****Check Scot’s Bonus Point list – Lots of multipliers all over town on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/greatdeals-slotpromotions.cfm However, be warned – the multipliers for ALL the Boyd Properties (Sam’s Town, The Orleans, Suncoast, Gold Coast, California, Fremont, and Main Street Station) are for LOCALS ONLY (In 89000-89199 zip codes).
Look for football season promotions in almost every casino, especially for bargain food on game days/nights.
GOLDEN NUGGET
Recently they revamped their slot club. Go to http://www.vpfree2.com/casino/golden-nugget-hotel-casino/club (you DO have vpFREE2 bookmarked on your computer, don’t you?) for new details.
PALMS
Danger alert: NEW Club Palms Cards and benefits! You know my feelings about new changes in a casino – they almost never are a plus for the players. But I will try to stay optimistic until Sept. 1-2 when I can pick up my new card and get a new picture for it taken in the Addison Room from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. I can also at that time pick up a new Rewards Brochure and see if my perks have changed. I already know of one decrease since the car wash is being closed. (Much to Brad’s dismay, as I had predicted, it closed early, probably because it broke down and they wouldn’t want to spend the money to get it fixed so close to the permanent closure.)
“Play for Prizes” is running as usual Monday through Friday. The first period is September 1-12 featuring slot play – hurrah for that good news! The second is September 15-26, with Chevron gift cards – our favorite second choice. Redemption times are the same as usual, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fridays 10 a.m.-midnight.
Gift days in September are the 6th, 7th, 14th, and 21st. To earn the gift-of-the-day, you need 100 base points on video slots or 500 base points on video poker between 12:01 a.m. and 6:59 p.m.
Thursday’s Swipe & Win has morphed into Scratch & Win this month, running from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. with prizes of free slot play or buffets. However, this promotion is only for those who play slots or video reels, with one scratch card awarded for a $25 or greater jackpot. Video poker play does NOT qualify. Better check the details at the slot club desk for this one.
Regular weekly drawings continue on Fridays at 7 p.m. The mailer again mentions the everyone-wins feature – activated participants not drawn will receive $10 in free slot play.
TUSCANY
The rotating 20% all-month senior discount moves to the highly-recommended Tuscany Gardens in September. Senior days continue on Thursdays, with discounted food offers and other promotions.
ELLIS ISLAND
See the Promotions Booth for details about their Football Contest. There is a Dollar Menu during all the games on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
On September 13 they are having a sale of their “famous” I’ve-never-heard-of collection of nautical paintings. This will take place in the Karaoke Lounge 11am-3pm.
Earn entries all month for the September 24th drawing, with 7x entries on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Discounted drinks and tequila hot-seat drawings on Mexican Independence Day, September 16th – 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
Wednesdays, 7 pm-4 am, is Industry Night Karaoke. Show your casino ID for drink specials and discounts at Boardhouse Subs. See cocktail servers for coupons and details.
Evidently Ellis Island has bought the Super 8 Motel next door – although I had always thought that they were “related” in some way. My recent Ellis Island mailer, however, for the first time offered me a one-free-night offer there and “special casino rate available anytime.” (I highly doubt I would ever take advantage of this promo!)
SILVERTON
Check out gas card promotion Sunday-Thursday in September and other promotions at http://www.silvertoncasino.com/gaming/vegas-casino-promotions.aspx . Still one of the best on-going senior food special – 50% off dining at all Silverton restaurants, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every Monday
EL CORTEZ
Free Play Frenzy for Jackpot Winners in September
Throughout September, Club Cortez players winning a jackpot of $200 or more on a slot machine, a $200 or more jackpot on a video poker five-cent or lower denomination machine, a $300 or more jackpot on a video poker ten-cent or high denomination machine or a $200 or more jackpot on live keno will receive $10 to $1,000 in free play. Please see Club Cortez for additional information.
Saturday Point Fever – The 1,000,000 point giveaway at El Cortez
In a new giveaway, players will receive one virtual drawing ticket for every 200 points earned each day during the week. Participants can also earn entry multipliers at the kiosks every day with Metal Horse Race. Players must activate their virtual drawing tickets at the kiosks beginning at 10 a.m., each Saturday. The virtual drawing will take place each Saturday with 10 different players winning 100,000 points each week. That’s a million points every Saturday!
Throwback Thursday in September at El Cortez
Kick start your weekend with a night devoted to all the things that make El Cortez downtown’s favorite hangout. Club Cortez members can enjoy complimentary White Castle cheeseburgers every Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., while they play slots and table games on the casino floor. Taking it back to the simple Vegas fun that built El Cortez, guests can sip $5 French champagne in the Parlour Bar while listening to the sweet serenade of Frank Sinatra tribute sensation Peter Pavone who takes the stage from 6 to 10 p.m. Following his performance, adventurous guests can grab the microphone and perform their favorite tunes during karaoke from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
BOYD PROPERTIES (Sam’s Town, The Orleans, Suncoast, and Gold Coast)
Property-wide September $1,000,000 Slot Dollar Giveaway. Earn a minimum of 500 base points Sunday-Thursday and redeem for your mystery slot dollars on Saturdays 10am-10pm. (You keep the points.) The top limits of the range of the mystery slot dollars goes from $500 to $2500, depending on how many points you earn during that week. Another promotion that you need to check the details at the slot club desk or online. http://static.boydgaming.net/boydgaming/media/downloads/Slot_Dollar_Giveaway_Rules_BYD.pdf
SOUH POINT
Details on promotions at http://www.southpointcasino.com/upcoming-events.php?cid=WN0914&jmid=67690&j=309916998
CAESARS PROPERTIES
For those that want to turn in their Reward Credits (RC) for free play, the “official” limit is $500 per day. However, depending on the property and the actual slot club employee you ask, sometimes they may convert higher amounts.
DOWNTOWN GRAND
(Former location of Lady Luck) – From their news release:
DOWNTOWN GRAND LAS VEGAS HOTEL & CASINO ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBERCASINO PROMOTIONS
LAS VEGAS (August 2014) – Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino announces its September casino promotions. See the Downtown Grand Players Club for more information and official rules for each of the following promotions:
New MYPOINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND Member Promotions
- Qualified new MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members can receive one “$5 Free Slot Play or Match Play” voucher upon check-in per reservation. Promotion valid through Dec. 29, 2014.
- In addition, qualified new MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members can earn prizes based on points earned the day the sign up, including free t-shirts, up to $25 free slot play or match play, dining credit and complimentary room nights. (Base points must be earned by 11:59 p.m. on the day of sign-up.) Promotion valid through Dec. 31, 2014.
2X Slot Point Multiplier Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 11, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members will receive 2X Points each Tuesday and Thursday during the promotional period on all reel and video poker machines.
- $1 coin-in on reel and video reel = 6 points
- $2 coin-in on video poker = 6 points
- Multiplier is valid for slot points earned only (not table game points).
Tesla Model S Drawing Now to Sept. 13, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members will receive one virtual drawing ticket for every 1,000 points earned.
- Drawings will be held at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.
- Prizes:
- Choice of a Red Tesla Model S or $40,000 Cash or $25,000 Cash & $25,000 in Free Slot Play or Promotional Table Games Chips
- (9) $1,000 in Free Slot Play or Table Game Promotional Chips
Daily Slot Tournament To Sept. 30, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members will receive one free Slot Tournament Session a day during the promotional period.
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members can earn one Tournament Session for every 500 slot points earned.
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members who earn 5,000 slot points in a single day will be awarded 10 bonus Slot Tournament Sessions.
- Prizes will be paid out to the top 10 places, earning a top prize of $150 in Free Slot Play.
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members who participate in the daily Slot Tournament will be eligible to participate in the Top Score of the Month promotion and have a chance to win $1,000 in Free Slot Play.
Grand Hot Seat Giveaway Sept. 4 – 28, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members playing slot machines or table games are eligible to be selected as a Hot Seat winner.
- Two winners will be selected as the Hot Seat winners randomly during each hour of the promotional period, which will be 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the duration of the promotion.
- Each winner will receive their choice of $200 in free slot play or $100 in cash.
- Maximum of four prizes per MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND member per promotional day.
Grand Credit Line Giveaway Through Sept. 27, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND Members who have an approved credit line of $5,000 or more will be eligible to participate in the Grand Credit Line Giveaway.
- All qualified participants will be invited to a VIP Giveaway Celebration held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014.
- Drawing will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at 9 p.m.
- Qualified participants can win up to $25,000 in Cash, Free Slot Play or Promotional Table Game Chips.
Dollar Daze Slot Players Eat Free Through Sept. 30, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members will receive $5 in Dining Credit for every 1,000 slot points earned.
- Dining Credit is valid at Downtown Grand’s 24-hour restaurant, S+O.
- Maximum of $50 in Dining Credits can be earned per MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND member per promotional day.
Win Tickets to See “Wicked the Musical” Drawing Sept. 21 – Oct. 2, 2014
- MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND members will receive one virtual drawing ticket for every 500 points earned.
- Guests who dine at Triple George Grill will be presented a voucher to receive 5 FREE drawing tickets into the See “Wicked the Musical” Drawing (maximum of one voucher per MY POINTS DOWNTOWN GRAND member).
- Drawings will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014.
- Three winners will receive:
- Two tickets to see “Wicked the Musical” on Oct. 11 at The Smith Center
- One complimentary room night
- Dinner for two at Triple George Grill
- Limo Service to and from the show
- Dessert and drinks after the show
Jerry, many, many VP players have indeed been told that they couldn’t play any more, but that is no longer really necessary. As recently as ten years ago, there were well over a thousand over 100% machines in Vegas. Now, there are fewer than seventy! And every single one of those machines is point-restricted, meaning that you earn very few or often, no points by playing them. Point multipliers never apply to positive or even near-positive machines any more, with a very few exceptions. And the casinos retain the weapon of blowing away your player account, invalidating the strategy of relying on promos, multipliers, and mailers to kick your play over 100%. The upshot is that you can only be an advantage player if they LET you. Some big names, like Dancer and yes, Jean, are allowed to continue playing because they generate publicity. You would think that even so, the casinos would strike such players down, but the truth is that even Danceresque players don’t hurt the casino very much, given the tiny edge (usually less than 1%) that they manage to eke out. That’s dwarfed by the vast sea of suckers playing at 94% or worse.
Also, I can’t directly confirm this, but persistent rumor has it that Dancer and other prominent high-denomination VP advantage players have secured playing privileges by either “outing” other pros or teaching the casinos how to best do so (i.e., being a “consultant”). Though I have no proof of this, it does seem odd, given that it’s impossible to hide your play and its results, that any (successful) AP would be allowed to play at all. It’s either the publicity angle or a deal with the devil, given how rabid casinos have been about tracking down and eliminating decent plays and good players.
I stay a way fr the strip. They are for tourists. It’s like being in New York most New Yorkers stay away fr Times SQ. if u want to play VP or blackjack try the locals . er Stations ,Soutpoint, or Boyds.
Especially if Ellis still runs that cab fare reimbursement promo, their eating of the Super 8 could provide a pretty good budget play for a visitor. Not that it’s a great place to play any more, but the Super 8 is decent and the reason you visit EI is for the food, anyway. Gamble elsewhere.
The El Cortez is giving away A MILLION POINTS!!!!! Gee golly gosh! Only…500 points=$1, so they’re really giving away…$2000. Put those pom-poms down, everybody.
Station Casinos likes to say “We Heart Locals!” (in the same way that orcas love seals). Boyd Casinos’ apparent message is, “We Hate Tourists!” This seems odd for even a “locals'” casino to be saying.
It’s heartening to see the Downtown Grand being forced to get generous after a horrifically bad opening. People will still stay away from a place with crap games and no value. The VP has improved from “awful” to “lousy,” so there’s still no reason to set foot in the joint, but it’s good to know that there is still SOME pressure, however minimal, for the casinos to offer value–off the Strip, at least. On the Strip, people are flocking into the Cromwell to play 6/5 blackjack and 6/5 Jacks or Better VP (at high minimums!).
The good VP era is, apparently, over. You only get decent promos when you play in a place that has only bad VP (Silverton, Tuscany) or you only play the lousy machines in a place that still has some decent VP (Stations, etc. etc.)
You and Bob Dancer are two of my favorite people. I read both of you religiously. I am indebted to both of you for teaching me the better plays in video poker and other games. I bought both of your practice video games for video poker and it improved my play considerable. Over the years, however, I can’t find those good plays anymore. I am not an avid video poker player, mostly playing black jack or Texas Holdem poker, so I mostly stick to JoB or Deuces Wild. After reading several of Bob Dancer’s articles about how he attacks a promotion with a vengeance, I began to consider how this looks to a casino owner. If I were a casino owner, I would be forced to blacklist any big time advantage player from my casino. Better to do that than to take out the good machines that bring in lots of customers. I don’t understand why more casinos don’t do that.