Author: Bobby Vegas

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Bobby Vegas: Points on Points

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Want $1,000 for your next Vegas trip? It starts at home with the two of the five P’s — proper planning.

A recent Chase credit card promo for 100,000 points that was featured in LVA just ended. If you caught this, it’s a real winner. Those points are worth $1,000 or more. If you missed it, many promos throughout the year are worth grabbing.

I’m a big fan of Chase rewards points, along with a Chase Southwest card. Together they’ve provided me free flights, rental cars with free insurance, and more. Yeah, rentals are my big splurge, but they’ve paid off many times over. Case in point, I get to drive out to Rainbow and Emerald Island in Henderson, where good values abound.

The Chase promo required $5,000 in charges in three months. Paying food, gas, utilities, and other expenses got me there. Of course, it’s important to pay off your card every month to avoid the vicious interest rates, but if you’re charging basics, like food, gas, utilities, and other routine expenses, it should be easy.

When you book through the Chase travel portal, you get a 25% bonus. Let’s say your flight is $400. You use $300 in points. Nice.

I work the systems to get my one week trip to Vegas, complete with air, car, and hotel, for around $600. Yes, for the whole week. At that point, I’m $1,000 ahead even before I’ve landed.

Some folks like the comp route and if that works for you, fine. As for me, I don’t want to be obligated to a casino for playing several hours a day for comped RFB. I live by “stay where I want to stay and play where I want to play.”

I may stay at the Downtown Grand and play some, but will play more at Four Queens, Plaza, and out to Rainbow or somewhere else where the video poker is richer and the points promos are sweeter.

Downtown, your Southwest boarding pass is worth free matchplays at The D and El Cortez. Southwest has nonstops from my Raleigh airport several times a week and no baggage fee when using your Southwest Chase card.

I often do a one way on points to Vegas (Southwest) and a red eye back on another airline, which I prefer, as I don’t like wasting the whole day in the air. And leaving late gives me that whole last day.

If you missed the Chase $1,000 deal, there are still great offers. I find sites like Points Guy excellent resources to keep up on them.

At least once a year, Southwest has card deals where you can easily qualify for a free companion pass for a year. This amazing bonus can easily run $750 to $1,000 in value and that’s on top of your free points. I used to fly on points and my wife on a free companion pass. Again, we saved $750 to $1,000 before we landed.

So work the systems, folks.

You can create a bankroll from savings with proper planning. It’s a great feeling to be ahead $1,000 before you land.

Enjoy!

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Bobby Vegas: Give ‘Em Good Gamble

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Not too long ago, I was feted by a “mid- to high roller” who took me to dinner at Le Cirque at Bellagio. Though we weren’t next to the window with a direct view of the Fountains, it was a very nice corner table. The waiters, sommeliers, and staff all fawned over us. We chose the basic four-course meal and each had one drink. My buddy told me the folks at the next able were drinking a Champagne that was $180 per glass.

The meal was fine—elegant and tasteful. I thought they were a bit stingy on the bread, which wasn’t warm. My guy had a $500 comp and the bill came to more than $750.

Was this better than a meal at Rainbow’s Triple B Diner where just about everything is homemade, entrees are under $12, and I paid with points at half-price using an LVA MRB coupon?

Well, not $740 better, not for me, no. And frankly, I’m a bit uncomfortable with all the fawning and obsequiousness. I’d rather “rock the block” on Fremont, play FP VP and stop in for a slice at Pizza Rock. Or a great prime rib.

Look, it’s Vegas. You can have any fantasy you want. ANY FANTASY — if you’re willing to pay. My fantasy is the one where I pay as little as possible. As my Carolina friends would say, “I got no truck with you doing what you do. It just ain’t what I want to do.” You want to live the high life? It’s your money. For my money, I’d rather stay at the Rio for four nights for $107 total. Walk right into the Pinky Ring. Get a smokin’ bingo deal at the Plaza.

As Jack Black said in School of Rock: “ Stickin’ it to the man.” THAT’S what I love.

Writing this blog today, I’ve had an epiphany. More than an advantage player, I’m a value player. While the casinos work to extract everything they can from us, I work to extract as much as I can from them. Smart. Legal. Well thought out. And then I get to share it with you, what Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point calls an “information maven.”

And maybe now, as the hold on the Strip continues to drop, they’re starting to reconsider hosing everybody on resort fees, parking fees, etc. fees, etc. Okay, maybe not Caesars or MGM at least right away, but I believe we are starting to see cracks in their greed.

Most of us will be coming back and most of us understand it ain’t for free. Exactly like taxes, I’m willing to pay, but I want to pay as little as is legally allowed. And if we give our hard earned shekels to the Plazas, Downtown Grands, Four Queens, and others giving us good gamble, then the give-good-gamble houses will prosper. We “give-us-good-gamble gamblers” will keep coming back again and again.

So if dropping $750 on dinner rocks your world, go for it. As for us, we do our best to have a good time, get a good deal, and as Benny Binion would say, get a good gamble.

Because we love Vegas.

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Bobby Vegas: A Break in the Blog Dam

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

I’ve been having severe medical problems over the last 9 months. After six trips to the ER/Triage, three surgeries and one under emergency conditions, and two months of catheters, I’ve lost 38 pounds. At several points in the process, my crew was very very concerned. So was I.

But I’m a tough old bird (it takes a lot to kill me), and though I’m not exactly bouncing back, I am up and grumbling.

I haven’t been publishing my blog every couple of weeks, which is another indication of how severe it’s all been. Writing this blog is an honor and a joy for this unrepentant old Vegas scuffler.

And now … sigh … my issues are exacerbated by flying, so I won’t be back in Vegas for at least another three months. I’ve got plenty to write about, but I’ll be pining for video poker, the dance floor at the Pinky Ring, comped meals, and scoping out the latest “shews,” as Ed Sullivan used to say.

I can’t get to Vegas unless I drive. And I live in North Carolina. Before you ask, no, Harrah’s Cherokee just doesn’t do it for me.

In short, life has slowed me down in a way I’ve not seen in nearly seven decades.

Please bear with me. I apologize that I may be slow in responding to comments on my blog. Our system doesn’t alert me when a comment posts, so unless I sign in I don’t see them, some time for weeks. You can also reach me at bobbyvegas.com

Luckily, I still have plenty to write about. I continue to see deals getting better (eternal optimist that I am). I get offers from over a dozen casinos, including juicy mailers from the Rainbow. Treasure Island, Fontainebleau, and Plaza are sending creative deals, such as no resort fee, free parking, and in the case of the Plaza, all-inclusive packages starting at $125 night that come with two meals a day (Hash House a Go Go included) , unlimited drinks, and access to all the resort-fee amenities including free parking, pool, exercise access, and more. The Bingo deal is even better.

Is this a sign of prices stabilizing and deals getting better? Are you seeing good deals? If so, tell us about them, please.

Finally, last year I cut a deal with Anthony to create a downloadable-app phone version of Jean Scott’s fantastic Video Poker Scouting Guide, which I’ve cheered on in my blogs as it’s led me to literally thousands of dollars in video poker wins. We expect it to be up and running in May. Stay tuned.

And please, keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

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Bobby Vegas: Crazy for 4 OAKs — ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Play Max Coin

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Here’s why it pays to investigate video poker.

Checking out the new VP inventory at Downtown Grand, I came across two side-by-side machines with wildly different pay schedules. When I say wild, I mean like 1,200 coins for 4 aces!

Okay, that’s with a max bet 18 coins, so even at the lowest denom, that’s a $4.25 max bet. But checking it out on VPfree2, the max bet in this configuration is 99.63%, which for the Grand is pretty golden. (This game can be found at the Rio as well.)

Also, I wanted to pump up my points activity, being the end of the quarter (my host told me they reassess every quarter). I really wanted to hold on to my two comped nights a month, along with my max casino 50% room discount and $20 resort fee. So I was looking for a good play and lo and behold, the VP gods shined on me.

I’ve come to the realization I really play for 4-of-a-kinds more than royal flushes. It’s not like I don’t want RFs; it’s just they’re so rare, that I don’t play expecting them. Statistically, I’m “way overdue,” but in the meantime, I’m happy with my self-anointed King of 4 OAKS crown, with 16 of the little beauties in eight days — for me a new record.

And when playing a game with huge extra bonuses for 4 OAKS, yes, I’m tilting my strategy in their favor. Oh boy, did that work out well.

So what’s the game, Bobby? Come on! Shake the tree! The game is Triple Play Draw Poker on machines that say “Four of a Kind pays big with 6 coins bet per hand!” That’s how, with the max bet, you bet 18 coins.

That caught my eye and when I saw the pay schedules, I was flabbergasted.

I started playing JoB and hit a 4 OAK. Switched to Bonus Poker, hit another. Then went on to the golden moment on DDB and this is the payoff.

I’d started out the day taking my advantage protégé on an LVA MRB Fremont coupon run starting at El Cortez. There was some good free play in the back room and, well, I screwed up running my $10 FP through and did not do max bet, so of course I hit 4 OAK losing the additional $50. And on FP no less. GRRRR (hand slapping forehead “Bobby, you bonehead!”). Anyway, this lesson paid off big.

Later, I was playing the Triple Play machine at the Grand and was running out of money. So I fed a dollar in to make the max bet. I won a little, but needed to insert another dollar. BOOM! Not just 4OAK but 4 aces for the 1,200-coin payout.

Lesson learned. Always play max bet. Always.

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Bobby Vegas: Plaza, Rio, and Downtown Grand

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

The 2025 MRB offers some enticing hotel discounts. These also lead to even better casino offers.

I recently stayed at the Downtown Grand for eight nights, followed by four nights at the Rio, for a total hotel cost of $400.

It’s not hard to get comped at DG. I get two free nights a month as well.

Of course, each has different values, depending on your tastes, goals, and preferences.

Downtown Grand’s MRB coupon is good for waiving the resort fees. This is very valuable, saving $40+ a night, especially for your first stay. You also get daily in-room coffee and water.

I prefer the Gallery Tower right over the casino. The room rate is a little higher, but access is key, at least to me. Everything is close: the free Parking, casino, restaurants, new food court at the Fremont across the street, and Fremont Street is one block away.

Be sure to use your check-in coupon for up to $50 matchplay and your MRB matchplay. And with just $50 coin-in at video poker, you get 50% off on a great selection of entrees including breakfast, a great burger, and prime rib.

Once you’ve stayed and played, call casino reservations. They might give you up to 50% off your resort fee and the max room discount.

I cashed in on the Rio, with its no resort fee as well. The resort fee here is $56 a day, so this saved me $250. I stayed Monday-Friday for $107 total. No kidding.

Since I’m old school, I like the Masquerade Tower with a bathtub. It’s also less expensive than the new tower and self- parking is very close. No in-room coffee, but a fridge is comped. They also have room service, which tickled me. Great views, food hall, and pool too.

Check out the 9/6 JoB by the Sports bar. Hop over to Gold Coast for good VP, low-limit table games, and Ping Pang Pong. Then use your 50% or 2-for-1 at the Palms Buffet, including the Wednesday and Thursday lobster nights (a $79.99 saving). And I hear the Wow show is spectacular.

Finally, the Plaza. The MRB coupon is good, but the real deal at the Plaza is bingo.

Every month they have two-day $160,000 bingo that’s $160 to enter and is good for two lunches four nights Sunday through Thursday for $40 a night! And that includes the resort fee. The North Tower rooms are nicer, but noisier, facing the Fremont Street Experience. The South Tower’s are old-school with a tub, but quiet and very close to the free parking for guests.

Plaza has $15 single-zero roulette, excellent VP, and lots of food options where you can also use MRB coupons, from pizza to steaks. Pink Box donuts and Hash House A Go Go are also on the premises. Plus, fire up the positive expectation video poker at the Sand Dollar lounge with great comedy on Wednesday. A.C. and others love the new Mavericks show.

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Bobby Vegas: The Cat in the Hat

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Why gamble when some high roller buys the hat off my head for $1,720?

I’d come to town to celebrate the one-year anniversary of my favorite dance spot ,The Pinky Ring, squire my aspiring advantage player Sean, meet music friends, take meetings on projects, and of course hit the video poker hard.

Sean offered to get me a comped room at Aria ($500) and let me use his premium Caesars and MGM cards, so I didn’t have to pay for parking (saving $125 ). I always rent a car, my big splurge, and this trip it was $35 a day. Not too shabby.

I hustled over to Aria, checked in, and hopped over to Bellagio.

The Pinky Ring with Bruno Mars and the Hooligans is a madhouse, totally over capacity. The hosts are frantic, so it takes an unprecedented 20 minutes to get in.

I’m dancing with two lovely ladies — Jenny from Seattle and Serena from Santa Barbara — for a good 45 minutes (for perspective, I was older than both of their ages combined), then head up the riser to stand by the sound and light guys, have a Perrier, and catch my breath.

An inebriated high roller comes up to me holding out a wad of $20s and says, “I’m buying your hat.” Entitled? Anyone?

I’m wearing my iconic Kenyan Kente’ bucket hat, Afro-centric design crossed with Keith Harring.

I love this hat. Everywhere I go (Costco, on the street, even earlier at the Pinky Ring), I get compliments on it. I’ve been trying to find a copy online, but no luck, even with a Google image search. The guy I bought it from for $20 at a (of course) dance event had disappeared.

This swaggering high-roller has the back-center-court $10,000 VIP booth with Bruno in the next booth. Of the six lovely young ladies in his, one might have been his girlfriend and the other five her girlfriend’s. Who knows?

So I say to him, “Sorry, man but this hat? It’s irreplaceable. One of a kind. I can’t sell it.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some purple and yellow Wynn chips, $500 and $1,000 each, definitely a big-time player in town for a $50K weekend. He puts a purple on top of the $20s.

“Man, you’re making this really hard …”

Then he places a yellow $1,000 chip on the pile.

Stunned, I take the $1700+. That’s 86-to-1. Best bet in ages.

He gets the hat. I later see one of the ladies wearing it.

I’ve been in town 48 hours. I cashed the chips. The next day I find the material online.

Cool cats? Get ready for Bobby Vegas bucket hats.

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Advantage Evangelist—On Turning a Strip Slot Player to VP

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

I met Sean at the Pinky Ring when he asked if I wanted a drink from the $300 bottle of wine he wasn’t going to finish and wasn’t even close to hitting his minimum tab. I politely declined the wine, sat down, and ordered two Perriers.

Sean works in tech, lives in San Jose, and is a Vegas regular. At 45, he’s ready to retire.

Hopping on SW flights, he frequents Strip casinos, is often comped, likes slots and roulette, cigars, good food, and high-end fashion. He always brings a low-four-figure bankroll. High-limit $25-$50 slots and roulette or other high edge games are just fine with him.

Sean is, of course, the casino’s sweet spot.

Being an Advantage Evangelist, I fervently believed I could change that. “Have you ever played video poker?:

“No. I never bothered to learn.”

I liked Sean. And I knew advantage player revelations would turn him.

We started out with roulette. “I like playing my numbers.”

Okay. I wasn’t going to discuss the 18-month study and 45-page paper I’d written on non-linear recurrence theory in roulette or the work I’d done with the wheel-bias king Laurence Scott.

I started by steering him away from triple zero’s almost 8% house edge. “On that $50 game you were playing at Wynn, Sean? That’s almost $4 per spin you’re handing the house.”

“Really? Wow. But I got this really cute girl’s number while playing.”

Sigh. Cost of dating, I guess.

Later, we started searching out single zero. Yes, it’s still roulette, but at least the edge is 2.6% not 5+% or 8%.

I also discussed the concept of advantage play slots, but it was clear he didn’t want to work that hard to learn. So we went back to near positive-expectation video poker and strategy cards. Sean wasn’t intimidated and was willing to learn, even if his first reviews of strategy cards left him feeling like a fish out of water.

I kept it simple, 9/6 Jacks or Better hold-the-pairs simple. I also steered him away from Deuces Wild as I figured the high volatility would scare him off. And I felt like the lone monk in the jungles of Vegas, bringing just one soul out of the slot darkness — and into the fold of the Church of the Lower Edge of Advantage Play.

Revelations: “Prosperity is yours, my son! Read your strategy card! Learn what VPFree2 and the LVA gods have given you!”

And he started winning. Hitting his first $450 full house changed everything.

“So Sean, what about slots?”

“Slots?! Are you kidding? I’m never going back to slots!”

Praise Jean Scott and cash those TITO tickets, baby. I’ve found my mission.

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The Secret To Maximizing Las Vegas Birthday Deals

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

You do have a birthday, right? And an ID? (No AIs need apply.)

Plan wisely and you’ll get several complete days of free fun, free play, three meals every day, and more drinks, desserts, and coffee than you can shake a chocolate-dipped stick at. The best deals give you a week, two weeks, and even a month to cash in, so get ready to run around your whole birthday month collecting freebies. Damn. Tough job, eh?

Be sure to sign up for every e-club online in advance. You almost always need to be a member to qualify for the birthday freebies and discounts. Even if it takes a few hours, there’s nothing like walking into all these places, getting your birthday specials, and walking out with no money changing hands. And there are enough free play ($85 to $1,500) deals, plus and several hundred dollars in free food, to pay for your LVA subscription 10 times over. How cool is that?

As for technique, one word: stacking. Use more than one coupon where they’re available. Some places (Excalibur?!) have five deals. Fashion Show Mall has four. Many have three meals a day. Stack a great view (Eiffel Tower) and a great meal with another great view (Bellagio Fountains).

Consider doing a Fremont run by stacking your LVA MRB matchplay and free play offers and go crazy. Free food and double free play — all day long!

I’m abbreviating free play with FP.

No, it’s not worth going to Morton’s and spending a Franklin or two to get a free dessert. But walk in to Cheesecake Factory and leave with a free slice? Yes.

I’m space limited in this blog, but you can go to BobbyVegas.com for an even more complete and detailed list and several dozen more places. Also, these freebies can change at any time, so definitely check online or call ahead to be sure the promo is still active.

And Happy Birthday!

Why start with Starbucks? You’re gonna need caffeine, people.

Starbucks– Free coffee or food item, need active Starbucks card within 30 days of birthday.

Eureka Casino – (595 E. Sahara Ave.) – Player’s club members $25 birthday FP
(MRBs too and signup bonuses)

Ellis Island – $10 FP Passport Club members (MRBs too and signup FP)

SAHARA – Join Infinity Rewards, swipe at kiosk during birthday month, win up to $500 FP. (plus MRBs and signup FP)

Wynn — Wynn Rewards up to 48 hours before or after birthday get $10 in free play. Higher tiers get birthday month annual dining credit $150, Platinum, $300 Black.

Palms – Swipe Club Serrano Card at kiosk during birthday month, receive up to $1,000 in FP (plus MRB)

Earl of Sandwich (Planet Hollywood, Palms, Fashion Show) Join eclub for free sandwich, wrap, or salad + birthday month free cookie or brownie.

Hooters (OYO +) – Hooters eClub email certificate $10 free birthday wings. Good for 2 weeks, 7 days before or after. Nice $10 for $10 signup and $10 match play, plus signup FP.

Steak ‘n Shake (OYO + ) – Free specialty milkshake and another for birthday. Join Steak ‘n Shake Rewards Club.

Del Taco (near MGM Grand +) – Free birthday regular premium milkshake, plus 2 free tacos for joining Raving Fan eClub.

Krispy Kreme (Excalibur, Circus Circus + ) – Free donut and coffee eClub.

Dairy Queen – (Excalibur + ) Free Blizzard.

Buca di Beppo FANTASTIC $50 DEAL! (Excalibur + ) for Buca eClub members, $10 off for signing up, plus $20 off $40 and a Colossal Brownie Ice Cream Sundae ($18 value) on your birthday month.

Cinnabon – (Excalibur + more) – Free iced coffee within 1 week of birthday for members of Club Cinnabon.

Orange Julius (Excalibur + more) – Join Orange Julius’ Julius League for free birthday Premium Fruit Smoothie or Julius Original.

Diablo’s Cantina (Luxor) Special occasions wheel spin (including birthday) for free shots +.

Eiffel Tower Observation Deck – Free birthday admission, check in advance, as freebie is seasonal.

Lettuce Entertain You (Paris, Fashion Show, Forum Shops) – $15 account credit on birthday, does not expire, good at Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, and Joe’s Stone Crab.

P.F. Chang’s (Planet Hollywood + ) – Club members free appetizer or dessert during birthday month.

Cheesecake Factory (Forum Shops, North Premium Outlet Mall) – Free birthday dessert.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (Palazzo + ) – Free birthday pizza and free appetizer on signup

Fashion Show Mall

RA Sushi, Bar & Restaurant – $20 RA gift certificate every year during birthday and half-birthday month. Signup / The Hook Up.

The Capital Grille – Free birthday dessert, no signup required.

Maggiano’s Little Italy – Join e-club for $10 certificate and free birthday dessert.

Dunkin’ – (LINQ, Fashion Show Las Vegas, South Premium Outlets, Fremont Hotel) – DDPerks Club members free drink within one week of birthday.

Lettuce Entertain You (Fashion Show Las Vegas, Caesars Forum Shops) – $15 account credit

Downtown/Fremont

Denny’s (Fremont and Strip) – Denny’s Rewards free birthday Grand Value Slam Breakfast

Pinkbox Doughnuts – ( Plaza / other locations ) “It’s Ya Birthday” – birthday special doughnut Join Perks club.

Plaza – 25% off rooms, free dessert at Oscar’s Steakhouse, free bingo card. (plus MRB)

Hash House a Go Go (Plaza, LINQ, Rio Casino + ) – Free birthday dessert via Twisted Farm Club.

Hennessey’s Tavern (Fremont Street) birthday week free dinner entree.

Tony Roma’s – (Fremont) – Rib Expert Club signup receive free birthday entree. Check current offer at (702) 385-3232. (plus MRB)

Landry’s (Golden Nugget + ) – $25 membership fee, get $25 welcome reward + free $25 birthday reward during birthday month. In Las Vegas: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Chart House, Claim Jumper, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Grotto Ristorante, Red Sushi, Morton’s, Rainforet Cafe, Strip House, The Palm, and Anthony’s Steakhouse.

South and off Strip

Baskin Robbins (Orleans +) – Free scoop of ice cream.

Bonefish Grill (Town Square + ) – free birthday Jamaican coconut pie or bang bang shrimp.

Sickies Garage Burger (Town Square) – Sickies Rewards program free burger during birthday month

King’s Fish House (Green Valley Ranch) – Free birthday key lime pie / homemade whipped cream

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Bobby Vegas—Plaza, MRB, and Birthday Fun

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Due to medical issues beyond my control, I missed the $160,000 two-day New Year’s Eve Bingo Spectacular at the Plaza. However! The Plaza does it every month and the room deal for $40 per night is available each time. No resort fee. That’s an incredible deal and the Plaza folks are fabulous.

My stay in the South Tower before the medical situation was very quiet, old school with a tub, and near self-parking, Bobby V style. You want a newer upgraded room with a view (and the noise) of Fremont Street? Stay in the North Tower.

The self-parking for hotel guests is free. Some of the video poker is full pay. Some roulette is single zero. The $500 royal flush Member Rewards Book coupon is back in 2025. Anthony values it at $142, making 9/6 JoB positive expectation. Go for it! Play 9/6 JoB in the very cool Sand Dollar Lounge. Tell ’em Bobby V sent you. Please. (I want to meet Jonathan Jossel, Plaza’s CEO, and tell him, “Thanks for making old school new school and cool again, JJ.”)

Pink Box, the lobby and always mobbed, has a special free birthday donut for you. Sign up on the Pinkbox app.

Speaking of birthday bonuses, we’re finishing up a super free birthday run to be posted on my next blog. But here are some highlights: $100 to $1,500 in free Play, three meals a day (yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner), coffee, donuts, drinks, desserts and more during your birthday month. That’s right, month. Many of the deals extend out two weeks from your birthday or even the whole month, not just your actual birthday. Plan a birthday-month trip!

I can’t wait for you to see it. The blog will be set up as birthday runs for the Strip, Fremont, locals casinos, etc. And now that the 2025 MRB is available, you can stack your LVA coupons for even more fun, free play, and free food.

Watch this space!

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Bobby Vegas: Dealing with Travel Emergencies in Vegas

Bobby Vegas: Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Triple-Zero Roulette

Hustling through Harry Reid over the years and onto my next Vegas frugal/advantage adventure, I’ve often felt sorry for the old wheelchair-bound gambling geezers.

Now I was one too.

Unfortunately, I had a repeat of my Labor Day kidney-stone experience on my New Year’s Eve trip.

I won’t dwell on how painful, scary, and frustrating it was. Instead, I want to focus on the resources in my wallet or with me and some of the stand-out support I got from the Plaza, Southwest Air, and Hertz.

Not since a female pit boss at the Wynn asked a doctor to call me in my room to follow up on my leaving the tables in the middle of a run (“You looked bad and were winning, so yeah, I was concerned,” she told me later; I sent her chocolates) had I experienced such good customer care as this trip.

If you’re going to Vegas, check your credit card benefits for trip interruption and/or travel emergency coverage. I use Chase cards both for points to travel free and other benefits like airport-lounge access.

On my Labor Day torture-by-kidney-stones “adventure,” I happened to have sprung for $20 for travel emergency/interruption insurance. This ended up reimbursing me for my hotel, car, and airfare, including extensions to my stay and flight changes like a nonstop home.

Some of the temp-insurance providers like Alliance previously were no help after the fact, though some premium credit cards will provide an advocate or other help too. So check reviews before you buy if you’re not covered on your card.

The next level up is full-stop travel emergency insurance, which can be purchased under annual plans for $200+. This is for major medical-emergency support when not at home and includes an advocate and even a trained nurse or to fly back with you if needed. I’ve had that before and will re-up.

Having an advocate to assist you from your hotel, get meds and food, arrange travel and support if you’re alone, can be a life saver. Literally.

The Plaza staff was incredibly cooperative, especially Ray, who runs the $160,000 SuperBingo events every month (and includes their $40 a night no-resort-fee room offer). When I told Ray what happened (hospital, etc.), he refunded my entry fee. That’s customer service. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: The Plaza is classic Vegas updated and done right and I’ll be back. (Seeing my matchplay coupons expire unused wasn’t nearly as painful as kidney stones, but the New Plaza MRBs will heal that wound.)

Next, I’ve flown Southwest (often for free) for 25 years and have a SW credit card. I buy in advance on points and all points, flights, and canceled or changed plans are fully credited (along with two checked bags up to 50 pounds flying free). I had an open trip home depending on meetings, etc., so when I called to upgrade to a nonstop and said I’d been in the hospital and would need wheelchair assistance at the airport, they used my points ticket to upgrade me to a nonstop one day ahead and transferred my ticket gratis. That was a $400 upgrade.

Finally Hertz. Wow.

Just getting from my hotel to the airport was going to be an ordeal and when I arrived at the rental-center drop off, looking like a crazy man the cat dragged in (they wouldn’t give me a razor at the hospital), and told the Hertz check-in person I had trouble walking and would need baggage assistance, she said,” Wait here.” Next thing I knew, a driver was chauffeuring me to the airport where a skycap and SW took over.

Between my hotel valet and Ray, the Hertz driver, the SW wheelchair assist, and all the great service I received again at my home airport, I tipped out $100. You can never be too sick to still be George.