I was at the Rio today showing my 86-year old Uncle the place (my Uncle is
incredible, walking all around town, no cane, perfect brain, just in great
shape. It is amazing how different he is from my just deceased Mom who was his
sister and died at 79 and who was barely walking - I'm sure the heart bypass he
had a few years ago really helped).
Anyway I didn't really realize just how distracting the Bevertainers really
are and all the entertainment is until I sat down at a bank of VP machines
which now were right in front of a new stage. I will call them Distractainers.
They never did serve me any drinks while I was there for about an hour, which
shows you how the service part of their job is lacking. Rio is a loud place to
begin with, and when they start to sing and dance directly in front of you,
complete with loud music and flashing lights, there is no way you are going to
play VP (and probably not slots either). Lots of people stop dead in their
tracks to watch.
Also for males, sitting directly in front of the dancers may be desirable,
because it is a great view of legs and right up the crotches (covered thank
goodness) of these dancers. Some dress more skimily than others, but from the
seated position you get a terrific view of legs and rear ends.
They only "entertain" for about 2 minutes, but it is extremely distracting.
And the surprising thing was how frequently they did entertain at my station -
at least 3 in a half an hour. Also the parade of entertainers with drum
through the casino is now more elaborate and they stopped to dance near me.
You can also hear the music and so on from other Distractainers in other
parts of the casino floor.
The Rio apparently hopes to attract a new sort of "demographic." I see this
bringing in tourists, horny men, and families, but not dedicated gamblers who
this will turn off (even slot players will find all the noise and fuss
distracting after initially enjoying it).
My theory is that the Rio is losing lots of loot from gamblers as everyone
stops playing machines to watch the show (s). Also distracted gamblers and
dealers at table games probably means more opportunities for cheats at the tables.
(Not to mention pickpockets around the place).
Strangely the Rio still has no signs outside to publicize the new
Distractainers.
My prediction - in a year or less they will be gone from the Rio.
By the way, some are men and the women are generally not as beautiful as the
old beverage servers, though the up the crotch views are possibly sexier.
···
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I spoke with a host and the Total Rewards people about the fact that the new
Total Rewards Club points seemed to often require you to play more than the
old point system, now that the Bonuses are gone. They didn't seem to get what I
was saying. I asked if RFB is still an option and the host said yes, but
apparently you aren't exactly brought in with upfront RFB, though you may get
booked with an upfront room comp which will NOT come out of your points. If you
have any Point Credit at all, the points will be taken first for any food or
comps. Presumably if you have a lot of play (according to the host the same
play as formerly required for RFB or other stuff) and don't have quite enough
points for that, they will still give you the RFB treatment. It was all very
vague.
Also you can pick up a brochure at Total Rewards which shows all the various
different rewards they have like for 1,000,000 points (comp value $10000) an
ulltimate home entertainment system including a 42" plasma screen TV, a DVD
system, and a Sharper Image massage chair (Actual cost to buy these at the
cheapest retail is probably about $8000 though.......). Or 30,000 points (comp
value $300) Airfare to any Harrah's property with advance notice.
Since they now won't apparently issue RFB status in advance (unless, I guess,
you are a whale), you probably are better off to use up comps if you are that
sort of player, rather than accumulate the points only to have them taken
away for your RFB.
The new club is being touted as "More" - but it is More options, choices,
control, not more "stuff".
By the way a Mercedes Benz is only 10,500,000 Reward Credits.
By the way my play at Rio on $1 bad dueces wild gave about twice as many
Bonus credits as Basic and did not seem to be influenced by pulling the card in
and out to check point totals.
There was no major delay in the computer readout at Rio today, but you had to
sometimes put your card in and out a couple of times to get the proper
reading.
I also had a coupon that locals get - play 100 Total Reward points, get $50.
I put in 100 total points, not just base and was able to get it stamped,
though the slot club at first tried to tell me I needed Base points - I pointed
out it just says "Total Reward points" so they honored it.
The card reader on the machines also showed how many total Reward Credits you
had accumulated for the year, as well as how many Base credits you have for
the year (used to determine Tier Status for Diamond).
--
Side note - we have found out that at Harrahs you can get Diamond Status if
you play 2 days in a row with 2000 Base credit total (good possibly only til
March 2004) - apparently if you play a lot in short period they will give you
Diamond early.
Rio has similar arrangement with I think 2000 in maybe 1 day? But you can't
combine the Rio and Harrahs play.
Other Harrahs properties may have similar quick-Diamond-status bonuses. Ask
at slot club.
So if you are seeking Diamond status, fastest way is probably Triple
Play/Five Play $1 9/6 JB at Harrahs Vegas and accumulate 2000 points fast.
Best - Linda
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