Details and Fine Print

Posted on April 15, 2013 by queen of comps

“The devil is in the details.”  “Always read the fine print.”

I repeat those words often – so often that I’m sure many of you are sick of them.  I am weary of saying them myself.  But just when I think I will let up on these warnings, something bad happens to me or to one of my readers as a result of ignoring them.

Do sometimes I fail to check on details or neglect to read the fine print – even after 29 years of casino experience?  Don’t be surprised when I answer this with a “yes.”  There is a tendency to depend on one’s past experiences the longer one plays, but this is a dangerous habit in connection with casinos.  You can never assume that “the usual” will last.  Gambling smart requires constant diligence, not just in the big decisions, like choosing the right games.  All those constant small details often pile up and become the one deciding factor that determines financial success or failure.

Let me give you some examples, Continue reading →

Posted in Casino Policy, Casino Promotions, Comps, Couponing | 8 Comments

Watch for Exceptions

Posted on April 9, 2013 by queen of comps

Here’s some good advice at many casinos these days since so many seem to be going to leased restaurants:  watch for gift cards and food coupons that aren’t good in all food outlets.  For example, some food vouchers we had for Caesars properties in Vegas Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars, Casino Promotions, Comps, Couponing | 1 Comment

Public Appearance Reminder

Posted on April 4, 2013 by queen of comps

So many people write and ask if Brad and I are ever going to be at a public event where they would have an opportunity to meet us and chat.  We don’t do as many of these as we used to, but I want to remind you of one coming up this Saturday, April 6, at the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Continue reading →

Posted in Public Appearances | 1 Comment

April Vegas Promotions

Posted on March 31, 2013 by queen of comps

RESOURCES

I would like to repeat my recommendations for a couple of great resources, particularly if you are interested in playing/staying at Las Vegas Strip properties, although some of this information will be helpful if you play at a MGM or Caesars property anywhere in the country.

     1.  Mark’s Las Vegas.  This has unique coverage with information you might not readily find elsewhere, Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars, Casino Promotions, MGM | 2 Comments

Comments on our Indiana Trip Report

Posted on March 28, 2013 by queen of comps

Thanks to all who sent their congratulations on Brad’s jackpot.  It takes a sweet spirit to rejoice in someone else’s good fortune even though it was during circumstances that you might never be in yourself.  And to answer one specific question:  Some casinos do not allow photography, but Hammond Horseshoe does.  I am noticing these days that more casinos are relaxing the “No Pictures” rule, probably because with all the cellphones around it is hard to enforce.

Now for the nitty-gritty, discussing  your comments.  I  know that for quarter players – seeing someone playing $200 a hand – it seems like an action that is unbelievable, something they cannot  even imagine. Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars, Non-Vegas Casinos, Video Poker | 9 Comments

An Indiana Trip Report

Posted on March 22, 2013 by queen of comps

This week we were reminded once again why we left Indiana to move to Las Vegas.  On Monday when we left town the temperature in Las Vegas had been close to 90 for several days.  During the 3 days we stayed in Hammond, Indiana, the wind chill factor got very close to zero a couple of nights.   Now that’s a shock to one’s system we had tried to avoid by scheduling a Harrah’s 7 Star trip just before the April 1 deadline.  We had kind of forgotten that Mother Nature has a way of playing tricks during March in Indiana!

Anyway, we didn’t suffer too much because the Hammond Horseshoe casino was nice and warm and the video poker machines were HOT!  Continue reading →

Posted in Brad Stories, Non-Vegas Casinos, Video Poker | 16 Comments

Caesars Resort Fees – Continued

Posted on March 15, 2013 by queen of comps

Wow! By the flurry of comments, it seems “resort fees” are dirty words to casino visitors!

I’m not surprised at the hubbub.  People generally don’t like tack-on fees in any area.  Airline pricing is one of the biggies, right up there with hotels.  However, as much as customers seem to hate them, I don’t see resort fees ever going away.  So, what can we do to minimize their impact on us? Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars | 16 Comments

Caesars News

Posted on March 10, 2013 by queen of comps

From an official CZR notice: “…in response to the increasing demand from our guests…”

I’m looking for the two “guests” who “demanded” that Caesars start charging a resort fee.  Maybe one is at home nursing a dry socket after he demanded that his dentist do an unnecessary root canal.  Or, perhaps one is busy in his basement digging through a filing cabinet for old documents because he demanded that the IRS do an audit on the last 5 years of his tax returns.  Or, perhaps one of them is busy on his computer researching his next vacation, trying to find a cruise ship that has experienced engine trouble on past sailings.

Or, maybe they are both in an asylum?

Posted in Caesars, Casino Policy | 15 Comments

April Las Vegas Local Authors Meet-and-Greet

Posted on March 6, 2013 by queen of comps

On Saturday, April 6, 2013, the Clark County Library system is sponsoring, for the 5th year, the Spring Fling Book Fair at the Clark County Library on 1401 E. Flamingo Road.  Scheduled from 11am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3pm, around 100 local authors will be at tables, ready to talk about and offer for sale their book(s).  I will be there as a part of a Huntington Press contingent Continue reading →

Posted in Public Appearances | 2 Comments

March Vegas Promotions

Posted on February 28, 2013 by queen of comps

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.  Continue reading →

Posted in Casino Promotions, Comps, M Casino, Meal Promo, Palms, Slot Clubs | 1 Comment