I try to keep up with the 107 (!) casinos in So. Nevada with live table games (meaning chips are available). I don't make the rounds to the slots-only places, since I don't collect tokens. Breakdown: 86 open in greater LV (includes No. LV, Henderson/Boulder Hwy, out to RR Pass and new Hacienda); 5 in Primm/Jean; 11 in Laughlin; 5 in Mesquite.

Of the possible 107 locations, I managed to hit 77 places, or about 3/4 of them. (The other 1/4 didn't have new stuff available, as far as I could tell from advance info.). Didn't make it to Mesquite this trip. I may be one of the dinosaurs in the hobby that still enjoys a challenging chip run, although it used to be a LOT easier to make all the rounds! And since I only make it to LV twice per year, I find the new issue services to be invaluable to keep up. Anyway, on this solo trip (no spouse this trip) I was able to hit most of the places I wanted to see, plus GGS, GBC, Paulson's retail store, etc.

CHIP COLLECTING: no problem getting most of the chips I needed (issued since Thanksgiving) though a number of Milleniums not yet released. Mostly purchased from the cage; a few from the tables. Cage personnel were generally accomodating, though it helps to know exactly what you're looking for, instead of asking "what's new ?". SPECIAL COMMENDATION to helpful cashiers staff at Fiesta, LV Hilton and Vacation Village.

DOWNTOWN: Herb Pastor's 2 slots-only joints -- Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle being remodeled. Coin Castle is now "LA Bayou" (as in Louisiana Bayou). Pretty nice theming for a small place. No more hustling since these places were fined by Nevada GCB. The new problem may be monitoring for underage drinking -- the LA Bayou sells daiquiris in 20+ flavors in tall souvenir glasses. Sassy Sally's remodeling in process.

NEW PLACES:
Paris is beautifully designed, as others have reported. It's interesting they are squeezing revenues from every square foot -- examples: Keno game but no Keno parlor; played from Sports Book and restaurant only. No Silver Strikes (anti-participation game bias at Park Place/Bally's). No poker room. Great attention to theming detail. For chippers interested in the artwork of Alphonse Mucha (he's the artist who did the "pretty ladies" series of 7 chips at Main St. Station), there's a neat collection of reproduction lithographs by Mucha and other Beaux Arts/ Art Nuveau/ Art Deco artists at Paris. Available for sale at RE Galleries, a retail store inside Paris. And about those French Roulette jetons…see next post.

Resort at Summerlin - nice small resort casino, but not much business.

Speedway - nearly empty. Hope they fill up when the auto races are in town, because they can't be making money at current levels.

Hyatt Lake Las Vegas - missed it, but hope it's a success.

GGS/BILL AKEMAN: I was glad to see Bill Akeman setting up a chip "store within a store" at Gambler's General Store near downtown. Should be good location, and will be on my stop-by list for future trips.

GBC: The new coffee-table size book on Las Vegas history, "The First 100", is available for sale at Gambler's Book Club. Nice book for LV history buffs.

BEST CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Fiesta…for a traditional Christmas lights extravaganza!

BIGGEST MILLENNIUM L.E. CHIP PROMOTION: Several casinos have posters announcing their new commemorative/Millennium chips. However, biggest promotion goes to the Edgewater and Colo. Belle in Laughlin. Each one has created a special Millennium blackjack table layout to go with celebration.
Edgewater even has a framed Millennium layout for sale (Ltd. Edition of 30, as screened on the layout) -- only $500! Edgewater also selling their Millenium chips in sets only at this point (Bud Jones chips, serially numbered edition of 2000 -- $5, $25 and $100 in a presentation case for $149, or $19 over face. They will sell you a specific number, if not already taken.

Had fun, but still recovering!