Can You Still Have Fun Casino Visits?
Before I start talking about casino fun, I need to add something to the subject I’ve briefly discussed in recent blogs. Artificial intelligence (AI) has generated many comments and questions from readers who want more information. I find AI is not only not a fun topic to write about, but probably the worst thing I’ve encountered on the long and winding casino path. In fact, it’ll probably do what no other factor has been able to do: push me to retire from this wonderful 40-year journey of advantage play.
But to help those younger frugalites (anyone younger than 84) or even oldsters like me who still enjoy being in a casino, but want to play as smart as possible, I offer you this article, “The Convergence of AI and Gaming.” It explains some of the impact AI might have on players and the surprising possibility I hadn’t even considered – its use by players to improve their odds. I just don’t have the scientific mind to research and discuss this subject further. I suggest you roam the Internet if you want to dig deeper. You have to know your enemy in order to make wise fight strategies!
Now, let’s get back to the fun factor; we all need more of it after so much gloom-and-doom talk.
What got me thinking about this was reading a recent commentary by my long-time friend Dennis Conrad, which took me back to Brad’s and my early casino years, long before I became a speaker at many of Dennis’ casino-consulting seminars.
In the late ’80s-early ’90s before his morphing into a casino consultant, Dennis was the marketing manager of the Holiday Casino (now Harrah’s Las Vegas) where Brad and I put in heavy play at that time. He ran unusual but always enjoyable promotions all the time. Until I read this article, I’d almost forgotten one hilarious contest for VIP players, an interactive game of Sex Trivia in which I was a contestant. And yes, much to the hoots and hollers of the boisterous audience, I stammered around asking for additional information on the question, “Which is larger, the average American woman’s breast or a Big Mac?” I wanted to know, “Is that for one breast or the total of both?” I finally answered the question correctly, won the game, and got a standing ovation. Do I remember the right answer? A big no! I have trouble remembering exactly what happened a few years ago, much less 35 years or so. But I do remember what a fun evening it was.
In March 2016, I wrote a blog post about this same subject, having fun in a casino. Even back then, players were already clamoring for help in coping with the decrease in good playing opportunities. Of course, it’s even harder almost eight years later, but as I’ve been writing about lately, some basic techniques will still allow you to decrease your bankroll losses and increase your fun.
I’m getting many positive reports from players who are finding new ways to enjoy their casino visits. True, many once-serious advantage players have exited the gambling/casino arena completely. But others find they can change things: their goals, their attitudes, their expectations. Perhaps they can go down to lower denomination levels, decrease their frequency of play, find new games, do more scouting, work more promotions. broaden their choice of casinos, And a big change that is helping many is looking for non-gambling activities in and outside the casino to balance out their playing time. This is allowing them to create a total fun experience.
For a long time, my posts have discussed new options, reviewed old techniques, and suggested new ones. If you’re new here, you might find it helpful to go back and read those. And I still do online searches all the time to find frugal nuggets that will be helpful in my search for both fun and profit in a casino.
One good new blogger has shown up on this site. Bobby Vegas is a long-time gambling and Sin City aficionado who has a unique perspective based on his scores of visits, many on business. A recent one that’s on a subject dear to my heart is titled, “Why I Sign up for Everything.” Keep an eye on Bobby; his posts are well worth reading.
And now a final note. I still like the casino life; I’m just not in a position to make it a major part of my life as it was for the last almost 40 years. However, an opportunity has popped up for me to spend a weekend at Harrah’s Cherokee (July 7-9) and hopefully finish my play to get to the CZR Diamond Elite level this year. My granddaughter Kaitlynn has offered to be my driver on this 4½-hour road trip. She’ll enjoy using her tiny gambling bankroll on the slots — $20 is usually her psychological stop-limit! And then she’ll be off to return to spending a little hiking time on her beloved Appalachian Trail, which goes very near Cherokee. She’s still never seen a mountain that she didn’t want to climb!
So … this will be an opportunity for a Frugalite meet-up on July 8th. If you’d like to get together with me and other players, please email me (at [email protected]) and let me know your availability between noon and 7 p.m. and your phone number. I’ll get back to you with the details a couple of days before the trip.