INTRODUCTION

1. Slots At Venetian Macau
2. Slots At Venetian
3. The Venetian Casino Las Vegas
4. List Of Slots At Venetian
5. Youtube Winning Slots At Venetian

Without a doubt, Macau's most successful hotel/casino is the massive Las Vegas Sands flagship Venetian Macao resort. According to Wikipedia, it's the largest single structure hotel building in Asia, the sixth-largest building in the world by area and the largest casino in the world. Basically identical to the original one in Vegas, the Venetian was the first hotel in Macau to really focus on the entertainment side of the resort experience, featuring a Cirque de Soleil performance six nights a week and a packed slate of concerts at the Cotai Arena. The Grand Canal Shoppes is another can't miss attraction, full of gondolas and gondoliers, rich storefronts and roaming performers, it's like going from Macau to Venice in 30 seconds or less. Already a Macau landmark, The Venetian Macao (they spell Macau with an 'o') will turn five on August 28, 2012.

Not only that it offers over 1,200 machines, but it also gives you the opportunity to. Look no further than The Venetian Resort hotel and casino. With all of the most popular slot machine game choices, the casino floor is covered with the best, newest, and all the most popular progressive slot action. Over 1,800 slot machines to choose from.

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LOCATION

In the middle of all the action on the Cotai Strip, right between the Galaxy and the City of Dreams. A new Las Vegas Sands property, the Sands Cotai, is going up right across the road as well.

CASINO

When dealing with the largest casino in Macau, it's probably a lot easier to write the games they don't have as opposed to the ones they do. I think the only ones missing are Pai Gow, Yee Hah HiM, and EZ Baccarat. That's it. Every other table game, electronic table game, or Live Gaming machine known to Macau is available at the Venetian, along with over 2,000 slots. Minimums on the 300 tables roll between $200 or $300 all the way up to $2,000 in the high limit Ruby Room, while slots start at 0.02 and end at $100. As for the various game machines and Live Baccarat (which also includes Live Roulette and Live Sic Bo), their lows don't exceed $50.

All of the games are located in one huge square room behind the lobby, no doubt Macau's largest casino floor. Bar Florian is located right in the middle of all the action under the Great Hall and escalators that take you up to the Grand Canal Shoppes. Much like the lobby, the casino is very elegantly decorated, full of paintings, pillars, art and chandeliers. While the design is certainly top notch, its effect gets kind of dampened by the sheer size of the room and all the tables, lights, signs and slots. With so much to look at, I'm not sure how many people really notice the fish on the pillars or the five different kinds of chandeliers. Still though, you have to be appreciate Las Vegas Sands effort.

Drink service at the Venetian could probably use an upgrade and more staff. Getting a waitress is sometimes difficult, and there isn't much drink selection. Non smokers are taken care of though, with a large non smoking section by the entrance to Hotel Suites South. Lots of restaurants are accessible via the casino floor, in addition to one lounge that just welcomed Playboy Bunnies into the fold. These lovely ladies pretty much become the casino's main entertainment by default, since there is no performance stage per se, although ballroom dancing shows do sometimes happen outside Bar Florian.

GAMES

The Venetian is not only Macau's largest casino in terms of tables, but also in table games. Dragon Phoenix is Macau's newest game, opening in the summer of 2011, and can only be found at the Venetian.

Banking Three Card Baccarat — Although some tables have Three Card Poker written on them, it's not really Three Card Poker, it's Banking Three Card Baccarat. You'll know which tables they are fairly quickly because won't have Ante or Pairplus pay tables written on them as all Three Card Poker tables do in Macau. The same error is repeated at the Sands and in the Venetian's free guide book introducing the rules of different games.

To bank players need at least $5000, while minimum bets are $200.

Sands Stud Poker — Normal Caribbean Stud Poker with an important side bet variation. Instead of the side bet only being $25, players can bet $25, $50, $75, $100 or $125 each time. Flush, full house and four of a kind cash bonuses are then paid out in proportion to the side bet wager. Here's the Sands Stud side bet pay table.

Here is the full pay table.

• Flush: 40 for 1
• Full house: 60 for 1
• Four of a kind: 200 for 1
• Straight flush: 10% of jackpot
• Royal flush: 100% of jackpot

The Wizard says that because the player is not rewarded for betting more on a straight flush or royal flush, he should not be more than $25 on the side bet. He adds that at a $25 bet the jackpot turns positive at a meter of $6,727,631.58.

In an interesting twist, players can bet the side bet on the Dealer's hand as well, with all of the same rules still applying.

Finally, once every 15 hands or so, a lucky player on the floor will be selected and win 5 free side bet credits ($125), assuming he's been betting the side bet. And every 80 hands or so, a lucky dealer will be selected, and all the players who have been doing the side bet at that table will receive 5 credits.

I hope you're betting the Progressive when you do get your Royal Flush otherwise it's only a 50-1 win at the Venetian. (And a nothing win if the Dealer doesn't qualify. Wouldn't that just frost your cookies? You could have won 10 million yet it's only $300? Window. Open. Ledge. Jump. Repeat if necessary.) However, the Wizard disagrees with me, adding that unless the meter gets over 6.7 million, which it seldom will, it is a sucker bet and recommends you avoid it.

Craps — 3-4-5 odds.

Money Wheel — Game also available in popular machine format.

Slot Machines — Probably well over 2,000 slot machines. Minimums are from 2 cents to $100. As usual in Macau, most machines are under $1.

Texas Hold Em — 10 poker tables, blinds $10/$25, $25/$50 etc up to $200/$400. If all the players at the table agree to bet more, the $200/$400 limit can be exceeded.

Video Poker — I noticed Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker and Deuces Wild.

Other games: Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, Three Card Baccarat, Blackjack, Fan tan, roulette, sic bo, Three Card Poker, Dragon Phoenix.

MY OWN GAMBLING

Last summer I played quite a bit of baccarat at the Venetian and most of the time did pretty well. I can confidently say I probably won more than I lost the 8 or 9 times I went. As for Craps and Blackjack, however, that's a whole other story.

Drawing on all my experience then, I can say that away from the craps table not many dealers speak English, which surprised me a little. The Venetian draws a pretty large international crowd, but English service is not a priority. As for their personalities, some of the dealers are big time brick walls, while others are quite engaging. I remember this one 40 year guy who seemed legitimately upset he was pulling over so many Player 8 and 9's and taking my money every hand. At one point he just shook his head and motioned with his hand as if to tell me, leave the table man, leave the table, which I thought was nice. So generally speaking, you can't make any generalizations. Some dealers are into it, while others are bored out of their mind.

Baccarat is clearly the big show in Macau, obviously the big Asian game, and I don't recall ever playing with another foreigner at the table. It was just me and the Chinese, which could get interesting at times. Now even though I understand quite a bit of Chinese and can say a lot too, I never let on that I do when I play. I prefer to lay low and listen to what's said, especially if it concerns me. Invariably my style of play would get them talking, since I don't think they've ever seen anyone bet the Banker everytime as I do. Yes I am proud to say I've never made a Player bet in my life and never will. To me, it's a no brainer. It's like having White in chess or last at bats in baseball. Betting the Banker has the clear advantage. Anyway, because of that I heard a lot of stuff like, 'The foreigner doesn't look at the TV screen', or 'Boy he plays strange', or my all time favorite, this one 50 year old guy who asked everyone around him, asked the players, asked the Dealer, 'Does the foreigner know he can bet the Player too?' I mean he seemed really concerned about it. I thought that was pretty funny.

Sometimes of course my baccarat strategy backfired and I would be on the wrong end of a big run. The first thing I noticed playing Baccarat is that big runs happen a lot more often than in Blackjack. 8 wins in a row, 8 losses, it's nothing to bat an eye at playing baccarat. The biggest run I ever had was 17 straight Banker wins, which was amazing. By the time that run was over I had made a convert or two and for the rest of the day they bet as I did, on the Banker every time!

It's the Player runs that hurt the most though, especially when you're the only one going against everyone else, the only one who's got anything riding on the Banker at all. I remember this one time the Player had won seven hands in a row, and when something like that happens in Macau, word spreads. Before you know it there are 20 people at the table when there were only six before, and all you see are arms and more arms pushing through the mass to lay their bets. From box number 1 all the way to 9, the Player area just gets stacked and packed with rows of chips. And then of course there's me, the dumb foreigner, the only going against the grain, dutifully laying the table minimum on the Banker everytime.

One time on such run the losing got kind of personal. I had lost seven hands in a row, so I was frustrated, tired of losing, and only wanted to win. I wanted nothing more than to flip a 9 and collect my chips, and make the whole table lose, because hey, they deserved it. I had taken offense to some of them chanting 'face, face, face' every time I turned a card. It's one thing if it's the dealer who's flipping the cards, as they have no stake in the outcome, and if you want to chant then, then chant. But when it's another player, I think that's kind of rude. It's like getting into the face of the craps shooter and chanting 7, 7, 7 as they're shooting when you're playing the dark side. You can see how that might get a little bit annoying, especially if you roll a 7. To make matters worse, I began to see my Banker bet as more than just a simple bet. I began to see it as something much larger, something idealogical, like it was my understanding of the game versus theirs. I think I play correctly and they don't, and I wanted to prove it to the whole table. It's stupid I know, but that's how I felt.

So you can imagine my frustration losing an 8th time, a 9th, a 10th, and each time having to hear the big cheer that went up after I tossed another pair of faces back to the Dealer. After each loss I felt smaller and smaller, worse and worse, like I was two feet tall. I think after the 11th hand, it all finally and mercifully ended. There was no loud cheer, the crowd dispersed and things went back to normal. And I have to admit that I felt a huge sense of relief. While being on the wrong end of that run was both an uncomfortable and intimidating experience, most of it was brought on by my own competitiveness, hatred of losing, and need to prove something. It's not like the other people did that much wrong, they were just happy they were winning.

The last thing I'd like mention about my baccarat experience is that it taught me an important truth about the casino. I never really knew how much of an advantage it is for them to offer mindless games. Prior to this year, the only game I ever played was blackjack. And even though I just play basic strategy, after about 3 to 4 hours I start to get tired. I begin to have to think for a second, do I hit this 14 against a 6 or just stand? And when it reaches that point, I figure it's time to go home. But baccarat, on the other hand, man, I can play baccarat all day (and I have.) 12 hours, 14 hours, 16 hours, bring it on. Most casino games fall into baccarat's category too, since they also don't require any thinking at all on the part of the player. And when that happens they don't get tired and they can bet all day and all night to the casino's benefit. Pretty smart people, these casino operators.

PROMOTIONS

Promotions are pretty standard across all three Las Vegas Sands properties, the Sands, Venetian and Plaza. The identical player card is good in all 3 casinos, while member benefits are the same as well. Gamers start off with the free Gold Card, before moving up to Ruby after amassing 888 points and then finish off at the Diamond Card, which requires 8,888 points.

Las Vegas Sands keeps a tight lid on the rate of point accumulation for tables or slots, always saying it's calculated by computer, but I can tell you from personal experience that an hour spent at $100 tables nets about 1 point, and then it increases proportionately. An hour spent at $300 tables nets 3 points, $500 tables five points etc.

Member benefits are a little disappointing with the introductory Gold card basically only good for 10% discounts at Las Vegas Sands restaurants and bars. At the Ruby card level, it doesn't get much better, with members only seeing priority service check in and a bump up to 20% off at Las Vegas Sands F&B. All the best perks like complimentary hotel night, limousine service, free entertainment tickets and access to exclusive dining in VIP lounges are all contingent on the amount of rated play. Only at Diamond club do the perks become significant. Room upgrades, birthday gifts, and lounge access are all freely given to those members in addition to a 25% discount at Las Vegas Sands bars and restaurants.

When redeeming points, the Las Vegas Sands prize book is a top notch assortment of premium electronics, alcohol, jewellery and lifestyle accessories.

Technology

• Panasonic DMC-GF2C Digital Camera — 6,179 points
• IPad 2 with WiFi (32 gb) — 5,988 points
• Nokia X7-00 Mobile Phone — 3,835 points
• Samsung Q10 High Definition Camcorder — 2,879 points

Lifestyle

• Rimowa Topas Suitcase — 7,107 points
• BMW Men's Motorsport Jacket — 1,359 points
• Siglo Retro Brown Lighter — 709 points
• Dunhill Tubed Corona — 499 points

Luxury Products

• Seacraft Watch — 29,500 points
• Mayback Character II Sunglasses — 22,880 points
• Lacquared Gold Lighter — 15,000 points
• Crocodile Wallet — 2,350 points

Food and Beverage

• Louis XIII Cognac — 18,829 points
• Hennessy Paradis — 16,809 points
• Chivas Regal 25 years — 2,459 points
• Johnnie Walker Black Label — 289 points

Points can also be redeemed straight up for non-negotiable chips or match play vouchers with 1 point equalling 1 Hong Kong dollar.

VIP program

The Venetian dead chip program is the same as at the Sands and the Plaza.

Members play in the premium Paiza Club which houses all of the Venetian's VIP clubs. I checked out four of the private junkets, which return the following rates:

• Profit Luck — 1.05% cash back
• Sun City VIP — 1.05% cash back + 0.05% comp allowance
• Royal Fortune — 1.1% cash back
• Bo Yin VIP — 1.2% cash back

Current Promotions

Las Vegas Sands promotions lag a little behind what's found at Galaxy, Melco Crown and MGM properties.

Cash Pyramid Game Show — For two months, a daily draw is held where the winner may choose to quit immediately and pocket $8000, or proceed to play the game. The game has 5 levels in total and if the contestent can pass through all of them, they'll win $168,000. 1 draw ticket is available for every 3 points earned.

Treasure Hunt — Every hour random slot players will be chosen to receive $1000 slot bonuses.

24 Hour Points Promotion — Within 24 hours gamers who have accumulated enough points may redeem the following prizes:

• $50 dining coupon — 8 points
• Gold plated pack of playing cards — 18 points
• $150 dining coupon — 28 points
• $200 promotional chips — 38 points
• $300 HKD reward dollars — 68 points
• $600 HKD promotional chips — 98 points

Ferry offer — Members who bought a $128 HK-Macau ferry ticket can redeem a free Macau-HK ferry ticket if they accumulate 6 points within a 24 hour period.

For Ruby and Diamond members, they score a free ticket anytime after accumulating 28 points.

HOTEL

I was expecting a much larger lobby, but don't color me disappointed. I haven't seen anything like the Colonnade since I actually was in Italy. With all the time and detail that must have went into painting the roof and finishing all the sculpture and trim, the Venetian lobby looks like it belongs to another century.

By far Macau's largest hotel, the Venetian offers 3000 suites, at rates much lower than I expected. For $1757 midweek, that's about what you pay for rooms on Macau island at much inferior hotels like Grand Emperor or Starworld.

These low rates get even lower if you book in advance. Reservations made 30 days prior results in 20% off, while 14 days before saves 10%. A number of different packages are listed online all year long too, so be sure to check those out before you book, especially if you're a fan of shopping or spas.

With adult endeavours pretty much limited to gaming and drinking in the two bars, the Venetian is probably Macau's most family friendly resort. Pamphlets around the property always remind parents to watch their kids and there's also a child care service available if they need to get away for a few hours.

Suite prices are listed in HKD, not including 15% for tax and service fees.

There are also two types of Paiza club suites available, both coming with free limo service and exclusive check in at the Paiza club reception. Reservations can only be made via email or telephone so I don't know how much those suites are, or if non Paiza club members are allowed to book them.

POOL

They're hard to get to, these pools. First you have to find the South Suites then take the elevator to the 5th floor. From there follow the signs which take you past the Qube down an impossibly long hallway. Once you reach the end your reward is yet another elevator that brings you down to the first floor.

At least the long trip is worth it. The Venetian has four pools, most of good size, along with a few heated Jacuzzis. One pool is for children only, another for adults while the other two take all comers. Poolside cabanas are available for rent and come with a fruit platter, 42 inch plasma TV, and telephone. What surprised me most is that they're also air conditioned! Not too expensive, the cabanas cost $300 for 4 hours of use or $600 for 8.

The swimming pools are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.

RESTAURANTS

With all the restaurants at the Venetian I think it would take a month to try them all, especially if you include the ones in Festiva food court. For this review, I've only included the main eateries, dividing the list between International and Chinese fare.

International And Western

3 Monkeys — It's hard to find a menu more varied than this.

• Appetizers: $30-$95
• Steak: $280-$350
• Salad: $45-$105
• Asian: $105-$150
• Sandwiches: $85-$105
• Pasta: $120-$180
• Burgers: $105-$195
• Pizza: $105-$150
• Mexican: $95-$300
• Desserts: $60-$80

3 Monkeys is located in St Mark's Square in the Grand Canal Mall and is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily.

Blue Frog Bar & Grill — Combination restaurant/lounge, Blue Frog Bar & Grill is open from 7 am to 2 am daily.

• Pasta: $88-$128
• Main course meat dishes: $148-$198
• Rice/Noodles: $68-$138
• Desserts: $58
• Steak: $268-$348
• Set lunch meals: $88

Blue Frog is located directly opposite the Cotai Arena beside Cafe Deco. Shop number is 1037.

Cafe Deco Macao — Open 24 hours, Cafe Deco also has a buffet. Current drink special is 2 for 1 between 5:30 and 8:30 pm.

• Breakfast buffet: $193
• Curry: $78-$148
• Asian: $65-$228
• Other international: $62-$258
• Hamburgers: $118-$138
• Beers: $50
• Pizza: $138-$158
• Cocktails: $60

Cafe Deco is shop 1036, and is located across from the Cotai Arena.

Fogo Samba — Brazilian eats at Fogo Samba.

• Appetizers: $48-$68
• Pasta: $92-$98
• Soups/Salad: $42-$89
• BBQ Skewers: $165-$198
• Burgers: $98-$108
• Buffet: $368/$388

Fogo Samba is located in St Mark's Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Hours daily are from 7 am to 11am (breakfast), 12 pm to 4pm (lunch), and 6 pm to 11:30 (dinner).

McSorley's Ale House — Pub type place is half bar and half restaurant. A couple of specials include: $128 for a bacon cheeseburger with coke, $148 for a bacon cheeseburger with a Carlsberg, and $148 for steak and a beer.

• Soup and salad: $78-$98
• Beers: $50-$62
• Pub fare: $98-$135
• Hard stuff: $50-$80
• Hamburgers: $98-$115
• Wine: $55-$60, bottles $280-$620.

They also have quite a few TV's tuned into international sports events. McSorley's Ale House is Shop 1038 and can be found around the corner from the Cotai Arena.

Madeira Portuguese Restaurant — More expensive eats at Madiera.

• Main course: $128-$438
• Rice: $118-$298
• Salad: $88-$188
• Meat dishes: $148-$176
• Soup: $50-$78
• Everything else: $100-$138

Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at St. Mark's Square, Madiera is open from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and closes an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.

Morton's of Chicago — American steakhouse will have you reaching for your American dollars when it's time to pay the bill.

• Appetizers: $145-$210
• Steaks: $558-$1336
• Salads: $110-$120
• Side dishes: $75-$105
• Prime Ocean Platters: $1305/$1335

Also has an extensive drink menu at above average prices.

Morton's is open from 5:30 pm to 11 pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 5 pm to 10 pm on Sundays.

Portofino — Portofino has tables outside overlooking the pool. Prices are much lower than you'd expect for an Italian joint.

• Appetizers: $100-$140
• Pasta: $140-$220
• Salad: $90-$120
• Grill: $200-$300
• Soup: $75/$130
• Pizza: $120-$170

Lunch hours are from 11 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Sunday, while dinner goes from 6 pm to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 6 pm to 12 am Friday and Saturday. Portofino is shop 1040 and can be found next to the ZAIA Theatre.

Asian

Bambu — All day buffet dining at Bambu. They mostly do Chinese and Southeastern Asian cuisine.

• Breakfast Buffet (7am - 10am): $168/$84 (3-12 yr old children)
• Lunch Buffet (11am - 3pm): $198/$94 (3-12 yr old children)
• Dinner Buffet (6pm - 10pm): $258/$119 (3-12 yr old children)

Bambu is shop 1033, located in the hallway between the West lobby and the casino.

Canton — Mostly serves Cantonese food (surprise!), but other mainland styles are also available.

• Appetizers: $48-$138
• Seafood: $128-$220
• Birds Nest, Shark's Fin,
• Abalone: $188-$800
• Meat: $80-$320
• Rice/Noodles: $68-$180
• Vegetables: $70-$120
• Sichuan: $70-$280
• Dumplings: $70-120
• Beijing: $50-$480

Hours are from 11 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 11 pm daily. On Saturday nights they stay open until 12 am. Shop 1018 on the hotel map, it's located close to the casino floor and Morton's Steakhouse.

Edo Japanese Restaurant — Popular Japanese chain has identical prices at every branch resturant.

• Sashami and sushi: $35-$300
• Hot pot: $420
• Salad: $80-$150
• Ramen: $98-$138
• Grilled fare: $90-$160
• Teppanayaki: $190-$430
• Rice with soup: $230-$480
• Teppanayaki set meal: $780/$880

Shop 2311, Edo Japanese Restaurant is located in the 3rd floor Grand Canals shopping mall. Hours are from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm Sundays to Thursdays. On Fridays they close an hour later at 12:30 am.

Imperial House Dim Sum - The nice people at Imperial Dim Sum gave me a menu to take away. Cantonese all the way, they stay open 24 hours Saturday to Monday. From Tuesday to Friday hours are from 10 am to 2 am.

• Dim Sum: $28-$38
• Coffee/Tea: $25
• Main Dishes: $45-$108
• Soft Drinks: $30
• Barbecue: $70/$90
• Juice: $35
• Congee, Noodles, Rice: $45-$62
• Beer: $45
• Desserts: $38/$438
• Chinese Wine: $195-$1680/bottle.

Imperial House Dim Sum is located in the casino.

Lei Garden — Cantonese restaurant with typically priced a la carte selections. The set meals for 10, however, are out of this world, going for $5988, $6988 or $9988.

• Appetizers: $28-$48
• Soup: $118
• Shark's fin: $218-$818
• Sauteed Delicacies: $98-$168
• Bird's Nest: $278-$528
• Barbecue: $88-$138
• Abalone: $298-$2988
• Vegetarian: $78-$98
• Chef's Recommendations: $108-$198
• Dessert: $28

Lei Garden is Shop 2130 in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Hours are from 11:30 am to 3 pm in the afternoon and from 6 pm to 11:00 pm in the evening.

North — Excellent Northeastern Chinese cuisine at the recently opened North restaurant.

• Cold dishes: $38-$68
• Dumplings: $36
• Soup: $38-$58
• Noodles: $62
• Hot Pot: $38-$138
• Pan fried buns/bread: $38-$98

North is accessible via the casino.

Old Neptune Restaurant — Mainly serves Cantonese noodles and porridge.

• Shark's fin tossed noodle: $498
• Other noodles: $62-$108
• Abalone tossed noodle: $648
• Set meals: $368-$1298
• Braised egg noodle: $368
• Congee: $60-$138

Old Neptune is shop 1032, located in the hallway between the West lobby and the casino.

Slots At Venetian Macau

Red Dragon Noodles — Soup, porridge, and noodles at Red Dragon.

• Noodles in broth: $55/$63
• Congee and rice: $38-$70
• Signature soup noodles: $55/$58
• Desserts: $38

Located on the casino floor, Red Dragon only closes on Mondays between 2 am and 10 am.

HEALTH CLUB/SPA

These facilities aren't as good as I expected them to be, but maybe that's because I expected the best from the Venetian on all fronts. While the gym is nothing to complain about, you won't go crazy over its size or equipment either. I definitely pictured something larger and more modern, but it's still good enough.

Located on the 8th floor, V Gym is open from 6 am to 11 pm daily.

Spa facilites on the other hand are an outright fail. They are without question the Venetian's biggest black mark. Guests get no free access to a sauna, steam room, ice shower or anything. Instead they must pay money at the Malo Clinic and Spa to enjoy any of that action.

The Malo spa's treatment list is extensive with rates in line with other spas at premium 5 star hotels. Wellness Journeys are the most expensive services, running $1500 to $3888, while massage ($488 to $980), facials ($800 to $980), body wraps ($600 to $800) and beauty essentials ($350 to $480) all mostly stay under $1000.

The spa also doubles as a medical clinic offering a wide range of medical checkups for $2000 to $12000. They'll take a look at everything, from blood to kidney function, cardio evaluation to cancer screening.

Malo Clinic and Spa is located on level 5. The clinic is open everyday from 9 am to 7 pm (except Sunday) while the spa keeps hours daily from 10 am to midnight.

ENTERTAINMENT

Maybe Macau doesn't have that much entertainment because it's all at the Venetian?

Compared to the City of Dreams, my mailbox gets inundated 5 to 1 with Venetian promos and advertisements, especially for Cotai arena musical acts.

Zaia — 90 minute Cirque de Soleil stage performance is the Venetian's headline act. It tells the story of a young girl who journeys into space and learns the beauty of humanity. I haven't seen it yet but should probably check it out next time. When I do, I'll give a full report. Tickets range from $388 to $788 for adults and $194 to $394 for children. If you prefer the VIP option, it's a straight $1,288 for all. Zaia usually runs 6 nights a week, off only on Mondays, with start time at 8 pm. They also take week long breaks at times so check the schedule online.

Ice World — Every winter in Harbin they have the famous Ice Exhibition, where crowds of tourists brave -20 degree Celsius weather to hem and haw at the amazing array of colossol ice structures. Venetian used that same idea for their indoor Ice World which features famous Macau sites like the ruins of St Paul and the Guia Lighthouse, along with the Wonders of the World (ie the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal.) 40 artisans used chainsaws, knives and shovels to cut the 9,000 blocks of ice used to make the sculptures. Temperatures inside are a positively frigid -15 degrees Celsius so hooded coats are provided for guests. Tickets cost $100.

The Manchester United Experience — As a North American I'm culturally obligated to marginalize soccer and soccer players. You've heard it before, I'll say it again, the reason why there are so many soccer riots is because fans are so bored out of their skull that they decide go bash a few just for something to do. Chinese certainly like soccer a lot more though, so they probably have more interest than I in entering the dressing room, lifting the Treble trophy, or training with the team.

Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes, hours are from 10 am to 11 pm (Sunday to Thursday) and from 10 am to 12 am (Friday and Saturday).

Grado 18 Holes Mini Golf — The golf course is very disappointing. First off, there's no obstacle course, windmills or any traps at all to befuddle the players. Instead it's all flat green. The course is also very confusing making it difficult to navigate. I guess that's why it's so cheap, only $50 for 1 hour.

Located on the 7th floor the golf course is open from 10 am to 6 pm.

Qube — Designed for children aged 1 to 17, this 9000 square foot playground offers rainbow slides, over under barriers, zig zag net climbers, Chuck E Cheese pool ball areas, as well as PCs and video units. Themed birthday parties are also available.

Qube costs $90 for the first 2 hours, then $50 for every hour after that. On the weekends the first two hours cost $100.

Located on Level 5, Qube hours are from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm daily.

Gondola Rides — 51 serenading gondoliers will take you for a ride through the Grand Canal Shoppes or around the hotel on the outdoor lagoon. Tickets cost $108 per ride for adults and $58 for children.

Cotai Arena — The Cotai Arena is home to a who's who of Asian star power. In the past year, Jenny Love, Rain, George Lam, Alan Tam and GEM all brought their unique talents to the Venetian stage. There was also a US Pro Ball Asian tour last October starring 1990 All NBA greats like Pippen, Penny, Rodman and the Glove Gary Payton. I hope they provided two trainers for each player because I could hear the hammies tearing from here.

BARS

There are two bars at the Venetian whose main business is beverages and not food.

Bar Florian — Situated smack dab in the middle of the casino floor, Bar Florian is home to drinks and dancers. I saw quite an impressive ballroom dancing display put on by six professionals that really turned some heads. At most other casinos in Macau a show like that would be the highlight of their entertainment. At the Venetian though, it hardly registers.

Beers at Bar Florian go for $47, wine $55 to $148, and most hard stuff is $50 to $175. Mocktails come in at $50 while other non-alcoholic beverages are $30 to $40. As for food, the only thing they have to eat is $38 cake.

Bar Florian is open 24 hours.

Bellini Lounge — The Playboy Club at the Sands lasted a year, if that, but the Bunnies have landed softly at Bellini Lounge. Every night from around 10 pm, 7 or 8 of them emerge decked out in their Bunny Dress, to serve drinks, take photos with guests, and drink with them too if that's what they want. About one tenth the size of the defunct Playboy Club, Bellini Lounge seems too small of a venue to waste such premier talent in. With live music at night and a little dance floor, we'll see how long this incarnation lasts.

Prices at Bellini remain as they were before. Beers are $47, glasses of wine $60 to $148 and harder shots $45 to $60. For those with more refined taste martinis run $55 while glasses of cognac are $60 to $1800. Wow, that had better be some top notch cognac for $1800 a glass. I currently drop $1800 for a bottle and think I'm someone. Non alcoholic beverages, finally, are $36 to $40.

Located on the casino floor, Bellini Lounge keeps hours from 4 pm to 4 am Mondays to Fridays and from 2 pm to 4 am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Slots At Venetian

SHOPPING

It's something else altogether being up on the Venetian's third floor in the Grand Canal Shoppes. The pictures tell a better story than me, so enjoy. In addition to all the boats and bold storefronts, the concourse is home to jugglers, mimes, stilt walkers and living statues. I think the Wizard has a job there too whenever he wants, after his mad juggling skills caught the eye of a passing suit in 2009.

With over 300 stores, the Grand Canal Shoppes will have what you're looking for, especially if you're in the market for clothes, jewellery, or beauty accessories. Luggage, medicine and electronic outlets are all readily available as well.

The Grand Canal Shoppes are open from 10 am to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 10 am to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

SUMMARY

An exercise in excess, the Venetian Macao has the most restaurants, entertainment, tables, table games, suites, shops and probably visitors too. It's safe to say that the resort has become a tourist attraction in itself. You got to stop by, if only just to check it out.

Should you have designs on staying longer, that's not a bad idea either. With suites the same prices as rooms in other premium Macau hotels, you really can't go wrong, especially when you consider everything the Venetian has to offer.

QUICK FACTS

• Venetian Macao
• Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca, s/n,
• Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China
• Tel: +853 2882 8888
• Email: inquiries 'at' venetian.com.mo
• Numbers of Suites — 3000
• Number of Tables — 601 (including VIP)
• Number of Slots — 2000

Hotel Reservations — Toll Free Numbers

• China (Applicable for both fixed line and mobile phone): 4001 20 8822
• Hong Kong: 001 80000 800 222
• India: 000800 100 7952
• Japan Landline: 010 80000 800 222
• Japan mobile phone or payphone: 001 010 80000 800 222
• Singapore: 001 80000 800 222
• Tel: +853 2882 8877
• Fax: +853 2882 8823
• Email: room.reservations 'at' venetian.com.mo

Entertainment and Ticketing

• Tel — +853 2882 8818
• Website — www.cotaiticketing.com
• Email — enquiries 'at' cotaiticketing.com

Here are lots more photos of the Venetian sent to me by others.

Link to the official Venetian Macao web site.

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• Factoid: Most large Las Vegas hotel-casinos have more than 2,000 slot machines.
• Factoid: The slot machine was invented in 1895 by Chares Fey in San Francisco.

It is not accidental that two-thirds of every casino is littered with row-upon-row of slot machines of every type imaginable. The reason is that they provide the most profit to a casino ...and billions of dollars in tax revenue to the state. (The state of Nevada collects a $250 annual tax plus a $20 quarterly license fee per slot machine plus a percentage - about 5% - of gaming revenue.)

Slots account for more revenue to a casino than all other gambling games combined. Their formula for success is simple. They make money by paying out less than they take in. They are popular because players don't need any gambling knowledge and slots require only a very small bet. There are more than 200,000 slot machines in Las Vegas.

Most slot machines work the same way. The player pulls a handle or presses a button to spin a series of reels (typically three) that have pictures printed on them. You win when certain combinations of pictures line up with a pay line in the middle of a viewing window. The payout depends on which pictures land along the pay line. Some machines have multiple pay lines. A pay table (chart) tells you the amount of the payout. It is usually found on the front of the machine, above or below the area containing the wheels. While you can lose your money faster, the payout percentages are always better if you bet the maximum amount of coins on each “pull.”

All slot machines in use today in casinos are electronic (computerized) rather than mechanical. As a general rule, reels, handles, sound effects and other attributes are there to make them appear to be like older, more familiar, mechanical machines.Themed slot machines that require the manufacturer to pay a license fee (such as one named after a movie star, cartoon character, TV show, etc.) generally have lower payouts since the additional cost must be recouped. So stick with the traditional machines (such as the Double Diamond, Blazing 7s, and Red, White and Blue) that pay back more.

As a general rule, slot managers place their most popular - and best paying - machines in areas that generate excitement - such as near the front entrance and other high traffic areas. Some popular slots - such as nickel machines - are placed in the rear of the casino to get people to walk to the back. High payback machines are also sprinkled throught the casino floor.

Be aware that the higher the cost per 'handle pull,' the higher the payout. According to one industry insider, the so-called 'hold percentage' on the Las Vegas Strip averages 11% for nickels (that is, 89% is paid back), 6.5% for quarters, 4.5% for dollars, and 3.5% for five dollars and above. (The Nevada Gaming Control Board has a slighty different figure. See below.)

The payback percentage for Las Vegas (and all Nevada) slot machines are a known factor. Because they are taxed, all machines are strictly controlled and keep track of 'coin in' and 'coin out' which, overall, is a matter of public record. Manufacturers program each machine to payback a specific percentage which is based on a span of ten million handle pulls! Any slot can (and does) pay out more or less over a shorter period. It might pay out 400% today ...or 20% for a week.

A good website on slot machine gambling is located here ... and they have no advertising whatsoever.

The newest wrinkle in slot machines is coinless slots. They use bar-coded paper tickets instead of coins and are known as “ticket in/ticket out” ('TITO') machines. The traveling coin gal (and coin cups) are fast becoming a thing of the past. You feed bills and get paid in vouchers which are redeemed at the cashier’s cage. Don't forget to redeem the tickets! Some have expiration dates on them.

Although poker machines have been around since 1964, video poker did not become popular until 1979 when International Game Technology (IGT) introduced its electronic “Draw Poker” machine. Video poker adds the element of skill and players are given decision-making options that regular slots don’t offer.

Video poker slots work the same way as regular rotating wheel machines. Instead of a reel, they have changing playing card images. They are generally based on five-card draw poker.

A series of five cards are generated from a freshly shuffled 52 card deck for each play and shown on the screen. The player discards some (or all of the cards) and replacements for the remaining cards are drawn. While you are deciding which cards you want to hold, the remaining 47 cards are constantly shuffling. After you decide and hit the button again, the cards stop shuffling and the x-number of cards you need to fill your draw hand come off the top and occupy the vacated positions.The objective is to get the best poker hand. Again a chart indicates the amount of the payout.

The most basic version pays on two jacks or better, but there are variations, such as “wild” cards.

All video poker is not alike. Be certain you are playing a “full pay” game which pays out 99.5% of incoming coin. They are known as a “9/6 JoB” machines – which stand for a payout of 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush with one coin inserted. (JoB stands for “Jacks or Better.”) The paytable for a full-pay or 9/6 JoB machine looks like this:

A casino can tighten a Jacks-or-better video poker machine by simply paying out less for a full house and flush. The most common way that a casino increases it's win is to pay only 8 for the Full House and 5 for the Flush. This is a short-pay 8/5 machine. The casino keeps an extra 2.2% on these machines.

A “10/7 DB” video poker machine (Full House=10 coins, Flush=7 coins) is better yet Payout (when played perfectly and max-credits) is 100.1%. Double Bonus Poker (DB) is a variation on video poker in which the payout for two pair is reduced from two to one in exchange for greatly increased payouts for other hands ...like a payout of 4000 for a Royal Flush.

The best place to play video poker is downtown or at such off-strip properties as Sam’s Town. A great video poker website is VideoPokerReview.com.

A couple of playing hints: Never keep a high card kicker with a pair; draw three cards. Hint No. 2: Always go for the Royal Flush if you have four of the five needed ...even if it means giving up a high pair. The odds are one in 52 that you will hit the needed card ...and Royal Flushes pay up to 4,000 to one if you put in the maximum number of coins.

All slot and video poker machine models are tested by the state of Nevada to be certain that all results are based on a random number generator (RNG.) A new machine can’t be introduced until it meets all state regulations and technical standards. Because gross revenue is taxed, every machine keeps track of the money paid in and the winnings paid out.

Winning at slot machines is pure luck. And there is no such thing as a machine being “ready to hit.” The chances of winning never change whether it is the first or one hundredth pull. And a machine that hasn't paid recently is not due to win.

While winning combinations are determined on a totally random basis, the overall payback percentage is set on a standard machine. A casino tells the slot machine manufacturer what percentages it wants specific machines to pay back and that amount is programmed in. So, some machines are “looser” than others over the long haul.

The payback percentage is determined by state-approved computer chips which are installed by the manufacturer. The RNG in these microchips continuously generate hundreds of randomly chosen numbers every second the machine is on ...even when not being played. Each number corresponds to a set of symbols on the wheel. There are many approved chips for every machine type and the chip can be changed by casino technicians to “tighten” or “loosen” the machine payout. But this is hardly ever the case. It is easier just to change out the machine programmed by the manufacturer.

The state of Nevada requires that every machine pay out a minimum of 75 percent of the money it takes in. Due to competitive pressures, however, the overall payout percentage is much higher. Slot machines are typically programmed to pay out around 82 to 98 percent of the money that goes into them as winnings. Most pay around 92 to 96 percent ...certainly not the worst bet in the house. (Don’t be taken in by casinos that advertise winnings of “up to 99 percent.” They might only have one machine out of 2,000 set to pay that rate.) Hint: Playing the maximum coins always pays more per “coin-in” and reduces the house advantage.

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, $1 slots pay out an average of 95 percent of receipts. (25 cent slots pay back an average of 93 percent, 5 cent machines: 90 percent.) And where you play the slots makes a difference. The payout on machines located on the Strip is about one or two percent lower than downtown or other off-strip properties ...a fact well known by the locals. Hotel-casinos frequented by Nevada residents on a regular basis (such as Sam’s Town) pay better than tourist hotels whose guests are there for only three days.

The newer and more luxurious hotels, have the poorest overall slot payout ...especially on under $1 machines. The poorest then would be the Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay and new Wynn Las Vegas. The best paying slots on the Strip are the older properties on the North Strip. Generally, avoid slots at the airport, convenience stores, restaurants and “restricted” operations ...that is, those with less than 15 machines.

The Venetian Casino Las Vegas

Many veteran slot players believe that the loosest (best paying) machines are located in high traffic areas, such as near elevators, buffets, aisles, showrooms, registration areas, etc. Theoretically, frequent payouts are good advertising and entice others nearby to play. Typically, slot machines with a similar payout percentage are grouped together in the same area. In any event, the payback percentages on Nevada slot machines are the highest of any state ...and probably the highest of any country in the world.

Progressive slots are exactly what their name implies; with each bet made, the jackpot grows. Progressive jackpots (such as Nevada's “Megabucks”) can pay astronomical amounts ...always in the millions of dollars. Their payout system is different from a standard machine and steadily increases as players put more money into it. To get the high jackpot, multiple machines and casinos are linked together to form one giant payout. Just about every Las Vegas casino participates in Megabucks.

The cardinal rule is to always play maximum coins at a progressive machine since they only pay the top jackpot if you bet max. Megabucks is a $1 slot so you must play 3 coins ($3.00) to hit the jackpot. When someone wins, the jackpot is reset to a starting value ...$7 million for Megabucks.

In the long run, the chances of winning a progressive jackpot are very, very remote and the overall payback is much lower than the standard $1 machine. Statistically, they are a very poor bet. In the short run, however, anything can happen and the “Megabucks” jackpot does get hit by someone about twice a year. (The odds of winning are one in 50 million.) The payout averages more than $10 million each time it does. It might be worth one $3 play.

Most casinos offer free memberships in “slot clubs.” They exist to attract, reward, and ultimately retain slot players. You join at the casinos slot booth and get a membership card - otherwise known as a “comp card” (as in “complimentary.”) It looks like a plastic credit card. The purpose of these clubs is to keep players from wandering from one casino to another. The card tracks your play and are the Vegas equivalent of frequent flier miles.

Whenever you sit down at a slot machine, insert the card in the slot at the top of the machine. At a table game, you give it to the dealer or the floorman. The machine (slots) or casino personnel (table games) then keeps track of how much you bet and how long you have played. A word to the wise! Never place your handbag on the floor when you are playing the slots. Keep it in sight at all times.

There are two schools of thought about applying for slot card membership. One is to apply for as many as you can because you will get a sign-up bonus prize on the spot for enrolling ...sometimes even a little free 'match play' gambling money to get you started. Joining a player’s club also identifies you as a gambler and gets you on their mailing list of upcoming offers. There are dozens of different slot clubs in Las Vegas.

The second theory is to concentrate your gambling - even if it is conservative - on one casino. You won’t get any “comps” (free meals, rooms, upgrades, shows or other offers) with just a few points at a dozen casinos. But they will add up when you gamble using a single slot card.

My recommendation is, at the minimum, to apply for Players Club membership at the two largest Las Vegas casino operations: MGM Mirage and Harrahs Entertainment. This way you can gamble at many of their owned casinos and still receive credit toward on your card. MGM Mirage recently merged with the Mandalay Bay Group. And Harrahs recently acquired Caesars Entertainment, Inc. These two companies will soon control nearly two dozen of the largest hotel-casinos ...about half the hotel rooms on the Strip.

Slot tournaments can be fun, take no skill to play and are offered at many casinos to their slot club members ...some by invitation only. The idea is to get the most “credits” by continually pushing the slot’s spin button. Sometimes the contest is free to enter ...but usually there is a small ($10 to $25) entry fee. The people who get the top scores wins a prize ...sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars. Participants frequently get freebies and offers (sometimes worth more than the entry fee) just for entering the tournament.

The rules are simple. Generally you are assigned a certain machine, a time to play and a beginning amount of “credits” which must be played during a specified time period. For example: you might get to play a beginning 1000 credits in 15 or 20 minutes. The tournament is managed by casino personnel and there can be several tournament sessions to accommodate all who want to play. Many tournaments have hundreds of participants.

You just keep tapping the maximum bet button as fast as you can. Three credits are deducted each time. The machine has a special meter that keeps track of winning credits which can not be replayed. At the end of the time period, the machine locks up and play is over. An important objective is to use all your credits since they are lost if you do not. After you finish playing, you wait at your machine until a tournament official comes by and records your score. The scores on the winning meters determines the winners. It is that simple.

Slot tournaments are held in certain designated casino areas on specially programmed and outfitted machines that generate many more jackpot combinations than normally the case.

List Of Slots At Venetian

One advantage of a slot tournament is that you know ahead of time that your maximum loss will be the amount of the entry fee. (You should probably avoid the slot tournaments that have large entry fees ...those more than $100!) Winning them is totally pure luck ...the only skill needed is to be able to push the spin button quickly.

Youtube Winning Slots At Venetian

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