El Cortez Offer -- Need EV Whiz Advice

I recently received an interesting El Cortez offer that I think is great and I hope I get for August (current offer goes through June). Wanted to get the thoughts of the EV gurus.

It's 3 comped nights in a regular room or Cabana Suite, $50 in FSP, $50 in Dining Credits and if I earn 10,000 base points in 72 hours (which I assume is $10k Coin In), I get a $50 Gift Card to a number of gas stations or stores, including Walmart and Walgreens.

Here's the interesting part: If I earn 20,000 base points in 72 hours I will get an extra $400 in FSP! That jumped off the page and with reasonable but concentrated play, I could see doing this.

I played a lot there one day in December (probably at the 20,000 in 72 hour rate), got a decent offer for April, and then used the offer but wound up not playing there very much, hence I guess the reason for less FSP and food credit up front in the current offer that is good through June. It's almost like the offer is saying to me "come back and play like you played in December and we will REALLY make it worth your while!".

I know we shouldn't play for comps but it is having that effect on me and as I'll be playing quite a bit during this upcoming trip, I might as well play where I can maximize the comps. Assuming I wind up playing some decent VP there, I assume this makes the EV well above 100%?

I love these type of offers as they spell out exactly what is required.

If you played the 20K on machines which earn $1 per point (which is most of them), you would need $20K of coin-in. For this you would get $450 in slot play which gives an EV of 2.25% plus another $40 in cash back (0.25%) puts you at around 2.5% on top of whatever game you were playing. Assuming you were playing 8/5 Bonus with only a small error rate (lets say 0.17%) you would have a solid 1.5% advantage. Of course I dont know what games you play or how good you are at them.

You would also have $50 in dining credits which I am sure you could double or triple by talking to a host after play.

Also if you used the many coupons out there (LVA and ACG) you could add another 0.25% on top of that.

Good luck!

Seems to me that you could do $20K pretty easily on the 9/6 JoB Multistrike machine. The strategy is a bit complicated (since you're looking for any paying hand to get to the next line, rather than the maximum EV), but it's about a 99.6% game with perfect play. Your expected loss would be less than $100, so the $400 FP is certainly worth a shot if you're not too risk-averse (Multistrike is hellavolatile).

Have fun, fflowers!

Many thanks kiwiboy1 and Jon. I play pretty accurately so no concerns there though I'd need to practice Multistrike. And Kiwiboy1, I too love when the details are clear. It makes OCD-planning that much easier and more fun!

It also occurred to me that there's a standard coupon that is available for all and it's a 2x points coupon that can be used once a week on either a Tuesday or a Thursday. I'd make my heavy play day one of those days, doubling my cash back.

My favorite VP game is Double STP with DDB, though I know El Co doesn't have that. After that either JoB or Bonus Poker and I'm familiar with the 9/6 Multistrike so either would work.

Excellent point too about potentially getting extra food comps with the extra play though if my brother isn't there during that stay (he's there a week as well but arrives in Vegas and leaves Vegas before I do) it'll be harder to use up the extra food comps. Other the other hand, two really nice meals at the Flame with my drink(s) of choice would be sweet.

Your planned trip sounds like the Vegas of old. If more casinos wold do the same they would get more of my business.

Yes Doc. It does feel like the Vegas of old. My first trip to Vegas was 21 years ago and though I am on the younger side of 50, I remember those days fondly.

I am more of a LV strip person but there's a special place in my heart for the El Co and though the El Cabana Suites rooms are small, I really did enjoy my room there in April.

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Originally posted by: FFlowers

Excellent point too about potentially getting extra food comps with the extra play though if my brother isn't there during that stay (he's there a week as well but arrives in Vegas and leaves Vegas before I do) it'll be harder to use up the extra food comps.q]


What day are we eating at El Co??

Hey FFlowers,

With the offers that I have been getting at El Cortez (although I have not played enough to get Free Rooms [which require 2,000 points per day during the week or 3,000 points a day during the weekend] or Freeplay) has been an offer for one day (Player's choice) at 5X points, so maybe you should check that out.

But do keep in mind that multiple points can not be factored into your earning the 20,000 points.

But still, that would rack up a lot more additional points for you!

El Cortez players also need to remember that they have a separate points account from their Comp Dollars account -- so players have both -- it's not one or the other -- it's both!

But where do Players get the 2X points for Tuesday or Thursday coupons? I have never got that offer before.

RecVPPlayer

Hi, Rec. It seems like there were a bunch of 2x point coupons in a mailer a while back (maybe December? Used them in late January). Not sure where else.

Do you know the specifics of the system? How quickly does cashback accrue? How about the comp account? Different for slots vs. VP? Different for the 10/7 DB machines or the Downtown Deuces? Do you accrue anything for table games? Sorry for all the questions.

By the way, we're going to be downtown from July 25 to Aug. 1; let me know if you're going to be in town. Going to stay at the El two nights this time. Thanks!

Hi Jon,

I'm sure that I have never received any 2X points coupons from El Cortez -- only an offer for 5X points for one day during a 3-month period.

Now as for earning Points and Comp Dollars there, If I'm remembering correctly (although I don't know where mine has gone to -- but you might be able to find one on the El Cortez website), if you get your hands on an El Cortez brochure, it tends to spell everything out.

If I'm remembering correctly it offers (at least at the lowest tier) about .2% in Cashback or Freeplay or comps (for use of specifically your Slot Club points) plus I think maybe .2% or .3% additional in your separate comp Dollar account. Your Comp Dollars can be used as far as I know maybe even everywhere there. I have been able to use them in the Gift Shop and at Seattle's Best Coffee where I have gotten 16 Oz. bottles Kosher Milk for Free using the Comp Dollars. Comp Dollars also accrue for table games play but I don't know at what rate that happens. But I always immediately hand in my card when I'm buying in for a session of Blackjack!

I hope that this helps! So check out the El Cortez website for more information!

I'm very possibly going back to visit LV at the beginning of June (very possibly beginning with Sunday 6/3) and then after that probably not until any earlier than October 14th.

RecVPPlayer