We decided to change our gambling style and leave the junkets, where we would need to take –  and sometimes lose –  several thousand dollars for usually just 3 or 4 days of fun. We figured we could take that same bankroll to Las Vegas, stick to playing lower level blackjack stakes, and we could have fun for longer periods of time.  So, we planned our first after-retirement trip for the month of June in Vegas.

Things did not go well.  We hit a long losing stretch the first two weeks.  We got a little scared – me especially!!!!   I told Brad we must change our air reservations to return back to Indianapolis a week earlier.  He didn’t think that was necessary – we weren’t running out of money and we were still having a lot of fun.  I said I just couldn’t have fun losing money that fast.  He had been gambling his whole life and knew all about volatility.  I just hadn’t had enough experience.

Well, the minute I changed the reservations, we started winning and that next week recouped most of our earlier losses.  We could have changed back our reservations to stay that 4th week, but we decided to go home at the 3-week mark and enjoy our hard-won victory.  I needed a rest after my first fierce battle with volatility.

We flew to Vegas a couple more times that year and many more in ’90 and ’91, increasing our stays from 10 days to up to a month.  We went through other losing streaks, but we were learning not to panic but just keep on the track of advantage play.

As we had learned in the earlier days, comps and promotions would be the thing that would smooth out the rough patches during these years. We had decided to no longer do those high-level junkets to exotic destinations, but in fact the casinos were not offering these as much anyway.  We did take advantage of something called “charters,” catering to more mid-level gamblers. These packages would bundle flights and free rooms and sometimes other perks.  You could purchase the package for a low price or you might be comped the whole package if you had a previous history of play. We did a couple of these from Indy to Atlantic City.  (And there are – or were before Corona – many of these same type of charters available currently.  For example, Harrah’s Laughlin brought in hundreds of players every month from smaller cities all over the country.)

We were getting many of our room nights free during these years, but not all.  So, we did many “Gambler’s Sprees.”  I forget the details now – what we paid – not much I don’t think – but I remember they would usually provide 3 nights free room and a certain number of gambling chips and perhaps some other perks like free meals or shows – always a good value over the cost.   We did one or more of these during our long Vegas stays – mainly at the Riviera, Stardust, and 4 Queens.

The casinos were promotion-crazy during this time – and I never saw a promotion I wouldn’t check out.  Slot tournaments abounded, often including comped room nights – some being free for established customers, but even some that had an entry fee  provided high-value comps.  We really jumped on the “cash programs,” like pay $200 and get $400 in chips.  We even did a couple of the crazy Stupak Stratosphere packages.  And I don’t need to talk about coupons – most of you have heard many stories of my incessant search: sweet-talking  – and a few tips – to get the room attendants to save all the coupon books left behind by former occupants;  walking from one end of the Strip to the other to use a high-value coupon; and to my daughter’s embarrassment, picking through mustard-laden trash at the Westward Ho for unused mini-breakfast coupons.

During these early 90’s when we weren’t traveling to Vegas and other gambling destinations, we were still making a lot of money – to cover our travel expenses – playing Tonk at the Moose Lodge.  And still plundering the Catholic Monte Carlo’s.

——-

Okay, quit begging and I’ll stop to answer some of your persistent questioning.  Here’s how I made money at the crap tables.

This was not casino craps – this was “street craps.” A dinky crap table with no nice green felt with markings, just a plain wooden surface.  A shooter would throw out to the middle his bet – whatever amount he could afford.  Then one person – or several people if the bet was large – would throw money to “cover” it.  (The middle was a bad bet since the church would take half of the money before paying the winners!!!) Once the “church’s money” was covered, all of us around the table could do side bets.  This was fast and furious action.

If the number rolled was “8,” I might throw down $10 or $20 on the side in front of me and shout “no 6.”  Someone who wanted to bet on the “6” would cover my bill with his corresponding bill. But if the table was full, I might have several people wanting to bet me, so I would have a row of bills in front of me all properly “covered.”   Some would want the “8” too.

“Okay, if you insist, I’ll cover the “6” and the “8” – just throw your money down here.”

If you know craps math, you know I had a nice edge.  But here is where the fun really started.  I would offer the same “no” bet whatever the numbers these crazy side betters wanted.  And the men (mostly young men at the table) would fight to get their bet down on my money even if the number was “4” or “10.”  When the shooter made the number, I would loudly complain as everyone picked up the money in front of me. However, when a “7” came up, I would just smile and scoop up all the bills, not wanting to draw any attention to the fact I was collecting fistfuls of money.

Occasionally some old codger would mutter something about “odds.”  The young men would ignore him, “We’re feeling lucky betting here with Grandma.”

I didn’t feel like it was my place to explain that some women – even old ones – could, contrary to widespread common belief, understand craps!

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.

Now for February casino talk.  Watch for promotions for the 14^th, Valentines Day, and for the 18^th, 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.