Back From Biloxi
We just returned from a great 6-day vacation in Biloxi, Mississippi, staying at the Grand (a Harrah’s-now-called-Caesars property). The main purpose was to get together with my daughter Angela, the Frugal Princess, and her now-retired-from-the-Army hubby Steve, who drove down from Columbus, Georgia. We usually have family trips that include the grandkids, like the Alaskan cruise last summer and New Orleans visits over the December/January holidays, but this time Ang and Steve said they needed an adult-only get-away.
As with so much we do, it was a “combo” trip. We could relax and socialize and just “have fun” but it could be almost free by using casino comps. Brad had used his Harrah’s 7 Star trip in January for the family get-together in New Orleans, so I used mine here since it was expiring at the end of March.
The 7 Star benefits included free room accommodations and airfare for Brad and me. For 5 nights we had a beautiful corner water-view king-bed suite that included a huge bathroom with a 2-person Jacuzzi and a large separate living room, off from which we got an adjoining room for Steve and Ang for the 3 nights they were there.
Your annual 7 Star trip also includes a $500 expense folio, which in Biloxi you can use for food, spa, or gift shop purchases but it expires when you check out. We used ours mainly for food for the four of us but had to have a last-minute quickie shopping expedition to the gift shop to “get rid of” the last $60. I also had not used my annual $500 “Celebration Dinner” 7 Star benefit so we invited 7 gambling friends who were in the area to join the 4 of us at the steak restaurant for a tummy-stuffing dinner and lots of gamblin’ talk.
Gambling was not a top priority on this visit although we did do some of it – but not all on video poker, as it would be when we are home in Vegas “at work.” Angela likes video poker – she loves the full-pay Deuces Wild progressive at the Palms when she is in Vegas – but she and Steve like to “mess around” some with purely recreational choices and we tag along, sometimes playing but mostly watching. We did have a ball doing a group play on the virtual Blackjack and Three-Card Poker machines, analyzing and comparing the “lung action” of the various virtual dealers.
The weather was beautiful most of the time we were there, warm and sunny and nice for a barefoot walk on the sandy beach. However, we are always shocked by the humidity we have forgotten. Dry Las Vegas has spoiled us. Another shock is flying in and out of the tiny Gulfport/Biloxi Airport. When we left there, we were the only one in the security line, quite a contrast to the ones in Vegas!
Now it is back to work. It’s the first of the month and I am already late in filling in our March calendar.
Thank you, Ashley. I was feeling quite alone in this discussion. Your affirmation really helped. No one can predict when ‘luck’ will happen and I guess I’m overdue. lol (for that A+kicker or Royal.
Marilyn
@MarilynAnn: You are not the only one in our crowd that feels this way.
I like hearing about the trips…but there always seems to be a note of(trying to be really nice, and also tactful) bragging/gloating.
I’m sure Jean is a wonderful lady. I’m glad she does well and has fun on her many trips. I like learning how to do better and we all enjoy the great tips on comps and gaming.
As a low, low, low roller who does still save all year to go to Vegas annually, some of the details are a bit blustery.
Nice to hear about your trip to Biloxi, Mississippi.
We have a trip plan for Biloxi MS staying at Beau Rivage I’ve never been there before, but they gave us a good offer. The package was flight & three nights comp.
Since purchasing Jean’s books my husband and I have been able to enjoy as much as twelve nights comped on trips to Vegas. We use all the coupons and 2/4/1 offers I can find. Why pay for something that casinos will give away free? Thanks Jean for opening the door for the rest of us. By the way we are low rollers.
Marilyn,
I didn’t mean to upset you with my post, I was just saying that the perks (comps) are why many of us low rollers, which my wife and I are, play the positive expectation games. Yeah sure, we’d love to hit a nice big jackpot, but playing a long time with our limited bankroll and getting free rooms, food and other goodies, really makes for an even more enjoyable casino experience. The Royals are hard to come by, so you just try to make your money last as long as you can, and get the perks along the way.
Ditto! Thanks, ED, Sherry K., Jerry, & Steve.
Tell it like it is.
You saved us almost enough to pay our Obamacare.
Gil & June
By the Alamo
To all,
Sounds like I touched a nerve.
I, too, gamble and learn from poker programs (2) and have books galore that I study, and I do get some perks for my play. I just don’t have the funds to play like Jean and Brad and my friend. I’m not the only one in our crowd that feels that way. I guess our luck – no matter how perfect we play – just doesn’t happen as often to us as it does to our friend, that’s all.. and… it is unnerving to hear when I’m losing playing the same machines and games as she does. As my opening statement said “I’m jealous”, that’s all. Can’t do anything about it, it’s just that.
M.
Marilyn, The perks are what it’s all about. Playing the games, the positive expecation games that allow you to play longer, get you the perks. I for one love to hear about the trips, gambling and perks included. Always a pleasure to read about the great rewards that players get for their smart play.
I love listening to all the perks. As a quarter playter it’s something to aspire to. Thanks sounds fun!
Dear MarilyAnn,
Please excuse me for butting in, but my wife and I used to pay for our rooms and food when we gambled, and our total bill for that plus gambling losses was fairly large per trip. By reading Jean’s books (and others), and practicing with her video poker program (and others) on our computer, we now usually enjoy free rooms and free food, and our total per trip is about the same. We just have a lot more fun, and sometimes we even come back with some of the casinos, money. It took work and study, but it was worth it.
JSANMAC
Unfair, you have worked very hard and continue to work hard, to achieve the goals and rewards of your trade. I doubt if many would have had the stomach to get all those coupons from the various locations (dumpsters) like you did in the early years.
I personally applaud the fact that you graciously share you lifestyle with your followers. For those that do not appreciate these articles let them read someone else’s blog. Oh I forgot there are no other blogs quite like yours.
Thank you and Brad, and please continue writing!!!
Dear Jean,
I’m so jealous! I have a friend who is a high roller and gets all those delicious offers and calls when she wins big. I’m not as lucky and have to say that it gets irritating to ‘be informed’, even though she pays the price monetarily. I’d have to win the Lottery to keep up with you guys. You are very fortunate to have the life you have, but for us who don’t, it gets a bit hard to listen to all the time. Sorry, but maybe more should be written about the game instead of the perks.
M.