At the two kiosks where the 5play JOB and NSUD were downgraded the
bonus poker has also been downgraded to 7/5. I checked the bartops and
the JOB ans NSUD were still intact. My only play left is quarter
Pick'm and it seems a boring game. It's also so slow that I can't
generate a comp with my normal 2+ hours play. I guess no more dinners
at Bugatti's and only 6 more months in the star club. Life is hard.
Ameristar bonus poker downgraded
This is not good news and I have expressed our displeasure to our
host at Ameristar. We both (me and the host) realize there is
nothing she can do about it. But at least she will know why we are
not there anymore. Below is an e-mail message I sent. Perhaps if
others on this group did some complaining we might see some changes
(but I doubt it).
OK, the real reason we are not visiting Ameristar is we are taking
off for a two month trip in our motorhome but we will let them think
we are miffed -- which we are.
Rick
···
**************************
Subject: We are concerned
Jatonia,
There is probably nothing you can do about the
situation but we want you to at least know why you
won't be seeing too much of us in the future. As
hard
as you work to develop relationships Ameristar's
slot
manager works equally as hard to get rid of us.We play video poker exclusively, the exception being
a
session on a penny slot once in a while which we
consider recreation and not gambling. A year or so
ago we decided to step up our gambling activities
and
move to higher detonations. Ameristar had a bank of
$1 9/6 Jacks or Better and we played those machines
extensively. But, alas, they soon disappeared. So
we
moved on to the All American VP, a difficult game to
play correctly but also a fun challenge. They were
downgraded from 200 to 150 payout for four-of-a-kind
making them unplayable in our opinion. Not to worry
there are still plenty of good VP machines available
so we moved on to $1 Pick'Em and the 25 cent 5-play
in
the kiosks. We also played the three 3-play dollar
machines in the High Limit area that had good games
but they, too, were downgraded.The next to go were a couple rows of 25 cent
Pick'Em.
They story we got was keno players were complaining
about Pick'Em players taking up all the machines.
So
the Pick'Em went. Now the machines sit empty most
of
the time. Why should this concern $1 players? Well
there are only four $1 Pick'Em machines and when the
25 cent machines are full, the quarter players move
to
the dollar machines and play one coin at a time.Now the real killer. Last week all the good games
in
the 5-play kiosks have been downgraded. Ameristar
now
has only the four $1 Pick'Em machines for us to play
and chances of finding one open (let alone two) will
be slim.Jatonia, we gamble a lot. As you know we both are
Star Club members but we also both maintain Diamond
status at Harrah's. We also make a couple trips to
Las Vegas and/or Laughlin each year where we enjoy
RFB
from the Venetian, Belagio, and Wynn. We cannot
maintain this level of gambling activity on short
pay
machines. We must patronize casinos that offer the
best games and that is increasingly NOT Ameristar.We are not alone in these concerns. Other
knowledgeable VP players, all of whom are Star Club
members, will also be looking for better gambling
experiences. This is too bad, for we really enjoy
visiting Ameristar and the hospitality you have
shown
us.
***************************************
HOST RESPONSE
Thank you for taking the time to explain to me your
concerns. I know that I
myself cannot change the way the machines payout,
nor do I have control over
what machines stay on the floor. But I will always
be here to handle your
concerns and offer you the best experience possible
here at Ameristar
Casinos. Please let me know whenever you decide to
visit the casino, I
would love to sit down with you and talk about
things.Have a Happy New Year and I hope to be hearing from
you soon.
********************************
MY RESPONSE
Thanks for your quick response. I realize you have no
control over the machines on the casino floor,
however, I would hope you express our concerns to
managemet. It doesn't make sense to try to squeeze
every last possible nickel out of your customers if
doing so runs them off. How does that help the bottom
line? If the competition in KC were doing the same I
could understand Ameristar's position. But that is
not the case, the other three (four counting Prairie
Band) have an abundance of full pay VP machines.
The reason we play mostly at Ameristar is quite
simple; we like it there. You have been a great host,
the cash back and coupons are good, and we get more
comps than we can use. However, that cannot offset
the hit we will take by playing the machines with the
new reduced pay schedule.
I also realize our patronage will not affect
Ameristar's bottom line one way or the other but we
are not alone. We belong to a VP internet group which
posts information about all the local casinos. In
fact we first learned of the downgrading of the VP
machines from this forum -- later confirmed in person.
We will visit with you sometime soon.
********************************
FINAL RESPONSE FROM HOST
Thanks again for following up with me. I have passed on your
comments
to
our Executives. Again, I am sorry you have chosen to take a break
from
Ameristar Casinos, feel free to contact me if you need any
assistance.
By the way, thanks for informing me of the website. I find that very
interesting, just from a personal point of view. I value you two as
wonderful and loyal players and I am glad to have met you both on a
personal
and professional level. You are always welcome to contact me for
anything.
I hope to see you soon.
******************************************
--- In vpFREE_KC@yahoogroups.com, "vpearlkc" <EAtkinson@k...> wrote:
At the two kiosks where the 5play JOB and NSUD were downgraded the
bonus poker has also been downgraded to 7/5. I checked the bartops
and
the JOB ans NSUD were still intact. My only play left is quarter
Pick'm and it seems a boring game. It's also so slow that I can't
generate a comp with my normal 2+ hours play. I guess no more
dinners
at Bugatti's and only 6 more months in the star club. Life is hard.
My 2 cents.
The slot director at Ameristar knows exactly what was done on the
floor (Ameristar is sharp regarding VP...I understand they hired
Dancer a while back to evaluate their VP, among other things), and
the reason it was likely done was because the cost the casino
incurred from 'knowledgeable gamblers' who played the machines. The
5x points and 100play nickel 9/6 was a very strong play and they
likely got hit hard on it. Obviously the NSUD was also a great play,
but without the opportunity for mass volume.
When I have sent written correspondence to casino management, I make
it a point to not sound too smart since SMART gamblers are the type
of customer they likely want to rid themselves of. I will
intentionally avoid ANY terms that would make me sound too
educated...terms like "full pay", "downgraded", etc. The FACT is
casinos do NOT like customers that cost them money (on the flip side,
what business does?).
All the sharps here in StL complained (loudly) when Harrahs pulled
AA, but IMO they went about it in the wrong way. They established
themselves as smart gamblers when corresponding with management, so
I'm sure the GM and others were likely LOL when reading their gripe
letters. Casinos like ploppies and their losing ways, so IMO it's
best to sound like the uneducated masses when expressing
dissatisfaction.
As far as making casino personnel aware of this list, or any others
where positive opportunities are discussed, it is not a good idea
IMO.
···
--- In vpFREE_KC@yahoogroups.com, "Rick & Lucky Lucy" wrote:
This is not good news and I have expressed our displeasure to our
host at Ameristar. We both (me and the host) realize there is
nothing she can do about it. But at least she will know why we are
not there anymore. Below is an e-mail message I sent. Perhaps if
others on this group did some complaining we might see some changes
(but I doubt it).
You make some good points, especially about being a "dumb" player.
My comments were not addressed to the slot manager but to our host
who obviously doesn't want to give up two Star Club level players.
It was never my intention to reveal the VPFree news group, only that
it existed and we were not alone in our concerns. Guess it really
doesn't matter. As it stands now we will be doing very little
business with Ameristar anyway. Maybe that's what they want, if so
they got their wish.
As a side note, we took them for about $12K last year (2005)
Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and many royal flushes in
the days to come.
Rick & Lucky Lucy
My 2 cents.
The slot director at Ameristar knows exactly what was done on the
floor (Ameristar is sharp regarding VP...I understand they hired
Dancer a while back to evaluate their VP, among other things), and
the reason it was likely done was because the cost the casino
incurred from 'knowledgeable gamblers' who played the machines.
The
5x points and 100play nickel 9/6 was a very strong play and they
likely got hit hard on it. Obviously the NSUD was also a great
play,
but without the opportunity for mass volume.
When I have sent written correspondence to casino management, I
make
it a point to not sound too smart since SMART gamblers are the
type
of customer they likely want to rid themselves of. I will
intentionally avoid ANY terms that would make me sound too
educated...terms like "full pay", "downgraded", etc. The FACT is
casinos do NOT like customers that cost them money (on the flip
side,
what business does?).
All the sharps here in StL complained (loudly) when Harrahs pulled
AA, but IMO they went about it in the wrong way. They established
themselves as smart gamblers when corresponding with management,
so
I'm sure the GM and others were likely LOL when reading their
gripe
letters. Casinos like ploppies and their losing ways, so IMO it's
best to sound like the uneducated masses when expressing
dissatisfaction.As far as making casino personnel aware of this list, or any
others
···
where positive opportunities are discussed, it is not a good idea
IMO.
--- In vpFREE_KC@yahoogroups.com, "Rick & Lucky Lucy"
<luckylucy39@e...> wrote:
You make some good points, especially about being a "dumb"
player.
My comments were not addressed to the slot manager but to our host
who obviously doesn't want to give up two Star Club level
players.
It was never my intention to reveal the VPFree news group, only
that
it existed and we were not alone in our concerns. Guess it really
doesn't matter. As it stands now we will be doing very little
business with Ameristar anyway. Maybe that's what they want, if
so
they got their wish.
As a side note, we took them for about $12K last year (2005)
Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and many royal flushes in
the days to come.Rick & Lucky Lucy
>
> My 2 cents.
>
> The slot director at Ameristar knows exactly what was done on
the
> floor (Ameristar is sharp regarding VP...I understand they hired
> Dancer a while back to evaluate their VP, among other things),
and
> the reason it was likely done was because the cost the casino
> incurred from 'knowledgeable gamblers' who played the machines.
The
> 5x points and 100play nickel 9/6 was a very strong play and they
> likely got hit hard on it. Obviously the NSUD was also a great
play,
> but without the opportunity for mass volume.
>
> When I have sent written correspondence to casino management, I
make
> it a point to not sound too smart since SMART gamblers are the
type
> of customer they likely want to rid themselves of. I will
> intentionally avoid ANY terms that would make me sound too
> educated...terms like "full pay", "downgraded", etc. The FACT
is
> casinos do NOT like customers that cost them money (on the flip
side,
> what business does?).
>
> All the sharps here in StL complained (loudly) when Harrahs
pulled
> AA, but IMO they went about it in the wrong way. They
established
> themselves as smart gamblers when corresponding with management,
so
> I'm sure the GM and others were likely LOL when reading their
gripe
> letters. Casinos like ploppies and their losing ways, so IMO
it's
> best to sound like the uneducated masses when expressing
> dissatisfaction.
>
> As far as making casino personnel aware of this list, or any
others
> where positive opportunities are discussed, it is not a good
idea
> IMO.
>
I think you guys are worrying about nothiing. I am almost 100% sure
that the people who update and control the game game mix at
Ameristar monitor these VP groups and are very knowledgable. As for
Jatonia she is also my host and a great one, I will miss her also.
She has little interest or knowledge in the fine points of VP play
in fact she doesn't gamble at all. I just hope that there are not
too many advantage VP players amoung her clients, so she isn't hit
too hard by our dropoff in play.