Las Vegas Casino Security Expert Steve Forte Arrested For Cheating

From Dr Pauly:

Most never reach the level of poker where the cream of the crop cheaters…cheat. The really good sleigh of hand people aren’t interested in the pocket change being pushed across a kitchen table. Move up a few levels and the card table may be in a well known card room’s private salon and the pots being pushed across the table can buy a house. Ratchet up another level to the major poker tournaments and the amounts of money at stake can finance a third World country for a year or two.

How do we know we’re getting a fair and unbiased cut of the cards in a poker game that allows no player an advantage other than their poker skills? We don’t know. We rely on the reputation of the poker room and the Gaming Control people to police the operations to ensure they are fair and the cards are coming off the top of the deck. So, who does the world’s largest casino operator and owner of the WSOP entrust with this weighty responsibility? According to his website, it is Steve Forte.

Las Vegas resident Steve Forte is the man the casinos, poker rooms, poker tournaments, and practically all other forms of gambling call to ensure players get an even bet. Steve has taught practically everyone in the gaming industry how to set the traps to catch the evil cheating low life. Last June 7th Steve Forte got his foot stuck in one of those very same cheater’s traps when New Jersey State Police officers arrested him and three partners in a room at the Borgata Casino. The police also confiscated several devices used in high-tech cheating including sub-miniature video cameras, two way communications equipment and portable computers.

Ironically, this arrest time frame coincides with the start of the Borgata Summer Poker Open Tournament which boasts a $5K final event with a million plus prize pool. A New Jersey AG spokesperson said the alleged scams were not aimed at the tournament; but, the fact that the arrests were kept quiet until late July spawned rumors in the poker community that Forte and his confederates were targeting the tournament.

Even though he is charged with allegedly conspiring to cheat high-stakes poker games we must remember that everyone is innocent until judged to be guilty. Of course, Steve Forte is maintaining his innocence, according to his friends. No longer the book selling publicity hound, he has refused all request for media interviews. Arrested with Steve Forte were Stephen Phillips of Las Vegas, James Harrison of Duluth, Minnesota, and Joseph Ingargiola of Playa del Ray, California.

FYI, Steve Forte was arrested and convicted of a felony cheating scam in 1990 in New Jersey. He was also arrested in 1982 at Harrah’s and charged with two felony counts related to a fradulent act before pleading guilty to a lessor trespassing charge. When you hire a cheat to protect the poker game from cheats you get exactly what you paid for, a really good cheat that apparently wants much more than just the check for his services.

Suncoast Hotel and Casino Review

From Dr. Pauly:

Located high above the Las Vegas Valley in the shadows of the Red Rock Mountains the Suncoast Hotel and Casino is another example of a plush local resort finding favor with the tourist crowd. Las Vegas visitors wanting an alternative to the hustle of the strip can head to the west side Suncoast for a relaxing stay and a place to play in a luxurious environment. The Suncoast is a member of the Coast Casino resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boyd Gaming Group.

Suncoast Hotel features 388 deluxe guest rooms and 39 posh suites ranging in size from 1100 to 2300 square feet. All of the guest accommodations have floor length windows providing million dollar views of the surrounding valley and mountain vistas. A complete list of amenities are included starting with a 24 hour fitness center outfitted with the latest in workout equipment.

Jen’s Salon De Beaute provides a complete menu of beauty treatments guaranteed to pamper and rejuvenate the weary traveler. An adjacent golf course is available for guest and there’s even a secure game arcade for the kids. Free scheduled airport shuttle service makes coming and going a breeze. Suncoast guarantees the lowest room rates through their website reservations system so your room is just a click away.

Dining options range from a quick specialty coffee and pastry at Seattle’s Best to a memorable evening of superb steaks, chops, and fresh seafood all served with a spectacular view at Primos. Mexican dishes are the mainstay at the brightly decorated Senor Miguel’s. Hearty old world Italian selections combine with flown in fresh seafood at Via Veneto Italian and Seafood.

Diners wanting an endless choice of items will find the St. Tropez International Buffet to be their favorite with its seven unique serving stations. Upscale Las Vegas coffee shop food is available 24 hours at the Café Siene which also offers an extensive Asian menu. Enjoy deli sandwiches and a dessert counter at the Bagel Cafe Express; and finally, my personal favorite, The Oyster Bar, featuring steamers, pan roasts, shooters and fresh catch seafood prepared exhibition style in this traditional oyster bar.

More than 80,000 square feet of casino space is filled with 50 traditional table games including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker. Slot and video poker players will be pleased with the vast selection of games to be found among the 2,400 machines. Sports bettors can enjoy watching their favorite events live on the two dozen large televisions plus a feature event giant screen display in the 150 seat Race and Sports Book.

Bingo fans will be thrilled with the award winning bingo hall, voted best of Las Vegas 2007. A separate section for smokers ensures clean air for the rest of us. A convenient snack bar is located in the room and players have a choice of 8 daily sessions. Don’t forget to register for your Club Coast Player’s card to start earning points for your play which you can use for cash and comps. You can apply for your player’s card at the Suncoast website and the card is accepted at all Coast Casinos.

Suncoast Casino’s Poker Room is a spacious, high ceiling room with great lighting that is preferred by most poker players. Located in the main casino the room gives players a view of the casino action with without the usual casino noise. Nine tables with shufflemasters ensure a smooth game in the popular poker room. Managed by casino veteran Pete DeMonte, former manager of the now closed historic Stardust Poker Room, poker players are guaranteed a premium playing experience.

Hold’em players have a variety of game choices beginning with $2-$4 Limit, $4-$8 Limit, and $10-$20 Limit. No Limit Hold’em players can choose $1-$2 blinds with a $100-$300 max buy-in or $2-$5 blinds with a $200-$500 max buy-in. Stud and Omaha are spread with sufficient interest as well as most any poker games and conditions.

Tournament poker players have plenty of choices with a daily 10:00 am No Limit Hold’em event that has a $40 buy-in. Sunday through Thursday at 7:00 pm there is a $60 buy-in event. Friday and Saturday a 6:00 pm bounty tournament ($5 for every player you eliminate) with a $50 buy-in and one optional $30 rebuy is played. Suncoast Poker Room also participates in the joint Coast Casino’s freeroll poker tournament.

Parking and access to the room is close and easy for both valet and self parking. Players earn comps at the rate of $1.25 an hour for 4 hours and then $0.50 per hour there after up to a maximum of $9 a day Comps can be used at all food outlets or applied to room rates. Promotions are ongoing and include cash awards for certain “Bonus Hands” plus a 1:00 am to 6:00 am $100 for pocket aces and a 3:00 am to 9:00am Double Jackpot payout for high hands. Complete details of promotions and games are available by phoning the poker room at 702.636.7111.

Enjoy your visit to the poker room at the Suncoast Casino.

The Reason Why Ocean’s 13 Has an Asian-Themed Casino

From lucky donut:

This clip is from the DVD movie extras for Ocean’s 13. As producer Jerry Weintraub is walking us around the casino set, he explains why the inside of The Bank casino looks the way it does.
“It’s Asian-themed because there is no casino that we know of in Las Vegas that’s Asian so we decided to have an Asian theme.”Err, apart from Imperial Palace perhaps? They haven’t knocked it down yet. OK so I know there’s a few red-herrings thrown in to confuse you as to what their theme actually is, like the collection of classic American cars and the Hawaiian Luau, but it’s definitely meant to be Asian. It even says so in Wikipedia, and that’s almost never wrong.
If the roof doesn’t convince you…

…there’s dragons out front. What more does it need?

South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa Review

From lasvegasvegas:

Go south on the famous Las Vegas Strip to Michael Gaughan’s South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa to visit, stay and play at the recently opened resort. Owner Michael Gaughan is the son of Las Vegas gambling icon, Jackie Gaughan, a Las Vegas pioneer known for his early contributions and historic properties in downtown Las Vegas including the Vegas vintage El Cortez.

Michael Gaughan worked hard to build the Coast Resorts brand that he sold in a multi-million dollar deal to Boyd Gaming. Today, Michael Gaughan has focused his energies on the happiness of customers and guests at his popular South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa.

Phase One of the South Point Resort is complete with the hotel offering 1350 guest rooms and suites, all with fantastic views of either the Las Vegas neon skyline or the stark beauty of a desert mountain view. All guest rooms are oversized with upscale furnishings, HD plasma, high speed Internet and plush bathrooms.

Suites are located on the uppermost floors and provide ‘condo to house size’ accommodations for the ‘travel well’ set. All guest rooms and suites come with a full list of quality amenities and the level of service you expect from a major Las Vegas destination Resort. Reservations by phone toll free: 1.866.796.7111 or click to the website: www.southpointcasino.com to book online.

Guests will enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi areas, a convenient child care facility, Business Center, even sand Volleyball Courts. Located on the property is the Spa Costa del Sur, a full service spa guaranteed to rest, refresh and restore your mind, body and spirit. The Spa is the perfect stop after a long night at the tables. Need a really different gift for someone? Give them a South Point guest room gift certificate.

South Point is the only casino with an Equestrian Arena. They designed and constructed a state-of-the-art horse facility without equal, the finest to be found in the country. Show tickets for events at the Equestrian Arena or for the many acts booked into the South Point showroom can be purchased by calling 702.797.8055 or toll free 1.866.796.7111.

South Point offers guests a variety of dining options. Starting at the top with the recently opened Michaels’s Restaurant considered one of the finest gourmet restaurants in Las Vegas and the Zagat Survey has named it one of the top five in the city. Michael’s is the choice for a wonderful romantic dinner and a must try for the serious gourmet.

Great steaks, chops and seafood fill the menu at the Silverado Steakhouse. Enjoy exceptional dishes in an elegant room. Don Vito’s prepares Italian specialties and flown-in-fresh seafood that was swimming in the ocean earlier in the day. Enjoy a romantic evening with great food and impeccable service at either of these fine restaurants.

The 24 Hour Coronado Cafe is a cut above the standard Vegas coffee shop fare. You’ll find a complete menu filled with traditional diner favorites, daily specials, prime rib and porterhouse specials, and a special Chinese menu from a separate Asian kitchen. The Garden Buffet is a great Vegas style buffet. Check out the Big Sur Oyster Bar for steamed favorites from the sea. Quick Bites fast food court is where you will find plenty of comfort foods, gourmet coffees and sweet treats.

Try your luck in the 80,000 square foot South Point Casino. 2,400 of the most popular slots and video machines are sure to include your favorites and all are coinless…no more waiting. A 60 table pit includes all of the typical – Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow – table games. Race and Sports bettors are treated to a 300 + seat Book. Bingo entertains in a 600 seat room that features Cash Ball and a Progressive Double Action Jackpot. We came to test our game in the South Point Poker Room.

Located in the main casino the 11 table South Point Poker Room is one of the most spacious in town. Easily move about the tables without the usual bumps, bangs and side shuffling. Under the skilled management of poker industry veteran Joe Digiacomo the room provides poker players with a quality experience.

I spent some time visiting with Poker Shift Supervisor, Stephen Watkins, and was impressed by the continuous activity at the check-in desk. Games spread include Limit Hold’em $2-4 and $4-$8, both limits offer an optional half kill. No-Limit Hold’em games come with $1-$2 blinds and a $100-$300 buy-in or step up the action with $2-$5 blinds and a $200-$500 buy-in. The room will spread most poker games and conditions with sufficient interest.

Tournament players have a 10:00 am event daily with a $45 buy-in (no rebuy, no add-on) and a 7:00 pm event Monday thru Thursday with a $65 buy-in (no rebuy, no add-on). The TV shows, NBC Poker after Dark and the Game Show Network’s High Stakes Poker, are both filmed at South Point.

Players have easy valet and self parking. A brace of HD Plasmas cover the wall so poker players don’t miss a minute of sporting events. Food comps are earned at the rate of $1.25 per hour of play with a daily max of $9. Qualified players receive a casino rate for hotel rooms. High hands receive cash awards with some earning in the thousands of dollars. Play thirty hours and you will receive a custom poker room jacket. Call the South Point Poker Room’s direct line, 702.797.8073, for complete details of room promotions, games, tournaments and special events. See you at South Point Poker Room.

Michael Gaughan’s South Point Hotel,Casino & Spa
9777 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89183
Toll Free: 866.796.7111
Local: 702.796.7111
www.southpointcasino.com

Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino Review

From Las Vegas Vegas:

Monte Carlo Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas named for a gambling icon across the Atlantic has to fill some ‘big shoes’ because of the moniker. And fill them they do. Combining the Las Vegas all-out live life to the fullest style with the service, comforts and class of a European casino is exactly what the Monte Carlo does best.

Located on the south Las Vegas strip the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino greets guests with a palatial entrance graced with statues, fountains, old world charm and Vegas glitz. The towering hotel offers 3,002 guest rooms including 259 luxurious suites. Rooms are large and comfortable with included amenities thoughtfully chosen to please and pamper the resort’s lucky guests. High speed Internet service is available in all guest rooms. The Monte Carlo is considered a great place to stay while in Las Vegas, offering guests the best dollar-for-dollar experience on the strip. You can quickly and easily make your reservations online at the Monte Carlo’s website www.montecarlo.com or call toll free 1.888.529.4828 for a reservation and promotion specialist.

Dining at the Monte Carlo can be a never forgotten evening at Andre’s French Restaurant. Combine the romantic elegance, impeccable service, and exquisite food creations from Chef Andre Rochat and you’ll know why Andre’s French Restaurant was honored with a second consecutive AAA Four Diamond award.

Dining at Monte Carlo can be an evening at Blackstone’s Steak House sampling the perfectly prepared culinary delights from land and sea. Savor the rich Kobe beef or catch the fresh Ahi or choose from the different cuts of aged prime steaks and fresh premium seafood selections.Check out Dragon Noodle for Asian specialties or take a seat in an authentic Italian eatery, the Market City Caffe. The Cafe at the Monte Carlo offers a complete Las Vegas style coffee shop menu 24 hours a day with selections for every taste and appetite. For the finicky appetite or those that must have it all, the Buffet is made to order. A selection of prepared to order meats, pasta, salads and desserts compliment the vast arrays of food.Even the Fast Food Court at the Monte Carlo is above average offering well known national branded fast foods for a quick meal or just a leisurely roll and designer coffee. Choose from Starbucks, Nathan’s, McDonald’s, Sbarro’s, and Haagen Dazs.

Monte Carlo Brew Pub is one of the Las Vegas strip’s known great spots for bar food and a crafted brew in a club atmosphere. A club with a huge 10′ x 10′ screen plus flat panels dedicated to sports. Live entertainment includes “Purple Reign,” a Prince tribute band, and some of the hottest DJ’s on the scene today.Shoppers can rejoice with the Street of Dreams. Shopping mall within the resort includes Monte Carlo entertainment headliner Lance Burton’s Magic Shop. Convention rooms and a business center are available plus for those that desire, a wedding chapel. A full service spa and fitness center, great golf and plush pool areas await guests at the destination resort.

Monte Carlo’s casino is 90,000 + square feet filled with all of the popular table games and more than 2,000 state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines. A spacious race and sports book invites the handicappers and sports’ bettors to stay awhile and enjoy. Players from every level and any game preference will find something in the Monte Carlo’s casino that has their name on it. Poker is in our name and the Monte Carlo poker room has our name all over it.Monte Carlo’s 9 table poker room is managed by Susan Sansberg, a seasoned poker industry pro that applies her nearly two decades of the poker industry experience to provide poker players with the best in a Vegas poker rooms. The room attracts a great crowd of players and has a professional, experienced staff dedicated to player satisfaction.

I visited with Poker Room Shift Manager, Ron Carson, and soaked in a feel for the room while getting the vitals. Limit Hold’em is offered in the following flavors…$2-$4, $3-$6 with a half kill, and $4-$8. No limit Hold’em $1-$2 blinds and $2-$4 blinds plus, the poker room will spread most poker games and limits with enough interest.

No-limit Hold’em Tournaments are offered daily at 9:00 AM, $40+$10 Buy-in, and a $50+$10 Buy-in No-limit Hold’em. $50 SNG’s offered at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM Sunday thru Friday and all day on Saturdays based on ten players.Play fifty hours in the Monte Carlo’s poker room during the period between April 1st and June 30th for a seat in a $125,000 Freeroll. The room offers cash prizes from $100 thru thousands of dollars for various high hands. Comps are earned at the rate of $6 for 4 hours of play. A casino room rate is available for qualified players. Phone the poker room direct at 702.730.7780 with any questions and complete details of promos.Take time to check out the Las Vegas strip’s Monte Carlo Poker Room. You’ll enjoy the club atmosphere and smooth service Monte Carlo poker players enjoy every day, every visit, and every poker game.