A question from the LVA forum: “What I don’t get is how does Jean Scott keep getting [Harrah’s] 7 Star status year after year with the limited options in LV. How does she find a good play?”
Short Answer: BY EXPANDING OUR SEARCH AND VERY INTENSE SCOUTING
Longer Answer: Perhaps the person who asked this question hasn’t been reading my blog and heard the constant beating I’ve done on this drum for the last couple of years: Scout more; be more flexible in where you choose to play; scour Internet sources, like the vpFREE forums and the vpFREE2 database; and look for extras like a man or woman possessed!
Now for the specifics of your question: We haven’t played at a Harrah’s property in Las Vegas for several years because they don’t give locals much, if anything, in “extras.” However, we are always on the lookout for good plays in a Harrah’s-now-Caesars property out of town – Laughlin, New Orleans, Biloxi, Hammond, Tahoe, Reno, Rincon, Atlantic City. We don’t play at all of these places ourselves since we don’t travel as much as we used to, but other motivated players have found good plays in all of these casinos at one time or another. I am constantly searching in our casino mail, both snail and e-mail, and Internet sources – and often finding some playable combination of a decent game and extras. Good bounce-back cash/free play; special promotions like multiple-point days; drawings and tournaments; airfare reimbursement – all things that can make up a “good play.” That means a play that is positive expectation – over 100%. (And for us that doesn’t mean counting comps, although you may want to do so IF you would actually put out the same money for them in cash from your pocket!)
We work hard at this fun job! Successful gambling is NEVER easy.
I think she’s doing it all on the dollar 10-play NSUD at Harrah’s New Orleans.
Shhhhh!
I DO play at Harrah’s (Caesars) Vegas properties, but I also play in Lake Tahoe, New Orleans, and occasionally elsewhere. I have been Diamond since its inception ten plus years ago, typically accumulating the 11,000 base points by April at the latest – make about 5 or 6 total trips per year. So I certainly understand how one maintains their card status. My point is, accumulating the necessary points may be 1/1 – 12/31, but my Diamond status is through March of each year…probably some anniversary date with Harrah’s. And of course, playing Vegas I only go when I have the “advantage” from free play, free food, free shows, etc. since I’m well aware of their VP schedules! I did manage to win big at BJ in April which certainly helped compensate for losses at VP.
There’s a nasty gremlin at work in our midst. We are working on it, but may not be able to fix the problem until morning. SO SORRY!!!!!
Why am I getting this post every 2 min.? Is it my computer or some thing on your end?
In order to maintain a higher than “Gold” player status with Caesar’s, the required tier score must be achieved each year. I don’t know what that tier score is for 7 Star, but for Diamond (which my husband is), the tier must be at least 11,000. At one minute after midnight on the last day of the year, everyone’s tier score goes to zero and you have to start gambling again through the year to get it back up to the minimum, only to loose it all again as of Jan 1 the next year.
So, Jean and Brad must gamble quite a bit at Caesar’s properties outside of Vegas EVERY YEAR if they are maintaining 7 Star Status.
Thank you Jim,
You stated what I was trying to say about the original question – but so much more eloquently. I think the original question was interesting and I am interested in any answer.
I think the question is How have you maintained your status with Harrahs/Caesars even though you haven’t played at their Vegas properties in years and play infrequently at other of their properties? Once they confer the 7-Star status, are you able to retain it regardless of your level of play? Or are you saying that, on the rare occasions when you play at Harrahs/Caesars, you run so much coin-in through the best machines you could find that you qualify for the 7-Star status?
She answered it, you just don’t want to see the answer. Go to properties outside of Las Vegas and combine their “offers” with the best possible paytable at their premise and you apporach or exceed 100% payback. This LVA poster is clearly wanting to find flaw with Jean and her strategies. Heaven forbid she is a smart player. I read this blog a lot and she admits to long periods of time with major losses despite playing with every advantage she can find. She is better than most at getting the job done–quit being a hater!
It also helps to play at some of the highest denominations which has a huge impact on the “dollar in” part of the equation. Playing at the quarter level won’t do it.
While this person may be a “newbie” or may not read the blog as often as some, Jean did not actually answer the question. The question was “How does Jean keep getting 7 Star status with such limited options in Las Vegas. Jean goes on to say that (as the question suppossed) she doesn’t play Harrah’s (Caesars) properties in Las Vegas anymore and she doesn’t get a chance to travel as much as she used to. So, the question goes unanswered. We all agree research is the key to a successful trip to Las Vegas – but research won’t get you a decent payback at Caesars properties as described by Jean.
We seem to be getting comps from MGM. We got this great offer of 3 nights free, 400 free play, 300 food comps, plus 2 for one show. Any money we make from our free play we will use for expenses. Expenses will be car rental, airport parking, 2nd price for a show. I am always looking for good deal.
Obviously a “newbie” whom doesn’t realize you have had to work overtime at your job to maintain. Fortunately you love your job!