This example is specific to my location and circumstance, but the idea is most likely applicable to a lot of situations.
I\u2019m in the Detroit area and play at Motor City Casino (MCC). The video poker is the 98.5%\u201399.0% variety. Between free play, comps, and mailers it\u2019s an OK recreational play. One big perk is Signature status, which gets you and a guest into their Signature lounge. I would pay $75 a person for the meal there. The food is that good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, to get Signature status, you need to earn 15,000 Signature points in six months. For video poker, $5.60 coin in gets you 1 point, $3.35 on slots. You need 90 regular points for 1 Signature point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So in six months, you need to play $1,350,000 through on 99% video poker. The cost would be $13,500. The food is very good, but not worth $2,400 a month. There is 0.18% in free play and 0.112% in comps. That gets the cost down to about $10,500 (cashing in the comps for free play). That\u2019s still too much to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But recently, MCC started making comps redeemable at 1-1 for free play (formerly 3-1). Now, if I play the best VP game at 99.0% and add in 0.18% for base free play and 0.112% for comps converted to FP, we\u2019re at about 99.29%. Add 0.05% for mailers and we\u2019re up to 99.34%. But a 0.66% loss is still too much to give up on $1.35 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another promo MCC runs pretty frequently is on Saturdays, if you earn $10 or more in comps, you get the same amount in free play. Comps for VP are 0.112%, so you need to run about $9,000 through on video poker. Slot comps are 10 times that, so finding some advantage slots is the much better play. That makes the VP free-play return up to about 0.4%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting there, but still not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enter online play. If you play on FanDuel Detroit, you earn Signature points and comps at the same rate as live play. The best game is NSUD at 99.72%. Add the cash value of the comps (0.11%) and we\u2019re at 99.83%. At level 4 on Fan Duel, you get a 15% loss rebate weekly up to $35. That adds about $50 a month (estimated). Now we\u2019re getting close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FanDuel also gives about $300 a month in bonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s add it all up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For $1,350,000 coin in over 6 months on Fan Duel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Base game loss = -$3,780<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Converted FP = $1,497<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fan Duel bonuses = $1,800<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loss rebate = $300<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m down to a cost of $183. Playing at that level on FanDuel gets me to their VIP level. The loss rebate increases to 25% to $125 per week. Also, as a Signature member, the secret code bonus at MCC (twice a week on average) increases from $5 to $20. I\u2019m sure there will be some other perks as well. I expect the Fan Duel bonuses to increase. I expect the Motor City mailers to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was once too expensive a proposition to attain Signature status via live casino becomes viable using their online casino partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot of conditions must line up for this to work. Even if you aren\u2019t a typical online player, it\u2019s worth checking out. Throw in the new-player sign-up bonuses and the convenience of getting in action whenever you feel like it and it might just be enough to gain status at your local casino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will report out how good the Fan Duel VIP program is as I gather more info. This will be the real test to see if this online play is worth it or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n