Las Vegas tourism up for the first time in 15 months

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is stating that tourists to Las Vegas increased by 4.3 percent in September, compared with data from September 2008.

Yes, increased.

Convention attendance was also up by 12 percent.

This bit of good news marks the first time that tourist volume has been up in 15 months.

Casinos are in full swing with greater offers to players. Even we locals are getting free room offers. Assuming we'll be starting to dig ourselves out of this economic rut, we advise you to take advantage of the offers while you can.

Green Valley Ranch offered us two free nights in a suite with $200 freeplay and $200 in food. We weren't able to take time off to do it, and our next offer was zilch (free nights with no freeplay or food, and we had to pay the resort fee).

Joseph Cada Youngest WSOP Main Event Champion Ever

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

In an abbreviated session heads-up that lasted less than four hours the 2009 World Series of Poker crowned the youngest player to ever win a WSOP Main Event. Joseph Cada is a 21-year-old from Michigan that now claims the title of World Poker Champion after eclipsing the record set last year by 22-year-old Peter Eastgate.

Cada takes home a winner's purse of over $8.5 million and a very special bracelet from the 40th anniversary edition of the World Series of Poker. Darvin Moon, a logger from Maryland, traded the chip lead with the young player a number of times before the final hand was dealt and Joe Cada took all the chips with a pair of Nines.

Watch all of the November Nine playing the final table of the 2009 WSOP tonight on ESPN at 9 PM ET. Included in tonight's two hour show is all the action from the heads-up match between Moon and Cada and it's delivered on the same day it was played.

A gallery of photos from the 2009 WSOP Main Event November Nine Final Table will be posted in a few days including exclusive backstage photos.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Joe Cada Wins $8.5 Million at 2009 WSOP

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

In an abbreviated session heads-up that lasted less than four hours the 2009 World Series of Poker crowned the youngest player to ever win a WSOP Main Event. Joseph Cada is a 21-year-old from Michigan that now claims the title of World Poker Champion after eclipsing the record set last year by 22-year-old Peter Eastgate.

Cada takes home a winner's purse of over $8.5 million and a very special bracelet from the 40th anniversary edition of the World Series of Poker. Darvin Moon, a logger from Maryland, traded the chip lead with the young player a number of times before the final hand was dealt and Joe Cada took all the chips with a pair of Nines.

Watch all of the November Nine playing the final table of the 2009 WSOP tonight on ESPN Sports TV at 9 PM ET. Included in tonight's two hour show is all the action from the heads-up match between Moon and Cada and it's delivered on the same day it was played.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com