Issue #249
Special Las Vegas Report - CAC G2E 2005 Part I
Dear Reader,
Yep, I'm back and ready to spin another yarn about my escapades - my recent pilgrimage to Las Vegas and the California coast. So sit back, relax, grab yourself a hot cup o' java, and read on...
Tellingly yours,
Bryan
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No strippers for me please!!
One thing that always strikes me, is how music can really affect your surroundings. I don't like airports; I really don't. Too many impatient or stressed-out people. There's always a certain level of uneasiness since you've handed over your "being safe" to total strangers. Also it's to be expected that something bad is going to happen to your bags, or planes are late and you miss your connections, or something else screwy. In a nutshell - airports suck.And here I was waiting in a long-ass passport control line in Amsterdam's International Airport when I noticed that they were piping in classical guitar music. This I have never heard before in an airport, and I immediately felt that things weren't all that bad. And it kept me mellow. Pleasing pleasurable music. Need to cut in front of me? Sure I don't mind - I'm mellow. But my mellowness lasted up to the point of finding out that my KLM flight was using their partner airline - NorthWest Air and a DC10. How 80s! The airplane really seemed a bit dated; I scanned the engines looking for propellers but none to be found. I guess everything was cool, but the movie screen was about 30 meters away from my seat. In-flight films: one kid's movie (Madagascar) - one lame Will Ferrell flick (Kicking and Screaming). But other than this I am happy to report that the flight, connections, and arrivals were uneventful.
And Viva Las Vegas! I made it in one piece.
Las Vegas never ceases to amaze me. There is so much of everything, sometimes way too much. And if you have the cash - anything is yours. I was registered at the Wynn, and my good friend Greedygirl from Gonegambling.com had picked me up in her hot-rod convertible. She filled me in on some gossipy small talk, dropped me off, and then sped off to buy some booze and to meet some other guy at the airport. No problem, I can handle my bags by myself.
I found my room on the 28th floor, and it was by far one of the best rooms I've ever had. There is nothing like the hotels in Vegas. I've stayed at many hotels pretty much all over the world, and not one has ever topped a Vegas hotel. Maybe the Hermitage in Monte Carlo, but the Wynn Las Vegas has this probably topped as well. This hotel has nothing but class. Subtle details abound. I almost didn't want to leave my room.
But I did. I had to search for my favorite game, "Multi-Strike Poker", which can be found online at Ledgaming.com (play for fun only), and man it is highly addictive. In fact, I've just spent the last 90 minutes playing the game online - and there's no money involved so you know it's gotta be fun.
But I couldn't find the game in the casino lobby. Semi-broken hearted, I found a few other games that I was familiar with to include the Monopoly slots; a Hoover vacuum cleaner of a game. I was sitting there for about five minutes when Wagershare's
The next day arrived early thanks to my jet lag. But I didn't care - this is Vegas. It was Day One of the CAC (Casino Affiliate Convention) which is one of the main events of the year for the online casino industry. This is where casino operators, their affiliate and marketing managers meet with those who advertise or promote online casinos. And it's my chance to meet up with operators to see what's up with their casinos. Giving kudos where kudos are due, and to give a heads up to operators whose managers are screwing up.
Since I was a bit whacked out by the nine hour time difference, I had a very early breakfast. And when I returned to my room - the phone was ringing. It was Greedygirl who giggled, "I can't explain, you just have to come up here to see for yourself." Oh gawd, I thought, what the hell is going on in her room. Greedygirl was a guest in one of the suites on the other side of the hotel. "Okay," I says - and like an obedient puppy, I go.
Now the standard rooms at the Wynn are almost like suites, they would put many European hotels to shame. And when I had this opportunity to see a real suite, I was in aghast in awe. Greedygirl answered the door and inside were a few webmasters and affiliate managers in differing stages of debauchery. After touring the adjacent rooms, bar, massage room, and scanning the massive view of the strip, I took a seat along side decadence. Peralis entered the room - in fact it was his birthday, September the 11th. That's a birthday that's hard to forget. He was half lit (which was expected), and it was good to see him. He had been up all night. In fact, they all had been up all night. The boys had made several attempts to call for some strippers, but they kept getting hung-up on. I guess nobody would take what probably sounded like giggling frat boys seriously. So they had called for some male strippers instead - and they were on the way.
So I figured it was time for me to leave. The guys all scrammed out of there. Greedygirl begged me to stay, but there was no way I'd have some guy doing some crotch dance in my face, so I split as well. As I left, yep - there they were, putting on their costumes in the bathroom. How sweet.
And as I made my way to the Stardust hotel, I noticed Tim was still at that Monopoly machine. It had been over 12 hours that he had been in that same spot. Don't think he did too well.
Stardust Hotel: a five minute walk. As usual, the conference was well attended. This was my 6th CAC and every conference is a bit different. I'm always running into people I haven't met before - people I've known on the message boards or via emails, pitch a bitches, casino issues, or whatever. I met Dean Ing, an Australian webmaster who's been around for years. I met Pokeraddict; one of the most prolific experts in poker that I know of. I met the portal master of Onlinecasinofan.com, a top Japanese portal, and he's giving me advice on Casinomeister's Japanese version. Yes, we're turning Japanese at Casinomeister.
Lunch was great. I had a wonderful sushi lunch with members of Trident Lounge
For the record: I pay my own way at these conferences, hotels, airfare, etc. I get plenty of invites, but I rarely have time to take any of these up - which is a shame. I still owe Ed Ware a visit at 32Red Casino
Anyway, I met with the guys from Bodog Casino
The day turned to night and there were a number of parties to partake in. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make them all. Did I? Scroll down to find out...
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I peed in the most fascinating toilet in the world.
I had four parties to hit up. Trident Lounge had invited me to an exclusive cocktail party at Caesar's palace. This was very nice and intimate. I had a chance to catch up with a few more webmasters there, and the hor d'eurves were plentiful and very good.But unfortunately it was time to move on. Partnerlogic's party at the Wynn brought me back to my home turf, and this was a trippy experience. I was greeted at the door of the party room by the Green Hulk from Marvel Comics. It was this big studdly guy covered in green body paint and wearing Hulk garb and a black wig. This was quite appropriate since the Partnerlogic casinos (Intercasino
That party lasted a while, but I was obliged to move on making a token appearance at Party Poker's
It was late, and most people had filtered out - but again more food and excellent drinks. Mike Sexton from the World Poker Tour was there. It was funny. I sort of recognized him, but I couldn't quite place his face. Some webmasters were having their pictures taken with him. It wasn't until I was at the IGT booth at the G2E later that week that I saw the "World Poker Tour" video slots and there he was in the slot machine. I felt a little lame.
And again it was time to leave. There was one last stop: Casino Affiliate Program's party atop the Mandalay Bay in the Mix Lounge. This proved to be a very trippy experience.
The place was pretty much packed. It seemed as though most everyone had saved this party for last. This is one of the reasons I like these conferences, the party planners seem to try to juggle different events so most everyone can make an appearance at all of them. How nice.
It was very dark, and I made it to the outside patio which was very narrow but it overlooked Las Vegas and the Luxor hotel - and it was stunning. There was a row of tables that faced the floor to ceiling plexiglass picture window (about twenty meters in length), and I squeezed myself along between the mind boggling view and the groups of mingling and chillin' people.
It was sort of a who's who of webmasterville. Some familiar faces, but many strange ones (as in unknown to me). I was greeted by many, which was nice. It seems I haven't made too many enemies recently - at least my enemies didn't make themselves known.
I made my rounds, and made it to the bar where a couple of affiliate managers tried to poison me with some weirdo concoction they were drinking. I have no idea what it was, but that was it for me. I sat down and Rowmare joined me and we talked webmaster stuff, and about Canada. I had canoed as a youngster in British Colombia, Rowmare's homeland. Anyway, at one point an affiliate manager whom I had never met before (I won't identify the program since it would be quite embarrassing for them) sat down with us and began to beg to get on Casinomeister. I told him neither yes or no, but he begged "what do I have to do to get on Casinomeister?" (this is a casino group that I have had issues in the past with). Rowmare made some comment, and the guy told her to butt out - this didn't concern her.
I thought I was hearing things. I sat there wondering if that was really what he said. He blabbed for about 10 more seconds and got and walked away. Rowmare had some choice words for him calling out as he disappeared. I sat there still in disbelief (my reactions had slowed a bit by then). Was this guy for real? How did this guy not know that Rowmare wasn't a business partner - or even my wife who occassionally joins me on these trips. What a dick!
Anyway, this casino group has probably blown any chance on getting on board at Casinomeister. That was totally uncalled for. The guy should have kept his mouth shut.
And you, my dear reader, are probably thinking "please tell me about the most fascinating toilet in the world" since this is probably the only reason you have read this far. So, I'll tell you about it.
The Mix Lounge is dark. It's meant to be this way so you can soak up the city lights from outside down below. The walls are black and the lighting is slight. To go to the restroom, you walk down a hallway that snakes to the left and then to the right. It's dimly lit and there is music piped in. At the end of the hall, it splits - ladies to the left, men to the right. Entering the men's room is a total trip. The tile is black and so is the porcelain. There are about four urinals, and instead of facing some wall, you face a huge floor to ceiling window that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. Utterly mindblowing. I was tripped out. Out of all the toilets I have visited worldwide, it was by far the most fascinating.
And what else was fascinating? Well a number of things. The Goldbetting Group of casinos are requesting to be taken off the rogue list, and put on probation. News about Casinobar. Surprises at G2E to include new IGT games that might be coming online. And many more personal observances that will intrigue and impress you. Keep an eye on you inbox for Part II of this special edition.
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End Note:
After my arrival back home, I received the horrible news that Adam Anhang, Casino Webcam's CEO and main spokesperson, was brutally murdered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The entire online casino community is in shock over this. Adam was a kind man, and we had been acquainted for a number of years. We recently joked about how long it took the both of us to get our act together and get CasinoWebCam listed at Casinomeister. "Dude - finally! It's been far too long," was from his last email to me.
Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He will be sadly missed.
Peace
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Bryan Bailey Webmeister Casinomeister |  |