Please, Jean, tell me what I am doing wrong. I am playing just like I have been doing for years, but my mailers which used to be quite good are getting terrible: such small amounts of free play, fewer food comps, free room offers now just discounted and/or restricted to limited dates.
I get multiple versions of this plea all the time these days.
My dear readers, don’t think I do not feel your pain. I am struggling with these issues every day as Brad and I have to make our own playing decisions. Changing casino conditions is a complex subject that I could discuss for pages and pages – actually which I have done in my books and articles for many many years!
However, recently I am reading more and more about “big data,” a concept that is hard for most of us to understand unless we are math and computer experts.
When I first started writing about casinos almost 20 years ago I would say, “The most important thing a casino is looking at in deciding how many benefits to give you is how much action you give them. It’s not whether you win or lose but how much money you churn through the machines or at the tables.”
Oh, how I miss those days!
But things began changing soon after those golden years. In my 2003 More Frugal Gambling, I wrote this in the “Playing Requirements” section:
Although casino information systems vary widely in their capabilities, from the simple to the complex, the technology exists to take into consideration all of the following:
* specific machine played;
* how much the casino projects to win from the average player on that game
* your skill level in playing that game;
* what denomination you’re playing;
* how long you play the game,
* the frequency of your play;
* whether you have won or lost during one period of time;
* your long-term history of play at that casino:
* the color of your hair.
Of course I added that last one as a joke, but it made the point of what I called the “blender effect.” Even back then it was starting to become very difficult to know just what was needed to get good benefits.
Now jump to 2017 and Big Data is now the marketing king. My little list from the “blender” era looks like a kindergarten effort.
The dictionary defines “big data” as “extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions.” But it is not the “big” part of all this that is so important for gamblers, but it is what the casinos do with all that information. That is when you hear the term “analytics,” the tool used in analyzing all that data to make business decisions that will boost their bottom line.
All casinos do at least some tracking of their customers play, but most of the bigger companies have very deep data mining programs that track more information than could be put in a simple list. Whenever you see a new program introduced or a long-time promotion scrapped or a major policy changed in your favorite casino, you are likely seeing the result of analytics that said that big data predicted that this was a wise business decision.
One of the biggest and wide-spread result of analytics that has been covered heavily in industry publications – much to skilled gamblers dismay when it filtered down to the gambling public – was that heavy free-play benefits was not a cost-effective technique to attract and retain customers. So it is not your personal “fault” if your mailers aren’t as good as they used to be. The trend at many – most? – casinos these days is an across-the-board reduction of benefits, including the reduction – or even total elimination of bounce-back and a major decrease of comps.
What is a skilled gambler to do these days? I wrote a 3-part series on this subject starting in my March 19, 2015 blog, continuing in Part 2 and Part 3. Those choices are still options today, over two years later.
And what I am doing now is looking for chinks in the wall of Big Data. Although all casinos have data gathering programs, not all utilize it fully yet. Information sharing with other players, intense scouting, and staying flexible –these are the things that can still help serious gamblers cope with the tough casino environment.
Deuces wild strategy:
I have been practicing with video software and haven’t had 4 deuces yet. I tried the archives but couldn’t find a blog about what Brad held when he had 4
deuces…. Can you recall or relay to me why brad held the fifth card (something like a 9 or 7) Until you have that scenario on the software, I am not sure how to play it incase the first time is at a casino
Thanks, MO
There’s only one metric I use nowadays: patronize the small joints; avoid the big joints. The smaller properties view you as valuable even if you don’t dump the net worth of a small country into their machines every visit. In contrast, you’re just another minnow to CET, MGM, etc.–even if you spend what seems to you like a pretty fair chunk of change. Also, the bigger, multi-property companies are far more ruthless and accurate in determining what you’re worth to them. You’re better off playing and staying where they want your business, not at some mega-joint that couldn’t care less whether you’re there or not.
One respondent mentioned Reno. I’ve found that Reno is a better value destination than Vegas but also, that it is getting tighter as well. Your mileage may vary, though. The Atlantis and Peppermill have been not only stingy but sometimes downright dishonest. Silver Legacy, Circus Circus, Grand Sierra, Sands, and Eldorado have been fairly generous. Also, Tahoe is a terrible gambling destination, but if you can establish a relationship with one of the properties there OTHER than Harrah’s, you might find you have a nice room for the weekend in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
My host told me “Henry put in some slot play and you will see a big improvement in your offers” What he said was true and not trying to earn a living as a gambler am enjoying my better rewards.
What also affects your mailings / offers is your tier score, which brings to mind an interesting story.
After traveling to Vegas twice yearly, for MANY years, I learned something during my April 2017 trip. I found is quite surprising, though, maybe some of you other gamblers already knew this.
I play tables. I spoke with someone at Harrah’s Las Vegas’ pit to say that I did not feel I was being tracked accurately at their table the night before. Don’t recall the details on how it all went down, but end result was Harrah’s did check the tape and indeed saw that I had a lot higher average bet than the table minimum they had me down for (this happens a LOT and seems to be the norm).
Later that same day, I received the call from a pit supervisor. She invited me to meet with her, which I did. She took me into a closed pit and to their computer system. We went over my play. Here is my point… she said to me “hmm… you seem to change tables a lot”, to which I replied “yes, I do if I am not winning at one particular table, as well as there are 3 different table games I enjoy, I do move to another table”. This pit supervisor informed me that if I play 3 different tables, for 1 hour per table, I will earn a lot less tier credits than if I play 1 table for 3 hours. To me, makes no sense. I see 3 hours of gaming equaling 3 hours of gaming. However, that is not how they see it.
This is Caesar’s rating system. I don’t know about other properties.
To test this information, I went to a Caesar’s property in my home state. I sat at a blackjack table for one hour and then checked my tier credits. I then sat at a blackjack table (playing same denomination) and sat for 3 hours. I then went to check my tier score. Sure enough, when I took the tier credits I earned at the table I sat at for 3 hours, divided by 3 (to see my per hour tier earnings), it was more than double (per hour) of what I earned in the 1 and only hour I sat at the first table. So, I have proven to myself that what the supervisor told me is true. Though, still don’t know why it should work this way.
Thought I would pass along my findings.
So Jean, let me continue on what I was saying and compare it to my first visit to Vegas in 1994. While in college in Texas, I decided I wanted to see Vegas for the first time, so a friend of mine and I, flew out for a five night trip. We stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton and the Flamingo Hilton. Even then, I had VIP status at Hilton and got upgraded at both properties, as a result.
I remember that ell the meals were quite reasonable, even the “fancy, hand carved English Roast place” at the LV Hilton. I really loved the true “Vegas Coffee Shops and the Value Gourmet Rooms”. I even have fond memories of the “Burgundy Room” at the Lady Luck. Back then, I did not gamble much, but thought everything was a great value and very much wanted to return.
In the mid 2000’s much seemed to be changing for the worst, but still Harrah’s still had good promotions, including $35+ a day in food vouchers, for visiting its six, strip properties, each day. That was the single best “low roller” promo I have ever seen. Now there are nothing/fewer/greatly diminished: slot tournaments, banquets, hosted dinners, VIP parties, player’s benefits, and VP/slot play itself.
Back then, I even enjoyed the flights to Vegas (in coach), now I hate them (in First/Business) and the who “Vegas Service Industry” has lost much of the “service” which used to be so prevalent. It has become such a bother to go there, I just wonder why I should continue?
Jean, I wanted to ask you a question: have you ever considered Reno as a possible replacement for Vegas. They do have a few Vegas type properties; including Grand Sierra (MGM Grand Reno), Atlantis, and the Peppermill. I have heard that the comps, play, mailers, etc., are MUCH better in Reno. I wonder if this is true, being that a Miami ticket, is about the same price. So perhaps you and Brad could make a trip to Reno, to check it out.
Jean the same thing has happened with frequent flyer programs; with such such program devaluation of benefits, than I wonder if they are even worth the effort. What I have done, is to simply book the highly discounted premium cabins (international airlines) I actual want to fly, and not worry about the miles. The same with VIP cruise benefits as well.
I gamble less and less, because I have found i like spending my travel dollars elsewhere. Your first book talked about Vegas, as being a “value vacation”: this is not the case in 2017 and why should I spend $1,000 per person (first/business class, from Miami) for an eight hour travel experience? For that $2,000 alone, I can go many nice places from Miami!
So even a gambling budget of $500 per day, for a five day gambling trip, is $2,500 plus, $2,000 for flights and $700+ for hotels ( plus fees, fees, & more fees), and $200 a day for meals and $100 a day for entertainment. Plus lets add $300 for shopping/etc. and this is a large total of $7,000+ for a middle of the road “trip to Vegas.
For seven grand, I can take a transatlantic cruise (in a JR Suite) to Europe and fly back in business class, for two people, with spending money, and a few days in Lisbon! On Sept. 30th, I am going on a seven night MSC Divina cruise, in a large balcony cabin. The total cost for two people (I live in Miami Beach/Miami departure) is basic cruise $1,275 plus, $450 for $100 cash on-board credit, alcoholic/non-alcoholic/coffee drink package, and four dinner, Specialty Dining Package. This seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise, is a total $1725. Being a VIP Black Card Holder, I get a further $200 on-board credit, from MSC and four additional Specialty Dining Dinners, VIP parties, two bottles of Champagne and other individual gifts.
So my question, what would I get for seven nights in Vegas (travel costs excluded) for $1,725
Being told that you did not show a big enough loss in order to get better comps is getting more and more common no matter how much you play. It seems that if you want good comps you have to make sure that you never can win anytime you play!
Hi Jean. Very good story. Just wanted to add that I got my new copy of THE FRUGAL GAMBLER CASINO GUIDE this week. I actually still have my copies of the old ones. Just wanted to tell a quick story. Just left Vegas last week and met a very nice couple from Houston who could not return home yet. Caesars continued to comp their room, which was nice. They knew their high rise condo was okay. She had on her phone recent pictures of back to back royal flushes on a quarter machine. Her only regret was that she was not playing dollars. I remember you have said in the past that Brad did that one time! Very cool!