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Tips to maintain diamond status, please

Discussion in 'Comps' started by SunshineSlayer, Nov 11, 2019.

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  1. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    Not sure if this is the right thread for this, but I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I made Diamond status for the first time last year through my play at Caesars properties. Unfortunately, I've barely gotten to enjoy it this year because of major life events like marriage, moving, and pregnancy!
    So as a result I'm currently only sitting at 5,639 tier credits for the year.

    Well, I finally have a short trip with my mom coming up from 11/24-11/26. I had kind of given up on being able to maintain my diamond status for next year, but now with this trip maybe it's possible? Essentially, I need to earn around 10,000 tier in 2 1/2 days and I only have a gambling budget of around $2,000. I see on this forum that recently someone earned 5,000 TC in a day with only a $1,000 loss, so I guess in certain circumstances it is possible?

    I've signed up for that NFL promo, but I'm not expecting much from it.

    So any hacks, tips, tricks, would be welcome. Looking at it myself I'm not even sure it's possible without huge amounts of luck. I primarily play slots and blackjack, but am open to trying other things if someone knows a good way of earning tier credits.

    I don't live near any Caesars properties anymore, so another trip this year is not an option. I'm in Colorado though where El Dorado has casinos. So I'm hoping next year I won't actually have to go to Vegas to make sure I maintain my player status.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2019
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  2. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Easiest way given your circumstances would be one 2500 TC day (which gets you a bonus of 5k) and one 1k TC day (which gets you a bonus of 1k).

    I would recommend a multi hand, low volatility VP game such as Jacks or Better, or Bonus Poker. If you are not familiar with correct VP strategy, then perhaps a low volatility slot would be a better choice....someone else can probably advise you on what a good option would be there.

    Tables would be tougher; you would have to be willing to play black chip BJ for many hours to hit 2500 TC in a day.
     
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  3. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    ^ Thanks! I know very, very basic Jacks or better strategy. Maybe these next two weeks would be a good time to start learning more in-depth. Slot recommendations would be good too as I know those earn at much quicker rates.

    Oh, and since I'm staying at Caesars, does anyone know of a specific bank of machines there that are better to play than others? (differing paytables etc)

    And yeah, I agree about the tables. I love playing BJ, but that was always going to be a more difficult one this trip anyway as I'm still pregnant and almost always there is at least one person at the table who smokes. I guess the positive to being pregnant while trying to achieve this feat is that I won't have any alcohol clouding my judgment! haha

    I've never done 2,500 in a day. I think the most was around 1,500? But yeah, that seems the only way this could be possible. I assume I'd need to be gambling quite literally the entire day?
     
  4. fasbman

    fasbman VIP Whale

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    I'm the person who posted about hitting a 5000 TC day with a loss of less than $1000. So, is it possible, absolutely. Would I try to do it with your bankroll - No way!

    Only you can know what the impact (if any) of losing $2000 would have on your family life, so I won't comment on that, but it is something that you should consider. Since I'm single, it is not something that I have to consider.

    It is very possible to lose $2000 and end up with less than 1000 TC's. I have experienced losing streaks that were bleaker than Siberia in January. I have seen my luck run so bad, that I could swear the casino was cheating me (they weren't). In short, the worst thing that could happen to you is that you lose the bankroll and fall far short of diamond, and believe me it could very easily happen.

    If you really want to get diamond, the cheapest course of action would be to get one through one of their matching programs or through the Founders card (others on the board who have experience with this way, can walk you through the process far better than me).

    If you are bound and determined to ignore this advice than multi handed VP is the way to go. Use a two cent or five cent 50 to hundred hand machine at max credits which will reduce your volatility. Also, as the previous poster indicated, you can get by with a 2500 tier credit day and a 1000 TC day. However, I strongly encourage you not to try to reach diamond this way, due to the reasons I have stated above.
     
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  5. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    ^ Oh, of course. The $2,000 is a specific gambling budget; it's money I'm willing to lose. I always save just for gambling before every trip and never dip into my husband and I's actual money, money. This is a fun budget that I specifically work for on my own, nothing more. The trip came up last minute (my mom really wants to go), so usually I'd have had more time to save.

    I could get diamond other ways, I just prefer to do it through play if I can. Both my husband and I go to Vegas multiple times a year on normal years for various tech work conferences, so it's nice to have the perks of the offers that are play based rather than just discounted rates and whatnot through the founders card.

    And yeah, I definitely realize the pitfalls. Last year, to get just 1,000 tier credits, I pretty much lost the same amount in dollars as I was just having terrible luck. That's why I was super impressed when I saw your 5,000 TC day with only that amount of loss; that's crazy. So if this isn 't possible, it isn't possible but I would at least have the information I need so I can make informed decisions while I'm there. :)
     
  6. DaiLun

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

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    OK, playing devil's advocate here

    As a 7* member who is giving up 7* this year, I would look at your situation for 2020.

    1)How many days would you expect to stay at a CET destination? Multiply that x $40 and see if it's worth it to you to "save" that money. (NOTE: This refers to the savings on comped resort fees)
    2)You would have Laurel Lounge privileges, but no "free" admission. Are you an "alcohol drinker", if not (like me) then Laurel Lounge isn't a valuable benefit.

    IMHO, playing to make a number isn't fun. As an example, (and this is based on personal experience) what if you hit for $5000 in the first 15 minutes? Would you continue to play, and possibly lose $2500 for benefits that you could pay for with those winnings? Or, would you just "quit"? I chose the latter.

    Your call. I wouldn't press for an 11,000 TC trip with "only" $2000 bankroll.
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2019
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  7. dukeofdarby

    dukeofdarby High-Roller

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    this may be worth a try-----get several extra players cards---

    when you see someone playing without a card ,give them your biggest smile and ask them to help you out and play with your card and toss it when they are done----start out by telling the you look like my brother ,sister ,mother cousin,etc or comment that you admire their shoes,hairdo,shirt,etc.

    if you think you could go this route would look for someone playing dollar slots to get the biggest bang

    what do you have to lose by telling them the truth as to why you are requesting their help

    I speak from experience----years ago was playing 25c vp at the bar at the old lady luck----started a conversation with a lady sitting next to me who was playing $'s without a card-------she agreed to use my card -----she played for over 3 hrs---,i got mailers when I got home for full rfb in a suite
     
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  8. Astribling

    Astribling Alice In Casinoland

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    I was able to hit a 2500 TC day (which gave me a 5000TC bonus) playing 5 hand Bonus Poker. I prefer it to JOB and the strategy is almost the same. And depending on the paytables, it's sometimes a better bet than JOB. HOWEVER, I hit a royal during my run. Had I not hit that, my money would have run out much before hitting the 2500TC.
     
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  9. fabriano

    fabriano Low-Roller

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    I's agree with DaiLun
     
  10. HuskerBB

    HuskerBB VIP Whale

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    As others have said - your goal is pretty risky with that bankroll. That said - I have had a few 2,500 TC days and I don't think I ever dipped more than $2,000 into my bankroll on those days. Over $1,000 quite possibly though - so you certainly could get to a point where it may make you nervous. That said the first time I did this - back when it got you Diamond in a Day status - I was actually ahead nearly the entire time.

    If you want to give it a go - my advice would be to start the effort -but be willing to turn it off at a certain point. Don't chase your losses too far - and don't let the attempt ruin your trip if it does go the wrong way.

    The idea of playing JOB or Bonus VP for reduced variance is a good one. Those are the games that I play to get TC's. I love to play blackjack - but I play with green chips and that does not accumulate points very quickly. How long this will take you obviously depends on how quickly you play. I usually play $1 machines ($5 a hand at max credits) and can accumulate 300-400 TC's an hour. That requires pretty quick play - but some play even faster. Another option is to obviously increase the bet per hand. Using multi-hand machines can allow you to do that with less of a variance risk - but the pay tables for multi-hand machines are worse so pay attention to that part.

    In Caesars I usually play VP at a bank of machines that is on the opposite side of the main casino pit with tables close to the lobby. It is on the other side of the high limit machines and basically against the wall opposite the cashier windows. I can find 7-5 Bonus poker on those machines at $1's which is not great - but is the minimum that I consider "playable" for Bonus. I think those machines are 8-5 for JOB which I would describe the same way. For multi-hand machines I go to the little high limit machine area at PH. It is in the SE part of the casino - close to the miracle mile shop area - south of that entrance. They have a $1 3-play machine there - so that is $15 a hand, but with 3 hands it is less variance than playing 1 hand for $15. There is also a 25c 100-play machine there - but you don't have to play all 100 hands. I was playing that machine some last trip - playing 20 hands at 1.25 each - so $25 for each "hand" total. That does allow you to accumulate points faster - although again more $ per hand means more variance - meaning a greater risk that your bankroll will run out somewhere in the middle before you complete your objective.
     
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  11. fasbman

    fasbman VIP Whale

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    As long as you are aware of the pitfalls and the very real risk of falling short. At Caesars, behind at The Earl of Sandwich tucked into the back corner, there should be a bank of 3 of the hundred play VP machines with denominations from one cent to 25 cents (I think). If you play at the two cent denomination (max coin, max hands ), then each hand is worth $10 or 1 TC's. Five Hours or so of solid play, should give you a 2500 tier credit day if you bankroll holds out. Good Luck!
     
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  12. Vegas28m

    Vegas28m Medium Roller, Chicago

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    Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!
     
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  13. mikel123

    mikel123 High-Roller

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    If you have any elevated status with a hotel chain, the cheapest way to make diamond for 2020 is just to match after February 1, 2020. This won't get you lounge access (without paying in RCs), but you will get all of the other diamond benefits.
     
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  14. JulianC

    JulianC Amateur

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    At Caesars Palace, look for an All-Star II video poker machine near the entrance to the Colosseum. It has 10-play 7/5 bonus poker at $0.25 denom on it -- at least it did when I last played it back in April and got a royal on each of two consecutive evenings. (When I first found this machine toward the end of last year, it had a twin next to it. The twin is no longer there.) This was the only multi-line 7/5 BP I could find in the place at quarters -- and quite possibly some of the only multi-line VP at quarters at CET properties on the Strip that pays 2-for-1 for two pair and has a less than 3% hold. (I have been seeing more 10/8/5 BP infiltrating the Strip. Just atrocious. Avoid at all costs -- both at CET and at the Longbar at the D.)

    OK... about 9400 TCs away from keeping Diamond through January 2021. Earlier advice would be accurate for what it would take -- 1 x Platinum in a Day + 1 x 1000 TC, for a total of 9500 TC. On just VP, that would be a coin-in of $35k and a theo of about $700 (average of $350 per day). Without hitting a royal or two, triple that theo and you would be running into your $2k trip budget. Multi-line is more volatile, but it can be great when you are dealt 3OAK and convert it into 4OAK with regularity. PIAD could be too much of a grind, given that your trip is not a solo one. If you 5-play quarters (and always play 5 coins) at a rate of 500 hands per hour, that PIAD day would eat up at least 8 hours of your time (and be more of a PITA).

    I can't tell how many gaming days you had to arrive to your total TCs for 2019 thus far, and how many TCs came from bonuses (daily, multipliers, etc.). However, it seems that almost all of the TCs came from play, and I estimate the total theo of that play (which you stated was slots and BJ) to be around $1000-1500. My general advice for the gaming part of your upcoming trip would be to play for 2020, not for Diamond. If you currently have offers that you like and would like to enjoy next year, play to the level that got you those offers (or as close to it as you are comfortable within your budget). $2500 daily coin-in or more on slots would be at least $250 in theo. Three hours a day at $2 per spin would do it. You would probably fall somewhere between 500 and 1k TC per day. If you get really lucky (hello, handpay!) and play a bit heavier, you might still not end up making Diamond but you could end up having a host approach you on the floor (if you do not already have one). Additionally, one of the current promos sets you up with some TCs for 2020.

    The moment it starts to feel too much like work, consider stopping (seconding that advice from above).
     
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  15. nhcris

    nhcris VIP Whale

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    This may have been mentioned above (I scanned quickly) but on average is that it costs me $1 a tier credit. That's a mixture of slots and .25 DDB. My gut says even if I switched to less volatile VP and played triple hand, or $1 level, I would probably average less than 2 tier per dollar. Sure, I have had some much, much better days, but that is pretty much what I expect. I would just play your normal play and have fun and if things are going really well, reconsider at that time. Then maybe press a little more next year and see if you can hit Diamond earlier in the year. Otherwise, as DaiLun has said, your investment vs reward are likely to be way out of balance, especially if you only get to CET properties occasionally. Personally, I would just go and play within your comfort level, taking advantage of your diamond benefits while you have them.

    Even though I am Diamond with free entry to the Laurel Lounges, I am completely unimpressed with them (especially in Vegas) and rarely bother going. I can get free drinks on the floor and decent food without spending much. Gambling is supposed to be fun and games!
     
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  16. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    Yeah, I can definitely see where it's not exactly "fun" when the primary goal is getting tier credits. I think a lot will just depend on the first day and getting a feel for how things are going whether it's even worth it to make a serious try for.

    And in your example, if I hit 5,000 in the first 15 minutes, I'd probably save half (since that's already $500 more than what I came with), and then add half to my bankroll. I wouldn't want to go to Vegas and then just stop playing immediately because I just like the atmosphere and I have fun playing different games whether I'm losing or not - I'm not someone that goes around in a huff, slapping machines when I'm losing. It's pretty much entertainment for me; expensive entertainment though haha.

    oh my gosh, that's funny. I don't know if I'd have the guts to actually ask someone to do that. Or maybe I'll just start leaving cards in random machines hoping somebody just starts playing on it lol. That is an interesting idea though! I do have some relatives with me; they have their own cards, but I bet they'll play on mine for a while as well.
     
  17. DaiLun

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

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    . . . and . . it's a great way to get banned from CET!!! When the computer sees more than two of a player's cards in use at the same time, and at various places in the casino (Yes, they CAN do that, how do you think your host can find you when you're in the casino?) Flags will definitely get set. Sure the odds are that nothing will happen to you, but if you have a host with a "wild hair up their a**", you never know.

    It's really easy to give that kind of recommendation when it's not YOUR account!!
     
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  18. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    So much helpful information! Thank you! I agree; I think it's worth a try, but I need to be willing to let it go if it goes the wrong way.

    Awesome info here as well, thank you!

    Oh, boy! Maybe it's not such a good idea then.

    Excellent, excellent info. Thanks so much. The TCs that I have so far this year are just from, I believe, 4-5 days total in Vegas. There were no tier multiplier promotion days, but I got a few bonuses from the Quest for Rewards. I wasn't really concentrating my play though; I was with friends, so my play got spread out all over downtown, MGM properties, pool days, shows, etc; not a huge gambling trip.

    I do not currently have a host in Vegas, but do at Harrahs SoCal where I originally earned the Diamond status.

    And yep, I signed up for that 2020 promo!
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2019
  19. Patman

    Patman VIP Whale

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    This. Or match to Wyndam Diamond in January and then back to Caesars Diamond from Wyndam in February. Also, I believe there is a Chase card (Hilton or IHG) with a $95 annual fee that you can also do a matching game through to Caesars Diamond.

    But with the caveat that some or all of these options may not be available in 2020.
     
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  20. casinoshar

    casinoshar Low-Roller

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    I agree with all of the great advice given this last year do to health issue was unable to get to Vegas but i am still getting offers free rooms free play till Oct.2020 ,and even next year not being diamond if your play good your host might waive the resort fee s good luck have fun congrats on the upcoming new addition to ur family.
     
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