By way of disclosure, I am admittedly a "flea" and a "ploppie". I am
what Bob Dancer calls "a casino host's dream". I follow this board
and am grateful to all those who contribute not because I plan to
retire to a life of playing VP full-time, but because I try my best to
extend the time I spend at the casino by playing games where I have a
chance to minimize my losses per hour, if not actually win. I've
mastered only the strategy for JoB and BP and am content to play 9-6
JoB and 8-5 BP. In fact, I'm happier playing 8-5 BP even with a lower
chance of winning just because of the increased volatility by way of
bigger bonuses for hitting quads.
Also, I tip $5 a drink, and I order only bottled beer. This is not
meant to start yet another discussion regarding what is a proper tip
and why. Everyone has their own reasons and they are all valid. But,
comparatively, especially from a quarters-only player, a $5 tipper
would be considered "a cocktail waitress' dream" as well, no? I am
patient and polite. I never yell across a room and I always say please
and thank you.
So, if I am "a casino host's dream" AND "a cocktail waitress' dream",
why are casinos demanding that I play LESS in this economic downturn?
Doesn't that seem counter-intuitive, especially now?
My bankroll has been fairly resession-resistant. I always leave the
house with a few hundred on me, and $5 bills for the waitress. But
lately, I've been coming home sooner and sooner, with most of the $5's
still in my pocket. Have you figured out why?
It's not because I have less money. It's not because the "machines
are getting tighter". It's because it's getting harder and harder to
get a beer. I know I could sit at the bar and play there, but I like
being among the casino patrons and I like having pretty girls bring me
beer. If I had enough money I'd simply hire one to bring me beer at
home and skip the whole casino experience 
Today was a good example. I had the day off and got up nice and early
to enjoy a full day of VP at various casinos. I was done in less than
three hours, including driving time. Why? Because I get bored
playing VP for 40 minutes without a waitress in sight. Nowadays,
after a half-hour I'm gone unless I've got a reason to stay.
I know that this message is anathema to most who post here, but it is
evident that casino personnel also read these posts. I've even had
casino personnel refer to this board when discussing certain issues
with them. For those of you out there, cutting back on the drinks is
LOSING you my admittedly paltry revenue. I don't care about how cheap
your buffet is. I don't eat enough at any one meal to warrant a
buffet or the wait to get in even if it were free. Is it truly a
smart idea to send people home that WANT to play your
mathematically-impossible to win games for the sake of saving one
cocktail waitress' salary and a couple of beers that cost you a buck
at maximum?
Whine over. Good luck everyone.
P.S. to the fanatically temperate among you- I don't drive home drunk.
I eat before I leave and hang around the sports book until my BAC is
low enough to drive, at least according to the little calculator I
keep with me. Besides, I could drive BLINDFOLDED around here and be a
better driver than 70% of the local license holders. Yes I mean YOU,
the woman in the minivan that almost ran me over in the crosswalk at
Arizona Charlie's on Saturday - you know, the one that has the HUGE
signs saying MUST STOP STATE LAW. I hope that you got to wherever you
were going two seconds faster by placing my life in danger.