If you've ever spent any time in Las Vegas during April, you know the wind tends to howl throughout the month. The winds tend to blow strongly throughout the year in the Big Valley and sometimes its more than just hot air from casino executives trying to tell us that resort fees, bad blackjack games, short-pay video poker schedules, declining comps, and now parking fees are good for us and all part of enhancing our "experience." This year, the April winds sent my ship sailing to a pair of very different destinations, the first a local off-strip casino; the second, one of the newest properties on the Las Vegas Strip. Together the two present the answer to a proverbial compare and contrast question one might find on a college course essay. With that context in mind, pick up your blue books and pencils and let's begin.

The Gold Coast is located about a mile west of the Las Vegas Strip and has been a cornerstone of the Las Vegas locals' casino market since it opened in December, 1986. It was the first casino built from the ground up by Las Vegas casino mogul Michael Gaughan and the second major resort built on the west side of Interstate 15, a decade after Palace Station opened just north on West Sahara Avenue. The Gold Coast's current casino neighbors include the Rio and the Palms, both within easy walking distance. Some of you film buffs may have noticed the Gold Coast in the movie "Mars Attacks."

The Gold Coast has been part of the Boyd Gaming Empire since 2004. The property underwent major renovations in 2002 and the latest renovation was in 2008. I've stayed at this property many times over the years, including earlier this year. It isn't overly fancy, but it's comfortable and suitable for solo gamblers, families, or for a quick getaway with your significant other. Currently the Gold Coast has 711 rooms and suites. There's also an outdoor pool and hot tub. For bowling enthusiasts, there's a 70-lane bowling alley, complete with a pro shop and snack bar. There is a free shuttle service to sister property The Orleans and to the Strip. Published shuttle hours are from 9 a.m. until midnight, but I'd confirm before using.

I visit the Gold Coast regularly and the casino is always busy. It's popular with Asian visitors and locals, thanks largely in part to its close vicinity to Chinatown. The casino is large with over 86,000 square feet of gaming space. The table games area is centrally located in the middle of the casino near the race and sports book and features four pits with approximately 50 table games. I've dubbed the largest pit area the "Heroin Den" as it reminds me in part of exotic tales of the Far East - for good or ill. There are 18 tables of Baccarat, Pai Gow Progressive, and some no-commission Baccarat in this pit. This area is generally smoke-filled and very busy.

Another large pit serves up 19 table game offerings that include three craps tables, a pair of roulette tables, and a couple of carnival games, Super Fun 21, and the majority of the blackjack tables. A smaller six-deck pit houses three double-deck blackjack games and three Pai Gow Progressive tables. The fourth table games area is open on weekend nights and dubbed the "Hippie Pit" thanks to its psychedelic table covers and alleged party atmosphere (it's a far cry from the Hard Rock in the "Hell's Belles" days). The Hippie Pit is home to a roulette table, a Three Card Poker table, and four blackjack tables.