Comments on: Back to our Roots

By: Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:10:09 +0000

Jean

I agree that breaking even is a great goal. Obviously, winning is better, but to go on a vacation and spend no “real money” is fantastic. To be honest, every time I go to Vegas, if I break even on the gambling end I feel that I have won. I rarely, if ever, break even on the trip, but to only pay for the hotel room, food,, etc., and spent 12-15 hours a day in the casinos and not lose money (and hopefully win some) is something that I feel good about.

By: Mo

Mo — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 22:35:55 +0000

Great article, my husband also has his 31 year “Vegas” anniversary in July.
I think that it is also great that both of you have this pastime in common.
I think that most of the time people always think of Vegas in terms of $$. (Won or lost). Some people love vacation to stay on the beach, I think that the health factors are too great and that’s also why I don’t go to the desert in the summer any more. 117 degrees is a bit much. LOL Vacation should be about enjoying yourself, trying a few new restaurants and sharing it with someone you enjoy going with. Breaking even is always a great thing but it is also the journey along the way.

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:42:18 +0000

There’s something that can be ignored, but shouldn’t be: opportunity cost. If you dash across town to redeem $20 in free play, you don’t get $20; you get $20 minus the lost potential value of whatever else you could have done with that time. Similarly, if you take a Vegas vacation rather than going somewhere else because the former is cheap/free, you lose the value to you of that other vacation that you didn’t take. It’s easy to get sucked in when you’re getting a “bargain.”

I gave up on Vegas in 2005, just when the golden era of great promos and good machines was beginning to die out. I realized that the gravitational pull of profitable promos, cheap rooms, free meals, etc. was becoming harder and harder to escape; one day, I canceled a vacation to Hawaii because it would have cost several thousand dollars and a Vegas vacation would have been free. So instead of the beaches of Maui, I got to see the fullpay machines at the El Cortez (again), complete with clouds of pigarette smoke. I won $3000 on that trip, but in reality, I lost much more than that.

By: Bill Shanahan

Bill Shanahan — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:36:13 +0000

Jean,I agree about “breaking even”. I don’t go Vegas anymore(Plane travel is a hassle esp. when you’re 6’1) I go to AC the Golden Nugget, I get free rooms,food etc. and even when I lose I have fun and at 76 that’s what it’s all about!

By: Bobby W. White

Bobby W. White — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:25:10 +0000

Always good info, many thanks for your advice through the years

By: ken orgera

ken orgera — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:28:14 +0000

Breaking even is always my goal! Maybe teaching and teaching economics is part of the reason? But I get the thrills with a small cost. My last 2 trips were + $1100 and – $1100. My profit was about $400 in 2015 for 5 trips. About 40 free nights, numerous meals and a few gifts and tee shirts. All this makes me a happy camper! I enjoy your columns.

By: Janice Hart

Janice Hart — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:34:22 +0000

Jean, your articles always help the “little guy” like me. I see it as a win, every time I come home with my cash still in my purse. I have been able to make 8 day trips to Las Vegas, enjoying shows, good meals, and lots of gambling time on little or no out of pocket cash. I am a very low roller, yet I receive free rooms, free meals, tee shirts, tote bags, free drinks. I have friends who spend thousands of dollars on each vacation while I spend little or no money. I have read your books and eagerly await the updated version of the Frugal Gambler.

By: Steve Kallis

Steve Kallis — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 03:13:32 +0000

Great article and great answer as to why some of us still play the game. Life goes on enjoy it while you can. Thanks again for all you do, and the pleasure you give to so many.

By the way how about the one million dollar slot jackpot at the airport

By: George Bauslaugh

George Bauslaugh — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 02:51:59 +0000

Jean,

You make some very good points about spending money reasonably and getting a good return on your efforts. I have been asked many times why I spend money on a “free game”, namely myvegas. It seems to me, only reasonable that I help support the game and its partners that I utilize. Case in point: as a VIP player I get 6/30 (6 awards per month) awards with Mlife properties while most get 3/30.

This last week I was offered a myvegas point award for a second 7 night cruise with Royal Caribbean. My first comped cruise with them, was a 7 night December 2015 sailing on the Allure of the seas. Now I leave for an April 9th, 2016 for a, 7 night cruise on the Oasis of the Seas, in two weeks!

So over time,I am sure I spent with myvegas well over $1,000+ but I have got so much more back. The value of the two cruises (with casino drink packages) is well over $6,000. I am sure to play in the casino, so Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale can continue offering these awards.

I am a Diamond, Crown & Anchor Member: thus I value the line and happy that my play (financial support of the game) with myvegas, will hep me move up the next tier level: C&R Diamond Plus.

Your first book was really inspirational for me and the second book, helped take me to the next level. I will leave your readers a good bit of advice: much like with land casinos, if you play and perhaps even loose a bit, there are great future benefits.

With Club Royale the savings on future cruises is substantial and savings with suites & above is phenomenal. The VIP drink card for the casino can save you big $$$$. Your investment can really pay great future dividends as it makes seeing the world, all the more affordable, with luxury included.

So Jean much of your concepts I have done at sea, while your experience was gained, on land. Your right, “to break even on a trip” is a great thing!!

George

By: Connie A. Keenan

Connie A. Keenan — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 02:49:27 +0000

Jean, you and Brad have ALWAYS had the right idea when it came to gambling and its related promotions. Being a “gamblin’ granny” I no longer chase around town but, prefer to go to Vagas for an event or promotion I would pay cash to participate. Certainly, I no longer go to Vegas as I did in the past but when I do, I always feel I’ve come out ahead.