Poll : 09 March - 22 March 2016

Analysis

An interesting and diverse response to this one; here's some of your email feedback, for which many thanks!

• "I am an occasional, mediocre poker player and prefer to play where the competition is weak. My wife plays only craps and will only play at a $1 table, so we make the shlep to Jokers Wild in South Henderson once every trip."
  
  
• "Any BOYD property because they seem to have decent machines - and a lot of choices both in VP and slots. The personnel are friendly and we can usually get a comped room (not this year, though). It's a fun place to be and I like having a room on any side of the building - either the light show or mountains and sunrises or sunsets. I usually manage to at least break even. Good people!"
  
  
• "If by 'comps' you mean great drink service, keep 'em coming and I'll keep playing-- even losing (slowly) can be fun..."
  
  
• "I prefer to gamble in a smoke free environment.."
  
  
• "Anyplace where table limits aren'the so high. I hate to bet more than $5 on a crap table."
  
  "We like to gamble at places with good cocktail service but over the past couple of years, it's getting harder to find a Strip casino that meets that criterion!"
  
  
• "The sports book is where I spend most of my time. There and at happy hour -- watching sports!"
  
  
• "A place where I have coupons for positive EV bets, of course. How was that not an option?"
  
  
• "Luck plays a huge role in choosing a gambling property, but it's not just recent lucky streaks. It can be that I remember winning at a particular place on a similar day, when I was wearing the same shirt or at a particular time of year. I can also be lured in by special promotions, new machines and yes, the infamous 'Feeling' that this is the place where I'm going to win. Other things can make me go in for limited sessions, too, such as a restaurant or show that I want to go to in the same building."
  
  
• "I voted for places I've won in the past--because that's where I feel luckier and have more fun! I don't take a gambling vacation very often (used to frequent Tunica, but it's turned so lousy in so many ways, I've not been in more than a year) and when I do, I want to have fun and use my budget wisely at the same time. Losing several times at the same casino (are you listening, Sun Coast??) means I'll go elsewhere. Winning or at least having a long session w/ a small loss means I become a repeat customer. Last trip, that meant more time spent at M and Rampart. Since I play more at these places, I get more comps and become an even happier girl. And generally, when you win more consistently, the odds are better--so it all ties together. A long stay is coming up soon so I'll get to check out how my faves are doing this year. At the worst, I'll have some goooooood food at M. At the worst, I'll be trying out other casinos."
  
  
• "I always gamble or spend more time at a place where I feel welcome. Even if the odds are crappy. Give me a friendly bartender or dealer who will take the time to chat with you, laugh or talk sports and I'm staying put or I will frequent that place. Treat me bad or act like a butthead and I'm gone."
  
  
• "I go to places where all the crews and management know me. It's not just about the gambling: We gossip about the industry and what is happening around Las Vegas. Sort of like A.C.'s job..."
  
  
• "I gamble where there is a combination of favorable rules/odds, (NEVER at casinos with 6-5 multi-deck BJ tables),reasonable drinks and decent restaurants with good prices. I also like a more 'homey' feeling. Can't define why but a casino like the Cromwell (in addition to the terrible odds), simply leaves me cold, as do casinos with very high ceilings, like Paris or MGM. May not be rational but I know when I don't feel completely comfortable. I gamble in 2-hour sessions so I don't mind driving to get to a 'good' casino. Favorites: Strip - Casino Royale (6-5 SINGLE deck BJ); 'Boondocks' - Rampart, South Point."
  
  
• "The only game I really come to Vegas to play is poker, and I only play where the dealers are friendly without imposing themselves too much into the action or conversation. I've seen long-time dealers comment on the hands, or not know how to apply well-known rules. I also like a good mix of locals and tourists, professionals and recreational players. For me, it all adds up to Bally's."
  
  
• "My wife and I would prefer a friendly place that makes you feel welcomed. That's why we stopped our annual trips to Las Vegas four years ago. Being treated like its a privilege to have them take my money just got old. We have found an Indian casino that greets you at the door and makes you feel like they are glad you came and that they appreciate your business."
  
  
• "I prefer to gamble downtown where the casinos are close to each other."
  
  
• "My preference is close to where I live near Detroit. There are three Detroit casino and the prefer the Motor City. casino. We also frequent Caesars in Windsor which is non-smoking casino. We also appreciate the strict Gun Control in Canada. We generally find Canadians more polite and civil than Americans which is represented in the Windsor Casino."
  
  
• "My husband and I live north of Seattle and have casinos every direction in the state and have visited many, always leaving saying "WE LOVE LAS VEGAS"--for many reasons-- but mainly because we just get too antsy being stuck in one place, so we seldom gamble here. The real fun for us is moving in and out (a beer in his hand, a martini in mine} from one casino to the next all up and down the strip, playing slots and video poker along the way. We always also rent a car and visit off-strip casinos.{minus the beer and martini in hand} We have been visiting 2-3 times a year and don't see any end in sight!"
  
  
• "On a full craps table in Downtown Las Vegas, where I also prefer to stay. The table minimums are low, and I have my pick of seven casinos within a three block walk. The Fremont almost always has a game with a full compliment of players at any hour of the day or night, the D has the modern music and the dancing dealers at night that keeps my attention when the game slows down during busy periods, the Golden Nugget is for when I feel like an upscale break from my average life, Binions has a dice table that looks out on to Fremont Street at times when I want to people watch, the Golden Gate is for when I want to feel like the Mob is still in charge in Vegas, the Four Queens has Magnolias Cafe steps from their dice tables, and its open 24/7, with the late night/early morning breakfast choices being my favorite. The Plaza, my least favorite place to play, has a McDonalds inside for when I feel like having a dollar cone and/or small fries as a quick snack during short breaks from the game.
• "I am an 'advantage player'. I specialize in vulturing certain opportunities, where and when available. Because I'm looking for "banking style games" (enough said about which games, etc), I visit several casinos regularly, usually daily, often several times per day. I am happiest in the casino's with the most machines that may give me those chances. The more machines available that may offer me a chance is my primary consideration when visiting any casino."
  
  
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