Major Change at the Palms

Posted on May 29, 2009 by queen of comps

This was totally unexpected  – as it was when the same thing happened at the Stations. On June 1 the Palms is going from a comp-only point system to giving free play for points. And to my surprise, they are keeping the redemption value the same – 400 points = $1. 

Some of the details of the new program: 

You can earn points for your purchases at the Palms – $1 cash purchase earns one point. (This point-for-purchase is also available at the Venetian/Palazzo and Harrah’s and perhaps other casinos.) 

What about points you have in your account June 1? These are called “Original points” and can be redeemed for comps only just as before. They must be used up by May 31, 2010 or they will be “forfeited.” 

Another feature of the new program was mentioned in an e-mail news release I received:  “As an added bonus Palms is also ending its practice of having caps on point multipliers.”  Hurrah! 

In the original printed rules describing this new Palm program, it said that “designated” machines were excluded from earning any points. But a friend of mine who gets good “inside” information has said that they were rethinking this and would be permitting points to be earned on all machines. “ However the ‘better’ machines will not be eligible for any point multipliers. Stickers will be put on the machines indicating this.  Exactly WHICH machines has not yet been officially determined, but for sure all 100% machines will have the stickers, and maybe the NSUDs. Those are currently under discussion.”   

So look for those dreaded stickers starting June 1 before you start playing!

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Back From New Orleans

Posted on April 4, 2009 by queen of comps

Just spent 3 nights at Harrah’s in the Big Easy. Some people we talked to on our trip thought it was pretty funny that people who lived in Vegas would make a trip to New Orleans to gamble. One joked about carrying coals to New Castle and a busman’s holiday. Although we do just like the atmosphere in New Orleans, to tell you the truth, we went this time because Harrah’s made us an offer that we just couldn’t refuse, one to the tune of $2100. 

Brad is regaining his strength, albeit slowly, but took the travel very well, his first trip since he “died.”   It was his first time to cope with security measures since he got his pacemaker. Although he can go through the security arches (just no security wands), on his way home they insisted on a hand pat down instead – but they didn’t find any weapons except a big fat bankroll with which to fight casinos. This was thanks to his 20k dealt royal on a $1 Five Play machine plus two more singles. 7 royals in two days – I guess he has his game back on! 

However, I am sad that I must bring some bad news from Harrah’s New Orleans. On April 1 they changed the Reward Credit redemption schedule for their partner restaurants. Although you can redeem your RCs on a one-to-one basis for all the restaurants in the casino and in the hotel (Gordon Biersch, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Grand Isle), the redemption for other partner restaurants is now on a two-to-one basis. That means it takes $2 in Reward Credits to pay for every $1 you spend at “outside” restaurants.

Reducing benefits is a sign of the tough times casinos are facing. And don’t be surprised if there is going to be a lot more of this. On the other hand, some casinos are ramping up the promotions to get more customers into their properties. So, cherry-picking is the name of the game, as it always is whether good times or bad!

 
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Useful Web sites

Posted on March 25, 2009 by queen of comps

http://www.videopoker.com/ – Play all the IGT video poker games, including new ones like Quick Quads Poker and Ultimate X Poker.   Practice when there is no risk to your gambling bankroll. 

http://savelv.com/ – “Save Money on Las Vegas Hotels, Entertainment, Dining & Fun Things To Do.” You can subscribe to get daily updates by e-mail. 

www.lasvegasgamblingedge.com – Charles Lund has always been good at collecting information and putting it into lists that are helpful to gamblers who want to play smarter, especially video poker players. After being on various sites on the Internet, he now has his own Web site and information you might not find anywhere else, at least in such an organized fashion. As well as lists about casino promotions and benefits, he also has categories for detailed Las Vegas information, like Free Attractions.   I have added it to my “Favorites.” 

And if you want a comprehensive list of links to video poker information, subscribe to vpFREE at [email protected].

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Brads Health Update

Posted on February 24, 2009 by queen of comps

Brad is gaining back his strength, albeit slowly. This is probably due as much from the “bug” as the pacemaker since I also am having trouble regaining my normal energy.  

But we are trying to be a little more active each day. In fact, today we got our exercise by walking into the Palms to collect free play, use a food coupon, and do our two free pulls on Megabucks. We got lucky and each of us won $15 on one of our pulls.  

And then we went to Wynn to collect some free play –  and decided to sit down and “rest” and play for a little while.   Brad evidently didn’t forget the point of video poker during his cardiac arrest. Within five minutes he had hit two W2-G jackpots – and yes, one was a royal flush. 

You can’t keep a good man down!

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Health Bumps

Posted on February 19, 2009 by queen of comps

I wrote on the 12th that Brad’s angioplasty, with stent #7, had gone well and he would be discharged from the hospital on the 13th and would probably soon be back to his regular “job” of having fun in a casino. 

Well, he was discharged from the hospital on the 13th and was resting on the 14th when he was suddenly hit by violent vomiting and unrelenting diarrhea. Since this was the same scenario as just before his first heart attack years ago, I immediately called an ambulance to take him to the hospital. In the emergency room he was going in and out of A-fib and then suddenly went into cardiac arrest. After 5 minutes of CPR his heart started up again. (I didn’t learn of this until after the crisis was over. Probably a good thing I wasn’t there at the time or I might have gone into cardiac arrest myself!)  

After being stabilized, he was admitted and went through extensive testing. It was determined that he had problems with a slow heart rhythm (in addition to A-fib) so a dual-chamber pacemaker system was implanted. 

The day after Brad was hit with the vomiting/diarrhea situation, I came down with the same thing so we must have been attacked by the same “bug.” This was inconvenient to say the least since I couldn’t be at the hospital overseeing – bossing? – Brad’s various doctors and nurses, seeing that he got the best attention in a caring but understaffed facility. However, in spite of my forced absence (although I was doing a lot of phone management) Brad seems to be okay now and came home last evening. He always has said that hospitals try to kill him, by freezing and sticking him to death and waking him up so often he never is allowed to get rested. So he is feeling much better to be warm and cozy at home with no needles in sight and able to sleep when he wants and as long as he wants. 

We both are still plagued with slight nausea and dizziness and all-over soreness – we feel like we’ve been run over by a truck. That “bug” that hit us both must be a wicked one and doesn’t want to leave the body easily. (We have heard from others in Vegas and other parts of the country that this “bug” is going around and leaves you weak for quite awhile.) But hopefully we both will be feeling better in a few days. 

We want to give a big thanks to all who have stepped up to help us during this medical emergency. It is wonderful to have so many caring friends.  

 
 
 
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Bonus Point Bumps

Posted on February 15, 2009 by queen of comps

As you all know, I recommend play on days when a casino offers bonus-point multipliers. But you must be careful that you know the details of any these promotions. Each casino’s system has its own quirks and here are some of the things you need to watch for: 

–Just what is multiplied? For example, Harrah’s multipliers only add to the base Reward Credits, not to the bonus Credits or to the Tier Credits. And if a casino is running another promotion at the same time, like the one at the Palms this month in which you can earn cash or free play instead of comps, those benefits can be earned only on base points, not on any multiplier points. 

–What are the limits? Some casinos set no limits – you can play for bonus points until your fingers freeze up. However, you need to check. For example, Silverton usually sets a limit of 60,000 bonus points (on top of the regular single points). This means that if you play there tomorrow, President’s Day, you can get their 5x points only on the first 15,000 points you earn; after that you are earning single points. The Palms usually (not always – read rules for each promotion carefully) has a limit of 40,000 bonus points. 

–What are the hours the bonus will be given? Often bonus promotions run from midnight to midnight, but there are exceptions. Silverton ran a 9x promotion this last January 1st from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. 

–Are all machines included in the promotion? Tuscany, Cannery, and Ellis Island exclude some machines from their multiple-point days. Fortunately, they do have labels on those machines so you know this before you start your play 

–Are the multipliers for everyone? Station Casinos sometimes sends out cards to individual customers with a promotion only for those that get the mailer. Green Valley Ranch has a multi-point promotion for only seniors on Wednesdays this month. Harrah’s multi-point promotion is only for players with Platinum cards and above. 

As I warn over and over again when I talk about promotions – the devil is in the details!

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Lucky Number 7

Posted on February 13, 2009 by queen of comps

During Brad’s angiogram today the cardiologist found one place in the right coronary artery that had an 80% blockage so he did an angioplasty and put in one stent – the 7th one in that artery. We figured he wanted to match stents with Brad’s royals! 

But this is good news, perhaps pushing the need for bypass surgery further into the future. Brad is chafing under the orders to lie flat for so many hours, but he should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow and able to pretty much go back to his regular “job” of having fun in a casino, hopefully with Lady Luck still at his side. 

We thank everyone who was praying and thinking good thoughts and wishing Brad well today.

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Those Tricky Royal Flushes

Posted on February 11, 2009 by queen of comps

Royals flushes – you never know when they will hide for seemingly eons. And then when you just about give up ever getting one, they pop up to surprise and please you. 

After a particularly bad start to 2009, deep in a gambling hole, Brad hit a royal on Feb. 5. It certainly didn’t get us even for the year, but it surely made our spirits rise. We are used to losing streaks, but we are human and winning is always more “fun” than losing. Then the next day Brad hit another royal. Great, we are quickly climbing up out of that big hole. 

The next day, Feb. 7, we are in shock when Brad hit his 3rd royal in 3 days, all in different casinos. We are out of the hole and extra cash on hand! Time to pay off one of the markers we had taken out during our January drought. So on the 8th Brad (who always takes care of the money) was supposed to take along some of that extra cash to pay off that marker, but he forgot. I teased him about his forgetfulness and said that I guess he would just have to hit royal #4 and part of that could pay off the marker. So that is what he did!!!!!!   (Isn’t it nice he is so easy-going and does what I suggest?) 

On the 9th my calendar tells me that we are scheduled to play at Casino #5. We joke on the way. Should we think about the common concept that maybe we have “used up” all our luck – or the opposite, we’re on a roll and keep it going. Anyway Brad does hit #5. I joke with the floor people about men having all the luck and I haven’t had a royal in ages. All the gals applaud when soon after I say that I hit a royal that is a lot bigger than his. 

The rest of the story is really a “cheater.” Yesterday we were scheduled to play just a short time on 100 Play, which is no guarantee by any means of getting a royal. But Brad was dealt four to the royal and connected on two, numbers 6+7. To keep him from hogging all the glory, I hit one too. 

We aren't going to try to extend this already-over-the-top royal streak.  We aren’t playing in a casino today – Brad is resting up for an angiogram scheduled tomorrow. Need to find out why he is “dragging” these days and gets chest pain on exertion. As I write in books about video poker I autograph – we are hoping for “skillful luck.” We are counting on a little luck in the hospital tomorrow and a lot of skill on the doctors’ part to make a good diagnosis. They say maybe more stents although he already has 6 from the last two angioplasties and there could be a limit to this option. And for the first time they mentioned the possibility of bypass surgery. 

I’ll report back here when the doctor tells us what he advises.

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Good Moves by Silverton

Posted on February 8, 2009 by queen of comps

I am no authority on how casinos could/should run their business during this severe economic downturn, but it seems as if they shouldn’t be making cuts that say to old loyal customers, “We don’t want your business any more.” And it looks like they should be doing more to attract new customers. 

Among the casinos that are making a good effort to keep existing players and attract new ones, Silverton stands high. You see their advertisements every time you turn around, in the newspaper, on TV, and on billboards. Here are some of the promotions they are running in February: 

–A good no-risk signup bonus. Join their players club and they will give you $50 in free slot play – $25 on the day you join and $25 on your next visit within the next 30 days. 

–Earn a “Snuggie.” You know you have seen these advertised on TV and wished you had one! I had! Earn just 250 points on reel slots or 500 on video poker and you can feel warm and fuzzy on your couch in one of these. And the casino doesn’t even take away those points – so they stay in your account and add to your comp balance. You can earn only one Snuggie a day, but you can do this promo every day –a chance to work ahead on your holiday gift list 

–Two-for-one restaurant deal (4-10 p.m.). This promotion has been running for a couple of months, but it proved too popular and the lines became impossible. So this month they have changed it and you can get this discount only if you have a players card at the silver or higher level. However, this is not a big hurdle if you plan to put some play on your card anyway. Ordinarily it takes 5000 points to reach the silver level but this month you can get there with only 1000 points. 

–Nightly drawing at 8 p.m. Big plus here over past drawings – the entries are generated electronically. And another convenient feature of Silverton drawings: You don't have to be present to win; they give you 3 hours to collect your prize! 

As I always warn, you need to check at the players club for the details of any of these promotions. And another warning, especially during these bad economic times, don't gamble with money you need for life’s necessities.     

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A New Year

Posted on January 6, 2009 by queen of comps

Well, I'm finally back here in Blogville after surviving the last three weeks: 

A Wii-filled holiday with the Frugal Princess family in Columbus, GA. The Wii game Brad and I gave as a family gift this year was a wonderful way to bring together family and friends of all ages, not only for group fun but healthy exercise at the same time – I can't believe how winded you can get virtually bowling! (I read that Wii is becoming THE thing in nursing homes and I can see why.)   Below is a photo of grandson Zachary and me giving Brad some encouragement in virtual baseball.

 

The backyard trampoline didn't get as much action as the Wii, but Brad and I wanted to show the young whippersnappers that we still had some adventure and energy left!

A family reunion in New Orleans, where I arranged hotel accommodations, meals, and/or entertainment options for up to 13 people, from babies to seniors. It kept me so busy I forgot my shock and dismay at turning 70. Besides people said I didn’t look that much older than my 60- and 65-year-old sisters, left to right, Starr and June.

3 Sisters

When Brad and I flew back to Vegas on the 30th, we hit the runway at top speed, phoning to make plans before we even deplaned and organizing to be sure none of our bounce-back expired, stopping at Ellis Island to collect some on the way home from the airport.   On the 31st there is no time to unpack completely or unwind. In the morning free play awaited us at NYNY and Hard Rock, and we did some play at the former. Then the annual New Year’s Eve Huntington Press party was our next stop in the afternoon. By 5 o’clock the Strip was being closed so we had to use the Desert Inn Arterial under it to get to the Eastside and pick up more bounce-back cash at Ellis Island, an every-year extra offer for after 4 p.m. to lure customers to spend New Year’s Eve in their casino. 

However, we were bushed so picked up our $25 apiece and immediately headed back to our west-side-of-the-Strip condo, again via the DI Arterial.   There will be plenty of time to play at EI another time when it is not so crowded and smoky!   And then it was to bed early to sleep the new year in as we were still suffering major jet lag. We had invitations to parties at almost every casino we had ever played in during the last 10 years or so (casinos are desperate for warm bodies so are digging very deep in their databases). However, we had tired of that comp long ago after we had our own place in Vegas and weren’t staying in casinos very often anymore. At our ages sleeping in our own bed is high on our Best Activity in Vegas list.

January 1 didn’t bring a rest day – holidays in Vegas never do for us. Bonus point promotions are still one of our best techniques for extracting money from casinos. We don’t have the stamina to play as many hours in one day as we used to do but we managed to max out the 9x points at Silverton (they only gave the bonus on 10K earned points) and do the 10K points at South Point that would be doubled and qualify us for the $30×4 mailer in March. There is a higher mailer there – $50×4 –that requires 45K points, but we usually opt for the second level down because we like the more comfortable playtime length. And it does have a higher EV.

The busy schedule continued on January 2 and 3rd: To the Palms to use comps in the Salon – haircut and style, fill for acrylic nails, pedicure – so I looked presentable at the infamous Blackjack Ball on Friday night. A tournament at Excalibur, with free play pickup and some major play. Pickup and play at NYNY. Bounceback pickup and play for 5x points at Hard Rock. Pickups at Palms and Green Valley Ranch.

On the 4th and 5th we crashed, the first days in a month I didn’t have to comb my hair, put on makeup, get dressed, and go out among people – I call them my nightgown days . We finally got completely unpacked and I could attack the stack of paperwork that had accumulated while we were out of town.     

Today, after I finish this blog entry, I am reviewing all our past-year casino play, double-checking the EV (game plus extras), and looking for casinos to drop since I am resolving – for the umpteen time – to cut down on our busy schedule. Although all of our plays are over 100% – that’s what being an advantage player means – I am going to drop some where the edge is lower and step up play where the edge is better. I will take other things besides EV into consideration: whether I like the game we have to play or it seems more like a duty, or whether the casino has good air circulation or is very smoky. 

A big issue is travel time. Although we like to play Multi-Strike at Green Valley Ranch, our January mailers (Brad and I just can’t get the same one although we play about the same amount of time on the same machines) require 14 trips to do all the play on bonus-point days and pick up all the free play. 14 trips of 25 miles round trip. Even with gas prices down, the expense of this play and the time involved cut down the hourly rate and/or EV to an unacceptable level. So out it goes – and I feel more relaxed already!

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