SILVERTON

I should have known better!

When my January Silverton  mailer arrived the last week or so in December, I saw lots of dates with January 2x points on VP.  This from a casino that had excluded VP from multiple points for ages.   I thought, “Maybe a casino finally looked around and saw other casinos cutting benefits for VP players and decided to try a promotional grab for this large segment of local gamblers.”

Silly me!

I did have suspicions – I’ve been around the block enough times to watch for casino “tricks.”  But I had no letter promoting a “wonderful new players club,” I saw no changes on their website, and I heard no scuttlebutt on the gambling internet forums.  So I was looking forward to this new benefit.

But early in January the rumors started up and finally Silverton posted the scorched new data on their website:

$1 = 1 point on all video reels and slots

$4 = 1 point on video poker

$8 = 1 point on optimum play video poker

333 points = $1

Unless you were alert, you might have missed the change for VP players, since the point redemption rate hadn’t changed – you still get $3 free play or comps for every 1000 points.  However, now playing most VP games would take FOUR times the coin-in as in the past to get those 1000 points, dropping the VP earning rate from.30% to .075% (even lower for the few games they call optimum play).

This casino had already become a marginal option for many knowledgeable VP players.  Even though playing the best paytables, you would need to make several trips there a week and take advantage of every extra benefit/promotion/offer.  We had already crossed it off our play list since we don’t have the energy to chase extras like we used to.  I imagine more VP players may do so now since the downgrade may be too severe for even just recreational players.

They have also changed their FAB 50+ Senior Mondays program, details here.  I’m not sure if this is an upgrade or downgrade.  I would welcome any reader personal experiences to be described in the “Comments” section.

By the way, there does not seem to be multipliers – for slots or VP – for the general public.  Fine print on the mailer specifies multipliers are for “invited guests only.”

M RESORT

Change of owners brings a change in players clubs. Penn Gaming is phasing out Marquee Rewards at M and going to Pinnacle’s My Choice program.

We don’t play there so I don’t have personal experience about this changeover, but you need to check the website carefully because it seems to be a very complex and gradual 6-month process.  Some of your questions might be answered here.

Both programs will have the same tier point earning and benefits beginning January, 2019. All guests in Marquee Rewards and mychoice will also receive the same great benefits and all play at both Marquee Rewards and mychoice properties will count towards your 2020 mychoice status.

BOYD PROPERTIES

Check here for the new 2019 Young at Heart (YAH) rules for 6 non-downtown properties (now including Aliante and Eastside Cannery).  Most are the same – including that notorious “advantage player” one, but there is now a shorter time to collect your free play if you pick the right color in the Celebration Spin.

Check here for YAH rules for Boyd downtown properties.

A personal note: For the first time in I can’t remember how long – 20 years or more, Brad and I are no longer Emerald tier.  This is true for many of our former fellow Emeralds.  However, we have others, many who hadn’t played as much or as long, who were simply given extra tier credits the last few months – even as many as 10,000+ – and they are now Emerald for all of 2019.  Don’t ask me to explain this.  Actually, I know one person who had been designated as one of those notorious “advantage players” and had been no-mailed for the last year or so although he could continue to play and earn points and tier credits.  He was given around 10,000 points so he is Emerald for 2019 although he isn’t to get any mailed offers!!!!

Some Ruby’s have been given enough tier credits to put them to Sapphire – a welcome gift to them because they will start earning points on their play.  In all these upgrades, it was impossible to determine the reason why some got them and others didn’t.  There were some anecdotal details that perhaps these upgrades were for losers and not for winners, but even if that is valid information, no details whether this was determined for short-term or long-term look-back periods.

Like with so many of these recent drastic downgrades, not just at Boyd but at so many other casinos, people are starting to shake their heads and wonder if the powers-that-be have any idea how gamblers think. They might be surprised how many even avid casino players might decide that they can’t take all these cuts and start some cutting themselves, perhaps even looking for another entertainment option that doesn’t “cost so much.”

Last month I mentioned that one of the best ways to find new plays is to use your usual promotional resources in conjunction with vpFREE2, which is a very comprehensive database of the best video poker games.  Video poker inventory is constantly changing.  I would like to add another detail about this valuable resource:  You can sign up for e-mail updates.  Presto! – you will know right away when they have added new information.  Of course this may not be good news if you find out they have taken out your favorite machine.  However, it may alert you to a new good game option that might give you the opportunity to take advantage of a promotion you had earlier not considered.

M RESORT SPA CASINO

Although we no longer play at the M, we are still on their mailing list and recently got an email about a new benefit: Want more comps – you got it! Marquee Comps are here!

This is touted as a valuable new benefit in addition to players club points that can be redeemed for cash, free play, and meals.  When I checked out their website, I found that they have also added a new top players club tier.

There is also a dedicated website that covers the marquee awards program for their many properties across the country.    However, I notice that it does not include their recently-acquired Tropicana casino, which hasn’t as yet been folded into this players club system.

UPDATE:  Although the Tropicana isn’t yet mentioned on the above website, information has been put on the Trop website that they are now part of the Marquee Awards players club.

TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO

The senior 20% discount moves to Tuscany Gardens for the month of May.  Check their website for discounts on Senior Thursdays and May promotions.

 And for more promotions, here again is the resource list I use:

1. The Sunday – Scroll down to “Casino Promotions” to view the weekly list.
2. Vegas Values – new list every Sunday plus a section of ongoing promotions.
3. Scot Krause’s list of bonus point opportunities.
4. The monthly Las Vegas Advisor
5. Individual casino websites

I also would like to recommend a resource that I find has useful information for both Vegas visitors and locals, particularly details about players clubs.  For example, a recent report gave details about the new partnership between MGM and the Royal Caribbean cruise line, including free cruises for the highest MLife tier members.  See the details about this and other valuable information here.

ELLIS ISLAND

Want to play some old-fashion coin-droppers?  There is a row of them near the players club desk, and they always draw a crowd – mostly elderly –  when someone hits a big jackpot.  “Isn’t that a nice sound?” “Doesn’t that bring back memories!”   I must admit the only memory it brings back to me is dirty hands and broken fingernails.

Spend $15 or more in the restaurant or BBQ and get a $5 match-play for any table game.

TUSCANY

10x-point days continue in March on the same schedule as last month, Mondays and Fridays.  Pull tabs also return, on the 13^th and the 27th.  Same rules – 1000 base points = 1 pull tab, with a max of 4 per day.  Two Mystery Free Play days are scheduled on the 5^th and 19^th.  Gift days are on the 7^th and the 21^st.

A new and welcome promotion returns after a short absence, gift cards, and you can earn them every Saturday.  Same as with pull tabs, 1000 base points = 1 card, max 4 per person.  But there are some new wrinkles.  The only gift card offered is for Wal-Mart and, although our mailers didn’t specify the denomination, I am assuming they are for $10.  There is a 2-step redemption process:  Voucher must be picked up same day at the players club, but you must take voucher to the gift shop the same day earned or the next day, Sunday, to actually pick up your gift card.

THE M RESORT SPA CASINO

This casino has, in Brad’s and my opinion, one of the best buffets in town.  Check out the play requirements for a free comp to it at their Web site.   As usual, prices and comp requirements are lower for weekday breakfasts and lunches.  For seniors, breakfast and lunch on Tuesdays is half-price when using your points.

PALMS

Be sure to look for warning labels on the many banks of “better” VP that are located between the Chocolat dessert shop and the fenced-in high-limit area.  Some of the machines here require $4 to earn a point and others require $2, rather than the regular $1 for 1 point.  Most machines have labels right on the machine itself, giving the point value information and some also have a note about these machines not being eligible for any promotion.   However, a few do not have that latter warning on the actual machine but it IS on the banner above those banks.

From an Internet reporter:  Did you know you can get a “senior coffee” at McDonald’s in the food court for only 59 cents, one which is actually better and bigger than the one you get from a cocktail waitress?

A Slots and Video Poker Bingo Card promotion returned to the Palms in the middle of February, mainly unadvertised.  It runs through March 10, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  I haven’t seen the cards but word on the street is that they have relaxed some of the rules from previous such promotions.  The cards are available at the players club desk and you get only one at a time at the denomination of your choice. The rules say that some machines are ineligible. I’m assuming that means those machines that I wrote about above.

The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, A mini earn-and-swipe promotion continues on Tuesdays. And seniors have an extra swipe-and-win promo on Sterling Advantage 50+ Thursdays.

The “Play and Buffet” promotion continues in February on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, various point levels depending on whether you play slots or video poker and which meal you choose. We tried the buffet again recently after hearing some opinions from people who said it was “improved.”  It all depends on your personal preferences but we had a hard time finding anything we liked.  Brad says it is too “exotic” for him.  He likes a buffet with food that doesn’t need labels to tell you what it is.

The usual Friday and Saturday night drawings continue through March 30, at 8 p.m..  A 2013 VW Jetta will be given away every Saturday night.  Cash or free play may be chosen instead of credit for a car at the dealership, but at 80% of the value of the car.

As I keep reminding you, better stop at the rack around the corner from the slot club desk and pick up the rules for each promo – and read all the fine print!

South Point Buffet Promo (Plus on that page there is info about bonus-point and free-play-give-away promotions.)

M Casino Buffet Promo

More on the Harrah’s LV 24-hour buffet pass:

After reading all the comments on my last entry about this “great” promo, I see that it might not be as fantastic as I had first thought. In fact I should have warned about some of the possible negatives. Whenever there is a “good deal” in a casino, you must look for the long-line frustration. With buffets, if we don’t have high-tier passes (like 7 Star with Harrah’s), we always try to avoid the busiest times. And with the popular M buffet, even with a premium card you would want to do the same thing since even the VIP line gets very long for dinner after 5 or 6 p.m.

Also, I do not have the answers for some of the questions asked in the Comments. Perhaps someone here knows whether you can use your reward credits to buy the Harrah’s 24-hour pass. I would assume you could not use 2-for-1 coupons for payment; most casinos will not let you combine two promotions. However, it never hurts to ask – I’ve been pleasantly surprised many times by what asking accomplishes!!!

And, “spreading it over two days” means, for instance, from 11 a.m. one day to 11 a.m. the next.  A big eater might be able to get in many meals if he/she didn’t gamble too much!

This month M is running a great buffet promotion. Earn a specified number of points and get a comped buffet. The key here is “earn” – you don’t have to redeem the points so they are saved for you to use another time for cash, free play, or comps.

Lunch Monday-Friday – 250 points
Dinner Monday-Thursday – 400 points
Brunch Saturday-Sunday – 500 points
Seafood Dinner Friday-Sunday – 600 points

Here are the details:

1. Points must be earned on the same day the free buffet is used. Great planning by the casino – you don’t have to go to the players club to pick up a comp first. Just give your card to the buffet cashier, who will check to see that you have earned enough for the free buffet.

2. Limit of one meal per players club member per meal period. If you have more than one person in your party, each person must earn his own free buffet on his own card. That means no free meals for children – although there are children’s discounts.

3. Offer is not available on holidays. (No getting out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner by doing this promo!)

4. Offer uses only base points – multipliers won’t get you there faster.

5. This offer does not include a line pass. So here is a heads up on planning. The lines are always brutal, and unbelievably so during peak meal times. I’m talking about one or two hours waiting time! Even the VIP line for Platinum Level and above gets very long. So to reduce your wait time, plan to eat a late lunch or an early dinner. And avoid Sundays completely – it is a zoo that day!

6. Points may be earned on any slot or video poker machine, usually at a rate of one point for every $1 coin in. The only exception is on the Optimum Play video poker machines where it takes $4 to earn one point.

Bon appétit!