The following is only of interest to the lowest of rollers:

I just got back from my favorite dive on the strip, the Sahara. Went looking for the typical $1 and $2 tables. For those of you who don't know the Sahara, on a Thursday, you'd usually find about 1 $1 table, and 10 $2 tables. There are also a few $5s, and $25s for the "big boys." Tonight, I didn't notice a $1 table, and all of the tables that would normally be $2 tables have been changed to $3 tables. In the past, even on a weekend, $2 was the norm, and there was no such thing as a $3. So while I have no idea whether they plan to continue their "blackjack for a buck" gimmick, it's apparent that they've made $3 their realistic minimum bet. OK, it's still better than Station and Coast properties, where there are no more than two $3 tables in the entire casino. But I noticed that the move up in minimum bets has not increased the (in)frequency of waitress service. At least at the Orleans I can get a beer at the $3 table.