Known "Locals" VP Comp Levels

Hi LVAers:

Moved out to Vegas in October and trying to get the most of my video poker play. Was reading one of Dancer's columns and noticed that he referenced a $60,000 monthly coin-in level at the South Point that apparently qualifies for the best mailers.

Does anyone here (yes, I did do a search beforehand) have a breakdown for the coin-in levels to target for a local at the popular VP locations such as South Point, Orleans, Palms, etc. If it matters I currently play at the $.25 level usually playing full-pay Bonus Poker Deluxe or JOB, but I can also play 10/7 DB (with Dancer's card nearby).

Any info or other local tips is appreciated. Thanks!

Pack

You have a PM.

I play .50 BP and DB at Southpoint. I was never impressed with the mailers from them. If that was the only thing I would get I would maybe not be there. But my host is more then happy to give me a room and a couple of comped meals.

I always look at my mailer usually good for 2 nites and am sad than call and I am happy.

Terry

Hi Terry,

I agree that their hosts are very good and there still seems to be some discretion over and above mailer offers. Living virtually next door, I like their restaurants and the fact they have a bowling alley and movie theatre for non-gaming recreation.

However, in the case of Packerfan, I don't think this necessarily helps him as he lives local; therefore the room likely has no value.

I'm not bashing South Point but many have experienced that their offers have gone done over the last 2-3 months. There doens't seem to be any particular rhyme or reason.

There are much better plays in Vegas for a local than South Point where the games are only positive on double point days. If you opt to only play then, you will eventually be told that they are rescinding your player's card so no offers and cashback.

They have a big selection of playable games but without decent mailers and cashback, it's not a play. Entirely different situation for an out of towner who needs a place to lay his head.

Dan

Yes, Terry, from what I'm understanding about all of this (since I am not a LV local), this has to do with a person's personal "Needs Assessment" and so comp levels can very well differ for locals (as opposed to out-of-towners) because locals don't necessarily need to eat or sleep in the casino's hotel (which both cost the casino some money). And so without these considerations, casinos can possibly offer local players more.

RecVPPlayer

That would see to be true. Seems a local might be more likely to get a better cash back/free play offer as an incentive.

If I was a local I am sure I would have a higher point total than I get with my 2 trips per year. So different marketing strategies.

Terry

Generally, the hierarchy of offers in our experience goes something like this:

Out of Towner: Room, food, free play.

Local: Free play, food, room.

The other distinguishing factor is usually the frequency in which you have to redeem free play. An out of towner may get this in one lump sum whereas a local has to make frequent visits in a given month to get all of their entitlement. In our experience, we get more free play as a local but it does require more visits.

Turning the tables on the point David makes, we analyze where it makes the most sense to being a local versus an out of towner and wear the appropriate hat as applicable. It's an inexact science of a cat and mouse game but the rewards usually make it worthwhile.

Dan

As an out of towner that is correct. First I want my comped room then a meal or two. Then maybe my mailer had free play. So I am in sync.

Terry

Yes, Dan, there definitely is something to be said about having the best of both worlds where you are in a position to be both viewed by the casino as an out of town player as well as a local and so if I were in that world, I would also calculate as to which character was better for me to make use of.

RecVPPlayer