Re Palms Mailers - I found absolutely no difference if I had some play on $5
reels at Palms in addition to NSU or DDB, etc. Actually it seemed possible
to me that just a little play on 100% games caused the mailers to be reduced.
If not that, then just the fact that heavy play day(s) were added to days
when you came and just ate or picked up free play or picked up a free
Megabytes all reduced your daily average to the point at which you got lower
mailings. Also just in general, since about the beginning of 2005, every type of
mailer seems to be lower in value. For example the top mailers used to give $50
in spa credit and 2 free movie tix. Now they give $25 spa and 2 for 1 tix.
Overall I believe it takes more play to get higher mailers in general.
Overall for $1 triple and five players playing NSU or DDB, as well as reel
players, I think you are better off to play at Coast, Ballys, Venetian or other
venues. Definitely Ballys/Paris is treating me way better for same sort of play
than Palms.
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Re Wynn Resort:
We went back tonight and found out how to access free play which can be
played on any machine. You have to press buttons for "cashback" first to
transfer cash to "free play" then press free play buttons. Rate is $10 free play
per 500 points. Assuming VP play rate of $9 per 1 point, it would take $4500
to get $10, or a cashback/free-play-only rate of .002222. Reel slot free play
is 3X as much. You also apparently get comps.
We finally saw the meager "show" at the Lake. Also found the Wynn shopping
area which is called the Esplanade. Near the main entrance and esplanade
entrance you find the spiral escalators. Apparently the only way to see the
show is go into one of 3 bars, either down the escalator or on each side of the
escalator at top. Or be seated in one of the restaurants facing the Lake.
The bars require a 1 drink minimum - which was at least $4.50 for soda or
bottled water! On top of that outrage, the show only lasts about 2-4 minutes!!
It basically consists of some electronic images on the giant screen (with
water running on top of the screen), and a couple of things coming up out of the
Lake or behind the screen. Loud music plays. Lights flash and change
colors. All in all pretty much of a nothing event, which runs every half hour.
You can view a little of the show from the top of the escalators, but you
really can't see very well. Show only runs at night.
Overall the Lake show was a horrible disappointment. The reviews of the
show did not explain it clearly. It definitely isn't worth going into the Wynn
just to watch, or worth paying bar prices for the drinks to sit and watch
(unless you ordinarily would go to such a bar and buy an overpriced drink). Why
Wynn spent Billions of dollars and came up with this thing is beyond me.
The fountains at the Bellagio are far more entertaining, beautiful, and happen
every 15 minutes, and they are FREE.
Also we noticed that on our visit on Sat. and today (Mon.), the Wynn was not
at all crowded. No problem parking in the self-parking lot. Empty craps
tables tonight, no line at buffet, lots of seats at BJ. Also plenty of seats
at the 2 banks of Better Pay/Almost VP (behind the craps tables). Why is
Wynn so empty? Could it be bad parking at valet/taxi access? Lack of
pedestrian traffic in that part of the strip? People who paid $4.50 for water and saw
the Lake Show who don't want to come back? Lack of publicity after the
initial opening of the casino? People who waited in line for the Ferrari cars
and got upset when they had to pay (by the way - this is apparently now free
again, but still had a short line)? All of above? None? Don't know.
Meanwhile we ate at the buffet tonight. Price is a little over $30 per
person. Buffet was excellent - I think it could be best "regular" buffet in town
(gourmet Sterling Brunch at Bally's is better - but costs over $50 and is
Sundays only), definitely beating out Paris, probably Alladin, and maybe
Bellagio (which is close). Ask for a seat close to the buffet. They have many
stations. Salad is especially good, with some sort of extra-good lettuce, and
pecans available to put on top. They have Alaskan King Crab legs (cold),
calms, made-to-order pasta (including crab risotto), Japanese noodle soup
station, sushi, 2 kinds of lamb chops, various Asian specialities including spicy
Indian and Chinese, pizza, prime rib, various types of seafood and chicken,
etc. Also very good dessert area including gelato, bananas foster, creme
brulee, etc. Service was good. We all got stuffed.
The 500 points for 2 buffets deal for new signups is a good one. You also
get $10 of free play at that level.
Re the strange Bonus Bingo game - it seems to work if your card is in the
slot, even if you don't play or have money in. I wonder how many homeless
people will sit there all day for this one? Your prize is independent of machine
demonination, and apparently random.
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