Response to Boyd's Players Club Changes

Dear readers

I am writing you this from Switzerland, Europe. I have been to Las Vegas more than 60x in the past 30 years, and almost all trips have been a 2 weeks , 3 weeks or 4 weeks' stay. In other words, I believe that I know Las Vegas quite well, including the places in the neighborhood.

When I received Boyd's email somewhen in the beginning of the month of August, I was not sure what to think when they said something new is going to happen and something special is coming up. Sceptical as I am in person, I thought that this usually doesn't mean much good. And on Aug 27 when the news came up I wasn't very disappointed. Knowing that something would happen to the worse in advance meant I was not so much disappointed when I read and studied the new changes at Boyd.

Let me summarize and please correct if you find any errors:

- Sapphire and Emerald players will no longer get daily multiplier points. Instead, everybody is rated equally, and videopoker players receive 0.50x points, compared to 2x (Sapphire) and 3x (Emerald)

- Ruby players will not earn any points until they have accumulated at least a certain amount of tier points. I don't see any sense why they did it, but it's somewhat frustrating for new players of course. Especially new players will not have it so easy earning 750 points unless they start at 50 cents or dollar level rightaway.

- all points earned expire  6 months after the last activity. In other words, out-of-towners do better cash out or use up all points before leaving town. I was used to leave 1 million + points in my account, but it would be crazy to do so. In addition to that...it only means that it is wise not to play on the last day of your stay and instead use up all the points and go gambling elsewhere.

- Onyx and Titanium tiers are almost impossible to achieve unless you play 2 dollar denom or higher. And even if you have it, what good is a free cruise if you don't go on that cruise? and even if you go, that free cruise will not be free at all (taxes, harbor changes will not be complimentary)

Summary: I am a bit irritated about these changes, and as you see, I stand with my full name so I am not afraid if any Boyd management member will read this and forward it to others. I will even be visiting Las Vegas very shortly and I am a gambler, that is something you can take for granted. But, as you may imagine, I do use common sense and the reason why I am writing this here is to make an effort in order that Boyd's marketing staff will think about some changes that might be a good idea in order to keep loyal customers with the company...

A) Sapphire players should get 2x points on any given day 

B) Emerald players should get 3x points on any given day

c) Onyx players should get 4x points on any given day

d) Titanium players should get either 5x points on any given day...or have generous comps during their play.

All the other benefits are ok, but also, I do not understand why Emerald and higher players would have to pay Resort Fee on the nights they are not being comped. Think about. 

I am afraid that many people may walk away and give their business to the competition. It can't be a good idea to offer nothing but 0.50x points (!!!) to players that run 5000-10,000 dollars through a machine every single day. I doubt that Station Casinos and Southpoint and M-Resort and some other places will all cut down their point values in a way Boyd did, but I am sure that many , if not MANY, players will no longer give action at the Boyd casinos. 

I love to gamble at Gold Coast. I love their Asian restaurants, and I don't need luxury rooms or high end service such as at Aria or Wynn, but what I think make Boyd big was their appreciation towards customers. But what they came up with , that new players club idea, is definetely the opposite of being appreciating customers' loyality.

English is not my mother language, so please excuse me for my formal errors, but I am sure if enough people will complain about what they did, they might consider some adjustments that would be necessary and definetely would be a win-win situation for everybody.

From Zurich,  Switzerland

Boris Radtke

Thank you for your well thought post, Boris.

There's a big thread on this in Jean Scott's Frugal Vegas blog. You might want to post this there or otherwise comment.

Especially new players will not have it so easy earning 750 points unless they start at 50 cents or dollar level rightaway.

Boris, Ruby members need to earn 750 tier credits, which are different than the new B-Conned points that Ruby members are not able to earn. At any decent video poker game, it’s in the order of $100 or higher coin-in to earn a single tier credit. Even at dollars, it takes a substantial coin-in to run $75,000+ through at VP to make it out of Ruby. (It is almost $200 to earn a single tier credit playing a very good game like NSUD.)

Hi JFO

I think this is a disastrous situation. I usually play DDB or (more often...) NSUD. And now with the new conditions it is absolutely impossible to even achieve Sapphire by playing NSUD. Sounds somewhat crazy, given the fact that even good players make mistakes. According my results a 98.50-99% accuracy over a long session means the return would be around 98.80-99%, the Royal Flush included. But that Royal Flush is not showing any given day. So the swings can still be huge, even by playing NSUD games. I just can't follow what's the idea to pushing away the videopoker community. Matter of fact is...as long as Station Casinos is are offering the standard 3x points (0.30%), that game is MUCH BETTER than any game at Boyd. Which is a fact. So, let me ask you: Why play anywhere else?

I studied Jean's post on the B-Connected system. It's quite clear how the ball rolls. Not so sure if this club will stay as it is for a year or so. The market will vote by walking.....

Good job Boris.

folks I see that the suncoast has added several multiplier days. I take it they realize already the loss of many players that now play elsewhere...

To underlign something: I like Boyd Gaming, I have been very loyal to the company for years...but these changes are just wrong. I will not give them much patronage in the future unless they understand what it means...customer appreciation attitude....

It is obvious that some bone headed bean counter is behind these idiotic changes. These changes reek of the same lie that was flaunted by the strip casinos concerning 6/5 Blackjack. I expect to see the local Vegas Boyd players to vote with their feet - with the resulting loss of play at Boyd casinos. Stupid is as stupid does.

I’m glad I learned about this.  I had about $40 worth of points.   I had a nice meal at the Orleans this week and cashed them in...looks like I won’t be playing at Bconnected properties anymore..   

i gave a lot of play to the Stations this week.    I guess the BC mgmt isn’t interested in annual visitors.  Dumb move