I've found the latest Bob Dancer thread interesting. For what it's worth, I fully expect him to want to make as much money as possible. If he can sell software to us and then consult with casinos to remove the best opportunities, that's probably what he will do. I have met very few people who feel they have "enough" money.
Like many of you, I have had to "roll with the punches" and make smart choices. It isn't easy when you've worked years to establish a good rating and then have to walk away. But after the downfall of Caesars (where I had played for nearly 15 years) I began to look at my play as a "business". At that point I learned to never get too comfortable at any casino.
I'm not a "whale" by any means. So what did I sacrifice? At Venetian/Palazzo I got a Renaissance or Prima Suite, all food and beverage picked up, show tickets, $1000 or more in slot credits, a limousine at my disposal, you name it. Do you think it was easy to walk away from that?
Actually, it WAS easy when playable game opportunities became too sporadic and earning points became an exercise in futility.
The answer for me was to simply move on. I eat and stay quite comfortably now. It's not the Venetian. But my odds of achieving sizable winnings are better. And that's exactly what has happened.
I know many of you had high hopes for the new M Resort. It didn't take long for them to change things for the worse. In a longer time perspective they are actually doing you a favor. You are not giving them a year or two of solid play and then having the rug pulled out from under you.
Many of you are getting good offers from places like New Orleans or the Midwest. I know it is a hassle to travel. But I am suggesting that your ability to move on to better situations just might prolong your VP survival. Or even save it.
And if you do move on, one last point. Just don't ever get too "comfortable" once you do.