Did I hear Vegas contest??????

Nothing on the website?

I am in!

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

CSFMB road trip?

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Just got an email from M Bay with $69 rooms!

Now toss in some air fare and some food (They have some good eating there) now you got something!

Mandalay Bay is big enough and enough stuff to never need to leave the premises!

My Vegas guys are going this weekend, but they have adopted a new schedule (Late Sat Night to Tuesday Morning) Just doesnt work with my schedule.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

If anyone has any promo's for cheaper air fare or hotels, please post. I'm considering a trip this spring.

$69 for Mandalay Bay? Vegas is hurting.

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As a LV regular, 6-8 times a year for the past 20 years. There are many ways to get decent deals to LV. First and foremost if you reside near a local casino with a property in LV, BE CERTAIN to sign up for their players card and use it every time you visit your local casino.

For example Horseshoe Hammond and Harrahs Joliet are owned by HET, and have Harrahs, Paris, Caesars, I.P, Rio, Bally's and Flamingo in LV. Majestic Star has downtown LV locations Blue Chip is owned by Boyd gaming and have downtown and off strip (The Orleans) LV properties. The only local Indiana casinos without representation in LV is Ameristar and Four Winds. Empress/Hollywood Casino are owned by the Penn corporation and to my knowledge does not have any LV affiliation. Also, if you are planning a visit to LV and have not visited a local casino with LV affiliation it might be in your best interest too make that visit. Get on their radar!! If you have a players card check online for rates or comps.

Sign up at all of their websites and follow their Facebook pages and twitter accounts (non published sales on twitter every week)
Decent sites for discounts are: Smartervegas, Travelzoo.

A good source of info can be found on Tripadvisor in the forum section were there are over 3,000 vegas fanatics on a daily basis. They will answer any question you have and a good number of the posters will actually do the research for you. If you ask a pertinent question guaranteed that you will have ten replies within 1/2 hour. LasVegasAdvisor is also a very good site for information. Well worth the $37 annually for the coupon book and monthly newsletter.


The economy has hit LV hard, however during March Madness, Super Bowl, CES convention etc plan to pay a premium for a room.
With the new City Center (MGM owned) that recently opened (40,000 rooms I believe) , the competition (HET primarily) is discounting rooms substantially.

Book your room first at a rate you are comfortable with (you can cancel within 72 hours with no penalties), then start your airfare search.

One LV tip if you decide to venture to LV it is always best to book right through the hotel (do not book through a third party, i.e. orbitz etc) Hotel rates change daily, thus be certain after you book your reservation check daily for a price reduction. The hotel will cancel and rebook your reservation at the lower rate with no cost to you. One other bit of info, it is always wise to gamble were you stay. Sign up for their players cards and charge everything to your room. For example if you stay at Caesars's and have dinner at Paris (part of the HET family) charge this meal to your room. At check out any points you have accumulated on your players card will be used for your room charges first. For example if you accumulate 20,000 points this would equate to $200.00 off your bill. If your a wale, set up a line of credit and call the hotel and set up a meeting with the executive host prior to arrival.


For cheap airfare, consider flying out of Milwaukee, SWA , Airtran and Midwest are currently in a price war (just booked SWA 3 passengers for 587 round trip Non Stop). Also check Allegiant Air they fly out of SouthBend, Rockford and Peoria. Check daily, Allegiant has been known to drop fares to $39 one way (but will nickle and dime your ass with fees).

If you have any further questions regarding comps, rates etc feel free to send me a message.

Other info that might be of value, there have been numerous debates pertaining to the $20.00 trick. An upgrade trick or bribe at check in. You slide a $20 between your drivers license and credit card at check in and remain silent as you are checking in. Approximately 50 percent of the time the reservationist will slide that $20 in his/her pocket and automatically upgrade you and your party to a nicer room. Or will say I'm sorry sir that is not necessary and give you the room you booked.

ASK for COUPONS at check in!!! You will normally receive 2 for 1 show tickets and buffets. Also if your not a foodie most of the LV casinos are running all day buffets for one price ($30.00 to $35.00 ) per 24 hour pass. Even the elegant restaurants such as Primm N9NE etc are utilizing prix fix menus for a designated price point that are not widely advertised.

Jumbo! Lol

first of all this is SB weekend, if you know something about vegas they don't discount on big weekends, July 4th, NY eve , Big Fights and SB weeekend!

Slide all the $20's you want, it's not happening.

I don't go 6-8 times a year, but I got once or twice a year and eating at any buffet is a complete waste of time. Go somewhere for a decent meal. I mean you are eating maybe 2 dinners there? Drop some coin and eat some of the best food in the country nowadays.

Don't mean to be an asshole here Jumbofrank, but the budget vegas sucks! I guess if you are a pro gambler it is the way to go, but I believe average casinos now with full service hotels see only 60% from the casino v 90% at one time. Thus the addtional entertainment, dining, clubs, etc are a much bigger part of Vegas.

I know my play in term of hours is down tremendousely.

Never hurts to ask for coupons when you check in, but if a good show is going on it will be sold out well before hand and you should buy tickets way before. I am not talking about Vegas style shows, but like Blink 182 at Hard Rock, that kind of stuff is sold out.

COMPS are done on a pure equation, the only real variable is your pit boss writing down your average wager and from that they determine what you get.

Staying at a nicer hotel Wynn, Belagio or even the Rio will maybe get an average player a free dinner. Maybe.

I know dining is down in the city, but still would be surprised to see N9NE giving out any coupons, maybe a pirce fixed meal, but I am still surprised at that.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Bigfan reading is a skill
"The economy has hit LV hard, however during March Madness, Super Bowl, CES convention etc plan to pay a premium for a room. "

IF you believe eating at "any" buffet is a waste of time I would recommend the Wynn Champagne buffet, very good grub.

WTF everybody has a budget? if its $200.00 or $20,000 a day every sensible person has a limit they can lose daily. My point is local gaming has an ancillary effect for LV travels. For example, our rooms are comped, 80% of the dining is comped and the remaining is paid with reward credits. Summation the only cash outlay is gaming. I'm not a whale by any stretch, but being a Diamond Member (11,000 tier score per year) at HET has its perks. Free show tickets, Diamond Lounge accessibility, dining cash, Discover/Sears/Macys gift cards Summerfest/Winterfest free trips to Laughlin etc etc. If your going to gamble your an idiot if you don't sign up for their players cards. As a matter of fact HET is offering select Diamond and 7 stars members free rooms for family and friends in February (super bowl weekend included). If you weren't such an ass they could have been yours!!!


Could get into how ADT (Average Daily Theoretical) for each customer is calculated, I will only say the formula is more convoluted then the BCS in college football.




.

yes, they sent me a letter saying I was an ASS and thus I cant have any comps.

The point is I really dont play enough time anymore to get any decent comps and that is true of a ton of people. They just have too many other things to do now to play more than 3-4 hours in a day. I still throw down my card, but playing $25 and $50 with a few bigger hands for 10-12 hours total over 2 days doesnt get that much.

I see guys playing for the comps all the time. Thats the worst thing to do.

I know if you go 6 -8 times a year I am guessing you drop $2000-$5000 a year? if so, you have paid for your room and mine.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Mandalay Bay is fantastic. The beach alone would make it a nice stay for a short weekend. You really don't have to gamble to have fun there...but I always seem to.

Is there anything a sports book player can do to get comps? It seems that unless you bet horses, you can't even get free drinks.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Bigfan, If your a table game player protocol to get rated is a minimum of $25.00 a hand for at least 4 hours per session. To maximize rewards your best bet is to play at an MGM property compared to that of a HET property. HET would rather not have any table games and are going in that direction with 6/5 blackjack and CSM's at a majority of their low denomination tables. MGM properties still have decent rules at their facilities and favor table game players.

You are 100% correct when it comes to chasing comps!! However, a little knowledge about how gaming corporations formulate rewards will go a long way towards maximizing freebies in the future.

For example, if your leaving at 3 p.m. and are only going to gamble for two hours don't use your card. This would signify a trip and the computers assume you are there for the full day and calculate your ADT predicated on a 24 hour gaming day.



Have my gaming losses paid for the rooms in the long run YES, however its about money management/entertainment dollars allocation. If we go for three days there are three envelopes placed in the room safe for each day.

dolphin, in a word no, unless your betting 4 figures enjoy the free drink tickets

The % of people that Gamble more than 4 hours a day at a clip of no less than $25 is 50% or less of the people that go to full service hotels like The Bay.

One of my buddies gambles semi heavily and stays at the Lady Luck. They even comp his plane ticket and meals.

I would say he brings 10K each trip to gamble with and at the Luck, he is a big fish, at the Bay he is treated well and might get the same treatment but he is loyal to the Lady.

Playing craps, the Pit Boss asked him "where are you staying"
He says "Lady luck"
Pit Boss 'Really? Come on?"

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Now thats fucking funny. If your gullible enough to believe your buddy stays and gambles at the Lady Luck good for you.

Bigfan, as I sit here at my desk watching horses shit in their stalls, I have one comment Fuck You. After your initial post all I did was offer suggestions how members on your site can maximize their gaming experience. Don't patronize me with your bullshit stories about a casino that has been defunct for three years.

Jumbo, If I did not make myself clear, I did not mean that he stayed there this year. I didn't even know if the place was still there or not. Yes, even 3 years ago it was a dump and just as the pit boss was shocked and didn't beleive him, I didn't either as the rest of us had rooms at the Monte Carlo, which is a very good place to get comps, cleaner, newer, smaller, good casino rates for non big players.

Welcome to the board and I am surprised they gave you a desk as the guy who cleans thre stalls

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

You are correct, MC is a middle of the road property with decent amenities, rooms are ok, recently renovated, decent table rules and a majority of VP is 9/6. However, understand that your players card at Mirage is in play at all the other MGM props. For example if your a low roller and looking to maximize future offers it would be in the players best interest to gamble at Excalibur.


Bigfan, as a trainer/owner of multiple head, I have no problem grabbing a shovel, if your perception of a trainer consists of shoveling shit all day you are more then welcome to spend a day at our facilities.

Going in March for the tournament. Staying near the middle of the strip.

I've been there 4 times in my life but always up for more information.

Any recommendations on sportsbooks and good places to get cheap drinks when not gambling?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

If your staying mid strip, we enjoy the Mirage, Wynn and CP. All three have restaurants that have a view of the sports book.. Caesars's has Mesa Grill, and Mirage the California Pizza Kitchen and the Wynn's adjacent restaurant is Zoozacrackers. Normally travel with our teen so we are able to make bets in the book and have a bite to eat in the restaurant.

There are plenty of places for cheap drinks on the strip. Bills 99 cent margaritas, Blondies Sports Bar in Grill in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has happy hour from 3 to 6 for $20.00 (blondieslasvegas.com).


Monte Carlo Brew pub. Reasonably priced. $1 jello shots at Mandalay Bay just outside the Luxor entrance. Fairly cheap beers in Excalibur gift shops. $2 jello shots at MGM. $1 margaritas at Casino Royale. Cheap beers at O'Shea's. There's also a small liquor store behind the Flamingo, near Battista's. ABC stores in Miracle Mile have some of the best buys on the strip too.
Casino Royale has $1 beers --- Michelob, Michelob Light, and Michelob Ultra..

If you are looking for a good steak near the strip try Ellis Island Casino behind Bally's. If ambiance is your deal, this isn't the place. They have a Steak and Beer special for $6.99 (not advertised on the menu). Its a 8 ounce filet cooked to order and delicious. The best beer pong games are there also.

Rick, last time I was there for March Madness, we had reserved a table a few months ahead for the Imperial Palace. They opened up their ballroom and had 60" tvs all over the place. At least I think we had reservations.

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As puckhead stated, Some hotels open ballrooms and theaters with big screens, satellite betting booths, drinks and food for a small entry fee. IP, Flamingo, PHo, Rio, TI and Paris have done this in the past. These usually get announced within a few weeks before tip off. Check their websites frequently

OOgie, rick inquired about March Madness. FYI Rick, to my knowledge you can scratch Paris off the list that will be opening the ballroom for March Madness. Barry Manilow has taken over the ballroom and they will not be utilizing that venue for March Madness.

I guess I'll have to drown my sorrows in a live rendition of "Mandy".

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

"I love Barry Manilow"
"I have all of his albums...in my car!"

Family Guy

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@audioidkid

Best deal in Vegas is at the Stratosphere. People complain that's it not close enuff to the strip. All I can say is I have stayed there my last 5 trips and have always had a blast. Will be there from the 10th to the 13th. Looking forward to another great time. Close to downtown as well as the monorail at the Sahara which will take you up and down the strip all day for much less than cab rides. Much less crowded than the mega-hotels in the middle of the strip.

i forgot the monorail is done. they were just finishing it up the last time i was there.

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@audioidkid

Are these March Madness parties only for the first weekend or are they also thrown for the second weekend?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

The second weekend is booked for the Bryan Adams convention.

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there are march madness parties for the final four.

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@audioidkid

Oh great. So now I know the first and third weekends have these parties.

Thanks though. That answers my question. It's safe to assume that the second week will too then.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!