Bingo

We have tried bingo a couple times and have broken about even over time, but usually feel we are paying more for the session than most of the players.  Are we being taken advantage of at the counter, and what are the best budget ways to play bingo.

You may not know this--most folks don't-- but Vegas casino bingo is a loss leader. The most recent yearly figure I saw--admittedly, from several years ago--was that Vegas bingo parlors paid out 104% of what they took in.

In fact, late night bingo is a pretty solid advantage play. The secret is to buy the minimum number of cards at the lowest possible denomination. Most bingo halls award the same coverall prize to any color card. The AP mindset is to get into the coverall, where the money is.

You can probably discern that, say, doubling your buyin does not double your winning chances, because you're increasing the number of cards in play without increasing the prize fund. This is not to say that many players don't do exactly that. It's about as effective as covering the roulette layout with chips.

I've calculated during late night sessions, with the hall maybe 10% full, that the casino was going to be paying out two and sometimes three times what it took in. My ultimate score was when I worked at Palace Station from 4 to 12 pm and I had a 1:00 breakfast date with a cocktail waitress; she paged me and told me that she would be an hour late. I said fine, I'll go play bingo. The 1 am session was on, with a $1000 guaranteed coverall. There were perhaps twenty players in the whole room. I bought in for $3.

I don't have to calculate for you what a massive overlay that was. I hit.a regular bingo, then another, for $150, and I hit the coverall in 48 numbers for $5000. My date met me outside, and asked what had taken me so long and sorry she couldn't get off work sooner. I told her she was forgiven.

Bingo for me just a break from gambling.I never played in Las Vegas.Where are the games.

All of the Stations and all Boyd except for the Orleans and downtown have bingo.  Also The Plaza and Jerrys Nugget.  I may be missing some

 Add South Point to te list

Thanks for information.Will give a try next time.

A friend went to a Bingo tourney at South Point.  Offer included 3 free nights and maybe other perks.  Loved it.  She plays at various places here at home.  I could ask her for more detail.

Candy

You would have to get "established" to receive such an offer, but you can do all that remotely and talk to a host. I get those offers periodically, though I've never played in one of those tourneys. The room rates are pretty good for tournament entrants.

My husband and I have been going to the Plaza's "Super Bingo" for around 18 years.  They have one almost every month except July and changed the December one to a New Year's Eve event that's a little different from the regular ones.  You can access info on their webside how to register.  The buy-in is $160.00 per person and you get a reduced rate on rooms with no resort fees.  That 160.00 get you breakfast and lunch each day with $10.00 free play on day #2.  You pick your seat(s) and alcoholic beverages are free in the bingo room (most people tip the bartender or waitress a $1:00). Water bottles are free all day long.  You also receive one 6-on paper pack.  The regular bingo games pay $1,199.00. (19 games.)  The jackpot coverall is $50,000.00 with two consulation prizes of $5,000 and $2500.  Earlybird games (10) pay $500.00 each.  You do not have to play earlybirds.  Where you spend $$$ is buying extra cards. All plays are computerized so you can play a lot of games at one time. Each person plays on a bingo machine. They have buy-in packages available.  I spend over $300 each day for my buy-in which gives me 200 plus cards I'm playing each game. I know that sounds like a lot of cards but you are playing against approximately 700 to 800 people.  If you elect to play earlybirds, that costs a few more $$$.  If you don't buy a package, you can buy extra cards for $25.00 each 6-on pack. That means you get a 6 cards on a sheet. Only ink daubers are allowed to mark your paper cards.  They give you 2 when you buy-in for extra cards. It's a two day event and runs from 8:30 am to 3:30-4:00 pm. They take a few breaks for people to use the restrooms too. We really enjoy going.  It's very well organized and everyone who works there is very helpful. The Plaza is the only casino downtown that has bingo.  Their regular bingo runs 7 days a week. Sorry this is so long.

Everybody buying a truckload of cards is exactly what they want you to do. It increases the casino's take without increasing the payouts by a dime.

Imagine if one person doubled his cards, then another, wanting to "catch up," did so as well, and another, and another...until everybody in the room has doubled their buy-in. But the prize fund hasn't budged. The effect is that everyone's payout is cut in half.

The best strategy is to buy as FEW cards as is allowed to get into the game.