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24 | THE LATEST
“Rising to the Challenge,” by Mike Grimala. For the last five seasons, Bishop Gorman has fielded the state’s best football team. This year, the Gaels are out to prove they’re the best in the country. Plus, Found Material, Ask a Native on this summer’s mild weather (no, really), The Deal and The Look.
26 | Green Felt Journal
“The Strip’s New Monkey Business,” by David G. Schwartz. With its quirky design elements and tribal mentality, SLS Las Vegas surely won’t appeal to everyone. And that’s a good thing.
30 | Thought
“Confessions of an NFL Cheerleader,” by Brittney Cason. For one former sideline performer, the external glamour didn’t justify the internal misery.
34 | THE FOOTBALL ISSUE
Sean DeFrank takes a look back at UNLV’s 1984 squad, which produced a future NFL superstar, an 11-2 record and the program’s first bowl victory. Plus, a preview of the Rebels’ fifth season under Bobby Hauck, picks from seven top handicappers and Games to Watch.
41 | NIGHTLIFE
A Q&A with Steve Angello. Plus, tips to protect your hearing while hitting the clubs, Seven Nights and a roundup of Labor Day festivities.
73 | DINING
Al Mancini on Mochiko Chicken. Plus, a preview of Lao Sze Chuan in the Palms, Dishing With Grace and Cocktail Culture.
81 | A&E
“Flush Life,” by Cindi Moon Reed. An intense new biography reveals the untamed times of Las Vegas legend Benny Binion. Plus, Built to Spill baptizes the new Bunkhouse, Bavington returns to UNLV, Tour Buzz, The Hit List and a review of the Strokes in concert.
87 | Stage
“Adam and Peeves,” by Steve Bornfeld. Checking in on the raw comic honesty of Vegas-bound Adam Carolla.
88 | Movies
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and our weekly movie capsules.
110 | Seven Questions
Sunset Station race and sportsbook director Chuck Esposito on battling the modern-day football bettor, the impact of mobile wagering and the day he won big when his team lost.
Randall Cunningham, having fun during a shoot at Old Vegas, led the ’84 Rebels to an 11-2 record.
ON THE COVER Illustration by Ryan Olbrysh
VegasSeven.com
| Dialogue | Moment | Event | Seven Days | Going for Broke | Soundscraper
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17 20 22 25 28 86
August 28–September 3, 2014
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY UNLV ATHLETICS
DEPARTMENTS
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LAS VEGAS’ WEEKLY CITY MAGAZINE
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FOUNDED FEBRUARY 2010
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Michael Skenandore
EDITORIAL
Matt Jacob Sean DeFrank, Paul Szydelko, Xania Woodman A&E EDITOR Cindi Reed ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jason Scavone SENIOR WRITERS Steve Bornfeld, Geoff Carter ASSOCIATE STYLE EDITOR Jessica Acuña CALENDAR COORDINATOR Camille Cannon EDITOR
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Melinda Sheckells (style), Michael Green (politics), Jarret Keene (music), Al Mancini (dining), David G. Schwartz (gaming/hospitality)
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DIALOGUE EDITOR’S NOTE Football Frenzy it’s about this time every year when I can be heard around the house barking, “Our long national nightmare is over—football season is here!” To which my wife inevitably replies: “Great. And my six-month-long nightmare begins.” Not helping matters is the fact our teenage son inherited my football-obsessed gene in a big way—meaning between now and February, if there’s a male-specifc weekend chore to be done outside of eyeshot of a TV, well, it probably isn’t getting done. That we always devote our fnal issue of August to football speaks to how I’m hardly the only one with football fever—particularly in these parts, where betting on games has become a sport unto itself. That’s why this year, instead of relying solely on the opinion of our sports-betting columnist (me), I recruited seven respected Las Vegas-based handicapping pros from Pregame.com to offer up some winning advice (Page 38). I also sit down with Sunset Station race and sportsbook director Chuck Esposito for Seven Questions about life on the other side of the betting counter (Page 110), while The Deal columnist Anthony Curtis provides a rundown of the Valley’s top football contests (Page 26). On the gridiron itself, RunRebs.com writer Mike Grimala examines Bishop Gorman’s rise to national prominence (Page 24), and sizes up UNLV’s chances to post consecutive winning seasons for the frst time since 1984 (Page 39). Speaking of the ’84 Rebels, senior editor Sean DeFrank takes a trip down memory lane in a compelling feature story that celebrates the team that, three decades later, remains the best in UNLV history (Page 34). Want more? OK: We found a former NFL cheerleader who writes about her not-so-wonderful season on the sidelines (Page 30). So ... is that enough football for you? Yeah, I know—there’s no such thing as enough football. – Matt Jacob
➜
CORRECTION In our August 21 cover story (“The Bunnyfsh That Ate Downtown”), it was incorrectly reported that Bunnyfsh Studio designed the Sambalatte coffee bar
in Monte Carlo. While Bunnyfsh was the architect on record for the project, the space was designed by Santa Ana, California-based VANROOY Design.
MATT JACOB BY JON ESTRADA; BUNKHOUSE BY GEOFF CARTER; FYF BY ANDREW BARR
THIS WEEK @ VEGASSEVEN.COM
THE BUNKHOUSE, REBORN
The Downtown Project monkeyed with the Bunkhouse Saloon, Fremont East’s beloved music venue ... and turned it into the district’s best. So says toughto-impress DTLV editor Geoff Carter. Check out his review at DTLV.com/ BunkhouseReview.
ON-DEMAND CLEANING
FYF WAS BEAUTIFUL
Local housekeeping startup Maidly hopes to bring a tech-savvy approach to the downand-dirty task of spiffing up your home by allowing you to get quotes and schedule cleanings online. Learn about founder Rachel Baker’s plans for the company’s future at VegasSeven.com/Bytes.
Like our own Life Is Beautiful, L.A.’s FYF Festival started out indie, but it’s since grown to a 40,000-plus-attendee extravaganza, drawing music lovers from Vegas and beyond. Check out a recap and photos of this year’s fest at VegasSeven.com/FYF.
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VEGAS MOMENT
All We Need Is Love
Have you taken a photo that captures the spirit of Las Vegas this week? Share it with us at VegasSeven.com/Moment.
| August 28–September 3, 2014
It’s not quite as bad as, say, being seated on a cross-country fight in front of a wailing 2-year-old kicking the back of your seat like an All-Pro punter for fve hours. Still, waiting for your luggage to arrive is a torturous part of the fying experience. So imagine the delight of travelers when cast members from The Beatles LOVE broke into an impromptu performance at McCarran International Airport’s Terminal 1 baggage claim August 21 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ only visit to Las Vegas. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a trend, though. We don’t want Vegas visitors in 2054 greeted by a 72-year-old Britney Spears celebrating her frst Vegas show with a surprise baggage-claim performance of “Oops! ... I Did It Again.”
VegasSeven.com
Photo by Jon Estrada
21
EVENT
BLACK & WHITE PARTY
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UPCOMING EVENTS • Sept. 6-7 The Great Vegas Gridiron Grill-Off [SmokeOntheWaterBBQ.com]. • Sept. 13
Candlelighters Shine for a Superhero 5K and 1-mile race [CandlelightersNV.org].
PHOTOS BY TOBY ACUNA AND ERIK K ABIK/ERIKK ABIK.COM
August 28–September 3, 2014
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With fashion statements running from tuxedos and cocktail dresses to skivvies and pasties, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) held its Black & White Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 23. The 28th annual soiree—hosted by Chippendales’ Bryan Chan— featured performances from such Strip headliners as Jabbawockeez, Absinthe’s Melody Sweets and the Jubilee! showgirls. More than 3,000 attendees sampled refreshments from Culinary Dropout, Maggiano’s, 35 Steak + Martinis and more. The evening raised nearly $130,000 to support Southern Nevadans living with AIDS.
“SLS is not a property built to the lowest common denominator, but one with gems and, yes, faws, that will endear it to many and alienate some.” GREEN FELT JOURNAL {PAGE 26}
Bishop Gorman football coach Tony Sanchez.
Rising to the Challenge For the last fve seasons, Bishop Gorman has felded the best prep football team in the state. This year, the Gaels are out to prove they’re the best in the country. By Mike Grimala
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
SIX YEARS INTO COACH TONY SANCHEZ’S
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tenure, Bishop Gorman’s football team is no longer competing for state championships. Oh, sure, the Gaels’ 2014 season will most likely culminate with a Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association title, as it has for each of the past fve years. And raising the trophy will surely be satisfying for the players and coaches. But Gorman has so greatly distanced itself from the rest of its Nevada competition under Sanchez—average score of those fve title games: 5714—that state championships are no longer an adequate measuring stick for the program. Under Sanchez, Gorman has transformed into a legitimate national power. So much so that when USA Today released its preseason rankings earlier this month, the Gaels were No. 1. Not in the state—in the country. It was a huge milestone for the
program, which had never previously been ranked No. 1 in a national poll. And with a roster that boasts more than 10 players with Division I-A scholarship offers, there’s a real chance the Gaels can live up to the preseason hype, run the table and possess that No. 1 ranking when it matters most: at season’s end. Staying true to the football coach’s handbook, Sanchez runs through the usual clichés of it being a long season (which started August 22 with a 44-0 home rout of Phoenix’s Brophy Prep) and championships never being won on paper. But he also acknowledges a program-wide sense of pride that comes with the No. 1 ranking. “I think it indicates that we’ve got a good, solid program here,” Sanchez says. “We can play with anybody. Now, it doesn’t mean we’re going to win every game we play, but we’re up there with the [nation’s] elite schools.
And the kids are obviously all fred up about it. As much as I tell them to ignore it or not to talk about it, they’re going to get excited.” It’s taken six years to get to this point. When Sanchez arrived from California High in San Ramon, before the 2009 season, Gorman’s program could be classifed as very good, but not great. The Gaels were coming off a 12-2 season, but despite a consistent enrollment and signifcant fnancial advantage, the private Catholic school had won just one state title since 1983 and only seven in its frst 54 years of existence. Sanchez immediately went about remaking the program, and he did it by raising the stakes. The weight room was no longer an optional summertime activity—Sanchez made it a structured, team-wide priority. Such attention to detail carried over to other aspects of the program, as the coach
challenged his players to become more disciplined in every aspect of life, from committing fewer penalties on the feld to getting better grades to properly tucking in their jerseys. Sanchez says it wasn’t until about midway through that frst season that his players fully bought into that approach, but once they did, it became the foundation upon which Sanchez’s dynasty has been constructed. The Gaels went on to win the 2009 state title and repeated the feat each of the next four seasons, in the process producing 24 players who earned Division I-A scholarships. Senior tight end Alize Jones has seen his teammates develop steadily under Sanchez, and he credits his coach for molding him into a highly coveted college recruit. “When we frst got here, we were very undisciplined,” says Jones, who has committed to UCLA. “We were so immature. It was a culture shock. As the years have gone on, we’ve built that maturity and learned a lot about leadership and being part of a team. “When I frst [arrived], I was just out there playing, just an athlete. Getting coached up by Coach Sanchez and the rest of the staff has helped me out a lot.” In addition to building up his players, Sanchez also built up Gorman’s national brand by scheduling more aggressively. He took on highly ranked teams from across the country in an effort to raise Gorman’s profle, and this season is no different: The Gaels’ frst six games are against out-of-state opponents, and three of those teams were also ranked in the USA Today preseason Top 25. On September 26, Bishop Gorman, which entered last season ranked No. 21 in USA Today’s preseason poll, will host St. John Bosco (Bellfower, California), the No. 2 team in the country. Those types of marquee matchups generate excitement within the community. They also inspire more players to come out for football. When Sanchez arrived, the Gaels dressed about 50 players for varsity games; this season, the roster exceeds 70. It’s a perfect model of success fueling more success. Which is to say Bishop Gorman’s rise to the top likely won’t be a one-off deal. With Sanchez leading the way, the Gaels fgure to be battling the big boys for prep-football supremacy for many years to come.
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
News, sports betting, style and a former NFL cheerleader tells it like it was
By bob whitby THURSDAY, AUG. 28: The big kids may be back in school, but the little ones still need feeding, watering and entertaining. Springs Preserve has you covered with Toddler Time, a series of tyke-friendly stories, activities and games at 11 a.m. every Thursday. This week’s theme is cowboys. SpringsPreserve.org.
J A M E S P. R E Z A
AS A NEW LAS VEGAS RESIDENT, I WAS WARNED ABOUT THE DRY, 110-DEGREE SUMMERS. WAS THAT ALL A BIG LIE? Long ago, locals struck a deal in the hard-count room at the Stardust to spread disinformation about how hot it gets here. If we didn’t, people would figure out just how great our weather really is, and the Valley would be crawling with 4 million faces sucking from Lake Mead’s straw, instead of “just” the 2 million we have now. And then we’d really have problems. Seriously, though, Las Vegas residents tend to exaggerate the heat—especially those recently arrived from places where summer generally means “go outside and do stuff!” (Sadly, these are often the newcomers
who have to be helicoptered back from Red Rock Canyon each year.) Sure, we have stretches that occasionally peak in the 100-teens (Extreme! Heat! Warning!). Our city’s highest official recorded temperature is 118, on July 24, 1942, and a high of 117 occurred on four different days, three times in July and once in June. July temperatures typically average about 105. August highs start at 105, tapering down to 100 before September hits. And August is our monsoon season, when rainfall and humidity generally ramp above normal. All this said—and getting back to your question—you got lucky. Summer 2014 has been the mildest in my memory. How mild? As of August 25, we had 14 sub-100 degree days this month. And twice the thermometer failed to hit 90. That’s crazy talk. No matter what the calendar says, our autumn typically doesn’t arrive until Halloween. But if August is any indicator, we might get there a lot faster this year. As
for prepping yourself for next summer, here’s a tip: Once the temperature soars past 105, it all feels the same: Freaking hot! TAKE THAT, HATERS! This native would be remiss if he didn’t take a moment to high-five the Mountain Ridge crew for representing Las Vegas in the Little League World Series. Dealing with the bad rap our city gets can be exhausting, so thank you, Mountain Ridgers, for showing the world a different (but everpresent) side of Las Vegas. If our elected officials continue to insist on seducing a pro sports team to the Valley, given the success of Mountain Ridge, the recent Hall of Fame induction of pitcher Greg Maddux and the fact Bryce Harper remains one of the top young talents in the major leagues, perhaps baseball is the way to go. After all, our summers aren’t that bad, right? Questions? AskaNative @VegasSeven.com.
[ FOUND MATERIAL ]
ILLUSTRATION BY CIERRA PEDRO
RARE RESPECT FROM RENO
In noticing that the Reno Gazette-Journal’s Chris Murray had written about UNLV football August 20, we immediately assumed that the sports columnist had gone out of his way to rancorously denounce every conceivable thing about the Rebels, as is the custom up north. So imagine our surprise as we read Murray describing this year’s UNLV football team as “a likeable group” and “a team worth rooting for,” using terms such as “loyal” and “admirable”—with nary a hint of sarcasm. Praising UNLV for banding together in the wake of offseason setbacks couldn’t have endeared Murray to his regular readers, but Rebels fans can surely appreciate the rare friendly fire coming from enemy territory. Maybe someday we’ll return the favor … someday. Find the link and all other Found Material links at VegasSeven.com/Found
FRIDAY, AUG. 29: On the last Friday of
every month, UNLV’s Barrick Museum hosts a program on art and ideas. It’s called Critique and Conversation, and it means you get to hear about art from people who actually know what they are taking about. This month’s topic is “Art as Document?,” and looks at works from “Private/ Public: Images of Devotion From 19 th and Early 20 th Century Mexico.” It’s heady stuff. 4 p.m. at the Barrick Museum. UNLV.edu.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30: The Sin City Rollergirls are emerging from their summer hibernation with a doubleheader: The Notorious VIP take on the Flying Aces, and the Tommy Gun Terrors bust it up with the Hoover Damned. If you’ve never seen the ladies in action, you’re missing a bruising good time. 5:30 p.m. at the Riviera. Tickets: $12 in advance; $17 at the door; kids 10 and under free; SinCityRollerGirls.com. SUNDAY, AUG. 31: The day before Labor Day means … fireworks? Sure, why not? Primm Valley Casino Resorts is starting its own tradition with this second annual event. It starts at dusk, and it’s free, but get there early for a good spot. PrimmValleyResorts.com. MONDAY, SEPT. 1: If you labor, today you don’t have to because it’s Labor Day. See how that works? So what are you going to do with the best Monday of the year? May we suggest Hometown Heroes, a free action-sports exhibition on Fremont East beginning at 6 p.m. There’ll be food, music and great entertainment, and proceeds benefit Clark County School District music programs. InsertCoinsLV.com. TUESDAY, SEPT. 2: Movie fans: If you aren’t frequenting the South Point movie theater, you’re wasting cash. The casino’s theaters offer $5 movies all day every Tuesday, though there is a surcharge for 3-D and XD showings. Just thought you’d like to know. SouthPointCasino.com. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3: Photoshop is good for more than just putting your friend’s head on Fabio’s body, you know. Find out more about what this impressive software can do at the Photoshop World Conference and Expo, today through Friday at Mandalay Bay. If you’re just curious, the exhibition hall is free and open to the public. PhotoshopWorld.com.
THE LATEST
The Strip’s New Monkey Business
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
With its quirky design elements and tribal mentality, SLS Las Vegas surely won’t appeal to everyone. And that’s a good thing.
26
THE SAHARA’S CLOSING on May 16, 2011, was signifcant in more ways than one: It was not only the demise of one of the Strip’s few remaining classic casinos, but it essentially marked the depth of the Great Recession. So the August 23 rise of SLS Las Vegas from the bones of the Sahara says a great deal about where Las Vegas is heading—and how it will get there. It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that SLS’ opening could be the event that offcially signals the end of the recession for Las Vegas. Things certainly are looking up: The city’s on pace to break the 40 million mark for annual visitation; Strip gaming revenues have a shot at matching their pre-recession high; and a host of projects Downtown and on the Strip (see the Linq, the Cromwell and Inspire Theater) represent new capital and new confdence. So what does the new Las Vegas look like? It’s less focused on gambling, for starters. Gambling per domestic visitor is down, with spending on food, beverage and entertainment rising. In a country where gambling has not been a Nevada novelty for decades, people are still coming to Las Vegas—they just want to do more than feed a slot machine. And increasingly, visitors are opting for brands over traditional standards of customer loyalty. Boil all that down into a single 21st-century property, and you get SLS Las Vegas. Unlike previous “build it and they will come” megaprojects, this one was constructed
on a budget whose constraints likely enhanced its designers’ creativity. The French boudoir-style Lux suites might be smaller than similarly tiered accommodations farther south, but their idiosyncratic chic is calculated to keep guests from caring. Additionally, preserving the skeleton of the Sahara gives the property some quirks that distinguish it from “big box” casinos—for the better. Its restaurants—from the Strip-side beer garden to Cleo’s tapas take on Mediterranean cuisine—are served up as the main dish. And, of course, there is nightlife galore in Sayers Club, Life and Foxtail. The summer’s other “new” hotel-casino, the Cromwell, is also heavily focused on nightlife, with a rooftop pool night/dayclub. It also has what is fast becoming the Strip’s hottest restaurant, Giada. Its casino is serviceable but clearly not the focus. Then again, the Cromwell is owned by Caesars Entertainment, which has eight other casinos to fall back on. SLS, on the other hand, is a stand-alone property, the only casino in owner SBE/Stockbridge’s portfolio. Building it was a bet that a new entrant could serve a relatively narrow niche in post-con-
solidation Las Vegas. SBE chairman Sam Nazarian, in a recent interview with the Las Vegas Sun, referenced the 5 million names in SBE’s database as a “tribe” of aspirational, infuential and affuent people. For a long time, Las Vegas casinos have prospered by appealing to niche audiences, be they serious gamblers, conventioneers, bachelorette parties or clubgoers. Nazarian’s appeal to his “tribe” matches the SLS’ design: It is not a property built to the lowest common denominator, but one with gems and, yes, faws, that will endear it to many and alienate some. Still, such a business plan makes sense, because with casinos spread across the United States now, vanilla is poison for destination resorts. Character, even if it might not appeal to everyone, is the only way to stand out (particularly for properties not blessed with a central location). So SLS has suites designed by rocker Lenny Kravitz, hunting tapestries in Bazaar Meat seemingly poached from Downton Abbey, and a plethora of primates where you’d least expect them (from the casino’s crest to the Monkey Bar). Those little touches, its owners hope, will distinguish it enough to give the “tribe” a reason to revitalize the north end of the Strip. Staking out an identity like that is a gamble, true, but a necessary one, if the property—and the city—is to adapt and survive. David G. Schwartz is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
Summer’s over. It’s football time. That means lots of fun things in Las Vegas—Monday Night Football parties, game-day food and drink specials, and, of course, football contests. The contests represent an excellent gambling opportunity, given that you can enter for a low (or even no) cost and get a season’s worth of action, and a chance at a monster payday. Additionally, the average fan has a reasonable chance to win. Well, usually, that is. Last year’s winner of the prestigious LVH SuperContest was a financial trader based in Chicago who has a master’s degree in statistics, a bachelor’s in math and lectures on predictive modeling in sports statistics. So you might be able to put that $1,500 entry fee to better use elsewhere. Good thing is, there are other options well-suited to the casual player. My perennial top recommendation is the free Pick the Pros at the Boyd casinos—Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, California and Fremont. Aside from the price being right, it’s easy to play and you can win some serious coin if you pop a big card. A significant change this year: You get only one free entry instead of three, but it applies to everyone. It’s a winner-take-all format each week, and there’s a lot of competition, so you’ll usually have to go perfect to win. But with a $20,000 prize through Week 8, $30,000 in Weeks 9-13 and $50,000 in Weeks 14-17 on the line, just getting close will get the juices moving. Station Casinos’ Great Giveaway is $25, but the fee is returned in free slot play at the end of the season if you play all 17 weeks and don’t win a prize. That must-play requirement takes away flexibility, but it’s a small negative. Take advantage of the buy-2-get-1-free deal and the average cost drops to $16.67 per entry. Perhaps best of all is the $25 contest at Aliante. With $103,850 in guaranteed prizes, it needs 4,154 players to reach even equity (when the money collected from entry fees equals the prize money). Aliante’s isolated location on the north side makes it too inconvenient for most; hence, this one is pretty much a lock to be undersubscribed, making each entry theoretically worth more than the $18.75 per it will cost after spending $75 for the 4-for-3 offer. William Hill sportsbooks ($25) and Ellis Island (free) also have weekly contests, along with a new one this year at Rampart Casino. Rampart hadn’t released details by press time, but based on its gambler-friendly stance, I’m expecting something good there. Other smaller contests will turn up at bars all over town. Most don’t have a lot of value, but if they’re free rolls, they’re worth playing when you run into them. Anthony Curtis is the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and LasVegasAdvisor.com, a monthly newsletter and website dedicated to finding the best deals in town.
ILLUSTRATION BY CIERRA PEDRO
FOOTBALL CONTESTS OFFER GREAT VALUE
With Sean Payton running the show, the Saints have eclipsed 10 victories four consecutive times.
Southern Comfort
Looking to cash in on NFC South win totals? You’ve come to the right place.
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
FROM THE “DID YOU KNOW?” DEPARTMENT:
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I actually beat out Tom Hanks for both the Forrest Gump and Bosom Buddies roles, but turned them down due to scheduling conficts. I also bankrolled Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson’s fortunes, taught Derek Jeter how to pick up women and invented the color blue. Oh, and I’m 11-2 all time with my NFC South win-total recommendations, including 8-0 the last two years. All absurd claims, right? Nope. Not the last one. Not to sound like one of those Saturday-morning AM-radio “scamdicappers”—I’m 17-1 with my college football Game of the Year plays. Call right now for this HUGE winner!— but I really have owned the NFC South in my four years performing this exercise. Can I explain it? Damn right, I can: dumb luck. Funny thing about dumb luck, though: You never know when it’s going to end. With that, let’s conclude my 2014 NFL win-total selections with the NFC South and NFC West, once again using the best available numbers/odds from MGM Resorts, William Hill, Station Casinos and Westgate Las Vegas (formerly LVH) … NFC SOUTH
Saints (10 wins): First a tip to those who like to play the “middle” game: This number ranges from 9½ (Station and William Hill) to 10½ (MGM). You have to lay some big juice at 9½-over and 10½-under, but the opportunity is there. Me, I’m targeting the Westgate’s number, because unless Drew Brees (5,000-plus passing yards three
MATT JACOB
This is the fifth year that Going for Broke columnist Matt Jacob has made NFL win-total recommendations, and the fourth time he’s doing so for all 32 teams. Here are the results to date: 2010: 22-10 2011: 8-6 2012: 22-9-1 2013: 14-17-1 TOTAL: 66-42-2
straight years) takes a sudden turn south, New Orleans is a lock to win at least 11 games—something it has done four straight years that Sean Payton has been allowed to coach. The Saints could be 5-0 entering their bye week after facing the Falcons, Browns, Vikings, Cowboys and Bucs. Also, most of their toughest non-divisional games (Packers, Bengals, Ravens, 49ers) will be at home. Over (-145, Westgate) Falcons (8): While I stand by that “dumb luck” statement, I will add that one of the reasons I believe I’ve had success with win-total predictions is I don’t overreact to what I consider “outlier” seasons. To wit: In the frst fve years of the coach Mike Smith/QB Matt Ryan
era, Atlanta fnished 11-5, 9-7, 13-3, 10-6 and 13-3. In 2013, the Falcons slipped to 4-12, enduring one of those “everything-goes-wrong” campaigns. Granted, with games against Brees (twice), Jay Cutler, Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger (among others), Atlanta’s defense (27th last year) needs to improve greatly. Count me among the few who believe it will. Over (-155, MGM) Panthers (8): Speaking of outlier seasons: From 2009-12, Carolina went 8-8, 2-14, 6-10 and 7-9. Last year, the Panthers jumped to 12-4. Call me crazy for being a wee bit skeptical that coach Ron Rivera morphed from Art Shell into Bill Walsh basically overnight. And while Carolina’s defense is sensational, its non-divisional road schedule isn’t: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Philadelphia and Minnesota … outdoors … on the fnal day of November. Under (-135, Westgate) Buccaneers (7½): I’m torn on the 2014 Bucs. On the one hand, I like the roster upgrades and the return from injury of several key players, particularly on offense (where Tampa ranked dead last in total yards last year). I also like the new coach (Lovie Smith posted an 8-8 record or better in six of his fnal eight seasons in Chicago). But I could also see a scenario where the Bucs enter their mid-October bye week no better than 1-5 after starting out against Carolina, St. Louis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Baltimore. Under (-145 William Hill)
NFC WEST
Seahawks (11): First, let’s dispel the “Super Bowl hangover” myth: You have to go back to 2003 for the last time a reigning champion followed up with a losing record. In fact, eight of the last 10 champs won at least nine games the ensuing season. But here’s the other side of that coin: Since 1999, only fve of 15 Super Bowl winners have won as many as 11 games the following season. So NFL history doesn’t favor Seattle. Neither does franchise history: The Seahawks went 11-5 and 13-3 the last two seasons after previously winning 11 or more just twice from 1976-2011. Can they make it three straight 11-plus-win seasons? When 12 of their 16 games will be played against the NFC West and AFC West, plus Green Bay and Philadelphia? Not quite. Under (Even, Station) 49ers (10½): As tough as it is to bet against the Seahawks, it’s even tougher to fade San Francisco, which is only 36-11-1 under coach Jim Harbaugh. But the Niners are in the same diffcult scheduling boat as Seattle, and—unlike Seattle—their defense is regressing. Beyond that, I keep having this vision: Colin Kaepernick scrambles, he’s hit hard! He’s not getting up! And in comes Blaine Gabbert. Then again, Gabbert did lead the Niners on one touchdown drive in the frst three preseason games—or one more than Kaepernick. Under (-125, William Hill) Cardinals (7½): In case you haven’t fgured it out by now, I’m big on earlyseason momentum (both positive and negative). So while the Cardinals (10-6 last year) appear to be on the come, their frst four games are brutal: They host the Chargers in a late Monday kickoff, then travel cross-country to play the Giants (early kickoff), then the 49ers at home, a bye week, and at the Broncos. There’s also this closing schedule: at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Chiefs, at Rams, vs. Seahawks, at 49ers. In other words, Arizona is the front-runner to win this year’s “They’re better than their record indicates” award. Under (+135, William Hill) Rams (N/A): I was all set to tag the Rams, who won seven games in each of coach Jeff Fisher’s frst two seasons, as my surprise team of 2014. Then QB Sam Bradford suffered a season-ending knee injury August 23. In other shocking news, water is wet and doors are hard. As soon as Bradford went down, oddsmakers took down St. Louis’ win total, which was 7½. The number will get adjusted soon—and probably over-adjusted. This is still an improved team with a top-fight defensive front. Besides the Rams were 3-4 last year when Bradford got hurt and 4-5 afterward. Over Matt Jacob appears at 10 a.m. Fridays on “First Preview” on ESPN Radio 1100-AM and 98.9-FM.
PHOTO BY DERICK E. HINGLE/USA TODAY SPORTS
THE LATEST
BETTING
THE LATEST
THOUGHT
Confessions of an NFL Cheerleader For one former sideline performer, the external glamour didn’t justify the internal misery
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ONCE UPON AN EASTERN STANDARD TIME, I was an NFL cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers. I left Charlotte a few months ago to take a job co-hosting the new morning show on KOMP 92.3-FM, and now I’m in search of other Panthers fans with whom I can cheer on Cam Newton every Sunday. As for why I left cheerleading after one season in 2006, well, it has much to do with the reasons behind a highly publicized labor lawsuit fled by NFL cheerleaders from multiple teams. Although, as I recently stated on-air to the surprise of my co-hosts, I believe the lawsuits themselves are as dumb as the stereotype being a cheerleader perpetuates. Having been behind the curtain, I can sympathize with these girls; being an NFL cheerleader is far from glamorous once the stadium lights are turned off. I know all too well about the laughably low wages ($60 a game); the list of rules that make a prison seem lenient (such as being contractually prohibited from drinking in public or curling my hair without permission); and the ridiculous body requirements that I could barely meet (even with 9 percent body fat). The struggle was real. But no one held a gun to my head and forced me on the feld. To become an NFL cheerleader, you have to spend
weeks auditioning against hundreds of other girls and then spend whatever is left of your energy trying not to get kicked off the team. Instead of fling a lawsuit, I just looked in the mirror at my clown makeup and bony ribs, and asked myself why I needed the title “NFL cheerleader” so bad that I was willing to sacrifce my health and identity. While the players were trying to avoid injuries, I was deliberately damaging my body to make weight each week. I tried everything from colonics to diet pills (despite the warning of side effects that include anal leakage) to good old-fashioned self-starvation. Yet, I still got pulled from a game for missing my number by a mere 2 pounds. I was constantly exhausted and hungry, and became so intolerable my friends didn’t recognize me anymore. Even worse, my own father literally didn’t recognize me from the upper-level seats reserved for cheerleaders’ family and friends. I had been spending so much time in the tanning bed trying to tan what I couldn’t tone, he actually mistook me for an African-American girl on the team, which I learned when he showed me his pictures. It was an honest mistake, seeing that I was ordered to dye my black hair red to “look less ethnic.” My dad, who needs glasses, is Costa Rican … I am ethnic.
Aside from the free seats to the games, I put up with all this crap (literally) because of the power the uniform gave me. When I would attend community events as a TopCat, little girls would react like I was in a boy band. I was able to make someone’s day and satiate my own childish need for attention at the same time, all because of the uniform. It was my Spider-Man costume, just with a lot less fabric. Then one night I came home from practice crying after a manager who had an issue with my job in media scolded me: “Your face does not belong to you!” It was then I realized the only thing I was a role model for was eating disorders and submissive naivety. I just didn’t see the point anymore, because really, how far can being an NFL cheerleader take you? Once you get past feeding a self-indulgent need for approval from strangers, you won’t get farther in life than the 10-yard line. Besides, I wasn’t very good at being in a chorus line. I just didn’t ft in. So, I got into radio where I’m encouraged to stand out, and I get to eat food. Plus, I get to wear clothes. Cason is the co-host of BS in the Morning with Brittney and Sparks, airing 5-9 a.m. weekdays on KOMP 92.3-FM.
CHEERLEADING PHOTO BY RICK TAYLOR
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
By Brittney Cason
THE LATEST
STYLE
Seema Sadekar LPGA golfer, philanthropist and blogger
THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL I WAS DIFFERENT … with
my golf style. I didn’t feel comfortable in long khaki shorts and collared shirts. When I played golf at UNLV, I encouraged my coach to let me assist with our uniforms. As I transitioned into my professional career in 2008, I was able to create my own golf style, and people began to take notice. FASHION … is a passion
of mine. I’m working on a golf book to help women with their game and style on the golf course. I also blog about fashion at SeemaStyle.com, and I run an events business, PlayGolfDesigns.com. I’d love to have my own golf clothing line; it’s definitely a goal I’m working toward.
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create events all over Las Vegas to benefit various charities and organizations, and I’ve launched several junior girl golf programs here. I’m also the newly appointed ambassador for [premium golf membership company] Pacific Links International—I love my sparkly city! – Jessi C. Acuña
Asos dress. Versace shoes. Seema Style Designs golf bag. Vintage earrings.
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
August 28–September 3, 2014
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MY SISTER AND I …
2014 FOOTBALL ISSUE
A TEAM FOR
THE AGES In 1984, a multitalented quarterback and a fery head coach helped guide UNLV to an 11-2 record and the program’s frst bowl victory. Three decades later, that squad remains the standard-bearer for Rebels football.
dent status to the top-level Division I-A. But in their frst season under the brash, mop-topped Hyde, the ’82 Rebels went 3-8, their frst losing campaign in 10 years. Many fans were turned off by Hyde’s boisterous claims, and the Board of Regents considered dropping football that spring to remedy a defcit in the athletic budget. Only after assurances that the program would stay within its budget did the Regents vote to keep football. Despite the devastating end to the 1983 season, the Rebels’ 7-4 performance that year produced plenty of optimism, thanks to the exciting play of Cunningham. The lanky 6-foot-4 phenom was voted the PCAA Player of the Year after passing for 2,545 yards and 18 touchdowns, possessing the ability to both unleash a pass 70 yards downfeld to a streaking receiver, or scramble around and past defenders. However, it was Cunningham’s punting that gained him the most acclaim. The junior was named frst-team All-American, the frst UNLV player to earn the distinction, after averaging 43.5 yards on 56 punts, twice hitting for 73 yards that season. “Randall just had that ability to make plays,” Stallworth says. “It was funny because we had no designed [quarterback]
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individual achievements still resonating in the UNLV record books. “It was the culmination of the last of [previous coach] Tony Knap’s players, who melded with all the recruits Harv had. It really was the perfect storm,” says Steve Stallworth, who, as a sophomore in 1984, was the backup quarterback behind Cunningham. “We had great players, great coaches, great speed. That team was fast—at every position. The other thing that team had was passion and personality. That team had characters on it. Of course, some of those characters were the reason Harv wasn’t there too much longer. We had a few too many characters at the end of the day. But it was defnitely a fun year.” That UNLV was even playing football in 1984, let alone succeeding, was in doubt just 18 months earlier. In 1982, the Rebels joined the Pacifc Coast Athletic Association, and Hyde replaced the retiring Knap, a gentlemanly sort whose high-fying offense excited UNLV fans and lit up scoreboards, culminating in the Rebels’ 45-41 road win over No. 8-ranked BYU in 1981, still the biggest upset in school history. Knap went 47-20-2 in his six seasons and ushered UNLV from NCAA Division II indepen-
August 28–September 3, 2014
Led by star QB Randall Cunningham, UNLV blasted Toledo 30-13 in the 1984 California Bowl.
standing in the unlv locker room at the Silver Bowl just moments after a stunning last-second home loss denied his team a conference championship and a trip to the school’s frst bowl game, coach Harvey Hyde made his players a promise. He had just watched Long Beach State drive 91 yards in 71 seconds, with no timeouts, to score the winning touchdown with seven seconds left in a 24-21 fnal. The crushing defeat in the 1983 season fnale kept UNLV out of the California Bowl, and a heartbroken Hyde vowed to his players that the following season would end much differently. “We made a pact that never again would we allow that to happen to us,” Hyde says. “We were going to take charge and prove we were the best team and dominate. That was our slogan: We’re going to dominate. We played to the beat of that drum.” Hyde’s words proved to be more than hopeful chatter, as the ’84 Rebels—led by senior quarterback and All-American punter Randall Cunningham—fnished 11-2 and won the school’s frst bowl game. Some 30 years later, that squad remains the most accomplished in the program’s history, its team and
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BY SEAN DEFRANK
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August 28–September 3, 2014
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2014 FOOTBALL ISSUE
36
runs. There was no quarterback runread stuff like they have now. We didn’t have any of that. But Randall would just take off and make plays if [a throw] wasn’t there. He was pretty amazing.” UNLV entered 1984 as the preseason favorite to win the PCAA title, and Hyde made no bones about telling his team, the media and anyone else who would listen that the Rebels were going to do just that. In addition to Cunningham, the offense was loaded with talented skill players. Sophomore running back Kirk Jones—the highest-rated high school recruit UNLV had ever signed, who chose the Rebels over such schools as UCLA and Texas—shared the backfeld with junior fullback Tony Lewis. Senior Michael McDade and sophomore Tony Gladney were Cunningham’s top receiving targets, along with senior tight end Reggie LaFrance. “We called ourselves the Bomb Squad—the quarterbacks and the receivers—and we used to take socks and cut the toes out, and use them as wristbands. Randall called those ‘wings,’ and if someone didn’t have a good practice, Randall would take their wings for the next day,” Stallworth says. “And that was a major motivator, because you didn’t want your wings taken. There would be fghts over it.” “Even though we were picked as the favorite from the frst day of camp,” Gladney says, “Coach Hyde and the coaching staff didn’t let us take anything for granted.” Despite Cunningham’s cannon arm, it was the ground attack that powered UNLV to its frst 3-0 start since 1976. Lewis and Jones swapped 100-yard rushing performances, respectively, in wins over San Jose State and New Mexico State, while both players topped 100 yards against Wichita State at the newly renamed Sam Boyd Silver Bowl. Cunningham modestly passed for 519 yards with no interceptions in the three wins. Although UNLV’s record was perfect through three games, their play on the feld was far from it. The Rebels were piling up penalties, averaging more than 100 yards in infractions per game, but their talent allowed them to overcome those mistakes against weaker opponents. In the next game at Hawaii, the penalties fnally caught up with UNLV, which was fagged 14 times for 125 yards. But it was one particular call that ultimately sunk the Rebels and raised Hyde’s ire: Cunningham hit Lewis with a screen pass that seemingly gave the Rebels a frst-and-goal with less than two minutes left, but the offcials negated the play, calling what Hyde and then-UNLV athletic director Brad Rothermel still refer to as the “phantom clip.” The penalty left the Rebels facing third-and-21 from the Hawaii 36, and Cunningham’s desperation throw resulted in his third interception of the game, giving Hawaii a 16-12 victory. After watching the game flm, Hyde said he had no idea where an infraction occurred on the play. Three decades later, he still doesn’t. “It was ridiculous. They called a penalty on a number that was standing
With Randall Cunningham (No. 12) under center and coach Harvey Hyde (right) on the sidelines, UNLV started 10-1 in 1984 before falling to No. 10 SMU in the regular-season finale.
next to me on the sideline,” Hyde says. “It was hard for me to understand that one; I told the referee that.” Shaking off the nonconference loss, UNLV hit its stride, scoring at least 30 points in winning each of the next four games, outscoring its opponents—Long Beach State, Idaho State, Pacifc and San Diego State—by a total of 139-78. At 7-1, and 4-0 in conference play, the Rebels were set up for one of the biggest home games in school history. Defending PCAA champion Cal State-Fullerton, led by senior quarterback and eventual Canadian Football League Hall of Famer Damon Allen, came into Las Vegas as college football’s winningest team at 10-0, and was firting with the national rankings. The winner would have the inside track toward the PCAA crown and a trip to the California Bowl in Fresno. Before a homecoming crowd of 25,678, UNLV’s largest at the Silver Bowl since the 1982 season opener, the Rebels were hanging onto a 20-17 lead early in the fourth quarter when Cunningham made the biggest play of the game—with his right foot. His booming 70-yard punt stopped just inches from the goal line. The Titans failed to get out of the shadow of their own end zone, and not long after a short punt gave UNLV possession on Fullerton’s side of the feld, Cunningham hit LaFrance with a 9-yard touchdown pass. The Titans rallied late, but the Rebels held on 26-20 when Allen’s fourth-down pass with 20 seconds left fell untouched in the end zone. “That punt won the game,” Fullerton coach Gene Murphy said afterward. Says Hyde: “We were not going to allow them to come into our stadium as Long Beach State had done the year before and beat us and knock us out of the
California Bowl. But it was a great battle.” Needing just one win in its last two PCAA games to secure the conference championship and the bowl berth that came with it, the Rebels were practically getting sized for rings by halftime the following Saturday. After Utah State took a 7-0 lead on a wet, chilly day in Logan, Utah, UNLV scored 36 unanswered points—33 in the frst half—en route to a 36-20 victory. Cunningham passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, while Ed Saignes and David Hollis intercepted passes to spark the defense. The
Rebels concluded the frst-ever 7-0 conference season in the expanded PCAA with a 27-13 home win over Fresno State, behind a school record-tying four feld goals from junior kicker Joey DiGiovanna. Cunningham also further etched his name into the record books, becoming the PCAA’s career touchdown pass leader while simultaneously breaking UNLV’s single-season mark with his 23rd TD of the year, an 18-yard throw to Lewis. Immediately following the game, chants of “SMU, SMU!” started in the Rebels’ locker room as the players an-
1984 UNLV Football Results Sept. 8
vs.
SAN JOSE STATE
W
30-15
Sept. 15
at
NEW MEXICO STATE
W
28-21
Sept. 22
vs.
WICHITA STATE
W
38-21
Sept. 29
at
HAWAII
L
12-16
Oct. 6
at
LONG BEACH STATE
W
41-23
Oct. 13
vs.
IDAHO STATE
W
33-20
Oct. 20
at
PACIFIC
W
35-21
Nov. 3
at
SAN DIEGO STATE
W
30-14
Nov. 10
vs.
CAL STATE-FULLERTON
W
26-20
Nov. 17
at
UTAH STATE
W
36-20
Nov. 24
vs.
FRESNO STATE
W
27-13
Dec. 1
vs.
SOUTHERN METHODIST
L
21-38
Dec. 15
vs.
TOLEDO (in Fresno, Calif.)
W
30-13
goal from the 1-yard line. The offcials, however, ruled Cunningham did not break the plane of the goal line despite TV replays to the contrary. The Rebels, confused by the call and out of timeouts, were unable to get off another play, and instead went into the locker room visibly dejected and trailing 17-7. They were unable to draw closer in the third quarter, and eventually wore down against the physically dominant Mustangs, who rushed for 451 yards in a 38-21 triumph. “Had we been able to play our ineligible players, I think it’s impossible to say we could have beaten them,” Rothermel says. “But we certainly would have given them a much tougher game, and the game itself was pretty tough.” “There was one thing that happened that made me go, ‘Damn, this is going to be a tough one,’” says Stallworth, now the general manager of the South Point Arena. “We had some of the greatest skill players in the country; that wasn’t our issue. But if we had injuries on either one of our lines, we were going to be in trouble. And I remember [SMU] on one play, subbing a whole new offensive line in. It was like, ‘Holy shit, they just sent fve new guys in!’ They were deep. It wasn’t their skill guys [that beat us]; it was their size and depth.” UNLV gained nearly 500 yards against the Mustangs, but lost three fumbles, and Cunningham was sacked six times. Hyde had tears in his eyes when he addressed the media after the loss. “He was a special coach because he brought the best out of his players,” says Gladney, now a vice president with MGM Resorts International.
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ticipated the regular-season fnale, a non-league home game against Southwest Conference power Southern Methodist, which fnished that season ranked No. 8 in the country, and went 49-9-1 from 1980-84, the highest winning percentage (.839) in Division I-A during that stretch. “Their program was one of the elite in college football, and we were chasing after them,” Hyde says. “That was our goal, and we wanted to make a statement. It was like a heavyweight championship fght.” It was the Rebels, though, who got punched frst—and long before kickoff. In the days leading up to the game, anonymous letters were sent to the NCAA, the PCAA, the conference’s eight athletic directors and a Fresno television station questioning the academic eligibility of four UNLV players, including three defensive starters: senior middle linebacker Tom Polley, the team’s leading tackler; senior safety Dalton Reed, who tied for the team lead with four interceptions; and junior end Damon Perry, who was second among linemen in tackles. In the wake of the allegations a committee was formed that included frst-year UNLV President Robert Maxson, Rothermel and Hyde. The decision was made to sit the players in question against SMU. The Rebels still managed to hold their own in the frst half against the Mustangs, while a Silver Bowl crowd of 23,369 looked on. Cunningham, whose No. 12 was being retired at halftime, appeared to pull UNLV within 17-14 of SMU with seconds to play in the second quarter on a quarterback sneak on frst-and-
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ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY UNLV ATHLETICS
–Brad Rothermel, former UNLV athletic director
kanian was dominating in basketball, and we came into the conference and starting dominating. I think people felt, ‘We’ve got to slow these guys down or they’re going to own the PCAA.’” Says Gladney: “It impacted our program; it impacted our success. It had an impact on our future. It was a turning point for our program.” Without Cunningham, the Rebels slipped to 5-5-1 the following year as attendance dwindled, and Hyde found himself in hot water with Maxson as a string of player arrests attracted heavy media attention. The coach’s longtime association with Tarkanian, whom he had known since their days together at Pasadena City College, also didn’t earn him any favor with Maxson, who wasn’t a Tarkanian fan. On April 23, 1986, just 16 months after the Rebels’ bowl victory, Maxson fred Hyde. “It was so disappointing, that I had other coaching jobs offered to me, and I turned them down,” says Hyde, who would coach just once more, as associate head coach under Hall of Famer George Allen at Long Beach State in 1990. “I felt so sorry for the community; I felt so sorry for the kids who believed in and came to UNLV. I was crushed.” Says Rothermel: “We had a new president come into our institution in 1984, and he said he was going to take athletics to a new level. Most of us assumed he meant up. Unfortunately, that was not the direction it went. I gladly attribute the collapse of UNLV football to Robert Maxson. He felt that he needed to make a change for no particular reason and fred Harvey, and we’ve never quite [returned to] that same level since, and I don’t know that we ever will.” Since that 1984 season, UNLV is 111224-1 and has played in just three more bowl games, the most recent being last season’s 36-14 loss to North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Meanwhile, not one of the six head coaches to succeed Hyde has left UNLV with a winning record. “Here’s a stat for you: We’ve had two football teams in the history of [UNLV] that generated net revenue—Randall’s junior and senior year,” says Rothermel, who resigned as athletic director in 1990, and rejoined UNLV 10 years ago as special advisor to the AD. “That was one way to indicate the strength of our program at that point.” Here’s another: Five players from that 1984 team ended up being drafted by the NFL (Cunningham, who was the frst QB selected in the 1985 draft; Polley; Woods; cornerback Charles Dimry; and receiver George Thomas), while another dozen or so either played in the league (some as replacement players during the 1987 NFL strike) or went to training camp. In 2012, the squad was inducted into the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame, cementing its legacy. For those who witnessed the success, it appeared the ’84 Rebels would serve as the launching pad for a new age of UNLV football. Instead, that season remains a rare beacon of light, shining the way for future Rebels teams to follow.
August 28–September 3, 2014
"TOLEDO'S COACH THANKED ME AFTER THE GAME FOR NOT RUNNING UP THE SCORE. HE SAID, 'QUITE HONESTLY, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT YOU GUYS WERE DOING.'"
“Sometimes he would be more amped up than his players were. He would be so fred up that you didn’t want to let yourself down, you didn’t want to let your teammates down, but you didn’t want to let him down, either. “He really put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into where the program was going. He was a dynamic coach, but he was also a compassionate person. He really made you feel like you were part of a family.” Two days before the California Bowl, the NCAA ruled that the four UNLV players who missed the SMU game were ineligible to play because they took the GED test while already enrolled in junior college. Despite the adversity, the Rebels throttled MidAmerican Conference champion Toledo, 30-13. Cunningham, named the bowl’s MVP, passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 12 yards for the game’s fnal score; and a little-used freshman running back named Elbert “Ickey” Woods led UNLV in rushing with 53 yards, including a 16-yard TD. “[Toledo’s coach] came up to me after the game,” Rothermel says, “and he thanked me for not running up the score on them. He said, ‘Quite honestly, we had no idea what you guys were doing.’” The Rebels were balanced on offense that season, averaging 219 yards passing and 187.3 rushing per game. Kirk Jones became UNLV’s frst 1,000-yard rusher since Mike Thomas in 1974, while McDade, Gladney and LaFrance all had more than 40 catches. More notably, Cunningham reached 2,500 yards in total offense for the third straight year, joining Heisman Trophy winners John Elway and Doug Flutie as the only players to accomplish that feat. He also averaged a school-record 47.5 yards per punt to earn second-team All-American recognition. Cunningham once again was named PCAA Player of the Year, while senior defensive end Aaron Moog was the co-Defensive Player of the Year. Those players were among fve Rebels named frst-team PCAA, joining Jones, LaFrance and senior guard Doug Eisher, while seven others were named to the second team. “We had talent all over the feld,” says Hyde, who was honored as PCAA Coach of the Year. Although the Rebels had just completed the most glorious year in the program’s history, the team’s period of postseason bliss was short-lived. In March 1985, the PCAA ordered UNLV to forfeit all 11 of its victories, including the Cal Bowl win, for having seven ineligible players, although determining that the university hadn’t intentionally violated any rules. NCAA records, however, still recognize the ’84 Rebels’ accomplishments. “People tried to have it distract us, but all it did was bring us closer together,” Hyde says of the late-season suspensions. “It’s funny that when all the smoke cleared and everything was sorted out, the NCAA kept our offcial record at 11-2. I feel there was a lot of jealousy that we came into the conference and won so quickly. [Jerry] Tar-
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What’s the top pigskin play in Week 1? Which NFL teams will exceed (or fall short of) expectations in 2014? Who will win it all? We turn to seven highly respected handicapping experts from Pregame.com for all the winning answers.
Steve Fezzik
@FezzikSports
Bengals-Ravens UNDER 43 (Sept. 7). If you had played Baltimore’s last 37 AFC North games “under” 43.5, you would be 32-5. Baltimore was horrendous on offense last year, averaging an NFL-worst 4.5 yards per play. But during the draft, they stuck to their defense-frst focus, using their frst three draft picks on defensive players. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: Bengals UNDER 9 (-110). Cincinnati has lost both of its coordinators, including Mike Zimmer on the defensive side. The Bengals simply aren’t the type of well-run organization than can remain on top after such key departures, and because they fnished frst last year, they have to face Denver and New England, the two best teams in the AFC. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: Take the Packers at 11-to-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. Green Bay’s records the last three seasons when QB Aaron Rodgers was actually under center: 15-1 (won Super Bowl), 11-5 and 7-2.
WEEK 1 BEST BET:
VegasSeven.com
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@David_Malinsky
WEEK 1 BEST BET: Louisville -3½ vs. Miami
Central Florida -1 vs. Penn State, in Dublin (Aug. 30). The sanctions from the Jerry Sandusky scandal will fnally catch up with Penn State this year. Add in a new coaching philosophy, and the Nittany Lions are in for a rough season— right out of the blocks. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: Chiefs UNDER 8 (-140). Kansas City has offensive line problems, a shaky defensive backfeld and a very tough schedule. The Chiefs have gone from my favorite “over” win-total prop in 2013 to one of my bigger “under” plays in 2014. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: I agree with Fezzik on the Packers to win the Super Bowl. For my money, Green Bay has the best QB in football with a better offensive supporting cast than last season. A couple of additions on the defensive side make the Packers the team to beat in my book.
Ted Sevransky
Ken Thomson
Scott Spreitzer
August 28–September 3, 2014
David Malinksy
(Sept. 1). Oddsmakers are trying to say these programs are close to even if this game was on a neutral feld, but that’s not the case. Louisville’s 36-9 rout of the Hurricanes in their December bowl matchup was every bit the blowout the score indicates. QB Will Gardner has looked impressive in practice under new coach Bobby Petrino’s tutelage, while the Miami QB rotation was still unsettled a week before kickoff because of suspensions. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: Bengals OVER 9. New offensive coordinator Hue Jackson’s playbook is ideal to get the most out of QB Andy Dalton’s skill set; and Cincinnati’s big, physical receiving corps, plus two tight ends who can get down the feld, make this offense one of the most likely to take advantage of the new rules limiting contact by the defense. The declining state of the rest of the AFC North makes for an easier path. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: I’m with Teddy on Ohio State at 50-to-1. Since Braxton Miller wasn’t around for spring practice, or the frst two fall scrimmages, Barrett already has a good grasp of the offense. A very favorable schedule should allow the wins to mount as Barrett develops.
@ScottWins
WEEK 1 BEST BET:
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Bills OVER 6.5 (-180). Buffalo has a very manageable schedule, a loaded defense and a bevy of skill-position talent. If QB EJ Manuel is decent, the Bills could be a surprise playoff contender by the time December rolls around. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: Go with Ohio State at 50-to-1 to win college football’s national championship. The season-ending injury to starting QB Braxton Miller has given us an overlay to support the Buckeyes to win it all. Freshman J.T. Barrett ran the Buckeyes’ frst-string offense in the spring, and we’ve seen a redshirt frosh QB guide his team to the national title game in each of the last two years. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET:
@Teddy_Covers
WEEK 1 BEST BET: Washington -15½ at
Hawaii (Aug. 30). The Huskies have a huge edge in the trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and they’re not likely to let down after halftime in coach Chris Petersen’s debut.
WRs Marquez North and Pig Howard will help Tennessee’s offense roll over Chuckie Keeton and the Aggies. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: Vikings OVER 6 (-125). Minnesota may be good enough to split its six NFC North contests (Packers, Lions and Bears), and home games vs. the Falcons, Redskins, Panthers and Jets are all very winnable. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: Like Teddy and Dave, I’m also taking a shot with a Big Ten team to win the national title, but it’s Michigan State. At 30-to-1, this is great value on the best team in the Big Ten, especially with Ohio State losing Miller. Spartans QB Connor Cook grew up in last year’s Rose Bowl victory over Stanford, and RB Jeremy Langford will provide great support in the backfeld. Meanwhile, Mark Dantonio’s stingy defense remains intact.
Dave Cokin
@DaveCokin
UTEP +7.5 at New Mexico (Aug. 30). Two low-level border rivals renew hostilities after last year’s overtime thriller, which New Mexico won, 42-35. While I do see the Lobos as the better squad here, it’s not by a big margin. Rivalry revenge in opening games is always enticing, and this game is no exception. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: 49ers UNDER 10.5 (-125). No question, the 49ers are still a playoff-caliber team on paper. WEEK 1 BEST BET:
RJ Bell
@RJinVegas
WEEK 1 BEST BET: Packers +5½ at Seahawks
(Sept. 4). The NFL season kicks off with this matchup, as does the NFL bettor’s tradition of focusing on the recent past—Seattle is the champ! Green Bay barely made the playoffs last year!— instead of the here and now. With Rodgers completely recovered from the broken collarbone that cost him seven games last season, the Packers might be as good as anybody. NFL WIN-TOTAL BEST BET: Browns UNDER 6.5 (+110). The public has bet up Cleveland because of the Johnny Manziel hype. However, the pros I’ve spoken with believe Brian Hoyer is better for the team this season. But we all know it won’t be long before Johnny Football is running the show. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: I like the Eagles at 30-to-1 to win the Super Bowl. Whenever an NFL coach installs a new system, the team tends to struggle the frst half of the frst season as they transition. But Chip Kelly’s up-tempo system is a genuine game changer, and Philly played elite football in the second half of 2013 once the players got comfortable. The weakness of the NFC East paves the way to the playoffs, and from there, anything can happen.
@KenThomson87
Tennessee -6½ vs. Utah State (Aug. 31). New head coach Butch Jones is changing the landscape in Knoxville, where the Vols have struggled in recent years. Senior running back Marlin Lane, and
WEEK 1 BEST BET:
Ready for some football: Customers survey the betting board at South Point's sportsbook.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JON ESTRADA
BETTING FAVORITES
But residence in the ultra-tough NFC West virtually guarantees at least two or three losses, and I’m just not sold on San Francisco’s offense right now. I’ve got the 49ers fnishing at 9-7, so a confdent call on the “under” here. LONG SHOT FOR THE FUTURE: Roll the dice with UCLA at 14-to-1 to win the national title. The Bruins are unquestionably championship timber on offense. The defense also has loads of talent and by season’s end could be something special. If college football’s frst-ever playoff were in September, I’d say no thanks. But by January, this could be the best team in the land.
2014 FOOTBALL ISSUE
Two Steps Forward …
MUST-SEE TV Grab a beer
from the fridge and the remote from the kids: Here are seven games not to miss this fall
After last year’s surprising success, inquiring minds want to know: Can Bobby Hauck and his Rebels do it again?
BRONCOS at SEAHAWKS (Sept. 21): Last time these teams hooked up was in a little something called the Super Bowl, where the Seahawks’ defense neutered Peyton Manning and the Broncos, 43-8. That game was on a neutral field. This one is in Seattle, which boasts the loudest outdoor stadium in the NFL. (Bring earplugs, Peyton. Better yet, feign a groin injury in pregame warmups.) Also today … Raiders at Patriots. Two words, Raiders fans: tuck rule!
Hauck in Control At this time last year, Hauck was feeling the heat. He had won just six games in his first three seasons, and after the Rebels got clobbered in their first two games of 2013, it appeared his days on Maryland Parkway were numbered. But his offensive system finally clicked (29.9 points per game), the Rebels won seven of their final 10 regular-season games, and Hauck was rewarded with a two-year contract extension that will keep him at UNLV through 2016. This being Hauck’s fifth season, it means he recruited every player on his roster. In other words, this is now his team in every sense of the word.
Ground and Pound Star running back Tim Cornett and his 3,733 career rushing yards (most in school history) are gone, and there probably isn’t one player in the UNLV backfield capable of replacing his production. But Hauck believes in the value of a strong running game, and junior David Greene has the tools to do the heavy lifting. After two years on defense, the 6-foot, 210-pound Greene switched from safety to running back during spring practice, and he looked impressive in the summer. Passing Fancy The Rebels opened preseason practice with a two-man QB competition between junior college transfer Blake Decker and junior Nick Sherry, but by the time the team broke camp in Ely, Decker had clearly won the job. Decker fits the Mountain West profile: He played in a pass-first (and passsecond) offense at Scottsdale Community College, throwing for 4,241 yards and 47 touchdowns last year, so he knows how to pilot a wide-open attack. Hauck likes to run the ball (UNLV actually attempted more rushes than passes last season, 507-483), but if Decker is the real deal, the Rebels may be inclined to open up the offense. Somewhere, Davis is smiling. Getting Defensive As many points as Davis and the offense produced last year, the defense actually surrendered more (31.8 ppg). That should change in 2014 now that the secondary has a bit more experience,
which is important in the aerially oriented Mountain West Conference. And that defense got a late boost when transfer Josh Shirley, who had 18 sacks in three years at Washington, was cleared to play, giving the defensive line another effective pass rusher. Bowl Hopes Alive After the Rebels fell short of the NCAA-mandated APR (Academic Progress Rate) score during the offseason, the program was punished with a bowl ban for 2014. But just when it looked like all of the team’s momentum was destroyed, the school’s number-crunchers sprang into action, uncovering some grades that were mistakenly scored too low. The recalculated score was deemed APR-qualifying, and the bowl ban was lifted. Now UNLV has to finish 7-6 or better to become bowl-eligible. Protecting the Cannon It took just a shade under a decade, but UNLV finally reclaimed the Fremont Cannon. As big as last year's win in Reno was, this year’s meeting could be even more crucial. That’s because UNR will be at Sam Boyd Stadium on November 29 (Thanksgiving weekend) for both teams’ regular-season finale. If UNLV needs a second straight victory over the Wolf Pack to earn a second straight bowl berth (for the first time in school history), it could be the Rebels’ most anticipated home contest in years. Follow UNLV football all season at RunRebs.com/Football.
OREGON at UCLA (Oct. 11): Contrary to what the suits at ESPN headquarters would have you believe, college football really is played west of the Rockies. Good football. Really good football. And you’ll see it when Oregon and UCLA—ranked No. 3 and No. 7, respectively, entering the season—put on a show at the Rose Bowl. Tip: Do not play the take-a-shot-for-everyTD drinking game while watching this one. Also today … Texas vs. Oklahoma. Political correctness be damned: It’s the annual Red River Shootout—not Red River Rivalry. OHIO STATE at MICHIGAN STATE (Nov. 8): Almost certainly, the winner of this Big Ten clash between the Buckeyes (preseason No. 5) and Spartans (preseason No. 8) will have the inside track to the East Division title and remain in the hunt for the first-ever four-team playoff. The loser almost certainly will be out of said playoff hunt. Also today … Alabama at LSU. STEELERS vs. RAVENS (Nov. 2): Two bitter rivals. Two extremely physical defenses. And one very close game (10 of the last 11 regularseason Baltimore-Pittsburgh bloodbaths have been decided by three points or fewer). Also today … Broncos at Patriots. Gee, I wonder if there will be any mention of Manning and Tom Brady during this one … AUBURN at ALABAMA (Nov. 29): The best of a tremendous slate of rivalry games. Also today … FloridaFlorida State, Oregon-Oregon State, Michigan-Ohio State, South Carolina-Clemson, Notre Dame-USC … and UNR-UNLV! (Just send the wife out holiday shopping at 9 a.m. and tell her to come home at midnight.) PATRIOTS at PACKERS (Nov. 30): Might this be a Super Bowl preview? Might you be in a food coma after a long Thanksgiving weekend? Yes and yes. Also today … Saints at Steelers. Not only a doozy on the field, but stay tuned after the game to see if Drew Brees needs a stepstool to shake Ben Roethlisberger’s hand. – Matt Jacob
VegasSeven.com
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY UNLV ATHLETICS
Receiving Attention Devante Davis will be playing on Sundays soon enough, but for one more season he’ll serve as the centerpiece of UNLV’s offense. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver passed on the NFL Draft after racking up 1,290 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. If preseason practices are any indication, Davis could be in line to surpass those numbers in 2014. He’s got the size, speed and preternatural ball skills to be a legit contender for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top receiver.
Rebels star wide receiver Devante Davis.
EAGLES at 49ERS (Sept. 28): Chip Kelly’s fast-break Philly offense vs. Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers’ plethora of skill players. If the grass holds up at new Levi’s Stadium, this could be one of those first-team-to50-wins kind of shootout. Also today … Packers at Bears. Still the best rivalry in the NFC, even without snow.
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The UNLV football team did the unthinkable last year: After a trio of miserable two-win seasons to kick off the Bobby Hauck era—not to mention two ugly losses to start the 2013 campaign (combined score: Foes 109, UNLV 36)—the Rebels rebounded to post a 7-6 record and earn their first bowl berth since 2000. UNLV even went up to Reno in late October, knocked off UNR and brought home the Fremont Cannon for the first time since 2004. Dare we predict that last season was not, in fact, an aberration, but rather the start of a new trend? Time will certainly tell. But if nothing else, Rebels fans at least have reason to be legitimately optimistic entering the season, which starts August 29 at Arizona. Here are seven things for those fans to watch for this fall:
August 28–September 3, 2014
BY MIKE GRIMALA
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NIGHTLIFE
Las Vegas turntable staple Steve Angello bookends three years at Wynn with a new single and a slew of new projects By David Morris
VegasSeven.com
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Love’s Labor Day
STEVE ANGELLO IS EASILY ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC DJS, producers and label heads in the electronic space today. For the past three years he has been a staple at Wynn, and has packed XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club in a way that few can. With his frst solo album since the dissolution of Swedish House Mafa imminently being released along with the debut of the album’s frst single “Wasted Love,” we thought it ftting to catch up with this iconic maestro before he closes out his Wynn residency Labor Day weekend with an August 30 performance at Encore Beach Club.
August 28–September 3, 2014
PHOTO BY HANNES SÖDERLUND
Your city after dark, photos from the week’s hottest parties and meet the hearing doc to the DJs
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NIGHTLIFE VegasSeven.com
| August 28–September 3, 2014
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Tell me about “Wasted Love,” featuring Dougy from the Temper Traps. It seems built for mainstream radio. Yes and no. It could be more radio. I get that the label wanted it to be more radio, but I wanted to create a hybrid between where I am and where Temper Traps are. It’s really easy to just work with an artist and just throw them on a big-room dance song and be like, “Yeah, this is the template of how to create a dance song.” I respect Temper Traps and I respect Dougy as a singer, and I would never put him in a song where I would strip him down of what he’s known for, because I love Temper Trap. It’s a hybrid: It’s dance yet indie, with guitars and strings. The sound build and mix of the song is dynamic, and that makes it different from dance songs. Because if you look at it spectrum-wise, it’s like an indie song, but it has a dance rhythm.
Is that the theme for the album? The album will be everything. It’s deep—big, small, thick, dark, moody and melancholic. Is it true you laid down the album in the middle of the Swedish woods? I just believe in isolation. That's the way great music has been done since the ’50s, when recording artists were rock artists. They went up to a house somewhere in the middle of the woods and they just came up with something. It took two months to truly create. Then they went through processes of mixing and adding and changing. But I believe in that process, and that’s how I make music right now. I frmly believe in the old rock way of writing songs and records where they write something and then they tour it. They have separation: “OK, now we make an album. And now we start to tour.”
You’re not just making music, though, but also running a label and managing yourself. If you just have great people around you, you can manage to do it. It’s hard, but I try to do a lot of stuff on my own. I have great people around me whom I trust to take something and run with it without me having to worry. And your record label, Size, turned 10 this year. When I started, frst and foremost, it was my goal just to release music in general. But then the further we came into the game, I realized that we could actually do something great here, because we had a great output and we had a great opportunity to introduce music to the world. Several years in, I started to sign more artists and really get into that, and then realized that we were in a position to
actually break a young artist. How do you identify the next big thing? I have a system where we flter [out] a lot, and we go through everything very carefully. ... We have folders for submissions, like, “OK, this is deep house, this is tech house, this is this.” Then we have a massive data bank, and we go in and I sit there— and I can sit for two days and listen to them. Sometimes I go through thousands of submissions. It’s hard because a lot of people are [still] learning, and a lot of people are copying things that they’re looking up to or are passionate about. It’s just hard to be yourself and create your own sound, but those guys who do, they usually break through the walls. Follow @SteveAngello on Twitter to find out about Angello’s next moves.
By
famous for singing his name in all his songs (including the Snoop Dogg-assisted summer smash “Wiggle”) pulls double-duty at Rehab and Body English. (In Hard Rock, 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., HardRockHotel. com.) R&B singer Miguel gets in on the serenade action at Hyde. He’ll be celebrating the birthday of longtime girlfriend Nazanin Mandi. You may hear a few hearts break in the audience. (In Bellagio, 10 p.m., HydeBellagio.com.)
SUN 31 It’s been awhile since we’ve heard the earth-trembling vocals of System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian. Thanks to Benny Benassi, we can enjoy them with 100 percent more dancemusic favor in their new collaboration, “Shooting Helicopters.” Here’s hoping Benassi drops the bloodpumping track at Marquee Dayclub. (At the Cosmopolitan, 11 a.m., MarqueeLasVegas.com.) After executing a 10-hour set in Ibiza and a playa takeover at Burning Man, house music veteran Carl Cox returns to spin at Light after-hours. (In Mandalay Bay, 3 a.m., TheLightVegas.com.)
MON 1 Khloe Terae.
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
THU 28
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You can’t get down to the live music of Kanye West until he’s here for Life Is Beautiful in October. But you can get down to “Kanye,” the new single from “#Selfe” hit-makers the Chainsmokers, which is inspired by Mr. West’s glowing confdence. Catch the duo opening for Steve Aoki at Hakkasan. (At MGM Grand, 10:30 p.m., HakkasanLV.com.) Hop over to SLS for the grand opening of the Sayers Club with a performance by “Habits (Stay High)” singer, Tove Lo. The Swedish songstress, who’s written for Cher Lloyd and Icona Pop, is poised to break
even bigger in 2014. (10 p.m., TheSayersClubLV.com.) For the rest of the Labor Day weekend madness we couldn’t contain here, check out the Cheat Sheet on Page 60.
FRI 29 The inaugural Rehab DJ Battle concludes four weeks of competition as local hopefuls compete for $3,000 in cash and prizes; DJ Hollywood hosts. (At Hard Rock, 10 a.m., HardRockHotel.com.) The Palms Pool invites you to join centerfold/DJ Brooke Evers, the ladies of Veve swimwear and Playmate Khloe Terae, who’ll host a bikini contest
during this edition of Ditch Fridays. (Noon, Palms.com.) Close the evening at Tao with DJ Khaled, who returns to spin August 31 at Tao Beach. Khaled refers to himself as “a genius” and “the Quincy Jones of Hip-Hop” in a recent interview on Larry King Now. We can’t say we agree, but we do suggest you listen to the clip if only to hear 80-yearold King exclaim “We the best!” (In the Venetian, 10 p.m., TaoLasVegas.com.)
SAT 30 Jason Derulo could sing the phone book and make it sound good. The man
Insert Coin(s) invites all ages to its third annual Hometown Heroes event. The party starts outdoors with food trucks, charity raffes and an actionsports exhibition. The 21-andover set can stick around till 9 p.m. for a performance by Payola Presley and a DJ set by
Benny Benassi.
BMX rider Ben Snowden inside the barcade. (512 Fremont St., InsertCoinsLV.com.)
TUE 2 Not long ago, a DJ’s only option was to spin vinyl records. Today it’s an anomaly, which is why we recommend the all-vinyl edition of Nickel F***n Beer Night with DJs Biz:E and Munkey at Beauty Bar. There will be actual turntables playing actual wax and, of course, really cheap beer. (517 Fremont St., 9 p.m., TheBeautyBar.com.)
WED 3 Last month, hip-hop and trap producer RL Grime took to YouTube to announce that his debut album, Void, will be released in November. What’s he going to do in the meantime? Besides spinning at Light on occasion as his alter ego Clockwork, we hope he’ll drop previews at Surrender. (In Encore, 10:30 p.m., SurrenderNightclub.com.)
Tove Lo.
KHLOE TERAE BY GLEN BOWDEN; TOVE LO BY FREDRIK ETOALL
NIGHTLIFE
Camille Cannon
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MAD DECENT MONDAYS
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NIGHTLIFE
THE HOOKUP
“IN A NIGHTCLUB, WHERE NOISE CAN PEAK ABOVE 110 DECIBELS, WITHOUT HEARING PROTECTION YOU RISK HEARING LOSS IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES.” ing protection, they don’t protect as well in the high frequencies. They can be uncomfortable and diffcult to insert properly, but they’re better than nothing. Certainly some form of hearing protection is better than none. What about the foam freebies often available at shows? Do they even work? They can be diffcult to insert properly, and people often can’t wear them for long periods of time before they become uncomfortable. Also, they distort the clarity of speech and music by protecting at certain frequencies better than others. Foam plugs don’t protect as well in the high frequencies, and sounds in that pitch range can cause the most hearing damage. What’s the typical decibel level in a Las Vegas nightclub, and what has a comparable noise level? There’s very little formal research on current noise levels in Las Vegas nightclubs. I’ve done some informal readings of my own at some Las Vegas establishments. I found peak noise levels as high as 120 decibels next to the speaker. That is comparable to a sandblaster or jackhammer. A jet engine clocks in at about 140 decibels.
Here’s an earful on protecting your hearing even while hitting the clubs
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
By Laurel May Bond
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HUSH, CHILDREN. What’s that sound? Is it sweet silence or ringing that you hear? Las Vegas audiologist and Sound Signature CEO Courtney Smith is on a mission to protect the hearing of music lovers and those who work in the Strip’s “intense noise environments,” creating custom in-ear monitors for musicians and DJs, and earpieces for security teams, nightlife industry professionals and others. With top local clients including Drai’s, The Bank, Hyde Bellagio, SBE’s club portfolio, Encore Beach Club, the Vanguard Lounge and more musicians than you can shake a 100-watt amp at, when Smith spoke up about hearing protection, we were all ears. What is it that you do, exactly? I’ve been an audiologist for 11 years, and nine of those have been in Las Vegas. Audiologists treat hearing loss with technology, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. I have a mobile offce, and I custom ft products for people where it’s convenient for them. How can I tell when it’s time to put in the ear-
After a long night at the club, what does that ringing in my ears mean? It’s called tinnitus. It’s a signal from your body that hearing damage has taken place. I’m at an outdoor music festival—not in a club. That means I don’t need earplugs, right? Wrong! Music festivals are actually more dangerous than one night at the club. Noise exposure is like sun exposure—the length of exposure time and intensity of the noise equals the damage. If you stay at the beach in the beating sun for three days without sunscreen, you’ll get a terrible sunburn. The sunburn goes away, but if you repeat this behavior, you’ll eventually have permanent skin damage. The same is true for your hearing. If you go to a festival and rock out to your favorite bands or DJs for three days without earplugs, that damage accumulates, and you are left with ringing ears and, eventually, hearing loss. Are cheap drugstore-brand earplugs effective? If they are inserted as the manufacturer intended, they can be effective. Compared with custom hear-
Is hearing loss reversible? There are certain types of hearing loss that are reversible, such as the type of hearing loss you get from an ear infection or having wax build-up in your ear. That’s called conductive hearing loss. Once the situation is treated, your hearing returns. Sensorineural hearing loss is the type you get from noise exposure, and it causes nerve damage, which is permanent. Is there anything I can do to make my hearing better? Like for eavesdropping on the conversation at a nearby table at a restaurant, or my boyfriend talking on the phone in the next room? Unfortunately, there are no magic pills or potions to make your hearing better. But with today’s technology and a few microphones, anything is possible. What do you say to audiophiles who claim earplugs ruin their music experience? People who are passionate about music and sound demand perfection. Audiophiles are to sound as foodies are to the restaurant world. They want to taste, feel and experience music in its purest form. Reducing volume with earplugs can take away some of that richness. But if you love sound, you should listen to what science tells us. Protect your hearing and you will enjoy your passion for music much longer. Do you get a lot of “Can you hear me now?” jokes? At least three times a week for the last 10 years! How loud is too loud? And what’s in the DJ’s ear right now? Find out at VegasSeven.com/TheHookup. Follow @LVSound on Twitter.
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
Listen Up!
plugs? Is there a rule of thumb? The time you are exposed to noise and the volume level of that noise matters the most. You can be exposed to 85 decibels of noise for eight hours without hearing protection before hearing loss is a concern. For every fve-decibel increase in sound intensity, the time you can be exposed before you risk hearing loss is reduced by half. You can be exposed to 90 decibels for four hours, 95 decibels for two hours, etc. In a nightclub, where noise can peak above 110 decibels, without hearing protection you risk hearing loss in less than fve minutes.
PARTIES
CHEAT SHEET: LABOR DAY WEEKEND These are the Top Seven acts not to miss on Labor Day weekend. Your challenge: Try to catch them all. ➜ The Roots’ bandleader
ARTISAN
1501 W. Sahara Ave. [ UPCOMING ]
Aug. 30 Joey Mazzola spins Sept. 1 XXX Nights Sept. 3 Latin Revolution
Questlove treats Brooklyn Bowl to two nights of throwback beats and vintage Soul Train clips during Bowl Train. (In the Linq, 11:30 p.m. Aug. 28-29, Vegas. BrooklynBowl.com.) ➜ Afro-Norwegian duo Nico &
Vinz has had one of the biggest breakouts of summer with “Am I Wrong?” Their first Las Vegas appearance is August 30, on the grand opening weekend of SLS’ Foxtail nightclub. (In SLS, 10 p.m., FoxtailLasVegas.com.) ➜ Leave it to a 24-year-old
to attempt a 24-hour party. Russian-born DJ Arty will spin at Drai’s Beach Club, Nightclub and Afterhours on August 30. Buy him a Red Bull, will ya? (In the Cromwell, 2:30 p.m., DraisNightlife.com.) ➜ Kaskade’s Summer Lovin’
residency—returning August 30— is nothing new, but its popularity continues to grow. The latest daytime edition was so packed, Marquee opened the nightclub to accommodate the crowd. (In the Cosmopolitan, 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., MarqueeLasVegas.com.) ➜ R&B artist Trey Songz is
VegasSeven.com
known for his voice, his muscles and his parties. Experience all three at Trigga’s “Foreign” Day Party at Daylight. (At Mandalay Bay, 11 a.m., DaylightVegas.com).
August 28–September 3, 2014
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Deep Dish gets together August 31 at Life. Also on the bill is Pete Tong, whose BBC Radio 1 programs are revered for their influence on dance music. (In SLS, 10 p.m., LifeNightclub.com.)
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See more photos from this gallery at SPYONVegas.com
➜ Two of dance music’s biggest names, Diplo and Skrillex, team up on the turntables September 1 at XS. (In Encore, 10:30 p.m., XSLasVegas.com.)
– Camille Cannon
PHOTOS BY BOBBY JAMEIDAR
➜ Rarely reunited house duo
NIGHTLIFE
PARTIES
WET REPUBLIC MGM Grand
[ UPCOMING ]
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See more photos from this gallery at SPYONVegas.com
PHOTOS BY AMIT DADL ANEY AND JOSH METZ
August 28–September 3, 2014
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Aug. 29 Steve Aoki and Nervo spin Aug. 30 Tiësto and Fergie DJ spin Aug. 31 Martin Garrix spins
DINING
“The other surprise winner was the rabbit ragu over spaghetti squash. Paleo diners, rejoice!” {PAGE 74}
Restaurant reviews, Dining news and the ‘who’s Hu’ of Chicago’s Chinese-cuisine scene comes to the Palms
Former Dragon Grill food-truck owners set down roots of-Strip with Mochiko Chicken By Al Mancini
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Fried and True
August 28–September 3, 2014
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
From the top: an assortment of sauces; the Ohana chicken-strip combo; the Mochiko Bowl; and the Hawaiian Hen House Bowl.
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SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT THE
food-truck fad being “so over,” there are still a handful of trucks out there with serious cult followings. So whenever a food-truck owner jumps into the brick-and-mortar restaurant world, there’s always a strong buzz among foodies. That’s what happened earlier this year as word began to spread that Jerry Misa and Sandra Lenska were ditching their Dragon Grille Asianfusion food truck to open Mochiko Chicken. Despite numerous delays, the place is fnally open. Mochiko is a small, quickcasual spot near Decatur Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, with counter service. The couple doesn’t use it to recreate any of the recipes from Dragon Grill, since the truck now has new owners offering those dishes. Instead, the focus is strictly on Asian-fusion preparations of chicken. At this point, Mochiko offers Hawaiian-infuenced fried tenders and three grilledchicken bowls, with more bowls expected to be added soon. Meanwhile, a selection of salads has already been slated for elimination because of lack of interest (which is a shame because the one I tried was actually pretty good). Born in the Philippines, where his family ran six restaurants and a bakery, Misa insists the secret to all of his dishes is “in the sauce.” And there’s no denying these folks take their sauces seriously. There are nine dipping options available for the tenders: the signature Mochiko Sauce; coconut curry; buttermilk ranch; Polynesian; Mandarin sweet chili; sriracha sambal aioli; wasabi ranch; honey Dijon; and Twisted Teriyaki. Despite doubling or even tripling up on recent visits, I still haven’t made it through all of them. Clearly, these aren’t your basic McNugget sauces; each is complex and clearly made with love. (The restaurant also creates other versions for various weekly specials.)
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DINING August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
Mochiko owners Sandra Lenska and Jerry Misa.
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As good as those sauces are, however, I refuse to concede that they’re the secret to the success of the tenders. Each large white-meat strip is plump and juicy, wonderfully tender, coated with a lightly seasoned faky batter and fried until perfectly crisp and golden. Served in combos starting at $7, they’re everything you could ask for in a fried chicken, except the bones and the dark meat. You’ll fnd that dark meat in the bowls, which are made with grilled thigh meat. While none of the bowls I’ve tried has lived up to the nearperfection of the strips, they’re often more enjoyable, thanks to their complexity and (relative) healthiness. I loved the Mochiko Bowl ($7):
steamed rice sprinkled with Nori Komi Furikake seasoning, then topped with chicken, stir-fried veggies and Mochiko sauce. I was a little less impressed with the Hawaiian Hen House ($8). The fried egg was overcooked, and the sweet and tangy Polynesian sauce is probably my least favorite of the ones I’ve tried. (I should note that an egg I ordered on another occasion was slightly undercooked, demonstrating that making a perfect egg is not easy.) Finally, for your beverage, make sure not to overlook the sweet lychee lemonade. Given the fact that Mochiko is extremely new and makes everything to order, it should come as no surprise that service might be slow at
frst. But even in a forgiving mood, the 15-plus-minute wait during my frst visit was unacceptable. Things were better just a few days later, however. With Misa and Lenska almost constantly present, I’m sure they’ll continue to improve now that they’ve ditched the wheels and found this chicken a permanent roost.
MOCHIKO CHICKEN
2101 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-789-7103. Open for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon–Sat, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun. Dinner for two, $10–$20.
Get the latest on local restaurant openings and closings, interviews with top chefs, cocktail recipes, menu previews and more in our weekly “Sips and Bites” newsletter. Subscribe at VegasSeven.com/SipsAndBites.
Having now had my first full meal at Giada (in the Cromwell, 702-737-777), I can finally say this about the lemon spaghetti: I get it. (Extra points if you actually read that as “spah-gehtee” as spelled out on the menu.) Light, bright and the perfect portion for one, it’s an easy winner. I’m also a huge fan of the antipasti spread, which you see when you walk in the door. Salumi and cheese did their jobs, but I was surprised by how much I liked the crostini. The vitello tonnato—a classic Piedmontese combination of veal and tuna—was shrunk down to an hors d’oeuvre. Normally this dish is too meaty in an unpleasant way for me, but at this size, it was just right, combining lean veal loin and just-seared tuna, dressed with a caper aioli that made each bite pop. Giada continues to be one of the hardest dinner reservations to get in town, but I’ve heard that lunch is easier. Worst comes to worst, belly up to the bar, order a glass of wine and snack your way through the antipasti and pizzette menu. Speaking of bellying up to the bar, that is one of the best perches at Carson Kitchen (124 S. Sixth St., 702-473-9523, CarsonKitchen.com). The wide butcher-block counter offers a view into the kitchen and the pass, where you can watch the well-oiled machine on the line. Chef Kerry Simon’s latest venture is following a trend that I’m happy to see sticking around: the neighborhood restaurant. And this one has a casual setting, good cocktail list, bites to share with your table and some really solid mains. But what really made me happy was the burger, topped with boursin and white cheddar, and, oh, a pat of butter right on top, Midwest style. The grown-up tater tots make a better accompaniment than the usual suspect, fries, despite their being made from the same deep-fried ingredient. The other surprise winner was the rabbit ragu over spaghetti (pronounced the regular way) squash. The evenly spiced tomato sauce with tender rabbit is a great coating for the strands of squash. Paleo diners, rejoice! Finally, SLS Las Vegas opened to the public August 23 with its arsenal of restaurants, led by hotel culinary director, chef José Andrés. The chic property features an eclectic range of dining offerings, from the casual-but-highlyanticipated Umami Burger and sexy Japanese from Katsuya by Starck to Los Angeles’ famous The Griddle and Andrés’ carnivorefriendly Bazaar Meat. I, for one, am definitely looking forward to these new additions to the Strip, as well as giggling the first dozen times I have to say “Bazaar Meat” out loud. Grace Bascos eats, sleeps, raves and repeats. Read more from Grace at VegasSeven.com/ DishingWithGrace, as well as on her diningand-music blog, FoodPlusTechno.com.
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
GIADA JUST GETS ME, CARSON KITCHEN FOR THE WIN, AND SLS OPENS AT LAST
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Boca Park 730 S. Rampart Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89145 (702) 933-8740
515
Bruce Woodbury Beltway
Stephanie St. Power Center 501 N. Stephanie Street Henderson, NV 89014 (702) 433-2709
DINING
Clockwise from left: chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan’s main dining room and the restaurant’s entrance.
Wanted: Game Changer What will chef Tony Hu bring to the table at Lao Sze Chuan in the Palms?
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HAVE YOU WALKED THROUGH THE PALMS LATELY
and wondered what’s going on in that space that used to be Little Buddha? I recently peeked behind the curtain to fnd the dining room just about ready for its new tenant, retaining the same chic, sexy feel we remember, despite numerous renovations. The kitchen is far from complete; however, Palms offcials assure me Lao Sze Chuan, will be ready for a soft opening August 29, with a grand opening September 12. Lao Sze Chuan specializes in Szechuan cuisine. (The spelling of the name refects the Taiwanese spelling of the word.) If you’re anything like me, you may have greeted this news with a yawn. After all, it’s hard to fnd a resort in Las
Vegas that doesn’t offer Chinese food. But owner Tony Hu promises his place will be a game changer. “Lao Sze Chuan is the frst Chinese restaurant in a casino offering authentic Sze Chuan cuisine,” Hu tells me. “It’s the frst one, and the only one!” Hype is nothing new in Las Vegas. But a quick look at Hu’s credentials, and you begin to wonder if this is something more. The original Lao Sze Chuan in Chicago has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “Top 10 spots for spicy food” by the Chicago Tribune; “possibly the most interesting menu in Chicago” by the Chicago Reader; and the “closest to Chinese home cooking” by Chicago magazine.
Plans for Hu’s Palms location are ambitious. The menu is set to have more than 250 items. They’ll include signature Chicago items, such as his three-chile chicken, and items created just for Las Vegas, such as a Szechuan peppercorn fsh. There will also be dim sum made fresh to order (rather than wheeled around on a cart) and a latenight menu of clay pot dishes. And the kitchen will feature eight large tanks of live seafood. “We have many return customers,” Hu says. “And we want to give them more choices.” Despite the elegant décor and a handful of pricey exotic dishes, Hu promises to keep things mostly affordable. He’s proud that his Chicago space has twice earned Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Award for good value. Here, the price
is expected to average from $35 to $50 a person, with dim sum available for much less. Compared with other resorts’ Chinese restaurant, “Our prices will be the lowest in Las Vegas,” Lao says. As for competition from less expensive restaurants in nearby Chinatown, Hu doesn’t seem worried. “All of the restaurants in Chinatown [near] Spring Mountain Road are way behind other cities’ Chinatowns,” he says. When I ask him how, he points to the current styles, décor and presentations he sees on his frequent trips to China. Whether Hu will deliver everything he promises and propel Lao Sze Chuan to the top of the local Chinese food world remain to be seen. But one thing’s certain: Come September, the game will most defnitely be on.
PHOTOS COURTESY L AO SZE CHUAN
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
By Al Mancini
DRINKING [ ASK A SOMM ]
HOW TO SQUEEEEEZE THE BEST VALUE OUT OF A RESTAURANT OR LOUNGE WINE LIST The vast number of wine options (and the cost associated!) at restaurants can be intimidating. Keep in mind these guidelines and you’ll have a better chance of finding a wine you’ll enjoy for a price you’re willing to pay. Let Go of the Past One of the best ways to find value is to break out of the same tired old rut of cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay. More than 10,000 wine-grape varietals are cultivated throughout the world. Limiting yourself to just a small handful of the most common will not only be detrimental to your wallet, but to your overall understanding and enjoyment of wine. Look instead for lesser-known varietals from more obscure regions that are new, exciting and affordable. (Not sure which those are? Ask!) Remember: There was a time when cabernet sauvignon wasn’t well known either. Wines by the Glass: Ripe Opportunity or Blatant Rip Off? Avoid purchasing a bottle that is also offered by the glass because of the inherent markup that protects the restaurant from spoilage, waste, etc. While by-the-glass options may still be exceptional, they are often priced higher than they would be if offered by the bottle only.
Knowing What You Want: Adjectives Can Save You Money One of the best ways to ensure that you get the right wine for the right price is to be able to describe the type of wine you typically enjoy. Simple adjectives such as “crisp,” “big” and “fruity” aid your sommelier or server in making a suggestion. If you enjoy a rich, robust red wine with tannins, there are hundreds if not thousands of analogs from which to choose. Talk to your sommelier and don’t be afraid to mention (or simply point to) how much you’re comfortable spending. It will save you time and help him or her recommend the wine that is right for you. – Kirk Peterson
VegasSeven.com
Also making its way around town is Bacardi 1909 Heritage Rum, a relatively new Bacardi expression that celebrates the year the daiquiri is said to have been introduced in the U.S. by replicating the original labeling and recipe of that time, and is bottled at a slightly higher proof. Shaken with quality ice, and served up in a tall Spiegelau coupe, the Delano Daiquiri not only bears the hotel’s name, it also sets the tone for the Franklin cocktail program, which showcases popularized Latin and tropical-inspired classics of the early-to-mid 20th century (mai tai, mojito, paloma) alongside South Beach-inspired originals. As Las Vegas and Miami share a common heyday in the 1940s and ’50s, both elements of the menu seem as natural a ft for the new lobby lounge as they would be at the original in Miami. Get the recipe for the Delano Daiquiri at VegasSeven.com/CocktailCulture.
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ONE OF HISTORY’S most maltreated cocktails, the daiquiri will be restored to beautiful simplicity at Franklin cocktail lounge in the Delano, opening September 2 at Mandalay Bay. Just white rum, sugar and fresh lime juice was all it took at the start of the last century, around the time the drink—a sort of polished take on Navy grog—was created by an American engineer in Cuba. Nevada beverage development specialist Andrew Pollard collaborated with Mandalay Bay beverage director Dennis Lofand on the classic components of the Franklin menu. “The daiquiri, for all of its simplicity, has been so misinterpreted for so many years,” Pollard says. Indeed, it hasn’t been pretty: frozen, blended and by the yard. But as knowledge spreads, the classic hand-shaken daiquiri has slowly been reasserting its presence in Las Vegas. “It’s very exciting and encouraging to see that tradition making its way back into circulation.”
August 28–September 3, 2014
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
So Very SoBe
Price vs. Value Value is the level of quality that you receive for the price you pay. The assumption here is that you are willing to pay something reasonable for the wine you hope to enjoy. Just like you can’t get filet mignon for the price of a hamburger, you can’t get first-growth Bordeaux for the price of Oregon pinot gris. Often, the best values are in the middle to upper-middle in terms of price point on a wine list. The reason is simple: It is in the restaurant’s best interest to offer the best value to the guests who reach a certain threshold of expenditure on wine. Going to a restaurant and hoping to find the best value in the cheapest bottle of wine ignores the reality that restaurants are still businesses. The bottom line: If you don’t want to spend any money, stay home. Eat bologna from the package, drink some white zin and Yelp about that.
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A&E
“The video is a gritty barbarian-and-maiden mini-epic put to guitarist Jesse Amoroso’s sword-slinging guitar riffs and singer Drew Johnson’s shamanistic voice.”
SOUNDSCRAPER {PAGE 86}
An intense new biography reveals the untamed times of Las Vegas legend Benny Binion By Cindi Moon Reed
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Flush Life
RIGHT NOW, it seems like the biggest thing in new Vegas is Old Vegas. From the SLS’ many winks at its Saharan predecessor to the recent revamp of the long-running showgirl revue Jubilee! at Bally’s to the Cosmopolitan’s Liberace exhibit, it seems like glamorizing Vegas’ past has fnally replaced imploding it. Amid this new cultural climate arrives Doug J. Swanson’s compelling biography of a legendary Las Vegas forefather—Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster who Created Vegas Poker (Viking, $28). In it, Swanson combines an investigative reporter’s zeal for research with an author’s love of words. The result is a sweeping history of a lost era and a compulsively readable character study, with some fun turns of phrases to boot: Swanson describes Binion as “an aspiring pasha of vice,” “a rube savant” and a “doughy rural-route cherub, at least until he decided he wanted somebody dead, which had happened with some frequency.” Unlike the politicians on the take who saw nothing but good in Benny Binion or the crusading FBI agents who saw nothing but evil, Swanson’s impartial eye lays out the all-too-human complexities of this singular man. The author invites readers to form their own opinions about the self-styled Cowboy who created a gambling empire in Dallas, and then when the law and his enemies were about to strike, fed to Vegas in 1946, where he created an even grander legacy. “Here was the paradox that marked Benny Binion,” Swanson writes about the casino magnate and founder of the World Series of Poker. “He was brutal when he had to be and benefcent when the opportunity arose. He also understood that love engendered loyalty, while fear instilled discipline, but together they conveyed a singular power that could elevate and enshrine.” And enshrine it did: Revealing the real Fremont Street Experience. Blood Aces doesn’t just tell Binion’s story; it situates his past among the histories of Dallas and Las Vegas. Readers get enough context to fall into the rich scenes of these Wild West outposts long before they became big cities, but not so much as to get lost in a school lesson. Sure, Depression-era Dallas was a little rougher than one might’ve imagined, but the real surprise was the fact that Fremont Street and Downtown Las Vegas have never been all that pleasant. There is little lost glamour, nothing that has eroded over the years. In fact, it’s
August 28–September 3, 2014
PHOTO COURTESY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/UNLV
From rags to royalty: Ever the family man, Binion and daughter Becky pose at his million-dollar photo-op in 1969.
VegasSeven.com
Movies, music, art and one amusingly offensive comedian
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The World Series of Poker and its king, Binion (center).
YOU’VE READ THAT, NOW READ THIS A&E
Doug J. Swanson’s six-page bibliography reads like a recommendation list of awesome books about all things related to Nevada, poker, mobsters and gambling lore. Here’s our selections from his selected bibliography, some of which we’ve read, some of which we can’t wait to read:
➜ Winner Takes All: Steve Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian, Gary Loveman and the Race to Own Las Vegas (Hyperion, 2008) by Christina Binkley.
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probably better now try bromides in a nasal twang. He sometimes than it was back in greeted friends with the query, ‘How’s your Binion’s day: “Like mammy?’” some other joints Racism and murder fueled his rise. In in Glitter Gulch, his early career, Binion exploited a perverse [the Las Vegas kind of affrmative action: The author Club] operated details how Binion was able to murder his from a bare-bones black rivals with absolute impunity because, gambling room ostensibly, black lives just didn’t matter in offering table Depression-era Texas. This ability to literally games, slots and a bar,” Swanson writes. “With get away with murder created a dark sort bands of fuorescent lights and chrome-legged of best-practices business plan that Binion chairs, the club possessed all the ambience of a followed for the rest of his life. down-at-the-heels lunch counter.” The law barely touched him, but karma Mastering the art of the bribe. At almost did. For all his crimes, Binion was only ever every step of the way, both in Texas and in sentenced to fve years in Leavenworth for Las Vegas, Binion benefted from, and signiftax evasion in 1953. He died a civic hero, icantly contributed to, crooked escaping to the great beyond in politics. As Swanson writes, 1989, just before a sting called Binion was practiced at “regardOperation Benny Binion could AUTHOR TALK ing payoffs as friendly gifts and mobilize against him. But that Presentation painting stark corruption as Old Testament warning about followed by benefcence.” For all the talk of the sins of the father certainly Q&A session how things were better in Las applies in this case. For all and book signing, Vegas when the mob ran everytheir advantages, his children 6 p.m. Oct. 18 thing, reading about a lifetime battled drug addictions, at the Mob Museum, of crime going largely unpunsuicide attempts, run-ins with 300 E. Stewart ished leaves a bad taste. the law, emotional problems Ave., 702-229-2734, Not so much a nice guy, but and acrimonious family TheMobMuseum.org. quite a colorful one. As Swanlawsuits. Swanson sums up son’s narrative progresses, it bethis double-edged genetic comes ever clearer that Binion’s lottery ticket in a description success came from his ability to blur the lines of Binion’s most troubled son: “Ted appeared of morality and perception. Swanson calls it to have inherited the old man’s freewheeling “self-mythologizing.” On one hand, Binion traits without the mitigating pragmatism.” comes off as a romantic and an endearingly The Cowboy’s legacy. All these years later, prickly antihero; on the other, he’s little more Binion still exudes an undeniable appeal; than a cold-blooded murderer. Certainly, perhaps it’s because he got here early enough he was both. But the fascination comes in to enter our city’s DNA. Despite all his faults, how he was able to straddle that line. His imBinion represents the Las Vegas dream at its age must have played no small part in this purest level. “He probably did not think about feat. As opposed to East Coast mobsters who it in such terms, but Binion now embraced wore “silky pinstriped suits from which they an American archetype,” Swanson writes. picked specks of lint with manicured nails,” “He had fed his past, headed west and Binion dressed like a bumpkin. As Swanson sought a fresh start in the wide-open spaces describes, Binion’s “trousers were perpetuof the promised land.” Today, the pioneer ally unpressed, and the buttons of his Westis remembered as the founding father. No ern shirts—made from gold coins—strained longer murdering or bribing … or innovating, at his generous paunch. His hair looked as if he’s safely enshrined in Las Vegas lore, his it had been cut by the least promising freshcasino signs on display in the Neon Museum, man at a failing barber college. With all the his likeness immortalized in a statue at polish of a Piggly Wiggly clerk, he wore an the South Point and his poker tournament up-from-the-sticks grin and delivered councontinuing on, bigger than ever.
➜ Vegas: A Memoir of a Dark Season (Random House, 1974) by John Gregory Dunne.
➜ Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs and Binion’s World Series of Poker (Picador, 2004) by James McManus.
➜ I’ll Do My Own Damn Killin’: Benny Binion, Herbert Noble and the Texas Gambling War (Barricade Books, 2006) by Gary W. Sleeper.
➜ Fly on the Wall: Recollections of Las Vegas’ Good Old, Bad Old Days (Huntington Press, 1999) by Dick Odessky.
➜ Literary Las Vegas: The Best Writing About America’s Most Fabulous City (Holt Paperbacks, 1995) edited by Mike Tronnes.
➜ The Godfather of Poker (Cardoza, 2009) by Doyle Brunson and Mike Cochran.
➜ The Biggest Game in Town (Chronicle, 2002) by Al Alvarez.
➜ Son of a Gambling Man: My Journey From a Casino Family to the Governor’s Mansion (Thomas Dunne Books, 2013) by Bob Miller.
PHOTO COURTESY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/UNLV
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
➜ Fade, Sag, Crumble: Ten Las Vegas Writers Confront Decay (CityLife Books, 2011) edited by Scott Dickensheets.
CONCERT
A&E
ALBUMS WE'RE BUYING 1 Accept, Blind Rage
2 Ace Frehley, Space Invader
3 Fozzy, Do You Wanna Start a War
4 Wiz Khalifa, Blacc Hollywood
5 Various Artists, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
The Strokes Still Reign as the Lords of Lo-Fi Grime The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan, August 20 The Strokes brought their customary anti-flare to the Chelsea, giving the flashy venue the feel of an underground New York City club with minimalist lighting, zero theatrics and the grimy garage sound that fans love. The band relied heavily on tracks from their earlier albums, drawing mostly from Is This It, Room on Fire and First Impressions of Earth. The higher production quality of their newer songs did not translate as well to the live performance as did the stripped-down classics, such as “Someday,” “12:51” and “Reptilia,” which riled the crowd on the Chelsea’s trampoline floor until the house shook. The
According to sales at Zia Record Exchange at 4503 W. Sahara Ave., Aug. 17 -Aug. 23.
band played a short set, clocking in at about an hour total, and quit the stage without playing “Last Nite”—a disappointing omission. Fans got a solid dose of the raw and dirty sound that made the band famous, but they could have used a little more of it. ★★★✩✩ – Lee Flint
August 28–September 3, 2014
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THE MAIN AVETT I love the wistful quality of the Avett Brothers' folky bluegrass sound. There’s nothing these guys play that isn’t worth listening to over and over again, so check out their threenight stand at Brooklyn Bowl on August 2931 ($59 per show, $177 for all three shows).
GRAY MATTERS U.K. singer-songwriter David Gray made a splash stateside with “Sail Away” and “Babylon,” but it took the release of Mutineers in June for critics to agree that Gray had fully regained his creative spark. David Gray plays The Joint on August 30 ($40-$85).
ON SALE NOW Why is “Mack the Knife” the only Psychedelic Furs song I own? Where is “Love My Way?” What happened to “Heaven” and “The Ghost in You?” I need to do something about that before Psychedelic Furs play the House of Blues with the Lemonheads on October 26 ($39.50).
THE STROKES BY ERIK K ABIK/ERIKK ABIK.COM; BUNKHOUSE BY GEOFF CARTER
THE BUNKHOUSE’S SIGN READ “Back From the Dead.” Sure, everyone bought tickets for the August 25 Built to Spill concert, but the return of the ’90s indie heroes shared top billing with the rebirth of the beloved Downtown music venue. Much remains of the original: the weirdly proportioned cowgirl signage, that sepia-toned photo of James Garner as Maverick. But the outdoor lounge/ play/eat area is a change, and the new sound system made sure every angular guitar and racing drumline of the night was loud and clear. Slam Dunk kicked things off with a raucous set, followed by Rusty Maples, who both verbalized and demonstrated their appreciation for Built to Spill, banging tambourines on drums and jingling guitars.
A fan tests out the piano in the Bunkhouse's new backyard..
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VegasSeven.com
ROCKING THE BUNKHOUSE-WARMING PARTY
Built to Spill played a long set that gave the songs plenty of room to sprawl. “They Got Away” let everyone sway to the reggae, while “I Would Hurt a Fly” found a groove and then splintered into a guitar solo. A cover of Devo’s “Gut Feeling” and Metallica's instrumental “Orion” was a shout-out to two eras of old days, but not as much as the conversation I heard between two guys standing behind me: —my “ … Perfect From Now On—my wife loves it, she still listens to it. I still listen to it. My kids don’t like it.” “They will, they will …” – Lissa Townsend Rodgers
The
[ ART ]
HIT LIST
UNLV GETS A BAVINGTON If you follow the art scene, you already know London-born artist Tim Bavington’s music-inspired paintings. If you follow the performing arts scene, you know his brightly colored tubular sculpture outside The Smith Center, “Fanfare for the Common Man.” And if you follow the food scene, you know his piece, "Imagine," in Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars. Now, here’s another reason to know Bavington: The Vegas import just joined the faculty of UNLV’s art department. In doing so, the artist returns to teach at the place where he once earned his master of fine arts, studying under the famed art critic and teacher Dave Hickey. We’re excited to see a Las Vegas success story sign on to help guide the next generation of artists. – Cindi Moon Reed
TARGETING THIS WEEK'S MOST-WANTED EVENTS
By Camille Cannon
FRIGHT CLUB There are too few events in life that bring a clown army, vampires and WWE legends together. Freakshow Wrestling is such an occasion. After a one-year hiatus, the see-it-to-believe-it variety show returns August 29 to Hell Town Studios, promising whipped cream thumbtack pies, sword swallowing and live music by the Radioactive Chicken Heads. FreakshowWrestling.com.
BAVINGTON BY GERI KODEY; FYF FEST BY ANDREW BARR
FYF fans dance in the beer garden.
SHOW AND TELL Do you ever imagine what Adam Carolla is doing while taping his podcast? Wonder no more, because the radio star will live tape The Adam Carolla Show August 29 in Treasure Island's Mystère Theatre (see more on Page 87). He'll be joined by Pawn Stars' Rick Harrison, who we never have to imagine doing his job. We have the History Channel to inform us. TreasureIsland.com. BACKPACK ROCK It doesn’t get more punk rock than giving back. Bring $5 or an unopened school supply to the Dive Bar on August 29-30 for admission to the Toccipalooza Back to School Drive. Named for organizer and local-music supporter Joe Tocci, the fundraiser’s kick-ass lineup includes performances from the Mapes, the People’s Whiskey and more. Facebook.com/ SquidHatRecords. MYSTERY MUSIC AWAITS There’s plenty of reasons to have the opening of SLS Las Vegas on your radar (we’ve highlighted many of them in the magazine). Music lovers should tune into the inaugural Sessions at the Sayers Club on August 30-31. The L.A. Sayers outpost is known to usher in both up-and-coming talent and powerhouses such as Prince and Slash; you never know who might show. TheSayersClubLV.com.
VegasSeven.com
For all the buzz around music festival lineups, turns out the most important thing about a fest is boring old logistics. This was clear on Day 1 (Aug. 23) of L.A.'s FYF Fest, when the line snaked around city blocks and lasted hours, causing fans to miss bands and in general killing the vibe. Organizers fixed the problems on Day 2, allowing the focus to return to the music. Visit VegasSeven.com/FYF for our full recap and fest photo gallery. – C.M.R.
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FROM FESTIVAL FOLLY TO FUN
August 28–September 3, 2014
[ DISPATCH ]
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MUSIC
Crazy Chief plays the revived Bunkhouse Saloon on August 29.
‘CRAZY’-GOOD TUNES
WHENEVER I GET DEPRESSED THINKING
about the rise of EDM, all I have to do is put this column together to realize that, hey, electric guitars ain’t going anywhere. Indeed, there’s plenty of live rock music happening in this city every night. Crazy Chief wars its way into the remodeled Bunkhouse Saloon at 9 p.m. August 29. The local stonerrock band’s “Angel Dust,” directed by Denis Bosnjakovic, recently won first place in the Las Vegas Film Festival’s Best Music Video category. And rightly so, since the video is a gritty barbarian-andmaiden mini-epic put to guitarist Jesse Amoroso’s sword-slinging guitar riffs and singer Drew Johnson’s shamanistic voice. (You can check out “Angel Dust” on Vimeo.) The band is even more awesome in the sonic flesh, so I can’t wait to hear how they sound in the new Bunkhouse. Opening for Crazy Chief is versatile power-pop rocker Rob Lyons, whose cool new disc, When It Haunts You, I reviewed in Vegas Seven last month. Straight out of Tempe, Arizona, Americana roots-rock group Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers peel into House of Blues at 8 p.m. August 30. The band is touring in support of its seventh studio album, The Independent, which earned positive press for its meat-and-potatoes
approach to rock ’n’ roll. My favorite track on it is likely “Ain’t Got the Words,” a punchy little raveup about being left inarticulate in the face of life’s relentless inadequacies. I doubt it would be an overestimation to call Clyne & Co. the Southwest’s most popular unsigned band, since they continue to play so many larger venues in this part of the country. Back in the day we called this kind of music “college rock,” and I could use some this weekend, for sure. Here’s a loud and very aggressive show that’s no doubt going to blow the roof off Triple B—and perhaps the entire Fremont East district. Topeka, Kansas-spawned technical death-metal band Origin is slated to bring its riotous grooves to Triple B at 8 p.m. August 31. Origin’s sixth disc, Omnipresent, arrived in July, yet another salvo of rapid-fre drumming and mindbending guitar solos and guttural vocals. I never expected Triple B to showcase a band with this much ferocity and unhappiness, so I feel a little bit better about the whole Downtown gentrifcation issue. Also on this eardrum-shattering bill: King Parrot, Beyond Creation and Your Chance to Die. Your Vegas band releasing music soon? Email Jarret_Keene@Yahoo.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAZY CHIEF
An epic sword-and-socery music video, Arizona roots rock and rapid-fre death metal top this week in music
STAGE
ADAM AND PEEVES Checking in on the raw comic honesty of Vegasbound Adam Carolla By Steve Bornfeld
PHOTO BY CRAIG L ARSEN
THIS MAN IS NOT AN ASSHOLE.
Or as he explains: “The reason I can act like an asshole is because I’m not Americans) who claims to have doan asshole.” minion over all Asian cultures—JapaComprehending the psychological nese, Chinese, Pacifc Islander, and he crosscurrents of asshole-ology brings always wanted an apology. Meanus to the faux-asshole in question, while, the community that’s supposed Adam Carolla, who’s triggered his to be offended, they don’t really care.” share of controversy, yet doesn’t label Trust Carolla on this—he’s often his critics assholes … exactly. run himself through the outrage/ “There’s just a whole group of assapology meat grinder. Like when he wipes out there,” he says. “All they do called Hawaiians “inbred” and “the is grab your junk and twist it around dumbest people we have.” And called and break it off into little snippets.” Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao “a With that genteel word picture, fucking idiot” and said of his native let’s mention that The Adam Carolla land: “They got this and sex tours and Show—the planet’s most downloaded that’s all they have over there.” And podcast—returns to Treasure Island on wondered about transgender people: August 29, with Carolla hosting Pawn “When did we start giving a shit about Stars’ Rick Harrison. these people?” and Normally, Carolla then suggested LGBT be doesn’t remind us of Senrechristened “YUCK.” THE ADAM ator Harry Reid, but the GLADD howled. CAROLLA SHOW Senate majority leader’s Following the formula, with guest whoopsie last week—crackCarolla responded: Rick Harrison of ing Asian-themed zingers “I’m sorry my comPawn Stars, while addressing the ments were hurtful.” 21 and older, Asian Chamber of ComGLADD dismissed the 9 p.m. August 29, merce, then backtracking apology as “empty.” TI, $37.40 and up, into an apology—makes Can you say, “Duh”? 702-894-7722, us wonder whether That’s the Bullshit TreasureIsland.com. Carolla should sign on as Two-Step. a Reid adviser. “Everyone who sidles Remember in 2006, up to a microphone when Carolla’s morning radio show these days thinks, ‘What is this joke or spoofed the Asian Excellence Awards, comment I’m saying, what Nazi-esque emphasizing the words “chingorganization is going to try and put chong”? After Asian advocacy groups the word ‘hate-speak’ around it and declared it racist, Carolla said the say you’re anti-this or anti-that or bit “crossed the line.” With utter homophobic or misogynist or racinsincerity. ist?” Carolla says. “I don’t give a shit “You have to fake an apology because because I don’t like looking at groups. your GM told you to. They go, ‘You preI’d rather look at individuals and say tend you’re sorry, and then everything they’re good or bad individuals.” will go away,’” Carolla says. “Then you Given his sweeping aforemensay, ‘I’m a big supporter of blah-blahtioned generalizations, this could blah community and personalize it a be considered disingenuous. Or little, like my brother-in-law is blahclinically speaking, a steaming load of blah-blah and ‘I know these words can cow patties. Yet he insists he remains be hurtful.’ They don’t mean a thing.” endearingly, sometimes infuriatingly So the apologizers lack credibility. genuine: “I don’t have anything to What about the complainers? hide. I’m just myself.” “It’s always a subgroup that claims Whether that’s a 100 percent, allto represent the larger group,” Carolla natural asshole or a pretend asshole says. “The Asian group had one jackcould fll an entire chapter whenever off named Guy Aoki (co-founder of they write The Unabridged History of the Media Action Network for Asian American Assholes.
A&E
MOVIES
NOIR IS THE NEW ULTRAVIOLENCE Sin City 2’s hyper-realistic 3-D cartoon killing mainly just numbs the viewer By Michael Phillips Tribune Media Services
I’M NOT SURE WHAT MOOD I’D HAVE TO BE IN
to truly enjoy Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. But I’m not in it. Is it because crime scenes in Ferguson, Missouri, and Chicago and the rest of the real world—where senseless killings are supposed to matter—are hindering my ability to kick back with some recreational slaughter? Maybe. On the other hand, millions of devotees of the 2005 Sin City and its halfway point between “real” and digitally illustrated sadism will be happy to revisit the outlandishly scuzzy urban hellhole of Basin City, this time in 3-D, with its crazed, revenge-fueled antiheroes and female body parts disguised as the gender formerly known as women. The real stars of the movie are Eva Green’s breasts, portraying the breasts of the most vile, untrustworthy dame (the movie doesn’t say “dame” though) in this dirty town. The femmes in Sin City 2 fall into two overlapping camps: fatale or near-fatale, and nude or nearly. Some movies purport to honor a tradition, a style—in this instance flm noir, which is less a genre than a justifably paranoid state of mind—while reducing its storytelling elements to the crudest possible level. This is where Frank Miller comes in. First introduced
by graphic artist and writer Miller in 1991, Sin City on the page was made of the movies and for the movies. The flm co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez rendered the excessive gore and bloodletting in a graphic-novelly way, with the actors acting entirely against green screens. The look was slavishly faithful to Miller’s illustrations, with the various gushes and spurts of blood using a novel color scheme (the blood was white), taking the unpleasantness out of the 12th or 13th throat-slitting. The same directors reunite for Sin City 2, gathering up actors and characters from the frst picture, among them Mickey Rourke (as Marv, the vigilante protector whose face looks like a ford); Jessica Alba as the zoned-out stripper with a newly vicious outlook on life; Bruce Willis, now so visibly bored I swear you can hear him muttering, “Man, am I bored,” as the ghost of her savior; and Rosario Dawson, as the queen of the Old Town prostitutes, who lick their lips and open fre. And that, folks, is Sin City 2. Amid the climactic slaughter waged by Rourke and Alba, the bloodthirsty exotic dancer proves she can kill at pointblank range, and seconds later Rourke seethes, “I think you’re hot.” The mo-
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a gambler on a losing streak.
ment is a joke, or supposed to be. Now and then the right actors in Sin City 2 lighten the load a little, as when Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as an unlucky gambler) visits a heroin-addicted back-alley doctor (Christopher Lloyd) to remove a bullet from his leg and re-break his broken fngers. It’s the usual ick-grossblech humor, but the pacing and the delivery in this brief segment outshine the rest of the picture. I did like the use of 3-D in the poker game sequences, with Powers Boothe (as the senator whose venality know no bounds) sitting at one end of the table, fronted by towers of coins resembling little Towers of Babel. If Rodriguez had any selectivity as an action director and a purveyor of garish thrills, the violence might have an impact beyond benumbing the spectator. Sin City 2 keeps piling on, fipping the visual pages and selling the same an-
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
SHORT REVIEWS
88
If I Stay (PG-13) ★★★✩✩
Artfully assaultive, If I Stay is better than average young-adult material, adapted from Gayle Forman’s 2009 novel about a teen cellist experiencing true love, a terrible car crash and magical realism. Chloe Grace Moretz is Mia, a cellist aiming for a Juilliard tryout, growing up in an idyllic, funky Portland, Oregon, household. By senior year, Mia has fallen hard for a slightly older boy in a band of great promise. Fate intervenes in the form of a wintertime car accident, which leaves two members of her family dead and two more hanging in the balance.
The Giver (PG-13) ★★✩✩✩
In the dystopian future of The Giver— director Phillip Noyce’s film version of the 1993 Lois Lowry best-seller, which remains a staple of the young-adult shelves alongside The Hunger Games and Divergent books—books and music are banned, as are “stirrings” of a sexual nature. The world according to The Giver isn’t above killing off elders and unhealthy newborns by the hundreds, a sinister plot point. But The Giver gives off an air of wearying familiarity, without much in the way of design wiles or cinematic wonder.
The Expendables 3 (PG-13) ★★✩✩✩
The leitmotifs in Expendables 3 involve fist-bumps (Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham’s primary means of communication) and that old action standby, the teamassembly sequence. Director Patrick Hughes shot most of Expendables 3 in Bulgaria. The climactic and semi-endless assault features tanks, helicopters, motorcycle stunts only a digital effects specialist could love and some terrible staging and editing. Even so, the movie’s less a failure than a shrug, and it’s pleasant in a numbing way to see everybody again, killing, killing, killing.
cient lessons in misogyny that real noir, or neo-noir, exploited yet transcended. Film noir never trusted women; it’s a world dominated by men who are dominated by fate, circumstance, their own weaknesses. Miller revels in this world, but amping up the grim salaciousness leads to all sorts of internal competition among the storylines. There’s nobody in the sequel who brings the sly wit Carla Gugino did in the frst. For some of us, at least, it feels like time to explore a different region of Miller’s fantasies—a suburb 20 minutes outside Sin City, for example, where eye-gougings are something the characters go to the movies for or daydream about while in the checkout line at Target. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (R) ★★✩✩✩
By Tribune Media Services
Let’s Be Cops (R) ★★✩✩✩
The laughs are loud, lewd and low in this spoof of cop “buddy pictures.” Jake Johnson of TV’s New Girl is paired with Damon Wayans Jr. in this farce about two losers losing their way through L.A., a tough place to be a single guy with zero status. Next thing you know, they’re walking the streets in uniform with fake guns and fake name tags. Co-writer/director Luke Greenfield (Something Borrowed) lets what few laughs there are land. Johnson’s timing is sharp, and Wayans has that Wayans way with dopey under-reactions to crazy situations.
What If (PG-13) ★★✩✩✩
Into The Storm (PG-13) ★★✩✩✩
What If brings up the distinctions among wit, jokes and robotic banter, and this romantic comedy has a bit of the first and a few of the second, but it’s largely a case of the third. The script, adapted from the play Toothpaste and Cigars, does a few things right. We sense potential in the early meeting, at a party, of a med-school dropout (Daniel Radcliffe) and an animator (Zoe Kazan). From there What If contrives the usual reasons for the leads to come together. Why did the film’s charms elude me? I felt arm-twisted by What If, for all its tossed-off verbiage and wisecracking.
In the spirit of Sharknado 2, Into the Storm goes into blender mode and mixes its elements of wind column terror, smoothiestyle. Top-billed Richard Armitage, an Englishman doing his best generic heartland dialect, plays a widower with two teenage boys struggling to connect with their father. But Into the Storm, directed with bland efficiency by Steven Quayle of Final Destination 5, reminds us that unless a movie establishes certain baseline levels of human interest, it runs the not-unentertaining risk of coming out squarely in favor of its own bad weather.
Get On Up (PG-13) ★★★★✩
Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) ★★★✩✩
Everything about Get On Up, a provocatively structured and unusually rich musical biopic, is a little better than the average specimen in this genre. What Tate Taylor (The Help) achieves in his James Brown story works as inventive showbiz mythology. Most moviegoers will simply want to know if Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie Robinson in the biopic 42, has even a quarter of the fierce charisma and a tenth of the dance moves of the man he’s playing. And yet the actor, like the film, works in a stealthy way. Get On Up hits all these high points.
Boyhood (R) ★★★★✩
By the midpoint of writer-director Richard Linklater’s gentle marvel, the roundfaced Texas boy played by Ellar Coltrane has become a lanky, plaintive teenager. Linklater made the film with a group of actors over a 12-year period, starting with the kids played by Coltrane and Linklater’s daughter, Lorelei, at ages 6 and 9, respectively. The audience travels through the narrative with these characters. I love Boyhood. In completing this simple, beautiful project Linklater took his time. And he rewards ours.
Like the ’70s cassette mixtape so dear to its hero, Guardians of the Galaxy scavenges all sorts of “greatest hits” precedents to come up with its own summertime fling. It’s looser, scruffier and more overtly comic than the average Marvel action fantasy. And despite the usual load of violence, the film owes its relative buoyancy to Chris Pratt as the wisecracking space rogue at the helm. Pratt seems to be growing into a quirky action hero before our eyes, the way Robert Downey Jr. did in the first Iron Man.
A Most Wanted Man (R) ★★★✩✩
It’s impossible to watch the character anchoring Anton Corbijn’s cool, clear-eyed film version of A Most Wanted Man without forgetting the fate of the actor who plays him, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. As Gunther Bachmann, the German intelligence expert created by novelist John le Carré, Hoffman is an unhealthy specimen, a drinker, out of shape, though his mind is needlesharp. Filmed largely in Germany, under gray skies, the movie is solid le Carré. It’s chilly yet humane, and human-scaled, uninterested in the lethal glories of technology.
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SEVEN QUESTIONS
or not cover [the point spread]? … I can tell you this: Usually, the louder the crowd is, the sadder my face is. If the crowd’s quiet, I’m usually smiling. Station Casinos was one of the frst to offer mobile wagering within Nevada’s borders with its Sports Connection. How much of a game changer has that been? It’s been a huge game changer. It’s a phenomenal piece and added a new dimension to what we have to offer. It enables a guest to have the sportsbook in the palm of their hand; they’re able to get on their smartphone exactly what they get when they come into [a sportsbook]. Educated guess, mobile wagering probably makes up roughly 30 to 33 percent of our overall handle. And it’s going to continue to grow. We’ve only scratched the surface of it right now, but there are things coming down the pike that are going to expand that offering industry-wide. Do you worry about mobile wagering eventually resulting in a decrease in foot traffc, though? I can see why you’d ask that, because you can now bet from the comfort of your home. But you’re not getting that experience—the hype, the buzz, the electricity—that you get in the sportsbook. I see guys who come in and sit in the book and maybe don’t come to the counter but bet from their mobile device, because they want the atmosphere. They want to wear that Packers or Bears or Steelers jersey, and come in and hoot and holler and have fun.
Sunset Station’s race and sportsbook director on battling the modern-day football bettor, the impact of mobile wagering and the day he won big when his team lost
August 28–September 3, 2014
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VegasSeven.com
By Matt Jacob
110
You’ve been in the bookmaking business in Las Vegas for more than 25 years, so you’ve witnessed the explosion of football betting. Do you see a plateau in sight? How much bigger can it get? We’re still defnitely going up. Just to put it into perspective, this year’s frst preseason game—the Hall of Fame Game between the Bills and Giants— we knew a lot of [starters] weren’t going to play, yet our handle on that game dwarfed our handle on any baseball game that day. These were baseball games that had teams in the midst of a pennant chase and jockeying for wild-card position, and here a meaningless football game got the most [betting] action. … By far, football is king. That’s why we’re all here. How much more sophisticated is
the average Joe football bettor now as opposed to, say, a decade ago? Way more sophisticated, and the reason is information. There is so much information out there now, and it comes so fast that we need to know what to do with it even quicker. A decade ago, [bookmakers] were the ones who knew there were 50-mph winds in Seattle. Now, the public knows it before we know it. Even in the preseason, bettors will come and say, “I hear the quarterback rotation is going to be A, B and C”; we used to be the only ones who knew that. It was out there, but we knew where to fnd it. Now it’s just readily available to our guests because of the Internet, Twitter, Facebook. It’s fun, but it’s extremely challenging, and it forces us to be on our toes. It really is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job
to stay on top of trends, movements, injuries, weather, trade rumors—just to make sure we’re dialed in as much as the guest is. What’s a typical NFL Sunday like for people in your shoes compared with bettors on the other side of the counter? Is it fun for you or strictly business? It’s a combination of both. A typical Sunday is being here early in the morning, getting everything ready and making sure our guests are ready to have a great time, all the games are mapped out with the marquee games being on the correct TVs. But then it is stressful, especially as you get close to the end of games. I look at it from the bookmaker’s perspective; I’m not looking necessarily at who’s going to win or lose, but are you going to cover
If I gave you $100 and you could go on the other side of the counter and place a Week 1 wager, what are you betting on? I would bet the San Francisco-Dallas game “over” the total, because I don’t think Dallas can stop the two of us right now. The Cowboys just did not do enough in the offseason [to improve defensively], and I think they’re going to have to throw a ton on offense. So that game has a good chance of going “over”—but I might be rooting for the game to stay “under!” [Laughs.] Who does Esposito believe are good bets to win this season’s Super Bowl and college football’s national championship? Read the full interview at VegasSeven.com/Esposito.
PHOTO BY JON ESTRADA
Chuck Esposito
What’s the biggest football wager you’ve ever accepted, and how did it turn out? I’ve taken a seven-fgure bet before. And I was smiling at the end of that one! It was a Super Bowl—the BearsColts game [in 2007]. Funny story: I’m from Chicago, and my whole family was rooting for the Bears to win. Unfortunately, they didn’t, and my daughter called me and she was upset, and I was like, “That’s OK, honey. We made a lot of money today.” [Laughs.] You can’t have a favorite team in this industry, that’s for sure.