April, 2013

May Vegas Promotions

Once again I must stress that this “monthly report” is not a comprehensive one by any means.  From the beginning I have emphasized that I am trying to help people who don’t get mailers, especially from Vegas locals casinos, find out about promotions that are not widely publicized elsewhere.  I don’t have the time or energy to check out every casino in Vegas or keep track of all the “perks” each of them offer.  With casinos changing benefits and promotions constantly, this would take a large team working night and day. However, in past reports I have recommended quite a few Web sites that will help you keep up.  I suggest you go back and bookmark some of those resourses if you didn’t do so earlier.   Also I usually don’t list multiple point days since I have told you to check Scot’s list for these, not just at the first of the month but often since he notes changes and additions whenever they occur all during the month. If you think I have missed some important promotion or benefit, don’t waste your time and energy  getting on my case, but just add the information in the Comments. We’re all in this together!  I really appreciate those of you who have contributed very useful information, some of which was new and helpful to me personally!  I am still learning, as are all wise gamblers.

A Danger in Casino Promotions

Recently, a poster on the vpFREE forum discussed his belief about casino promotions and that they were geared to make gamblers lose more.  And then he asked, “Doesn’t everyone think so?”

At first, I thought this person was all wrong   So I started writing the following:  No, I don’t think this way and neither does any wise advantage player. Here is what I do: I evaluate a play by adding the EV of the game to all the extra benefits, including slot club points, free play, and promotions. (Some people add the value of comps, which is fine in many cases, but our personal choice is not count them, only cash or cash-equivalent benefits. We consider them “gravy.”) This total must be over 100% in order for us to play. Most games are now under 100% and you MUST use promotions/extra benefits to find a good play.

However, I stopped writing there and started thinking about how some people might get in trouble even if they always choose 100%+ games.

Q+A’s

Here are some questions I have received in the last few months:

Q:  How do you know when a royal progressive on a VP machine is high enough to make it a good play?

Details and Fine Print

The devil is in the details.”  “Always read the fine print.”

I repeat those words often – so often that I’m sure many of you are sick of them.  I am weary of saying them myself.  But just when I think I will let up on these warnings, something bad happens to me or to one of my readers as a result of ignoring them.

Do sometimes I fail to check on details or neglect to read the fine print – even after 29 years of casino experience?  Don’t be surprised when I answer this with a “yes.”  There is a tendency to depend on one’s past experiences the longer one plays, but this is a dangerous habit in connection with casinos.  You can never assume that “the usual” will last.  Gambling smart requires constant diligence, not just in the big decisions, like choosing the right games.  All those constant small details often pile up and become the one deciding factor that determines financial success or failure.

Let me give you some examples,

Watch for Exceptions

Here’s some good advice at many casinos these days since so many seem to be going to leased restaurants:  watch for gift cards and food coupons that aren’t good in all food outlets.  For example, some food vouchers we had for Caesars properties in Vegas

Public Appearance Reminder

So many people write and ask if Brad and I are ever going to be at a public event where they would have an opportunity to meet us and chat.  We don’t do as many of these as we used to, but I want to remind you of one coming up this Saturday, April 6, at the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road.