It would be great if Sahara (or another room who wants more business) created a niche for themselves by doing things nobody else is doing. Maybe start a survey here or on Twitter asking what people want that isn't already widely available. Some ideas off the top of my head:
- Have Macau-style rules like no phones or other electronic devices allowed. This might attract more of the Asian tourists who are used to stricter rules to help prevent cheating. It would also make the games a lot more fun and less nitty. AND provide an excuse for someone who doesn't want to be on a phone leash (Honey, I was playing poker, they don't allow phones!). A lot of people want stricter rules like this but they aren't available here.
- Different poker variations (more limit Omaha, stud, pineapple, short deck, dealer's choice, 5-card draw, etc.), maybe with a set schedule so at least one day a week you know you can find that game in Vegas. Or have low-limit mixed games every day. (The mixed game at Wynn is a good start but if you don't get on the table when it opens you aren't getting a seat anytime soon.)
- Mandatory bomb pots, could even be done instead of blinds, like once every ten hands everyone puts in $3 for a bomb pot
- $1 Antes instead of blinds to create more action
- Play classical music or no music, or have set days of the week where you play certain genres and advertise the schedule. (One day has to be Frank Sinatra/Vegas classics!)
- Play a wide variety of TV channels (with closed captions on), not just sports
- Have the poker room completely enclosed with a good air ventilation system or positive air pressure pushing smoke away
- Free bottled water available at the podium without having to order from the waitress (limit two per person per day, more can be requested from waitress) (if you also give free bananas I'm there
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- Pay time instead of rake
- Pay dealers a better wage and advertise that tipping dealers is not expected, or maybe even not allowed
- Have different rules such as people are allowed to take money OFF the table if they win a big pot, as long as they keep at least the minimum buy-in on the table
- Have a ladies' night or tournament once a month. All are welcome to play but on that night ladies can feel more comfortable knowing there will be lots of other women there.
- Have a casino and hospitality industry employee night with a freeroll tournament (show badge for free entry) where the top five or ten percent win $100
- Have a free poker lesson night with play chips for 30 minutes once a week (Saturday at 6pm?)
Emphasis is NOT on making it profitable for pros, emphasis is on making it fun for the 95%-99% of people who lose at poker and consider it a hobby (especially low-stakes, almost no one is winning there).