Complete List of 2010 LVA Coupons:
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yfo8btq">
http://tinyurl.com/yfo8btq</a>
LV Advisor 2010 Coupons
Before anyone considers a subscription to the 2010 LVA be aware there are no VP point multipliers and no table games matchplay coupons. That's right, not a single matchplay.
When LVA members complained of the lack of table matchplays, Kurt Flowers (owner of the LVA) replied, "if that's all you wanted, then move on....if that's all you were here for, I'm not concerned to lose you."
This is quite a pompous reply from the same guy who wrote "Bargain City" years ago and has continually touted matchplay coupons on countless Las Vegas Travel Channel shows.
Flowers was also quoted saying, "the casinos don't want (the matchplays) and neither do we." That's funny Kurt because my 2010 American Casino Guide book has about 15 Las Vegas table game matchplay coupons.
I guess in this economy the LVA doesn't need to be concerned about losing longtime subscribers. As a 10+ year subscriber, I'll be in that group of ex-customers.
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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "vpFREE Administrator" <vpfreeadmin@...> wrote:
Complete List of 2010 LVA Coupons:
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yfo8btq">
http://tinyurl.com/yfo8btq</a>
Well said.
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________________________________
From: vivalv2001 <vivalv2001@yahoo.com>
Before anyone considers a subscription to the 2010 LVA be aware there are no VP point multipliers and no table games matchplay coupons. That's right, not a single matchplay.
<<When LVA members complained of the lack of table matchplays, Kurt Flowers (owner of the LVA) replied...."
For people who are confused about who Kurt Flowers is - that is Anthony Curtis' real name but he is known by most people by his pen name. And even most of us who know his real name are thoughtful enough to not use it publically among people who don't know that.
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________________
Jean $�ott, Frugal Gambler
http://queenofcomps.com/
You can read my blog at
http://jscott.lvablog.com/
Jean, you're a long time coupon user so I'd like to hear you address the concerns that long time LVA members are expressing.
What are your thoughts on Flowers aka Curtis' hypocrisy of touting matchplay coupons in books and television shows then suddenly abandoning them?
What about his insulting comments directed at his customers who valued them?
He likes to use the abuse excuse but isn't this the same guy who openly admitted to diving dumpsters at the Tropicana for dozens of matchplay coupons that were limited to one per person? Does this not reek of hypocrisy?
Thoughts on his comment that "the casinos don't want them" only to see the 2010 American Casino Guide offer more matchplay coupons then in any prior year of publication?
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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Jean Scott" <queenofcomps@...> wrote:
<<When LVA members complained of the lack of table matchplays, Kurt Flowers
(owner of the LVA) replied...."For people who are confused about who Kurt Flowers is - that is Anthony
Curtis' real name but he is known by most people by his pen name. And even
most of us who know his real name are thoughtful enough to not use it
publically among people who don't know that.________________
Jean $¢ott, Frugal Gambler
http://queenofcomps.com/
You can read my blog at
http://jscott.lvablog.com/
I just looked at the list, and it looks like a pretty good list of coupons to me. I'm not really into coupons, but how can you miss if there is certainly enough to reimburse you for your subscription cost? I enjoy reading the LVA, and I would continue, coupons or no coupons. What I'm wondering here is why such a caustic post? I mean, do gamblers ever stop whining and sniveling? Ever? Match-play coupons are not an unalienable right.
I'm just guessing here, but I'll bet Anthony Curtis has a good reason for doing whatever he does. He seems like a pretty sharp cookie, and if he says the casinos don't like the match-plays, then he probably knows what he's talking about. I'll continue subscribing, and I'll continue enjoying it. It's good information, it's a good publication.
-BB
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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "vivalv2001" <vivalv2001@...> wrote:
Before anyone considers a subscription to the 2010 LVA be aware there are no VP point multipliers and no table games matchplay coupons. That's right, not a single matchplay.
When LVA members complained of the lack of table matchplays, Kurt Flowers (owner of the LVA) replied, "if that's all you wanted, then move on....if that's all you were here for, I'm not concerned to lose you."
This is quite a pompous reply from the same guy who wrote "Bargain City" years ago and has continually touted matchplay coupons on countless Las Vegas Travel Channel shows.
Flowers was also quoted saying, "the casinos don't want (the matchplays) and neither do we." That's funny Kurt because my 2010 American Casino Guide book has about 15 Las Vegas table game matchplay coupons.
I guess in this economy the LVA doesn't need to be concerned about losing longtime subscribers. As a 10+ year subscriber, I'll be in that group of ex-customers.
I have been a Las Vegas Advisor subscriber for 22 years. My first subscription back in 1989 was a 4 page black and white production. In those 22 years, I have already received at least double my purchase price from the coupon book. This year is going to be a struggle.
I too was surprised there were no matchplays, especially since ACG has what I consider their best matchplay selection ever.
I have noticed more hostility towards matchplays than ever before. Several casinos confuse ACG and MRB offers. Pete at Ellis Island does everything but spit on you when you use one. The Cannery and Rampart require the coupon, a slot club card and either the MRB book or the ACG card. Places that have run the coupon for years now look at it 3 times and call a pit boss over.
LVA has been very, very good to me over the years. I'll see how much I use the coupons that are in there. If this year's edition is not profitable and next year's does not improve, I'll have to re evaluation my LVA investment.
As for using someone's real name when a pen name does the same thing, that is just silly and rude.
Kurt's more than ok with me, but if you want to get a play shut or burned down quickly, you give it to him. Even his business partners won't give him anything for that reason.
The other two large information brokers I have a real problem with. Their deal is too much about vanity and ego, but what can I say? Those who can, do, those who can't, teach.
As a longtime LVA member, I don't mind the lack of matchplays.
They never fit into my playing style.
Still, it was a surprise to see so few gambling coupons, but I am sure that it was not done without some serious consideration. They even did a poll back in August asking what people wanted in the MRB. Buffet coupons were number one, followed by free slot play and 2-for-1's. Sounds a lot like like the breakdown of the 2010 MRB.
Take Care,
Mark
I counted $90 in slot free play (or slot match). Should be easy to make $37/50 on slots using low-variance video blackjack or nickel video poker. For the lowest variance, choose the lower denominations.
Yes, the matchplays are strangely gone, when ACG has two $25 matchplays (Westin & Sahara).
Some locals sell the 2/1 buffet coupons for $5-10 each, so they might be very happy with the mix.
An even better value is to wait until the end of the year to buy LVA for $12 + $0.97 tax = $12.97. Although I've heard that this only happens when there is an oversupply. (?)
It's my first year using LVA 2009 & ACG 2009, and I like the books. Bad luck has me woefully underperforming the theoretical (e.g. the last day I tried coupons I went 2 for 12), so I haven't bought 10 ACGs like some friends.
Good luck everyone.
Yeah, that was my thought. Curtis is no dummy. He had to have a very good reason. Hey, maybe coupons worked well in days past, but the game is ever-changing, and it must be time to change. Always gotta adapt to change in this field, if you want to succeed. I'm like you, it was never my style anyway, although I used a very few before. But it's kinda hard to stay "under the radar" while waving a coupon at them.
Besides, I'll bet a lot of near-sighted coupon players probably did the old hit-n-run routine, instead of blending the coupon in with more play. No wonder the casinos don't like them.
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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "casino_travel" <casinotravel@...> wrote:
but I am sure that it was not done without some serious consideration.
I'm probably one of those "hit and run" people, however... I may play a matchplay and then continue to play other games for hours and hours. Aside from the rare snotty dealer, I've not experienced any hesitation in pit bosses or dealers rebuffing my coupons. Usually they are quite friendly and cheer you on. Perhaps it varies by location. I imagine the "locals" casinos get more coupon play than out-of-towners, but that may not be true.
Last week on our vacation, four of us went into the Hilton and played a coupon each @ a roulette table and while the dealer was reading the coupon word-for-word and asking us for our players club cards, the pit boss came over and was very nice and told her not to worry about it. She started to argue and say, "But it says..." and he told her, "I know what it says, don't make them fish for their cards, just let them play." He had a kind smile on his face. We took the other 1/2 of our coupons over to blackjack and the dealer was extremely kind - gave us no hassle at all. We continued to play there for hours. The Palms and Sahara have been equally as easygoing in taking the coupons. Mind you, we play a lot at these 3 places on machines, but they wouldn't know that up front when using the coupons.
I'm disappointed to see the LVA ditch the matchplays. I looked forward to using those. Honestly, there are many casinos that draw me in with those coupons and I end up staying and playing. It ends up being to their benefit in the short and long run.
I don't know whether I'll be renewing this year. I'm leaning towards not.
AK
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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "bobbartop" <bobbartop@...> wrote:
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "casino_travel" <casinotravel@> wrote:
>
> but I am sure that it was not done without some serious consideration.Yeah, that was my thought. Curtis is no dummy. He had to have a very good reason. Hey, maybe coupons worked well in days past, but the game is ever-changing, and it must be time to change. Always gotta adapt to change in this field, if you want to succeed. I'm like you, it was never my style anyway, although I used a very few before. But it's kinda hard to stay "under the radar" while waving a coupon at them.
Besides, I'll bet a lot of near-sighted coupon players probably did the old hit-n-run routine, instead of blending the coupon in with more play. No wonder the casinos don't like them.
In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "casino_travel" <casinotravel@> wrote: ... [B]ut I am sure that it was not done without some serious consideration. [And then]"bobbartop" <bobbartop@...> wrote: Yeah, that was my thought. Curtis is no dummy. He had to have a very good reason. ... I'm like you, it was never my style anyway.<<<
MY REPLY/THOUGHTS:
(1)In recent years, I've seldom used the gambling coupons. I'm not concerned about camoflage, but I did find myself torn between maximizing the coupons' EV (i.e., hitting and running)or showing some good faith by playing on(which quickly vaporizes a coupon's $ edge). For that reason, and because most of the gambling coupons required car or bus transportation from Strip hotels, it's been simpler to just skip the dilemma + save a lot of my time.
(2)I often travel to LV alone and usually rent a car. Therefore, I'd gladly forego all the gambling coupons if LVA could make 50%-off an alternative on the 2-for-1 food coupons. The LVA appears to be aware of that unmet singles' need because they have recently started to include 50%-off deals for some casinos. Why most casinos resist offering the 50%-off option to single diners has always mystified me.
I guarantee that I gamble more on solo trips than I do when my wife accompanies me. The whole idea of discount coupons is to get gamblers inside a casino. Therefore, why no accomodate the most gamble-inclined among us.
(3) Returning to the origin of this thread without repeating more than necessary, those of you who remember the LVA's original incarnation may also recall the columnist named "Flower" who wrote hilarious couponomy columns. I think that it was Flower who described finding "peppled" coupons on the pavement, steaming them in the shower, and then pressing them between the pages of a Gideon Bible so they'd look like new after they dried out. Truth or satire? Maybe someone out there can say.
The GMan