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About Vegas Info

Since 1999, providing a panoramic perspective of Las Vegas, including: history, food reviews, hiking, day trips, local information and photos of this great city.

On This Date: January 15, 1990, The Rio Opened in Las Vegas

January 15, 2018
The Rio in Las Vegas

The Rio in Las Vegas with the original  Ipanema Tower on the right and the Masquerade tower on the Left

The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino opened on January 15, 1990, also known as the Rio, as a locals casino. When the hotel orginally open it only had one wing of the Ipanema Tower . This is an off Strip property located on West Flamingo across the street from the Gold Coast.  A 20-story expansion wing was added to the Ipanema Tower in 1993. The Masquerade Village, a hotel tower and casino expansion (large rounded tower) including the Masquerade Show in the Sky, opened in 1997, at a cost of over $200 million. The Rio was purchased by Harrah’s Entertainment in 1999 for $888 million.

The Rio’s Penn & Teller Theater was the host venue of the 30th Anniversary Special for the hit CBS game show The Price Is Right and has been used for “Live! With Regis and Kelly,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and numerous Penn & Teller television projects. The hotel hosted the World Series of Poker in 2005 and since has been the home for the tournament that used to be hosted by Binion’s.

The Rio and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Inc. The Rio was the first all suite resort in the Las Vegas area. It was named after the city of Rio de Janeiro, and is influenced by Brazilian culture.

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Las Vegas Panoramic Sky from Downtown Las Vegas Jan 12, 2015

January 12, 2018
Las Vegas Downtown Sunset Jan 15, 2014

Las Vegas Downtown Sunset – January 12, 2014

Looking over the Symphony Park Development, maybe a stadium one day or not.

Photo By: LasVegas360.com
Date Taken: January 12, 2015
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Tips For Enjoying The Most Popular Slot Games In Vegas

January 11, 2018
Slot Machine

Slot Machine

Let’s cut straight to the chase – Vegas is home to hundreds of thousands of slots games. Sure there’s plenty of replicas, duplicates, and all time classics, but casinos are very shy of releasing any figures which are their most popular games. For a casual player, it could be casually dropping a buck into a seven-figure jackpot. For others, it will be those who look for the tightest odds possible for low stakes and long play. That being said, there is a trend for dedicated players to seek out Vegas’ most popular slot games. But where are they? Without giving away too many secrets – this guide will point you in the right direction.

Rule 1) Pick Your Venue Wisely

All houses have their own rules – and by no means are they ever equal. Only a few years ago it was estimated that payouts along the Vegas strip would average at about 75%, whereas the smaller time operations would hit close to 95-98%. That’s not quite the case nowadays, and as any gambler will notice every slot on the strip has a certifiable accreditation on what the chances are of a return.

This is the case from anything between fantasy sports/racing and video poker. So many players just go by instinct instead of checking out the small print. The difference can be truly amazing, especially for a smart slots player who maintains a close eye on their profit/loss ratios.

Rule 2) Ask The Locals

Anyone staying on the Strip will be told by their bartender/concierge/lobby boy that their casino has the best odds in town. That isn’t often the case. The best way to find out about which slots are programmed to be generous is to politely – and casually – ask the staff of an independent place. Word gets around fast and casinos do operate to pay out in order to attract more custom.

The Riviera, Luxor, and Mandalay tend to operate along these lines. It’s mostly anecdotal but a casino without the occasional big winner is going to empty fast.

Rule 3) Play What You Know

Couldn’t find a decent/reliable tip? Never mind, let’s get down to the gaming. The lowest payout percentage any serious slots player ought to accept is 95%. You could get higher than that on the Blackjack tables, but as we all well know – that’s a risky and expensive option!

Don’t get fooled by the occasional machine offering enormous jackpots – even if you win that’ll be less than 10% of what has been paid in (often well into seven figures). The worst rookie mistake is to fling a few bucks at the slots in McCarran. Just don’t!

However, regular players who are comfortable and ready for a long session will find that Vegas has all of your favorite slots. Classics sit comfortably next to more modern, glitzy machines. Before being tempted – check those odds! Typically the more gentrified models will be much kinder on the wallet/purse.

Rule 4) Keep Up To Date

Everyone loves a little virtual racing or three wheel spins, but don’t forget that many Vegas casinos will be offering cutting edge new releases. Most of their custom will nowadays come from home players via smartphone/laptop/PC but a couple of public big wins tends to help their marketing a huge amount. If you choose to take a punt – remember that to qualify for the huge jackpots there’s often a minimum stake ($5-10 typically).

The thing about Vegas that everyone ought to remember is that it’s not wholly about the casinos trying to take your cash. Time it right and play along and you never know what can happen. Anyone can just enjoy a session on the penny slots or instead chance more on the big reels. Best of luck, either way, Las Vegas is a heck of a town!

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On this Date January 11, 2006 the Old Showboat/Castaways Hotel was imploded

castaways-implosion

castaways-implosion

The Castaways Hotel and Casino (2000-2004), formerly the Showboat (1954–2000), was a hotel and casino located at the north end of the Boulder Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The hotel consisted of a 19 story tower containing 445 rooms, a 80,000-square-foot casino and an adjacent RV park. After 50 years the hotel was closed on January 29, 2004 and the hotel town was later imploded on January 11, 2006.

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On this Date: January 10, 1957, The Dunes becomes the first hotel featuring a topless show

January 10, 2018

On January 10, 1957 the Dunes on the Las Vegas Strip becomes the first hotel/casino to offer a topless show called the Minsky’s Follies. Minsky’s inspiration was modeled on Parisian nightclub shows.  The state was not amused but the show was a big success and set a record of 16,000 in just one week.

Minsky's Follies

Minsky’s Follies at Dunes was the first topless show in Nevada

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On This Date: January 8, 1935, Elvis Presley Was Born

January 8, 2018
Viva Las Vegas Love in Las Vegas

“Viva Las Vegas” 1964 Movie Poster

Elvis Presley  was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and was one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as “the King of Rock and Roll”, or simply, “the King”

Here is a list of Elvis engagements in the Vegas heyday  1969 – 1976.

April 23 – May 9, 1956, Elvis made his first appearance in Las Vegas at the New Frontier Hotel in the spring of 1956. Audiences in Las Vegas gave Elvis a cool reception.

July, 1963, Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret are in Las Vegas filming what would be Presley’s 15th film, “Viva Las Vegas.” The movie was released in June of 1964.

July 31 – Aug. 28, 1969, The King is back, Elvis returns to Las Vegas. He is booked for a four-week, 57-show run at the newly built International Hotel (later the hotel name changed to the Hilton Hotel then to the Las Vegas Hotel). The show breaks all existing Las Vegas attendance records. Elvis’ first live album is recorded during the shows.

January – February, 1970, Elvis returns to Las Vegas for a month-long run at the International Hotel. Once again, Elvis breaks attendance records.

Aug. 10 – Sept. 7, 1970: A month-long appearance at the International Hotel. MGM films some of the rehearsals and stage performance for its documentary “Elvis – That’s the Way It Is.”

January – February, 1971, A month-long appearance at the International Hotel.

Aug. 9 – Sept. 6, 1971 Elvis returns to Las Vegas and appears at the International Hotel to record audiences. During his month-long appearance he is given the Lifetime Achievement Award presented each year during the Grammy Awards. Elvis was 36 years old.

1972 – 1975 Elvis performs a few months per year in Vegas for the over the next 3 years at the International.

August 18 – September. 5, 1975 Elvis opens at the Hilton (now called the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino), but ends his appearances on Aug. 20, 1975, when he is flown to Memphis and hospitalized due to illness.

December 2-15, 1975, Elvis returns to the Hilton to make up for shows that were cancelled because of his ill health.

December 2-12, 1976, Elvis appears at the Hilton for a two-week engagement. It turns out to be his final Las Vegas appearances.

August 16,1977, Elvis dies at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. In Las Vegas, fans and friends mourn the passage of an entertainment and Vegas legend.

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