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VMB vs. general population

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Snowbelle3, Feb 9, 2014.

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  1. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    In what ways does the VMB crowd differ from the general population with regard to gambling and Vegas itself?
     
  2. NeonTurtle14

    NeonTurtle14 I Run the Vegas Hotdog Stand

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    We at VMB are certainly better-educated about the ins and outs of our favorite vacation destination. Or at least, where to find the answers to the stuff we dont know.

    All my non-VMB friends rely on me for Vegas info and advice.

    We get the inside info on a lot of news and events before they are public, just because of our well-connected community and locals.
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I think the answer to this question was borne out a bit by the responses to an earlier thread to the effect of, "what does Las Vegas have in spades that doesn't interest you?". The responses, IMHO, definitely skewed away from nightclubs, day clubs, pools and the like. In fact, over the short few years that I've been reading & posting here, I think that's always been the case, though the statistics for Vegas indicate the non-gaming sectors are that fastest growing and have even surpassed gaming revenue. Yes, I do realize that "non-gaming" comprises more than just the clubs and pools! The folks here, by and large, are interested in gaming, comps and the like and not only don't appear interested in the pools and clubs, but are often hostile to them and the customers who do.

    It's also evident from reading VMB that a disproportionate number of Boyd "fans" and downtown "lovers" in general reside and post here. I often poke fun at them, but they're loyal and for good reason... they feel they get the best value for their dollar at Boyd properties. In relation to Las Vegas as a whole, however, reading VMB would lead one to believe downtown is busier than it truly is and Boyd joints are the most popular in town. Just by reading VMB, you'd be hard pressed to actually know that most Vegas visitors, by far, stay and play on the strip. As a matter of fact, I think a new reader might feel a bit demeaned here on VMB for staying anywhere on the strip or for even considering going into a "noisy" club or pool and spending money.

    I'm not sure that VMB differs from most savvy Vegas visitors in the frugality department though, at least not these days... post-recesssion Vegas visitors I feel are far more mindful of their dollar then pre-recession Vegas visitors and so the many discussions had on stretching a dollar would probably be of interest to most of the visiting public. Shopping is another "hot" topic here, with a large number of posters indicating a seeming "dislike" for it, yet year after year more shopping is built... someone's doin' it, but not many here. In fact, many here seem downright pissed that strip properties are building so much shopping! They don't have any of this "new-fangled" shopping downtown, but they did build the stupid zip-line! You watch... the zip-line will be popular, but to read here it's the travesty of the century!!!

    Obviously, my thoughts are for sure generalizations and I know how many here absolutely hate that... but I feel like VMB, while a true wealth of Vegas information, experience and knowledge doesn't really represent a true cross-section of what Las Vegas is to the average visitor... but then we're not average visitors, we're people who for the most part have declared our love for the town and what we like best about it. While most people attend a football game, we're the ones who dress-up, put on wigs, paint our faces and live and die with each play.

    P.S. I will say this, I've seen an uptick in newer members sticking up for the strip, clubs and shopping of late... the post "Do you stay on the Strip?" has more folks indicating in the affirmative than I would've thought.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
  4. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    VMB members certainly know way more about the layout of Vegas hotels and casinos, shows, new attractions, etc. than "your average bear." Now, please don't misinterpret anything negative, but from reading the many threads concerning odds, strategy variations, 6:5, betting methods, superstitions, downtown vs. Strip, and so on, I have to say that I don't find them all that different from the general population. They just care about Vegas enough to visit more often, a desire to learn new things, and to participate here.
     
  5. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I think you have to speak in general terms to answer a question like this: there is a pretty wide cross section of people that come to this board.

    Another thing that is important is: when talking about "the general population" I don't think most people realize just how stupid "the general population" really is as a whole.

    And then finally: the general population is a pretty big collective compared to the group here. That can come in to play with things like nightclubs: while it seems like nightclubs are overall not very popular here and only a small percentage of VMBers will regularly go to nightclubs in Las Vegas the percentage of how many in The General Population go to clubs is probably a lot smaller because there is just so many of them: 1% of The General Population is going to be in the area of a quarter to a half million people.

    That said, as far as Las Vegas goes I think the general VMBer differs from the general population in quite a few ways, and not all of them necessarily for the better.

    Some thoughts:

    Gambling: the general VMBer will have a much better knowledge of what is and what isn't a good paying game, IE: 9/6 JoB or 3:2 blackjack.

    Money: the general VMBer is going to be typically pretty cheap and stingy with money versus the general population.

    Comps: the typical VMBer will have a pretty good and extensive knowledge of comps and how they work and how to get them over the general population.

    Hotels: the average VMBer is going to have a pretty good knowledge of what each property has to offer, what you can expect for rooms and service, over the general population

    Personal Time: your general VMBer has little understanding of the value of personal time while on vacation compared to the general population.

    Alcohol: the general public is going to be less adverse to paying full price for a drink at a bar versus the general VMBer.
     
  6. JWBlue

    JWBlue VIP Whale

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    We are more obsessed.

    Everything is up a notch.

    Like to gamble more, eat more, and appreciate the city more.
     
  7. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Besides the obvious "more informed" argument, if you look at the actual visitor demographics of Vegas vs what VMB probably looks like it is pretty evident why some differences exist.

    About 60% of Vegas visitors arrive by car. Only 40% arrive by air. I think VMB has a lot more people flying in.

    Over 25% of Vegas visitors are from SoCal and 55% just from the western states. Only 7% from the eastern states, and 11% from the south and midwest respectively. Again, I think VMB's numbers are probably very different.

    Basically, the typical Vegas visitor is a lot more likely to drive in from somewhere nearby. Just like tourists to NYC do some different things in the city than people who drive in on the weekend. Same for Vegas I think.

    I think a lot of the differences in what people enjoy are largely eliminated if you adjust for the big under-representation of the nearby weekend visitors.
     
  8. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I don't think it's the actual knowledge and sharing of knowledge so much as the desire to know and the belief that knowing more will make for a better vacation.
     
  9. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I don't see us as cheap or stingy at all. Some of us are more frugal but I think due to maturity, there are plenty of us who learned not to throw good money after bad a long time ago. That isn't being cheap.

    I don't even understand the personal time comment.

    And as for alcohol, if you look at a cross section of Vegas forums and blogs, the general public is as adverse to paying Vegas drink prices. The general public is feeling some tightness in the wallet and I see way more inquiries on where to find cheap drinks or where to stock up on alcohol for the rooms from first time visitors on other sites than I do here. We already know drinks can be found for cheaper and know where to go get them. Again, frugal, not stingy. If the drink is really truly worth $15 or $20, there are people here who will spend that but no one is going to spend that kind of money on a drink that will require an extra shot to have any discernible alcohol content.

    I think VMB really represents the gambler class. We understand how Vegas used to work and collectively we are learning how to continue to enjoy Vegas in it's new variations. Compared to what Vegas promotes, we may seem older but when you look at statistics, I think we fall in line in terms of average ages of travelers. And I think we are maybe more open to not following the leader. We will try the offstrip hotels or the hot new restaurant not on the strip or the old restaurants and shows that are great but not buzzworthy. And I think we have a good diversity of budgets when we come to town. Most importantly, when I see how other people treat each other online on Vegas sites can't but help make correlations to how they must treat strangers in real life, I think we have a lot of classy people by comparisons.
     
  10. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Not really sure "we" are all that different. Just look at the many prevailing superstitions about gambling evidenced here. And the general surprise at the existence -- surprise, not revulsion; two different things -- of things like resort fees seems to indicate we're not all that much more savvy.

    VMBers are simply ardent about Vegas, which can be said about anyone who hangs out in a cyber community oriented around an activity or place. But I will say I have friends who would fit right in here with their Vegas obsessions but simply don't do the online thing.
     
  11. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    I would say VMB is a good representation of the overall general public who visit Vegas. You have your newbies and vastly experienced.
    You have your low rollers and whales.
    You have people who stay on a deal and others who want 5 star treatment.
     
  12. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    This sums it up quite well. The "average visitor" has never heard of Boyd and never steps foot downtown. He/she is also pretty likely to pop in to CVS or Walgreens at some point, and may very well go to a nightclub, dayclub, or expensive restaurant during the trip. He is probably not willing to go to Ellis Island for a cheap meal.

    The average visitor also has no real understanding of the comp system, theoretical loss, or how/when to ask for various freebies.
     
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