Smoking rooms (no cigarettes)

In this time of diminishing poker room markets I wonder why one of the old school rooms doesn't become a cigar lounge/poker room?

I think a small 3-5 table well ventilated room selling upmarket cigars and with decent cocktail service would do very well. I am surprised Binions doesn't try this to become a destination for drunken bachelor parties and the sharks that feed off them.

I know that a large amount of poker players are non-smokers but it just seems to me to be the continuing stupidity of Las Vegas casino managers, when everyone zigs, try zagging.

I'm aware that the Oasis non-smoking casino was a disaster in the 80's but I think it's about time one of the major properties goes completely smoke-free as well.

We are all adults and in an ideal world be would be allowed to make fiscal decisions as such.

 

I know a lot of poker players that are smokers. but the issue with smoking at poker is that you're so close to everybody it becomes a smoke bath pretty quickly and it can bother even the hardcore smokers. the bottom line is when the market asks for something, someone finds a way to fill it. I don't think the market is asking for either smoking at poker or a smoke-free casino and, hence, neither of these things exist.

 

What do you mean?

I'm a social smoker - do it when I'm drinking with friends because I enjoy it. I only smoke in Vegas when I am drinking (admittedly most of the time) but when I'm not I can't smell it at all (and even smokers can smell smoke) as they are so well air-conditioned.

I can't imagine a smoke free Vegas ever working. I think it would definitely put me off going again.

 

What I mean is it would be nice if every decision was not legislated by government but instead based upon the understanding that business owners have a right to satisfy the demands of their customers. As far as I understand the decision by poker rooms to go non-smoking was made by the efforts of a bunch of the players to convey their desires and not any laws put on the books (at least for Las Vegas).

I am in no way advocating a transition back to smoking poker rooms but instead a well spaced enclosed area with a few tables and top notch air handling equipment could easily accommodate those of us who would enjoy the novelty of smoking a cigar and playing poker (maybe it's the subliminal message from growing up with a dogs playing cards poster on the wall but I've always wanted to try drinking and smoking while playing some cards).

I won't get off on a rant but I really don't think Casino managers are doing a great job of satisfying their customers. Otherwise the average amount spent gambling per visitor would have grown or at least stayed level even while they broadened the revenue streams in dining, shopping clubbing, and entertainment instead of dropping like it has over the last few years.

So should the casinos be made to go smoke free, no! Should one of the struggling casino properties do a marketing analysis of becoming a smoke free resort, maybe.