ONLINE GAMBLING AND CASINO GUIDE

As many of you have probably heard, MGM’s sale of Treasure Island was greatly expedited in order to raise cash for MGM/Mirage.

The property officially changed hands today, although there are still some transition issues to work out.

I don’t know if you want to call this desperation on the part of MGM/Mirage, or eagerness on the part of Phil Ruffin, but Phil got a $20 Million discount on the property by paying more in cash upfront.   I find it slightly amusing that people now pay for casinos like the rest of us pay for gasoline … a discount for cash … but this is yet another glowing example of how times have changed.

Of course, I had to go check out the new “Ruffin TI” today, because in this town, you just never know what such a change might bring.

So, what’s new now that the property has been handed over?

Not a damn thing.  At least not today.

Deep down I knew there would not be anything significantly different, but such a big deal was being made out of the transfer that I sort of expected showgirls or some kind of balloons … or something.  Instead, there was absolutely, positively, no difference whatsoever.

Phil has gone on record indicating that he will make some additions to Treasure Island. He said, “We have some plans that we’re not prepared to announce yet, but some changes that will be very, very beneficial to the hotel [will be made].”

There is some speculation that he will add a new show or music venue, but like the old man said … he’s not prepared to announce it yet.

There is further good news in this deal in that all of the current employees of TI are expected to keep their jobs.  All 3,000+ of them.

Even though I wasn’t overwhelmed by the ownership change, I did find a pretty good atmosphere in the casino.   There was a fairly heavy amount of gaming going on, and there was a good deal of energy throughout.  The Poker Room was about three quarters full, the Blackjack and Roulette tables had healthy crowds … hell, even Casino War had 3 players sitting down. People were definitely in a gambling mood, and that put me in one too.

I felt like playing some poker, but I decided to investigate the house tables first and see what they were offering.  I was very pleased to find a decent amount of $10 and $15 3:2 six deck tables.  All single-deck pitch was 6:5, of course, but at least they weren’t giving lame odds out of the shoe.  Roulette and Craps were $5 minimums.

It’s reasonably affordable to gamble at the TI right now.  Not as good as the Sahara or Stratosphere, but for mid-Strip … it’s not bad.

I’m still not sure what they are going to do with the Tram.  I doubt either MGM or Ruffin wants to provide free transit to another owner’s casino … but if they see it as a mutually-beneficial train, they may keep it as-is.  Of course, this would require having an equal number of TI guests visiting Mirage, and an equal number of Mirage guests visiting TI.

If I had to guess, more TI guests probably go to the Mirage to do their gaming than the other way around, but there are probably enough people going to see the Sirens of TI or hanging out at Mist to help balance it out.  The two owners at least need to decide who will foot the electric bill for the tram.

As for the Sirens, Ruffin has said he will keep them.   The Pirates/Sirens are an institution, so this was very good to hear.

As far as gambling went, I lost a little at $15 Jack, but I made it up in a 1/3 NL Game.  I’m still not crazy about 1/3, but there was a heavy tourist presence today, and the room was a little more loose than usual.

I had a fine time at the non-MGM Treasure Island today, and once again, it looks like we are in for an action-packed weekend.

With Spring Break and March Madness kicking into gear, It’s no surprise that the juice keeps flowing.

Speaking of March Madness, had West Virginia made it past the first round, I was going to put some duckets on them to win the dance, but their 68-60 defeat left me without a long-shot wager.  I’m sure I’ll find another team to waste my money on before all is said and done.

I’m a sucker for these major wagering events … literally.

Anyway, I am happy to report that the new old Treasure Island is still very alive and well.

I am confident that I am not the only one looking forward to the “changes that will be very, very beneficial to the hotel”.

Stay tuned.

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