“Little Things Mean a Lot” …and not just in love songs.
I recently read a comment on the Internet from someone who stated, after reading about all the hoops one had to jump through to take advantage of one casino promotion, that this was too much “bother.” Several successful gamblers chimed in immediately with their mantra, one that has guided Brad’s and my casino journey for over 35 years: “Bothering” with the details is an absolute necessity in order for a gambler to achieve financial success.
Back some 22 years ago, before I had ever thought about writing a book about gambling, friends were hearing us tell about our trips to Vegas and how we were able to make these vacations a low-cost – even free – recreational choice by choosing good games to play and using the comp system. And of course, they wanted to know how they could do that. The problem is they wanted the “secret” in 25 words or less. I tried to explain that there was no “silver bullet” – it was hundreds of little things you had to do.
22 years later, it has taken multiple editions of 5 books to talk about the hundreds of thousands of little things one can – must? – do to be successful. And it amazes me that there is rarely a time when I am writing a blog that I don’t have some “little” idea to share – either a new one or a reminder of one that is easy to forget.
Although I have been visiting casinos for over 35 years – and try to keep track in my head all the things I have learned over the years – I sometimes forget something important. For example, Brad and I recently visited the Gold Coast and planned to play because it was a 11x-points day. I usually visit the kiosk the very first thing and swipe both my card and Brad’s while he is parking the car. But this day I was distracted because I had to go to the cashier to solve a big-money problem. That took a long time so I immediately hurried to meet Brad at our favorite machines in the non-smoking area and forgot I hadn’t swiped our cards.
We played about an hour or so when my brain woke up to this distressing thought that we would not get credited with bonus points before we swiped in. Long story shortened. I talked to a players club supervisor and asked if there was any way we could get these bonus points put on manually. She was nice but pointed out that this had happened to me back when this new system was first put in many years ago and they had “fixed” it for me– but they could not do it the second time. The loss was not huge, but it was a reminder that one has to keep up with those “little things.” Some properties – like South Point – give multiple points automatically while you play with no players club swipe needed. Some properties – like the Stations – do require that you swipe but it can be any time that day, before or after you play. Be sure you know the system, especially if you play at a casino you haven’t visited before.
For this month, as it has been for quite a while, it is important to stay aware of other little details connected with casino bonus points. This is especially important when dealing with large casino companies that have multiple properties. This is confusing many players, especially with Boyd Gaming and the Stations. Don’t assume multiple-point days are the same company wide. And be aware with Boyd that sometimes there are bonus point days ONLY for those that get the monthly mailer promoting those days. You need to check Scot’s Bonus Point List since his list includes only those that are open to everyone.
And this warning goes for all promotions at these casinos. You have to read the newspaper ads and monthly mailers carefully to be sure you don’t make a special trip to take advantage of a promotion and find out you are at the wrong casino or there on the wrong day. As I have mentioned before, the Palms seems to be in a Stations category of its own. That nice fat summer coupon book from the Stations is a perfect example of the need to carefully read the “little” details. Some of those coupons are good at several properties but many are for only one specific casino. Same with the list of promotions on the Stations website. You must check the logo or casino name under each on there – and also in newspaper ads.
Have a great 4th of July! There will be some gambling promotions but maybe you can fit in some non-gambling fun activities too!
Jean,
Thanks for the little things:
reminders, articles and lately with the heat, some cool summer rereads at the local library. The grand kids are busy on Roblox etc and I can easily review the archives and subjects that I need “a little refresher” on.
As I get older, I think the math stuff is the first to need a refresher. (Before retirement I was in a job with a LOT of daily math and electronic calculations)
I always appreciate your “little thing reminders” and a few cute reminders for a chuckle “oops been there done that”
MO
A reply to Stan…..
I received one of the Station coupon books. Even though my name is printed on the cover, the individual coupons do not have my name on them, so one could feasibly share them.
Stan, these summer coupon books were mailed out to Station customers, and probably just locals. I don’t think there is any way to get them if you weren’t mailed a copy.
…And of course – for Boyd players, if you aren’t at least Sapphire, I don’t think you even qualify for those bonus pts. Like Jean said, better read the fine print and/or ask at the slot club if you are unsure of your status and if you even qualify or not! It’s becoming harder and harder for me (esp as an ‘out of towner’) to keep up with all the changing promotions, even regular ones I used to play such as Young at Heart Wednesdays….I hate to say it, but this willl probably be my last year with B-Connected. I’ve only enjoyed about past 5 yrs of ‘young at heart’, but good while it lasted. Even was fortunate enough to win a few of the dwgs in the older days 21 winners (mostly at S Town). Lately, the monthly promotional tournaments (slot or VP at Orleans or GC offered weekly from time to time – used to be for 500 pts base or not much more, but now 20 tier is not as lucrative- vp only pts). Well- changes happen and you have to move on to wherever things are better for your level of play.
Looking for ‘greener’ pastures. *Although I think any out-of-towner can purchase their ongoing (Gold Coast and Orleans, I think) monthly slot tournament pkgs- look on their website for details. Usually Mon-Wed or Mon-Thurs during slower periods and $99 base rate, but really costs about $225 after resort fees and tax. Try to play the 3 day tournaments (3 chances to place in the prize pool) vs 2 day ones.
Martin in SoCal
One of the things I find annoying about holiday-specific promos is that on holidays, I’d usually rather be doing anything BUT stuffing $100 bills into a VP machine in a smoke-choked casino. Of course, that’s the idea–to give people an incentive to come in to play when they normally wouldn’t. It’s the same reason you NEVER see a promo/multiple point day on a Friday or Saturday–they figure that on those days, they’ve got you anyway.
It goes back to the same old opportunity cost argument I’ve made in the past. There are so many fun things you could be doing on the Fourth–even in the Vegas heat–that jumping on some promo just might be too much of an expense time-wise. Of course, Vegas has enough people who would rather gamble than do anything else, including watching fireworks. But for me, that promo would have to be REALLY juicy to get me to stop enjoying my holiday.
Jean,
You are doing a great job. Where do I get that fat summer coupon book from Station
Casinos?
Thank you,
Stan Roth