The More Resources the Better

“How do you find out all that up-to-date casino information you put in your blog?” I’m getting this question frequently these days, since many players know I can’t now visit casinos very often.

There is a simple answer, really. I’m doing just about the same things I’ve done for the last 20+ years of writing. Yes, back when I visited a casino somewhere most days of the week, I collected general information I could share in my books and blog. However, specific details were mostly to guide Brad and me in our personal play at that specific casino. I always tried to remember that not every player is alike. Not everyone is a Vegas local or even plays much in Las Vegas. I have always written for players all over the country and for those who had differing goals and bankrolls. That is what I’m still doing. But these days, I need a lot more than just personal visits to a few scattered casinos.  I need other resources to find information. And especially in this new tough casino environment, I need them more than I ever did before.

The basic information source for me has always been – and still is – anything I can read. It used to be hard-copy books and magazines. And books about gambling are still being published that give new ideas and inspiration. You can check out the LVA shop for recent titles. And while you’re there, you can find some of the older books that contain valuable gambling advice that’s still usable and most of these books sell for very frugal prices. I used to say that I could find at least one hint in almost any gambling book that would make me more money in a casino than the cost of the book!

Nowadays, much of my reading is done online. I spend many hours a week searching for information from other gaming writers. Of course, I faithfully read the Las Vegas Advisor, but also all the blogs and other content on this LVA site. And here’s a hint I have found most valuable. I not only read the blogs, but also the comments on the blogs, going back a week or so. Not everyone reads and comments on a blog the same day it’s posted. I’m often amazed by the bits and pieces of helpful information I find in these comments, including those on my own blog.

I also check out industry news. The CDC site is a good place for this. Also David McKee gives some good details in his Stiffs and Georges blog.

If you google specific casino companies and search for their press releases, you’ll be astounded how forthright they sometimes are in revealing their “secrets.” In recent months, I’ve read quite a few quotes from casino executives who specifically say that they’re looking for “higher-value” players (translation: those who lose more and don’t need rewards to keep them coming), while they won’t cater to “lower-value” players (low-rollers, especially those who win). That might help you understand why your mailers are going downhill.

For other industry inside information, you can look for casino analysts reports. I recently read one that talked about new software coming out that will make things harder for players looking for an advantage. This one is particularly scary! “Acres Manufacturing envisions casino operators being able to increase offers to high-margin (or casual) players,  while reducing offers to low-margin or advantage players.”

I also regularly check into gambling forums. One of my favorites is vpFREE. Subscribe at their new home.  Although it’s video poker-centric, there’s often players club news that any machine player might find helpful. This long-term forum no longer has as many participants as in the past, partly because it had to change its location, but mainly because so many video poker players have dropped out of action during the pandemic. But even in this current rebuilding stage, I’ve found some useful information on video poker and players clubs.

An example is a warning one vpFREE member posted about the Rampart Casino in Las Vegas. Maybe some of you had been excited about this casino starting to have more multi-point days. Better carefully read the casino explanation of the new change in their players club:

We’ve also received feedback that our point multipliers are not competitive with other area casinos. Our goal is to offer the best promotional line-up for our players, and offering a competitive multiplier is very important to us. Therefore, as of September 1, 2021, we are rolling out an all-new Rampart Rewards Program.

Earning points will remain the same and there will be no change to the way players earn points in the system. You will continue to earn $1 of slot coin-in = 1 point and $2 of video poker coin-in = 1 point.

Our redemptions will change in the following way: Current redemption: 200 points = $1 in cash back, free slot play, or comps. New redemption: 1,000 points = $1 cash, free slot play, or comps – this will begin September 1. With this new change to our point multipliers, you will be earning points faster than ever at Rampart Casino!

The poster isn’t tricked and you shouldn’t be either. He says: “To try to sugar coat an 80% reduction in comps/cashback by saying it is being done to accommodate customer feedback asking for better multipliers takes a lot of guts. So far, only Labor Day had a multiplier, and for VP it was 5X, meaning that even on a multiplier day, the new program is FAR worse than the old program every day of the week!”

Some of you may think this forum doesn’t give you any helpful information about the outside-of-Vegas casinos where you play. You yourself can change that pretty fast. Just post a question about a specific casino anywhere and you will usually get input from other members. I have gotten a lot of help this way recently with our visits to Harrah’s Cherokee. And being on this forum can have an added bonus: You may have the opportunity to make new friends that share your enthusiasm for video poker and it will perhaps lead to private communication and the sharing of information about the casinos where you play. I have learned a lot of casino “secrets” this way!

Above, I’ve described some of the main resources I use, but I’m sure there are many more. I’m interested in learning how you get valuable casino info. Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments.