vpFREE2 Forums

Operation Venetian

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

If profits haven't increased X% after three years, you're
fired. For specified increases above X%, you will be
compensated handsomely.

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

Here's mine:

Inventory -

- Many 5c thru $1 10/7 DB and 15/8 LDW
- Many 5c thru $100 9/6 JoB
- Many 5c thru $25 Progressives for 9/7 DB and 9/6 DDB
level machines
- Many 5c thru $25 games with very poor VP schedules.
- A few bonus slots that occasionally get positive
- Many slots that have an average pay out a little better than
any other casino

Comps -

- Slot club with all details spelled out
- No slot hosts
- No discretionary comps
- No bounce back cash or cash back
- All comps would be earned via points.
- VIP levels, based on points earned.

Every machine would be labeled as to how much coin-in
is required to earn a point. Comps would range from
around 0.1% to about 1% (0.1% for the 10/7 DB and the
15/8 LDW and more for games with a lower ER).

The average machine base ER plus average comp % would
be a little higher than any other casino offers.

VIP levels would offer discounts on food, rooms,
shows, gift shop purchases etc., would award logo type
gifts for attaining specified levels, and would also
serve as a line pass to restaurants. Probably have
periodic VIP parties and offer logo type attendance
incentives on certain days also.

Advertising -

Heavily advertise/market that the Venetian has better/positive
VP and slot machines and better comps than anywhere else.

QED

vpFREE wrote:

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

If profits haven't increased X% after three years, you're
fired. For specified increases above X%, you will be
compensated handsomely.

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps? Here's mine:

Inventory -
- Many 5c thru $1 10/7 DB and 15/8 LDW
- Many 5c thru $100 9/6 JoB
- Many 5c thru $25 Progressives for 9/7 DB and 9/6 DDB
level machines
- Many 5c thru $25 games with very poor VP schedules.
- A few bonus slots that occasionally get positive
- Many slots that have an average pay out a little better than
any other casino

Comps -
- Slot club with all details spelled out
- No slot hosts
- No discretionary comps
- No bounce back cash or cash back
- All comps would be earned via points.
- VIP levels, based on points earned.

Every machine would be labeled as to how much coin-in
is required to earn a point. Comps would range from
around 0.1% to about 1% (0.1% for the 10/7 DB and the
15/8 LDW and more for games with a lower ER).

The average machine base ER plus average comp % would
be a little higher than any other casino offers.

VIP levels would offer discounts on food, rooms,
shows, gift shop purchases etc., would award logo type
gifts for attaining specified levels, and would also
serve as a line pass to restaurants. Probably have
periodic VIP parties and offer logo type attendance
incentives on certain days also.

Advertising -

Heavily advertise/market that the Venetian has better/positive
VP and slot machines and better comps than anywhere else.

Well, I know that _I_ would never gamble there, but then you might not be looking for a player like me. I already get a much better deal than this in Tunica for the level I play. Perhaps if I were a VIP, I'd feel differently; I don't know what VIPs get in Tunica. You've lost me in why you think it is good to get rid of discretionary comps, cash back, and bounce back. Harrah's in Tunica has done almost the same thing -- stopped discretionary comps and cash back, although they still have bounce back -- and I'll never go back so long as they keep that program. I can play the same JoB-9/6 game a few hundred yards away at Hollywood, eat for free in a buffet that is just as nice, and get same day cash back ... AND bounce back plus occasional free rooms. I just don't understand that reasoning if it is supposed to be a way to attrack crowds of average citizens. Maybe it makes sense as a way to discourage average players and attract high rollers instead. I guess that's it ... but then, what's up with your idea of installing a lot of nickel machines? Hi-Roller nickels??

Cheers.

Bill Velek

NO ALL AMERICAN?!

Well then, here's my totally unbiased assessment of your scenario:

1) Your casino will fail and lives will be lost.

2) Fox will make a reality show just about you and your humiliation.

3) Your mug shots will appear in post offices and your credit score will be that of a mumbling schizophrenic transient.

carlos

PS Oh yeah, you'll get fired.

···

vpFREE <vpFREE@Cox.net> wrote:

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

If profits haven't increased X% after three years, you're
fired. For specified increases above X%, you will be
compensated handsomely.

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

Here's mine:

Inventory -

- Many 5c thru $1 10/7 DB and 15/8 LDW
- Many 5c thru $100 9/6 JoB
- Many 5c thru $25 Progressives for 9/7 DB and 9/6 DDB
level machines
- Many 5c thru $25 games with very poor VP schedules.
- A few bonus slots that occasionally get positive
- Many slots that have an average pay out a little better than
any other casino

Comps -

- Slot club with all details spelled out
- No slot hosts
- No discretionary comps
- No bounce back cash or cash back
- All comps would be earned via points.
- VIP levels, based on points earned.

Every machine would be labeled as to how much coin-in
is required to earn a point. Comps would range from
around 0.1% to about 1% (0.1% for the 10/7 DB and the
15/8 LDW and more for games with a lower ER).

The average machine base ER plus average comp % would
be a little higher than any other casino offers.

VIP levels would offer discounts on food, rooms,
shows, gift shop purchases etc., would award logo type
gifts for attaining specified levels, and would also
serve as a line pass to restaurants. Probably have
periodic VIP parties and offer logo type attendance
incentives on certain days also.

Advertising -

Heavily advertise/market that the Venetian has better/positive
VP and slot machines and better comps than anywhere else.

QED

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

NO ALL AMERICAN?!

Well then, here's my totally unbiased assessment of your scenario:

1) Your casino will fail and lives will be lost.

2) Fox will make a reality show just about you and your humiliation.

3) Your mug shots will appear in post offices and your credit score will be
that of a mumbling schizophrenic transient.

carlos

PS Oh yeah, you'll get fired.

Heh. I'll mark you down as voting against my game plan.

You must have missed this point:

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

vpFREE Administrator

···

On 2 Aug 2004 at 14:52, Carlos Lebron wrote:

I like the administrator's plan. The Venetian is a real nice place as long as the giveaway drawings are honest <g>. If they put ad's in "Whats on" and other freebie mag's about higher odds, they would get plenty of tourist's coming in to play. They wont know the right strategy, and the casino will make money off them. Savvy local's and visitor's can get a chance to play a good game and to eat real good food and stay in real nice room's.

Ned C.
The Wild Joker

···

Carlos Lebron <calebr0n@yahoo.com> wrote:
NO ALL AMERICAN?!

Well then, here's my totally unbiased assessment of your scenario:

1) Your casino will fail and lives will be lost.

2) Fox will make a reality show just about you and your humiliation.

3) Your mug shots will appear in post offices and your credit score will be that of a mumbling schizophrenic transient.

carlos

PS Oh yeah, you'll get fired.

vpFREE <vpFREE@Cox.net> wrote:

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

If profits haven't increased X% after three years, you're
fired. For specified increases above X%, you will be
compensated handsomely.

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

Here's mine:

Inventory -

- Many 5c thru $1 10/7 DB and 15/8 LDW
- Many 5c thru $100 9/6 JoB
- Many 5c thru $25 Progressives for 9/7 DB and 9/6 DDB
level machines
- Many 5c thru $25 games with very poor VP schedules.
- A few bonus slots that occasionally get positive
- Many slots that have an average pay out a little better than
any other casino

Comps -

- Slot club with all details spelled out
- No slot hosts
- No discretionary comps
- No bounce back cash or cash back
- All comps would be earned via points.
- VIP levels, based on points earned.

Every machine would be labeled as to how much coin-in
is required to earn a point. Comps would range from
around 0.1% to about 1% (0.1% for the 10/7 DB and the
15/8 LDW and more for games with a lower ER).

The average machine base ER plus average comp % would
be a little higher than any other casino offers.

VIP levels would offer discounts on food, rooms,
shows, gift shop purchases etc., would award logo type
gifts for attaining specified levels, and would also
serve as a line pass to restaurants. Probably have
periodic VIP parties and offer logo type attendance
incentives on certain days also.

Advertising -

Heavily advertise/market that the Venetian has better/positive
VP and slot machines and better comps than anywhere else.

QED

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

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

You're not looking at the whole picture. My plan will
get you more comp benefits, but you'll access them
by using points rather than negotiating with hosts.

This game plan is from the casino's perspective and
is designed to give the suckers an even break and
to attract a lot of them via effective advertising that
the Venetian now has the best machines and gives
more comps than anyone else. I don't think that cash
back is necessary if your advertising emphasizes that
you are offering the best overall comp value.

What's your game plan?

vpFREE Administrator

···

On 2 Aug 2004 at 15:56, Bill Velek wrote:

... You've lost me in why you think it is good to get rid of discretionary
comps, cash back, and bounce back. Harrah's in Tunica has done almost the
same thing -- stopped discretionary comps and cash back, although they
still have bounce back -- and I'll never go back so long as they keep that
program. I can play the same JoB-9/6 game a few hundred yards away at
Hollywood, eat for free in a buffet that is just as nice, and get same day
cash back ... AND bounce back plus occasional free rooms. I just don't
understand that reasoning if it is supposed to be a way to attrack crowds
of average citizens ...

vpFREE wrote:

> ... You've lost me in why you think it is good to get rid of discretionary
> comps, cash back, and bounce back. Harrah's in Tunica has done almost the
> same thing -- stopped discretionary comps and cash back, although they
> still have bounce back -- and I'll never go back so long as they keep that
> program. I can play the same JoB-9/6 game a few hundred yards away at
> Hollywood, eat for free in a buffet that is just as nice, and get same day
> cash back ... AND bounce back plus occasional free rooms. I just don't
> understand that reasoning if it is supposed to be a way to attrack crowds
> of average citizens ...

You're not looking at the whole picture. My plan will
get you more comp benefits, but you'll access them
by using points rather than negotiating with hosts.

snip

Well, that's great so long as I don't have to amass a mountain of points. Harrah's in Tunica gives $1.00 off of their buffet for every 100 points a player has earned. I don't remember any more how much coin in it took to earn a point, but I at least recall that it wasn't just some trivial amount. In comparison, on my last trip to Tunica, we stayed at Hollywood, and I arrived a few hours before my wife and daughter on a Friday night. During that time I earned, as I recall, about 75 points, give or take one or two, and it takes $30.00 coin-in to earn one point, so my total coin-in was about $2,250.00. Now, when my wife and daughter arrived it was late -- perhaps close to 10:00 -- and they wanted to eat before playing, so I went up to the desk and asked for three comps on my card, and I got them with no questions asked. Seafood buffet with all you can eat broiled lobster tails, big crab legs, shrimp, and other nice seafood (and non-seafood) dishes, and they serve beer and wine with the meal. Played enough for about 30 more points or so before going to bed, but I was able to get two breakfast comps on my points -- again, with no trouble. So, how much coin in would it take to eat a buffet in the Venetian, under your management? Of course, I realize that the Venetian is a whole lot fancier, too, but I'll take that under consideration.

What's your game plan?

vpFREE Administrator

I haven't the faintest idea; I wouldn't be able to run a casino successfully if my life depended on it.

Bill Velek

···

On 2 Aug 2004 at 15:56, Bill Velek wrote:

Um, put in some AA?

···

-----Original Message-----
From: vpFREE [mailto:vpF…@…net]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 4:59 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [vpFREE] Operation Venetian

On 2 Aug 2004 at 14:52, Carlos Lebron wrote:

NO ALL AMERICAN?!

Well then, here's my totally unbiased assessment of your scenario:

1) Your casino will fail and lives will be lost.

2) Fox will make a reality show just about you and your humiliation.

3) Your mug shots will appear in post offices and your credit score will

be

that of a mumbling schizophrenic transient.

carlos

PS Oh yeah, you'll get fired.

Heh. I'll mark you down as voting against my game plan.

You must have missed this point:

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

vpFREE Administrator

vpFREE Links: http://members.cox.net/vpfree/Links.htm

Yahoo! Groups Links

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

If profits haven't increased X% after three years, you're
fired. For specified increases above X%, you will be
compensated handsomely.

What's your game plan with regards to machines and
comps?

You should gracefully decline this job, it's not good for your
career. The Venetian has a big credibility problem, they've rigged
contests and cheated customers, no doubt there are employees cheating
the company also.

Here's mine:

Inventory -

- Many 5c thru $1 10/7 DB and 15/8 LDW
- Many 5c thru $100 9/6 JoB
- Many 5c thru $25 Progressives for 9/7 DB and 9/6 DDB
level machines
- Many 5c thru $25 games with very poor VP schedules.
- A few bonus slots that occasionally get positive
- Many slots that have an average pay out a little better than
any other casino

nickel games don't generate significant profits and the people who
play them are probably chasing away higher denom players
too many progressives won't work (speading the action too thin)
you should let players select the game played on progressives,
include job, bonus, ddb, deuces, joker
you'll need good meter movement on the progressives to attract
interest
put in sequential royal progressives, people overrate their worth
progressives are good but you're gonna have to control team action
so good customers can get on

Comps -

- Slot club with all details spelled out
- No slot hosts
- No discretionary comps
- No bounce back cash or cash back
- All comps would be earned via points.
- VIP levels, based on points earned.

Every machine would be labeled as to how much coin-in
is required to earn a point. Comps would range from
around 0.1% to about 1% (0.1% for the 10/7 DB and the
15/8 LDW and more for games with a lower ER).

The average machine base ER plus average comp % would
be a little higher than any other casino offers.

VIP levels would offer discounts on food, rooms,
shows, gift shop purchases etc., would award logo type
gifts for attaining specified levels, and would also
serve as a line pass to restaurants. Probably have
periodic VIP parties and offer logo type attendance
incentives on certain days also.

Advertising -

Heavily advertise/market that the Venetian has better/positive
VP and slot machines and better comps than anywhere else.

people are a little jaded of advertising
anywhere else? you mean among big casinos on the strip?
best comps? without cashback? with .1% on good games?

···

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

Hoo boy! I could have this sucker absolutely DOMINATING the LV Strip
casino market in six months. All I'd have to do is offer REASONABLE
value, as opposed to the other Strip "megatoilets". To wit:

Comps are extended at a rate of 40% of "theo", meaning theoretical
loss, JUST LIKE TABLE GAMES. The theo assumes optimal play (just
like BJ and craps do), so the actual loss will usually exceed the
theo. You always know what your comp balance is by entering your
code into the slot card reader, or at kiosks scattered throughout
the casino. You can use comps by swiping your card at casino cash
registers, or by giving the card to your restaurant server.

Have four tiers (Gondolier, Grande, Grandissimo, Doge?) of slot club
benefits based on TOTAL LIFETIME THEO (NOT play). Have increasing
comp redemption discounts as a player advanced. Other perks, such as
preferential parking, restaurant and show line passes, etc. for the
higher levels.

VP selection:
ALL SORTS OF 99.8-100.1% games at ALL denominations: NSUD, LD, DB,
10/6 DDB, SA, etc. etc. etc.
FAST progressives with half of the "reduction" in the paytable put
back in onto the meter, such as 9/7 DB with a 1/2% meter
ALL TITO machines
Multi-line machines with paytables EQUAL to the best singleliners
Fullpay Multistrike (this game holds about six times as much as
it "should". so give 'em a good game)
Lots of "second tier" VP in all denoms: BP, DDB, JOB, UD, etc.
Plenty of multiline multidenom 15-line "goober" video slots named
after a TV show, comic strip, or board game
Lotsa 99% return dollar slots (and play them up)

Table games:
SINGLE ZERO roulette
Craps: 10x 0dds, hardways pay 10-1 and 8-1, field pays 3X on 2 and
12, no upfront vig on "buy" bets, $2 minimum ALL tables
BJ: Six deck shoes with autoshufflers (only AFTER shoe is depleted),
double after splits, S17, etc. Most tables limits $2-100, some
tables $25-500 but those tables you cannot take insurance, or double
after splits, and the cut-card is mid-shoe.

Infrastructure:
TEAR DOWN THE SHOPPING MALL. The revenue gained from rent isn't
worth the reduction in floor space. Use the space gained to improve
access from the parking lot (which really sucks at present).

AND NOW FOR A REALLY, REALLY RADICAL SUGGESTION

PAY THE DEALERS WHAT THEY'RE WORTH. Also the slot floorpeople,
change booth attendants, etc. etc. etc. I suggest a 50% across-the-
board increase in all casino pay scales. This would result in--guess
what? Attracting and retaining the best employees available!!
DIVIDE TOKES EQUALLY AMONG ALL CASINO EMPLOYEES. That hardworking
restroom attendant may have had just as much of a role in satisfying
the customer as the crap dealer who just paid off his hard eight
bet. This would also level the casino "hierarchy" so that EVERYONE
would receive the benefit of the hotel's prosperity. And speaking of
which: Make the issuance of company stock to employees an additional
employment benefit.

And lastly....PLAY ALL THIS UP. Tout the Venetian as the "new",
the "different" Strip property, with the "best gambling odds" and
the "happiest employees". Then sit back and watch the money roll in.

···

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

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.

No buffet at Venetian now. I might open one.

I haven't worked out many details in my plan, but
if you were playing 9/6 JoB you would probably
be earning comps at about a 1.0% rate and at
a higher rate for lower ER games. My comps
would be higher than my competition's.

vpFREE Administrator

···

On 2 Aug 2004 at 17:52, Bill Velek wrote:

So, how much coin in would it take to eat a buffet in
the Venetian, under your management?

>
> SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
> Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
> have a free hand to run the casino.
>

If I had the same job offer handed to me, I'd tighten the slots,
lower the CB, play games with the points and obfuscate the comp
policy so I could gaurantee my bonus. Oops, that's what most strip
casino's do today and probably one of the reasons why.

While I applaud your attempt, I suspect if it was as easy as
offering a better game don't you think one of the strip properties
would have done it by now? There are some really smart people
running these operations and to underestimate them is a mistake.
35+ million people go to LV every year, how many know didley about
gambling and choose where they play that carefully? Those that are
discerning about gambling are already downtown or in a neighborhood
casino. It's not exactly like the current formula is failing on the
strip. The location and caliber of your property already gaurentees
you a steady stream of well heeled suckers spewing cash, why invite
folks who chase an edge -- you don't have to. Ultimately, does the
Venetian really need the downtown crowd?

Just one perspective.

Casino Manager you say. Sounds like fun to me. I'd like to throw in
some ideas and comment on parts of Tom's plan

First it is imperative to know what business we are in and focus on
it. My business plan for the Venetian would be to grow the tourists
revenue and not dabble in the locals market.

As a new casino manager I would initially create some positions I
don't think currently exist in casinos. The first is a Communications
Director. No other business I have worked in or been close to has
employees as clueless as those in casinos. This is a failure of
management that a Communication Director can correct. Another new
hire would be an Organizational Development guru whose responsibility
would be involving employees in designing how work is performed. The
casino industry is way behind others in tapping the potential of
their human resources.

As far as the game plan for machines and comps I agree with Tom's
plan to make comps straightforward and eliminate the need to have
full time hosts on the payroll. Contract hosts would be used to bring
the high rollers in. I would be tempted though to hire a certain host
from The Orleans so I could have the pleasure of firing her butt the
following week.

I would improve VP pay schedules and slot payouts but on less
machines than Tom plans. I would put a lot of effort into advertising
and promoting these improvements.

I would spend more time on the floor mingling with employees and
customers than casino suits usually do. I never met Benny Binion and
probably don't have his charisma but I share his philosophy of
knowing who the customers and employees are and what they want.
Managers who are often looking for the newest management techniques
would do well to learn from some that worked in the past.

Finally, I'm disappointed that Tom's plan fails to mention the most
important people in the casino, the cocktail waitresses. What would
Tom do differently concerning cocktail waitresses or cocktail
waitress costumes? Would he delegate this vital responsibility or
take a hands on approach?

Don Forsythe

···

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

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.<<

SCENARIO: You have just been hired as the Venetian
Casino Manager, with a three year contract, and will
have a free hand to run the casino.<<

Casino Manager you say. Sounds like fun to me. I'd like to throw in
some ideas and comment on parts of Tom's plan.

Wouldn't a Casino Manager on the Strip think more in terms of slot

machines rather than VP, since that would be the overwhelming majority
of his customers?

Scot

···

-----Original Message-----
From: donald_forsythe [mailto:DonBo…@…com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004 2:29 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Operation Venetian

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