I am sometimes asked if we ever play blackjack or any other casino game besides VP these days. We rarely do, but you might see us at a blackjack table for just some recreational play on a cruise ship that has no good VP.   We occasionally hit some slots when we are entertaining our family in a casino.   And, no surprise, we might play any other casino game if we have a coupon for it.   (This is why I put a chapter called “The Casino-Game Buffet” in my recent book The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide. I cover most any table game you might find, giving you suggestions on how to play it with a better chance for financial success.)

I do read a lot about gambling, especially online, since I like to keep up on all the changes in the casino world, not just those that affect our video poker play.

A Resource for Vegas Table Players

Recently I came across what might be helpful to players of blackjack and other table games. I don’t follow online betting opportunities so I don’t know which of these websites are legit or the best, but this survey of Vegas blackjack and other table games seems very thorough and up to date and looks like a valuable resource for casino table game players.

“2019 Blackjack Ball: The Inside Scoop”

Here are some links if you have heard of the “Blackjack Ball” and would like more information about it.  Henry Tamburin has written a two-part article summarizing its history and giving a very detailed description of the 2019 event.  Part 1 lists the 21 difficult test questions that face everyone and Part 2 gives the answers. You might want to take the test to see how you stack up to the experts!

The Frugal Gambler Audio Book

If you have been roaming around the Internet, particularly checking out gambling websites, you may have seen a Google ad with a picture of the cover of my recent book The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide.  However, if you click on that ad, you will be taken to information about getting an audio version of one of my books, but it is not this recent title but the 2nd edition of my first book, The Frugal Gambler. Fortunately, the page to which this ad takes you has the correct (green) cover and there is no charge to listen to a sample of this book.  Be aware this is the book that came out in 2005; although a lot of the basics of gambling haven’t changed, the casino conditions have drastically changed.

This list is not in any order of importance and not all-inclusive by any means, and I welcome input in the “Comments” about other resources readers find valuable.

vpFREE – vpfree-subscribe@yahoogroups.com – Valuable forum for video poker players where I pick up little gems of money-making and money-saving information.

vpFREE2 – This free site not only has an extensive database base where you can find the best VP, but information on every casino in the US. This includes host lists and players club details that will help you figure those valuable extra benefits.

Vegas4Locals – One of the best places to find free and/or inexpensive things to do in Vegas, with tons of information for frugal locals and visitors alike.  

Seven Stars Insider –   From this website, you can subscribe for a free monthly newsletter and read former issues. Originally designed exclusively for Seven Stars cardholders, I find that there are plenty of new and valuable details here for any player who is trying to squeeze more value from their play at a Caesars property.    

Mark’s Las Vegas – This has unique coverage with information you might not readily find elsewhere, including a great “Players Club Comps and Tier Advancement Cheat Sheet” that shows how you can spend/buy your way up to a higher tier in many casinos! Mark also covers social gaming programs.

https://wizardofodds.com/ – I go to the Wizard for the math of anything in a casino.

https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/ – I’ve saved the best for last. Yep, that’s the website here where my blog lives. But I am wondering if you have explored this site since it was revamped some months ago and where there are just so many interesting and helpful pages.  Start out by checking the “Top Links” on the homepage.  “Bonus Point Days” will give you the schedule for the month where you can find extra benefits for your play.  And then there is the list of blogs (besides this one!) and I can’t emphasize enough how valuable they can be in helping you become a more successful gambler and also enjoy your time more frugally in Las Vegas.  Check the tabs at the top of the homepage for tons more information.

What other resources do you check regularly?

It is easy to keep up without going back and forth between blogs and scrolling to the bottom of each one for possible comments.  When you are on my blog page, look for the section titled “Recent Comments” on the right side of the page and you can click on those you would like to read.   Not everyone reads my blogs or comments on them the day I post them.  But that list on the right side of the blog page will keep you up to date on current comments and those that may appear later.  (Other reasons to check on the right side of my blog page:  you can “Subscribe” so you will get an e-mail when I post a new blog, and you can also search in the “Archives” and find every Frugal Fridays and Frugal Vegas blog I have ever posted – from way back in April 2000!)

BRIEFS

The usual free slot tournament South Point runs on senior Mondays will not be held on Monday, March 19.  Also remember the all-day Monday $4 movie promo for seniors is “not valid on holidays or special events.”

Hooters Casino Hotel has opened the world’s largest Steak’n Shake location – and with a bar and slot machines to boot.  We old-time Midwesterners would never have believed those would ever be added to their juicy hamburgers or thick milkshakes!

Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is the latest casino company to offer a room discount to active and veteran military, police, fire fighters, teachers, and other service personnel.  Also, their new players club will give all active and retired members of the United States Military Gold Tier status, with extra benefits.  As with all casinos and players clubs, you will need to check their websites for specific requirements to get extra benefits, and more importantly, you will need to check the limitations.  Many of these special programs have tons of fine print to wade through!

THE ZORKFEST

My March 4 blog gave you many of the details about this fun feast of frugal information to help you save money on travel expenses and casino visits.  (I like alliteration!)

I also gave you the link to complete details of the Zorkfest event which is sponsored by TravelZork, a website covering airlines, hotels, casinos, Vegas, and loyalty programs.  There you will find the pictures, bios, and subject material of the many experts who will be speaking, and details of event schedules and registration fees.

However, I am writing about it again because the deadline to take advantage of the lowest registration fee is coming up fast – in fact it is this coming Tuesday, March 20.  You will be able to register later, of course, but the cost will be higher.  And you know me – I like to be sure my readers are aware of the most frugal options!  I truly believe that many – even most – attendees will learn a few new frugal techniques that will save them more money in the future than they invest in the registration fees.  (And when you register, be sure to add the code zorklva for extra discounts!)

The seminar speakers are experts in a variety of travel and casino fields, and more subjects have been added to the wide range that were initially listed.  Here are some of them:

-Learn the Best Travel Award Redemptions

-Expert Tips to Book Travel and Credit Card Strategies

-Casino Comps, VIP Status and Offers

-Miles & Points – Tips and Tricks

-Family Travel and Cruise Promotions

As I said in the earlier blog, Brad and I will be there most of the time during this event, both before and after I speak, and we look forward to meeting new and long-time fellow frugalites.

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!

Celebrate National Blackjack Day with Free Lessons and Special Offers at Rampart Casino

 March 2 (3/2) Brings Recognition to the Centuries-Old Game and a Celebration of the Few Casinos Which Still Boast the 3:2 Odds

WHAT:

National Blackjack Day was created to bring attention to one of the biggest casino games – Blackjack! Not only the game, but the declining number of casinos who still offer a 3:2 payout – hence the day falling on March 2^nd (3/2)!

Casino guests can join the team at Rampart Casino who will be offering the following to celebrate National Blackjack Day:

• Free Blackjack lessons throughout the day: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
• A special Black Jack Cocktail will be featured at all casino bars for $3.20 – a mix of Jack Daniels, Kahlua, and Grand Marnier with a splash of Lemon Juice that can be served as a shot or cocktail
• Clubhouse Deli (which is currently in its first phase of opening), will offer a $3.20 pastry selection

 WHEN:

Friday, March 2, 2018

Activities beginning at 8 a.m.

WHERE:

Rampart Casino

221 N. Rampart Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89145

Social Gaming News

From Mark’s Las Vegas:  myKonami Slots is part of the myVEGAS family. In addition to all of the usual myVEGAS Rewards, they have their own special myKonami Freeplay Reward.

Bargain Movies for Seniors 50+

(Check websites for details and exclusions.)

The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam’s Town – Part of the Wednesday Young at Heart (YAH) senior promotion:  One (1) $4 movie voucher valid on the Wednesday that the voucher is printed. Valid for movies prior to 6 p.m. at properties with theaters only.  The kiosk voucher must be claimed by 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Station Casinos (excluding the Palms) – Part of the MyGeneration senior promotion – $4 Movie Matinées.  Present your Boarding Pass at Regal Cinemas or Century Theatres to redeem your offer. Valid Wednesdays before 6pm.

South Point – Mondays – part of their Prime Time senior promotion – and Wednesdays.     $4 all day both days.  (This seems to be a rather recent change for their senior movie discounts.)

Movie theater note:  Cinemark Theaters on March 1 will put in a “security and safety” measure, banning all bags or packages that measure over 12″by 12″by 6″, a maximum size limit at many sports and entertainment arenas.    Most other theaters who don’t have a specific size ban will inspect or reserve the right to inspect oversize bags.

New Casino Offerings

Casinos are always looking for new ways to attract a younger generation of potential casino visitors.  Many of them would not interest me or most of the people of my age group.  Take the new free-roaming virtual reality arena in the MGM’s Level Up gaming lounge.  Fighting zombies is just not on my bucket list.

However some of the new concepts, particularly the new electronic versions of the old standard table games, do interest me.  I’ve been reading about the new “stadium-type” format for traditional casino games and have seen some smaller electronic versions of these, but really didn’t know many of the details.

Therefore, I was glad to see a very comprehensive discussion of stadium-blackjack, written by fellow gaming author Henry Tamburin, at the 888 Casino website.   This piece includes pictures, description of the set-up and how it is played, and explanation of the rules.

I have been gambling in casino with successful results for 33 years. Do I no longer need to read about this activity to continue being successful? Do I “know it all” by now?

The short and sweet answer to those questions: I spend just as much time researching and studying now as I did back when I first started. In fact, perhaps more! Although there is more information available now with the ever-expanding Internet, a wise gambler needs so much more to cope with a much more challenging casino environment.

Of course, I myself continue to add to this Internet flood of information available to gamblers. My latest contribution has been added to the very extensive American Casino Guide YouTube video series. In this interview, I talk about my new book, The Frugal Gambler Casino Guide, and the new focus I have in helping recreational players lose less and thus stretch their bankroll for longer casino entertainment time.

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Here are some interesting gambling articles I have read recently.

1.  Do you wonder how hackers have been able to manipulate slot machines to “pay on demand”? Read here about how criminals are working to foil the casino’s game security measures.

2.  Do you remember playing the horserace games in casinos – or the ones that raced camels at the Luxor?    Mark of Mark’s Las Vegas does and he gives a link to the R-J article that reminisces about this game.

3.  Here is an excellent article about the numerous ways you can get an edge in blackjack.  The only objection I have to this article is the title, “Beating Blackjack is Easy.” Perhaps this is a tongue-in-cheek title to catch our attention? Beating any game in a casino is never easy; it is one of the hardest tasks you will ever undertake. However, this article does give a very complete picture of the possible ways to take on this task and perhaps be successful.

4.  My good friend John Grochowski can always be counted on to give very complete and accurate gambling information in whatever he writes. A good example is his recent article about new video poker games. While you are at this site, look around and you will find many helpful and interesting articles on various casino games and other gambling topics. I have contributed some articles here myself. You will recognize many of the authors as well-known experts in their field.

However, the other “fault” is mine personally – but one that I wouldn’t want to change. Brad and I are taking a vacation trip back to Indianapolis for a big reunion with his family and co-workers from his former place of employment, Naval Avionics.

However, a few casinos do get their mailers out early and I do get some early news through casino press releases or personal e-mails. Here are a few I know about:

SOUTH POINT

The Pump & Pantry promotion running in June will be a popular one since it basically gives players a chance to earn the equivalent of 2x points on their play all month, up to the stated limit.

Here are the details from a press release: Throughout June, South Point Hotel will offer Casino Club Card holders the chance to earn a $50 Chevron Gas Card or $50 Smith’s Food and Drug Gift Card by redeeming $25 or 8,333 base points on South Point slot machines. To receive a gift card, players must earn points from Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June 30 and present a Casino Club Card and valid ID at the Casino Club booth. All points must be redeemed by Monday, July 3. Casino Club Card holders are limited to earning 10 total Chevron Gas and Smith’s Food and Drug gift cards throughout the month. 

TUSCANY

Spin-to-Win Slot Tournaments are running Saturdays in June. Earn 100 same-day slot points for one free tournament entry.

The 20% senior discount moves to the Caffé Bottega for the whole month of June.

BOYD PROPERTIES (The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, California, Fremont, and Main Street Station)

Movie benefit for Young at Heart (YAH) Wednesdays (for those casinos with theaters) has been extended to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. This is a valuable change for those that want to participate in the drawing and see a movie too.

ALL STATION CASINOS

In progress is the big launch of their new virtual casino called STN PLAY. I usually research a subject before I write about it but I have not had time to do this before we leave for vacation. And there is another problem here. I have had no experience with online social casinos in the past. I have been too busy gambling in bricks-and-mortar casino – and writing about them – to explore this “other world.”  However, I have heard reports for several years of super frugalites earning a lot of comps they can use in real casinos by playing games on their computers and mobile devices in virtual casinos.

Sooooooo…I am depending on you all, my dear readers, to help this old non-techie become a little more knowledgeable about this virtual world of gambling. I’m sure many of you will link your Boarding Pass card to the STN Play site.  And hopefully many of you will describe your experience in the “Comments” below. If you are an experienced online player, you might want to compare it with other virtual casinos. If like me, you would be a new online player, and you might want to compare it to gambling in a real-life casino. I want to hear both the pros and cons.

When we get back from vacation, I am sure I will address this new subject and I know I will have more promotions to talk about since my mailbox will be full of June mailers from casino marketing people that have recovered from the holiday weekend enough to get back to their jobs.

I just recently discovered that the Las Vegas Sun was providing a casino promotions list in their weekly Sunday publication.  (Perhaps it is a new feature or I just hadn’t known about it before?)  This got me thinking that I should give a list here of the online resources I use to figure out where Brad and I want to play to supplement the information we get in the individual casino mailers we get in our mailbox and in emails.

Not that I won’t write about promotion any more.  But I can spend more time and space explaining details that aren’t clear and more specific information I have gleaned from personal experiences and those of friends or contributors on gambling forums.

So here is my resource list and I suggest you may want to bookmark some or all of these that you can refer to often:

1.  The Sunday – Scroll down to “Casino Promotions” to view the weekly list.  I see they are having the same trouble I have – not being able to get complete information by the first of the month.  I assume they will be adding many more promotion next week.  You will need to consult individual websites, but often those aren’t updated until a few days into the new month.
2.  Vegas Values – new list every Sunday plus a section of ongoing promotions.
3.  The LVA “What’s News” –  this isn’t a purely casino promotion resource, but if you read it daily, you not only will be informed about everything going on in Vegas but you will sometimes find a promotional jewel, particularly one that might pop up in the middle of the month and not publicized anywhere else.
4.  Scot Krause’s list of bonus point opportunities.
5.  And last but not least – and I have been stressing this in past blogs – you should check the websites of all casinos in which you are even a little bit interested.  Many of them now describe their promotions in detail, with the all-important fine print rules. A new promotion or change in the players club can turn one of your no-longer-a-good-place-to-play into a must-play!

ALIANTE

Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa has debuted an all new Players Club in 2016 and will issue newly redesigned cards beginning Monday, Feb. 1. Four levels exist within the new Players Club: Premier, Celebrity, Headliner and Legend. Aliante has added benefits to its tier program and is removing the Elite status from its past program. Tier credits are earned on slots, keno, video poker, optimum games, bingo, table games and at the Race & Sports Book.

 Caesars Entertainment – Vegas Properties

Las Vegas Diamond/Seven Star lounge information.

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

The daytime and nighttime Wednesday’s “Young at Heart” promotions have been combined into one all-day program from 7 a.m-midnight. NEW details here.

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If you find a good promotion and you would like to share this information, please describe it in the “Comments.”

Since I do not play online personally and know little about the subject, I don’t endorse any particular online gaming site. But I do know that 888 legally offers real money gaming in the US only for players  physically in the state of New Jersey.