A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man

by Frank Vincent

  Another game I really love is blackjack. Now, when he’s at the blackjack table, a man’s man definitely plays with a system. He knows his strategy and makes each move correctly and without hesitation. When the right play is to double down, a man’s man puts up his chips with confidence, never with trepidation. Even when a man’s man loses, he still believes he did the right thing and has no regrets. He waits until the dealer has paid out every player and cleared all the cards before reaching for his chips or placing his next bet. So many people are overanxious and start grabbing for their money as soon as it’s handed out. Calm down . . . it’s not going anywhere. Here are some common blackjack questions that aspiring men’s men ask me:

  Question: Do you always split aces?

  Man’s Man Answer: You always split your aces (also your eights).

  Question: How about splitting tens?

  Man’s Man Answer: You never splits your tens. If you had twenty-inches, would you cut it in half? I don’t think so.

  Question: Do you always stay on hard seventeen?

  Man’s Man Answer: The hard seventeen is often referred to as the mother-in-law hand—you want to hit it, but you can’t.

  Question: Do you ever surrender your hand?

  Man’s Man Answer: You should never be afraid to surrender your hand in certain situations. It may seem weak, but at the end of the day you’ll keep more money in your pocket. For instance, you should surrender a fifteen against a dealer’s ten, or a sixteen against a dealers nine, ten, or ace.

  Question: What should you do when the dealer offers you insurance?

  Man’s Man Answer: Unless the dealer is offering Geico car insurance, don’t take it. Statistically, it’s a bad bet and a weak move.

  Question: How about the “locust effect” of moving from table to table and spending no more than fifteen minutes at each table?

  Man’s Man Answer: I am not a fan of the locust effect. I think if a table is hot, you need to ride it as long as you can. If it’s cold, you need to know when to walk away. Like the song says, “You got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them.”

  Okay, you’ve memorized all of my gambling tips before you left your house for a wild week in Sin City. You’re descending into Las Vegas International Airport and from your window seat, you see the lights of the Strip gleaming in the dark of the night. Does it get any better than that? No way. Las Vegas is excitement personified. In this section, I am going to cover all your bases for a one-of-a-kind man’s man trip to the city that celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. With ten decades of decadence and a world-famous image under its belt, Sin City must be doing something right. I can only hope I look that good when I turn 100!

  A Man’s Man Las Vegas History

  et’s consider a man’s man history of Las Vegas, which is sure to stir the imagination of every red-blooded male who’s ever visited Sin City. It all started way back in 1829, when Antonio Armijo, a Mexican trader, led a sixty-person-strong man’s man crew along the old Spanish Trail to Los Angeles, California. During their travels, they veered off the regular route. Armijo and his men decided to set up camp about 100 miles northeast of Las Vegas. A small scouting group rode west to look for water. Something urged Rafael Rivera (a savvy Mexican scout) to leave his fellow men and travel into unknown desert territory. What was the result? Rivera discovered Las Vegas Springs. He became the very first non-Indian to set foot in the now-world-famous Las Vegas Valley. Now, that’s a man’s man!

  The story of the modern, flashy Las Vegas really started back in the mid 1940s when mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel developed his dream of building a gambling resort in the desert. The $6 million Flamingo Hotel (known today as the Flamingo Hilton) was constructed as the centerpiece, backed by East Coast mob money. Siegel had some serious dreams of instant wealth, but unfortunately the project didn’t turn a profit as quickly as its backers anticipated, and Siegel was “terminated” on June 23, 1947.

  But, the man’s man entrepreneurial momentum had started in Las Vegas and continued to move ahead full force. Gus Greenbaum took over control of the wavering Flamingo Hotel, and it reopened to rave reviews and achieved big success for years to come. By the 1950s, Las Vegas resembled a virtual boomtown with hotels like the lavish Desert Inn (costing close to $5 million) setting the pace.

  There’s no doubt that the “Rat Pack” era brought about a more swinging and glamorous image for Las Vegas. Frank Sinatra, of course, was never a stranger to the desert destination. He first became acquainted with the Nevada town when he appeared in an almost forgotten Paramount movie called Las Vegas Nights in his real-life role as the singing star of the top big band of the day, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

  In September of 1951, Sinatra started his first genuine Las Vegas live gig, debuting at the Desert Inn during a time when there were only a half-dozen hotels on the strip. Professional journalists have said that outside of gambling, there’s been no single entity as beneficial to Las Vegas as Frank Sinatra. Sinatra’s overwhelming success influenced the most famous names in the music business to perform in Las Vegas—Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Louis Prima, and Keely Smith all became top draws in nightclubs there.

  Yes, Sinatra set the standard when he played at the Desert Inn, and later at the Sands (his best-remembered fourteen-year onstage tour of duty), both relatively early in the game. A treasured man’s man “collectible” of that era is the 1966 Reprise Records album Sinatra at the Sands, produced live on-location by Sonny Burke and arranged and conducted by man’s man Quincy Jones. That album highlights one of the final major appearances of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” at the legendary Sands. Much later in his Las Vegas career, Sinatra injected his special brand of magic to the MGM Grand, the Golden Nugget, and Bally’s. In all, Sinatra was a “sold-out” Las Vegas headliner for over forty years, and attracted high-rollers and free-spending tourists from all over the world with his unique blend of talent and charisma.

  However, from all accounts, it was Frank Sinatra combined with the infamous Rat Pack—Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop—on stage at the Sands that made the gambling mecca a man’s man kind of town for decades to follow. Let’s turn the pages back to early 1960s Las Vegas for a moment. By day, Academy Award-winning director Lewis Milestone was overseeing the filming of a major motion picture production, Oceans 11, starring Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Lawford, and Bishop. By night, the same group of stars electrified the stage at the Sands with the coolest act in show business history. Sinatra and his buddies became the kings of Las Vegas with nightly shows that brought in the likes of everyone from soon-to-be-president John F. Kennedy to movie queens like Marilyn Monroe to television titans like Milton Berle; anyone who was anyone flocked to Sin City to fully enjoy the phenomena called the Rat Pack!

  MEMORABLE MAN’S MAN MOMENTS IN LAS VEGAS HISTORY

  1931—Gambling is legalized in Nevada.

  1946—Mobster “Bugsy” Siegel opens the Flamingo Hotel on the Strip.

  1951—Frank Sinatra makes his first Vegas appearance at the Desert Inn.

  1957—Minsky’s Follies premieres as the first topless show in Las Vegas history.

  1960—The Rat Pack performs their first show at the Sands.

  1969—Elvis Presley marries Priscilla at the Aladdin Hotel.

  1995—Martin Scorsese’s epic Las Vegas motion picture Casino hits theaters nationwide.

  2005—Las Vegas turns 100 years old.

  In 1966, a new “sheriff” landed in Las Vegas—eccentric man’s man billionaire Howard Hughes. Hughes truly wrote the book on putting one’s money where one’s mouth is. Certainly we have all heard of the stories about Howard Hughes reinventing Las Vegas from his posh suite high atop the Desert Inn. I guess Hughes really liked Vegas, because he went on a multimillion-dollar spending spree that encompassed purchasing various key hotels like the Sands, Desert Inn, New Frontier, Silver Slipper, and Landmark, as well as a television station and
land including the North Las Vegas Airport. Wow! When this man’s man went on a shopping spree, he really went on a shopping spree! And Hughes arrived in Las Vegas in the back of an ambulance, with no fanfare whatsoever. Talk about low-key.

  Man’s man entertainer Elvis Presley also had a major effect on Vegas, helping to establish it as the “The Entertainment Capital of the World” that it’s considered today. Elvis definitely brought excitement back to the desert. It first started when Elvis married Priscilla in a big event hosted by Milton Prell at his Aladdin Hotel (imploded in 1998). The private ceremony was performed May 1, 1967, by Nevada Supreme Court Justice David Zenoff. Then, Elvis was booked for the opening night at Kirk Kerkorian’s International Hotel on July 26, 1969, a major VIP event. Elvis took to the stage and, from all accounts, delivered the most impressive “Blue Suede Shoes” rendition ever heard. Elvis went on to appear there for a four-week gig twice a year (fifty-seven-show engagement) at a salary of $125,000 per week.

  Although the movie Viva Las Vegas is best known for featuring “the King,” my buddies and I were more closely watching his co-star in that flick, a major “hottie” of the era, Ann-Margret. Which leads me to the fact that beautiful women and Las Vegas seem to have always gone hand-in-hand, from the dynamite showgirls to the lovely female visitors who frequent the city. The ultimate man’s man, “Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra, even married one of the most gorgeous former showgirls who ever graced a Vegas stage, the lovely Barbara. I guess that says it all!

  A man’s man history would not be complete without mentioning some more of the city’s gutsy entrepreneurs who are still taking big gambles and making major moves in Sin City. Acknowledged as the genuine “father of the Las Vegas mega-resort,” Kirk Kerkorian was the son of Armenian parents who spoke English as his second language growing up. Though he dropped out of junior high school, he parlayed two and a half years of top-dollar earnings piloting newly manufactured Royal Air Force planes during World War II into a Las Vegas hotel, an international airline, and Hollywood movie studio investments. That eventually made him the forty-first richest man in the USA, worth about $5.7 billion. He is a true American success story. He contributed his vision and business sense toward creating the MGM Grand Hotel, and opened that legendary Las Vegas landmark with Barbra Streisand starring in the main showroom of the then “largest hotel in the world.” As one of the key men’s men who shaped modern Las Vegas, Kerkorian, at close to ninety years old, is still a “player” and is as bullish about Vegas’ future prospects today as he was back in 1945.

  The impact of man’s man Steve Wynn on Las Vegas is truly monumental. Wynn first visited Vegas as a wide-eyed ten-year-old with his father back in 1952. It was man’s man Vegas banker-turned-mentor, E. Parry Thomas, who believed in Wynn and loaned him the money to launch his casino empire. Old-time Golden Nugget owner “Bucky” Blaine sold out to Wynn, who skillfully used his University of Pennsylvania and Wharton Business School backgrounds to increase pre-tax profits there threefold, from $1.1 million to $4.2 million. Wynn built another successful Golden Nugget in Atlantic City (capitalizing on Frank Sinatra’s image, performance power, and TV commercials along with jets, helicopters and limos to bring in high-rollers). Then came the Wynn-conceived Bellagio Hotel and Resort. Its priceless collection of museum-quality art was the cornerstone of another major success story. The Bellagio set the stage for Steve Wynn’s newest venture: the Wynn Las Vegas, the record-setting $2.7 billion hotel-resort with a 150-foot man-made mountain out in front, which opened in 2005.

  Today, even decades after Sinatra’s Rat Pack and Elvis wowed audiences in the “desert of dreams,” the man’s man aura is still alive in Vegas. Even though the entertainers’ names have changed and many old hotels have been replaced, some things have stayed the same. Take the world-class prizefights, for example. Vegas has been the site of some of the most legendary boxing events ever. Fighters like Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson (the first black heavyweight champion, in 1910) took on opponents there as early as the 1900s. But, it was the advent of closed-circuit television that revolutionized the sport of boxing, and Las Vegas was the center of the action, continuing to host the most exciting boxing matches in the world. The great boxers who stepped into the ring in Vegas include Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Michael Spinks, Sugar Ray Leonard, and my top boxing idol of all time, Muhammad Ali. These boxers are truly reflective of the overall man’s man history of Las Vegas—people fighting to get a piece of the American dream.

  Top Ten Man’s Man Hotels

  The Bellagio

  First opened: 1998

  Major attraction: The Bellagio’s world-famous fountains, which are choreographed to opera and classical music. It’s a great place for a romantic kiss after dinner.

  Ambiance: Tuscan villa in the desert.

  Location: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South (right on the Strip, across from the Paris and next to Caesar’s Palace).

  Contact Info: 888-987-3456, www.bellagio.com

  Resting Your Head: Surround yourself in a AAA Five Diamond Award-winning enhanced room with European style. Then, peer out your window at the man’s man view of the exhilarating Las Vegas Strip that will make you feel like the king of Sin City. The view of Paris across the street, the view of the Caesar’s Pool (binoculars not included), and the constant roar of the breathtaking outdoor fountains make this hotel unforgettable. Did I forget to tell you about the decadently stocked minibars for pre-party action and electronic drapes for post-party action? That’s Man’s Man 101. With guest rooms and suites ranging from 853 square feet to 2,050 square feet, there’s more than enough space to kick back and chill. Also, many rooms include a steam shower, which is prime to loosen up those sore muscles after a day of golf. Let me tell ya, there’s nothing like resting your head in a hotel that cost $1.6 billion to build!

  Recover: Go to the Bellagio’s elaborate spa, which is located beyond the breathtaking indoor garden. Here, indulge yourself with the “Bellagio’s Royal Shave,” definitely something the true man’s man Vegas pacesetter, Frank Sinatra, would have done in a heartbeat. Service begins with a steamed hot towel and ends with natural sea sponges soaked in lemon and essential oils. They offer a thirty-minute service ($35) and a forty-five-minute service ($50). They also offer aromatherapy skin treatment, which seems kind of feminine, but when your lady is all over your skin that night telling you how soft it feels, you’ll be back for more!

  Dining/Entertainment: Have the Bellagio concierge book you tickets to Cirque Du Soleil’s O. This is something you may want to do in advance, because the show is extremely popular. The tickets are a tad pricey, but a man’s man pays no mind when he’s in Vegas. This hotel has some of the best restaurants in town. Make sure you have your sport coat pressed and your black AmEx card shiny when you dine at Picasso. The restaurant is known not only for its French-Mediterranean cuisine, but also for its authentic and original artwork. Need to make up with your significant other because you spent all day in the casino and only five minutes with her in the pool? Head over to Jasmine—the restaurant’s sparkling chandeliers and beautiful flowers are built for romance. Case closed—you’re forgiven. If traveling with the boys, or if your woman likes to hit the dance floor and “shake what her mama gave her,” head over to club Light where you can get a private table and a man’s man view of the action.

  Gaming: This might be the most action-packed casino floor in all of Las Vegas. Whether you are interested in betting your bank account or just playing for fun, Bellagio offers an array of table games. The choices are: blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean Stud, Let it Ride Stud Poker, pai gow tiles, pai gow poker, Big Six, Three-Card Poker, baccarat, and Texas Hold ’Em.

  Shopping: The Via Bellagio is the crème de la crème of shopping venues. Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Dior, and Gucci are all there. Need I say more? It’s high style all the way, fellas.

  The Wynn

  First Opened: 2005

  Main Attraction: The on-s
ite eighteen-hole championship golf course (with a thirty-seven-foot waterfall on the eighteenth hole) designed by Tom Fazio and Steve Wynn, coupled with the man-made mountain that towers in front of the hotel.

  Ambiance: Pure sophistication and luxury.

  Location: 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South (adjacent to the Treasure Island Hotel and across from the Fashion Show Mall).

  Contact Info: 888-320-9966, www.wynnlasvegas.com

  Resting Your Head: This hotel might have the best accommodations in all of Las Vegas. If you are into golfing, I suggest staying in the Fairway Villas in either a one-bedroom (starting at $1,200) or a two-bedroom (starting at $1,700). Both rooms overlook the golf course. However, for the non-golfing traveler, I personally recommend staying in the Salon Suite. The Salon Suite has an incredible view of the Las Vegas Strip, and guests have the option to choose the color scheme of the room they are staying in. The color schemes are as follows: Chocolate Cherry (consists of deep-red velvet couch and coordinating drapes) and Carnelian Crème (rustic wall color with crème-accented furniture). Your lady’s gonna love it!

  Recover: With five pools (one dedicated to the suites only), you’ll be a man’s man “of the world” as you take a dip in pure luxury. The spa in the beauty shop offers treatment rooms, beauty products, and an amazing staff for your full enjoyment. Want good luck for your night of gambling? This hotel actually performs spa “rituals.” The “Good Luck Ritual” treatment is based on the five areas of feng shui—happiness, harmony, wealth, health, and prosperity. It’s a fifty-minute custom massage. Hey, for $250 a pop, you better be lucky at the tables after that rubdown! Seriously, it’s worth every penny, fellas. Wynn Las Vegas also offers forty-five treatment rooms, showers, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. You want some recovery room service? If a man’s man is tired, he can have the spa come to him. “In-room” massages run for either sixty minutes ($165) or ninety minutes ($265).