Hail to the Skill of the Poker Player

A lot of people will say that gambling in any form is just pure luck. For some time the argument has been made that the skill of the poker player is beyond luck and that superior skill determines the outcome. Well in the time of need for think tanks and other great minds focusing on the ills of society, the economy, war and famine, leave it to the industrialized world to take time to sponsor a study that has some of the smartest people out there trying to determine the reality of this most important debate. 

Well as to not let too much time go by the professionals out there have determined that in fact the outcomes to poker matches are mainly due to the skill of the players involved. Yep it's that clear, believe it or not. 

The main people behind this study are the PPA, or to name the association group directly, the Poker Players Alliance, that has been pushing, for some unknown reality of a reason, to determine the legitimacy of this claim. The group, has been collecting information about the outcomes to games and tournaments for a long time to actually defend the fact that poker play is more skill than a gamble. 

Yep the reality of this study is about the legality of the issue and it is an attempt to make headway to allow poker to be played in the regulated environments of the jurisdictions across the country. 

The study, released by Cigital, Inc. in conjunction with PokerStars, used data acquired from 103 million hands of Texas Hold 'Em played online in December of 2008. According to Cigital's report, more than 75 percent of the cases saw an outcome determined with no player even seeing more than his/her own cards and the community cards. Nearly 25 percent of the games witnessed a showdown where the cards were revealed to determine the winner, but only half of the showdowns were won by the player who had the best five card hand. The other half of the showdowns were won by someone with an inferior hand because the player with the best hand decided to fold prior to showdown.

Poker tournaments are held in cities across the country such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas Casinos, and Biloxi. The push with the results of studies like this might be greater penetration in other geographic markets. 

More Casinos Planned for Pennsylvania - This Time Near Pittsburgh

At a time when it would seem that most are stepping back for a second to evaluate the current economic landscape, many others, in many different states and jurisdictions across the country are still strongly pushing and considering the development of casino gaming. One such area is near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, specifically Washington County.

Opponents of the plan to build and develop gaming and casino businesses in and around the Washington County area point directly to the fact that now is not the time to, for lack of a better term, "gamble", on such high investment projects. Vocal opponents site the fact that blue chip markets such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas are performing very bad and have been doing so for some time. 

Proponents and local business leaders in the Washington County area and Pittsburgh Metro region refute these arguments saying that the casinos will usher in hundreds if not thousands of new jobs. Not to mention many highly anticipated off shoot businesses such as outlet stores, restaurants and other entertainment attractions. "It is far more likely that this move will significantly benefit the region with a ripple effect. Capital intensive projects such as these bring jobs to construction, followed by jobs created by the casino itself. We anticipate that the economic slow down will turn around relatively soon and we want to be ahead of the curve when that happens", commented a high ranking business person in the area. 

Another opponent of the plan cited the growth in legalization for casino gaming across the United States. Such growth dramatically impacts neighboring markets. What was once a unique and highly differentiated business strategy has grown to be almost a commodity to the consumer. 

The M Resort - Las Vegas' Newest Resort Gambles with a New Approach

The newest mega resort casino is set to open within the next week in Las Vegas. The name of this new resort is quite simply...the M Resort. This grand new resort property is located on a hill set on the corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard South. The only issue...well THE issue facing this magnificent structure is the harsh economic climate in which it is set to open and the massive price tag it took to build...to the tune of $1 Billion.

With the odds stacked against the M Resort, operator Anthony Marnell III insists that his property is set to succeed from day one of the official opening. Why? Marnell is betting on a whole new unique concept in operating his property. To begin, Marnell’s casino company is private. That is, no public financing, oversight or outside hands have a say in how the property is run. The funding was done with just one banker. Second, Marnell insists one of the biggest deficiencies with Las Vegas properties is the lack of customer focus. His solution, a detailed and precision hiring process that aims to screen out potential employees that don’t possess a high level of friendly personalities and once hired to put new hires through a rigorous multi-week training program. Third, he plans on owning each and every restaurant and eatery in the property, insisting that taking ownership will translate into superior operational efficiencies, create value-oriented menus and transfer cost-savings onto the resorts customers. The long and skinny, create an experience that is deep in customer service, personal relationships and value.

There are many that say such a vision is impossible to pull off in reality, while others concede that if such a feet can be accomplished the M Resort will be able to truly differentiate itself from the quagmire of the Las Vegas casino market.

Check out the official M Resort Las Vegas website for information about the property, player reward programs, entertainment and more. This writer is betting the M Resort has the right formula for success in this current economy to last a long, long time. 

The Mirage Resort Las Vegas - Take a Vegas Vacation Today

Out front of this grand property is situationed an “active volcano”. Yes and active volcano and what else could you expect from the wonder makers in Las Vegas. The volcano erupts at the beginning of every hour. If that isn’t enough the back area of the property has real dolphins swimming in a make shift lagoon. This is Steve Wynnn’s Mirage Resort Las Vegas. Wynn is one of the most prolific names in the gaming industry if not all of Las Vegas itself.

The Mirage comes with a staggering 3004 rooms and suites. The standards rooms at the Mirage include wonderful bedding plus a 42 inch flat screen television. The layouts are large and cozy . The guest suites are a touch above the standard rooms and offer guests three different styles to choose from, including the Mirage Suites, the Hospitality Suites and the Tower Suites. The Mirage suites come with oversized king sized beds, a jacuzzi and refreshment area. The Hospitality Suites come with one or two bedrooms that are separated from what could be the living quarters and have all the amenities of the Mirage Suites. Finally the Tower Suites are the creme de la creme of the suites offering large living areas for those that really enjoy the good life.

The Mirage Casino and Resort is full of great dining options and entertainment. You’ll be able to enjoy a simple cheesburger to an incredible and scrumptuous feast. The entertainment comes with headliners like Jay Leno, Kevin James and Ray Ramono. So the laughs will keep on coming.

Make arrangements to stay at this featured Las Vegas Casino hotel today and call (702) 791-7111 for more information.

A Time When Gaming is Declining All Over..

As I trod each day to read my various blogs of which I'm a member, in addition to the other pieces of media that I read to keep up to date on various specials, promotions, packages, shows, etc, for casinos across the world I'm amazed. My amazement comes from one thing. All of these publications are concentrating on one thing...The effect the failing economy is having on gaming. Whether I'm looking at a trade magazine, a blog or a local newspaper from one of the jurisdictions that fancy my interest the news is seemingly gloom and doom. A trend that is concerning, but worth discussing.

One of my recent posts talked about the issues in Atlantic City New Jersey. Atlantic City has seen numbers of gaming win fall to it's lowest since casino gambling was first legalized back in the 1970's. As I wrote in that post amazingly the infastructure of Atlantic City the very employees and politicians that count on the industry to support them almost seem to be biting their nose to spite their own face. Partly this is to blame for a push to a smoking ban, as I wrote, but dare I even say, a push to an Atlantic City that has no real definition. Why do I say dare I say? Mainly b/c Atlantic City, a city that is pushing a major and legalized vice is also fighting tooth and nail through police policy as well as newspaper and public relations to show that they are fighting against such things as, "the oldest profession in the world. I know, I know, how dare I. Issue is, let's get it straight, gambling is a vice. For God's sake they have a disclosure on the bottom of most ads for casinos saying, in small print mind you, "Gambling Problem Call 1800-XXX-XXXX. What's the confusion? I mean seriously.

The issues don't stop there. In reading more articles I can across a story that says that the gold standard, for lack of a better phrase, in the casino and gaming industry, Nevada, is reporting Gaming win down to results comprable to 2006 !!!

The story is the same in almost every jurisdiction one way or the other. The main issue is people don't have money. They are spending less. My biggest frustration is when I see things like in Atlantic City where the people that bare to get the most benefit from the industry are clipping their own wings.

One shining silver lining about all of this is with capitalism usually comes innovation. Further, innovation usually benefits the consumer. Look for more interesting packages, discounts and other cool things being offered by casinos across the country. My hope is that very soon I'll be able to be reporting about these soon and stop talking about the drag the gaming industry seems to be caught.

Till then, happy hunting.