vpFREE2 Forums

1st Timer Questions

#1

We will be going to Vegas on Nov. 23 as VP players for the first
time. We have been several times and got hooked on VP in the
spring. We will be staying at The Orleans as it is the best least
expensive hotel/air package we could get and we have stayed there
before and always enjoyed it.

We are new to the slot club concept, as we used to primarily play
table games. How do you get connected to a slot club host? Will the
introduce themselves, or do you have to contact them?

Where are the best places to play at the $.25 level, both on or very
near the strip and downtown? I know the few on the best list on the
database, but more pesonal views are great. We are lokking to play a
variety of games. Audra likes JoB and FPDW. I enjoy those as well as
DB and I have been trying to tackle AA, which is much more
complicated than it seems I might add. The triple play JoB has also
intrigued us in or practice sessions. We would also like to play
some bar top games, we are on vacation after all. We were devastated
that TI removed (downgraded) their JoB at the Swashbuckler bar.

We would also like the places to be fairly nice in case we are lucky
enough to earn any future room comps. Whis brings up another
question. As we have booked an air/hotel package how would the room
comps work if we were lucky enough to earn one at the Orleans?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You
know, along the lines of I wish I knew that when I started.

Thanks In Advance

Jon & Audra

#2

We will be going to Vegas on Nov. 23 as VP players for the first
time. We have been several times and got hooked on VP in the
spring. We will be staying at The Orleans as it is the best least
expensive hotel/air package we could get and we have stayed there
before and always enjoyed it.

There is no doubt that the Orleans is a very pleasant place to stay
and that the hotel rooms are an excellent value.
There is also no doubt that the Orleans doesn't want the business of
us stinkin' video poker players. Their formerly-excllent inventory is
all but gone, and they have tightened up drastically on comps. In
fact, there are NO such things as "discretionary comps" at the Orleans
any more. It was always hard to get a room comp there; now, it's
impossible.
It should also be noted that Coast casinos (of which the Orleans is an
element) only have one or two multiple point days a month.

We are new to the slot club concept, as we used to primarily play
table games. How do you get connected to a slot club host? Will the
introduce themselves, or do you have to contact them?

They will ooze up to your machine, dripping slime, if you are playing
$1 or higher denominations; how long this takes depends on how busy
they are. If you play lower denoms, or just get sick of waiting, call
a floorperson or change person and ask to see the slot host(ess). If
you do this at the Orleans, you are wasting your time, however, since
they will NOT comp you; they will expect you to use your points.

Where are the best places to play at the $.25 level, both on or very
near the strip and downtown? I know the few on the best list on the
database, but more pesonal views are great. We are lokking to play

a variety of games. Audra likes JoB and FPDW. I enjoy those as well
as DB and I have been trying to tackle AA, which is much more

complicated than it seems I might add. The triple play JoB has also
intrigued us in or practice sessions. We would also like to play
some bar top games, we are on vacation after all. We were

devastated that TI removed (downgraded) their JoB at the Swashbuckler bar.

By far--BY FAR--the best remaining place to play VP is the Palms.
PERIOD. They comp at 0.25 (same as Coasts), but every other day is a
double-point day (or better). Plus, the hosts can and will write
discretionary comps. The machine selection is the best in town by far,
with lots of .25 FPDW, FPDB, etc. It also is one of the few places in
town with positive dollar machines. The restaurants are excellent (the
buffet is only average, though).

If you want to play AA, the best place to go is the LV Hilton, which
has lotsa fullpay AA in the bizarre Spacequest area. They are great
for room offers after just a few K of play. I wouldn't recommend
staying there INITIALLY as the rooms are overpriced. However, by your
next visit they should be cheap or free.

We would also like the places to be fairly nice in case we are lucky
enough to earn any future room comps. Whis brings up another
question. As we have booked an air/hotel package how would the room
comps work if we were lucky enough to earn one at the Orleans?

Forget earning a room comp at the Orleans. It will take a HUGE amount
of action. My only personal experience: last year about this time I
had some relatives visiting and I wanted to earn some room comps for
them. I played $1 10/7 DB for TEN hours, and $13,000 coin-in; then I
played $2 NSUD for another $10K or so. I asked the slot hostess on
duty if I could get a room comp. She said that I hadn't given them
enough action!!!!!!!!!! ($23,000 coin-in)
I haven't been back, and I haven't seen any reason to.

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You
know, along the lines of I wish I knew that when I started.

1. Don't play at the Orleans.
2. Palms has great VP AND compliant slot hosts.
3. Don't play at the Orleans.
4. Other nearby great room values can be found at the Imperial Palace
and Casino Royale (great mid-Strip locations).
5. Don't play at the Orleans.
6. For that matter, don't play at ANY Coast property.
7. Drop in on Ellis Island for a GREAT $5 steak (and try the root beer).
8. Don't play at the Orleans.
9. I mean, not one friggin' nickel.
10. Don't play at the Orleans.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "jontunl" <jontunl@y...> wrote:

#3

We are new to the slot club concept, as we used to primarily play
table games. How do you get connected to a slot club host? Will the
introduce themselves, or do you have to contact them?

In general, unless you are a pretty big fish you will want to
introduce yourself. If you have specific questions you will probably
get some pretty knowledgeable feedback from locals on this casino. I
would start with the vpFree database listing for Orleans and then
maybe 5Card's progressive database and then maybe Scot's LVA listings
to see whether your trip will coincide with a double points day.

Where are the best places to play at the $.25 level, both on or very
near the strip and downtown? I know the few on the best list on the
database, but more pesonal views are great. We are lokking to play a
variety of games. Audra likes JoB and FPDW. I enjoy those as well as
DB and I have been trying to tackle AA, which is much more
complicated than it seems I might add. The triple play JoB has also
intrigued us in or practice sessions. We would also like to play
some bar top games, we are on vacation after all. We were devastated
that TI removed (downgraded) their JoB at the Swashbuckler bar.

We would also like the places to be fairly nice in case we are lucky
enough to earn any future room comps. Whis brings up another
question. As we have booked an air/hotel package how would the room
comps work if we were lucky enough to earn one at the Orleans?

If you have booked a package deal or used a discounter there isn't
much chance that you will be eligible for a room comp.

Any answer of "best places to play" is going to be different for
different people. That said, downtown I like Main Street Station for
a mix of some very good VP, a really nice casino with good dining
options and excellent marketing offers. On the Strip, Caesars has
triple play JB, a decent comp rate and in my experience is pretty good
with marketing offers. If you're an infrequent visitor, be sure to
use your PPE comp dollars before you blow town.
Chandler

"...there is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat,
plausible, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

···

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 18:04:59 -0000, you wrote:

#4

You have already received some excellent advice from the group so let
me add a couple.

1. Sign up for a slot card in every casino you walk into. You will
be surprised at the good stuff that shows up in your mailbox. We
haven't paid for a room in Las Vegas for years and let many
opportunities go by -- unlike Jean Scott in her first book, we can't
spent 180 days a year in LV.

2. Don't play in the Oreleans -- wait, I think that one has been
covered already. :wink:

3. Stick with games you know and can play well. That extra 1/4
percent payout won't mean much if your play is only 90% correct.

4. Don't call them 'hostess'. They are all hosts regardless of sex.
Good way to NOT get anything from a female host is to call her a
hostess. Along the same lines, it is better for you to deal with a
female host and your wife to deal with the male hosts.

5. Since you booked a package deal with air & room, there is not a
snowball's chance in hell of getting the room comped -- even if they
wanted to.

6. Concentrate most of your play in one casino, one that you would
like to visit in the future (for free). Although Lucky Lucy and I
have played (not a lot) in both the Palms and Barbary Coast, niether
place sent us any offers. Any of the downtown casinos will invite you
back for relative modest play. As someone stated earlier, Main St
Station is a good choice. We also like the Fremont.

7. Have fun and win lots of money.

Rick

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "jontunl" <jontunl@y...> wrote:

We will be going to Vegas on Nov. 23 as VP players for the first
time. We have been several times and got hooked on VP in the
spring. We will be staying at The Orleans as it is the best least
expensive hotel/air package we could get and we have stayed there
before and always enjoyed it.

We are new to the slot club concept, as we used to primarily play
table games. How do you get connected to a slot club host? Will the
introduce themselves, or do you have to contact them?

Where are the best places to play at the $.25 level, both on or very
near the strip and downtown? I know the few on the best list on the
database, but more pesonal views are great. We are lokking to play a
variety of games. Audra likes JoB and FPDW. I enjoy those as well as
DB and I have been trying to tackle AA, which is much more
complicated than it seems I might add. The triple play JoB has also
intrigued us in or practice sessions. We would also like to play
some bar top games, we are on vacation after all. We were devastated
that TI removed (downgraded) their JoB at the Swashbuckler bar.

We would also like the places to be fairly nice in case we are lucky
enough to earn any future room comps. Whis brings up another
question. As we have booked an air/hotel package how would the room
comps work if we were lucky enough to earn one at the Orleans?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You
know, along the lines of I wish I knew that when I started.

Thanks In Advance

Jon & Audra

#5

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Rick & Lucky Lucy" <luckylucy39@e...>
wrote:

1. Sign up for a slot card in every casino you walk into. You will
be surprised at the good stuff that shows up in your mailbox. We
haven't paid for a room in Las Vegas for years and let many
opportunities go by -- unlike Jean Scott in her first book, we can't
spent 180 days a year in LV.

(snip)

6. Concentrate most of your play in one casino, one that you would
like to visit in the future (for free).

Imo, there's a contradiction here. Let me explain, then please
correct me if I'm wrong about the contradiction(or just missing some
details).

When my wife, Katrina, and I first started frequenting AC, we signed
up for slot cards at every casino we visited, regardless of how long
we were there, or even if we were just passing thru. We've since
concentrated our play in 3 casinos, but primarilly 1(and some of the
others we haven't been back to since the visit we got their card at).

So, here we are, playing almost all of our action at one casino and
the vast majority of the rest at 1 or 2 others, but with just about
ALL of the AC(boardwalk) Casino slot cards. You might think "Well,
even if you're not using them, it can't hurt to have them, right?",
but I'm not so sure. Here's why:

Every once in awhile, we see offers from one of the "other" casinos
(those that aren't in our "core 3") for some really good offer for
NEW slot card members. Something like 5X cash back, or an hour free,
or a comp room(and/or T-shirt, comp buffet, or some other promo item)
just for signing up for their slot club. Occasionally, these offers
look Really Tempting To Us,... then we remember; we've already got
their card. No, we haven't USED it anytime recently, but we're
pretty sure we'd still be on their puters if we went to sign up.

(I don't KNOW this(in all cases), cuz I have no idea how long you(r
cards) stay on their data bases if you haven't played in awhile. I
know that it's 2.5 years at the Showboat, but that's the only one
who's time-period I know.)

At this point, we often end up wishing we HADN'T(already) signed up
for (fill in name of casino with good "newbie" offer here)' slot
card! Thus, in hindsight, it seems to me that if you're going to do
#6(above - and who shouldn't, right?), also doing #1 might NOT be
such a good idea.

What am I missing here(Hopefully not yet ANOTHER difference between
AC and LV)?

#6

Jeff, you've pretty much nailed why it's best to only sign up for
cards in those casinos to whom you expect to give your serious play.

Casino computers indeed do have long memories, as I found when I
reinitiated play earlier this year at Harrah's - who I had last played
in 1997. When I went to sign up for an account, my original account
popped even with 6 years having lapsed. (Who knows, maybe there's a 7
year statute of limitiations on their records :slight_smile:

More significantly in my book, I've never received an attractive offer
from a casino to whom I only gave an hour or two of play. Maybe a
2-for-1 buffet coupon, but that's as good as it gets.

The last thing you want to see at one of the casinos where you signed
up for a card on a quick run-through is an attractive "new member"
promo just a couple of months later.

In addition, should you later decide to begin playing at one of these
casinos actively, that brief stop in will go into your overall trip
average that determines the level of offers you receive. That can
prove to be an albatross for several visits down the road.

The best bet is to wait until you're going to give a casino meaningful
play and then sign up for a card.

There is one hope for those who've already established themselves at a
casino with meager play. When it comes to those "new player" promos,
it's not that unusual that existing members who haven't recorded any
play in the last 12 months are eligible as well.

- Harry

Jeff wrote:

···

So, here we are, playing almost all of our action at one casino and
the vast majority of the rest at 1 or 2 others, but with just about
ALL of the AC(boardwalk) Casino slot cards. You might think "Well,
even if you're not using them, it can't hurt to have them, right?",
but I'm not so sure. Here's why:

Every once in awhile, we see offers from one of the "other" casinos
(those that aren't in our "core 3") for some really good offer for
NEW slot card members. Something like 5X cash back, or an hour free,
or a comp room(and/or T-shirt, comp buffet, or some other promo item)
just for signing up for their slot club. Occasionally, these offers
look Really Tempting To Us,... then we remember; we've already got
their card. No, we haven't USED it anytime recently, but we're
pretty sure we'd still be on their puters if we went to sign up.

#7

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You
know, along the lines of I wish I knew that when I started.

Don't refer to a female slot host as a "slot hostess". She will slap you
upside the head. Male and female alike are "slot hosts".

#8

I like the Palms a lot and always give them some play because it's a
nice property and they have a fantastic inventory, but for the mid to
lowrolling tourist it has some serious downsides.
1) No CB.
2) A pretty tough room comp (last I heard).
3) Extremely weak marketing offers.

Chandler

"...there is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat,
plausible, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

···

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:20:35 -0000, you wrote:

1. Don't play at the Orleans.
2. Palms has great VP AND compliant slot hosts.
3. Don't play at the Orleans.
4. Other nearby great room values can be found at the Imperial Palace
and Casino Royale (great mid-Strip locations).
5. Don't play at the Orleans.
6. For that matter, don't play at ANY Coast property.
7. Drop in on Ellis Island for a GREAT $5 steak (and try the root beer).
8. Don't play at the Orleans.
9. I mean, not one friggin' nickel.
10. Don't play at the Orleans.

#9

I guess I will agree and disagree with both view points. My wife and
I have received significant offers (free rooms and sometimes more)
from both Strip and downtown properties based on extremely limited
play. It is definitely not the rule but I have learned not to
discount what a little bit of play might get you in the future. I can
only guess that demographics factors into the marketing equation.
OTOH, I understand all to well that we will be losing out on possible
future sign up promotions. I'm sure this is not an original concept,
but the way we decided to handle it is for only one of us to sign up
unless there is a good promotion that both of us can take advantage
of. We both play on that card. This leaves one of us the opportunity
to sign up if there is a valuable promotion at some point in the
future. In the event we both have a card at a given property we will
make a decision to always play one card high and one low, if at all.
Sometimes for us marketing offers are more valuable than discretionary
comps.
Chandler

"...there is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat,
plausible, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

···

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 17:30:57 -0000, you wrote:

More significantly in my book, I've never received an attractive offer
from a casino to whom I only gave an hour or two of play. Maybe a
2-for-1 buffet coupon, but that's as good as it gets.

#10

According to a post on the Vegas Yahoo group, the Swashbuckler bar
is being torn out and will be replaced with slots.

vpFREE Administrator

···

On 18 Nov 2003 at 18:04, jontunl wrote:

We were devastated that TI removed (downgraded) their JoB at the
Swashbuckler bar.

#11

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter" <harry.porter@v...>
wrote:

Jeff, you've pretty much nailed why it's best to only sign up for
cards in those casinos to whom you expect to give your serious play.

Casino computers indeed do have long memories, as I found when I
reinitiated play earlier this year at Harrah's - who I had last
played in 1997. When I went to sign up for an account, my original
account popped even with 6 years having lapsed. (Who knows, maybe
there's a 7 year statute of limitiations on their records :slight_smile:

More significantly in my book, I've never received an attractive
offer from a casino to whom I only gave an hour or two of play.
Maybe a 2-for-1 buffet coupon, but that's as good as it gets.

Our experiences back this up - with one exception; Resorts. We first
went over there about a year ago, signed up for cards, and played
*some*. I know Katrina played about an hour or so's worth of slots
on her card, but I'm not sure I played on mine(or hers) at all that
day, since I spent most of my time there sitting at various BJ tables
and *watching* the action.

The next thing we knew, Katrina was on Resorts' mailing list, and
getting all kinds of offers in the mail. Nothing earth-shattering,
but she was getting everything from "bring this card in on this date
to get this promo item" cards to slot/vp tourney invites to "2(!) one-
night-stays-with-comp-Breakfast-buffet this month" offers in the
mail. We didn't return there to gamble for several months, and the
offers continued to come. Eventually we returned, but our play
@Resorts has been "spotty" at best, yet the offers haven't yet
diminished in frequency or type, let alone stopped.

In general tho, I agree: Don't get a casino's card till you're ready
to play there at least a fair amount, if not concentrate your play
there, at least for awhile. I learned this "the hard way",
unfortunately.

There is one hope for those who've already established themselves
at a casino with meager play. When it comes to those "new player"
promos, it's not that unusual that existing members who haven't
recorded any play in the last 12 months are eligible as well.

I hope you're right! I'll go "investigate" this the next time I see
a particularly tempting offer at a casino who's card we already have
but haven't USED in a year or more.

#12

I can see why your frustrated. But the same casino's keep offering the "first time" bonus's and you can only use it once.
  Trump Marina sometime's has an offer where you get the goodies if you haven't played there in two year's. My wife and I have done that a couple of times.
  One reason to keep a card for every casino in Atlantic City is the parking fee's. A lot of time's they charge much more than the $3, $4, $5, or whatever their stupid governor wants these day's. If you have a player card, its the usual amount. Good for place's where you have to pay on the way in.

Ned C.
The Wild Joker

···

Jeff <punnybone@yahoo.com> wrote:
So, here we are, playing almost all of our action at one casino and
the vast majority of the rest at 1 or 2 others, but with just about
ALL of the AC(boardwalk) Casino slot cards. You might think "Well,
even if you're not using them, it can't hurt to have them, right?",
but I'm not so sure. Here's why:

---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#13

Well, while I'm sure that helps most folks, it really doesn't apply
to us. And that's cuz we haven't had a car since our last one died
on Super Bowl Sunday '96.

When we're @AC, we're either there via the various day-trip casino
buses or the NJTransit train line from 30th St in Philly. So, we
never have to worry about(finding or paying for) parking.

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, The Wild Joker <jokerswild1203@y...>
wrote:

  I can see why your frustrated. But the same casino's keep

offering the "first time" bonus's and you can only use it once.

  Trump Marina sometime's has an offer where you get the goodies if

you haven't played there in two year's. My wife and I have done that
a couple of times.

  One reason to keep a card for every casino in Atlantic City is

the parking fee's. A lot of time's they charge much more than the $3,
$4, $5, or whatever their stupid governor wants these day's. If you
have a player card, its the usual amount. Good for place's where you
have to pay on the way in.

···

Ned C.
The Wild Joker

Jeff <punnybone@y...> wrote:
So, here we are, playing almost all of our action at one casino and
the vast majority of the rest at 1 or 2 others, but with just about
ALL of the AC(boardwalk) Casino slot cards. You might think "Well,
even if you're not using them, it can't hurt to have them, right?",
but I'm not so sure. Here's why:

---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]