tamale, the Ancho Chile Honey-Glazed Salmon, Yucatan Chicken Tacos (reconstructed, again) and the Deep Dish Banana Cream Pie.

Here’s a list of more “desserts” at Mesa Grill.

That's right, "dessert." Those quotation marks sure do come in handy, don't they?

We would also like to give a special shout-out to Marco, our superhuman busboy. While clearing our table, Marco somehow managed to balance upwards of 27 different items on one arm, making his skill akin to that of a Cirque performer, but without the enervating French accent.

You rock it, Marco.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our little tour de lunch at Mesa Grill. We’ll see you there soon, especially if it’s your treat.

The Lago Buffet at Caesars Palace has closed for renovations. What, you didn’t just read the headline of this blog post? We just said that, like, two seconds ago. Why do we even spend time on headlines? Man, alive.

"Lago" translates as "lake." It's official. This was our most useless photo caption ever.

Anyway, the buffet is “on a break,” and the culinary wizards at Caesars Palace are hard at work concocting a new buffet sure to blow your toga up. Or something.

Oh, and while you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet, you should believe everything you see. Like this photo we took about two hours ago.

The now that the Lago Buffet was.

Don’t worry, there are a multitude of other restaurant offerings at Caesars Palace. We would list some of them here, but wouldn’t you be just as happy with a link? We are a blog, not a list-of-restaurants-typer-outer.

And don’t have a freak-out about your Buffet of Buffets pass. There are so many other great buffets in town, your head might explode. In a good way. Learn more.

The Imperial Palace recently unveiled two new wedding chapels, offering lovebirds new ways to tie the knot on the Las Vegas Strip.

The chapels are the Skyline Chapel and the Sierra Chapel, with the former accommodating about 80 people, and the Sierra Chapel playing host to smaller weddings (up to 20 people).

Here’s the surprise part. Check out the Skyline Chapel.

A pretty sweet spot for some Vegas nuptials.

We know, right?

Wedding packages at the new chapels run from “Vegas Style” for $169 to “Las Vegas Nights” for $3,635.

There are a slew of package inclusions, as you might suspect, with add-ons like impersonators who can perform the ceremony (add $350) and flip-flops for the bride and groom (not kidding, for $75).

Here’s the Sierra Chapel.

Less surprising, but still nice.

Most of the wedding packages offered include a personal wedding coordinator, music played by a professional pianist, bouquets, photos and other goodies. The “Glitter and Lights” package even includes a post-wedding day couple’s massage. Now, we’re getting somewhere.

Bonus wedding fact: In Roman times, people examined pig entrails to determine the luckiest time to marry. Hey, we don’t make up the bonus facts, we just report them.

Get all the entrail-free wedding package details on the official site of Imperial Palace.

There’s always something new to see and do in Sin City, and this Las Vergas blog loves it some newness, whether it’s on the Strip or downtown.

Recently, we grabbed our trusty camera and went on a walkabout downtown, bringing back poorly-researched news about 20 new things you may find interesting, intriguing or, more probably, the perfect excuse to avoid work for the next 10 minutes. Oh, and remember, even though some may not be completely new, they may very well be new to you, so here we go!

1. Tasti D-Lite Patio at Binion’s

Binion’s has built a little patio for its Tasti D-Lite customers. It’s a great spot for people-watching, despite the fact Tasti D-Lite appears to have chosen a company name on a day when its spellcheck was on the fritz.

It's like a petting zoo enclosure, but in a good way.

2. Pole Dancers in Benny’s Bullpen

Yep, that’s new. The dancers recently began performing on Friday and Saturday nights in the small bar near the casino’s sports book.

Insider tip: In Vegas, "free entertainment" sometimes has quotation marks around it.

3. Fitzgerald’s Gets a New Name (Definitely) and Logo (Maybe)

Our friends at NeonDice.com have been digging around on the U.S. Trademark site, and appear to have turned up a new logo for The D, formerly Fitzgerald’s. Nothing’s been confirmed officially, but those logo rumors are fresh and tasty. Or “tasti,” whichever you prefer.

Apparently, "The F" just didn't have the same ring to it.

4. “Marriage Can Be Murder” at the Fitz

It’s best to caveat one’s emptor when it comes to shows touting themselves as “Vegas’ #1″ whatever, but this show appears to have some proponents. Read more from the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Whether the show's good or not, we're 74% sure you won't actually die laughing.

5.Fremont Offers $3 Blackjack and Craps, 24-7

We were ready to pounce on some false advertising here, but we actually did find $3 craps and blackjack tables at the Fremont. Guess we’ll have to hold off on our pouncing this time.

The tables were crowded, but they were there.

6. Sharpshooter Club Rewards Long Craps Rolls

The Fremont is the only casino we know where there’s a roll counter thingy in the middle of the table (see below). The casino’s new Sharpshooter Club rewards those who reach at least 25 rolls. Prizes include things like player points, jackets, etc. If you hit 60 rolls, you’re immortalized on a wall display a few feet from the craps area. Craps newness!

There are strict rules that prohibit photographing the craps tables at the Fremont casino. Probably.

7. Golden Gate Adds Another Outside Bar

It already had one, often topped with bartending go-go dancers, and now the Golden Gate has added another outside bar. No dancing, as far as we could tell, but nothing’s perfect in life.

Soon, you'll have to turn sideways to make your way down the Fremont Street Experience.

8. A Wall Appears Where the Shrimp Cocktails Once Were

There’s a lot going on at the Golden Gate, including temporarily shutting down its famed shrimp cocktail snack bar for a casino expansion. Never fear, the cheap shrimp cocktails will return when the snack bar opens in the spot currently taken by the hotel’s lobby.

That's the wall where the shrimp used to be.

9. Spankings Added to Heart Attack Grill Festivities

Everyone who dines at the new Heart Attack Grill restaurant downtown has to wear a hospital gown. The newness? You get to keep your gown if you let the staff spank you. No, we’re not making this up.

The place was packed, so stop your judging.

10. La Bayou Has a New Most-Popular Daiquiri

We figured the most popular daiquiri at the La Bayou slot extravaganza and daiquiri bar would always be strawberry, even though it recently went virgin. But now, we’re informed Jungle Juice is the most popular flavor. These are some of the most reliably delicious daiquiris in town, so give them a taste.

A sign outside says 26 flavors. Um, not so much.

11. Luna Rossa Restaurant at Neonopolis

We love seeing new businesses opening at Neonopolis, and Luna Rossa Restaurant is the latest offering. There are still some kinks to work out, but the Italian menu is moderately priced, and a window behind the bar opens up into the Fremont Street Experience, so this place should do well as the weather heats up. Insider stuff: The restaurant originally had white tablecloths on the tables, but customers thought it was a fine dining establishment, turned around and left. Bare tops seem more appropriate for Vegas, anyway.

Yay for new offerings at Neonopolis.

12. White Castle Sliders at Mermaids

Mermaids, home of downtown’s most talked-about, cheap, deep-fried stuff (Oreos and Twinkies) now offers White Castle Sliders. All right, it’s not front-page news, but when you’re roaming downtown, these might just hit the spot.

You'll know Mermaids when you see it, trust us.

13. Mob Bar

This new offering is near the Triple George Grill and the Hogs & Heifers Saloon, and it’s meant to have the vibe of a 1920s speakeasy. It was closed when we visited, but we’ll be making another stop soon to check out Mob Bar. Find out just about anything you’d ever want to know about downtown bars at FremontStreetBars.com.

We don't know the difference between a speakeasy and a bar. We admit it.

14. Oscar’s Steakhouse at The Plaza

The former Las Vegas mayor’s name is all over this restaurant and bar which resides in the space formerly occupied by Firefly. Oscar Goodman is said to schmooze guests, and the views are unbelievable.

The full name is "Oscar's: Beef, Booze, Broads." It's Las Vegas, so just deal.

15. Rocco’s Wants You to Have a Free Cigar

Go on, have a cigar, just nowhere near us, please. Anyway, this cigar stand outside Oscar’s is brand new, and the owner said if you stop by and mention the Pulse of Vegas blog, you’ll get a free cigar. Not that we condone that kind of thing.

We don't judge, we just report. And, yes, we tried to type that with a straight face.

16.There’s This

It’s on Fremont Street and it’s new, therefore, it makes our list of new things downtown.

Fact: Chuckwagons in the old west often served pizza. And churros. Or something.

17. Swingers Club Offers Free Comedy Shows

The Swingers Club at the Plaza, operated by none other than Paris Vegas headliner Anthony Cools, is serving up some free comedy on Wednesday nights. We love us some free Vegas stuff.

Yes, we could have mentioned this with the other Plaza stuff. Stop your nagging and get your own blog.

18. Las Vegas Club Loosens Its Slots

A sign on the wall inside the Las Vegas Club casino says it loosened its slots by 40%. We do not have the energy to find out what that means or to verify the claim, but the sign is new, so we’re sharing it.

That sounds like it may require the assistance of a physician.

19. Las Vegas Club Dancers Get Tarred and Feathered, But Without the Tar

These Las Vegas Club go-go dancer uniforms featuring feathers are new.

Poor toucans. So to speak.

20. Vegas StrEATS Festival

This gathering, boasting food trucks, music, fashion and art, has been going on for a few months now, but in the grand expanse of time, it’s still relatively new. Find out more.

Follow the light. Hint: If you hit the Luxor, you're no longer downtown.

That’s it. We’re spent. Our feet are swollen. Our liver is possibly damaged. Our camera batteries need recharging. The things this blog does for you.

Illusionist Michael Turco, recently featured on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” is set to bring what’s described as a “unique style of entertainment” to Las Vegas, with a new show at the Saxe Theater inside The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

The shiny new production, “Magic and Mayhem” (isn’t magic best when there’s mayhem involved?), begins its run Feb. 16, 2012.

Magicians are all hands.

The new show is a collaboration between Turco and Lacey Schwimmer of “Dancing With the Stars.”

The duo intends to put on what they’re calling “the hottest entertainment ‘mashup’ in the afternoon,” combining magic as well as audience interaction and choreography from one of TV’s best-known choreographers.

Turco has headlined in casinos in Atlantic City, and achieved nationwide fame in last season’s “America’s Got Talent.” Here’s some video goodness of Michael Turco to prove it.

This blog’s iron-clad prediction: There will be bendy assistants.

The show will run at 4:00 p.m. each day. Learn more on the official site.

Comedian and actor Jon Lovitz is slated to perform at Flamingo Las Vegas, Mar. 16-17, 2012.

Lovitz has been evoking laughter in audiences for nearly three decades, starting his career as a member of the comedy group, The Groundlings.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Lovitz’s big break came during his five years on “Saturday Night Live.” He was twice-nominated for Emmys, and played some of the shows most memorable characters, including “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous.” Man, we bet he never gets tired of people using this as his photo caption: “Yeah, that’s the ticket!”

Lovitz has also appeared in more than 30 feature films, including “Big,” “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer.” Lovitz recently opened The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood. The one in California.

Jon Lovitz trivia: His father was the family doctor for the Jackson family. You know, Michael’s family.

The shows on Mar. 16-17 start at 10:00 p.m., and tickets (“Yeah!”) run $39.99, $59.99 and $79.99. Unless you’d like to pay more for some reason. We’re pretty sure the Flamingo box office would let you.

Catch Jon Lovitz live at Flamingo Las Vegas.

Here’s an upcoming event we know virtually nothing about, and yet, we’re entirely for it.

Las Vegas fact: Nightclub "hosting" is best done in "clothing" with quotation marks around it.

Learn more about Chateau Nightclub & Gardens  (motto: “Emphasis on Nightclub”) at Paris Las Vegas.

When this blog says there’s something for everyone in Vegas, we mean it. That even includes the undead.

Ladies and “walkers,” let us introduce you to the Zombie Apocalypse Store!

We are not kidding.

Not long ago, we shared our thoughts about how to survive a zombie invasion in Las Vegas (hint: head for Rio Las Vegas), but the recently-opened Zombie Apocalypse Store, just off the Vegas Strip, is making it easier than ever to fend off those pesky brain-biters.

Oh, like you haven't wondered where to get zombie-killing supplies.

The Zombie Apocalypse Store is a survivalist’s dream, with a wide range of “grab-and-go” supplies perfect for any emergency, zombie or otherwise.

We got to chat with sales associate Larry, who showed us some of the ins and outs of the apocalypse game. Take a look.

The store is overflowing with items we didn’t actually know existed. For example, there are big tubs containing 200 dehydrated meals, for $100. The meals have a 20-year shelf life. Twenty years. Just add water.

We're thinking super delicious.

Is the zombie invasion interrupting the water supply? No worries. As Larry illustrates in the video, just toss a Self-Hydrating Drink Pouch into a puddle, and you’re good to go in a few hours.

How long before "Mud Puddle Martinis" start showing up in Strip lounges?

Some of the store’s more popular items are the exclusive T-shirts, including a humorous take on Hello Kitty, which we’re 21% sure is legally protected under parody laws.

Must-have zombie accessory: Adorable bow.

Could a zombie apocalypse really happen? Of course! If not, the Zombie Apocalypse Store might seem a little nutty. Read more.

A bumper crop of zombie bumper stickers.

You might also enjoy this illustration of what the average person would do during a zombie apocalypse.

This is the point where "tongue-in-cheek fun" drifts into "borderline uncomfortable."

Find out more about the Zombie Apocalypse Store on the official site. The store is located at 3420 Spring Mountain Road. We would tell you where that is, but we are a blog, not a cartographer.

Finally, we suggest you lurch into viewing our extensive photo gallery that completely reveals the fact this Las Vegas blog might be way, way into zombies.