Wow, you're right. That's a terrific book by the grandson of Charles Fey, widely regarded as the inventor of slot machines with reels. Marshall Fey, the author, used to own the Liberty Bell restaurant in Reno, where the convention center is now across the street from the Atlantis. I got a copy of the book back in 1983 and wore the pages out! Great read.

I was in Vegas this past week and although the crowds were thin, there were players. I stayed at the Downtown Grand, which used to be Lady Luck. The casino is still tiny, but the overall experience was fine. Probably a 3 on a scale of 5. Friendly dealers in masks, less than a dozen tables, and a few hundred slots. Pizza across the street was good. Then we walked into the Fremont Experience, where it was fenced and there were officers checking every ID - had to be 21 to enter.

The old Las Vegas Club is coming along, going to be a while before it's reopened with a new name. I saw the Golden Gate on one end, and the El Cortez at the other and realized they both claim to be the Oldest Casino in Vegas. Well, yes and no. Anyway, an interesting trip.