The first part of your comment addresses one thing that I thought about one of the Rev. Grey's quotes in the news article. He pointed out that MGM was operating at a loss compaired to a huge profit from last year. One of the big reasons that he also mentioned was Sep. 11. He seems to imply that this means that MGM is not a stable buyer and that they should not be making such investments when they are laying off 6,400 employees. What he fails to realize is that since 911 many people who would have otherwise flown from IL, IN, WI, MO.... to LV for a weekend are not willing to travel now. They, instead, are driving to area Indian casinos and boats that are closer to home. I don't think it is as much cost that is keeping close to home. Many hotels and airlines are offering good deals. It is all in that comfort factor and the percieved hastles and safety problems that exist right now. The Casinos in the Midwest have been doing very well since September 11th. Therefore, it does make sense for MGM/Mirage to strengthen their presence and stake a claim to a share of, as you indicate, a very lucrative market. One article that I read even mentioned that MGM is looking toward this as an opportunity to draw from this market to strengthen travel to their LV properties.

Regarding your question where I am, N. Suburbs. And for Chipping, I do realize that you can just get them from the cage. That is OK but isn't as much fun though. I do like to play Blackjack though and some of the condition reports I hear do not look too exciting. I would probably take a deep breath and go for $10 but $5 is my preference. I can play a good long time on $50 on $5 a hand. Maybe what I am hearing are more prime time conditions. I have heard that most area boats have $10 at most if not all times but usually you can't get near them with the crowds.