Las Vegas Koen PR begins

[Kintamayama]

Picture from the Press Conference:

[Datchayama]

Whoot. Well got my tickets for the 3 days... section 106 row "D".

Now to decide on hotel. I so rarely get out on vacations anyways I've a half of a mind to still stay at Mandalay...but we'll see.

For 4 nights at Mandalay=$1,118 (ow)

Luxor=$747

I dunno. +400$ is a bit much for that.... but it's reachable. For the once-in-a-lifetime trip it may be worth it.

[Yaezakura]

This is probably a dumb question, but people gamble on sumo matches in Japan, right? I'm curious, because I've seen several news articles mention that gambling on the results of the koen won't be allowed. I thought that was odd, since I was under the impression that people in Japan bet on sumo all the time. Maybe the organizers are just trying to distance themselves from the more sleazy side of Vegas? ;-)

[Manekineko]

This is probably a dumb question, but people gamble on sumo matches in Japan, right?  I'm curious, because I've seen several news articles mention that gambling on the results of the koen won't be allowed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, most of the matches in Vegas will be staged anyway (such is the tradition in foreign tours), so betting on them would really be unethical... ;-)

[Jejima]

This is probably a dumb question, but people gamble on sumo matches in Japan, right?  I'm curious, because I've seen several news articles mention that gambling on the results of the koen won't be allowed.  I thought that was odd, since I was under the impression that people in Japan bet on sumo all the time.  Maybe the organizers are just trying to distance themselves from the more sleazy side of Vegas?  ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You cannot legally gamble on sumo matches in Japan, although I understand that it is possible to do so illegally. (I also understand that you can gamble on Ozumo in some other countries, legally).

The only things that it is legal to gamble on in Japan are horse racing, motor racing, speed boat racing and cycling.

This makes things like their slot machines and 'pachinko' a bit strangen the edge of the law.

Also gambling at Mah-jong is technically illegal, but as anyone who plays this great game knows, almost impossible to play without the gambling (think Poker).

I once tried to organise a sweepstake for the World Cup football with my colleagues, but no matter how I tried to organise it, it was vetoed, because it was 'gambling'.

[aderechelsea]

(I also understand that you can gamble on Ozumo in some other countries, legally).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

which countries is that and can i find it on the internet?

(Being unsure...)

[Kintamayama]

Forum calendar has been updated with all relevant information:

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...ent&eventid=193

There is an official tour site now;

http://www.grandsumolasvegas.com/

[Jejima]

The only things that it is legal to gamble on in Japan are horse racing, motor racing, speed boat racing and cycling.

soccer. toto. do it every week

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is that a new type of legal gambling (in the past 5 years)?

[sumofan]

Whoot. Well got my tickets for the 3 days... section 106 row "D".

Now to decide on hotel. I so rarely get out on vacations anyways I've a half of a mind to still stay at Mandalay...but we'll see.

For 4 nights at Mandalay=$1,118 (ow)

Luxor=$747

I dunno. +400$ is a bit much for that....  but it's reachable. For the once-in-a-lifetime trip it may be worth it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

are they really that expensive?

I have been in Vegas, and we had a nice, spacious room for only 49$ per night.

the hotel was a big black casino on the strip, i have forgotten its name, but it was 'something star something' (Shaking head...) .

my understanding was that getting a room in a casino was dirt cheap (as long as you pick a standard room, not a suite) because they want you to spend as much days (and as much money) as possible.

[Oshirokita]

Whoops, I waited too late to order my tickets for sumo in Las Vegas! When I called today to order a 3-day event pass, I learned that yesterday (April 15) was the last day to get them!!! D'oh!!

Oh, well, at least now I can justify buying seats in different sections on different days. For that twice in a lifetime experience (I was in Vancouver in 1998 also), I splurged and spent a total of $351.75 for the following views:

Oct 7 - section 223 balcony

Oct 8 - section 210 balcony (opposite corner from 223)

Oct 9 - section 113 nice and close 5 rows up from the floor

I hope to see you there!

- Oshirokita, from the Great White North

[Kintamayama]

Some pics that were missed:

Asashouryuu, man from Mandalay, and Takasago Oyakata doing some Karaoke:

Asa at the Las Vegas Press conference:

Musashimaru looking down at the Luxor from a balcony somewhere near..:

[Gaijinohana]

Went to the Cherry Blossom festival in San Francisco this weekend and had a 5 minute chat with Musashimaru. He was sitting for pictures and there weren't many people at all around him on saturday (sketchy weather). They were promoting the Las Vegas event and he was doing his bit to get folks interested. I find it almost impossible to believe that they will get anywhere remotely near a reasonable turnout let alone a sellout on any of the three days in Vegas. If there were so few people interested in getting a pic with the Moose in SF Japantown I can't imagine how few people will be interested in showing up in Vegas at Mandalay Bay's ticket prices. They're outrageous!!

[Mark Buckton]

there is sumo gambling in the backstreets of Asakusa I understand - legality wise - no idea but much of what goes on in the Asakusa backstreets is dodgy at best.

[sekihiryu]

Kinda annoying though.. "no cameras,no photography".  how boring....standard for Vegas/these things but.. :(

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeh whats the deal with that? (Sign of disapproval)

Is that normal for Las Vegas? do these Mandalay folk know that its acceptable to photograph sumo in Japan?

Not that I'm going.

If I lived in the States I would be saving my pennies for a Japan trip to a honbasho

[Mr. Armageddon]

Yes, save your money and go to Japan. Sumo in Las Vegas? (Sign of disapproval)