Palms

July Promos–The Little Things

“Little Things Mean a Lot” …and not just in love songs.

I recently read a comment on the Internet from someone who stated, after reading about all the hoops one had to jump through to take advantage of one casino promotion, that this was too much “bother.” Several successful gamblers chimed in immediately with their mantra, one that has guided Brad’s and my casino journey for over 35 years: “Bothering” with the details is an absolute necessity in order for a gambler to achieve financial success.

Back some 22 years ago, before I had ever thought about writing a book about gambling, friends were hearing us tell about our trips to Vegas and how we were able to make these vacations a low-cost – even free – recreational choice by choosing good games to play and using the comp system.  And of course, they wanted to know how they could do that.  The problem is they wanted the “secret” in 25 words or less.  I tried to explain that there was no “silver bullet” – it was hundreds of little things you had to do.

22 years later, it has taken multiple editions of 5 books to talk about the hundreds of thousands of little things one can – must? – do to be successful.  And it amazes me that there is rarely a time when I am writing a blog that I don’t have some “little” idea to share – either a new one or a reminder of one that is easy to forget.

Although I have been visiting casinos for over 35 years – and try to keep track in my head all the things I have learned over the years – I sometimes forget something important.  For example, Brad and I recently visited the Gold Coast and planned to play because it was a 11x-points day.  I usually visit the kiosk the very first thing and swipe both my card and Brad’s while he is parking the car.  But this day I was distracted because I had to go to the cashier to solve a big-money problem.  That took a long time so I immediately hurried to meet Brad at our favorite machines in the non-smoking area and forgot I hadn’t swiped our cards.

We played about an hour or so when my brain woke up to this distressing thought that we would not get credited with bonus points before we swiped in.  Long story shortened.  I talked to a players club supervisor and asked if there was any way we could get these bonus points put on manually.  She was nice but pointed out that this had happened to me back when this new system was first put in many years ago and they had “fixed” it for me– but they could not do it the second time.  The loss was not huge, but it was a reminder that one has to keep up with those “little things.”  Some properties – like South Point – give multiple points automatically while you play with no players club swipe needed.   Some properties – like the Stations – do require that you swipe but it can be any time that day, before or after you play.  Be sure you know the system, especially if you play at a casino you haven’t visited before.

For this month, as it has been for quite a while, it is important to stay aware of other little details connected with casino bonus points.  This is especially important when dealing with large casino companies that have multiple properties. This is confusing many players, especially with Boyd Gaming and the Stations.  Don’t assume multiple-point days are the same company wide.  And be aware with Boyd that sometimes there are bonus point days ONLY for those that get the monthly mailer promoting those days.  You need to check Scot’s Bonus Point List since his list includes only those that are open to everyone.

And this warning goes for all promotions at these casinos.  You have to read the newspaper ads and monthly mailers carefully to be sure you don’t make a special trip to take advantage of a promotion and find out you are at the wrong casino or there on the wrong day. As I have mentioned before, the Palms seems to be in a Stations category of its own.  That nice fat summer coupon book from the Stations is a perfect example of the need to carefully read the “little” details.  Some of those coupons are good at several properties but many are for only one specific casino.  Same with the list of promotions on the Stations website.  You must check the logo or casino name under each on there – and also in newspaper ads.

Have a great 4th of July!  There will be some gambling promotions but maybe you can fit in some non-gambling fun activities too!

 

More June Promotions – and Beyond

I hope you took my advice last week to make it a habit to check Scot’s Bonus Point List, not just on the first of the month but periodically all month long.  As I have often mentioned, casinos are sometimes offering new promotions or more details about previously-announced ones later in the month.

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 3rd 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.

 

APRIL PROMOS AND NEWS

Look for April 21st Easter promos.  These are primarily for food specials – and lines will be long for non-reservation outlets.  (This is one reason that Brad and I avoid eating in casinos on holidays!)  However, a few casinos – but not as many as in past years – may offer multiple-point bonuses that day.  Check  Scot Krause’s Bonus Point list.

STATIONS

Some good news to report here. After months of decreasing promos, including the recent disappearance of any multiple-point days, the Palms has finally been folded into the Stations bonus-point program.  This was not mentioned in the master chart of Multiplier Days listed in our April Palace Station mailer, and I didn’t see it the first time I checked the April 1st full-page Stations ad in the Review-Journal. (I always check for that early each month.)  But I didn’t remember my own persistent advice to read all promotional details carefully and not assume everything will always be the same as in the past!  But after a friend alerted me, I went back and there was the “PALMS” (in bigger print no less) that had been added to the “Guaranteed 10x/6x” for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in April!!

The Palms still does not participate in the “My Generation Senior 50+ Wednesday.”  They still don’t “get” that we oldsters would still like to play there in spite of it going “pop art” – and I don’t think the youngsters would mind some gray-haired company if they happen  to wander from clubbing to a machine.  And besides, we probably have more discretionary money than they do to feed them.  Let the kids have the evenings and the nights.  We don’t like to drive after dark anyway.  We could fill the casino in the mornings and afternoons when they are in bed recovering from a night of partying.  Just saying…

The Palms also does not participate in the Monday Military promotion.  At all the other properties, there are food and drink benefits you will see (if you have once registered at the players club) listed at the kiosk.  Be aware that the 2-for-1 buffet will show up only once a month.  Once you use it, it will not appear again until the next month.

If you are confused about which promos are offered at which casinos, go to the Stations website and click on “Promotions.”  In most cases, there is a list (often in fine print) of participating properties for each promo.  The only exception I found was that there was no list for the “My Generation Wednesday” so you would not find out there that it is NOT at the Palms. (There IS a list of casinos with this senior promo in my April mailer and it does not include the Palms.)  Do be sure to check each Station promo monthly, including the senior Wednesdays, since some of the benefits (especially the food discounts) change from month to month.

BOYD PROPERTIES

We are still “blue” about the downgrades here – literally!  Now having blue Sapphire players cards, we miss the green Emerald ones and those benefits we had for years. Brad never did like to wait in long lines, but now is unable to do so because of crippling hip pain.  Most of the time we can use a shorter handicap line, but we found, for some unknown reason, the Orleans buffet doesn’t have a designated one. And since handicapped parking spaces are often full, we miss the closer location of Emerald parking.

We still play at the Gold Coast occasionally on 11x days since we live very close, but probably will not ever play often enough to get to Emerald again unless they revamp their tier system to be more appealing to the average local player, especially those who prefer VP to slots.

One negative about their new players club which you must keep aware of.  Whenever you take your players card out of the machine, the tier count-down goes back to zero.  This is especially a problem for VP players since it takes a lot of play to get one tier credit.  If you like to jump around looking  for hot machines, your tier credits may accumulate very slowly.  This is also a problem if you need to take out your card often for a promo (like the Main Street scratcher) or qualifying for a drawing.

SOUTH POINT

No multiple-point days here this month, but they are running a pretty good food comp. especially if you earn it on the best VP paytables.  You can earn free buffets every Monday thru Thursday.  Check their website for the rules to earn a comped lunch and/or dinner.  No redeeming of points – you keep the points you earn for this comp.

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Note:  Brad and I don’t play at or get mailers from as many casinos as we used to – so I don’t cover as many.  But I encourage readers here to use the “Comments” to share info about good promotions you are coming across and the little details that may help other players in their search for added value.

DING DONG – THE “UP TO” WITCH IS DEAD!

In the middle of February, I was just getting ready to write here in my blog a rant about how I and most other players hated casino offers with that dreaded “up to” phrase.  Many casinos sometimes use mystery multipliers, but the Station properties had gone whole hog with this technique, not just for video poker but also for slots. And it wasn’t long that the word got around that “up to 6x” usually meant you mostly were going to get 4x or perhaps an occasional 5x, but almost never 6x.  Since one got 3x automatically on non-multiplier days, getting 4x wasn’t much of a promotion.

I don’t know whether a lot of people complained or just stopped playing as much, but much to my surprise – and delight – suddenly mid-month the Stations newspaper ads and signage in their casinos now promoted 6x/10x days, with the “up to” replaced with “GUARANTEED” in big bold lettering.  And in our March mailers not a “up to” can be seen.

Good move, Stations, and hopefully that wicked witch “Up To” is dead for good!

The Stations run a lot of promotions but their website and mailers and ads require careful reading.  Not all promotions run at all properties.  You need to check the logos carefully for each promo.  For example, bonus multiplier days vary from property to property, as do gift giveaways.  And importantly, there seems to be no promotions at the Palms in March except for the company-wide “Monopoly Big Time Bonus.”   Locals who get mailers from their “core” casino will see many of the promos, but if they want to check on those at other properties, they will need to check the Station website.  For out-of-towners who do not get these local mailers, checking the website is absolutely necessary to get promo information.

 

BOYD PROPERTIES

I give the same advice as above to Boyd players, especially out-of-towners.  Read promo information carefully because not all offers are company-wide.  And some point multipliers are only for players who get a local mailer.  Scot’s Bonus Point List will include only those that are available for the general public.

Check here for the details of The Young at Heart (YAH) senior Wednesday at the following six properties:  Aliante, The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, and Eastside Cannery.  For the 3 downtown properties – Main Street Station, California and Fremont – the YAH details are here.

 

SOUTH POINT

No multiple-point days this month, but here are a couple of frugal finds:

  • Steak ’n Shake – Happy Hour – ½ price all drinks and shakes, Sunday-Thursday, 2-5 pm. and 10 pm-close.
  • $4 movies for seniors, 50+, all day Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. $5.25 movies all day Tuesday for all ages. Click here for restrictions.

Watch for lots of food specials around St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, and look for drink specials during March Madness basketball.

February News

I’m feeling a little old today.  My little girl – Angela, the Frugal Princess – is turning 50 today.  However, I can handle that easier than accepting the fact that she is now a grandmother, pushing me up into the great-grandma category!

Now for February casino talk.  Watch for promotions for the 14th, Valentines Day, and for the 18th, Presidents’ Day.  And a reminder that you need to check casino websites EVERY month.  Some casinos regularly change out their promotions each month, but often “on-going” promotions are changed or even completely stopped.  Here are some changes I found:

STRATOSPHERE (and other Golden Entertainment properties)

A major change, from a press release:

On Sunday, Feb. 3, the Stratosphere, Casino, Hotel & Tower will begin its transition to The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod, a rebrand that embodies the revolution of the iconic property since Golden Entertainment, Inc. took ownership in late 2017. Two commercials will air during the Super Bowl: “Strat Rising,” announcing the rebrand, and “Take the World for a Spin,” showcasing the property’s award-winning Top of the World restaurant.

The STRAT will be the first of Golden Entertainment’s properties to introduce True Rewards, a comprehensive gaming rewards program that will soon be available at 130+ locations, including: Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas; Aquarius Casino Resort, Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino Resort and Edgewater Hotel & Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nev.; Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Md.; Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino, Gold Town Casino and Lakeside Casino & RV Park in Pahrump, Nev. True Rewards will also replace the current rewards program at all of PT’s Entertainment Group’s 60+ taverns, including PT’s Pub, PT’s Gold, PT’s Ranch, PT’s Brewing Company, Sean Patrick’s, Sierra Gold and SG Bar; as well as at all Smith’s and Albertson’s in Nevada, which are operated by Golden Route Operations, Golden Entertainment’s distributed gaming division.

 

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT

On February 1 Caesars changed the name of its players club from Total Rewards to Caesars Rewards.  They did not change the basic structure of the program.  You keep your same account number, the tier system stays unchanged, and you can earn the same daily tier bonuses.

They have added a couple of new benefits: Diamond and Seven Stars members will receive 2 free nights at the new Caesars Palace Dubai destination. And after many years of automatic comped rooms for Seven Stars and then last year with no specific comped room benefit at any level, players receive 1 free night in Las Vegas or Atlantic City for every 5,000 Tier Credits earned in 2019, up to 7 nights.

The CET website is very hard to navigate and find details of all their programs – a real game of “follow the links.” For benefits go here  and read every word, including those tiny-print notes at the bottom of the page. For current and on-going promotions go here  So many special requirements and restrictions.  Many times you will need to click on the many “Learn more” to find out the necessary details.

 

PALMS

Palms players are in a major state of confusion.  Their February mailers have ZERO bonus multiplier days. When they check the Stations website for February promotions, they find that the Palms is almost completely left off the list where each promotion is going on.    No Military Mondays or My Generation.  Is this a first – a casino that doesn’t want any kind of gamblers?

The Palms is even left off the list in the full-page Stations ad in today’s paper, promoting the Monopoly Mania Kiosk Game.  That ad is very tricky since it is describing TWO Monopoly promos.  The bottom of the ad (the smaller part) is promoting the Monopoly Big Time Bonus, that jackpot that hits every once in awhile at each of the 10 properties.  The Palms IS listed there.  However, the biggest part of the ad is for the Monopoly Kiosk game and at the end of the details for that there are only 9 properties listed.  Which one is missing?  The Palms, of course.

Have I said this before – I just don’t understand casino marketing these days.

PROMOS AND WHATEVER

First, a happy birthday to Brad, who turned 87 today – and is still loving and enjoying this casino gig we do!

Stations

Wonder if business is down for Vegas casinos?  Full-page Stations ad in the R-J for “Bonus Multiplier Days!” Friday (today), Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (MLK holiday).  10x on slots (with no “up to”) and 6x WITH “up to” on VP.

Silverton

Silverton wants to attract customers but only those that play slots, according to their newspaper ad.  They title it “New Silverton Rewards Club” and list $1=1 point on reels, more multipliers, and less points required on promotions.  But there is no mention that it now takes FOUR times more coin-in for a VP player to earn a point: $4 = 1 point.  They do offer 2x points for VP on MLK day, but that is still a double cut from their previous rate.

One bright spot if you like their buffet is that they are offering BOGO for it for all card tier levels on January 21.  And if you play slots, you can enjoy 10x points that day.

Palms

The weirdness continues here.  I guess I’m just not artistically cultured enough to appreciate the finer things of life.  A dead fish cut in three pieces hanging from the ceiling costing I forget how many million.  Now they paid $14 million for a 60-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a naked, headless ogre who will grace their new pool.  I just wonder how much they will make on visitors who come to see these oddities and possibly will drop a few dollars in the slot machines but will never visit the Palms again.

What if they used these millions to put back in 9/6 Jacks of Better video poker machines – and floods of previously-loyal locals would come back to regularly play.  Maybe the casino wouldn’t make a lot of profit on their play, but it would be steady – and they would bring their friends and relatives who often play the games that are more profitable for the casino.  And they would eat in the restaurants and drink at their bars.

And many are seniors so they would fill the casinos in the daytime when the millennials are sleeping in or maybe some are working.  They would leave before dark – they don’t like to drive at night – so would not crowd out the younger kids who actually might leave the Strip to see a dead fish cut in three pieces or a naked monster and then stay to buy overpriced drinks and party down.

Maybe turning 80 has softened my brain – but I am just not understanding casinos these days.

December Promos and News

This blog has been delayed, mainly because of work on my tax book update.  Russell Fox, my new professional collaborator for this essential revision, and I have been scrambling to get this out ASAP so gamblers would be aware of the myriad and oh-so-complex changes that they will face when they start to fill out their 2018 tax returns.

However, although the text is now done, the project has come to an abrupt stop – and you can blame the government for this delay.  The multitude of tax forms that needed to be changed after new legislation passed by Congress at the end of December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) informally called Tax Reform 2018, is proving to be impossible for government bureaucracy to handle in a timely manner.  We can’t bring out the book until we have the much-changed new sample forms to include, as we have done in past editions – and it seems these forms won’t be available until after the first of the year at the earliest.

Sooo…. we can’t promise a firm date when the 4th edition (2019) of the eBook Tax Help for Gamblers will be available for download, but I will keep you informed of the progress.  Hopefully it will be soon enough to give you much-needed help well before the April 15th deadline.

There is another reason for this blog delay.  I am getting news here and there that Boyd Gaming may have heard the roar of customer complaints about their new “not-improved” and “not-amazing” players club.  Many players are reporting that suddenly their tier score is going up – often citing big numbers – and they have no idea what they did – or didn’t do – to make this happen.  So, I was waiting to see if I could find out some positive facts about all this before I wrote about it.  I hate writing about something I don’t know anything about!  😊

However, all I have is anecdotal info players have given me, with no explanation or understanding of the why and certainly no how others might get this benefit.    I have no personal data on this phenomenon – Brad’s and my tier score is still pretty much in the casino basement since it was slashed during the changeover.  Our occasional play scoots it up at a snail pace. So, all I can say here is that I will try to do more research and when I find out more, I will certainly write about it in a future blog.

In the meantime, here are a few promotional changes or possible future changes I have come across.

  • South Point still has 50+ Prime Time Mondays, but they have discontinued the senior tournament.  They still offer $4 movies that day – and 50+ seniors also get that $4 price on Wednesday movies.
  • Palms temporarily had a small-wheel check-cashing promotion with limited benefits but now they have discontinued that, offering you only a 2-for-1 buffet or a drink coupon. All the other Station casinos have a check-cashing wheel with a variety of benefits, some quite substantial.
  • Still no senior benefit program at the Palms like at all the other Station properties.  VP inventory is better at any other company property and at nearby competitors.   With all the construction going on that will keep some visitors away, you would think that they would add promotions to keep up the visitor count, not downgrade right and left. I hate to be critical, but I just can’t understand the Palms policies these days.
  • There seems to be a new comp policy at Station casinos.  I think this has varied in the past, depending on the particular property.  But I was informed by a casino executive that there is now a policy company-wide that a host can not issue a “discretionary” comp if you have available comp dollars in your account.  It was suggested that you first redeem points (for cash or free play) before you ask a host for any comp.  (This seems to be patterned after the policy most Strip properties have.)
  • Watch for changes in players clubs, especially if a casino changes owners. The M casino has announced a new club coming the first of the year.  Hard Rock will be introducing a new club.

I hope I can write a more positive blog next week!

NOVEMBER PROMOTIONS

It’s getting harder and harder for me to write this monthly update here and stay positive.  Just so many downgrades and negative changes! ☹   But I will continue to hunt for new good opportunities and give helpful hints on how to navigate these stormy promotional waters.

 

SOUTH POINT

Here is one port where you can dock sometimes this month and take advantage of a good promotion, especially for VP players who are choosing the best paytables.  They are running one of their popular earn-and-redeem gift-card promotions, with the opportunity to use $25 in slot points for a $50 Walmart gift card.  As long as you are playing for this offer – up to a limit of 10 cards – that is the equivalent of 2x points (worth .6% instead of the regular .3%).  This is especially appealing because this casino has been cutting down on their 2x bonus days, running other types of promotions on holidays which in the past were usually multiple-point days.

 

STATION CASINOS

Lots of stormy weather here, with extremely cautious navigation needed  to avoid crashing on the rocky shores. You need to get out your magnifying glass to read your mailer and its calendar, the online information on the casino websites, and newspaper ads.  That tiny print “up to” is popping up all over the place, not just for VP multipliers but for slots also.  It makes those weekly Multiplier Mondays and Tuesdays not as attractive as they might look on first glance.  And keep the magnifier out for the gift offers and see which gift is available in what casino.  Then be aware that Palms is still the red-headed stepsister and does not have all the same offers as the other properties.  When you see an offer you like, check the casino logos; for example, Palms does not participate in the Wednesday senior day programs as at all the other properties.  I guess the Mother Station does not like us older siblings but I’m not sure why not – we have more money and more time to spend in their casinos!

 

BOYD PROPERTIES

I have covered the disaster of their new players club at length and will continue to do so in the future, but for the moment, I have little advice on how to navigate in this Category 5 hurricane.  Many players have just fled the area, looking for new seas to sail.  Some of us have put into dock only on 11x days, giving up any long-term plans to work for our usual higher tier status.

 

OTHER VEGAS PROPERTIES

Brad and I have cut down on our play, both on the number of days we want to go out and the length of the sessions when we do go out.  We also limit our driving range. Therefore, I have less personal experience to share, having to depend on reports from other players, either personal contacts or those who post on Internet forums, to learn about other possible “good” places to play VP.

But I still can give the best basic formula for a person who wants to find new VP opportunities.  This formula will work not only if you a Vegas local but for players who are locals in other casino venues and/or who are willing and able to do some traveling.   Go to vpFREE2 and do an extensive research on every casino you might be able to visit, especially those you may have never considered.

Then you look for the game inventory and see what good games you either already know or could learn and what their EV is.  And then you click on the slot club tab and see what that benefit is worth. (Players are always telling me that they can’t figure out the slot club value – you don’t have to be a math genius – you can just look it up!)  You add those two figures together for a base number.  I’ve told you how to do this in umpteen blogs over the years.  If you are a new reader or have forgotten this stuff, go to the 3-part series I wrote about “Using Math to Choose a VP Play.”

Although this is just a start, you need a firm base number.  Then you look for multiple-point promotions (see Scot’s bonus-point list).     Then you regularly go to the casino’s website to look for other promotions.  You read the VP forums where they may discuss comp policies and other valuable benefits. You can talk to other players who may share information.

Sailing a turbulent promotional sea is not an easy job.  You have to keep a strong grip on the ship’s wheel so you don’t end up shipwrecked on the rocks.

Odds and Ends from my “Frugal Save” File

BUFFETS

Brad and I aren’t foodies, but thankfully we get some frugal food reports from friends, including from MissCraps on the vpFREE forum.  Here are some of her recent buffet recommendations:

AYCE buffet at Palms is now offering unlimited champagne and mimosas for $10 extra with any meal (lasts up to 2 hours). On Sunday it is served free with brunch. Tip – arrive around 3:30 pm, pay lunch price, and at 4 pm they put out a few changes including excellent French Onion soup.

Gold Coast Sunday buffet brunch is one of our favorites with free champagne, chocolate fountain, strawberries, delicious cupcakes, big desert selection (much better than AYCE), salmon, shrimp, great omelets, carved beef and turkey, etc. etc. Use your club card for a discount. (Keep an eye out for half-price coupons for Coast buffets in the Las Vegas Review Journal. Sometimes in the Friday Neon section. Check fine print for which days they are good for).

Adding to this buffet report, we also like the new AYCE buffet at Palace Station, which is much like the one at the Palms.  It is also open all night since the coffee shop is closed and that whole area is being remodeled.

The buffet at Silverton used to be one our favorites, but it seems to be going downhill.  But bring back your sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and pulled pork – one of our favorite dishes – and I will forgive any other shortcomings!

STATION CASINOS

One good thing to report here:  If you have two (or more) mystery multiplier bonuses on the kiosk on one day – like a general public multiplier and a senior one – we have found that if you have two different numbers after you have swiped, you will get the larger of the two.  Nice to see a casino do a logical and “right” thing for their customers!

A new way to earn Boarding Pass points – use their newly-introduced myRewards Mastercard. Go to this website page to learn all about the earning and redeeming structure plus the bonus new cardholders can earn.

Recently I tried to take advantage of the following option for Brad and me, listed in the Station Casino players club rules:

Up to two (2) eligible Boarding Pass members residing at the same address may link accounts to share Boarding Pass points. Both members must be present with valid photo identification at the Rewards Center to link accounts. Either member may request that a link be removed from his/her account in person at the Rewards Center with valid photo identification.

Each Member of a linked account will be issued an individual Boarding Pass program card and account number. However, all Members on a linked account may modify any linked account data and will share Boarding Pass points. Visit the Rewards Center for additional linked account details.

I found this was not an easy task.  Most employees at various club desks where I went had never heard of this, much less knew how to do it.  At one casino the employee said they didn’t like to do this because players “didn’t understand it and were confused with the details.”  I said I wasn’t the smartest person in the world, but I was sure if they explained it to me I probably would be able to understand it.  So, I finally found out what was linked and what was not.  Your tier status stays separated; each of you earn that separately. Your redeemable points are combined and either member can redeem that total.  That is important for us and other couples, especially those that are elderly. In case of illness, for example, and one is not able to go to the casino to cash in points, the other would be able to do so.

The Palms still does not have a senior program as does all the other Station properties.  Can’t figure out why not.  Sure they are trying to attract the millennials, but we perennials have more money and time to spend in casinos and I don’t think this younger group will stay away just because they see a lot of grey-headed players.  Doesn’t the Palms need our money?  Another mystery – their check-cashing program also doesn’t offer as good of prizes as in other Station properties.

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I found this article, “The Story Behind the Most Famous Missing Apostrophe in Las Vegas,” interesting and perhaps many of you might also, even if you aren’t a former English teacher.

 

March Casino News and Promos

Watch for special promos during college basketball’s March Madness days.  And then there are always lots of St. Patrick’s Day menu specials; Brad and I will be looking for good corned beef and cabbage meals!

Again, I need to remind everyone that you should not depend solely on a promotion blog from me the first of each month to figure out where you should play that month.  I don’t always have complete information until I have actually visited a particular casino, and I stumble on news that I want to share in blogs all month long, not just early in the month.  For a long time I have been encouraging players to check gambling forum discussions and data bases as well as individual casino websites, and I have listed various helpful resources.  No one person or website can take the place of intensive and wide-ranging research on your own to keep up these days.  (One frugal hint:  If you don’t want to miss one of my irregularly-posted blog entries, it’s easy to “Subscribe” on the right side of any of my blog pages and you will get an e-mail telling you when a new one is up.)

One other note:  I don’t write just about the casinos we personally visit.  However, I do share news of other casinos  that I feel will be helpful to others.

RAMPART CASINO 

Here are some details from a press release about their newly-revamped senior program:

50+ Tuesdays– For guests over 50 years of age

  • $5,500 Slot & Video Poker Tournaments
    • Slot Tournaments held on the first & third Tuesdays
    • Video Poker Tournaments held on the second & fourth Tuesdays
  • $3,000 Weekly tournament from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Best score will be used for tournament
    • $25 Free Slot Play bonus
  • $4,000 Free Slot Play Bonus Drawings held at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
    • 15 winners at each drawing
    • Earn one entry for every 50 points in Slots or Bingo and for every hour played at $5 average bet in table games or equivalent
    • Top prize is $1,000 in Free Slot Play
  • Earn 50 points and receive a swipe on the kiosk for cash, Free Slot Play, points, and dining
  • $100 Free Slot Play Bonus on all jackpots on Video Reel Machines (jackpot value over $1,200)
  • One free Small Rainbow pack in the electronic unit with minimum buy-in at the Bingo Room
  • $5 Lunch Buffet
  • Free Size Upgrade at Starbucks
  • 30 percent off Salon Services at Spa Aquae, plus a free foot scrub with the purchase of any massage treatment

Go to their website for details of many other promotions:  multiple-point days, an Earn & Spa voucher, Earn & Redeem buffets 7 days a week and other food specials.

WESTGATE LAS VEGAS

On March 1, they introduced a new players club, named WOW.

VP details:  $10 coin-in = 1 point and 100 points = $1 in free play or comps (0.10%)

See other details at their website under “Casino.”  Be sure to click on two links given there for more complete information: “See Official Rules” and “Click Here for Benefits.”

PALMS

More formerly closed sections are being opened up and machines are being moved around big-time.  Some MIA machines are back.  vpFREE2 is trying to keep up but you must use your best scouting skills each and every day in this very fluid major remodeling situation.

One warning if you want to have a good selection of breakfast items at the buffet.  Although you get the lower breakfast price up until 11 a.m., they start the change-over to lunch selections around 10:30 and you have to be quick to find your favorite breakfast items before they disappear.

BAD NEWS CONTINUES

Seems like Caesars and MGM are in a contest to see which one can make their customers hate them more.  Both have recently raised parking and resort fees.   If you haven’t checked recently, do so you won’t be blindsided by new changes.

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