I Don’t Like To Gamble

A gambler is in it for being in action. The risk, the thrill, the roll of the dice, the turn of a card where fate is suspended and luck hopefully prevails.

Me, I don’t like to gamble. I like to win money. Those are completely different desires and goals.

I like researching new opportunities, practicing games, learning to play correctly or even bringing my strategy cards. I like building my gambling bank from different strategies at home and from earned funds in Vegas. When I don’t know the answer, I like to contemplate and figure it out. That’s why I like VP. I can stop and start when I want. It’s not a fastest-wins game.

When I come to town on a free flight earned with points and stay in a nice resort-casino at a very low rate or on a comp, I’m already ahead $750 to $1,000.

My average out of pocket for a five-day stay is $500 to $750. And that includes airfare, rental car, hotel room, restaurant meals, a show or two, and 20 to 30 hours of advantage play.

I like to learn, plan, and take advantage of all edges — coupons, come-back offers, sign-up bonuses, bonus-points play, etc. I execute, analyze and adjust. I set win goals and loss limits. When I win it’s satisfying, a confirmation. When I lose, I either examine my play or stop.

Attitude and intention are everything. If you come to Las Vegas expecting to lose, you will. If you play to win you have a better than average chance of doing just that.

And the proof is in the wallets of you, me, and legends like Bob Dancer, Jean Scott, Anthony Curtis, and many more.

I was once told, “If you want what I have, do as I do.”

And if in the end you don’t win, you’ve had a great time and spent a quarter of what others did.

As we head into the end of the year when all those juicy LVA MRB coupons expire, I’m going to focus on ways to maximize their value in play and outline one of my favorite plays, the Fremont Street coupon run, the chance to hit as many casinos as possible in a few hours and walk away with a pile of cash. It will take more than one blog post to cover the whole run, as well as the techniques used, so hang in here. I also have a lovely Christmas coupon-karma story to end the year.

Finally, here’s to Jean Scott, who’s decided after a legendary run to step back. I in no way feel I’m filling her shoes, but I sure am grateful to be following in her footsteps. Happy trails, Jean!