Subject: Dear Mrs. Binion-Behnen,
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001 18:11:58 GMT
From: mellinlvnospam@lvcm.com (Nonik)
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com
Newsgroups: rec.gambling.poker

Becky Binion-Behnen
April 22, 2001
Horseshoe Hotel/Casino
128 Fremont St
Las Vegas  NV  89101

Dear Mrs. Binion-Behnen,

I am writing you this letter in order to try to understand two recent
issues surrounding your casino property. They are both related to the
current WSOP tournament that is being held now through the middle of
May. Perhaps I should first introduce myself in a manner you might
find more qualifying.

My wife and I are both business professionals living here in Las
Vegas. In the 70's we were described demographically as "dinks".
That's "duel income no kids". We still fit that marketing demographic
even though we are now in our early fifty's. We are fortunate in that
we are able to have a certain level of disposable income for
recreational gaming purposes each week. We spend our funds on slots,
craps, blackjack and for myself, I have in the last year taken up
poker. My wife's true preference is video poker. In addition we enjoy
eating out and have taken to trying out the various restaurants in the
casino's we frequent. I would estimate we put into play an average of
a couple of hundred a week in gaming, (unfortunately mostly lost) and
then additional meal costs for two, ranging from fine dining ($175.00
bill for two), to snack bars ($10.00 for a couple of hot dogs with
fries). In addition we have numerous friends and family who come and
visit and we of course take advantage the built in entertainment that
the casinos provide.

As to the point of this letter, I am first trying to understand the
action taken regarding the advertised 3% withheld from the prize fund
during the WSOP. I have discussed the definition of "tournament
personnel" with a number of poker related individuals in the past few
days so I could be sure I was not misunderstanding a common term in
the poker field. The consensus is that this term is used to describe
only those individuals with immediate contact during the course of a
tournament. That would be the dealers and floor personnel in the poker
room. I understand you have decided that term now describes just about
anyone who works in your casino. I would like to know why your
understanding is so different than almost everyone else's
understanding.  In addition you are on record as saying that the funds
that are withheld will not go to your family at all. I would like to
confirm that that means you will be giving out this income only as "
tip or bonus " income. As I'm sure you are aware, any other
distribution would of course fall to the bottom line for the benefit
of all shareholders.

The second issue relates to the barring of certain persons who have
voiced an opinion on the matter publicly. I refer of course to the
comments made in the review Journal article on last Thursday. As a
business owner in the past, I fully support your right to choose your
customer base even in these two instances. What I don't understand is
why you have chosen this approach. It would seem to me to be much less
expensive in PR terms to just honestly breakdown the percent of
distribution on the withheld funds, with an explanation of why you
felt this way. It might even have been better to bite the bullet this
year and explain that next year it would be done according to your
formula. I find the course of action you have taken to be very
counterproductive to maintaining the good will of the poker community.
A community, which is rapidly expanding throughout the world, in no
small part due to the prestige of the WSOP.  While I have never met
the individuals involved, it seemed that their comments were solicited
by the reporter and to be only their opinions. In any case, it causes
me to wonder if I would have the right to protest a craps dealer's
decision on my bets or if I would also be hustled into a room and
barred. I am sure you are smart enough to see the perception this has
created. The way it has been portrayed, it almost seems un-American in
nature.

I would appreciate a more detailed response to my concerns, as I do
wish to be able to enjoy myself, as a consumer, at what some might
consider the birthplace of tournament poker. In the meantime I will be
withholding any of my weekly gaming and dining income from your
casino. If I don't receive a response, I will be encouraging my
friends and family to do the same, by relating the facts, as I know
them. Should you choose to respond, please copy all of the parties
listed below, as I will do so if you do not.

Sincerely,

Jerry " Nonik" Mellinger
230 Bethwick Circle
Las Vegas, NV 89123

CC: the following,

Barry Shulman
Card Player Magazine
3140 Polaris Ave #8
Las Vegas, NV  89102

June Field
Poker Digest Magazine
1455 E. Tropicana #300
Las Vegas, NV  89119

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