Comments on: 35 Years of Advantage Play – Part 5

By: Sherry & George

Sherry & George — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 19:18:40 +0000

The saga continues, excellent and on to reading ‘Part 6’

By: Irv Tyrrell, Boise ID

Irv Tyrrell, Boise ID — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 20:35:14 +0000

The courthouse…what an interesting thought!!! Looking forward to your next installment.

By: Maureen (Mo)

Maureen (Mo) — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 17:05:26 +0000

Side note!!
New York City bus trip at Christmas. So crowded but such great memories of Macy’s decorated windows and all the the great shopping.
MO

By: Maureen (Mo)

Maureen (Mo) — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 16:52:47 +0000

Wow, everyone has such great memories of events they did in Vegas.
There were so many activities (and other than coffee mugs and long walks), but your mentioning getting around Vegas did remember remind me that in the late 80’s there was a shuttle that went to all the Strip casinos…I think it might have been called the “Strip Trolley”? There might have been a slight fee and I think we would usually get on near Slots of Fun. Walking the strip in July at 117 degrees was brutal!!!
Stay safe especially in NV.
Mo

By: Barry Lindemann

Barry Lindemann — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 14:43:00 +0000

Yes, great stories as always Jean! I’ll never forget seeing you, Brad, the Frugal princess, and your grandkids coming out of the Silverton Buffett one evening about 15 years ago while I was waiting in line…I swear it was like seeing the actual Queen and Royal family! I can’t imagine how different my last 25+ years of Vegas fun would be if I hadn’t stumbled on the teachings of you and Anthony – so glad I did, and I sure appreciate all the tips you guys have shared over the years to help this Canadian stretch his gambling and entertainment dollars while in Nevada! Best of luck to you and Brad in your new home!!! Barry

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 00:08:23 +0000

The free meal plus tip coupon was a Jackie Gaughan thing—the El Cortez had the same thing in their funbooks (and I seem to remember that Jackie had an ownership stake in the Plaza at one time…?). I was always amused at the implication–probably correct–that someone using a $2 free meal coupon wouldn’t otherwise leave a 35-cent tip.

There were several low-budget hotels downtown near the EC–one I remember was the Crest. They would rent by the week and slather you with coupons. You could pretty much eat for nothing, and then you could splurge and have the 99 cent breakfast at the EC or the $2 steak dinner at the Horseshoe.

I lived and worked downtown for about a year. I wrote Keno and made $5 an hour, plus about $3 a day in tokes (only winners toke, and at Keno, nobody wins). That was actually enough to live on if one used advanced couponomy. We would hit Vegas World once a week for the coupon package, which had an EV of about $14. The daily coupon run one could do downtown at any time was worth $5 to $8.

I used to play blackjack at the Horseshoe when I got off shift. I would bet a $1-5 spread, usually won about $20, and always got a steak-and-eggs coupon from the pit boss. Occasionally, I would play 10 cent ante seven card stud at Circus Circus Circus Circus. I won money simply by never playing a hand unless I had a pair.

I was living a lifestyle one level below “frugal”–we called it “scrounging.” But by golly, earning $200 a week before taxes, I actually had more money when I left than when I started. Those were the days. Thanks for reminding me of my extreme couponing days.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 21:11:31 +0000

It was after reading your first book that my wife and I would walk up and down the strip using coupons from the casinos, but also from the American Casino Guide. Just using a few of these more than made up for the cost of the book and I don’t even know how much we saved using them for the week we would stay in the summers. We would also take advantage of the free slot tournaments, one time parlaying my wife’s $100 free play into over $1200. And promotions were great also. On one pull tab promo I actually picked out the $1000 Macy’s card, one of only two in the entire drum. Good times! Can’t wait for your next installment. All my best to you and Brad.

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:33:34 +0000

These journals and stories display how you became (and still are) the Queen of Comps! Wow, Bingo and Poker and Keno…..with wins in each, I think now you’ve touched on all the games available, LOL! You achieved what most poker players long for is that Royal (with a bonus payoff!). Someday for me, but may have to be long after the current crisis passes, i’m not ready to share / touch cards and chips among others until this virus is resolved (with a good vaccine!). Only game you may NOT have tried… the Big Wheel (although you reminded me from previous blogs, my dad loved to try when Stupak’s Vegas World had that SuperSized big wheel…….). And Sands Mugs, who could forget those? and the many free factory tours, I hit a number of them while they lasted. Thanks for the memorable memories and how this actually made recreational gaming ‘more fun’ in the city of endless promotions (or at least where bargain city became known for bargains)–for those that would take the time to find them, as you have written about. Martin