MRB 2012 Coupons

Could be problems this year; here's an item from Today's News:

• December 27, 2011 MRBs Delayed: The 2012 Member Rewards Book has been delayed at the printer and is not due to be in-house until Jan. 6, which means it will also be shipping later this year. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused; please contact our Customer Service department on 800/244-2224 with any problems.


Of course, the date that they're due isn't necessarily the date that they'll be there, and in past years they've had problems with the company that they use (or used, anyway) to mail them out, so they were plenty late.

Wouldn't it be best to make the list final by December 1st? Then any other coupons can be posted on the "New and Improved" MRO? This would eliminate problems with people not having their coupons at the beginning of the year and the printers issues.

Brad

Brad, That would never work it just makes way too much sense.

In lieu of the printing problems presently ( and in the past) with the MRB maybe those who depend on and use the MRB should schedule their Vegas visits in mid January.

Well, we're scheduled for Jan. 25 and I'm not holding my breath; LVA hasn't historically done well with deadlines. And truthfully, the availability of the MRB isn't a major factor in deciding trip dates.

Thanks for the tip. We should schedule our lives around a book arriving at an uncertain time. Keep up the great ideas!

In the past, they have used the cheapest mailing service, bulk "standard mail". It does not cost that much more for bulk "first class" mail and still within that $3.50 that is charged. With the Postal Service plans to close processing plants and post offices, there had been some delay in mail delivery. Hopefully, those who live in the East Coast can receive it by February 1st.

From a gambling perspective, I think the 2012 MRB has taken a small step backwards. It's not anywhere near as bad as what happened from 2008 to 2009, but in general it feels like we're losing flexibility. It's still a good value (as is the ACG) and I'll be renewing my subscription again in 2012.

Here's a more detailed analysis of what changed in 2012:

Deletes:

Riviera $10 / $30 MP - This was probably the best gambling coupon in the 2011 MRB and it hurts to lose it.

Silver Nugget Bingo MP - Whatever...and if Bingo is your thing you get 2 new coupons this year to replace it.

Sahara $50 for $40 - Had been in the MRB for years. Goodbye Sahara.

Opera House 50% rebate on up to $400 loses - Highest EV coupon from 2011, but probably not one many LVAers took advantage of as getting stabbed is usually bad.

Lucky's 50% Sports Book match on up to $50 - Dang, this was an awesome coupon!

Little Macau 50-coin bonus

Adds:

Riviera $25 Bingo Matchplay - I guess moving this coupon from the Silver Nugget is a slight plus. But it's still bingo...

Riviera $10 slot freeplay with $50 bingo buy-in - Awesome, another bingo coupon.

Fitzgeralds Push 22 up to $25 on BJ - The T&C are strange on this guy. What's up with the $100 minimum buy-in? A unique coupon, but has no value from a coupon run perspective. Good for the people who would normally be playing BJ at Fitzgeralds.

Fitzgeralds $5-$100 Freeplay - You get $5 for every $500 VP coin-in. This essentially adds 1% to your video poker return. A solid coupon that lacks the huge EV, but makes up for some of it with a higher dollar value.

BTW, the gambling section of the Jan 2012 issue has a mistake regarding gambling value of the 2012 MRB.

From the Jan 2012 issue:
Total value: $188 (2011) $258 (2012)
AI Value: $146 (2011) $141 (2012)
Free-Play Value: $40 (2011) $40 (2012)

From the Jan 2011 issue:
Total value: $188 (2010) $309 (2011)
AI Value: $146 (2010) $178/$208** (2011)
Free-Play Value: $40 (2010) $40 (2011)
**includes MRO Value

Notice anything similar?

rhousedj- I personally don't care how you schedule your life. Knowing that often the MRB is not available til sometime after early January is no different than knowing that there will always be someone waiting to complain about the missed due date. So proceed with your moaning and groaning, you do it so well.