In a message dated 5/25/2007 12:54:04 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com writes:
<<<3b. Re: Colorado Belle/Edgewater change of ownership
Posted by: "hamstockman" ab6pq@aol.com hamstockman
It certainly is difficult to try to figure out what the future holds
for the EW and CB. The new owners stated that they will be all TITO,
so some of my old favorites like the Sigma DDJ will probably be the
first to go. However, all the bartops except the ones at the
Mississippi Lounge are already TITO, so I see no quick changes there.
All the FPDW will be gone also. Another important area for me is the
marketing/slot club system. Somehow I have a feeling it will never be
as good for me as it is now. Soooo, I decided to make one last trip
to enjoy what is now...soon to be gone. I will be at the CB on June
1st, so I guess I can watch them unload all those penny slots to
replace FPDW. ?? If this change of ownership does not work for me, I
have some very good options in Northern Nevada, and it is much closer.>>>
Northern NV is several hrs closer to me & also my preferred destination but
things are going S there too what with recent changes in Peppermill, Atlantis
& now I just heard of a recent change at SL where vp players may not be able
to make Barons (top level) any more. Am afraid that pros & advantage players
are probably bringing too much focus to lower profitability of vp & we will
have to prepare ourselves for that time when the best play is to stay put.
Think the proliferation of ideas to max out comps & cadge freebies has worn
thin the welcome mat for vp players so that as a group (even for those who play
poor vp games) we're rated as just above blackjack players.
This is a trend that will probably continue as consolidation continues. When
small entities get merged into larger entities, the larger entities
(normally) have staff that take a more analytical approach & are able to link the
various cost centers & merge that data into a player profile of what that player
is earning or costing. Even though the mergers link together different
computer systems with different databases bring the info together is not
difficult. The only saving grace that we have is that casino industry pay scales rate
below other industries & they don't have the best people doing this work.
It might be time for a another book like "Comp City" written by a casino
insider (Comp City was written by Max Rubin who worked for a few casinos). But
this time from the perspective of how the larger entities link all the info on
us & what the discretionary comps & past freebies we pressured them for are
actually costing us in terms of player rating & future offers. I might be
overestimating the current capacity of casinos to do this type of work but it's
not a stretch as it's currently happening in other industries. Whatever
happens, it eventually bubbles down into the smaller entities when someone gets
the bright idea to become a consultant & spread the answer to their needs.
Until this happens, are there any defensive measures a player can take? I
think there's a few:
1. Play several types of games. When a player profile is constructed & they
see only one type of game, it's a no-brainer to focus in on that game to see
what the nominal & pro returns are. Even if you've been a loser, the smarter
casinos know that some people playing only one type of game will eventually
approach the pro return. Playing only one type of game also has another side
effect of focusing attention on that game & leads to its eventual demise.
2. Try to think about your requests from the casino's point of view. What
costs them a lot & what is easy for them to provide. I learned a "hard" lesson
at the Reno Hilton a few years ago when I asked for a comp to Johnny Rockets,
the burger joint. I got it but was told that it was easier to comp me a meal
at the Steak House because they owned it but that Johnny Rockets was a
"hard" comp because they didn't own it even though the nominal cost was probably
80% less. So learn what "hard" comps are & avoid them even if you know you can
get them.
3. What is your long-term comp objective? This past weekend I was in the VIP
lounge waiting for my host who was with a customer. I overheard the
conversation about why he was being turned down on his request to enter a tournament.
I was prepared for the same answer but I asked anyway & got a different
answer when she said she would try to get me in but when I learned it was a 2-day
event, I thanked her & declined since I was leaving the next day. Just
before checking out, the tournament director found me & talked me into playing
both sessions before leaving. My long-term comp objective is room-comp only &
continuing invitations to special events. I bypass limo rides & will downgrade
suite offers if it has things I will not use (like a jacuzzi) but accept them
occasionally. On "free" suite offers, I often ask for a standard room to
allow more comp room for checkout because most offers have an implied level of
play which you must exceed before meals etc can have comps applied.
4. Play slots. Yeah, I know it's against our religion but I didn't say play
a LOT of slots. The current system normally consists of awarding double
points for slot play & higher theo which is probably quite a bit more than double
the theo for vp play. You may be able to obtain a high theo through vp play
but left off the invitation list due to only playing vp and winning or
break-even history. Playing some slots may be enough to change their formula for
whom to include for the next special event.
5. Tip. You think it doesn't matter as it affects only the employees you
stiffed. Well, they make sure the word gets out. It's surprising how the word
gets around. So when it reaches VIP or elsewhere, don't expect any special
favors when you're trying to enter a tournament at the last minute.
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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ยทยทยท
Date: Thu May 24, 2007 5:28 pm ((PDT))