March Vegas Promotions

A note here at the beginning, particularly for new readers of this monthly report.  I don’t report on the same casinos each month. And even with those I usually mention, I don’t cover every promotion or mention all the details if I have described it in earlier reports.  My main goal is to pick casinos and promotions that I think will help locals and out-of-towners have information that might not be widely known, particularly those frequent changes casinos make –both the good and the bad!  So if you haven’t been reading here recently, you might find it helpful to go back a few months and “catch up” on the information in previous reports.

I also would like to recommend a resource that I find has useful information for both Vegas visitors and locals, particularly details about players clubs.  For example, a recent report gave details about the new partnership between MGM and the Royal Caribbean cruise line, including free cruises for the highest MLife tier members.  See the details about this and other valuable information here.

ELLIS ISLAND

Want to play some old-fashion coin-droppers?  There is a row of them near the players club desk, and they always draw a crowd – mostly elderly –  when someone hits a big jackpot.  “Isn’t that a nice sound?” “Doesn’t that bring back memories!”   I must admit the only memory it brings back to me is dirty hands and broken fingernails.

Spend $15 or more in the restaurant or BBQ and get a $5 match-play for any table game.

TUSCANY

10x-point days continue in March on the same schedule as last month, Mondays and Fridays.  Pull tabs also return, on the 13^th and the 27th.  Same rules – 1000 base points = 1 pull tab, with a max of 4 per day.  Two Mystery Free Play days are scheduled on the 5^th and 19^th.  Gift days are on the 7^th and the 21^st.

A new and welcome promotion returns after a short absence, gift cards, and you can earn them every Saturday.  Same as with pull tabs, 1000 base points = 1 card, max 4 per person.  But there are some new wrinkles.  The only gift card offered is for Wal-Mart and, although our mailers didn’t specify the denomination, I am assuming they are for $10.  There is a 2-step redemption process:  Voucher must be picked up same day at the players club, but you must take voucher to the gift shop the same day earned or the next day, Sunday, to actually pick up your gift card.

THE M RESORT SPA CASINO

This casino has, in Brad’s and my opinion, one of the best buffets in town.  Check out the play requirements for a free comp to it at their Web site.   As usual, prices and comp requirements are lower for weekday breakfasts and lunches.  For seniors, breakfast and lunch on Tuesdays is half-price when using your points.

PALMS

Be sure to look for warning labels on the many banks of “better” VP that are located between the Chocolat dessert shop and the fenced-in high-limit area.  Some of the machines here require $4 to earn a point and others require $2, rather than the regular $1 for 1 point.  Most machines have labels right on the machine itself, giving the point value information and some also have a note about these machines not being eligible for any promotion.   However, a few do not have that latter warning on the actual machine but it IS on the banner above those banks.

From an Internet reporter:  Did you know you can get a “senior coffee” at McDonald’s in the food court for only 59 cents, one which is actually better and bigger than the one you get from a cocktail waitress?

A Slots and Video Poker Bingo Card promotion returned to the Palms in the middle of February, mainly unadvertised.  It runs through March 10, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  I haven’t seen the cards but word on the street is that they have relaxed some of the rules from previous such promotions.  The cards are available at the players club desk and you get only one at a time at the denomination of your choice. The rules say that some machines are ineligible. I’m assuming that means those machines that I wrote about above.

The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, A mini earn-and-swipe promotion continues on Tuesdays. And seniors have an extra swipe-and-win promo on Sterling Advantage 50+ Thursdays.

The “Play and Buffet” promotion continues in February on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, various point levels depending on whether you play slots or video poker and which meal you choose. We tried the buffet again recently after hearing some opinions from people who said it was “improved.”  It all depends on your personal preferences but we had a hard time finding anything we liked.  Brad says it is too “exotic” for him.  He likes a buffet with food that doesn’t need labels to tell you what it is.

The usual Friday and Saturday night drawings continue through March 30, at 8 p.m..  A 2013 VW Jetta will be given away every Saturday night.  Cash or free play may be chosen instead of credit for a car at the dealership, but at 80% of the value of the car.

As I keep reminding you, better stop at the rack around the corner from the slot club desk and pick up the rules for each promo – and read all the fine print!