Advantage players search for edges. In addition to the usual techniques at blackjack, video poker, sports betting, and tournaments, they keep their eyes out for opportunities where the house offers a promotion, but miscalculates the odds.
A good example comes from Anthony’s YouTube channel interview with Jonathan Jossel. The Plaza offered a 30% rebate on W9 taxable wins for 24 hours. APs swept in and played keno — yes, keno — till the cows came home. Not exactly the usual AP game. Being a stand-up guy, Jossel didn’t cancel the promotion when he realized the mistake, even though it cost the Plaza several hundred thou. In 24 hours, no less.
That’s how significant exploiting a loophole can be.
Now, some APs will grouse at me again for publishing this, as they have when I wave the flag about advantage play VP opportunities or stacking promos, but that’s my job, helping you see the (value) light pointing the way to the promised land before the house catches it. And they’re watching, so you have to move quick.
A favorite expression comes to mind: “Happiness is positive cash flow.” OURS, not theirs!
The purpose of this post is to MAKE YOU THINK, to ask, “What if …?”
You should realize that you’ll make mistakes, hit dead ends, find out your hunch was, a buncha hooey. Are you willing to take that risk? Look dumb? Get the door slammed in your face? If so, I can tell you that when you’re RIGHT, it’s so sweet. Positive cash flow sweet.
Ken, an Arizona reader, told me about his experience calling the Virgin attempting to get info on their tier bump requirements. Reaching the player’s club, a very uncooperative staff member hung up on him. Customer service? Fuggedaboudit!
He didn’t get the info needed but that’s okay, because Ken’s ASKING was key. He was SEARCHING.
BTW, Ken got a free Bobby Vegas T-shirt for the tip. “Avoid the Virgin!” Ever since they transformed the truly legendary Hard Rock into this no-winners no-fun land of boring games and well corporate tomfoolery, the “Virgin” is more like a (I shouldn’t be that vulgar, so let’s just say) washed out.
Here’s another example of my thought process.
If less people are coming to Vegas for the foreseeable future, where can I find an undiscovered advantage — beyond great hotel deals? Like if bingo has 30% less people, but the payouts are the same, does that raise our odds for winning substantially
compared to bingo’s edge? YES. Get my drift?
Check it out. Try being wrong. ASK, and win.
Where else have you found an edge or tried to? Share your discoveries and mistakes.
Next up is my favorite math formula (nerd alert):
It’s not “Any X equals X.” It’s “Any X equals ANY X”!
O.M.G. The Birthday Paradox. I love it. We’ll get to it in my next blog. Stay tuned.
Thank you Bobby–can’t wait to wear that tshirt proudly not only in Vegas on my next trip with my wife and AP playing analytical sons but I’m also going to wear it here in my 55 plus older resort community to try to educate as many people as possible about how bad my Virgin Casino hosts experiences were.
Bobby doesn’t quite capture the intense runaround I had with a very limited English speaking rep from the players club. Here’s a pretty good description of the exchange.
Me–Can you explain to me how I would get the free play once I achieved the new tier status? Do I run 20 through a machine, how much through equals a point and how many points before the new tier is hit before I get my free play? Her broken English response was ” You go put card in machine and play and then in awhile you get a new tier”
Me: Well how much will I need to run through? what are your coin in amounts to reach a point to get to next tier to get the free play.
She; You just go play, you see.
All of this in broken English with no real explanation.. It is a place to avoid at all costs
Thanks Ken.
And I am delinquent on your t shirt .
Please retext me your address.
Bobby
Hey there…. I’m brand new to Bobby Vegas. Sorry, I hadn’t heard your name before but I’m glad I have now. Glad to meet your acquaintance. I’m very much like yourself, doing EVERYTHING possible to leave Las Vegas with their money in my pocket. And… that includes getting the best bang for my buck. I haven’t mastered the skill of playing the “points” game. I’m pretty good with gaming the credit card points but not so much with the “Players Cards”. Looking forward to learning more about that. The Morgan
You’re on the right track Morgan. Its an adventure but its worth it ! Scuffle on