Quote:
Originally Posted by TheFly
I think the point is that normal maintenance at the Rio is now being deferred. The four urinals and several toilets in the main Men's room next to Pavillion were covered and out of service for literally the entire WSOP.
The escalator leading down from the Mezzanine level of Masquerade Village was out of service for the entire WSOP.
These are normally things that a robust thriving business would have repaired and fixed ASAP.
I imagine with Caesars operating while in bankruptcy, the expenses are closely monitored, either that or Caesars just doesn't give a crap about the Rio property anymore, it's been rumored to be on the selling block for years with no takers.
The WSOP is the premier money maker for the Rio and Caesars every year! That's why they keep extending it and adding more events. It's worth tens of millions of dollars (hundreds?) in income year after year (tournament rake, side games, room rentals, gaming revenue, food and drink sales, etc. etc.) and yet they do little to improve it in any meaningful way for the players.
I've been coming (and playing) in the WSOP since it moved to the Rio, probably eight or nine of the last thirteen years. Usually I play anywhere from five to eight events in a two week span. It's a minimum $10,000 investment for me and I'm not a rich man or a professional player. I've been fortunate to have a few good cashes (three final tables in small buy in events, $1,500 or $2,000).
The WSOP is still the best series of poker tournaments held all year, just because it's not all NL Hold'em, which the rest of the world is going to. That said the Rio should do more to accommodate the players who make this event what it is. That's just good business! Better planning, better restroom facilities and better food (OMG what a joke that tiny kitchen was this year with no place to even sit down!). In the early days at the Rio you at least got a $15 food comp for playing any WSOP event. Now it can take days for the minimal food comp to even show on your card. I was so disgusted this year that I played in only one event and went back home! I've never played fewer than four previously.
The way I see it (and I'm a businessman having owned several successful small businesses) the Rio is out for one thing only. That is to make as much money possible off the WSOP and let the players be damned. They can come or stay home, the Rio could care less about their concerns or complaints. Pretty typical corporate stance for many major companies today.
I began to lose faith when they moved the dates from April and May to the dead of Summer in Vegas. They just assume that the players will come and endure whatever hardships they must face to be able to play in the WSOP. For the most part the tournaments themselves are well run, with good dealers, good floor people (they could use more) and good structures. My beef is with the Rio itself and how they accommodate the poker players who are keeping this casino afloat. Room and food prices keep going up and the quality keeps going down! I never stay there anymore (and I used to) and I never eat there, except for the one good restaurant in the hallway that has the great breakfasts.
Last edited by Toupee Jay; 07-22-2017 at 07:45 AM.