Overview
“Vegas and the [expletive] Mirage,” Mike McDermott famously utters in the 1998 movie Rounders. Before the opening of the Bellagio and Bobby’s Room, the Mirage was the main spot for continuous poker action at a time when poker rooms weren’t necessarily a standard casino amenity in Las Vegas like they are today. Well-known players, like Stu Ungar, Chip Reese, and Doyle Brunson, were regulars in some of the highest stakes games in Nevada (and possibly the world) at the time.
Opened in 1989, the Mirage was a cutting-edge Steve Wynn mega resort, which served as a precursor and model for many he’s developed since. In 2017, the property may be a nostalgic reminder of Vegas’ yesteryear; however, the 3,000-room resort is still a place for visitors (and to some extent families) to experience a fine Brazilian Steakhouse, a taste of New York at the Carnegie Deli, a volcano, secret garden, and dolphin habitat all in one place.
Primary
The Mirage is home to comedian Terry Fator and Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles: Love. In addition to live entertainment, the casino offers a couple of interesting blackjack variants developed by Geoff Hall — Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack.
Blackjack Switch is a variant where a player places two initial and identical wagers and is dealt two corresponding hands. The player chooses whether to switch the top cards to make improved hands. Notably, blackjack pays even money, and a dealer hard total of 22 pushes all hands except a natural 21. Free Bet Blackjack has the same push on 22 catch, but blackjack pays 3:2 and players may re-split (including aces) up to four times. Though players may double on any two initial cards, the perk of the game and the derivation of its name is the rule that players get a free double on hard 9, 10, or 11 and a free split on any dealt pair except tens. Blackjack Switch is a particularly popular game with online casinos.
Online
The perfect digital addition to the Mirage’s luxury sportsbook (with premium VIP seating that includes unlimited select beer and cocktails) is the PlayMGM app. This allows for sports wagering from anywhere in Nevada. The app can be found in mobile app stores. Signing up is simple, and registration and account funding can be completed at the Mirage sportsbook counter. Cash, photo ID, and an M Life players card is all one needs to open up the speed and convenience of the PlayMGM app.
Not all slot tournaments at the Mirage are at banked off machines with incessant hammering of the spin button. EasyPlay mobile tournaments are affordable slot tournaments that run daily, open to those of legal gambling age who are connected to the casino wifi on their laptop or mobile device. Tournaments reward cash prizes. Look for bonus match promotions for new sign-ups. Getting started is as easy as visiting secure.easyplay.vegas.
Pop! Slots, MyVegas Slots, and MyVegas Blackjack are all free-to-play online options that offer opportunities to earn real rewards like hotel rooms, show tickets, and meals. Search for the apps in mobile app stores or play the MyVegas brand of games on Facebook.
Rewards
The tiered M Life player loyalty program is a critical part of getting the most out of visits to Las Vegas and/or other MGM Resorts International properties around the US. Most are familiar with the potential to earn complimentary rooms, meals, and event tickets, but even regular visitors to the Mirage may be unfamiliar with M Life Moments.
M Life offers unique events and adventures for its members. Interested in swimming with the dolphins at the Mirage? It can be done for $500 (for Gold card holders or higher). How about an in-room Six Course Decadent Degustation dining experience complete with Moët and Chandon Champagne? The price tag for Pearl members or higher is $2,000. Remember points are earned not only through gambling but also by spending at the hotel, spa, gift shop, or restaurants.