Open letter to Derek Stevens

I'm 29, so I'm not "young," but I am a Millennial.

For one thing, I think Vegas in general gets this part wrong. The truth is that the "hot 21-year-old" crowd that Vegas wants to attract isn't coming like that. That may be what's at the clubs. I don't know. My husband and I don't do the club thing. But if that's the case, I would assume a lot of that is the weekend crowd from California and whatnot. And I don't imagine that most 21-year-olds are buying bottles and getting tables, although I could be wrong.

Outside of the clubs, I've always felt like my husband and I (29 and 32) are on the younger end of the people that we see out and about in Vegas, regardless of if it's in the winter or summer. Of course there are younger people than us, and plenty of people our age, but I bet the AVERAGE age is quite a bit higher.

People can say what they want about "young people" swiping credit cards left and right and whatnot, but I just don't think that's going on THAT much. We are child-free by choice, but most people we know who are our age and younger have small children -- usually multiple. Those who aren't "successful" (financially) don't have the money to take trips, much less to somewhat pricey destinations like Las Vegas. Those who ARE "successful" (financially) are mostly raising kids AND paying off student loans. Those who are younger than us aren't well-established in their careers enough to a) afford trips to Vegas and b) get time off of work to TAKE trips to Vegas.

Like, I know the Cosmopolitan was supposed to be targeted toward the hot, young and rich. Although you'll certainly see that there, I notice a bigger population of average-looking 40+ people when we visit there. It's no surprise...most 20-somethings can't afford $300+ a night, especially when you add on all of the other costs on the Strip.

As for Derek Stevens...I don't know. I had always wanted to stay downtown, so on our trip in July, we stayed at the D for six nights. I don't really know how I would "rate" the experience. The room was fine...very modern. The casino was...kind of like a fake on-Strip experience. My husband was the one who commented to me that he didn't like the dancing dealers...he said they were pretty girls but that they all looked high out of their minds, like they were totally out of it and just dancing on auto-pilot vs. actually having fun. We didn't hate the D, but we wouldn't stay there again. I actually wish we had stayed at the Four Queens instead so that we could experience an actual "downtown" experience vs. "fake Strip while downtown" experience.

I think Derek Stevens is probably going to ruin downtown. He wants to turn it into a faux semi-Strip. If I want to stay on the Strip, that's where I'll stay. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Also, for the love of God, Fremont Street Experience needs to switch up its damned track list. We've visited a lot, but I never noticed until we stayed there...they play the EXACT same track list through the speakers at the same time every night. You'll hear Heart - Barracuda as one of the first songs of the night, every. single. night.

/random semi-drunken rant

 

I have to agree. Cannot see anything playable if he follows his patterns at The D and the Golden Gate.

The D used to have some playable VP at the $1 level. They had NSUDs on the second floor and the $1 8/5 BP with a RF progressive. They removed the NSUDs and changed the BP to 7/5.

Now there are some machines, at the $.25 level that can be playable at times, depending on the value of the progressives. At the Vue bar on the 2nd floor, the $.25 8/5 BP games has a three way progressive (RF,SF and 5-K quads). And just outside the sports book there is a bank of $.25 8/5 BP with a progressive RF.

 

Well written post Imking. It is nice to get an opinion from the younger crowd about downtown and the FSE. I totally agree about that annoying track list. I have heard it over and over several times day and evening same old songs. Change the tracks and turn it down several notches!

 

Whatever he opens, I think he would attract more players if he at least sprinkled some good pay vp among the crap he has at D and GG. This would get players such as myself and many others who understand the power of the pay tables into his casinos along with those who are either uninformed or just plain don't care about them and just want the experience. I think it would be a win win for everyone involved.
PS Also, he would have to lower the music about 20 decibels, at least for me to enjoy it.

 

I'm well in the minority on this board, but I enjoy the louder music. I also do understand the power of the pay-tables and look for them whenever possible, but I also prefer the comfort of a bar-top machine and it's closeness to alcohol and the nice bartender who'll keep me constantly topped-off and the really good pay-tables (what's left of them) aren't generally found there. I would also note that many of the VP pay-table gurus on this site have posted plenty of winning pics of hands that I notice are often on lower pay-table machines that they consistently admonish others for even considering. I try to tip the scales in my favor whenever possible, but I'm not a fanatic about it, because A) I'm not a "perfect" player and B) for a 2-3 hour session, drinks and ambiance are every bit as important to me.

I saw a lady at the Reno airport 6 months ago or so argue slightly with her husband about throwing some money in a 6/5 machine. He was quite sure it was a waste of their money ("you NEVER play an airport machine he said") and that they'd "played enough this trip". Of course, a few hands in she hit a Royal... yes on the evil 6/5 machine!

 

We have since divorced. She really WAS a know-it-all!!

 

Thanks for posting. The crowd here skews older so it's nice to hear from someone who identifies as part of the magical age group and see what they think. Lately, it seems not to match what the casinos think. It sounds like many of the new innovations have more appeal to Gen-X men than millennials and none of it probably appeals to the fifty-something women that have been the core demo for awhile.

 

Are you saying 50 something females are the core demo ? Crap. My wife enjoys me reading the joke of the day, pictures of your pet, best places to eat, drink, go and be called Mary but I think I will have her read your post. It will no doubt provide some type of entitlement for a year and a half or so anyway. THANKS!!
(I know that reading pics of your pet is a challenge but we are seasoned)

 

Thanks for reading my long rant. These are things that have been on my mind for a while, particularly since our stay at the D.

I agree that a lot of the new stuff is more appealing to Gen-X men. Maybe my opinion about this is offensive, but...here we go. Honestly, my 53-year-old dad and his 50-something friends are more likely to fall all over themselves to see pretty 20-somethings dancing in skimpy clothing than my 32-year-old husband and his 20- and 30-something friends. Of course I'm not naive, and I know that men in general like to look at pretty women (just as women like to look at good-lookin' men!). But for those who grew up in a generation in which they could pull up pictures and porn videos on their computers, phones, whatever at the drop of a hat for free, maybe it's just not as exciting as it is for men who grew up having to sneak and hide Playboy magazines and "XXX" rentals. Plus, Millennial guys generally have 20-something and 30-something women on their arms or in their social circles. Of course they look and find them 'hot' and everything, but...

And c'mon. As much as I love Heart, I don't think FSE is playing their music over and over again for the Millennials.

 

@Imking1224 - speaking for those who, like your dad, are over 50, I can tell you that we're just as sick of the tired stuff run by FSE (both music & light-shows) as you are.
As for girls?
Sure - we look...just as most men do. But we hardly fall all over ourselves to do so.
Probably more so than any younger men, we tend to realize that there are never any reciprocal attractions by those girls. We tend to not make passes at them...we don't ask "When does your shift end?", or "How about we get a drink after you're done for the night?".
We already know the answer.
It seems to me that there are a quite a few 'younger' men who are of the mindset that - yeah - they have a "chance".

And, while I cannot speak to the mindset of the girls who are dancing, I think you'd find that young, female dealers, CWs & bartenders would much rather deal with a group of "older" guys than "younger" ones - & precisely for the reasons I'm pointing out - we have a grip on reality...at least when it comes to younger girls...
Of course, when they get to be over 35 or so, our imaginations are just as likely to be 'flawed' as any other man.

 

^ Good points, topcard. I certainly didn't mean to offend the older peeps in this group. Definitely food for thought!

As a female, I'd rather deal with guys who are respectful -- regardless of their age.

 

First, I am not looking to offend anyone going to the D or similar such casino because they enjoy the experience. That's a legitimate reason and up to the individual player as it's their money to spend as they wish. As for ME, I'm a retired teacher with no raise in the foreseeable future. The Strip Casino types just do not make sense economically. I am happy with a good, perhaps not great, experience based the entertainment/vacation money I have to spend.

Secondly, the loud music gets my ears ringing as I have tinnitus. This unfortunately happens to a large number of people in my age group. That's probably one reason many avoid such places. Although I'm just guessing on that.

Thirdly, a 6/5 machine can get a Royal. It has EXACTLY the same probability of hitting one as a 9/6 assuming you are playing the same game. Most of the time, but not always, it will take a higher bankroll to reach that end. For someone like me and her husband, that makes the difference. But not everyone is like us, and that's ok.

 

HA! No offense taken in the least... are you kidding me... I've been hammered (in good fun of course) here on the VMB for my support of loud music! Keep doin' what you like and that which adds fun to your life! Fellow original Ohioan here, born and raised in Akron!

 

As a fan of the GG, I don't see any real way for them to change their atmosphere - the casino is so small that it's the kind of place people pop in and out of to drop a few bucks. Unless you're squatting at a craps table, it's not the type of place like a larger casino where you wander from game to game for hours on end.

The D does a lot of advertising in Detroit and I think it captures the atmosphere that clientèle (often blue collar or from blue collar roots) are looking for - up beat, girls dancing, and sports. I get that some people think it's too loud, but they have the upstairs area for quieter slots and I assume VP.

 

Oh, I wasn't offended at all!
I've just observed, over the course of several years, that young, female employees (at bars & dealers at casinos), are generally more comfortable/at ease with the "too old to stand a chance" demographic... us old guys.
Sure, there are always exceptions to just about any generalization, but I've been told this by so many girls, over a long enough period of time, that I'm pretty sure it's 'the rule'.
Here's a recent, paraphrased quote from a 20-something girl who bartends at a sports bar near me:
"The main reason I prefer the 'day-shift' over nights is that y'all (meaning 'older' guys who tend to be there earlier in the day) are far more respectful & considerate. Plus y'all normally tip better."

I do realize that not all younger guys are perpetual horn-dogs, but my impression is that such behavior is far more common in the 21-28 year old age bracket... and (this is a quote), "...they seem to think that they actually have a shot. Y'all seem to know better."

 

That's my job around here! HA!

 

Glad no offense taken.
Received my masters at Akron U back in early 80's.

 

I saw an interview with a dancing dealer from the D or GG. she said they get drug tested frequently. now, I don't believe everything that I see or read, but I would think most of them ARE pumped up on red bull or such.
FWIW

 

I just got back from Vegas on Thursday and thought I would comment on the music I heard in the Hard Rock. The persons that run the FSE can learn a lesson from whomever plays the music in the Hard Rock. The music is not so loud you can't talk but you can enjoy the sound. They play a good variety of old and new music and it is random. You might hear a song from the 90's and on the next track something recent. Then maybe back to the 70's something from the 80's or 60's and all types. Nothing like the constant repetitious crap that they play over and over on Freemont.

 

Surely he has listened to various XM stations which do the same thing. Sometimes some people just don't get it.
Or maybe it is us. Maybe we don't get it. To each their own but if the D in the pm is IT for music selection / volume while gaming and the FSE walking music is also IT, I honestly don't want to get it.

And someone gets it because they continue onward with minimal change. Just not me.

But then come listen (you have to really attend) to the loop at MSS. It is not loud but it is also not very remarkable and has been the same set list for at least a year. I don't get that either.

If it is a royal, I get a clean sweep on what I don't get.