The mantra of the casino player is “the only constant is change.”
I found this quote online and it sums up the theme of my writings for the last 23 years. In fact, if all casinos had the same policies and never tinkered with them, if they always kept the same owners and management teams, and if they never never revamped their players clubs, I’m not sure I would have seen the need to write those first blogs in April 2000. For sure I wouldn’t still be writing one in January 2022. Change is the driver that has kept me on the gaming-writing road.
By the way, when I clicked on that 2000 archive link above just before I started writing this blog, I felt like I was in a time machine going backward. I hadn’t read many of these old blogs for years. A reader who just recently started casino gambling would probably think they were back in the Dark Ages. But if you’re a long-term gambler, it might bring back some happy memories, though tempered by a deep sadness as you’re reminded how good casino gambling used to be.
However, I did smile when I read some of the general advice I gave back then to help players gamble smarter. Yes, I’ve been pounding the same drums for over 20 years. Consider this excerpt from April 14, 2000: Words I hate to read in a letter from a casino: “We’re improving our slot club.” I have NEVER, in 17 years of casino gambling, known the changes in a slot club to benefit me! I could write and have written that recently, just changing the number to 39!
Okay, we must not dwell on the past so much that it keeps us from coping with the present as best we can. Here are some current news items readers have shared with me or I’ve read online.
Tuscany has changed its players club point system. Video poker now requires $2 coin-in to earn one point. Previously it was $1 per point. I could find no information about the players club on the website. On their page about promotions, they mention the DaVinci Rewards Players Club, but I could find no details about it. I finally found some info on vpFREE2, a valuable resource I go to frequently.
I don’t know whether Tuscany put the new information out on communications to players club members. It seems that this change took place at the beginning of the year. Good advice for players is to check casino websites at the beginning of each year. Sometimes casinos don’t notify their players club members when changes are made; they just put new rules up on the website. This may have happened with CZR. I wasn’t tracking this, but one of my readers said they reduced the number of tier credits you earned when paying for a hotel room. Seemed to me that I’d seen that they jumped it to 5 tier credits per dollar last year. Now I see it’s down to 1 tier credit.
It would be helpful if readers would post casino-change information. You can do it here in the comment section. And it would be great if more would post these sorts of details on vpFREE. This used to be such a great resource. but now there aren’t many members who post there. I’m not sure whether so many didn’t make the transfer when it had to find a new home or whether so many have reduced their casino visits or completely abandoned VP since the pandemic struck. I do encourage players to post changes or other casino news they know about. Of course, we don’t expect “secret good plays,” but much helpful information can be shared.
Amidst all the bad news these days, occasionally there is some good news that many players will be happy to hear. The tribal leaders have voted to permanently ban smoking in both Harrah’s casinos in North Carolina, Cherokee and Murphy. For you smokers, the news is not all bad, since they did leave open the opportunity for Harrah’s to add dedicated smoking sections that employees could volunteer to staff.
Happy News: We all celebrated Brad’s 90th birthday on January 18.
Thinking about good casino news, I’m cautiously optimistic that after the pandemic effect is gone, casinos may have to start thinking that perhaps they will need to be more player-friendly to strengthen their bottom line. More promotions? More comps? More free play?
And perhaps some new owners will have some old-fashioned ideas about how to make their customers feel appreciated. I may not get to Vegas soon or ever, but I’m super excited — and hopeful — about the reopening of the Palms.
I’m going to “steal” a great optimistic quote from my fellow blogger David McKee. If you want to read no-holds-barred casino news from all over the country, you need to read “Stiffs and Georges.” I love his tell-it-like-it-is attitude!
Quote of the Day: “Native American casino operators will undoubtedly bring their unique operating model, which focuses more on the long-term benefit of tribal citizens than quarterly results. I think they will give the big, corporate, publicly held companies a run for their money.”—Industry analyst Josh Swissman on the arrival of tribal-gaming operators on the Las Vegas Strip.
We visited the Harrahs’ Casino in Cherokee on Jan 2-3. The facility is very large and very nice. This was, I think, the 3rd time we have been here. The hotel rooms are nice and so were the games offered in the casino. We dined there also and enjoyed a very nice dinner. I have two problems with this casino. Since we are in our late 70s and have a difficult time walking, the casino is a long walk from the hotel. I knew that already and requested a room in the Creek-side Tower which is closest to the Casino. It was still a long walk and my wife had a difficult time doing it. Second, inside the casino, it is very difficult to navigate. Nothing is in a straight line, you can go into a restroom and accidentally come out the other side and be totally confused. I would park my wife at a cluster of her favorite video poker machines while I found my favorite BJ table, and then get lost trying to go back and check on her. I got better at it on the second day, but it was still very difficult. It didn’t have to be this difficult to navigate. It is a big turn off to couples like us.
I miss the surprise visits – bumping into you and Brad playing at a casino I had decided to visit that day. It always put a smile in my day!
You sure are right about revisions to the player’s clubs… not one has ever been better for the player (although they all tout that they are).
The most recent abuser (in my casino repertoire) is MGM. For tax purposes, I keep very good records of my play. The new system at MGM has made that nearly impossible. Each machine is set to give points at a different rate and the value of of the points earned has been drastically reduced. The added record-keeping has really reduced the “fun factor.” I have gotten to know many employees over the years who treat me very well and I’ve got a terrific host to boot… that has value to me… but for how long… I don’t know.
I’ve quit other casinos in the past – with each one – you have to decide which line they draw that you just refuse to cross.
Thanks for all the years of writing Jean – I’ve really enjoyed your columns!
I wish I could share your optimism about the casinos bringing back deals, promotions, bargains, and common decency in the near future. But they NEVER think in anything but the short term. Right now, they’re saying: we doubled or tripled the price of everything, slashed comps, made the games worse, and cut back drastically on customer service; yet, the lemmings have kept coming, in massive waves! So why should we ease up now?
Let’s face it: as a bargain destination, or even a reasonably priced one, Vegas is a dead duck.
We had started playing more at Tuscany after Boyd and Station when up on video poker.Tuscany does treat seniors and locals better than them…On Jan. 3 Linda and I went in as senior day changed to Mondays.. we played our 50 points and swiped at kiosk to get out points reward…guess what, it said we had only played 25 points…the nice young women at the player’s club who we talk to often notified us of the change..I even wrote a memo addressed to their mgr. to reconsider the change and requested a response…NO reply…oh well
My wife and I used to go the the San Manuel Casino in Highland, CA quite often, but were not very impressed with their slot club. We really didn’t play much at the Palms when it was open, but may give it a visit when we take a journey over to the Gold Coast for a gift or multiplier day.
Happy Birthday to Brad.
My wife and I noticed that our comps weren’t as strong from the Tuscany after our last trip in late December than it had been previously, but we still never paid for a meal and exclusively ate at Marilyn’s Cafe or the Pub. We just got our Tuscany mailers for March and April yesterday and saw that they were switching to the Da Vinci Card….bummer. Still got some decent free play and food credits, $50 for each, though.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD !!!!!!
My wife and I had the honor and pleasure of participating in your hosted event at Tuscany before you and Jean moved away from Vegas. At 87 I can reminisce almost as much as you two of the gold old Vegas days even though I did not discover the possibilities until I read Jean’s first book almost 20 yrs ago, shortly after I retired,became a snowbird, and a bit later moved to within an hour’s drive from Vegas.
Be well and keep your positive attitude which we all need.
Best
George
I have been a fan of yours forever. I had your vp disc to spend time getting better at the game but it is lost with getting a new computer. I am 80 now so don’t play as much vp as I did in the old days but I still love it……. sending blessings to you and Brad….. you made it fun for all of us.
mj
And thank you, Jean, for continuing to provide us with helpful information for so many years.
Happy Birthday Brad! . Good health and happiness to both of you in the coming year.