B-Connected Summary – So Far! (Part 1)

Posted on September 15, 2018 by queen of comps

You’ve been clamoring for more of my thoughts on this subject – so here they are.  I don’t claim 100% accuracy or comprehensiveness here – but I don’t think even Boyd Gaming itself knows exactly what is going on at the moment.  Maybe someone hiding in some lofty executive ivory tower office has all the answers, but I haven’t found any employees –bottom-level or high-executive – who know all the details of the recent players club changes or has even a rudimentary understanding of the math that is causing impossible situations for so many Boyd customers.  Some wag on the Internet said he had figured it out, that someone in power at Boyd had decided that the company had too many customers and this new players club was solving this “problem” very quickly!

However, I’m not here to lecture Boyd Gaming, most certainly a waste of my time and tired aging brain cells. But I do want to help you readers, giving some details that might assist you in understanding the new system and also, if possible, give some options for your decisions going forward.

First, if you have not done so, check out my last few blogs where I have talked about the new B-Connected players club.  Especially read this main one and the 57 and growing number of comments, where many of your questions may be discussed and answered.

Another thing you should do is log into the B-Connected website and check your account. (Register for one, if you haven’t already done that.)   There you will find out what your present tier status is in the new system and, very importantly, you will also see how many tier credits you have now after they “converted” your old total earned, from January 1, 2018 until August 27, 2018 to a new – and very reduced! –  total in the new system.

Here is where I am not 100% sure of the information I got from higher-level employees.  But it seems that they are keeping you at the tier level you earned under the old system until the end of 2018, even though your new tier-level credit total might be below the new-system requirement for that level. However, you will need to reach the new-system requirement by the end of the year to retain that tier status for 2019.  All tier-credit balances reset to zero on January 1 each year.

For example, Brad and I had earned Emerald earlier in 2018 so we are still Emerald until January 1, 2019, although our new tier-credit balance now is way below the 15,000 credits needed next year and beyond.  If we don’t build up our tier-credit balance to 15,000 by the end of December this year (an impossible feat playing the same games we have formerly played), we will lose our Emerald status for 2019.   (There has been some confusion about this, both on the part of customers and casino employees.  But the latest information seems to support the interpretation that if we are just given (not earned) our continued tier until the end of the year, it does not come under the written rule that says: “When you advance to a higher tier, you’ll become eligible for those benefits for the rest of the year and all of the next year.”)

If you are Sapphire now AND your new tier-credit balance is 750+ after the “conversion” date, you will be Sapphire until the end of the year AND you will keep that tier level all of 2019. Most Emeralds (like Brad and I) probably now have at least 750+ new-system tier credits (what they ended up with after the “conversion” for their play earlier in the year) and thus will be Sapphire in 2019.

If, after the “conversion,” you do not have 750+ new-system tier credits, even if you have an unexpired Sapphire card, you may have been dropped down to Ruby.  I’m not sure if this always happens but there have been numerous reports of it.  This is a drastic event because under the new system Ruby players earn no “points.”   (Remember the difference between tier “credits” and B-Connected “points,” the latter which are those you can redeem for cash, free play, or comps and that can be multiplied on bonus-point days.)  Ruby players DO earn tier “credits” (that build up for rising tier levels) and Boyd has offered 2x tier credits for them “so they can get up to Sapphire level faster” and start earning redeemable “points.”

I see this discussion is getting long and probably so complicated that most reader eyes are getting glassed over.  So I am going to call this Part 1 – and do a Part 2 when I’ve rested my brain.  Stay tuned!

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Slot Clubs | 26 Comments

Recent Frugal – or Non-Frugal – Discoveries

Posted on September 8, 2018 by queen of comps

I’m always looking for new information that can help me make more frugal decisions when I visit casinos, including dining choices as well as where, what, and when I will play.  Some of this information I discover is new because the casino has changed or introduced a new policy or program; some of the information is only new to me, either because I hadn’t been in that casino or I had just overlooked or forgotten some of the benefits.  But whatever the case, here are some pieces of information that might help you have a more frugal casino experience:

  1. That read-the-fine-print drum I have been pounding on for a thousand years must be mentioned again here to be sure you didn’t miss this recent downgrade. Station’s MyGeneration program has long time offered 10x/6x points for senior Wednesdays. Now that 6x for video poker is “up-to 6x.” This has been changed on their website, a reason that I have encouraged you in the past to check the benefits each month as the details can change. If you get the monthly Station mailer and check the calendar, you will see that change, but get out your magnifying glass to see that tiny “up to.”  Actually, many of you recently missed this same “up to” in their newspaper ads telling about special multiplier days.  And did you notice that the Palms logo is missing on many of these promotions described in the newspaper ads?   And remember that the Palms does not participate in the MyGeneration program that is in place at all the other Station properties.  No special benefits for us oldsters there!

2.  Here’s a policy at Station casinos I didn’t know about – one that isn’t widespread, I don’t think – but might be wise for some players, especially elderly ones who want to be sure that benefits aren’t lost if one member passes away.

Up to two (2) eligible Boarding Pass members residing at the same address may link accounts to share Boarding Pass points. Both members must be present with valid photo identification at the Rewards Center to link accounts. Either member may request that a link be removed from his/her account in person at the Rewards Center with valid photo identification. Each Member of a linked account will be issued an individual Boarding Pass program card and account number. However, all Members on a linked account may modify any linked account data and will share Boarding Pass points. Visit the Rewards Center for additional linked account details.

  1. Palace Station’s new buffet is very similar to the new one at the Palms. Although the prices at the Palms are reasonable compared to other more-upscale buffets in town, the prices at Palace Station are even lower. Check them out here.  And if you are at one of the top two tiers, President and Chairman and paying with your points, you get that hefty 50% discount on top of these low prices for a party up to four.  Platinum tier gets a 25% discount for party of two.  (These discounts are in place for buffets at all Station properties.)

4. At Harrah’s Laughlin, if you have a Las Vegas address, you are considered a “local” and can get their half-off local discount on the breakfast/lunch (brunch) buffet. I didn’t ask how far “local” goes but perhaps it goes wider in NV and/or includes Bull Head City and wider areas in Arizona. Just ask!

5. More and more food coupons require careful reading. Here are some fine-print restrictions I have recently run across:

  •  “One coupon per table” rather than the more usual “One coupon per person.”
  • “Not valid on holidays.”
  • “Offer Monday through Friday only.”
  • “Not valid for Specialty or Seafood dinner”

You might be asking now why I am not adding new details and explanations about the new Boyd Gaming players club here.

I will tell you why not!  I am exhausted trying to find verified answers to the many questions this drastic downgrade has raised.  I have read everything from official company sources I can find and so much is not spelled out clearly. I have talked to numerous employees, many in management positions, but I am getting extremely conflicting explanations.  If the employees don’t know what is going on, how do we players have a chance of understanding? (Be careful reporting a “fact” because you heard it from a host or someone in management – most employees mean well, but it seems corporate has put out a “line” that the employees are to parrot, but it often seems just like hype, and doesn’t always make math sense!)

I will keep up my research, and just as soon as I find out some definitive information I will post it here.  In the meantime, the discussion is still raging on vpFREE.  You can check out resources I gave in my last blog.  I do have one more to add – the Young at Heart rules for the downtown Boyd properties. One of the differences from the others uptown is that they still have a cap on the number of bonus multiplier points.

The huge number of comments on my last blog will be helpful reading for many of you, suggesting ways to cope with this major change, including new casinos to which to move their play.  More discussion is encouraged following this blog, by using the “Comments” feature.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Casino Policy, Casino Promotions, Couponing, Laughlin, Meal Promo, Slot Clubs, Stations | 8 Comments

Boyd Gaming Changes

Posted on September 2, 2018 by queen of comps

I have been putting off writing this blog.  Many of you know that in my writings about casinos I like to emphasize the positive rather than ranting and raving about the negative that I can’t change.  I also stress that we players must remember that casinos are a for-profit business, not a charity.

However, the casino business – just like many other businesses we deal with in our everyday life, like banks, grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, airlines – sometimes make changes that we just can’t understand.  And that describes many players reactions to the brand new players club being introduced by Boyd Gaming.

Let’s think about what we need if a business changes its rules, regulations, or policy.  First, we need a clear explanation of all the changes, especially the basic ones.  This is where so many players are feeling frustrated about the new Boyd players club. I looked everywhere this last week to find the two basic facts someone needs to initially analyze any player club system:     How much coin-in does it take to earn a point and then how much is a point worth for whatever benefits this casino offers – cash, free play, or comps. I went to the kick-off party and absolutely no specific facts were given.  I checked online and looked for brochures and signs in the casino.  Nothing!

I finally did find the facts of the second point on their website:  You can redeem for FastPlay,  for dining, shopping, or hotel stays. Save 40% on the dollar value of your B Connected Points when you redeem for food at 600 B Connected Points = $1.00. FastPlay and retail purchases are 1,000 B Connected Points = $1.00.

However, nowhere could I find in writing how much you had to play to earn a point, the other piece of information we needed. Finally, just yesterday I went to the players club at the Gold Coast and asked this question and I was given a little credit-card-size cardboard with a point-earning chart:

$1 of coin-in Reel, Video Reel, and Keno (must be all Keno box) = 1 Base B Connected Point

$2 of coin-in Poker and Multi-Games = 1 Base B Connected Point

Bonus B Connected Points are now earned based on type of game, average bet, and length of play

Table Games – B Connected Points are earned based on the type of game, average bet and length of play (Table Game Points are not earned in Las Vegas or Diamond Jo Worth)

For Race, Sports, and Bingo please see B Connected.

Although some of the details above aren’t very clear or complete, why wasn’t this basic information  put somewhere in writing online so anyone could access it?   Not everyone will be able to visit one of their casinos right away, and many won’t think about asking.  I am wondering if this information I got was for Las Vegas only – and it will be different for properties in other areas of the country???  This means each player probably needs to research information for each specific casino where they plan to play.  Although this club is supposed to be company-wide, I am thinking there might be individual property-specific details.

After I found  the basic-point facts, I began to analyze the tier system. This has been an area of confusion for many, but it helps if you understand there are two different separate systems.  The first system is the “point” system I discussed above. The other system is the tier one in which you earn “credits.”  There are different earning charts for each of these systems with much different benefits!  However, the two systems do “mix” with each other at times.  For example, players in the lowest tier, Ruby, do not earn the above-mentioned points and thus earn no benefits.  That chart does not kick in until you reach Sapphire.

Boyd was much more forthright in talking about the new tier system and the new luxury benefits they were offering to the top tiers – they talked about nothing but that at the launch party and they put a lot of hyped-up information about it on their website and in other written sources.   On that same little credit-size cardboard I referred to above they gave this information about how to earn tier credits: Reel, video reel, and keno players would earn 1 tier credit for each $5 coin-in, Bingo players needed $6 buy-in for 1 tier credit.   For video poker players it was to be “based on the game played, average bet, and time played.”

In this blog I have just touched on some of the basics of this new players club so far, but this information may have brought up more questions than answers for readers here.  I will be  talking about this subject in my blog probably for weeks, even months, tackling some of the problems these changes are causing.  In the meantime, here are some online resources for you to check that will give more information although they  certainly will not answer every question you might have since the details of many parts of the program are either missing or very confusing.

You can get more insight into these new major changes by reading posts in the forum at vpFREE.  (Subscribe at [email protected] if you are not already a member).  There has been a very lively – even fiery – discussion there for the last week or so, which could help both slot and video players decide what kind of a relationship – if any – they might have with Boyd properties in the future in light of all these new changes.

I have not yet been able to confirm every future ramification for Brad’s and my own play decisions.  I know we are going to play at the Gold Coast tomorrow – Labor Day – because we can still play our favorite good-EV video poker machine at 11x points – a fairly okay play for us.  That’s about as far we can plan right now.

Stayed tuned!

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Casino Policy, Gambling Resources, Senior Promotion, Slot Clubs | 60 Comments

You Have Questions?

Posted on August 25, 2018 by queen of comps

Periodically I need to clean out my virtual mailbag.  I am happy to answer many reader questions, but sometimes it just isn’t possible.  I can’t give specific recommendations about, for example, what game you should play or what casino is the “best.”  There is no one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on your goals, your location, your bankroll, and scores of other personal factors.  Related to that, people often ask what/where we play or want other details about our casino or gambling practices.  I often decline to go into this, not because I don’t want to share “secrets,” but because I don’t want players to blindly follow us when their circumstances may be much different than ours. That is why I also can’t give advice about legal or complex financial matters.

Sometimes a question is so general or covers such a broad subject that I can’t give a short answer.  I then often refer them to one of my books where I have spent many pages covering that topic extensively.  An example of this is the numerous questions I am getting about how to handle gambling taxes.  I understand the concerns people have since the new tax bill kicked in on January 1, with major and dramatic changes for all taxpayers and especially for many gamblers.  I can still recommend, to learn the basics, the present 3rd edition (eBook only) of Tax Help for Gamblers, rather than older paperbacks which are quite out of date.  However, I am working – feverishly I must say – on a brand new 4th edition which Huntington Press is planning on bringing out at the end of this year so you will have complete information to help you with your 2018 tax returns.  I have asked Russ Fox, an enrolled agent who has been helping gamblers through the tax maze for almost 20 years, to come onboard this book project and help with this update.

In the meantime, there is another source that can give you current tax information – past blogs I have written.  I need to remind you of other valuable ways you can use my blogs in addition to merely reading them for useful hints as they come out.   When you finish reading this blog, go to the right-hand margin.  First, at the top, you will see the “Subscribe” section where you can easily sign up so you will be notified by e-mail when I publish a new post.  Handy for you, since I don’t have any regular schedule. (Handy for this slowing-down-because-I-can’t-seem-to-retire blogger!)

There are other sections you might use for other purposes but the one I think is really neat is “Categories.”  I actually use this myself since I routinely forget what I wrote and when.  Let’s say you want to see what I have written about taxes.  Scroll down and click on the subject “Taxes” and everything I have written about this pops up.  The most recent blogs on a subject come up first – and so you can find out what I wrote about taxes since the new Tax Reform 2018 bill was approved in late December of 2017.

This feature can lead you back to blog entries I wrote many years ago.  Dang, I can’t believe it – 18 years of my rambling writings!!!!  Obviously, many of my old Frugal Fridays articles and then my Frugal Vegas entries have outdated information.  But it always amazes me how the basics I discuss are often just as true today as they were so long ago and would be helpful for newbie gamblers.  And some of the timeless “stories” I told will take some of my long-time readers through a fascinating trip of memories.

There is one other reason why I might not answer some of your questions: I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER!  And that is why I can’t address all the questioning chatter about the new B Connected players club that Boyd Gaming is introducing.

Brad and I went to a “launch party” at a large banquet room in the Orleans Arena. The kiosk where we had to sign in to activate for the drawing (if we hadn’t already swiped at a Boyd casino that day) was very slow – I felt right at home immediately for a Boyd event!   There was a photo opportunity in front of a wall covered with Boyd logos, with an employee ready to take your picture if you gave her your phone that had a camera.

Here is ours, trying to look optimistic:

The finger foods and drinks were spread around in many areas around the room so there weren’t any long lines – that was a plus.  There seemed to be more people than chairs at tables, but we finally found seats – so that was good.

We were given an “Emerald” brochure when we entered, telling about a new annual cruise benefit for the Holland America line.  I saw some details, including “Interior cabin only” and multiple fees not covered by this “free” benefit, not all of them priced out.  Very few details were given about an annual stay at the Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Also, some details were given about a quarterly Las Vegas trip, with $75 in food credits. (We later were told that Las Vegas residents could use that benefit at the IP in Biloxi, Mississippi.)  We were told that there would be a new top tier added – Onyx – but no information about how to reach it.  We will need so many more details about all these benefits.

I am trying not to be cynical but I hope they were not trying to get us excited about these new extra perks so when we found out later we would not be upset if the nitty-gritty details – which were not mentioned at the party – showed a major overall decrease in player benefits.

We went to this event with few expectations and therefore were not surprised at the lack of specifics. Now we wait for solid information – tier structure, point value, cashback/free play requirements, etc.  – so we can evaluate the total program.  Unconfirmed rumors on the Internet and pessimistic guesses are not helpful.  Hopefully we will find complete in-writing details on their website by their official launch date, August 27.  We each have different standards which we use to decide whether a casino is a good place for us to play, but we need comprehensive information about all the features and benefits so we can make this decision based on the total picture.

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Q+A, Slot Clubs, Taxes | 16 Comments

Jean, Read Your Own Stuff

Posted on August 17, 2018 by queen of comps

Everyone knows how I obsessively write about checking details about casino programs and promotions.  But for some months now – and I’m not sure why – I have neglected this advice when playing at the Palms.

Brad and I hadn’t played at a Station property for many years, not since they changed over from an all-comp players club point system to one that gave cash/free play.  So, when the Palms became a Station, what should I have done?  Obviously, go to the players club desk and ask for details about their players club.  But I didn’t do that.  I played their kiosk games and sometimes was rewarded with point prizes.  If I got 15,000 points, I figured that was $15 I won and could be used for free play or cash.

Wrong!

I just recently learned that almost all points you get on kiosk games and for other prize-type activities rather than actual play on casino games are not eligible for cashback/free play; they can just be used for comps.  I noticed this when I checked my account on the kiosk and my comp-only point balance is growing at a faster rate than my CB/free play balance.

So, I took my own advice and – belatedly – went to the players club desk and asked for written details about their club.  Talk about fine print – I was given a folder with FOUR pages of print so small I finally had to look for my trusty magnifying glass!

It took me awhile to find information on this subject that puzzled me.  Details galore in this folder but not much detail about the various worth of points .  #6 on Page 3 was clear on one important point:  “Points earned by using point days or point multipliers are eligible for slot/bingo play and cash back redemption.”  Whew… that’s a relief!  However, #7 merely says this:  “Point grants and point adjustments are not eligible for slot/bingo pay and cash back redemption.”

I talked to knowledgeable friends who had been playing at Station properties for a long time and also asked about this issue on the vpFREE discussion forum.  It seems this isn’t a clear-cut policy and no one knows what exactly comes under “point grants and point adjustments.”  Anecdotal information seemed at first to point to different policies in the various Station properties, but  more likely it is just differing details from one type of promotion to another.  However, it seems that at least most kiosk game point prizes and most other types of point “extras” that aren’t given or earned on actual play will probably only be added to your comp balance and can’t be redeemed for cashback or free play.   The only way to really be sure is to check your balances at the kiosk before and then after you are “awarded” points for a specific promotion.

On to the Next Problem

I’m glad I was able to research this Station problem and have at least some of the details straight – because the other local giant, Boyd Gaming, is probably going to start driving me crazy very soon.  They are introducing a brand-new casino management system that will make major changes to how they track customer play through their B Connected players club. Unfortunately, they are giving out very few advance details.  Here is the little I have found out:

  • It will be introduced into 29 gaming properties, including their older established casino as well as new ones they have taken over in the past year or so and those in the Midwest where sales are pending.
  • This new system roll-out will start August 27, but will be done gradually, lasting the rest of this year and well into 2019.
  • This new system will enable property-wide bonusing and progressive jackpots.

Brad and I just received a fancy invitation from Boyd Gaming to an “exclusive party” on Thursday, August 23.  I’m wondering how “exclusive” since it is being held in the Orleans Arena! But we will ” be among the first to experience the new B Connected.”

I will let you know if I am as excited as they are when I hear more details.

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Casino Promotions, Slot Clubs, Stations | 11 Comments

AUGUST CASINO NEWS AND PROMOTIONS

Posted on August 10, 2018 by queen of comps

Recent headline: “Casinos getting nervous as Las Vegas revenues drop and their stocks slump.”

Will this generate even more extra fees to try to pump up a casino bottom line – or perhaps lead to more and better promotions to increase customer visitation?  I am cautiously optimistic about this latter result. Although our regular monthly mailers are pretty much as they have been for quite a while, we are finding a few extra offers mid-month in our snail-mail box and computer Inbox.  Maybe this is the beginning of a long-lasting trend?

Now for some promotions you might have missed or ones that didn’t show up during your casino website scouting.  You do scour casino websites, don’t you?

El Cortez

From an ad in the R-J, a good idea for casinos that have limited in-house options for utilizing the comps you earn:  “Club Cortez comp dollars can now be used at all of these downtown dining destinations:  Eureka!, The Naked City Pizza Shop, Siegel’s 1941, Rachels Kitchen, Subway, and Tazueria El Buen Pastor.”  Check players club for details and locations.

Tuscany Suites and Casino

Check out promotions at their very-detailed website, including some of the following:

Walmart Gift Card Give-away – An earn- and-redeem promo on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Tuesdays 2-for-1 promo for Tuscany Gardens and Pub 365. You keep the points for this one.

Senior Thursdays, with new and increased benefits. The all-month 20% senior benefit moves to the gift shop in August.

SILVERTON

Have brunch or lunch with a mermaid – now there’s a new and unique casino promotion!  For adults and children!  See the details at the Silverton Casino website.

BOYD GAMING

I won’t be giving any details here since we don’t know much yet, just the big news that they are introducing a brand-new casino management system that will make major changes to how they track customer play through their B Connected players club.  It will be set up, not only in their older established casinos, but will fold into the system those recently-acquired Vegas properties, like the Cannery and Aliante, as well as new sales pending in the Midwest.  This roll-out process at 29 gaming properties will take time, the company says, lasting the rest of this year and well into 2019.  When completed this will be one of the largest player reward systems, topped only by the one of Caesars Entertainment.

I have always feared how “new and exciting” changes a casino touts will affect me personally.  I usually am not excited about them!  However, maybe one of my pet peeves will disappear with these new changes – the” slowest kiosks in the West” at the Gold Coast!

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Casino Promotions, Senior Promotion, Silverton, Slot Clubs | 10 Comments

Busy with Family

Posted on August 4, 2018 by queen of comps

I’ll get to August casino promotions in a few days, but this week has been busy with an important filming event.  Brad and I have been the subjects for many TV shows down through the years, but this film project  is special.  My life story is the subject for a documentary film Granddaughter Kaitlynn is making as the required thesis for her masters degree in Film Production.

How time flies!  Seems not that long ago Kaitlynn was in a stroller screaming her lungs out  as brother Zachary was enjoying the wolf howling during the noisy Christmas show in the Sam’s Town atrium.

We haven’t stopped visiting casinos while Kaitlynn is here. Although she is interviewing me about my early life – growing up in a minister’s home, teaching high school, and living in Australia where her mother, the Frugal Princess, was born – she is fascinated by my transition to skilled gambler.  She is starting to understand that, although it looks like two very different worlds, there is much the same.  I learned the value of being careful with money when I was a very little girl so it was not a surprise I became a frugal gambler.  I knew I would be a teacher as soon as I started first grade so it was not a surprise that I wrote books teaching about smarter gambling.

So she is filming as we enjoy comped casino meals.  She is filming us as we play video poker. “Just go about your regular routine,” she says.  She already knows about coupon runs since we took her on one a couple of years ago when she turned 21.  So that was on the top of her must-film list.  Despite  triple-digit temperatures, we went downtown for  a  coupon chase in and out of casinos until we were all exhausted.  But Kaitlynn got the footage she needed – and I got some photos to share with you.

And then there is Kaitlynn’s non-casino activities, partnering up with an 86-year-old Poppy for his first pedicure.

Posted in Couponing, Family News, It's Personal, Non-gambling Activities, Video Poker | 10 Comments

Laughlin Trip Report

Posted on July 29, 2018 by queen of comps

In my last blog I talked about planning a trip to Harrah’s Laughlin for a purely recreational vacation, a change from Brad’s and my usual serious advantage-play casino visits.  Many readers asked for a trip report.

One can “get lucky” on recreational non-advantage play, but we did not on this trip.  So, our losses on our play just went into the column of “Vacation Expenses.”  But we had a relaxing and fun time, which was our goal.

We aren’t finicky foodies, so we enjoy the buffet, especially at breakfast.  Locals – and Vegas residents are considered “local” – automatically get the 2-for-1 price during the breakfast/lunch serving time.  We also like their Beach Café where prices are very reasonable. We have eaten at the Range Steakhouse many times and it is always top-notch when we want to go gourmet.

Since we are both at the Seven Star players club level, we took advantage of their Diamond Lounge frequently.  They serve hot food from 4 p.m. opening weekdays, at noon on the weekends.  We eat very lightly these days, so we often find items we like to make our complete small meals.   We especially like their chunky chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts. Seven Stars have an added benefit of a special-order appetizer/dessert menu.  Brad is a chocaholic but met his match with the “too-rich” double-chocolate cake selection and the next time joined me in the tasty and lighter ice cream and berry option.

We have been to Laughlin many times over the last 30+ years and enjoyed many of the fun activities this area affords.  Back when we were younger and long walks was our exercise of choice, we would hike the “river strip” – even in the hot summer heat.  It was an easier walk down from Harrah’s to the Riverside, but then we had to tackle the strenuous climb back up the hill on the way back, stopping often to cool off at each casino along the way.  These days when we want to visit other casinos, we take the river taxi!

Harrah’s is definitely a family destination.  Especially during the weekends, the restaurants, beach, and family pool are crowded with kids.  Good there is also an adult-only pool for a quieter experience!  The sandy beach is popular for all ages and the jet ski rental business there is booming all summer.

Down through the years we have enjoyed many side road trips. The Indian-owned Avi Resort and Casino 25 miles down the Colorado River has a Vegas-style hotel and casino, with many amenities that include a movie theater, an RV park, and beach and water activities.

You can see the original London Bridge, dismantled and brought over from England and reassembled, in Lake Havasu City, AZ.  An adventurous way to get there, which we did with our granddaughter and her friend, is on a jet boat that leaves the beach at Harrah’s for a scenic 2-hour ride 60 miles down the Colorado River.  There will be a stopover in Havasu City to see the bridge and have lunch and then the cruise back to Laughlin.

One of our favorite places to take friends and family is the historic former mining town of Oatman, Arizona, on Route 66, about a 45-minute drive from Laughlin.  These days it is a quirky tourist destination with fake gunfights in the streets, wild burros roaming carefree, and the usual places to eat and drink and buy kitschy souvenirs. If you don’t mind crowds and long walks after you finally find a parking place, hit the town during special events like the annual Bed Races or the Sidewalk Egg Fry Contest on the 4th of July.  If you don’t have a car, there are commercial tours to Oatman and to many of the other attractions around Laughlin.

Many visitors to Laughlin are those who drive from Las Vegas, as we did.  That drive used to be a traffic nightmare before a divided highway was built.  And now it is even easier since the bypass around the Railroad Pass Casino has been completed.  However, a little bit of the old bad memories came back on this last trip since there is now construction between Searchlight and the Laughlin turn-off and we had to contend with about 16 miles of no-passing single lanes coming and going!  ☹  I talked about bus service between Las Vegas and Laughlin in a recent post but you need to Google that subject  for up-to-date information since these opportunities have come and gone down through the years, especially free trips sponsored by the Laughlin casinos.

One thing that many people may not know about is that Harrah’s Laughlin runs numerous air charter trips from many parts of the country, mainly the Midwest and South.  Some visitors take these charter packages regularly every few months, praising their convenience, with straight-through flights and included room accommodations.  When they land in the Bullhead City airport across the river, a bus is waiting to take them straight to the hotel.  The prices for these vary, but for many visitors, after they pay for the first trip, the future ones can be discounted or completely comped depending on their previous casino play history.  Some gamblers feel Laughlin is more laid-back, more like the good old days, and opt for it as an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.

Posted in Food Review, Laughlin, Non-gambling Activities, Non-Vegas Casinos, Transportation | 11 Comments

Purely Recreational Casino Play

Posted on July 18, 2018 by queen of comps

People often ask  if Brad and I ever stray from the advantage-play path.

Yes, we occasionally do.  Down through the years I have talked about providing casino vacations for our families.  Sometimes these are 100% comped and there are good machines to play so they stay in the advantage-play category.  More frequently they fall into a “discounted” category, with luxurious rooms and/or suites almost always comped, but perhaps some meals and shows and other activities only partially comped.  However, they end up being a frugal bargain if you compare it with paying for the whole thing with money out of pocket!

If you are at Harrah’s Laughlin this weekend, you might see us on one of our rare purely recreational casino visit.  This one is not with family but a chance to meet up and socialize with friends.  As is usual, we will have a comped suite and most of our meals will be free.  However, you might just see us “messing around” with some low-denomination not-very-good-schedule VP games that we might like to try just for a fun change.  No serious gambling this trip – just the goal of relaxing with no stress.

Stop if you spot us and say hello!

Posted in Comps, Laughlin, Non-Vegas Casinos, Video Poker | 5 Comments

Answering Your Questions

Posted on July 14, 2018 by queen of comps

Every once in awhile I check my “Question File” and try to address those subjects that need more explanation or details.

Q:  Do you know anything about bus transportation between Las Vegas and Laughlin?

A:  This seems to be a very fluid subject. I remember taking free bus day trips from Las Vegas many many years ago that usually included a sightseeing feature or two on the way down and a free lunch buffet after you got down there. I have heard of several such programs down through the years but don’t know if any are running now.  And sometimes I’ve heard of inexpensive bus schedules both ways.  Best advice is to google for current info.  Someone recently mentioned a Silver Rider bus and I found this phone number on their website where you might get more information – 702-298-4435.  If you have taken one of these bus trips recently – free or with a paid ticket, it would be great if you could put details in the “Comments” section below.

Q:  You often mention promotions or information you find in the local Vegas newspaper.  Do you think that I should subscribe to it even if I am an out-of-towner?

A: Although as a local and a person who reads “The Review-Journal” daily, and I do find out some helpful information this way, there are almost always online resources where this same information could be found for free.   Here are the ones many people check frequently:

  • Individual casino websites
  • Scot’s Bonus Point List
  • The ACG’s “Vegas Values,” a weekly report that gives you details on the best Las Vegas Casino Promotions.  
  • Then there is this blog, where I scour many other sources and try to fill in with details that might not be given in other places.

Q:  Was there a Blackjack Ball this last year?  I didn’t read any reports about it.

A: Yes, although the usual date in January was changed to April this year.  Henry Tamburin attended this event and wrote a detailed description of all the action.  Part 1 of the “Inside Scoop on the 2018 Blackjack Ball” talked about the famous and always insanely difficult test that the attendees faced.  Part 2 gave the answers to that test and named the winner who gets bragging rights as the “World’s Best Blackjack Player.”

Smile of the Day

I love schoolteacher jokes and here is one that made this English teacher chuckle:

Q: What do you say to a crying grammar teacher?

A: There, they’re, their.

Posted in Blackjack, Casino Promotions, Gambling Resources, Laughlin, Q+A | 7 Comments