California Cutbacks

[mikeymic]

I realize there is a separate vpFREE website for California issues. In fact, I post there regularly.

But I wanted all you Vegas locals to know that you are not alone in seeing diminishing slot club returns. The changes are staggering.

Until recently one of our California casinos offered a full 1% cash back on one bank of VP. By mistake, these machines were being awarded the slot rate which was twice the VP earnings rate. Many of us enjoyed the 9/6 Jacks and 8/5 Super Aces trip after trip with the 1%.

But the slot club announced "new and improved" changes which, through confusing number juggling, resulted in the cashback rate being slashed by two-thirds.

And yesterday, I discovered the entire bank of VP machines paying the former 1% had vanished. A floor worker confirmed they are gone, not simply moved, and probably gone for good. She then directed to a row in High Limit featuring two of your favorites, 8/5 Jacks and 7/5 Bonus.

Now that's what I call "new and improved"!

Another of our casinos gave decent comps on winning trips. More significantly, you got a full 10% back on losing trips. For example: Play awhile and win $2000, you might get up to a $50 meal. Play enough but lose $2000, you cheerfully got $200 to spend anywhere in the hotel.

But that too has changed according to an executive host I spoke to yesterday. Due to "the recession" the casino now requires you to cash out any and all slot club points (a la Harrahs) and then reviews what you might or might not get on a case by case basis. Lose a lot quickly and you may not get much back in comps at all. And 10% back? Don't even go there.

Those who think the best VP years are behind us have reason to think that way. Nothing is getting easier or more generous.

But when you do find that occasional "opportunity", best to pounce on it quickly and enjoy. Nothing lasts forever.

[WP_SF]

The bank of VP in question were for $. The real play was 18 mo ago where multiline 15-11 with the 1% was available. I got to that party a little too late, because in the 15 years or so I've been aware of that particular casino, there has never been a profitable VP situation. Shame on me...I missed a ton of EV-and I knew about the machines, too. I'd just drive by them (or not detour using 215) on the way to Indio, or San Manuel or Viejas or Valley View from Vegas. The play lasted for a good three months.

In the current scenario, the slot club had already been slashed to .167. For some reason, they missed that bank. Even at 1%, it didn't interest me at all, but to each his own.

As for the 2d casino, well...they're pretty clueless. There was a 2.5%-3% dollar play there a couple of years ago, same situation as the first casino, a bank of high paying VP was set to the slot cashback rack. You just had to know which game on the machine was the high paying one (although you could play some of the 98.5% programs and still have a win).

There is still some very playable VP there. But you'll have to find it.

Finally, the cannibalization of what's left in profitable video poker is happening with a frenzy. Too many people who know what they're doing, with fewer and fewer spots to play. Don't forget the part about getting no mailed because you hit a royal, too.

···

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

I realize there is a separate vpFREE website for California issues. In fact, I post there regularly.

But I wanted all you Vegas locals to know that you are not alone in seeing diminishing slot club returns. The changes are staggering.

Until recently one of our California casinos offered a full 1% cash back on one bank of VP. By mistake, these machines were being awarded the slot rate which was twice the VP earnings rate. Many of us enjoyed the 9/6 Jacks and 8/5 Super Aces trip after trip with the 1%.

But the slot club announced "new and improved" changes which, through confusing number juggling, resulted in the cashback rate being slashed by two-thirds.

And yesterday, I discovered the entire bank of VP machines paying the former 1% had vanished. A floor worker confirmed they are gone, not simply moved, and probably gone for good. She then directed to a row in High Limit featuring two of your favorites, 8/5 Jacks and 7/5 Bonus.

Now that's what I call "new and improved"!

Another of our casinos gave decent comps on winning trips. More significantly, you got a full 10% back on losing trips. For example: Play awhile and win $2000, you might get up to a $50 meal. Play enough but lose $2000, you cheerfully got $200 to spend anywhere in the hotel.

But that too has changed according to an executive host I spoke to yesterday. Due to "the recession" the casino now requires you to cash out any and all slot club points (a la Harrahs) and then reviews what you might or might not get on a case by case basis. Lose a lot quickly and you may not get much back in comps at all. And 10% back? Don't even go there.

Those who think the best VP years are behind us have reason to think that way. Nothing is getting easier or more generous.

But when you do find that occasional "opportunity", best to pounce on it quickly and enjoy. Nothing lasts forever.