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the basics, the present 3rd edition (eBook only) of Tax Help for Gamblers, rather than older paperbacks which are quite out of date.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.
Next time u hear about how some of the Casino’s are not doing so well u will no why. The customer can be pissed on so long. BTW One of Fertiata’s daughter had a $25 Million wedding at RR casino. It’s hard to believe Station’s was once in bankruptcy.
Just found your website after living here a couple years, use to read the Seven to learn about comps, best deals, and get video poker advice. I, too, discovered that Boyd does not want video poker players anymore. How can they be so vague, and it;s in writing, as how much coin in to get a tier credit. I spoke to B connected personnel at GC and Orleans and Stephy a casino host. As only a Ruby I’ll need to play another $3k or half that if their 2 times formula works, BUT only on reels which seem to have gotten tighter. To test the $5 into slots, my wife on 8/30 played $5.20, we went to kiosk then B connected club to verify we played the correct amount…and to our dismay NO tier credit, he blamed IT…said to update tommorrow. As of 3pm 9/1, still no tier credit and the 2 people I spoke to could not give us a reason. Does the gaming commission get involved if casinos lie.
To Roberta. Looks like GC dinged you for around $33 for 1 tier credit. They got me for around $70 for 1. If you go to http://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/by-region/las-vegas.html, you will find a list of the all video poker offered at every LV casino. The site also provides the details about the player club. I too only play VP, so all my play will now be at either South Point, Green Valley or Red Rock. SP and Green Valley have the most 100% games when factoring in the players club multipliers. SP has by far the most the most $1/2 NSU, BPDX and JB, plus I get better mailers from them.
I was Emerald but now Saphire. Points went from over 200,000 to 5977. Used to get a meal book, 4 nights free and $100.00 slot play. Now no slot play and three nights. I heard it takes $10.00 in VP play to get 1 point. Where is everyone else moving to? I will be in LV next week and will give MSS my regular play but will also be looking at other casinos. I only play VP.
I now have a better understanding of the inflation the people in Venezuela must be experiencing. Today my new “Tier credits” balance is showing up in my account. My play from 1/1/18 to the present was converted at about $70 coin-in for 1 new tier credit. I’m going to the GC today to try and get cash back for all my bConnected points, which I don’t think they will do. If I can’t get cash back, I’ll use the points up in food. I’ve been playing at the Gold Coast for over 14 years. The Gold Coast quit me yesterday, today I’m quitting them. I’ll never play another hand of video poker in their casinos…..RIP
Received my Boyd’s Sept brochure and they have reduced comps and value playing. I will not play there anymore.
I kind of wish they had just dumped the whole gemstone theme. An emerald today does not have the same clout as it did last week. Titanium is not a gemstone. Where did that come from? Titanium is basically the new Onyx. Only a few whales will see that card. Onyx is the new emerald. From the sounds of it, VP players are going to have a hard time getting up the ladder. Onyx sounds out of the question for an out-of-towner. Also, in the fine print, you lose your points after 6 months of inactivity.
The points you earn for playing video poker have been effectively cut in half. That means that it is now impossible to get over 100% on any game, even on multiple point days. Another one bites the dust. We all knew it; the highly reliable rule is that the more a casino toots its horn about a players’ club change, the worse that change will be for the player.
I’ve been criticized for being “negative” in my posts and comments, which is why I took down my blog, but really–what developments in the last couple of years have been positive? Damn few. Reno, here I come.
No more 2x for Sapphire or 3x points for Emerald. No more set amount to receive a tier credit. It is a mystery, secret, unknown guarded by the casino corporates. I was told it depends on the denomination, games, time played, etc. for video poker. So it could be anything. Or player specific. At the party they said our tier credits would convert from the old ones to new ones. Well everyone starts at ZERO today 8/27. Not much of a conversion. Just like starting a new casino, without knowing what you are going to receive as far as offers. Cruises we get enough of, too many offers to actually take. Most inside cabins are not worthwhile to us older folks. Bahamas is an expensive plane fare, so not something we are prone to do. So no new added benefits for us.
Just stopped by Aliante. Looks like $2 per point for video poker, even on poor paytables. Slots are still $1/point. If Emerald is now 15000 points instead of 250000 points, that’s not a bad trade. Waiting for more info.
Hi Jean,
Just wanted to take a moment and say I love reading your blog and have used all your information of the years to make myself a better player.
I did get SOME information regarding the changes to B Connected over the weekend when I was at Sam’s Town in Shreveport. This is all due to the new partnership Boyd Gaming and Aristocrat announced earlier in the month. Over the next year, Boyd properties (starting in Vegas) will be changing out their player’s club systems to update to the newer OASIS 360 display systems. Here is what I know so far (although we will know all tomorrow….supposedly). A dealer had this little business card at her table that listed the new levels, tier requirements and point to $ ratios.
1. There are five card levels now: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Onyx (which had been the “secret level” card prior) and Titanium. Here are some of the breakdowns:
Ruby – 0 Tier Credits required
Sapphire – 750 Tier Credits required
Emerald – 15,000 Tier Credits required (I think…)
Onyx & Titanium- can’t remember
2. Slots will now require $5 coin-in to gain 1 point. (This is similar to CET TR), however this is a big change as some Boyd properties are .50 = 1 point or $1 = 1 point. I assume VP will be $10 coin in for 1 point. Table games will be rated as 1 point per dollar of theo. Bingo will earn points at $6 = 1 point.
3. Slot points and table points are now combined into “BConnected points” that can be used for comps and free play. I did speak with a player’s club rep today, but she had very little information and told me to “come back after 5pm on Monday for more information.” She also told me that we would not be “taking anything away you’ve already earned”, so hopefully that means my BConnected point balance will remain. I’m not even sure how they are going to convert current card scores to the new system!
They had a lot of posters up for the changes and are advertising on the BConnected website, but they had very little information and no brochures. Seems really sketchy to me, but anytime player’s clubs make changes they are rarely beneficial to the player.
Thank You, My feelings also and awaiting more info on the 27th.
Jean, they have had the Onyx tier for sometime, I heard it was for the top 150 players, the new top tier will be the Titanium tier. That’s what we were told at the Blue Chip in Michigan City IN.
Boyd gaming and especially The Orleans has gone downhill this year. They drastically cut back on the young at heart buffet deals. You cant even use points for buy 1 get 1 anymore. The quality of the dealers has diminished greatly as well seeing many no longer there for whatever reason. Also the attitude of the remaining dealers is terrible. Ive seen craps dealers openly mock a customer after he walks away after losing his money. So Im not expecting the new changes to be beneficial to the customer basis their recent history.
No big deal for the average player. Fortunately there are other Casino’s to play. If the advantages go down so does my playing.
Changes to a players club are rarely advantageous to the player. If the changes were truly advantageous to the player, they would be shouting about it. The fact that it is a big secret that they have been teasing on social media for two weeks without giving any details makes me hope for the best but prepare for the worst.