Hilarious article about old Vegas World Casino

Possibly a repost, but this really made me laugh. I wish I could have been old enough to take part in this wackiness. . .

http://bigempire.com/vegas/bobstupak.html

 

such a good read. I will never be able to look at The STRAT the same way again

 

Omg man! That's such a hilarious story, thanks for sharing. I would have never guessed that Stratosphere was once part of that place.

 

Vegas World was where a friend and I stayed our first trip to Vegas. I wish I had taken pictures so I could remember any of it.

 

Those were the guys behind the original incarnation of the CheapoVegas.com website which was also very amusing back in the day (10yrs ago).

 

I miss that site. Those guys were GREAT!

 

I loved old Vegas World. Stupak was quite a promoter. I would always stop at Vegas World. Stupak died too young, he was quite the Vegas character. Read the John L. Smith biographer of Stupak, it's a great read.

 

Yeah, it was a sad day when Bob passed away a few years ago. Yeah, he was a "nut case", but he was also an innovator, and in my opinion is the reason "low to mid rollers" get the comp's they do today. His promotions were so crazy but they worked and forced the other properties to react.

Many don't know that Bob was an exceptionally good poker player. I played with him many times at all levels and in tournaments. He loved to win and was always cordial to everyone win or lose. He was also a very generous guy, and loved pretty women.

He had a motorcycle accident in I believe it was the 80's that really messed him up and He had to have a lot of plastic surgery.

He was a true vegas legend and an important person in the evolution of Vegas as we know it today.

 

Yeah, I used to love that site! Too bad they sold out.

The story about the practical jokes is hilarious!

Having been suckered in to one of Bob's scam deals once (just a day thing, not a hotel deal) I thought it was poetic justice to do all of those nasty tricks.

 

My first trip to LV in Feb 1986 courtesy of one of those deals..3 nights and one of those security came around room-to-room handing out flashlights as the electricity would be shut down overnight..Some Strat constuction going on I believe..

What a fantastic trip though..walking down to the strip and killing all the comped Coor's beer at the bar.Lots's of fun talking the "where ya from" stories with other tourists..

Buudy and I flew out of Newark and return was cancelled (National airlines?) and put on a flight to LaGuardia..Had to pay $150 or so for a 'limo' (only ride available at the late hour) to the lot at EWR..Basically broke even on the trip..

I think we managed to gain $250 from the free play and I hit a 3-Team basketball parlay for around $150 on a $25 ? bet and back then that was enough to grind out some keno $1 BJ etc..
Just wish I had collected some chips from all the casinos on the strip we played at..Barbary Coast and up..
Still have the Vegas World pouch though..

 

I used to love that site.

I wish I could have seen Vegas world at least once.

 

Matt's main sidekick Stinky died young. Sad 2006 He was 34.
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.vacation.las-vegas/2006-04/msg02197.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-04-18/news/0604180272_1_mr-sinclair-magazine-chicago-hospitals

 

Bit of Vegas trivia: Bob Stupak made THE last bet on the craps table at The Sands. If I recall correctly he put down $1000 on the field and lost.



I still remember all the promos in the travel section of the California newspapers for Vegas World back in the 80s. He was one hell of a promoter.

 

still remember getting those Vegas World mailers and seeing the ads in magazines, it must have been early 90's.

 

Uh-huh. They used to run those as a full-page ad in the Sunday entertainment section. The perspective of the photo made it look like it was "right on the Strip" next to the Stardust and Sahara. Yeah, right!

My boss at the time (the only boss I've ever had who I considered a bona fide jerk) LOVED Vegas World and kept telling me that we HAD to at least stop in and take advantage of the deals there! I was married at the time so on the next trip we stopped in after seeing what looked like a good deal in one of the "Whats On" type magazines.

We went over there for a three-hour "fun trip" or something like that where each hour you would go to the desk and they gave you more supposed goodies. It was like $10 in chips (noted that they were for even money bets only) and $10 in "free slot play" ("good on any dollar carousel") and $10 in keno play and various drek like a free keychain (free keno crayon?) and souvenir photo.

It was a HUGE disappointment!

They did give 10 dollar chips, but they were marked and played using their rules. "One play, win or lose." They were good on Blackjack or Roulette BUT! when you lost, the dealer took the chip as usual. When you won, the dealer took the chip and gave you ONE real chip. One! WTF? I called him on it and he said those were the rules.

The "free slot play" were these special tokens that only worked in some rigged dollar machines, and yes, there was ONE of them on each dollar carousel. They went in a special slot on the side of the machine. No, they did not pay anything!

Keno? Yeah. I know. You win just the same whether or not you play!

The "souvenir photo" was some kind of a hardcopy TV printer, sub photo booth quality. I think I left it on the nightstand at the Stardust when we checked out.

That was my only gaming experience at the old Vegas World, or Vagrant World as my one friend called it.

I like it much better as the Stratosphere.

 

Those free chips weren't really a bad deal since they were free. You're right they were good for one play only, win or lose. They worked just like match play chips except you didn't have to put up any of your own money.

 

I read this a few years ago and posted it in here then as well, what a great story! Story sort of reminds me of the blackjack card counters from MIT, just in terms of milking Vegas for everything you can get. I try and read this at least once before heading to vegas, classic stuff!

 

I remember the ads as well, and IIRC, you would either get a 19 inch color television, $200, or other "fabulous prize".




FREE: NFL PLAYING CARDS, DETAILS INSIDE. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT VEGAS CASINO OWNER BETS ON PEOPLE Bob Stupak, who won a Million Dollar Super Bowl bet and stumped Donald Trump, invites you to the most exciting city in the world.

• Four complimentary KENO plays. Each game could make you $12,500 richer.

• Unlimited free drinks whether you're gambling or not.

You can have as many as you like -as often as you like-at all bars and lounges throughout the casino. Las Vegas wouldn't be the same without lavish stage shows - so Stupak gives his guests FOUR tickets to TWO fabulous shows. If that weren't enough, every couple also receives a Free Gift valued from $189 to $l,395! When asked howhe can possibly give so much for so little, Bob Stupak explains it this way: "Even though you are under no obligation to play with your own money, many people will. And a few high rollers will gamble enough to cover the cost of your entire vacation-including your $1,000 casino bankroll and your free gift. It has always happened this way and always will."

All winnings are paid in cash. Players keep what they win. And there are no additional charges of any kind. As you can understand, reservations for these "Low"-Roller Las Vegas Vacation packages are limited. Review the ad on this page and call 1-800-634-6301 "Low"-Roller Las Vegas Vacations By James Grymyr

LAS VEGAS - Flamboyant casino owner Bob Stupak, who followed up his Super Bowl bet with a One Million Dollar challenge to Donald Trump, now seems to be on another roll. This time he's offering virtually free Las Vegas vacations to "the rest of us." "Free" Las Vegas vacations are nothing new. All of the major casinos in Las Vegas offer camps to big bettors—complimentary rooms, drinks, shows, etc. Stupak has broadened this "comp" concept to include the average family and made a lavish "Strip" vacation truly affordable. Over a HALF MILLION people have taken Stupak up on his "unbelievable" vacation package-some couples coining a half dozen or more times. With over 1,000 new rooms to fill every day, and with new casinos springing up all over the world,

Stupak believes he has to be more than just competitive. "I don't believe in empty rooms", says Stupak. "We find it pays to TOP every other deal in town and keep Vegas World filled to capacity." Foraredeemablereservationfee of just $198 per person ($396 double occupancy) each couple receives all of the following immediately upon arrival: • A fabulous new room for 3 days and 2 nights right on the world - famous Las Vegas Strip. • A $1,000 Casino Action bankroll. $400 in Table Action - to play craps, blackjack, roulette, etc. $400 in Slot Action. And $200 in betting action divided any way you like between table games and slot machines.

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