Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]
You wont be able to watch. Unless you're playing in it, you're not getting anywhere near it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I heard a rumor that something in the Gaming Regs prevented casinos from having truely private gaming rooms, and security in the high rollers areas was there to make you feel unwelcome as a gawker, but can't technically force you to leave. Is there any truth to this? I didn't find anything conclusive in the regs.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

they make it hard for you to stay.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

You gotta wonder why these guys don't strike up a deal with the house.

Put the game in a visible area with some bleachers around, charge admission, and split it betwixt the house and the players.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]
You gotta wonder why these guys don't strike up a deal with the house.

Put the game in a visible area with some bleachers around, charge admission, and split it betwixt the house and the players.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because these guys are playing 4000/8000. The money they'd make from selling tickets isn't enough to draw their interest.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]

I heard a rumor that something in the Gaming Regs prevented casinos from having truely private gaming rooms, and security in the high rollers areas was there to make you feel unwelcome as a gawker, but can't technically force you to leave. Is there any truth to this? I didn't find anything conclusive in the regs.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was true in Nevada up until 2001. Until then, all wagering had to be open to the public to ensure that games were honest and taxes paid.

But casinos started lobbying to put in private rooms to cater to high-rollers. The law was changed, players in private rooms must have at least $500k in cash or on credit, minimum bets $500.

MGM got the first private room approved in 2002.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

That being said, otherwise Slim Pickens is correct. Any other wagering area is open to the public. They can dissuade you from gawking with the bouncers and polite questions ("perhaps you would be interested in playing at a different table?").

I do not know for sure, but I strongly believe that a private room requires some combination of extra license fees and higher state take. Probably not worth it to do this for one high limit game that doesn't take that big a house drop anyway. Plus, the best part of this game for the casino is its allure, which would vanish if the game were invisible.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

I'm going to vegas for the first time this weekend, I wouldn't mind strolling past the 'big game' just to take a peek, Is it actually ok then, to stop by the glass and check it out for a second or two, so long as I'm not standing there for an hour?

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You gotta wonder why these guys don't strike up a deal with the house.

Put the game in a visible area with some bleachers around, charge admission, and split it betwixt the house and the players.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because these guys are playing 4000/8000. The money they'd make from selling tickets isn't enough to draw their interest.

[/ QUOTE ]

More importantly, until recently they could not even if they wanted to. In Nevada it was illegal to charge admission to a gaming area.

This is why there were no slots on the observation level of the Stratosphere tower.

This has also recently changed. This summer Nevada took up the issue and will allow for admission charges under certain circumstances - namely, there must be something else special about the area, and that the licensee also provide at least an equal number of games and tables in a public area as in the restricted area.

The Stratosphere will almost certainly take advantage of this.

Likewise, the Palms will likely try to do the same for the new Playboy Club atop the new tower addition to the hotel.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm going to vegas for the first time this weekend, I wouldn't mind strolling past the 'big game' just to take a peek, Is it actually ok then, to stop by the glass and check it out for a second or two, so long as I'm not standing there for an hour?

[/ QUOTE ]

yah man, don't hesitate. i was strolling through the room and saw jennifer harman playing. stopped, had a look and could not tell what they were playing. had a look for a minute or two and went about my business.

Re: The Big Game at Bellagio
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You gotta wonder why these guys don't strike up a deal with the house.

Put the game in a visible area with some bleachers around, charge admission, and split it betwixt the house and the players.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because these guys are playing 4000/8000. The money they'd make from selling tickets isn't enough to draw their interest.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's essentially free money. Who turns down free money?