1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Picking a Home Casino

Discussion in 'Comps' started by VegasSchemer, Nov 18, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,349
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    21
    Hey all,

    Need some help deciding where to take my play. I play BJ casually but decided to start consolidating my play to a home casino. I'd guess that if I only played at once place every few months, I'd probably turn it into a 3-4 hour session at $25/hand.

    I know that isn't going to turn up much in the way of comps, but wanted to know what you guys thought I might be able to get by taking that approach.

    Anywhere downtown or low-end places on the strip where that might be valuable? Rio? LVH? Downtown Grand? Plaza? The D?

    I'm fine with staying and playing at most places, I just want to figure out where that might have some use. Thanks, in advance, for your advice.
     
  2. ajp

    ajp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2013
    Messages:
    638
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    I did about 4 hours at around $25 a hand at the d. The offered me bogo rooms with 20 free play and 20 match play.
     
  3. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    Gig Harbor, WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    66
    Keep your expectations low, but this might be enough for a teaser offer. Try a day each at a few different properties during your next trip.

    The Downtown Grand is pretty desperate, they have sent offers for little to no play. Try a Boyd property of your choice and maybe give the D or Golden Gate a day of play.
     
  4. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    10,096
    Location:
    At the tables
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    wherever you win.

    or at least enjoy losing.
     
  5. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2014
    Messages:
    13,085
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Yes, I believe that it's where you feel "Lucky". You wouldn't want a home casino that you wouldn't want to play in.

    I have two/three home casinos.

    Downtown, it's the D. I feel comfortable there and the comps are very, very good. I wanted it to be the Downtown Grand, but it had an "identity crisis" and IMHO, couldn't figure out who they were catering to.

    On the strip, it's mLife Mirage or MGM Grand. I don't like the CET properties. Never had any luck there. I'd love for Caesar's to be my home casino, but it's never clicked. V/P used to be on my list but the play requirements became too much.

    If you're not playing for comps, then it really could be anywhere, even Silver Sevens.
     
  6. darrenfromindy

    darrenfromindy Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2011
    Messages:
    142
    Location:
    Louisville, Kentucky
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    I play blackjack exclusively at $25-$50 (sometimes more...depends on bankroll obvi) and get free nights at all of the CET properties except Cromwell, Caesars and Planet Hollywood. At MLife props, I can score freebies on weeknights at Luxor, Excalibur and SOMETIMES MGM Grand (only when it's slow, though). Downtown I can get free rooms everywhere except Golden Nugget (easy food comps there though) and surprisingly El Cortez has NEVER offered free rooms even though I've given them some good play.

    AT $25 a hand, I'd get a copy of the CBJN blackjack report at www.bj21.com and play where the rules are best and house edge is lowest. You'll find that a place that offers easy free rooms isn't worth it if you can't double down after splitting (like Boyd properties downtown, or CET's double-deck games) or worse rules limitations.
     
  7. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,349
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    21
    Thanks for all the insights so far.

    One last question: I want to understand this casino rate idea a little better. Based on my planned level of play, I know I won't earn free rooms at high end places. Can I still earn an offer rate for discounted rooms at good properties? I'd rather get an offer for a $50 room at Mandalay Bay than a free one Downtown.
     
  8. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    10,096
    Location:
    At the tables
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Yes. They'll always send you something to get you to come back.
     
  9. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2014
    Messages:
    3,233
    Location:
    Porter Ranch,CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    yep every $ you spend at mlife on anything you pay cash for (rooms, food drinks) goes toward tier pts and staus level (intial, pearl, gold, platinum, noir)
    and it seems like even at Gold I'm getting 30-40% discounts by calling VIP svc desk and giving them my card # over the phone

    @ 25 pts/dollar...it only takes $K/yr in spending and play to keep gold level
     
  10. goldengreeke

    goldengreeke Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2011
    Messages:
    12
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    As far as downtown casinos go, my best offers have always come from El Cortez with Golden Gate running a close second. Not because I spend more time and money at those two properties..I lose equally at all...
     
  11. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Location:
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    All the places you mention don't require much play to get comps... I'm not a table player but I haven't been to the Rio in years and yet I'm comped there nearly everyday of the week on the Total Rewards calendar. Also you do have the advantage of being able to play at any of the Total Rewards resorts.

    I'd say pick what you like, and where you enjoy playing... that's king for me. I tried convincing myself to play somewhere in order to get better deals or comps, and I hated it, didn't like the properties, even if they were free. So I went back to what I like, even if they don't reward me as much.
     
  12. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2012
    Messages:
    10,845
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    Agreed with this 100%. I like Aria enough that I'm willing to pay for it, and I couldn't bring myself at this point to stay and play at Mirage or MGM Grand just because the rooms were free. Nothing against those properties, but I only have so many trips a year to Vegas, and I'd rather stay where I'm most comfortable even if it's not the cheapest.
     
  13. ajp

    ajp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2013
    Messages:
    638
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Play where you want to stay, don't worry about possible comps. If you want to stay at MB then play there at the level you are comfortable with, maybe they will give you a free room next time or a discount. But if not so be it at least you enjoyed your stay.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.