There was a time where I enjoyed seeing who could absorb more of the Strip, obviously as an outside observer and not one who could enter the race. I am now, however, more of the individualist having seen Disney City, FL. Now there’s a company with evil intentions, and they get ‘em young to boot. I like the fact that there are Corporations running a few Properties, but not all of them. Even in LV, where’s the variety in the overall grand scheme of things when only 2 Players are in the game? Might as well circle back to Atari Pong with only 2 players like that.

As far as the ceiling height, I am short in stature, but greatly appreciate the awe of the taller ceiling. Gambling under a lower ceiling just makes me feel like I’m in my pal’s garage sitting in a metal chair at a fold-out picnic table because the wife won’t allow cigars in the house. So, yes, it is probably true in human nature to want to be surrounded by comfort, and since the vast majority of the “general public” are sheeple, it only seems fitting that the “popular demand” is for lower ceilings.

The lower places like Slots-A-Fun, Golden Gate, etc are also perfectly cool to me.

To be honest, I’ve never noticed a difference in my betting habits at one or the other, but maybe it’s subconscious thing.

Visually, I kind of prefer high ceilings. I’m a somewhat big guy, but I don’t know if that has anything to do with it.

Whether a ceiling is 10 feet tall or 30 feet tall, it probably feels the same to a 6’3″ person as it does to someone who is 5’6″ since there is more than enough clearance either way.

For me, it’s more about the ease of getting around. I’m 190-ish pounds, and I rarely play the Bellagio Poker Room because it is too claustrophobic for my tastes. I don’t like to have to walk sideways and bump into people to get around.

For this reason, the Venetian is my high-end poker room of choice.

Horizontal spacing is far more important to me than vertical spacing, but much like a lack of clocks and sunlight, there may be a psychological edge to low ceilings. I’ve never explored the hypothesis, but it has piqued my curiosity a bit.

I suppose you are correct about Harrah’s making a move on this property. I do know the Tony and Tina’s Wedding show is soon to be discontinued and some other acts are being moved around to start fresh. Maybe this is a signal of this impending change.

It just seems very possible though. And P-Ho does NOT seem to be helping their cause though, judging from all the incredibly bad business decisions their management has made.

Like you mentioned… The Prive/Opium/P-Ho debacle is one. They are screwing that up so badly that the county commissioners have no alternative but to give 30-day temporary liquor licenses. The latest episode of imbecility was about 2 or 3 weekends ago when Las Vegas Metro PD tried to respond to a call there and were prevented from entering for awhile. When Prive tried for a 90-day liquor license, they were refused outright because if Metro PD, who is their eyes and ears to check compliance, is refused entry, then their hands are tied. That same weekend, it don’t help their cause neither after Paris Hilton was reported to be in Prive drooling shitfaced puking drunk (which is no big deal…she does that in Las Vegas all the time). So, any and every way possible they are screwing up. They might as well hang it up and turn the place into a sushi bar or something (no sake though, just soft drinks served).

Then, they hire a headliner for Peepshow. Aubrey O’Day to replace Soshanna Bean. Before she starts with the show, she shows up on ClusterFox News and when asked a question, she answers brainlessly about how Hitler and Fidel Castro are extremely smart people who both command vast amounts of wisdom. When asked to clarify, she spouts out more stuff in defense of these two despicable people. It was so bad that the idiot Mr. Hannity was even scratching his head in befuddlement. And this is a headliner for a show at P-Ho?

And lastly, just last week, four casino employees were arrested for finagling money that was to be paid off for gambling wins. They basically created customers who won money, but then they pocketed it. They were arrested by gaming people and the take was only a little over two thousand dollars.

And now, they are in debt.

So, there’s this incredible string of bad news that has brought bad press. And this makes this place ripe for a takeover.

One question though…. Even back in the days of Aladdin and now to P-Ho, I read an article about how gamblers don’t like to play table games there (poker, blackjack, etc.). And they stated it was because of one reason: The ceiling is too high. In this article (forget where I read it), it said that gamblers like to gamble in a cozy place, sort of confined. That they don’t like high ceilings and get edgy and uncomfortable when they gamble.

If that is the case, that’s probably why Aladdin/P-Ho property has never been successful.

You got any thoughts about that?

When I read about HET’s debt purchase last night, couldn’t muster up an obligatory rant/hissy fit either. At this point, just assuming HET and MGM/Mirage end up owning 95% of the Strip. If it turns out otherwise, will be pleasantly surprised.

You know, I think there is more diversity of ownership DT than on the Strip, and that’s allowing for Boyd, Caudill, and Tameres owning 2 or 3 properties each. And that’s across a smaller number of properties.

Throw in the whole club/points thing and if you’ve racked up a lot of reputation in one company, a bad pit boss or an unfriendly host or a lame poker room (cough ExcaliburRoboPoker cough) might simply send you to another place in the company lineup where you feel more comfortable.

That said, I’ve fallen into that trap with the people at Wynn (though in my defence the Wynn “gimmick” is how personally involved the map on top is with everything), and I too had to stifle a laugh once when an angry customer at the Bellagio buffet told the pastry worker that too many things have been made dinner-only, and from here on out she will be buffeting at MGM Grand.