Last week we took the short walk on the last leg of our 35-year journey down the winding path of advantage play and now we can look back at the big picture. I had been writing – yea, preaching – for 20+ years about the importance of looking at casino play through the lens of the “long term.” Now I can talk about it not just as a theory or a computer analysis but as a concept that Brad and I confirmed in our personal experience.
As I have detailed in these last 15 blog entries, advantage play was not a smooth level road, but more like an endless rollercoaster ride. For the first 13 years, ‘85-‘96, casino play did not make up a major part of our time. At first Brad had a full-time job, and even after he retired we were “vacation casino visitors.” But we were studying hard all during this time, first at blackjack and then video poker. We were learning to use the comp system to the max and this allowed us to eventually “do the casino life” for little or nothing out of our own pockets.
By 1997, we were in Las Vegas most of the year, finally moving there permanently in 2001. This allowed us to take advantage of the ongoing casino benefits available to a regular local player. Coupled with many out-of-town casino opportunities, our long-term winnings grew to over 1.6 million by the end of 2018.
This was not to say we didn’t have any losing streaks, and some were painfully long, lasting a whole year in 2002 and 2015. Perhaps 2019 was the most disappointing since we knew it was going to be our last year doing battle with the casino edge. It is natural to want to “go out with a bang.” However, we realized that we were playing with a very thin edge and were suffering a royal drought and it might take us longer to get to that “long term,” and we weren’t going to have any extra time another year. In fact, medical problems were already majorly decreasing our casino time those last 6 months in 2019. So, we ended the year with a loss. However, comparing that small number with our large cumulative winnings, it was just a small red blip on our computer screen’s sea of black. We had proven the validity of that “magical long term.”
I was figuring that 16 weeks was about long enough to reminisce and give the final “financial report” of our 35 years of casino play. So – this was going to be my final autobiographical blog. But so many of you have been sending me questions or requesting more specific details about some of the subjects I have been discussing. Therefore, I will continue blogging here as long as I feel that giving answers or expanding on some subjects may be helpful information for those of you who are still wanting to enjoy the entertainment casinos provide but at the lowest possible expense.
Here are some of your questions I already have collected in my notes:
- How many royals did you and Brad have? Which of you had the most? Which were the most exciting?
- What do you think are the most important factors contributing to your success? Do you think you all were just extra lucky?
- What were your most exciting jackpots?
- Didn’t you get a lot of extra comps because you had hosts who were friends?
- Did you ever ever play when you didn’t have an edge over the casino?
- I never hear about you and Brad drinking alcohol. Are you teetotalers?
- I know you filed taxes as a business. Did you ever get audited?
- Do you and Brad miss casino life now that you are retired in GA?
- Can I use any techniques you used in the past during my visit to casinos during the pandemic?
You can put your questions in the “Comments” here, on my Jean Scott Facebook page, or in a personal email at [email protected].
When you said that your winnings had reached $1.6 million, did you mean gross collections without losses having been deducted, or did you mean net profit? The two different figures could be VERY different!
Also: Instead of having to decide whether to discontinue doing your blog, you could just cut back. You can ask your readership to submit all the questions they want, which will result in a lot of questions and answers immediately, and then this will tail off somewhat to the point that you would only need to do a monthly blog that has Q’s and A’s.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful stories you have written….I could read them over and over…and never get bored……I can understand how you have changed…When your health is involved…..you listen…….to your body…and then you will be around for a long time…….Thank you again….Virginia/Texas
Reading your comments always puts a smile on my face. Please don’t EVER stop.
I’ve learned so much from you over the years and have enjoyed some great comps. I think I’ve had more fun hunting for the deals before the trip. What would be your current favorite casino in Vegas?
Where was your all time favorite place to play VP? Was it because of the atmosphere, the games, the comps, the promotions, or a combination of everything? My wife and I really enjoy playing at the Tuscany. They have the games we like to play, the waitresses come around often, they have really nice promotions, the comps are nice, and we really like the food at Marilyn’s Cafe. We have a Hilton Timeshare, but have stayed at the Tuscany and like their rooms also.
Hi Jean and Brad,
At this stage of my life (75 years young), I have become a recreational player. Too much effort to chase a thin AP line. I have all of your books and read/studied them cover to cover. I met you and Brad in person and had VP questions which you so graciously answered. Brad was more than gracious with his time in discussing just about anything. What a refreshing experience conversing with such a kind man!
Thanks to you, I play VP with the confidence of knowing that I am armed with the knowledge and strategy to make the best decisions possible to achieve positive outcomes. Thank you and stay well.
Can you share some of the most juicy promotions you were able to take advantage of, and what your edge was in those promotions?
Back in later 2018 you had written a series of stories titled “Jean’s Story”. It abruptly ended as you and the family was returning from Australia. I, as I am sure others, would like to know the rest of the story leading up to “35 years of Advantage Play”
In VP did you never play less than 9 to 5 on a machine…..How long did you play during a day. Or night
I have learned a lot from your blog , what is the best way too start vantage play ?
What kind of log book did you use ? Where could I see an example of what your entries looked like and how detailed it was, ie. what did you enter in the book, … date, casino, machine , wins or losses etc. ?
Have you had withdraws since quoting gambly?
Thank you for continuing on with this blog thanks to reader’s questions.
Do you think you will miss blogging about casino life? If you continue to visit casinos will you play for “fun” or continue to look for “advantage” play?
I sincerely hope you and Brad are doing well in Georgia and that the change of climate is agreeing with both of you!
Hey Jean/Merla,
During those losing streaks, and we’ve all had them, who was the more gracious loser? One of us gets a little ” cranky” if you know what I mean.