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What / where should I bet with a $25k budget.

Discussion in 'Casino Gaming' started by makuk, Jul 23, 2014.

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  1. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

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    Hi everyone, I will be visiting LV in Aug from the UK and have a budget of $25k for the 5 days I am there, I am staying at Ballys as they kindly comped me the 5 days due to my recent gambling at Caesars in Atlantic CIty in August 2013.

    My wife will be visiting with me and we plan to "bet big or go home", ie a budget of $5k per day, I like Blackjack (a little roulette) and slots and she only likes the slots, what do you think would be the best value to bet to get the best return on our investment, for example on the slots I am assuming it would be pretty useless to bet 50c a spin otherwise 1. it would take an age to spend the money and 2. The winnings (return) would be low, so should we bet $2 a spin (max bet on the penny slots) or should we bet $5, $10 $25 on the non penny slots. We want to bet big with the chance /possibility of winning big, I appreciate and understand that we could lose the lot but we have budgeted to lose this so any wins would be a bonus.

    And what about blackjack I was thinking maybe $25 a hand (I always play 2 hands)

    Due to the amount we are betting we're thinking of only gambling in the Total Rewards (Caesars) hotels to ensure we get some half decent comps during our stay, is this the right or wrong thing to do.

    Please do not think I am being pretentious or showing off (I'm not), I only get to visit LV for a few days each year and when I do I want to go home knowing that I had a great time, did some great gambling and nearly had a big win!!

    Any feedback is greatly received :)
     
  2. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Unless you're planning on grinding it out 12-14 hours a day, you have the bankroll to play $100+/hand at blackjack, even if you are playing two hands. By playing $100 minimum tables, you'll (usually) be able to get the best, or at least very good, rules. Plus, you'll get better service, top shelf booze comped without question and other small benefits/perks.

    For slots, I'd take a hit and run approach, playing short sessions of $5 slots ($10-25/spin). Of course, if your wife really only likes slots, you might be better off playing $1 machines for $3-5/spin. Even $5K can go quickly on the $5+ machines.

    I'd take a similar approach to roulette. Bet big for short sessions. With your bankroll you should be playing on single zero wheels, preferably with European rules (assuming you make outside bets).

    Concentrating your play at CET casinos is a good idea. Make sure you speak with a host before check out. The odds are pretty good that one will find you over the course of your trip, though. You should get a good amount of food and beverage comped depending on the mix (slots/roulette vs. BJ) of your play.

    But if I were you, I'd also dedicate a little bit of the bankroll to use at a casino you might want to stay at in the future. And to get the most bang for your buck, play all that money in a single day and don't use your players card on any other days. It will give you a bigger daily average and make you look much more attractive to the computers. Cosmo, Aria, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore would be my suggestions. Or go downtown where you'll get the red carpet treatment at most places.



    For reference, I usually budget ~$4-5000/day and I play $100-200/BJ (pressing when things are going well) and $5 video poker with a little craps thrown in. I'm almost always able to get in 6-10 hours of gambling per day with that budget.


    Edit to add: You sound like an intelligent guy who doesn't need the following caveats, but just in case...

    Don't chase comps, only risk what you can comfortably afford to lose, play at a level with which your comfortable, play what/how you like regardless of what others (including yours truly) advise, your mileage may vary, offer good at participating locations, etc. etc.
     
  3. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Carve nailed it.

    With that budget you can play above the $25/hand blackjack by a comfortable margin.

    I'd probably play $100-200 per hand in blackjack in a HL room and also play $25 craps for short hit and run sessions. One or two rolls playing at that level can net you some nice wins.

    I don't quite play at your level (I am taking 2-3k per day on next trip) and I will be comfortable sitting at $50-100 blackjack and playing $15-25 craps.
     
  4. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

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    You could try some $2 or $5 a credit single line video poker. $1 multi line or 25 cent 50 or 100 play might be up your alley as well. Bally's has $5 9/6 Jack or better which pays back 99.54% with perfect play. If you hit a royal that's 20k.

    Otherwise blackjack, craps or baccarat which requires zero skill and has a low house edge.
     
  5. touche22

    touche22 Low-Roller

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    With a 25k budget the first thing you should do is cancel your reservations at Ballys and stay at a nicer property.
     
  6. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Not necessarily...
    If I had $25k, over 5 days, and I was new to Vegas, I'd do this:
    $2 single-line Video Poker..take $5000 per day and earn 2500 TierCredits per day (Hell, for five days, play at a different Harrahs property every day!)
    Just absolutely make sure to play 2500 TC per day.
    That way, after your second day of play, you will be a Diamond Card holder...then for the remaining three days, you can see free shows, go on the High Roller for free, etc.
    Also, with $2 Video Poker you'll have a good shot to win $8000 (Royal Flush), or $4000 (Aces with kicker)
     
  7. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    With that bankroll, you have the ability to select an MGM property and give them at least 1/2 a day's bankroll in play so that you will get on their radar and hopefully generate some offers.

    You could easily divert 1/2 or even a whole day's bankroll from CET on this trip and not damage the offers you'll receive from CET.

    If your typical stay is only 5 days, then there may not be any reason to give any play to MGM (you'll always be able to get 5 nights at any CET property with that play level), but doing so should end up giving you more options for the future.
     
  8. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    I think thecarve's numbers are good and pretty much inline with my play using a similar amount. One thing to note though is that you can keep reevaluating during the trip. On day 1 it makes sense to start conservatively but if by day 4 you still have the 25k or thereabouts you can comfortably play much higher for your last two days if you want, since you mentioned wanting to go big or go home.

    And even though you didn't ask for hotel advice, I agree with touche22 that you should reconsider staying at Ballys. If your play is commensurate with that bankroll you can stay comped anywhere. Since you're coming from the UK if you are wiring the money or opening up an LOC you can do it at a nicer casino and ask a host if he can do an upfront room comp.
     
  9. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

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    Thank you for all the replies and my apologies for the delay in replying, my time zone results in my replies being very late or early depending on how you look at it!

    You've all given me some great feedback and I really appreciate this, from what I can see you're basically saying that Bally's is a bit of a s*** hole, do you think I would be better staying in a different caesar's resort, or somewhere else completely different and away from the caesars family? Should I call them to make the booking?

    All our gambling will be done in the evening as we are going with teenage children (18 and 17) so we expect to be gambling from about 9pm to about 4/5am each day whilst they sleep! - 7 to 8 hours a day.

    We are also returning to LV in April 2015 so naturally would like to get a comped room for our return then.

    Also this time we booked two rooms and only got one of them comped because my wife shared my card with me so it was only I that accrued the points, should I sign her up as well as soon as we arrive? So next time she will get a comped room as well?

    Darn it's so confusing !!

    On roulette I play neighbour bets with $100 on the table per spin, on blackjack (from your feedback) I will now bet $100 a hand (two hands) and we can try the various options you have all kindly given on the slots.

    I'm not playing to get comps but I may as well get something for nothing for my play, in the UK when I play I am lucky to get a free drink and never a free meal!

    I just want to add that I have been a member of this forum for a couple of years now just reading posts and never posting myself, I am amazed at how friendly and nice everyone is it's so nice to see how different this foiu is compared to other forums where everyone just argues with each other :)

    Thanks for your help everyone :)
     
  10. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    at 25 k 25$ is way to low, start at 100$ buy in for 3 k and see how that goes you can always go down.but i turned 3 k into 10 k yesterday in an hour.was averaging 500$ a hand has a good run.
     
  11. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    I definitely wouldn’t call Bally’s a shithole. It is perfectly acceptable, IMO. It’s just that with your bankroll, you can get a free room anywhere in Vegas (if not up front, then certainly once you’ve given them the action you plan to), and there are definitely swankier joints on the strip. If you’d be more comfortable in a middle of the road place, then by all means stay at Bally’s. Your dollar - and your comps - will certainly go farther there than they will at a top tier place. Also, one tower at Bally’s has recently been renovated and has been getting good reviews, I believe. If you stay with Bally’s, do a search on here to find out which rooms (or with your bankroll, possibly suite) you want to ask for.

    Caesars Palace is the top dog in the CET food chain and with the play you plan on giving them, a nice room in the Augustus, Octavius or NOBU Towers should easily be comped, I would think. I believe Planet Hollywood is the next in line at CET. But it’s a bit loud, dark and geared toward the twenty-something crowd. It isn’t my cup of tea, but it does have a lot of fans here on VMB. Your kids would probably dig it and you might too if that’s the vibe you’re going for.

    If it were me, I'd probably do Caesars Palace. The rooms (in the aforementioned towers) are about as nice as any in Vegas, there's a huge shopping mall attached to it, plenty of dining options and lots cheesy Vegas kitsch. I think everyone in the family would probably enjoy it. Plus, I think it is probably easier to stay within the CET family this time since they "know" you somewhat already - though, I'm assuming your earlier play wasn't quite as large as what you're planning. If you find somewhere else you'd like to stay for your 2015 trip, just give them a decent amount of action and you'll probably see offers for free rooms in the future.

    I would also take KickinChicken’s advice and either open a line of credit or make arrangements to wire the money directly to the hotel where you’ll be staying. If you haven’t already, you might want to speak with a host. He’ll be able to help you expedite the LOC or wire transfer. And (if you stay with a CET property) he should be more than willing to comp you a room in one of the nicer Caesars towers (if the Total Rewards site doesn’t show that you can get Caesars comped) and maybe even cut you a deal on the second room you need. By wiring money or opening a LOC, you’ll give the host more assurance that you’re going to play at the levels you say you are.
     
  12. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    I have not personally stayed at Bally's, but on my last trip I did stay at Encore, Aria, Cosmo and Paris and in the past have stayed at other properties, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, Bellagio Riveria, yada yada yada....

    To me it all boils down to what casino you feel most comfortable in. Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond (Bally's), or a little fish in a big pond (Bellagio/Caesars/Aria etc). I personally hate the little fish in a big pond feeling so it's really a matter of opinion. I'm sure you can get 50 replies saying Bally's is excellent and 50 saying it's a dump, take all of this with a grain of salt, my opinion, try Bally's for now and if you don't like it, then don't stay there for your April trip, but give it a shot...life is all about variety..

    Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip, you WILL have a blast either way!
     
  13. easy_money

    easy_money High-Roller

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    Ballys is not as bad as some would say it is. Everyone has their own perspective and opinion of it. But with your bankroll of 25k, and "bet big or go home" motto, you can pretty much stay COMP'd at any property on the strip. I assume you didn't get the 2nd room COMPd which was most likely due to your history, or your last play wasn't high enough in terms of either hours or ADT/THEO wise. But as some have suggested already, betting the certain $100 minimum, and play the hours you planned, you should have no problem getting the rooms COMP'd in the back-end with some F&B. And you should definitely NOT have to pay for rooms for your next trip and should get some decent offers before then, maybe even for some F&B and/or FP.

    Without knowing more of what your expectations or what you and your family likes and don't likes, can't really tell you if Bally's is right for you. For example, is shopping, pool, places to eat, environment during day/night, etc. If you provide this information, most of us can give you some better recommendations or information. So by going off the information you provided, I would recommend you give Caesars a shot. Much nicer property, with large and nice pool area and plenty of places to shop in the Forum Shops. Only downside is the property is huge and there's plenty of walking. But I see it as a better fit for you and your family.
     
  14. 33hard6

    33hard6 Low-Roller

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    Just put $2500 each on 17 and 21 each day you will hit it one of the 5 days hahahah
     
  15. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    For your $100/two-hands blackjack play, you should be able to find or secure a two-deck, S17, DAS game, with decent penetration, (66% or better).
    I know if I had that kind of bankroll, that's what I'd be playing.

    I like the advice up-thread about giving non-CET properties some play during your trip. I would give two full days of gambling to Wynn & MGM properties. I agree that CET will be perfectly happy with three-days of play at your level.
    In fact, you may want to consider a move from Bally's on the morning of your 4th day (after 3 nights). Book a room at MGM or Bellagio for your last two nights.

    PS - remember to charge all of your on-property meals/drinks to your room!
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  16. chonglosaxon

    chonglosaxon MIA

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    1. Stay at a nicer place. Bellagio or Caesars if you want cet

    2. Buy in at 5 k. High limit room. Play your two hands at 150 each per session and have a start and a stop point, coukd be zero and 10k, whatever.

    3. Play your roulette at the same buy in, bet your 2-300 a spin however you are comfortable.High limit, single zero.

    4. Slots or carny games, buy in at 1k max and enjoy your drinks and have fun. Bet where your comfortable.

    5. Have a nice dinner and show picked out each night to do between your home hitel and one other property.

    6. By trips end, you will have a host and the room, shows, dinners should all more than likely be conped at these levels. Have fun!!!

    Let your bankroll and betting levek give you better game idds and thus the comps that come with it. Dont chases conps, play how you want to, just make sure you play at the levels to gwt the good game rules since your bankroll deserves that respect from the casinos.
     
  17. sindustry

    sindustry VIP Whale

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    With Carny games, you need to play with some caution...with respect to bet size relative to buy-in/session budget...if you wish to play for awhile. In vegas, I usually play $50 ante on UTH. While $50 seems small when speaking about table games, $5k can get sucked into the dropbox within an hour or two, if you are running really bad. $5k is what i usually set as a loss limit per session (4 hours) at $50 ante. However, since I usually buyin for $2k at a time, the limit is more like $6k per session.
     
  18. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

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    Just to give you an update I called Caesars today and they told me that I would be comped at Caesars but they don't have any more comp rooms available for the entire length of my stay, they only have the first and last days available as comp rooms, are they telling me the truth do you think, or do they actually limit the number of comp rooms they give away.

    I think I will just stay where I am for now and if they don't look after me in the first couple of days I will (as someone suggested) go elsewhere for the last couple of days!

    What I will also do when I return is write a trip report and let you know exactly how it all went :)
     
  19. Gamesman

    Gamesman VIP Whale

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    You can contact PHVhost on here. He is a host at Planet Hollywood and might be able to help.
     
  20. bjpcyclone

    bjpcyclone High-Roller

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    Another option would be to book whatever room type at whatever hotel you really want to stay at and don't worry about front-end comps. With your bankroll, unless you get very little play out of your money (doubtful), you should be able to get most, if not all, of your room charges comped on the back-end. Plus you should also establish your play for your return trip in 2015 and should get nice up-front comps.
     
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