This is a phenomenon called surge pricing, something you need to consider all year long when you are booking a Las Vegas stay.  Room rates are definitely not static. Some visitors are more familiar with higher rates during holiday periods, but they can also occur during big convention dates.  It pays to check the schedule you can find at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Now for November news and promotions. But first, a note about all the promotions I mention here in my blog.  I usually give just a summary, with some of the basic details.  But I do not always mention every single limitation or exclusion.  So, to get complete information you must go to the casino websites, where hopefully all the fine-print warnings will be given.  However, sometimes you eventually need to actually show up at the players club desk to check on specifics and see if there are any last-minute changes.

South Point is running one of my favorite promotions this month – with your players club points worth twice their regular value for Amazon gift cards.  You can earn up to a total of ten $50 cards by redeeming $25 in players club points for each card, and this is equivalent to double points during your earning period.

Arizona Charlies Decatur – I am hearing reports – and complaints – about major downgrades in this casino –both in the VP paytables and in the players club and comp benefits.  The only positive thing I hear is that there are some good food specials, especially for breakfast in their coffee shop.

Gold Coast – “Get Your Grub On” buffet special every Tuesday in November.  Earn 10 tier credits and get a free buffet. After you play, print out your voucher at the kiosk; it is good that day or save it and use it the next day.  And by the way, the voucher you get on Wednesday’s Young at Heart for the free breakfast or lunch can also be saved to use the next day.

 El Cortez – Just saw an ad in the R-J about this check-cashing promotion, one that I think has been going on for quite a while.  But perhaps some have missed it.

Cash any Tax Return, Government Check, or Payroll check from any Clark County Gaming property and receive 5% off your check in free play, up to $50. Must be a Club Cortez member. For promotion details, see posted rules at Casino Cage/Slot Club.

And now for a non-casino freebie/discount:

Mob Museum: To celebrate Kefauver Day, Nov. 15, The Mob Museum announces FREE admission (9 am to 9 pm) for Nevada residents and buy one admission, get one free for non-residents, sponsored by Zappos. Throughout the year, it extends free admission to Nevada residents through designated annual Free Days.  Check it out here.

Lots of food and gambling promos coming up for Veterans Day, the 11th, and Thanksgiving, the 28^th.  I’ll cover them next week when I have gathered more details.

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?

So how would you find out about it?  Well, although I am in GA on vacation at the moment, I always read the posts on the vpFREE forum and someone shared that info there. They also posted a special link, which was good info because it didn’t seem to come up under the regular promotional list on their website. Others saw it announced on the big marquee in front of the casino. And finally, wise scouts found it because they check Scot’s bonus point list often, where there can be updates all month as more players send in scouting reports.

Here is other news I have found by sitting at my computer, scouring many sources I have been recommending for years.  Some of this may be new information or just new to me – and perhaps to you.

Boyd Gaming – New terms and conditions in their players club rules specify that after 6 months of no activity all your B Connected points will disappear.  This is an important warning for those out-of-towners who don’t come to Las Vegas often or don’t play at Boyd properties regularly: Don’t try to stockpile your points!  You need to check the expiration rules at all the casinos where you play.

The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod, formerly the Stratosphere, Casino, Hotel & Tower – A new-member sign-up bonus.  Earn 300 points within the first 24 hours of membership and receive one buffet voucher.  Earn 600 and get a second one. Promotion good through the end of the year. (Hint:  when a casino changes ownership or introduces a new players club, this is a good time to check for new promotions.)

South Point – Seniors 50+ can get $4 movie admission all day on three days: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday – not just on Senior Mondays.

Sahara Casino – After 5 years of being named the SLS, that good old name is back!

Technical note:  Some are still having problems subscribing to this blog.  We are still working on it and hopefully will have a good fix soon.  I’ll let you know.  In the meantime check the LVA homepage frequently.

The Stations Debacle

The Stations conglomerate really made a lot of players mad early this month. On their company website they spelled out their usual multiple-points under Gaming Promotions for August– Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays they would offer 6x/10x. So many local players made up their August casino calendar to include those days. Also, some out-of-towners planned an August vacation in Vegas to include those days.

However, starting August 1, some players starting questioning their local casino host or the players club management, wanting to verify this information because their mailers did not show this promotion on their mailer calendar, as usually is the custom. I got e-mails asking if I knew the situation. It was discussed on the gambling forums. But no one seemed to know a firm answer and the information remained on the company website. Finally, on Friday evening one player reached a playesr club manager who seemed to be sure of the situation. She said that promotion was NOT going on in August as it had been for many months. She said she would notify corporate about the mistaken entry online. Of course, whoever was in charge of that department probably was off on the weekend. (Wonder if he/she will still have a job?) So, it was not until Monday morning (or afternoon?) until that incorrect information was taken down.

In the meantime, many people had driven to their usual Station property that Monday, planning to play and get those bonus points. If they were lucky, they swiped their card before they started playing and noticed that promotion wasn’t listed on the kiosk. However, at Stations properties, you aren’t required to swipe before you play (like at Boyd ones), but could do it after your play was finished for the day. Those people who had waited until the end were not happy campers!

So hopefully this blog will keep some players from this disappointment in the upcoming days. Actually, the two Fiestas DO have this bonus-point promotion on Mondays and Wednesdays – the Fiestas seem to be a property category on their own for some promotions. And if you are 50+, there is STILL these usual multiple points and usual benefits on senior Wednesdays. Palms has never been included in those company-wide multiple-point promotions although they sometimes do have one of their own. This month it seems the only ones are for those who have one listed in their mailer. Other than those exceptions, do not plan to get bonus points at a Station property on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday as you might have been accustomed to do in the past.

Arizona Charlie’s

Here is an example that shows you must watch for promotions that a casino might change, in this case overnight. Arizona Charlie’s gift card promotion (both properties) now has the limitation that you can earn only one card per day – although they have not added that fact online.

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Keeping up with casino promotion details and changes is not an easy job for me and especially not for Scot Krause who tries to make his bonus-point list here on this site as accurate as possible. Although he constantly “bugs” the casinos to keep him updated, they are sometimes slow with this. We are both grateful when players let us know about changes by reporting them on the gambling forums which we both follow daily.

And I appreciate the personal e-mails giving valuable information and especially the comments here on my blog. But I do need to remind you that no comment is posted until I read and “approve” it. You wouldn’t believe the spam I have to delete. However, I don’t “live” at my desk computer – although sometimes Brad says it seems that way! I do try to get to blog comments almost every day but there will 24-48 hours delay at times before I can “approve” them. I ask your patience!

DOWNTOWN GRAND

This former Lady Luck Casino seemed to be a suddenly surprisingly good play – full-pay deuces wild – for a short time in July, but alas, to no one’s surprise, it disappeared fairly quickly.  If you are interested in all the details, go to Bob Dancer’s July 30 column.  Take note: they no longer give any points for video poker play.

BOYD GAMING

Things here continue to be in a state of confusion.  On July 23 a planned software update for all of the original Las Vegas casinos took place but since then the players club program has not been working properly.  My experience was only with the Gold Coast, but I was told there were problems all over town.  For a week or so no information came up on machine card readers.  You could swipe your card at the kiosk and qualify for bonus points, but did not know if your points were accumulating properly as you played.   (Employees said they were but I have trust issues on this!)  Finally, this last Wednesday, the last time we played at the Gold Coast, the points were accumulating on the card reader but there was no information to be had at the kiosks, as to how many points or tier credits you earned or your account balances.  In the last few days I finally could get that information online.  Fortunately, the kiosks were working properly to give you benefits you earned, such as those senior Wednesdays perks.

Speaking of Young at Heart Wednesdays, I do have one little frugal hint that I only recently discovered.  The coupon for a free breakfast or lunch (or $5 off another food outlet) that you can get after earning one tier credit has a generous 48-hour expiration time.  So perhaps you don’t play until after 3 p.m. on that day so you think you have missed the 3 p.m. lunch closing deadline. Remember you could use it at those buffets on either Thursday or Friday!

There is some good news for some Boyd players, including myself (but not Brad).  We are getting notice of a “loyalty gift,” a tier bonus that puts us into the next tier level – from Sapphire to Emerald in my case.  Don’t ask me how you get this.  No one knows.  Some players who played little after the players club change got a bonus.  Some who played a lot got it.  But not everyone in either of those categories got it.  Who knows????  Do you think the powers-that-be are trying to do a little something to woo back the hordes of players who have left?

Not sure if anyone in the Ruby tier got this bonus.  But if you didn’t, you are still in that sad case of earning no points until you reach Sapphire.   [Correction here:  Ruby does earn tier credits, just not spendable points.]  Do you think the powers-that-be might be thinking that this was a terrible part of that new “improved” players club?  I try to be optimistic – but it isn’t easy here!

GENERAL NOTE

I have written in the past that some casinos (particularly Boyd properties) offer multiple-point days in their mailers that are only open to those who get the mailer, not the general public.  This month I noticed that my Station mailer (from Palace Station) did not mention their usual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday multiple-point days (it did mention their senior Wednesday multipliers).  But then I noticed that those days did appear in Scot’s Bonus Point List.    Was that just an oversight on the Palace mailer and perhaps on all Station mailers? Anyway, just another reason to always check Scot’s list.  I am figuring there might also be an ad in Sunday’s paper about these multiple-point days.  We’ll see.

MGM Properties

Just read in the vpFREE forum that MGM, which usually had a standardized comp schedule for most properties, is starting to change to one that varies the earning rate depending on the game you play.  Oops – fewer comps for those playing the better-EV video poker games!

The downward trend continues! 

It’s not that I haven’t talked about food in previous writings.  I have given many frugal hints for getting good value for casino eats, like scheduling late buffet lunches, with their lower prices, that often spill into the availability of higher-level dinner selections.  But in this blog, I am going to talk about Brad’s and my personal eating habits, mainly because I get so many questions about this subject and realize many people have false ideas about our Vegas life.   They often compare it to their routine  when they come to town for a vacation and stay in a casino for several days.

Most Vegas locals eat about the same way they would if they lived in a non-casino town.  They do not eat in a casino every day but regularly cook meals at home.  However, like people everywhere, they do eat out frequently and, especially if they gamble at all, they often choose a casino restaurant where they play.  And even non-gamblers often look to casino eateries because of the wide choice of high-end and famous choices.  The picture changes a bit if you look at those local gamblers who are earning comps. Obviously, those people will be eating at the casino more often – how often depending on their comp level.

Brad and I did eat in casinos a lot after we moved to Vegas 20 years ago – even almost every day – because we were playing frequently and heavily and earning more comps than we could eat up!  We made a big effort to find friends and relatives to help us with this “task.” But we were never foodies and, even then, much preferred buffets, delis, and coffee shops over gourmet restaurants.  For years we would have hosts who would beg us to let them write us a comp for their top-level epicurean offerings – and they would just shake their head in disbelief when we turned it down.

Things are so much different these days.  First, all casinos have made significant cuts to their comp benefits.  This is true at every level – from the fanciest Strip properties down to the smallest local joints – hitting both visitors and locals. And, for us personally, we do not have the energy to play as much as we used to.  We go to a casino 3 or 4 days a week and are usually able to play only two-or-three-hour sessions.  Therefore, we do not have the flood of comps as in former days.  Believe it or not, my cleaning lady doesn’t just have to dust my stove; my return to some cooking after 35 years gives her some grease to remove!

But all that said, you will still see us eating in a casino fairly often.  You would never catch us eating one of these giant stacked-high-with-whatever “gourmet” hamburgers that seem so popular these days.  We aren’t big beef eaters in the first place, but we would always prefer a single-patty with cheese; Brad wants nothing added but pickle and onion and I would add just lettuce and tomato.  We like those at Steak’n Shake at South Point, combined with half-price milkshakes between 2-4 p.m.  We do hit other casino fast-food places occasionally.  Love the hot dogs at South Point and sometimes stop at the hot-dog cart or Subway at Gold Coast.  We like the sugar-free butter pecan ice cream at Java Vegas Coffee at the Gold Coast or at Kate’s Corner at South Point.  And we can grab a pizza slice at Little Tony’s near the sports book at Palace Station or have a great spaghetti meal to eat there or carry home.  (Stations run a senior special on Wednesdays with discounts on restaurants that vary from month to month.  Check these out on their website and watch for 50% off your favorite place to eat.)

We are a bit picky about buffets.  When we have comps, we take our out-of-town visitors to the widely publicized Caesars Palace Bacchanal over-the-top buffet, but we never choose that just for the two of us even if we have comps.  We aren’t big eaters and just don’t need so many “exotic” choices.  We like comfort food.  The Orleans and Gold Coast are good choices for us, especially their special weekend brunches.  We have mixed emotions about the new buffets at Palace Station and the Palms.  They both usually have sugar-free brownies and good soup selections so that keeps Brad from complaining too much about “weird food.”

Recently we have found a new meal idea that appeals to us even though it involves gourmet restaurants which we eschew.  Going to the Cornerstone lounge at the Gold Coast during happy hour – 4-6 p.m. – has become one of our favorite activities.  We like the idea of sharing small plates which gives us variety even though we are light eaters.  Many steak houses and other upscale restaurants run these with very reasonable prices on both food and drinks in a relaxing comfortable but still “gourmet” atmosphere.  Check  out this frugal option at your favorite casino’s fine restaurants!

Obviously, we eat in other places than casinos.  We always eat breakfast at home – and always the same menu for many years:  Hot oats, with walnuts and flavored with dark chocolate mix, a daily coco extract supplement that has proven to reduce inflammation in the body.  We drink green tea and V8 juice – low sodium – and add fresh fruit, like bananas, oranges, or berries.

Lunch is light – sandwiches or soup.  If we are out and about, we might stop at a fast-food place.  Our favorites include Wendy burgers or chili, Mexican pizzas at Taco Bell, and hot pretzel sticks and  sugar-free Dilly Bars at the Dairy Queen.

If we are having dinner at home, it is often left-overs brought home from a casino or a Nutrisystem selection.  If I am cooking, it is usually a one-dish meal like stir-fry.

We try to eat healthy as much as possible wherever we are.  More fruits and vegetables.  Less sodium. Very little red meat – more chicken.  We take some vitamins and supplements.  Nothing different than if we lived in a non-casino atmosphere.  Brad doesn’t gain weight, but I am always trying to watch mine.  And that is a problem in Vegas – buffets can jeopardize any healthy diet unless you have strong self control!

GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT

Golden Entertainment has been gradually introducing their new property-wide players club – True Rewards – into their many properties, taking the place of previous club names and structures. This is – or has been – taking place in the Strat Hotel and Casino and both Arizona Charlie’s in Vegas, and at their casinos in Pahrump, Laughlin, and in the Rocky Gap Casino in Maryland. It has also been rolled out to the 60 neighborhood pubs and taverns in the PT’s Entertainment Group and in the gaming  sections in CVS and the Albertsons and Smiths grocery stores.  This is what the company said about their new club:

It’s a hub-and-spoke model. Golden Entertainment is the hub, and our casinos, taverns, and gaming operations make up the spokes. True Rewards is what connects them all, allowing members to earn and use rewards at almost all Golden Entertainment properties.

I give them an A+ for originality in naming their tiers:  True, Loyal, Solid, Legit, and Epic.  No overused jewel or precious metal names!

I don’t play at any of these properties so I don’t have any personal details to add.  But I read that there is different earning requirement details for the casinos and the bars.  And I read this report from a player online: “We can redeem our True Rewards points from the Strat, Arizona Charlie’s, Aquarius, etc. for grocery gift cards to Smith’s and Albertson’s. But the rules I got from the players club say that the redemption rate is 1000 points =$1 with a $5 minimum. I’m going to keep redeeming points for free play since it has the better rate of 500 points = $1.”

So even though this is a company-wide program, like so many other umbrella companies, you need to check carefully specific details for each property.  Programs like Senior Days may not be the same.  The two Arizona Charlie’s have launched a new “50+ Perks Senior Day” on Mondays.  Some sketchy details are given on their websites, but I would suggest an in-person visit to get more details.  It seems that perhaps it is a slowly-evolving program.

BOYD GAMING

Today’s newspaper has 3 inserts for Boyd casinos.  One is exclusively for the Eastside Cannery, including a promotions calendar and a couple food coupons. One is a full sheet for 2-4-1 buffet coupons good for various July dates at the Orleans and Gold Coast.  The largest one – 2 ½ pages – prominently features details of the property-wide “Freedom to Roam” all-month promotion, the gift giveaway details, and the Monday “ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BBQ dinner buffet.”  (Isn’t a buffet always all-you-can-eat?)  There is also a coupon for a Monday “All-You-Can-Bowl” special for those casinos that have bowling alleys.

This big section also has a ½ page description of July Point Multipliers.  Notably absent is any mention of any for the Orleans or Gold Coast.  Guess you have to get the local mailer to score point multipliers in those 2 casinos.  And one detail to remember:  Wherever multiple points are mentioned for July – in the newspaper or in our local mailers, for some unknown reason – at least to me – there will be no multiple points anywhere on Tuesday, July 23, even if there are on other Tuesdays.  And one more note:  Cannery and East Cannery have not yet been folded into the B Connected players club, so their multiple points are still at the value of their original C.A.N. Club.  Watch for the * in all promotional announcements!

Many former and present Boyd players received an e-mail recently asking them to fill out a survey, specifically asking about their opinions of the new players club.  I wonder how many gave it a big thumbs-up!!    But most of all I wonder what they will do with all the negative comments, especially with so many saying they are looking for greener casino pastures.  Will it lead to customer improvements?  I’m not feeling optimistic here!

A COUPON WATCH-IT

A good trend: I notice many 2-4-1 food coupons these days state that they can be used as a 50%-off for a single diner.  But not all do.  Many state they are not valid on holidays.  And most say that they cannot be used with other offers.   Read the details carefully.

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 1^st 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.

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.

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.”