Venetian, Macau

[Simmo!]

Anyone been to the new Venetian in Macau yet? Was it Chuchu who said he was going down? Dying to here what it's like

 

[lojo]

Me too!!! When are you going Simmo?

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Anyone been to the new Venetian in Macau yet? Was it Chuchu who said he was going down? Dying to here what it's like

The Wizard of Odds just had a review of his recent trip to Macau in his lastest e-mailed newsletter I recieve (click the link below for the pics in the 9-12-2007 newsletter that do not appear but are referenced in this post) and he also states in the newletter below he has a new site-WizardOfMacua.com with more pics,etc.,enjoy:

If the newsletter doesn't appear properly (or doesn't appear at all), you can read it on the web at

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The Wizard's News

September 12, 2007
WizardOfOdds.com


Macau photos


The Tin Hau temple



From left to right: My brother in law Chen Tao, my friend and business partner Michael Bluejay, and myself, having an authentic vegetarian dinner. Bluejay is the only authentic vegetarian, though.



Girls modeling cell phones in Senado Square.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please see lots more Macau photos on my new site, WizardOfMacau.com.

From the Wizard....
The full scoop on Macau, China
I recently returned from eight days in Macau. While I could talk about it all day, and I do so on my new web site WizardOfMacau.com, this article will just cover the basics about what you should know about Macau, and the gambling scene there.
Very briefly, Macau is a small "Special Administrative Region" or SAR, in China, a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. The city contains about 25 casinos, many of which are very small and not worth visiting. Games easily found in Macau are baccarat, blackjack, roulette, sic bo, and Caribbean Stud Poker. A smaller number of fan-fan, pai gow, maj jong pai gow, craps, poker, and Casino War games are also available. Slots and video poker also exist, but not nearly as abundantly as in the United States.

Here are the pros and cons of Macau, in my humble opinion.

Pros of Macau
1. Very good eating. In Macau you will find plenty of delicious and authentic Chinese food, not to mention a lesser amount of Portuguese and other types of cuisine. All things considered, I would take Macau over Las Vegas in terms of food, if I had to make the choice.

2. Cheap prices. Compared to the U.S., everything seemed to be significantly cheaper in Macau, especially food, rooms, cab fare, and tips.

3. Good blackjack rules at the Lisboa. They have some very unusual blackjack rules at the Lisboa, but the bottom line is a house edge of 0.01% with proper strategy.

4. Low table minimums. The usual table minimum is 100 Hong Kong dollars, which is about $13 U.S.. These are not just token tables that are usually packed, but are the standard and are readily available. Forget what you may have seen in the movies. When Stanley Ho's casino monopoly ended in 2002, lots of new casinos opened, creating better conditions for the player.

5. Dead Chip offers. If you are a high-limit baccarat player, the high-limit rooms in Macau offer "dead chip" programs, which are similar to point-based slot programs. Using promotional chips, the casinos effectively give back 0.4% to 0.7% of all bets lost. At a rate of 0.5%, for example, the house edge on the banker bet in baccarat is lowered from 1.06% to 0.84%.

5. Proximity to Hong Kong. Macau is a short and very convenient ferry ride from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong terminus is right in the center of the city, and the Macau terminal is also well located, with free shuttle buses to all the major casinos. Hong Kong is an exciting city with lots of things to do. Combining Hong Kong and Macau makes for a great trip to east Asia. If you have more time, Guilin, in mainland China, is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.

Cons of Macau
1. Macau people are very rude. The drivers never stop for pedestrians, even in a crosswalk. The dealers seldom speak, not even to say hello or good-bye. Except in the nicest of tourist-oriented businesses, it seems like nobody wants to be bothered.

2. English is not widely spoken. The only places I could reliably find anybody to speak English with was at the Wynn, and there it usually far from fluent, and at the poker tables at the StarWorld, mainly with Australian expatriates. I was there before the Venetian opening, but I would imagine the English there is on par with the Wynn. You will have much more success communicating in English with the locals in Hong Kong.

3. There are almost no advantage plays I could detect. Some properties will give you 30 to 50 Hong Kong dollars to sign up for a player card, about $4 to $5 U.S. dollars. Progressive games are popular in Macau, so progressive hunters can find a positive meter once in a while. However 100% of the blackjack is on continuous shufflers, so card counting is out of the question. The video poker there is abysmal, very little to be found, and what little there are on lousy paytables. The best I ever saw was 7/5 bonus poker at the Wynn (98.01%).

4. The big gambling is usually done in private V.I.P. casinos, through an organization called a "junket" between the player and the casino. These junkets cater to the Chinese and usually don't deal with the general public. The high limit rooms offer baccarat only. If you prefer the luxury of the high limit rooms in Vegas, in Macau you'll be stuck playing just baccarat, if you can get through the door at all.

5. There isn't much to do in Macau besides gambling and prostitution. Yes, the tourist guides will list some museums and historical sites, but the offerings are much better in Hong Kong.



All things considered, I would not go all the way to Asia just for Macau. However, if you are going to be in the area anyway, especially Hong Kong, it may be worth the side trip. All things considered, Vegas is still the best gambling city in the world, and not even Macau can compare.

 

[lojo]

First the Meister crushed my dream and now the Wizard... as the only reason I would go there is to experience the Casinos I guess I won't be going unless I become fabulously and immediately and extremely wealthy.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

First the Meister crushed my dream and now the Wizard... as the only reason I would go there is to experience the Casinos I guess I won't be going unless I become fabulously and immediately and extremely wealthy.

Are saying you could not afford the prostitutes? or r u just sayin

 

[lojo]

Are saying you could not afford the prostitutes? or r u just sayin

I'n jes sayin

When that area started to come of age, and I was younger and dumber, I thought i could parlay and leverage and build on successes and Macau would be my ultimate runner.

But I'm better now

 

[chuchu59]

Anyone been to the new Venetian in Macau yet? Was it Chuchu who said he was going down? Dying to here what it's like

Havent been there yet. Still waiting for the availability of my wife. Should be to the place in a couple of weeks though.

 

[chuchu59]

Do not go to the Lisboa, I repeat, do not go to the Lisboa. A year ago, they were still up to their old tricks and the dealers were surprisingly rude. So many better choices elsewhere.

 

[spearmaster]

Which old tricks are you talking about, Chuchu?

Either way, the Lisboa isn't worth a visit if you want to play. Kinda cool to take in the atmosphere if you've never been there but I personally wouldn't spend a dime gambling.

In fact, the most interesting part of the Lisboa is the bottom floor - go find the Chinese restaurant, sit down and order a meal or just a coffee, and enjoy the spectacle known as the Racetrack.

 

[chuchu59]

Spear,

Sarcasm. These bloody dealers were being sarcastic about having to treat customers well. All the time, they were emphasising the good old times when they could pinch winnings from the players LEGALLY. They still do that now but are a bit restrained. You bet small and they treat you like sh##, throwing the chips right back at you after a push. It's a pity that the new casinos dont have paigow tiles so when I want some games I can only visit the floating casinos which are boring but at least they treat you like humans.

 

[spearmaster]

Sarcasm. These bloody dealers were being sarcastic about having to treat customers well. All the time, they were emphasising the good old times when they could pinch winnings from the players LEGALLY. They still do that now but are a bit restrained. You bet small and they treat you like sh##, throwing the chips right back at you after a push. It's a pity that the new casinos dont have paigow tiles so when I want some games I can only visit the floating casinos which are boring but at least they treat you like humans.

Ah. Well, the sarcasm will always be there - same old dealers who can't steal your tips, can't quit their jobs because no one else will have them, so all they have left is their bitterness that their license to steal has been taken from them.

Unfortunately, you're right about the paigow too - I have not seen it anywhere, which is a pity because it's quite an interesting game (not that I know how to play).

Surely the Venetian is so huge that they might have space for a table or two?

 

[chuchu59]

It's more a case of culture than space, I think. If this was an Australian casino, I am pretty sure that they will have paigow tiles as I heard its quite popular over there. I havent gone to las Vegas. Have they got this game as well?

 

[spearmaster]

It's more a case of culture than space, I think. If this was an Australian casino, I am pretty sure that they will have paigow tiles as I heard its quite popular over there. I havent gone to las Vegas. Have they got this game as well?

Well, I think space will have something to do with it as the space can easily hold a much more profitable baccarat table. Pai Gow seems to be one of those games slowly fading away. But in a place like the Venetian, they can easily afford the space to cater to a select crowd - the real question is, are there enough players to justify doing so?

In Vegas, one is unlikely to find pai gow in any of the casinos, with the possible exception of the Imperial Palace, and only for novelty value. In Atlantic City there may be a slightly better chance of finding this game due to the different demographics (more Asian and generally more mature, as opposed to Vegas which is a bit more glitzy and trendy for the younger crowd).

 

[Simmo!]

The MGM in Vegas should have had Pai Gow just to see if the Asian community would have passed the lions to get to it

I would have thought in Macau, the Wynn and Venetian would have kept a close eye on their staff. You could understand the less well known "local" places having some issues but at these multi-billion $ corps, I would have thought they'd be very strict on how customers were treated.

Reading some reviews of people who have stayed at the Venetian it sounds like it opened too early - lots of complaints about bad service and the staff not knowing their jobs properly, stuff not ready, etc etc.

 

[chuchu59]

Pai gow tiles is akin to a scoundrel's game. You wont find any decently dressed person playing the game and the noisier the cracking of tiles the better. Ah, how I miss the good old days playing this game at Jai-Alai casino in Macau. I played for more than 36 hours non stop at the table (no seating)with my friend. That was more than 15 years ago though.

Simmo, unless Stanley HO offers better pay packages to his staff, they will basically remain the same and try to pinch customers' money at all costs. It doesnt matter whether you are wiining or not. If you take the bankl at the paigow game, right after a clean sweep, you are TOLD that a portion of the chips at the next game are theirs already and if you win you have to pay double that portion to them and even pay the commission for them. Its really ridiculous like the wild west.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Reading some reviews of people who have stayed at the Venetian it sounds like it opened too early - lots of complaints about bad service and the staff not knowing their jobs properly, stuff not ready, etc etc.

Pretty much has happened without exception to all the mega resorts(esp. the Venetian in 1999 and the Wynn in 2005 which I even have some pictures of items that did not yet meet building codes and customers were actually injured) in Vegas. It is common knowledge. There is a tremendous amount of pressure to open and begin servicing debt via cash flow asap regardless of any consequences.

 

[lojo]

You'll find plenty of Pai Gow but much more baccarat during the Chinese New Year transformations in Vegas I was there four days of it this year.

 

[spearmaster]

Pai gow tiles is akin to a scoundrel's game. You wont find any decently dressed person playing the game and the noisier the cracking of tiles the better. Ah, how I miss the good old days playing this game at Jai-Alai casino in Macau. I played for more than 36 hours non stop at the table (no seating)with my friend. That was more than 15 years ago though.

Haha... last time I bothered to pay attention, the players weren't too scruffy.. but this was like 20 years ago as well

The Jai Alai is the scene of my worst-ever run of luck playing sic bo... I wonder if they still play Jai Alai any more... but I've spent countless hours in there as well - even tried the pachinko machines when they had them...

36 hours without seating, though... :notworthy

Simmo, unless Stanley HO offers better pay packages to his staff, they will basically remain the same and try to pinch customers' money at all costs. It doesnt matter whether you are wiining or not. If you take the bankl at the paigow game, right after a clean sweep, you are TOLD that a portion of the chips at the next game are theirs already and if you win you have to pay double that portion to them and even pay the commission for them. Its really ridiculous like the wild west.

Are they still doing that, Chuchu?

Simmo - the Western operations are actually better, but the Venetian, like all the other new operations when they opened, had a number of hiccups. You have to understand that every time a new casino opens, people queue up beginning the night before - in the case of the Sands, there was a rumor that they were giving away free money, so on opening day there was literally a stampede, glass doors busted, etc. No such thing at the Venetian but I still imagine it was akin to a stampede, and of course the staff simply can't keep pace.

No matter how much advance planning is done for a casino opening in Macau, they will never ever get it right. I guarantee you though, by the time we get there in late November, everything will be running quite smoothly.

 

[spearmaster]

Chuchu, you had a chance to go yet? I have to be in HK next week so I'm thinking of going over for a day...

 

[chuchu59]

Spear,

Sorry, almost missed this. No, I havent gone there yet. Unless I go secretly (hehe), I will need to wait till the next batch of public holidays, probably near X'Mas as my wife wants me to take her and the kid to go there. Well, my wife is a teacher and she should start her holidays around the 20th Dec.

 

[lojo]

Has anyone read or heard of the potential impacts of the Olympics on Macau? Does the Mainland govt. allow casino advertising or PR in Beijing? Do you think the casino groups will incorporate the Olympics in their marketing campaigns abroad? Just curious...

 

[spearmaster]

Spear,

Sorry, almost missed this. No, I havent gone there yet. Unless I go secretly (hehe), I will need to wait till the next batch of public holidays, probably near X'Mas as my wife wants me to take her and the kid to go there. Well, my wife is a teacher and she should start her holidays around the 20th Dec.

Just go for the day... it's only an hour each way

I think you better book now for Dec if you're going to stay there, I think they're quite busy!

I'm going to try and go over Tuesday afternoon (possibly Monday depending on the flight) - if you want to go have a peek let me know. I have an appointment at Immigration on Tuesday morning.

 

[chuchu59]

Has anyone read or heard of the potential impacts of the Olympics on Macau? Does the Mainland govt. allow casino advertising or PR in Beijing? Do you think the casino groups will incorporate the Olympics in their marketing campaigns abroad? Just curious...

The Chinese authorities clamp down on all gambling activities. I am pretty sure Beijing wont allow this sort of thing but its entirely different in Macau as their livelihood depend on gambling. University grads are shunning all sorts of jobs to become dealers at the Venetian, Sands etc. where the pay is twice or 3 times better than being a teacher for example. Well, the land casinos dont really need much advertising. They rely on tourist agencies to bring customers from the mainlanders many of which have gottn very rich these few years. Then they get their commission through asking their clients to play at the casinos with junkets. There have been a couple of murders over disagreements on the distribution of junkets or that sort of thing.

 

[chuchu59]

Just go for the day... it's only an hour each way

I think you better book now for Dec if you're going to stay there, I think they're quite busy!

I'm going to try and go over Tuesday afternoon (possibly Monday depending on the flight) - if you want to go have a peek let me know. I have an appointment at Immigration on Tuesday morning.

I cant take the day off. I shall see if I can make it in the evening.

Spear, if you go see if you can travel by Super Jetfoil. Much more comfy.

 

[Simmo!]

I cant take the day off. I shall see if I can make it in the evening.

Spear, if you go see if you can travel by Super Jetfoil. Much more comfy.

Is that the TurboJet? Thats what I am taking from HK to Macau in November. I need to get over to HK for a day too actually.