For years I have talked about balance in one’s life, particularly for regular casino gamblers, which we were for many years before we recently retired.  I always reminded people that there is a danger if your gambling negatively affects the other parts of your life or makes you self-centered and uncaring for those around you.  I wrote how Brad and I down through the years, until we had to deal with failing health concerns, were active in volunteer activities.  And maybe some of you got tired of hearing me talk about our children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  But our family was always our first priority – and we wrapped family activities into our casino activities constantly.

So now, I was wondering what I should write in this blog.  Some would say that with the seriousness of this pandemic people shouldn’t be thinking about gambling at all, that they should be concerned about serious medical subjects.  But I go back to my belief in balance in life.  You are heeding the advice to stay at home, but that does not mean you need to just sit around worrying.  That is not good for your mental health.  The TV is sending out tons of information about how to keep yourself and your family occupied.

Each person has special interests that can keep them from dwelling on the negative.  For some of you, reading about gambling subjects can be your way of coping with this crisis.  So that is why I will try to keep writing this blog.

We need to keep the faith that life will eventually go back to “normal,” although it may be a “new normal.”  If you were a VP player and casino visits were an important part of your life before, then I see no problem with you doing things that will help you be a smarter gambler when they re-open – whenever in the near or distant future that will be.

We have no idea what casinos will be like for the VP player when they re-open.  Some of the extreme tactics they used during the last recession seemed to hang on, like downgrading VP paytables and cutting comps.  That may happen again – but on the other hand, they may need to make some positive changes to get players back.

I predict that they will need to run more and stronger promotions.  With that in mind, now might be a good time to expand your skills.  Learn a new VP game.  Maybe you said you were sticking to Jacks or Better because that was the only game for which you knew the strategy.  Get a software training program and learn NSUD (Not-So-Ugly-Deuces) which was probably the most common “good game” when the casinos closed.

Here are some of the other ideas you might consider:  You may get out those gambling books you have in your personal library – some you never read or some you may decide to re-read to refresh your memory.  You may want to order some new titles.  Here on this website many of them are available at a discounted price.  If you are a newbie VP player, you might want to go back and read some of my blogs of the last couple of years since I have been covering the changing VP scene.

There is another resource I want to suggest, for all skill levels and all games – “Casino City Times.”  They have a ton of information on their site, much from old files, but there is also up-to-date writing, by many of the experts in the gambling field.  I especially recommend the writings of John Robison, who covers both slots and VP as he relates many of his own gambling experiences.   A very good up-to-the-minute article, covering some of the same things I am discussing in this blog for gamblers to do, is by Gary Trask.

Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation.  We can still reach out to each other virtually if not physically.  Feel free to use the “Comments” below to share:  your fears, your hopes, your desire to stay connected.

You can snag discounts with your Stations Boarding Pass players card at two coffee shops:  Lucky Penny at the Palms and the Brass Fork at Palace Station.  Discounts, valid 24 hours a day 7 days a week, vary from 10% off with the lowest card, Preferred, and rise 10% for each level above that, ending at 50% for Chairman. Important to note is this promotion goes to the end of the year and is valid both with cash purchases and point redemptions. This discount perhaps is evidence that business had suffered at both places because of the perception that their prices seemed too high for “just a coffee shop,” even though they tried to promote it as more upscale than a “regular” one.  Many people – Brad especially included – want a reasonably-priced restaurant with familiar comfort food, “Don’t try to make it fancier or different; I am unimpressed with upscale.”

As with all promotions there are fine-print restrictions, many in this case:  Not valid on café specials, nor with My Generation ½-point dining, nor for alcohol. Must be 21 or older; dine in only.  Not valid on holidays or special events. (Whatever that latter exception means?)  Limit one offer per check, maximum of four guests per check. (This one is not clear; better check with the waiter before you order.)  Cannot be combined with any other offer. (This one could be a deal-breaker in some cases if that means you can’t use a coupon.) Management reserves all rights. (Of course they do, but lawyer-talk sounds so unfriendly.)

The Rampart has opened their newly-renovated buffet, with outdoor patio seating, an unusual casino buffet option.  There have been some favorable reviews, but as always – you can’t satisfy everyone – there have been complaints.  Although there are several specialty nights, some miss the deli night from the past.  Also, there is a downgrade for seniors.  The $5 buffet lunch on 50 Plus Party Tuesdays now requires first earning 100 points that day.

The Palms buffet still has unbelievably long lines because of the mass mailing of buffet coupons. One person commented on that report I put in my blog last week, giving one reason why the VIP line is always so long:

 The VIP line at Palms AYCE has gotten as long as the regular line due to all the “non-handicapped” who have figured out that they cannot be asked to show evidence of their “handicapped” status. The cashier can only ask if they are handicapped and as long as they reply that they are they are permitted to access the VIP line. Lately most patrons on the VIP line are not VIP cardholders but low-level players who figured out how to game the system. The cashiers say they are helpless to do anything.

 PLAYERS CLUB CHANGES AND DETAILS

(I use vpFREE for players club numbers, like below. Saves me a lot of math figuring!)

1. Downtown Grand: After a no-point period for video poker, you can now earn them but the return % is very small:

• $10 Coin-In = 1 Point on Video Poker
• 250 Points = $1 Free Play (0.04%)

2. Club Fortune in Henderson: In their new 4-tiered players club, members now earn both points and comps. They are running sign-up promotion in which new members that earn 50 base points on date of signup can play a kiosk wheel spin game for guaranteed free slot play.

• $2 Coin-In = 1 Point on Most Video Poker
• Free Play or Comps: 500 Points = $1 (0.10%)

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• $3 Coin-In = 1 Point on “Up to 100%” Machines
• Free Play or Comps: 500 Points = $1 (0.067%)

Points can also be redeemed for products and services from several local businesses.

3. Casino Royale: Slot and video poker players can get daily rebates of $20 in free slot play for every $100 in losses. (I got this info from Scot’s “Vegas Values” – a valuable weekly report every Sunday on both current and ongoing Vegas promotions.  He covers many casinos, including some of the smaller ones that perhaps don’t do as much publicity.)

And now for some probably not very useful but perhaps somewhat interesting information – at least perhaps for old-timers like me.  I recently saw an article, with pictures, about a Snakes-and-Ladders slot machine.  I don’t know how long this slot has been around, but I had never come across one in my casino wanderings.  However, seeing mention of it took me back some 70+ years ago.  Chutes and Ladders was one of the first board games I ever played, first with my mother, and it then occupied many hours of my childhood as I taught my sisters the minute they could grasp the gaming concept – so I would have someone with whom to compete.

It was many years later that I learned that Chutes and Ladders was the Americanized version of the ancient Indian game of Snakes-and-Ladders, teaching children a morality lesson about good and evil. Go here to read more about this subject – maybe it will make the slot machine version more interesting?

Case in point this month, Boyd Gaming did not put their multiple-point information in the newspaper until June 2.  This is important especially for those who do not get monthly mailers.  Sometimes there are multiple-point days mentioned in our monthly mailers, but I can’t publish that information until a newspaper ad or marquee message confirms which days are for the general public and not just for those that get a mailer.

Another example is the Stations, which did not announce Palms multiple- point days until a June 3 newspaper ad.  And I almost missed that piece of information because it was added at the very bottom of a full-page ad for another promotion.

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This June might be called Coupon Month. Casinos might not be too interested in giving us better gambling opportunities, but they sure want to be sure we don’t go hungry.  Meal coupons, especially 2-for-1 buffets abound.  Boyd is including them in newspaper inserts for The Orleans and Gold Coast, and I have seen some for Sam’s Town in the past.

And the Station are going all out – with seemingly anyone who plays (or played in the past?) at any level receiving a super-fat coupon book mailed to their address.  Most of the coupons are for food, but there are some match plays and discounts for bingo, bowling, and arcades.  You always need to check the details on casino coupons, but this Stations coupon book is one that you better make a special effort to study.   Each coupon is dated – for June, July, or August.  The coupons at the front of the book can be used in more than one casino – but read carefully because each coupon covers just a few specified casinos.  After this front “general” section, there are color-coded sections for individual casinos.  One great thing is that none of the coupons are specific to a particular player (even though the books were addressed to specific names) so you can give away or trade at will.  It’s just that to redeem a coupon, you have to put your Boarding Pass# in the space provided.  So, if you want to share with a friend who isn’t a players club member, he/she would have to sign up and get a card before using the coupon. (Good marketing move, Stations, to recruit some new members!!!)

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Another food note, thanks to the Seven Stars Insider: Without notice, the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace has stopped serving king crab legs to Diamond and Seven Stars cardholders.  (Since I am not a seafood fan, I didn’t know this ever was a benefit!)

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And now for “the beyond” in my title.    Much to my surprise I received this majorly advanced news from a South Point Casino press release.  Not only was I surprised how early I was hearing this, but I was pleased to have bonus points on a holiday, something that hasn’t happened at this casino for a long time.  And the 3^rd surprise was a promotion that differentiated between slots and video poker, something I don’t remember ever being done at South Point.  Sounds like a schedule borrowed from Boyd Gaming!

Double Points on Video Poker – Thursday, July 4

South Point Club members who play video poker machines will receive double the points on Thursday, July 4. Players who earn 1,000 base points in video poker will earn $6.

Five Times the Points on Reel Machines – Thursday, July 4

South Point Club members will earn five times the points on slots and video reel machines on Thursday, July 4. Players who receive 1,000 base points in reel play will receive $15.

10 Times Points on Penny Reel Machines – Thursday, July 4

In celebration of the holiday, South Point Club members will earn 10 times the points on Thursday, July 4 on penny reel machines. Players who receive 1,000 base points on penny reel machines will receive $30.

Vegas4locals – one of the best places to find free and/or inexpensive things to do in Vegas, with tons of information for both frugal locals and visitors alike.

MarksLasVegas  –  Click on the tabs at the top of the website for both gambling and Las Vegas info, including interesting information under “Offbeat and Tidbits,” helpful info if you need medical help while staying on the Strip, and the Bellagio Fountain Show song list.

Thrillist.com recently posted an eclectic list of a whopping 45 free things to do in Las Vegas, including some offbeat possibilities I had never read about before.

And sometimes I just run across some articles on interesting subjects. Here’s one about Vegas opening a gambling court.     And here is one that describes one man’s quest to make money in minor casino games with unusual and mostly little-known techniques.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Speaking of resources, are you looking to buy a holiday gift for a gambling friend or relative who likes to visit casinos?  I recommend you check out the LVA holiday catalog.  There you can find books for the professional gambler as well as for those who just enjoy casino games as a recreational choice.  There are also selections for those who are looking for general information about Las Vegas, including a guide to restaurants all over town.

And for the frugal, check out the section of the LVA Shop highlighting products that are on sale.

There is also a special Jean Scott section. Some have asked me whether they should pick up my new book, The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide, if they already have read/studied my other books in the Frugal Gambler series. That depends.  Long-time experienced gamblers might not find much new but casual players might find it helpful for my discussions about the new changes in the casino world.  It is the perfect book for newbie gamblers and for those who are thinking about choosing new games.   I have expanded the book to cover all casino games, listing the casino edge for each one and giving techniques to reduce that edge. So although it is a good VP primer, the information on players club and comp systems would help most players in a casino make their gambling bankroll stretch for more casino fun time.

More Frugal Gambling is still the best place to start to learn about the complex casino comp system. This is still the only book that covers this subject in depth, and it will give you a solid base to understand better the updates in the more recent Guide book. The “Frugal Gambler Video Poker Scouting Guide” pocket-size booklet is a must-carry for VP players who are looking to play the best games.

I am feverishly working on bringing out the 4^th edition of Tax Help for Gamblers, a necessary update with all the recent tax changes in 2018.  Russell Fox, a noted EA and tax preparer, has come on board to help me with all the major ramifications for gamblers.  We would have liked to have had this book out yesterday, but we are having to wait for the “beloved” IRS to bring out the 2018 tax return forms.  I will let everyone know when the new book is available but I figure now it won’t be out until after the first of the year.  Just hoping the government will see the need for the new forms VERY SOON.

For complete information about this fun and informative event go to ZorkFest. There you can scroll down and find schedules, pictures and bios of the speakers, preliminary session subjects, host hotel rates, and registration details.  Of course, I want to tell you about all the ways you can reduce the cost of this educational and entertaining event – talking about how to get more bang for your buck is what I do!

First, remember this valuable code:  zorklva.  This will give you discounts for many parts of the registration fees.  And second, remember this still-wise cliché – the early bird gets the worm.  The Super Early Discount rate available if you register before March 20, coupled with the LVA code, will be the best bargain.  But there are other discounts for add-ons and combo offers.

Then there are special LVA promotions. Use the code zorklvaroller for $25 off the High-Roller ticket, offer good until April 30.    And here is one Brad and I are excited about because we love to chat with our fans:

ZorkFest will provide three (3) Friday VIP dinner tickets to raffle off for LVA members. Potential winners will be any LVA member who buys a Zorkfest conference ticket (with the LVA code). Those three winners will sit with Anthony Curtis or Jean and Brad Scott at dinner Friday night.  If the winner of the LVA contest for dinner already has purchased a dinner (or High-Roller ticket which includes dinner) they will get a $100 Treasure Island Casino chip, at registration.  Those who purchase the dinner (or High Roller Ticket which includes dinner) will also get a chance to sit with AC or Jean and Brad Scott, on a first- come- first basis.

I am really enthusiastic about this event because it covers such a large range of subjects of interest to people who work at being thrifty.  Of course, my niche is frugal gambling, but we spent a lot of time over the years making our travel budget smaller – think of those many airplane bumps we chased –  so we would have a bigger bankroll when we got to the casino.   And we are really looking forward to chatting with many of our frugal readers, some we have met in person in the past but many have wished for such an opportunity as this May event will bring.  Hope to see you there!

TUSCANY

The all-month 20% senior discount moves to the Tuscany Gardens Italian restaurant for September.

Their Pub 365 restaurant advertises an “Executive 15-Minute Lunch Guarantee, your lunch in 15 minutes from order to table –guaranteed, Monday-Friday, 11a.m-2 p.m.”

PALMS

Major remodeling still in progress with many machines moved around and various areas walled off and/or in changed locations.

One of our favorite promotions has returned – earn 300 same-day base points on Thursdays and get a coupon for a free Terrible’s car wash. Continuing is a similar one on Tuesdays, earning 300 for a free Brenden Theater movie ticket.  Check out details of both of these at the players club.

CASINO PROMOTIONS FOR VETERANS

Here are some benefits I have uncovered, but I know there are many more.  You should always ask if there is a military discount before you make a room reservation at a casino hotel or buy a ticket for a show or any attraction.    Many do give discounts on room rates, but eligibility may vary. Some may limit benefits to active duty; others may include veterans.

MGM

To show their gratitude for veterans, MGM Resorts has created a special “Military & Veterans Program” (MVP). The program is available to any active duty military, members of the National Guard & Reserve, retired military, prior service and spouse of eligible military personnel. MVP members. They’ve created a special MVP M life Rewards card that gives an automatic upgrade to Pearl status and the benefits that accompany that M life Rewards tier, which includes complimentary self-parking, discounts on entertainment, dining, attractions, spa treatments and rooms at all MGM properties throughout the country. This program was introduced in Vegas MGM properties a month ago, but now is active in their properties all over the country.

 Station Casinos

 Their loyalty program has Operation Thank You, which includes a “military edition” Boarding Pass players card. It’s offered to active duty, veterans, Reserve and National Guard employees, but not their spouses.   There is a long list of discounts and deals for their Military Mondays. The program has not yet been activated at the Palms casino.

Wynn Resorts

They give a 10-percent discount on all hotel rates to active members of the military and veterans. They also offer $30-off tickets to its “Le Reve” show, but this may be limited only to personnel at Nellis  Air Force base.   You need to check.

Pala Casino Spa & Resort

This California Native American casino and the Pala Band of Mission Indians have partnered with the American Indian Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Committee to educate the public about the military service of Native Americans to the United States of America and to help support the funding of a national memorial to those veterans.

FINAL NOTE

Because Brad and I don’t visit or play in as many different casinos as we used to, I am not able to cover as many promotions as I have in the past. And the whole subject of promotions is getting more and more complex, with casinos, especially the Vegas local ones, doing more target marketing. Just because I get a particular mailer from a casino listing a “good” promotion that does not mean it is available to everyone. My friend or neighbor may have different promotions in their mailers. Some offers may be for locals only or only for out-of-towners. I will continue to give promotion details when I am sure of their accuracy,  not necessarily grouped at the first of the month as in the past, but whenever I come across them.  I will continue to zero in on those that aren’t widely advertised or publicized, particular those that are described in our mailers from local casinos, but would perhaps be a good opportunity for out-of-town visitors if they knew about them.

In the meantime I must remind you that nothing takes the place of searching on individual casino websites. Not all casinos do a super job here, but many do and the player who scouts here will often score surprising rewards!

Gold Coast has reduced prices for their dinner buffet Monday through Thursday, with added discounts depending on your card level.

Silverton is running an Earn & Win Buffet special on Thursdays.  Earn 50 points for one free lunch buffet coupon to print before 3 p.m.  Earn 100 points for one free lunch or dinner buffet, coupon available to print at kiosk from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

CZR properties – Tuesdays in August, earn 50 Tier Credits in a day at any of the Total Rewards casinos in Las Vegas and get one free entry to Carnival World & Seafood Buffet.  This one has some tricky fine print.  There is a $25 upcharge if you want to go into the seafood part of the buffet – and when we were there the last time, there was a stern guard person who made sure you had the seafood wristband.  “Free” in this case has a special meaning – entry only into the regular section of the buffet.  Coupon expires 48 hours after issue, but you have to do the play and get the coupon between 6 a.m. and 5:59 a.m.

MGM Properties

I’m not sure when this took effect, but they have changed their point-expiration date from one year to 6 months.  We don’t play there regularly anymore but had some old points that we didn’t want to lose.  However, dropping in recently to put on a few points to keep our balance current, we found out that our nice comp balance was now zero. 

BOYD PROPERTIES (The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam’s Town)

Last month we talked about a new promotional wrinkle, with our Gold Coast free play not being able to be picked up at the Suncoast as it could be in the past.   That is also the case for August.  However, we do get promotional e-mails from the Suncoast.

Another new development:  Brad and I each got an “August Promotions” mailer from the Orleans (similar to our regular Gold Coast ones) – “Exciting promotions in addition to your August Offers” – although we haven’t played there for many months.  It included a calendar with multiple-point days, gift days, table drawings, and information on a slot tournament.

Perhaps an expansion of their marketing that will offer more promotions unique to each specific property?

SOUTH POINT

No double-point days here this month.

TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO

For August the monthly senior 20% discount moves to Pub 365, the new eatery that replaced the Mexican restaurant. “It features a collection of 365 rotating beers and a menu of traditional pub fare with a modern spin including homemade small bites, iconic burgers and locally world-famous tacos.”

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My favorite quote of the month, from an Internet VP forum where there was a discussion about comps:  I want everything, but I settle for whatever I can get.

Go to  his site for a rich source of his ideas for frugal gambling, accommodations, food, and entertainment.  He is a big fan of bus transportation to get around town and shares those money-saving experiences here.

Here are some of the Websites and Internet forums he and others use to keep up on the ever-changing casinos in a city that is constantly reinventing itself:

https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/resort-fee-hotels/

ACG forum

Vegas Message Board

A number of LVA forums on various gambling subjects, some free and some for LVA subscribers only.

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Another frugal resource, from The American Casino Guide:

Travelers looking for savings at U.S. casinos can now get the FREE American Casino Guide app that allows them to instantly download casino coupons directly to their iPhone or iPad. [Available for Android planned for the near future] The app was developed by the publishers of the American Casino Guide, which has been published annually for the past 24 years and is the #1 bestselling book in the U.S. on the subject of casino gambling and travel. A special new feature of the app is its “Instant Coupon” section which allows users to download coupons for FREE, or on a paid basis, for only 99 cents. However, as an introductory 90-day offer, all coupons can be downloaded for FREE, until October 31, 2015.

We don’t know how long this will last, but you can currently get tickets to Veronic at Bally’s for just a $2.50 handling charge by logging on to ticketmaster.com, choosing “Veronic,” and entering the code VPAPER. Tickets are normally $40-$104 for this singing-impressionist show that’s getting good reviews.

We took advantage of this deal – and really enjoyed the show.  Don’t be discouraged if you find the Ticketmaster Web site a little complicated.  We had to try several times to snag this offer.  At first we wanted to get 4 tickets and our request wouldn’t go through. Finally I tried for 2 tickets and it went through.  So I then went back and tried right away for 2 more tickets and was successful – and it ended up all 4 seats were together.

Note:  For some of you who know we play heavily at Caesars, you may wonder why we just didn’t ask our host for comped tickets. Unless you are a “whale,” even heavy 7* players get very few discretionary comps – for food or shows.  You usually need to use up all your Reward Credits before these comps are available – which is sometimes hard to time.  Another issue comes up if you want to see a show on a day you aren’t also playing.  Getting a show comp then would trigger a “day” and reduce your daily average, something that often would lower your future free play offers.

House Seats is running a 2-for-1 promotion October 1-7, for new subscriptions and renewals.  Get a two-year membership for the price of one,  and as a Vegas local you will never have an evening when you don’t have a choice among many free shows.  For details go to their Web site.   You can read an interesting article about the founders of this company here.

FOOD NEWS

The Range Steak House at Harrah’s will close November 15 and then reopen in February as a Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The Steakhouse at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon closed September 16.  Gardunos at the Palms closed September 30 and will be replaced by a sports bar.

STATION CASINO PROMOTION

Advance notice I received in an e-mail:  Station Casinos is announcing Saturday, October 6, 2012 as its next Bonus Point Day. Guests who hold cards from Boarding Pass, Station Casinos’ free rewards program, will earn 6 bonus points for every dollar spent on video poker and 10 bonus points for every dollar spent on all slots. This offer is available at all Station Casinos, Fiesta and Wildfire Gaming locations. To become eligible for point bonuses, players must swipe their cards at a Boarding Pass kiosk. Bonus Point Day is one day only and management reserves all rights.

SENIOR PROMOTIONS

For all senior promotions, you must check casino Websites and/or at the players club desks for specific details.  Often you need to swipe at a kiosk to opt-in for the benefits.  And sometimes you need to earn a minimum of points for others.

All Stations and Fiesta casino are running  Senior Wednesdays in October for players 50 and up:  10 points for every $1 on slots/6 points for every $1; half-point dining all day at selected restaurants, and free slot tournaments 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

South Point is running a  free slot tournament for seniors 50+ every Thursday from 10 a.m.-4.

Gold Coast’s “Young at Heart – 50+” senior day is Monday.  The Orleans day is Tuesday.  Sam’s Town has two senior days – Monday and Thursday.  Suncoast also has two – Tuesday and Thursday.  Check each one for details since they do not all have the same promotions on their senior days.

Palms has senior specials on Thursdays.

These promotions/offers I post are merely ones I learn about from our casino mailings or what I read in my research on the Internet.  I encourage you to add more in your “Comments.”