A few weeks ago, I wrote about a drawing at the ROW in Reno (a Caesars property where the Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus are all connected indoors), where Bonnie and I had each accumulated more than a half-million tickets during our stay. While that is a lot of tickets, everybody gets free tickets and daily multipliers, depending on their tier level.
I mentioned in that article that probably we won’t attend the three nights of drawings because the combination of prizes and probability of winning them wasn’t all that high. I said that would be my decision, “depending” on other factors.
Some of those other factors came in and so it now looks like we’re going. These factors are relatively unique to us and do not apply widely to readers of this blog, so I’ll leave them unstated. (Even though “inquiring minds want to know.”)
When the previous blog was posted, there were several comments. One wag who has read that I play at Dotty’s suggested my EV calculation was between the ROW and Dotty’s. Well, yes, except that if this wag read my most recent column about Dotty’s, he’ll know that I won’t be playing there until the end of March at the earliest. And even then, it doesn’t matter whether you play at Dotty’s mid-week, on weekends, or on which shift you play (although graveyard is considerably less smoky), if you want to participate in must-be-present-to-win drawing, you must be there when it’s taking place. So even if I were playing at Dotty’s these days, which I’m not it wouldn’t conflict with a trip to Reno.
Other readers mentioned how they prefer drawings with certain characteristics. Well, I do too. I’d prefer no free tickets. I don’t mind the size of your ticket multiplier based on your tier level because Bonnie and I are both at the highest tier level. (I wouldn’t feel that way if we were not at the highest tier level.) I prefer drawings where I’ll be around for all of the days you can earn tickets. While I can play a lot when I’m there, if I’m gone for more than a month others can catch up to me by playing smaller amounts more often.
But those preferences are largely irrelevant for this particular drawing. I’m not going to be able to change the rules. The only question is: does this series of drawings, under the existing rules and conditions, present a good enough opportunity for us that we’re willing to go through the expense of getting there and staying there a few days? If the answer to that is yes (and it is — including things unrelated to the drawing), then we’ll be there. If the answer to that is no, we won’t be.
Another reader spoke of how large the ROW is, how temperamental the microphone is, and noted that you only have so many minutes to make it to the drawing area once you’re called. It might not be possible to reach the drawing area if you’re at one of the far ends of the place. While this is true, this will not be a factor. By the time of the drawing, we’ll have upwards of two million tickets between us. We are NOT going that far to miss out because we weren’t in the right place at the right time.
A full 15 minutes before each drawing, Bonnie and I will be in the vicinity of where the drawing will take place. We will know we’re close enough because we will hear the preliminary announcements of “make sure you swipe your card at the kiosk to make sure your entries are activated.” If we can hear that announcement, we’re plenty close enough. Even though Bonnie uses a walker and might be shy about pushing her way through, if she’s called I’ll be ahead of her loudly asking people to make way for an 80-year-old winner using a walker. People generally will make way under such a circumstance, and if for some reason they don’t, casino employees will hear me (I’ll be loud if necessary) and they’ll help us.
As I write this, I remember what nights the drawings are on but not the exact times or location. I suspect it will be in the Silver Legacy, but right now I’m not positive. You can bet I’ll know for certain before the drawings take place, and exactly the hours for activating our entries. Any other salient points in the rules will be mastered as well because I’ll be sure to re-read the rules several times at least.
These drawings won’t be a problem. I’ve won large or small prizes in several hundred drawings over the years at several dozen different casinos. While each one is a little different from the others, I’m confident in my abilities to get us entered into these drawings and collect if we get called. It’s not rocket science — and experience matters.
And if we’re totally skunked and not called at all? Well, that happens too. You need to make your best calculation before you know the results, and then you live with whatever results arise. This has a whole lot in common with other successful gambling. Or living life intelligently.
Bob, unless this drawing differs from the others they’ve had in the past, the winner(s) will be asked to appear in the area right in front of the slot club at the Silver Legacy (SL is located in the middle of the Row).
It’s best for all of us psychologically if we are ready to get totally skunked (not have our name called) instead of expecting something good based on statistical likelihood or mere hopes. That way, if the worst happens, it won’t have a bad effect on our spirit and ruin our day.
now I understand how come I never won anything at a Station Casino’s drawing. A regular player usually stands no chance to win anything against this army of professionals that have 1000x more tickets in it (per person) than me. This makes me a monster underdog so going for it is useless.
With so many drawing tickets in the electronic drum such as Mr Bob Dancer described it’s probably worth the flight to Reno and a few days up there.
From Switzerland
Boris
“You need to make your best calculation before you know the results, and then you live with whatever results arise. This has a whole lot in common with other successful gambling. Or living life intelligently.”
Certainly. And if you are accurate in your expected value going into the venture, then there’s considerable satisfaction in having availed yourself of the opportunity, win or lose (since EV tends to play out over reasonable time frames).
But your narrative here, Bob, seems to involve considerable more uncertainty when it comes to the value of this drawing than is typical. Just curious what your take is on those (likely seldom) occasions that you considerably “overvalue” an event that is resource consuming to attend …
I’ll be there Friday and Saturday nights. I know one thing…if you’re called it won’t be your “nom de plume”! Activation starts at 6:00 and I believe the drawings start at 6:30. Good luck! And I hope you can stand the obnoxious emcee…it’s all I can do to tune him out.
Boris succinctly described why I no long waste my time on these drawings, contests, etc. I can’t prove they are rigged, but certainly some folks have a much better chance than others—due to large play/number of tickets/casino favorite person-personality (actually one/three in the same). I’m not bitter about it, I accept the rhyme, reason, reality of it. Plus I tired of long crushing lines to get into the dinners/drawings, etc., and now they run too late in the evening to sit and wait to hear my name never called.
If you want a “FAIR” drawing, award each participant only one ticket – no multiple tickets allowed no matter how much “play” one gives. That would be a “FAIR” drawing and result.
Best laid plans and all, looks like the drawing is postponed now until June 30- July 1 due to the weather. How will that affect your calculus? I suspect many more people are likely to attend then as opposed to number who could have made it this weekend.
We were just notified by phone that this weekend’s drawings at The Row have been postponed until June. The casino blamed inclement weather for the postponement.
About six weeks ago, The Row postponed another drawing for a car and cash. That postponement occurred after we flew cross-country and had arrived in Reno for the drawing.
I heard they canceled this weekend
Not sure any prize a Caesars property is giving out would be worth the amount you both have placed in the virtual drum. Caesars payables are horrendous north and south, I assume you are hoping to recoup losses.
Bob, are you up here? Bummer about the cancellation, but they did that last month, for the same reason, for a different drawing. I fought through snow to get there only to find out it was cancelled. 🙁
hells bells, after all this talking and thinking and then the entire promo will be cancelled (delayed). what a waste….
from Switzerland
Boris