I am addicted to the place. I love the rooms and the fake St. Mark's Square and some of the little cafes and such. I totally agree with everybody who is disgusted at what they have done to the Grazie slot club and the points people accumulated and they way they have curtailed offers and events. (I just got a magnanomous offer to come and stay and pay only $129 a night, when I had been going for free and getting other benefits for years.)
Last fall, I got an e-mail from a "host." No more offers. Come along and sign in for some pretty steep rates, play, and we'll see what we can do. The "host" was in his 20s. I met him for five minutes, but I did glean this information: They are simply no longer interested in normal (anything under $5) slot or VP players, and the rewards for playing blackjack are much better. Roulette's even better, he said eagerly. Like I'm going to play roulette. BTW: Their VP now is just plain terrible: 8/5 JoB, etc. Nothing even semi-decent.
So I reverted to the old Comp City techniques I used years ago. Buy in at BJ for $3,000. First bet $300, back quickly down to $100. Play crowded tables (which aren't that easy to find at Palazzo, a little easier at Venetian), bathroom breaks, etc. I played 10 hours over three days, won about $1,500. Never did see the host again, but he comped not only the room, but $220 in food, beverage and spa charges, and I got the feeling I could have probably doubled that.
I realize this sort of play is not for everybody, and I could have just as easily lost $1,500 or more. But I used to use the strategy all the time a few years ago at places like MB and Palms before I went through some financial pressure.
So there's some chance at comps and positive total EV still at these places if you have a bankroll that can handle a $3,000 or so hit, athough I agree that they have completely screwed VP players.
Last fall, I got an e-mail from a "host." No more offers. Come along and sign in for some pretty steep rates, play, and we'll see what we can do. The "host" was in his 20s. I met him for five minutes, but I did glean this information: They are simply no longer interested in normal (anything under $5) slot or VP players, and the rewards for playing blackjack are much better. Roulette's even better, he said eagerly. Like I'm going to play roulette. BTW: Their VP now is just plain terrible: 8/5 JoB, etc. Nothing even semi-decent.
So I reverted to the old Comp City techniques I used years ago. Buy in at BJ for $3,000. First bet $300, back quickly down to $100. Play crowded tables (which aren't that easy to find at Palazzo, a little easier at Venetian), bathroom breaks, etc. I played 10 hours over three days, won about $1,500. Never did see the host again, but he comped not only the room, but $220 in food, beverage and spa charges, and I got the feeling I could have probably doubled that.
I realize this sort of play is not for everybody, and I could have just as easily lost $1,500 or more. But I used to use the strategy all the time a few years ago at places like MB and Palms before I went through some financial pressure.
So there's some chance at comps and positive total EV still at these places if you have a bankroll that can handle a $3,000 or so hit, athough I agree that they have completely screwed VP players.
