Posted Monday, November 15, 2004; 21:00 HKT
Every day, thousands of mainland Chinese elbow their way into the cavernous main hall of the new Sands casino in Macau. They plonk down bets on the baccarat tables and guzzle free tea for a few hands before hopping back on the tour bus to the next destination. But just three stories above is the entrance to a secret world that the average punter can only dream about: the Sands' ultra-exclusive club, Paiza. Here, from behind the 5-m-tall plate-glass windows that overlook the main floor, VIP gamers in the swank, seven-table Shanghai Room can sip single malt from the private bar and stare out at the swarming masses below while contemplating their own decision to hit or hold. They arrive by complimentary limousines and enter via a glass elevator that turns opaque as it reaches Paiza. When they tire of gaming, they can avail themselves of a wine bar, private dining rooms, a spa, a sauna, a gym, a beauty salon, and 51 luxury suites where the minibars are stocked with Petrus. Entry to this VIP playpen is strictly by invitation only and everything is free, provided you play.

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