It’s time for another all Vegas Friday and some of today’s topics include another failed B-Mo job interview, Dutch talking business at the buffet, the perfect sponsorship deal for TAI, and how to work smart, not hard at the Hard Rock pool.
The fellas also discuss the #16 property in the city, try to get a grip on the new vibe on the message boards, a new WSOP champion is crowned, and Tommy unearths another government conspiracy. Can you believe there’s a grown man named Winky?
Email: Brian Mollica brian@notiowa.com and Tommy Dutch tom@notiowa.com Give us a call 206-203-Iowa



F’ing A right Mollica! God DOES care if the Packers win every Sunday. Go PACK Go!
BMo/TD –
Thanks for your kind words about my little clip montage. I hope other loyal TAI fans have as much fun listening to it as I did putting it together (so many hilarious lines… it was hard to know when to stop).
Do you have a list of the properties you have already discussed on your list of the best in Vegas?
You continue to freak me out Fenn. With all this talk about Fight Club I’m beginning to think you are some manifestation of our personalities. No matter what we talk about, it seems to relate directly to you.
Play for Friday:
Cubs +115 over D-Backs
I like Brandon Webb a lot, but the Cubs are playing great ball right now, especially at home. D-Backs (as Dutch predicted) are beginning to fade a bit in the 2nd half. They lost 3 of 4 in Milwaukee and now travel to the Chicago without a day off to shake off the loss. I’ll take Marquis and the Cubbies.
Also, not an official pick because there is absolutely no value in it, but look for the Yanks to punish the D-Rays this afternoon with Gas Can Jackson on the mound.
Record: -118
Union servers in Vegas *start* at about $11.50/hour. Highest wage in the country. Tip well if you get good service, but don’t shame yourself or get shamed into it.
The only citation I could find was from 2004, and it mentions $10.14/hour. A long way from the $2.01 I made back in the day.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0603-09.htm
The compilation by Harris reminds me of the old “Best of BMo” SonInLawOfSam made back in the All-In days… good times.
On a different subject, I wanted to point out that I think Caddyshack is the best selection for best movie in the poll question. I’ll admit, it’s doesn’t have the greatest plot, in fact there’s not much point to the entire movie. However, I think that Caddyshack exemplifies everything TAI is about (with the exception of strippers): drunken debauchery, sex, drugs, gambling, etc… In fact, I think Caddyshack, whether voted “Best Movie of All Time” or not, should be the official TAI movie.
Btw, I wrote that last comment before the compilation was done… and then of course, BMo mentions exactly what I said…
That’s some hard core posting Stu, when you can’t even wait for a 3 minute song to be over before firing away.
I must say that info surprises me KGB. I have a buddy who’s a bartender and he makes minimum wage plus tips, and I thought he was getting a great deal. Apparently he’s getting hosed.
WOW, $11.50 an hour, that is a staggering $23,920 a year. i wonder how much those union servers tip the valets when parking their bentleys.
2005 per person median household income was $23,535, tip according to service level, but don’t be afraid to be generous to those that help make your stay in vegas or a meal a pleasurable one.
for monday’s show, you probably already know this, but looks like TD was right, The Stratosphere is the place for college and NFL football betting this year.
The “half-vigorish” special at the Stratosphere and related properties will again be offered on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to closing…
Here’s how it works: Bettors can risk, or “lay,” minus-105 (meaning $1.05 to win $1) on all NFL and college football games on that week’s board each Thursday instead of the standard minus-110 ($1.10 to win $1).
The promotion, which effectively reduces the house’s advantage by about half, applies not only to straight bets on individual teams, but also to over/unders, or “totals.” Reduced-vig promotions at other casino properties typically exclude totals, college games or both, making them less attractive for bettors.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2007/jul/20/566637949.html
I had the same thoughts as Scott J about “fyregirl”. Someone that had been involved in a big case and could be a stripper made me think of Sandy Murphy. However, it looks like Sandy has been too busy.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/8428057.html
Just wanted to welcome Hellyre9 to the grand waste of time that is our website. I had a feeling that ranking the Fiesta at #16 would get a lot of people scurrying through past episodes looking for answers. I’m sure someone will post that for you, unfortunately it won’t be me.
Also want to welcome 2632overrated to the site and thank you again for that montage. I garauntee you put more time into that piece than we have prepping the past 80 shows.
Finally, I think TrustNo1 has posted before, but I’m too lazy to check, so either welcome, or welcome back.
I miss Fyregirl……
hey there boys. Ask and you shall receive here I am. What’s new in the neighborhood? I listened to the show and wanted to say thank you for even having me on your mind enough to talk about me. I bet it’s all just a mystery. I wonder what all of you do? Not occupations I mean what do you do that makes you unique? I enjoy that banter that all of you have and have shared with me and can onl hope you’ll feel the same way after the show.
I’ll be honest BMo… I paused the show while I posted. I’m not THAT hardcore. I can’t focus my attention on the show and type at the same time. So I stopped in the middle of the compilation so I wouldn’t forget what I wanted to say before the show ended.
I gotta go with Trustno1…Murphy was the first person who popped into my head initally, but I quickly ruled her out as a suspect. If you’ve read Positively Fifth Street, she should be high on your radar screen. That douchebag Rick Tavish is from my old stomphing grounds, Missoula, MT.
I’ll throw that out as a suggestion for a top ten….Books. Patch aka O.G. Readmore wants to do a Top Ten Book List. Summertime is an excellent time to sit by the pool or beach and enjoy some reading. They may seem geeky, but many are filled with stories of deviant sex, gambling, violence and other debauchary.
Nice suggestion Nerdy McReads a lot. Once I’ve made it through 10 books we’ll take you up on it. As of now, I’m going with top 5 beers for the next show.
Harris, Nice work on the montage. Very well done and enjoyable. Suggest you change your screen name to 2632in2007HOFby98%Vote though. Screen name aside, your sound-bite work was very impressive.
Speaking of the HOF, its amazing that the guys like Rice, Garvey, Dale Murphy just seem to stay on this relatively small list of ‘bubbling under’ players for freaking ever. I wonder if they see it as ‘nice to be remembered’ or just an annual reminder that if they would have been able to do just a bit more they would have been immortalized.
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I support Patch’s top 10 book list idea. However, it is possible we have have a problem – I would put the over/under on average total number of books this audience could name at 6 (5 prior to Fennville’s book). I’m probably wrong though. I certainly pull the average down.
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BMO, best of luck in the interview with Fyregirl.
Fyregirl, enjoy yourself and don’t overheat our man BMO.
After listening to Tommy’s bit I will have to reevaluate my tipping policies.
I usually tip 20%-40% in restaurants (a higher percentage for the less expensive establishments) which seems to be within the guidelines, 20%-100% for cabdrivers (for a short trip I will usually double the fare), again within the acceptable amounts, but I am embarrased to report that I usually give the valets 2 or 3 dollars, well under the minimum $5, and nowhere close to Carrot Top’s $20. I will stock up on $5 bills for my upcoming trip.
On a side note, I gave a particularly hot Palms server $10 for a beer while playing video poker, only to never see her again for the evening.
i am a 20-25% percent tipper, but i too, only give about $2 to valets once when dropping off and again when picking up my car. $5 seems a bit excessive. Tommy was right on about tipping generousling the first time at the sportsbook. When dipper & joe were out here, we sat and drank at the Excalibur for almost 10 hours and only gave her tickets the first time. we took turns tipping $5 everytime she back with a round of 3 drinks and she couldn’t have been happier, she always made sure to ask us what we needed.
Slashdog’s probably dead on with thinking the listeners won’t know more than 5 literary titles, but let’s try anyway.
“uhhh let’s see….SuperSystem….Supersystem 2 that was good, ahhh….The Bible, that book where there’s pictures of Madonna blowing Vanilla Ice and Fennville’s book…that’s it, I’m cashed.”
Hellyre9 – I’m keeping a running forum tracking the ratings at the Friends of TAI site. You’ll find what you are looking for here: http://taifriends.ning.com/forum/topic/listForCategory?categoryId=724528%3ACategory%3A704
So what’s the general feeling on the impact of the NBA ref fixing games on sports betting in Vegas?
Good points on tipping Tommy Dutch…this coming from a guy who grew up in the stingiest tipping town in America. When my wife waited tables in Saugatuck, Sundays always sucked because the Hollanders (12 miles north for those not from WMich.) came down on Sundays to drink beer. You can drink hard liquor in Holland on Sun. but not beer or wine…hmmm.
75 degrees, clear skies and Lake Michigan is like glass. Headed out for salmon tonight.
I’m very upset that the El Cortez did not make the list and the Fiesta does. You guys are just missing the underlying beatuy of the El Cortez. You can get $0.99 cent brine shrimp cocktails anywhere. But, THREE kinds of cancer– c’mon that’s a Vegas hidden special- super sized…..
Let me get this story straight: A man who thinks the film adaptation of ‘Rent’ is the #16 best movie ever made and Cal Ripkien is the MOST overrated baseball player of ALL TIME walks (fairly drunk) into a strip club, has a coversation with an employee and it seems to have changed his life… Tommy, you never cease to amaze me.
I can’t wait to hear if the interview is “60 Minutes” or “Jerry Springer”
As far as tipping: I find that $1-2 works fine for a rental car at the valet. I’m sure if I rolled up in a pimped-out, low whip Hummer like Bmo or Carrot Top, I’d need to throw some serious coin.
Always tip the cocktail waitress big early and the $20 “tip” to the person at the hotel check-in desk is the best money you’ll spend
Bush reclaims powers after colonoscopy.
No real story, just a funny headline.
Dutch.
Edgar Martinez?
I actually looked in to a few things regarding KGB’s post on the high salary of the service industry. The word I failed to take into consideration was “union”. Unlike larger cities that run on union work, the union presence in the Vegas service industry is more the exception than the norm (this is according to some friends who work in the field here). So while there may be a hardcore union that ensures they’re members are taken care of, the majority seem to be at minimum wage or slightly above.
And while I agree with Dutch that we should be more generous in general if we can afford to be, I still base tips on service.
Fennville,
If you haven’t noticed my entire existence is about 180 degrees away from the stereotypical resident of that town 12 miles North of Saugatuck.
Patch,
I have a ton of respect for Edgar. He was a phenomenal hitter and notoriously underrated but I think he falls just short when it comes to the HOF. Personally I penalize him for being a D.H. as much as he was but give him props for being such a professional hitter while attracting little national attention. I wouldn’t vote for him but he’s another guy I would tip my cap to when he took the podium
That’s it…you’re dead to me Dutchboy. Just kiddin’ man. I thought you’re take on Edgar would be right about there. A fair assessment I’d say.
On the tipping tip, I usually kick down the 20% at a restaurant however….I don’t tip on TAX. I know many people don’t tip on alcohol and I think this is an excuse to be cheap. I may be deluding myself, but why do I have to pay a vig on sales tax. Short answer…I don’t. I tip 20% on the pretax total.
Also, I think we discussed this on All In, but I think it’s totally fair to reward horrible service with a “diss tip”. There’s a complete douchebag who mans the bar at the local horsetrack my brother and I frequent. Unfortunately, it’s about a 5k walk to avoid getting served by him. Therefore, everytime he acts up, which is virtually everytime….one of us slips a losing ticket into his tip jar. Ca$h that out JERK.
Tipping other items seems to be appreciated. One of my friends works for Stanley. We golf yearly at a nice course and he always gives the Caddy a nice tip and hands them a bag full of tools. They always act very surprised and very appreciative. I got a funny text from a high school buddy recently who mans a dive bar here in Seattle. It read simply, “Just got tipped in Weed!!!”. I guess it’s the small victories.
Play for Saturday
Phillies +105 over Padres
That’s right, I’m going with old man Moyer in this one. I really like the way Phili is playing lately. San Diego is a team that relies heavily on it’s pitching and hasn’t been successful in coming from behind. I’m hoping that with Fatty Wells on the mound, the Phils can put up a few early and stave them off for the rest of the game.
Record: -3
consecutive posts about tipping with weed and a fatty.
I think it’s time for lunch
Great montage Harris!
My prediction for the next property: The Paris. Tommy D feels bad about saying its just like being in France so knocks it down from his top 3, while Brian ranks it sort of correctly at 25.
Looking forward to Brian stuttering while trying to interview fryegirl..
Quick poll of the US listeners. Who is still playing online and how are you finding ways to fund accounts. I enjoy playing live, but have never played on line and gave up the thought once the legislation passed last year. However it seems that many are still finding ways to play. Any tips?
Great tipping stories Patch.
Still playing on Full-tilt. I’ve still got $ stuck in netteller and had no luck finding an acceptable way to deposit money on line.
So, I started playing freerolls and after a couple weeks took 2nd against 2,700 players and won a grand total of…………………………………. $12.
I’m proud to say that I’ve run that 12bucks up to a bit over $250 in the last 3 months (mainly playing 5/10 cent and 10/25cent no limit cash and $1-2 dollar SNGs.
In some ways, it’s given me much more patiences (knowing if I blow this $, I’m fucked)…..
Slashdog:
Slashdog
Getting money in is easy: a prepaid Visa Some work some don’t so test it with a smaller amount first. (All Acess brand works, Vanilla and Green Dot don’t)
Getting it out has been a bit more difficult, check is currently the only somewhat reliable method (I don’t trust the new electronic fund transfer methods lots of bad news on the 2+2 forum) The problem with checks is long delays in getting your money (over 6 weeks typically) and technically Banks shouldn’t cash them, but the checks are printed from a finance co. so no poker or gambling info on the check itself, so no horror stories on that front yet.
slashdogx,
I still have a couple online sportsbooks but am in the process of getting out. Since the demise of Neteller, I have funded them through Western Union. The sportsbook gives the name of a person to transfer the money to, and then they deposit into the my account in a matter of minutes. Very easy and no problems.
For withdrawals I have been getting checks sent via Fedex, again no problems. However, it looks like the U.S. government is not letting up on this issue, so I am getting out. Maybe in 10-15 years, it will be back, and regulated, but I’m afraid the easy money is gone for good.
I know it’s good to have connections in the Isle of Man for these transactions
Yeah we wash everyones money here. Pokerstars moved their head office here a while back.
I have to say that while it hurts the game to have the U.S gambling ban on most sites- it’s bloody great not being called a retard every 3.5 seconds
Hello gents,
Been listening to Brian for a couple of years now, and been a listener of TAI for a while too, thought I’d stop lerking and join in.
Interesting line on the tipping, here in the UK tipping is almost non exsistent, but being a resonably generous person I’ve allways tipped in resturants, the norm being around 10%.
I get over to the states a little and still use the 10% rule, although I may have to rethink this after listening to Tommy.
I was wandered why my food had that ‘street pizza’ smell!
All the best see you soon
Paul
I’m playing at Full Tilt and doing things pretty much the same as Aquaman. Whatever happened to the idea of finding a place to do a TAI online tournament?
Prediction for #15 casino – Paris
Thanks Auqa, Scott, Aqua, Train. The information is much appreciated. Dutch, your input was also appreciated, though much less helpful. Good bankroll story Pete. Whit, if I do sign up on-line, rest assured I will be the one on the receiving end of any retard comments.
Welcome Badshot. Where do you reside in the UK?
Play for Sunday:
Cubs -153 over D-Backs
Ok, I’m back in the black and hoping to stay that way. Zona stole a win yesterday after a late inning breakdown by Chicago, but I don’t like their chances today with Petit on the mound. He’s a guy that rarely makes it out of the 5th inning, and with a line up as hot as the Cubs are trotting out there, it could be much earlier.
Record:+102
In regards to the poker tournament, that is most definitely a go. It will more than likely be a monthly 1 table sit n go on Full Tilt. It will be for play money so we don’t have to have to deal with the bullshit, and a prize will be awarded for the winner (that is if you can beat Dutch and I! ahem…). Anyway, we’ll be starting a sign up list soon and awarding seats on a first come first serve basis. First one should be in August, but you never know, we’re bad at planning things.
Dutch,
Uhhh, that was quite apparent from the beginning. Quite refreshing. You’d do well down here in Fennville. It is a Be As You Are kinda place, without the pricetag of Saugatuck but only a six mile ride to enjoy all that jumpin’ town has to offer. Seriously, in ten years of living here, I have never seen Saugatuck as jam packed everyday as I have seen it this summer.
Paddrig Harringon who is “Action” Dan Harrington’s Cousin get’s it done at the British Open. Sweet.
Hello boys, how are you today? I just wanted to chime in and ask a few questions. Most of the topics you discuss are things I have knowledge of and if I was curious about something are you open to answering the questions of an amateur?
Second approximately how many of you listen to the shows?