6/1/2007
Over the years, we’ve had input to Frugal Fridays from the Frugal Daughter, the Frugal Son-in-Law, and the Frugal Grandchildren. Now it’s time for the Frugal Sister to check in.
In years past my sister Starr, and her husband Garvie, have taken short trips to Las Vegas from their home in Indiana, but haven’t been able to enjoy this kind of vacation for a long time. They had Garvie’s parents living with them and nursed them both through long periods of failing health and serious illnesses that finally led to their deaths. Garvie just retired so they’re enjoying a wonderful sense of freedom and plan to spend a number of weeks this summer in their favorite escape destination, Las Vegas.
Planning our Long Vegas Vacation
by Starr
Sometimes the anticipation is as good as the vacation. I feel like a kid who has been wallowing around in a wonderful chocolate world of delight! I’m now consuming information, setting up a coupon file, surfing the Internet for the very best offers, and bugging my sister, Jean Scott, on every little detail for our trip.
I’ve had to buy new Vegas clothes and shoes, as my sedate Indiana garb will just not do! My suitcase has to be perfectly coordinated so everything goes with everything, and it must all be wash and wear. We’ll be moving around a lot, so we want to pack light. For every two items I’ve ordered from my favorite catalogs, I’ve returned one, because everything must be perfect. I’ve even tried to soup up my husband’s wardrobe so he doesn’t look like Oslo (of the TV show “Keeping Up Appearances”) when we get there.
We have joined AARP, AAA, and LVA. We have gathered up all the frequent-stay hotel cards we have accumulated over the years. I’ve been to Mapquest to get the best route to drive, and I bought new sheets for the bed in our camper/lift van.
I know Las Vegas is hot in the summer. So we got those fan gizmos to put in our van windows, a silver steering-wheel cover, a silver sun shield for the front window, and sunshades for the side windows so the van won’t heat up so much while we play in the casinos.
We’ve looked at all the full-pay video poker lists, so we’ll know exactly where to play and on what days. The slot club details have been reviewed. We’ve sized up the casino rates for rooms and evaluated which ones we might get comped.
Now, having said all that, the “we” is really an “I,” as I’m the one for the details and my husband likes napping on the Lazyboy. But after 40 years of heavy job responsibilities, he’s having his idea of fun and with all the planning, I’m having mine.
We had to have the latest notebook computer so we can stay in touch with our grown children and our eight, soon to be ten, grandchildren. I loaded it with secure wireless Internet, photo editing software, and the boring stuff to keep all that safe. And, of course, it’s blessed with the Frugal Video Poker program, so we can print out strategy sheets and practice any new VP game we need to learn.
We’re making sure to see our doctor, our dentist, and our hair stylist before we leave. We will cancel the paper, hold our mail, and arrange for folks to mow the lawn watch the place.
We’re locked and loaded! Now we just have to W-A-I-T until June 10 to leave on our trip! June 10 is my birthday, and I can’t think of a better present.
6/8/2007
Did you miss the San Genarro Feast in early May? One of the best
food/culture/fun festivals of the year has become so popular that they’re changing their usual once-a-year schedule to have a second one in September. As they advertise – just follow the smell of Italian sausage and peppers! Go to http://www.sangennarofeast.com/
Vegas is gearing up to make July 7th (7-7-07, get it?) the luckiest day ever, especially for getting hitched. Wedding chapels are already heavily booked. One free option is being offered by Texas Station, which is holding a mass ceremony for getting married or renewing your vows. Call 800/654-8804 for more information.
For many people in Las Vegas, the casino isn’t just a place adults go to gamble. It’s the place to take the family for recreation activities. See the Washington Post article on this subject at http://tinyurl.com/ojtyk
I highly recommend the Vegas information site http://www.vegas4locals.com/. You’ll find valuable information and special offers for local residents and frequent visitors. The site features citywide events and activities, free printable coupons, an online auction, discount reservations, community information and resources, plus more than 120 totally free things to do in Las Vegas. On the home page you can subscribe to their free monthly e-newsletter, which is packed with useful information about Las Vegas events that don’t always happen in a casino.
And to keep updated about the changing landscape of Las Vegas, the projects that are going forward and those that are just dreams, go to the Vegas Today and Tomorrow Web site at http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com
————–
And now an e-mail note from my Army Ranger son-in-law, Steve Howard, for all the kind people who’ve taken him and his buddies under their wing:
“From somewhere in the desert southwest of Baghdad,
We hadn’t been getting much of our mail because of the danger on Iraqi roads; supply only comes out to this outpost every few days. But today I got a few packages. I’m still not able to send out snail mail from this COP (Combat Out-Post), so I figured I would just e-mail Jean and she could pass the thanks along for me. I tell you — getting a package makes it seem like Christmas here, even in all this heat. As I opened the boxes, I was able to grab a summer sausage and one bag of mixed nuts, and my buddies saw that the rest of the fun food was gone in a matter of a few minutes. We’re so tired of Army canned food and MREs.
S. Baly, J. Pence, and Ms. Cynthia Carmer, I and some of the other soldiers from the 1-15 Infantry send a big thank you. You have truly made several soldiers happier today. Also a special thanks to Jean and Arvin Dodsworth. Arvin, how did you know that we needed duct tape in the worst way when we were installing an air conditioner in a little shack we call our “”command office””? Soldiers use duct tape for everything!
Thanks again.
MSG Steven Howard
HHC 1-15 IN 3D BCT 3ID
UNIT NO. 5956
APO AE 09308
PS to Jean and Brad: You guys take care and don’t worry about me over here. Worry about Ang having to deal with the kids, the dog, work, and everything else that comes with running a family. She’s the real hero.”
——
As has always been his nature, Steve always thinks about everyone else before his own interests. He’s a beloved leader because he never asks his men to do what he won’t do himself. That’s why I do worry about his safety in the middle of a war zone — no matter how hard I try not to.
6/14/2007
This week I want to recommend some Web sites that might be of interest to casino visitors.
americancasinoguide.com — You’ve probably heard of Steve Bourie’s American Casino Guide, a book just packed with casino information and coupons. Well, his Web site is just as full. He has lists of links to all the Web sites of U.S. casinos, casino news, slot payback information, gambling tips, and a list of promotions for many U.S. casinos. You can listen to his gambling podcasts where he interviews many gambling personalities (including a couple in which he chatted with me). You can also subscribe to his monthly e-newsletter or join his discussion board.
casinocamper.com — This is a resource that RV travelers who like to visit casinos have needed for a long time. The purpose of this site is to share information about casino camping and parking. There’s the valuable list of RV friendly casinos, sorted by states, and a discussion of casino parking etiquette. On the homepage, you can click on a link to visit the forum where you can read about the casino experiences of other RV enthusiasts and, if you wish, post your own.
Like to get discounted prices for shows in Las Vegas, both in casinos and other venue? Here are two possibilities:
goldstarevents.com — Sign up for a weekly email listing all of the available shows and events in Vegas. Occasionally they’re free, with just a service charge. But they’re always discounted, sometimes up to 50% or more off. This Web site also covers shows in many other major cities.
houseseatslv.com — Join this service and pay your subscription fee and you’ll be able to choose to attend a variety of Las Vegas entertainment events at no additional cost to you. Available events the house might offer include major Las Vegas productions on the Strip, smaller productions at locals venues, award shows, special events, and attractions. You will be able to attend shows when they have them available, on the dates they have them available. They say it’s important to understand that they’re not a reservation service, but their partners generously provide them with complimentary tickets, which they pass on to the subscribers. (Producers like a full house.)
They further explain on their site: “We wish we had a crystal ball, but we cannot predict when tickets will be given to us. Also keep in mind the listings will vary and change all year long, so check daily to see what, if anything, has come up. Because our service is so specialized, only active members will have access to this listing.”
I suggest that you first choose their most reasonable plan, which has a membership fee of $39. With that you can reserve up to (2) tickets for each available event, subject to availability, for 60 days. That way you can see whether their assortment of shows is worth a longer subscription period for a larger fee.
Now for a couple of unusual – you might even say weird – sites:
dieiscast.com/gallerycarpet.html — Here’s how they introduce their site: “This is it…the notorious casino carpet gallery: NINE (!) pages of casino carpeting and nothing but.”
EepyBird.com — Here’s a mint-powered version of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. Click on Experiments #137 and #214. And if you’re in a mood for craziness, explore the whole site and see what mad scientists do in their spare time.
Tune in next week to see my list of recommended gambling sites.
6/25/2007
This week we’re continuing with Web site recommendations, this time concentrating on those that will be good resources for casino gamblers.
For All Casino Gamblers
www.LasVegasAdvisor.com – Not just great for general Vegas information, it’s also full of gambling help, including facts about the various casino games, tournament happenings, sports betting, and charts for the best video poker and for Vegas slot club bonus points.
www.WizardOfOdds.com – The Web site of Michael Shackleford, the suitably nicknamed “Wizard of Odds,” should be bookmarked on every wise gambler’s computer. He covers just about every area of gambling, has a wealth of information on video poker and table games, and adds analysis of new games on a regular basis.
www.AdvantagePlayer.com – Viktor Nacht’s Web site and home of RGE Publishing, this site features forums, FAQs, and products for the knowledgeable player. It also includes Charles Lund’s complete guide to Las Vegas slot clubs and casino promotions, including a comparative cashback chart, making it an essential resource for putting together a good VP play in Vegas.
www.casinocitytimes.com – This site is stocked with gambling articles, both current and from the past, covering many casino games, including poker. There are bios of many gambling gurus and a section of current casino news.
For Video Poker Players
www.VPinsider.com – Brought to you by Skip Hughes and Viktor Nacht, this subscription site features a searchable database of VP machines across the country, regional “Top 40” lists of the best places to play, slot club details, and strategies charts.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vpFree – A free site that offers extensive databases for games and casinos all over the U.S, it has a lively main forum, helpful regional forums, and an excellent glossary and FAQ section.
http://videopoker.fws1.com/index.html – Art (“5-Card”) packs his site with helpful VP information, providing an abundance of charts about progressives, the win/loss difference between full pay and short pay machines, VP odds, and the cost of using wrong strategies. The jewel of this Web site is the most extensive list of VP pay schedules available anywhere, online or off – 600 plus and growing all the time. This is an invaluable resource for the VP player who wants to improve his chances for becoming a long-term winning player.
www.Jazbo.com – Find lots of good math information for the serious VP enthusiast here, including valuable multi-line bankroll information.
www.CasinoGaming.com/columnists/dancer – At this site you’ll find a weekly VP column by Bob Dancer on a mix of subjects, some helpful for the recreational player and some geared to the more advanced experienced player. Going back through the archives you’ll find a wealth of VP information.
www.OptimumPlay.com – Dan Paymar’s VP site features his line of Optimum Play products, a player forum, and an especially good Q+A section.
http://home.comcast.net/~g2000/VIPOKER.HTM – This is the only place I know of – on-”
6/29/2007
This week while I’m out of town on vacation, visiting my daughter and the grandchildren in Columbus, Georgia, I’m turning over this column to my favorite guest contributor, Mr. Please-Don’t-Use-My-Name, who knows more about carrying cash into and out of a casino than anyone else I know and often reminds me to be more careful!
Careful with Cash
Don’t count your money where others can see you. A locked restroom stall is a good place to count and arrange your bankroll. When putting money into a machine, try to do it quickly and quietly without showing your entire wad of cash. Don’t wear flashy or expensive jewelry while playing. Don’t talk to strangers about how much you’re winning or losing.
When a large amount of cash is being counted out to you, whether it’s at the cage, at a change booth, or on the casino floor by a floor person, try to position yourself so you’re between any onlookers and the cash. Ask the person doing the counting to please count quietly. Or if there’s a counting machine available, they can just run the cash through that while you watch, then hand it to you.
If you have a large credit amount on a high-denomination machine, you might consider covering the credits and/or the denomination with an extra slot card, or a piece of paper. A dollar bill works well for this. If anyone asks, you can just say it’s your “”lucky dollar””! Or, you could (on a TITO machine) just cash out and put the ticket in your pocket/purse when your credits reach an uncomfortably large amount. Showing a large cash balance on your machine to everyone who walks by can be an invitation to thieves.
Never leave your machine unattended with credits on it, even for a few moments. It’s part of the job of a casino floor person to watch your machine upon request, for short periods of time, like a restroom break. If you can’t find a floor person, a security guard will usually be able to watch your machine. If you can’t find anyone, cash out, take your money and possessions, including your slot card, and lean the chair against the machine. This will usually keep someone from playing it, at least for a short time. You can also ask nearby players to watch the machine for you, as long as you cash out and take your valuables with you. Trusting a total stranger to watch a machine with credits on it is foolhardy!
Be careful when entering your PIN, either on a machine to collect free play or on an ATM. If someone is watching you, wait until they leave, or cover the keypad with one hand while you enter your PIN with the other hand. If you think someone has observed your PIN, change it!
Be aware that a distraction to one side of you can allow a person on your other side to cash out your machine and take your ticket (on a TITO machine) in just a few seconds. Thieves often work in pairs, with one person approaching you from one side and getting your attention, while his partner hits the cashout button on your other side.
Another trick is to drop a bucket with a few dollars worth of nickels (or any other small things) on the floor just behind you. When you bend over to help pick them up, your machine is cashed out.
Another trick is for the thief to put $1 in a nearby machine and cash it out, leaving the ticket hanging from the machine. The machine will beep loudly, and when you get up to take the ticket, your machine is cashed out by the thief, who is lurking nearby.
It’s a good idea to remain in the casino at least several minutes after being paid a jackpot. Leaving immediately might tempt a less-than-honest onlooker to follow you out and rob you. Bob Dancer recommends waiting at least half an hour after hitting a “”public”” jackpot (paid in cash) before leaving the casino. This gives thieves who might be lurking in your area time to get tired and seek another victim. Not bad advice and it might cut down on “”opportunity”” robberies. This is one reason I do all my casino slot club business, shopping, and visiting