Vegas Insider: 2009 April

Although in SoCal, Steve is still keeping an eye on Vegas

"Princess of the Bellagio" Liv Boeree was
the third highest British finisher in the WPT
Championship behind Ross and Barny
Boatman
 

No need to go into detail about the Bellagio so congratulations on a successful raid by the British players. Praz Bansi has stayed over for the Caesars $5k which started today. Only 187 entered compared to 334 last year so the usually loud back slapping from the Harrahs PR machine has fallen as silent as the crowd at St James Park on Monday night. Praz goes into Day 2 with 45,300.

Whatever is going wrong in Las Vegas has not stopped Matt Savage from hosting another tournament at the Commerce (in L.A.) before the WSOP*. This did not work for Mandalay Bay so whether the players need a break from poker or just from Vegas before the long hot summer remains to be seen. I know a lot of players are looking forward to the first open event which will be a $335 no rebuy with a guarantee of $400k. This takes place on Friday and Saturday at 2pm.

Writing about "Long Hot Summer" reminds me to point you in the direction of YouTube to see Paul Weller duet with Johnny Marr in a very rare US appearance at Coachella last weekend. It seems Morrissey did not invite his former guitarist onstage during his set.

Returning to Vegas, Ballys has closed its sportsbook down. The isolated book, situated near the monorail station , was where I used to watch the European soccer games before Setanta and FoxSoccerChannel was available in households.

Rooms at Vegas’ latest casino, the M resort, are available through Vegas.com at $55 during the WSOP. The rooms are exceptional although a car would be essential. The usual trio of Stratosphere, Sahara and Imperial Palace are the cheapest on the strip at around $30 weekdays.

This summer is the 40th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" and Fremont St. will be celebrating with a full schedule of free concerts. Canned Heat, Three Dog Night, The Guess Who and Blood, Sweat & Tears are some of those pencilled in to perform. Ask the music loving Devilfish for his opinion on the bands of his youth.

* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah’s License Company, LLC ("Harrahs"). Harrah’s does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with The Hendon Mob or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.