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looking for an optimum "home"

Discussion in 'Comps' started by gamblersruin, Jul 4, 2012.

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  1. gamblersruin

    gamblersruin Low-Roller

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    Got lost trying to wade my way through the archives and kept getting distracted by TRs, etc. But my question is this: I'm looking for a home hotel to concentrate my play in. Normally I go to Reno but this year Vegas has been growing on me so I've been spreading my play between various mlife casinos (staying at various ones to compare rooms), the Orleans (family is from hawaii and thus loves boyd), and V/P (notorious early "hook" comp rooms). My thinking is the 2 factors are personal preference and level of play, as far as getting the most "bang for my buck". I like suites i.e. vdara, V/P but don't need them. My standard game is blackjack at $30-$150/hand along with dabbling in the other table games, as well as video poker in the general $1 max bet/hand range. Bankroll's about $1k/day, which along with my bets place me somewhere in the low-mid roller range. Now what I'm looking for is advice on a casino that will treat me well in the. longterm, as I continue to ramp up play. I don't expect a host or anything at my level but would appreciate free rooms at a minimum, with f/b, free play a bonus. I'm thinking NYNY or MGM level would probably be better bets. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice and previous experiences on this matter. I'm not averse to CET properties but my general impression is that theyre not as nice.
     
  2. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    You would be better off making that determination on your own by testing out the different places which is part of the fun and another excuse to visit Vegas more often.

    We used to stay at MGM (3 nights comped) in an upgraded room but did only minimal gambling there and we didn't like the restaurants. We found we spent a lot of time walking to places other than MGM.

    NYNY was also offering 3 nights comped in their basic room so we gave them a try. Although the rooms are small and not a fan of the bathroom configuration we find that we gamble and eat there more than any place. We have stayed here a couple of times already.

    This trip we are trying a different place.

    What I am getting at is don't base it simply on comps. What else the casino has to offer in terms of games and food also plays a big part.
     
  3. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Assuming you want to stay on the strip, I would go for MGM properties. Not sure if your Reno play has been Harrahs or not, that could change things.

    Aria and Bellagio are sort of their top tier,so comps are a bit harder to get.

    From there... hard to say what will float your boat.
     
  4. gamblersruin

    gamblersruin Low-Roller

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    I guess i was pretty vague, but intentionally so because i'm easy to please. As far as trying everything out, that's why i'm trying to do but it feels like i should start consolidating my play to up my theo. Not that i play for comps, but to me most mainline strip hotels have decent-very nice rooms, restaurants, etc thus becoming mostly interchangeable. I don't like downtown because just walking between hotels feels so ghetto at night. The small things do matter though, but in that case 5-star hotels like V/P win on comfort so far, but i'm thinking the offers will start to dry up at my level. I'll continue to do my own "taste-testing" of course which provides its own entertainment; I just wanted to hear others' thoughts who may have been in the same position before.

    I actually stay at the peppermill in reno only, hence was looking for something comparable.
     
  5. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Peppermill and Atlantis are considered the hip joints in Reno... on par with many, many Vegas joints. I live in northern Nevada and know both well, though I seldom have gambled in either. I have the "luxury" of visiting Las Vegas 3-6 nights a month and I used to stay at different properties all the time. Since I'm mainly there for work, my "play" is limited to 2-3 hours in the evening to unwind and usually video-poker. Once in awhile, I'll build in an extra day or two for "all fun". I decided a few years ago that it made sense to concentrate my stay/play instead of bouncing around as I had done. I settled on the Hard Rock, which usually doesn't fare all that well on this board, but the staff have always been amazing to me. I introduced myself to a host and have had a wonderful relationship ever since, as the frequency of my visits have allowed me to reach their top-tier for their rewards program. The relationship with the staff is a big deal for me and the Hard Rock seemingly has amazingly low turnover. I enjoy walking around the property and being greeted by name and knowing a bit about them as well... I get to ask how their vacations went and things like that.

    I'm not suggesting the Hard Rock is the place for you, as many of my friends still think I'm nuts that I could stay anywhere, yet I always find myself there... but as similar as many of these places are, they're also unique in many ways. I think you're on the right track to consider a "home" property... I think you'll enjoy being known as a "good customer" of the property and all the small things that go along with it.
     
  6. JillyFromPhilly

    JillyFromPhilly Tourist

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    For the most "bang for you buck" at an Mlife property, I'd seriously consider Monte Carlo. True, it may be a bit bland, but it does have a lot going for it - it's a solid 4-diamond level property, so you could do much worse hotel-wise IMO - plus, it's in a great location - easy walking distance to NYNY & MGM, plus connected by tram to Aria & Bellagio - so lots of eating options nearby on which to burn those comps/express comps, several Mlife casinos nearby to gamble in & have it stay with the same player's club, etc. - And at $150/hand, you're right on target in terms of level of play to get good deals/comps there - not a lot of bigger players there, so you'll probably get the best in terms of personal attention/service from your host there at that level of play, too [whereas at Aria, Bellagio, MGM you probably wouldn't get much at that level of play]
     
  7. NickPapageorgio

    NickPapageorgio OG of the Sal Sagev Hotel

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    Agreed on MC, but, a $150 bj player will get comped rooms at MC, Mirage, Mandalay, Luxor and once in awhile at Bellagio. You wont get much thrown your way for freeplay or food credit, but the standard 3 night room comps and $150 freeplay will roll in.

    Nick:beer:
     
  8. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    I think you're best off at Aria, to be honest. You'll get yourself a free room likely but more importantly you'll actually be in a nice hotel in a nice location with lots of amenities and shopping nearby. The Bellagio is also an option I think; perhaps not the best for comps, but remember you're also looking to stay at a place that offers luxury compatible with your overall spending.
     
  9. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    I kinda disagree about the Monte Carlo. It looks tired and old, and if you're going to be spending a couple grand on gambling you are probably going to want to spend a littlle more to get a nicer accomodation.

    Also, and this is truly just a personal preference, but I find the lighting depressing :)
     
  10. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    If you were playing slots I would say to focus on CET but mLife is better for table players.

    However in reading the recent MGM reports it seems like they are treating even their high rollers like dirt so maybe avoid MGM & focus on the other mLife props?
     
    Easter again..:
  11. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    Aria seems like nicest free room for that level.

    I've never dealt with Monte Carlo so can't comment there. Makes sense they would treat you nicely and more personal service from a host. For me, I prefer just to get nicer hotel and not to deal with anyone. Your play level will likely get you decent offers from many MGM's depending on your coin-in on that $1 video poker.

    I think the corporate offers will be pretty good at that level, and if I had it to do all over again I would try harder to focus my play at one property. MGM and Bellagio may as well be different companies from a credit for play standpoint in contrast to CET's.. At least that is my take on it.
     
  12. gamblersruin

    gamblersruin Low-Roller

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    I'm glad I was able to clarify because these are exactly the types of responses I was looking for, thank you. As far as mlife I've stayed at the MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Luxor, and Vdara so far but played at almost all the properties. Not sure about the comments grouping MGM with Bellagio/Aria; didn't really seem on that level to me although it was the nicest of the 4 barring Vdara. I do really like City Center for some odd reason so maybe I'll start to focus on Aria to see what that gets me. I do need to start doing my video poker research because I've found it quite difficult to find decent payout tables. I appreciate the responses so far. I'll also keep trying to work my way through the "Strip Hotels" archives as well.
     
  13. JillyFromPhilly

    JillyFromPhilly Tourist

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    For everybody recommending he shoot for Bellagio & Aria, remember he said he wanted "the most bang for his buck" for his level of play, which he characterized as follows: "My standard game is blackjack at $30-$150/hand along with dabbling in the other table games, as well as video poker in the general $1 max bet/hand range. Bankroll's about $1k/day" So if his range is $30-$150 with a daily bankroll of $1k/day, I still think shooting for decent room comps at Bellagio or Aria is probably going to be over his head. If he's playing in a $30-150/hand range, odds are he's going to wind up rated far lower than $150/hand. Plus a bankroll of only $1K a day is not going to generate much in the way of theo unless he's really lucky or really good at stretching that out [remember also, VP generates one of the lowest theos of any game on the floor, and far lower than similar slot play would generate].

    Not trying to be a bummer, just trying to be realistic - remember, your comps are only 30-40% of your theo - plus at Mlife, lop another 1/3 or so of that figure off for express comps - and it really doesn't leave him all that much in primary comps to cover a room at the higher end places. If you don't like Monte Carlo, I'd still shoot for NYNY/Mirage/Mandalay/MGM instead of Bellagio or Aria.
     
  14. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I would add in to a few others about Aria. My experience is they are a bit tighter on comps than other MGM properties.

    M-Bay is still very nice, and a bit more open on comps. But, if you really like Aria more, then....
     
  15. Reed

    Reed High-Roller

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    I was in a similar spot a couple of years ago. I ended up settling on NYNY, emailed a host there, and have had good experiences since. My budget is close to yours ($800-900) per day, but I mostly play slots and vp. I like table games too, I just don't play them as much. IMO NYNY and Monte Carlo would definitely give you a better bang for your buck.
     
  16. gamblersruin

    gamblersruin Low-Roller

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    I agree, as i said in the original post i think B or Aria's a little outside my range until i star betting black+ every hand. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.
     
  17. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    You may want to check out Treasure Island, which has nice rooms, decent blackjack and VP rules, and gave me decent comps when I played there with a similar bankroll.
     
  18. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    I guess it makes a difference if he is like me with the daily bankroll being an acceptable average loss or if it's a hard limit.

    If it's an average then his Theo sb by definition $1,000 per day, 30% of which is $300 easily covering a base room at Aria.

    If it's a hard max then his Theo will be much lower and Monte Carlo is as good as can be done.

    Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express
     
  19. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    Agreed, the OP is not going to get much at Aria or Bellagio. Would be better off at mid/low range MGM properties.

    The discussion of his "theo" gets tougher--by no means is it $1000/day if that is his "daily bankroll." He could dump that in 5 minutes at a BJ table, generating basically zero in theo, and nothing in comps as that level is not enough to take actual loss into account.

    On the other hand, if luck was on his side and he played $150/hand for many hours and won...some very decent theo could be generated. This sounds unlikely based on his described style of play, however, and in terms of comps he would be better off playing at his comfortable betting level at MC/NYNY/Luxor.
     
  20. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    Good points. I think you and Jilly convinced me. Variance would probably get him trying to shoot for Aria.

    I guess I was looking at the $150 not the $30.

    All of this makes me wonder if in addition to ADT, these properties look at any other metrics, like your propensity to occasionally drop $5k. i've also always wondered if they consider people who cash out and stop after a big win vs. action junkies who will play it off no matter what they hit. The latter is obv better for the casino but I just wonder if they include these things in the comp algorithm.
     
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