Las Vegas corporate greed on the strip (5 Viewers)

[JohnnyU]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

I'm not arguing with that, or at all really. Just saying it can be done without spending thousands of dollars. It does take some time and some know-how though. Most are unwilling or unable to obtain and apply one or the other.

Earning comps is not the same as finding good offers. Earning comps requires a lot of coin in on the strip properties and that doesn’t have the same value it had not too long ago. If you’re talking about comps and not special offers, how much do you spend at the casino each year if you don’t mind me asking? Also assuming the strip, not downtown Vegas. They are still trying to offer value and give better comps.

 

[Softballguy]

What's the impact of F1 weekend?

I know the properties hate it but it's obviously a net up or the city wouldn't keep doing it.


Like the sphere, I see this as a positive trend.

It's a huge benefit to the properties surrounding the track, but the resorts outside center strip, especially to the north, and Fremont St. are pretty dead. Ellis Island, located just behind/east of Horseshoe, actually sued because the track effectively cut off the ability to get to their property. I believe they lost.

The first year of F1 was a complete cluster, but it's gotten much better. The impact to resorts outside the track has minimized, and Fremont has implimented some creative ways to attract people downtown during F1. I personally don't like F1 because it makes things look like crap and blocks key views, but I think in general most have warmed up to the event.

 

[Softballguy]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

 

[msudaisy26]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

That has not been my experience. I rarely gamble on the strip and get free rooms with resorts fees waived almost everytime.

 

[JohnnyU]

What's the impact of F1 weekend?

I know the properties hate it but it's obviously a net up or the city wouldn't keep doing it.


Like the sphere, I see this as a positive trend.

It's a huge benefit to the properties surrounding the track, but the resorts outside center strip, especially to the north, and Fremont St. are pretty dead. Ellis Island, located just behind/east of Horseshoe, actually sued because the track effectively cut off the ability to get to their property. I believe they lost.

The first year of F1 was a complete cluster, but it's gotten much better. The impact to resorts outside the track has minimized, and Fremont has implimented some creative ways to attract people downtown during F1. I personally don't like F1 because it makes things look like crap and blocks key views, but I think in general most have warmed up to the event.

I heard traffic during construction was horrible and hurt business. F1, once completed caused an uptick in revenue, but was short lived. That’s the thing, events are great for the weekends, but the strip casinos are barren on weekdays.

 

[JohnnyU]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

That has not been my experience. I rarely gamble on the strip and get free rooms with resorts fees waived almost everytime.

Good for you. That’s not what I’m reading. What hotel offered you this and how often? Special deals notwithstanding.

 

[msudaisy26]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

 

[msudaisy26]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

That has not been my experience. I rarely gamble on the strip and get free rooms with resorts fees waived almost everytime.

Good for you. That’s not what I’m reading. What hotel offered you this and how often? Special deals notwithstanding.

Well you are reading/watching the wrong stuff. We go to MGM Grand once a year since 2021. We only gamble on Freemont street, the Palms, South Point or the Gold Coast. With a rare exception of gambling on the strip at the Grand if we had a fun night out or early morning and we don't want to go all the way downtown or we have an hour to kill before dinner.

Before covid we went twice total from 2012 to 2020. Signed up for a players card, get monthly emails (used to be regular mail flyers) our offers were always free with resort fees. We would call to book and tell them we are thinking about flying to Vegas and give them the dates. Then before they would book it we would ask for resort fees to be waived. They have said yes every time except one and they gave us 60 percent off the fees and 100 dollar food voucher.

The deals can be found, you just have to work a little harder to get them. The only time we have ever paid for a room was the first time we ever went to Vegas in 2007.

The food/gambling/attraction prices have gone through the roof though.

 

[msudaisy26]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

 

[JohnnyU]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

That has not been my experience. I rarely gamble on the strip and get free rooms with resorts fees waived almost everytime.

Good for you. That’s not what I’m reading. What hotel offered you this and how often? Special deals notwithstanding.

Well you are reading/watching the wrong stuff. We go to MGM Grand once a year since 2021. We only gamble on Freemont street, the Palms, South Point or the Gold Coast. With a rare exception of gambling on the strip at the Grand if we had a fun night out or early morning and we don't want to go all the way downtown or we have an hour to kill before dinner.

Before covid we went twice total from 2012 to 2020. Signed up for a players card, get monthly emails (used to be regular mail flyers) our offers were always free with resort fees. We would call to book and tell them we are thinking about flying to Vegas and give them the dates. Then before they would book it we would ask for resort fees to be waived. They have said yes every time except one and they gave us 60 percent off the fees and 100 dollar food voucher.

The deals can be found, you just have to work a little harder to get them. The only time we have ever paid for a room was the first time we ever went to Vegas in 2007.

The food/gambling/attraction prices have gone through the roof though.

Kind of reminds me trying to get a discount for NFL Sunday Ticket a few years ago.

 

[Gally]

Probably don't put more than $1-2k in play on any given day.

My budget is $200 a day. We are in different pools which explains why I have never sniffed any of the comps you speak of.

Let me be clear. When I say $2K in play, that doesn't mean that's my daily budget. 100 spins at $1 on a slot = $100, but you're not going to lose every spin. 40 hands of blackjack at $25 a hand is $1,000 in play.

How do you get the casino to think you are putting in play $1K a day without putting it at risk? Do you sit down at a black jack table and put down $1K cash for chips and then play a few hands and walk? Do you just play 40 hands and then walk with whatever you have left?

Talk to me like I know nothing because I keep hearing people getting these comps but have no idea how to get them. If you aren't risking $1-2K a day but getting the reward for it I would like to know how to do that.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

 

[msudaisy26]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

 

[Ron Swanson]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

I thought y'all were kidding about 000 roulette. Some MBA took another olive out of the jar.

 

[Softballguy]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Downtown Grand, El Cortez, and Plaza are your best bets for 3 to 2. Downtown Grand also does $5 tables. Paris just started offering 3 to 2 as well, and lower limits, but only on select tables. Palms does the same. But other than that, you'll need to play high limit to find those odds.

 

[msudaisy26]

Probably don't put more than $1-2k in play on any given day.

My budget is $200 a day. We are in different pools which explains why I have never sniffed any of the comps you speak of.

Let me be clear. When I say $2K in play, that doesn't mean that's my daily budget. 100 spins at $1 on a slot = $100, but you're not going to lose every spin. 40 hands of blackjack at $25 a hand is $1,000 in play.

How do you get the casino to think you are putting in play $1K a day without putting it at risk? Do you sit down at a black jack table and put down $1K cash for chips and then play a few hands and walk? Do you just play 40 hands and then walk with whatever you have left?

Talk to me like I know nothing because I keep hearing people getting these comps but have no idea how to get them. If you aren't risking $1-2K a day but getting the reward for it I would like to know how to do that.

You can't just play a couple hands and leave. If you turn in a players card the computer is tracking your average bet, how long you played and if you color up your chips when you leave then they know what you started with and how much to left with and a lot of casinos are starting to get away from leaving the table with chips and they print vouchers. If you play a slot they know everything.

It is annoying, but asking is the best way to get stuff. Managers etc can go a little above and beyond the regular comp system and will if you are a new player and they want you to come back. They understand not everyone is a whale that will bet 1000s of dollars a hand and come to Vegas six times a year.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read / watch, but that’s a lot of negative press. All of them can’t be wrong.

 

[msudaisy26]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read, but that’s a lot of negative press.

Okay and those people want views and clicks for money. A couple of us have told you where to go and how to ask for better rates and get better odds. Believe all the negative you want, don't go, think it is the worst place on the planet. I was just there in August, in 2024 I was there in twice once in May and again in August.

It isn't as easy to find the good deals as it was twenty years ago where they are just handing them out to everyone to just please come to our casino, but it isn't some massive tourist trap where if you go you will have no choice, but to spend 10k over four days to have a good time.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read, but that’s a lot of negative press.

Okay and those people want views and clicks for money. A couple of us have told you where to go and how to ask for better rates and get better odds. Believe all the negative you want, don't go, think it is the worst place on the planet. I was just there in August, in 2024 I was there in twice once in May and again in August.

It isn't as easy to find the good deals as it was twenty years ago where they are just handing them out to everyone to just please come to our casino, but it isn't some massive tourist trap where if you go you will have no choice, but to spend 10k over four days to have a good time.

No, not 10K, but $2,500 for a weekend isn’t out of the question, so it seems. It used to be better value and I’m not talking many years ago. Anyway, thanks for the information you provided.

 

[msudaisy26]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read, but that’s a lot of negative press.

Okay and those people want views and clicks for money. A couple of us have told you where to go and how to ask for better rates and get better odds. Believe all the negative you want, don't go, think it is the worst place on the planet. I was just there in August, in 2024 I was there in twice once in May and again in August.

It isn't as easy to find the good deals as it was twenty years ago where they are just handing them out to everyone to just please come to our casino, but it isn't some massive tourist trap where if you go you will have no choice, but to spend 10k over four days to have a good time.

No, not 10K, but $2,500 for a weekend isn’t out of the question, so it seems. Anyway, thanks for the information you provided.

We are pretty avid gamblers. We only go once or twice a year so we live it up, not bet size wise, but hours at the table. We take about 3k with us for food, transportation, tips, and gambling and we have never come home with less than 1500. Add in flights and I would say our average trip to Vegas is four to five days long, has an average cost of 1500 for everything with a the highest ever being just shy of 4k and lowest ever was 300 dollars. I found my post from this summer and I will copy and paste it.

 

[msudaisy26]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

 

[JohnnyU]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

 

[msudaisy26]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

 

[JohnnyU]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

 

[titusbramble]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

Checking right now quotes McCarran to Bellagio at $20. That won't include any airport surcharges though and idk if they're as cute as they are where I live in doing that

 

[msudaisy26]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

We use cabs because it is a flat price from the airport to the strip. I want to say like 28 dollars. Uber can probably range up to 50 at peak hours.

 

[Gally]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

We use cabs because it is a flat price from the airport to the strip. I want to say like 28 dollars. Uber can probably range up to 50 at peak hours.

I was just there in October and the price for Uber or Taxi from the airport to Southpoint was $40-$50

 

[msudaisy26]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

We use cabs because it is a flat price from the airport to the strip. I want to say like 28 dollars. Uber can probably range up to 50 at peak hours.

I was just there in October and the price for Uber or Taxi from the airport to Southpoint was $40-$50

To South Point it probably is, but that is 15 minutes off the strip.

 

[Gally]

We stayed at MGM Grand. We had free rooms and they took half off our resort fees, gave us 50 dollars in slot play and 75 dollar food/drink voucher. So our total stay was 75 dollars to check in Friday and check out Monday. This is the first year we had resort fees not completely waived.

So here is our trip. We left August 8th from Flint Michigan. We have a little airport there and if you pay attention you can get very cheap flights. I believe our flights were 160ish round trip.

Landed in Vegas around 3:30, got an Uber and went to check in. We were both hungry since we hadn't eaten since about 9 am. We stopped at the pretzel place on the way to check in and it was 38 dollars. Checked in and met our friends at New York across the street and Uber to Gold Coast. The have a Chinese restaurant there called Ping Pang Pong, it used to be the best Chinese food ever, now it is just above average. We played Pai Gow for about 5 hours. We won about 800 dollars and earned enough comps to pay for the food. Highly recommend the Gold Coast, we alway seem to do well there and it is like going to a dive bar.

Next day we go to the Netflix themed restaurant in MGM. Very overpriced for average food. I wouldn't go back, went to the pool for a few hours and the drinks were crazy to. Nine drinks between three of us was over 170 dollars. Good thing we used our food and beverage comps today. Went to Freemont Street, lost 400 at the Plaza, won 400 at El Cortez. Played a new version of blackjack, double down madness. That game scares me. We wandered Freemon street for a couple hours until we got hungry. Ended up eating at Vic and Anthony's. Very good, but we were also highly intoxicated so....

Sunday was the spa day, we went to Resorts world. That place is so nice. We lost 300 gambling after the spa. The spa is amazing but very pricey. It was about 600 dollars for the two of us to get massages and use the facilities for the day. Met up with out friends later and took an Uber to South Point. This is a fabulous casino about 15 minutes from the strip. Decent prices, tons of games and slots. We ate at the Mexican place there and our bill was about 60 bucks for appetizer, two drinks and two meals.

Last day we didn't fly out until 4 pm so we checked our bags at the front desk and went to eat next door. They have a food court and my husband loves Dirtdog. The prices aren't too crazy at this food court, but it isn't connected to any casino. We lost a little money back at MGM and New York.

We go every August as a long weekend get away with a group of friends before school starts for the kids. We also go every third year for the national bowling tournament. I recommend staying at the nicer casinos or the ones that give you the best deal, but if you don't want to spend or lose all your money then gamble and eat off the strip.

Very informative, thanks. How much did all those Ubers cost?

Around 20 bucks per, but we got to share the cost with friends we were with. The free room covers the cost and then some of Uber. If it didn't we would stay on Freemont or South Point and Uber less.

I heard the uber cost from the airport is $50. Is that true?

We use cabs because it is a flat price from the airport to the strip. I want to say like 28 dollars. Uber can probably range up to 50 at peak hours.

I was just there in October and the price for Uber or Taxi from the airport to Southpoint was $40-$50

To South Point it probably is, but that is 15 minutes off the strip.

I know. I was just giving a point of reference from October.

 

[Buckna]

I haven't been to Las Vegas since the 90s and thought about going since retiring, but after watching a lot of videos on their price gouging I don't think I'll ever go. Vegas used to be somewhere a person could go and feel like they got value, knowing they will lose their money gambling. They could get a room cheap with no hidden fees, cheap buffets, free parking, free drinks while they are gambling, great comps, friendly service. Vegas made people feel welcomed. Now they are pricing the normal Joe out of Las Vegas with hidden resort fees, ranging from $45 to $55 a night, expensive rooms,, $25 a day parking, $18 beer, $25 cocktails, $50 ubers, $50 to $75 buffets, shrinking comps, $25 minimum blackjack at 6 to 5 odds instead $5 minimum at 3 to 2 odds, additonal zero on the roulette wheel, making the odds ridiculous You get the picture.

Las Vegas seems to be targeting whales and pricing out the middle class, but it is backfiring with loss of tourists. They think added entertainment will carry them, even with the price gouging, but it doesn't work long term. Yes, a special event can bring in an uptick on the weekends, but near empty casinos on weekdays. Las Vegas was built by the normal Joe, not the whales. There aren't enough whales to sustain Las Vegas. Hotel rooms are nowhere near the occupancy rates needed by a city that depends on tourism. Blackjack table dealers standing around doing nothing with empty tables. Countless rows of slot machine chairs empty.

Workers are losing money on tips because there aren't as many tourists. People who clean rooms are not getting the shifts they need to live. When your greed prices out the middle class and tourism is reduced, making it impossible for those who work there to make a living, what's coming next is a total collapse of this business model unless they readjust their pricing across the board. They need to bring back value to Las Vegas.

People can gamble online, or go to their local casino for better value than what Las Vegas offers. I know here in Minnesota my wife and I can go to a concert, stay overnight for free at Treasure Island Casino because of comps, gamble a little bit, and have a good time. Las Vegas is relying on their past reputation and that is unsustainable given the options people now have.. People are getting tired of being nickled and dimed to death in Las Vegas.

It died post COVID. They lost their way big time.

My last time there pre Covid was 2015.....was fantastic. I had been there so many times rior as well. It was always a great time, value for the dollar, great gambling, great vibe.

Did not go again till 2023. and it sucked......sucked big time. Never going back unless they completely figure out they have ruined their mojo. The strip is a ****hole too as well. A lot of the classic hotels on the strip feel old, dingy, lifeless.

It's a total rip off, and an unwelcoming tourist trap.

Vegas is dead.

I think it changed dramatically before that. I remember going the first few times for trade shows in the late 90s and it was stupidly inexpensive...free drinks galore everywhere.

I thought it changed a lot by the time we got into the early 20-teens. And then my last trip was during Covid and it was just dumb. MGM seemed like a dump and everything was ridiculously overpriced. Luckily I've never gone to Vegas except for work trips.

Nah, post Great Recession years were amazing value. Nearly all the big casino conglomerates were in bankruptcy or near it. It was stupid cheap to try to lure in ANYONE who would come, Casinos would throw comps at you like nobodies business. Super cheap table mins, free rooms like crazy, buffets, steak dinners, etc. Just check out the decades old main Vegas thread in some of the early pages.

It was already getting pricey and had lost its value in the late teens after years of building/expansion. The post-COVID travel boom massively accelerated the price gouging and the "scalp money from visitors at every step" atmosphere. But what do you expect when the economy basically goes 15 years with no recessions (other than the brief COVID blip) and an endless supply of artificially low interest rates / cheap money? Like many sectors of our economy, we actually need a real recession to chase out the weak hands, the zombie companies living off cheap debt, and to remind all these greedy people/companies in Vegas (and lots of other places) that you can sheer a sheep many times but skin them only once... or whatever analogy you like (the frog in the pot of slowly boiling water also comes to mind....)

 

[Softballguy]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read / watch, but that’s a lot of negative press. All of them can’t be wrong.

As I mentioned earlier, you're watching the wrong videos. Negative videos get the clicks, so garbage vloggers are incentivized to hyperbolize the situation. You've said multiple things -based on what you've heard- that are factually incorrect. Check out the vloggers I recommended above.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read / watch, but that’s a lot of negative press. All of them can’t be wrong.

As I mentioned earlier, you're watching the wrong videos. Negative videos get the clicks, so garbage vloggers are incentivized to hyperbolize the situation. You've said multiple things -based on what you've heard- that are factually incorrect. Check out the vloggers I recommended above.

So, are you saying they don’t charge $45 to $55 per day resort fees at most hotels on the strip, $18 beer, $25 cocktails, $25 per day parking, $50 - $75 buffets, $12 to $30 hamburger, $9 water and $26 water at the Aria, $40 to $50 Ubers from the airport to the strip, including airport surcharge, plus some I didn’t mention? If not, then tell me what the true charges are on the strip.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Was just on Fremont last month and hate what it’s become. Individual electronic craps? Crapless craps where 2,3,11,12 are points? WTF is that? There wasn’t a single live dealer table at the Golden Gate. Won’t be back anytime soon.

 

[Brew Swillis]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

I'm not arguing with that, or at all really. Just saying it can be done without spending thousands of dollars. It does take some time and some know-how though. Most are unwilling or unable to obtain and apply one or the other.

Earning comps is not the same as finding good offers. Earning comps requires a lot of coin in on the strip properties and that doesn’t have the same value it had not too long ago. If you’re talking about comps and not special offers, how much do you spend at the casino each year if you don’t mind me asking? Also assuming the strip, not downtown Vegas. They are still trying to offer value and give better comps.

OK man. I'm not interested in going any farther down this rabbit hole. I guess facts based on my own personal experience as recent as 2 days ago is invalid in the face of lots of YouTube videos. I was just trying to help.

 

[JohnnyU]

You're not wrong, but if you do gamble, you can still get a lot of these things free. Used to be that you didn't need to gamble and could still get $1 beers and a $6 prime rib dinner. Now you actually have to play, though.

I went over Thanksgiving for 4 nights at W, suite was comped, no resort fees, no cost to park, had $200 in dining credits and didn't pay for a drink the entire time. All through tier status and comps. It can still be a great value, you just have to play to get it.

It's my understanding the comps have been reduced and don't go as far as they used to. I suppose special deals are the exception, but overall the Las Vegas experience has turned from value to price gouging.

I agree with you, that is the overall experience for most. If you figure out how to work the system, you can still get value, that's all I'm saying. If you can status match through, say, a cruise line or hotel chain, you can get costs reduced fairly dramatically without playing a red cent. For example, I have Emerald status with Royal Caribbean. That earns you an automatic status match to Gold with MGM and voila - your parking charges and resort fees for your hotel stay disappear with Gold status. That's probably $75-80 a day - if you stay 4 nights as I just did, there's roughly $300 knocked off your overall cost without putting a single dollar in a machine or on the table. Now, you can use that to status match at other casino/hotel groups, etc. That's just one example, there are dozens of exploits.

Everything I watched said the comps in Vegas are a fraction of what they used to be.

That may well be, but as I detailed, I am not a high roller and just spent 4 nights in a 725 sq ft room at the W that cost me $0. Had a breakfast for 2 at Ri Ra, a quick bite at NYNY and a dinner at the Noodle Shop at Mandalay and had it all comped off with my F&B credit that came with my room offer. Went down to Luger at Caesars and used my $100 anniversary credit for getting Diamond Plus status last year (all using tier credit multipliers) and it cost me $70 all in with tip. Went on the High Roller wheel at Linq Promenade (waste of time) for $0. In all, I spent 4 nights there in a nice room, ate well, gambled, and saw a show and the total all-in cost was less than $800, soup to nuts. Good luck even getting a 720 sq ft suite in most other major cities/tourist destinations for that, let alone factoring in meals, entertainment, etc.

Again, that may not be the typical Vegas-goers experience, I get that - and it doesn't invalidate the legitimate points you and others are making here. I just want to illustrate that if you have the know-how and desire to use the comp system there to decrease costs, it's eminently doable.

It is my understanding you have to spend thousands of dollars to get good comps. That doesn’t necessarily mean being a high roller, just a frequent visitor who gambles enough. Over time I’m sure it adds up. At the end of the day it’s a fact that comps have been reduced significantly the last 5 years on the strip. Downtown may be a different story.

I'm not arguing with that, or at all really. Just saying it can be done without spending thousands of dollars. It does take some time and some know-how though. Most are unwilling or unable to obtain and apply one or the other.

Earning comps is not the same as finding good offers. Earning comps requires a lot of coin in on the strip properties and that doesn’t have the same value it had not too long ago. If you’re talking about comps and not special offers, how much do you spend at the casino each year if you don’t mind me asking? Also assuming the strip, not downtown Vegas. They are still trying to offer value and give better comps.

OK man. I'm not interested in going any farther down this rabbit hole. I guess facts based on my own personal experience as recent as 2 days ago is invalid in the face of lots of YouTube videos. I was just trying to help.

Oh I appreciate your input. I was just saying casino comps is not the same as special offers and that you have to spend more now for the same comps of yesteryear, or possibly never reaching the same comps. All tracked with your players card. If you got a good deal that’s great. Please share how you got yours. Was it comps based on your play using your players card, or some other promotions?

 

[Brew Swillis]

Real quick before I go, in addition to all these comps in Vegas, I also spent 4 nights in a suite at Atlantis Bahamas (rack rate nearly $3,000) and got a free cruise for 2 to the Mexican Riviera all within the last 18 months, all on casino comps and ENTIRELY on a low-rollers play level.

Corporate Strip Vegas = overpriced
Locals/Downtown Vegas - still overpriced, but less so and more in line with inflation
Vegas if you know what you're doing = better value than pretty much any other vacation destination.

You just have to have the mind of an AP (and the skills help) to get there and not everyone is interested in learning. I get off on solving puzzles and figuring out ways to beat the system. Money won (or comped) is twice as sweet as money earned for me, YMMV. YouTube videos and mainstream media articles aren't going to show you the way.

 

[JohnnyU]

Real quick before I go, in addition to all these comps in Vegas, I also spent 4 nights in a suite at Atlantis Bahamas (rack rate nearly $3,000) and got a free cruise for 2 to the Mexican Riviera all within the last 18 months, all on casino comps and ENTIRELY on a low-rollers play level.

Corporate Strip Vegas = overpriced
Locals/Downtown Vegas - still overpriced, but less so and more in line with inflation
Vegas if you know what you're doing = better value than pretty much any other vacation destination.

You just have to have the mind of an AP (and the skills help) to get there and not everyone is interested in learning. I get off on solving puzzles and figuring out ways to beat the system. Money won (or comped) is twice as sweet as money earned for me, YMMV. YouTube videos and mainstream media articles aren't going to show you the way.

AP = Applications Programmer? It so happens I’m a newly retired Senior Programmer/Analyst. 40+ years. Doing Data Engineer work the last couple of years. If that’s not what you meant by AP, please ignore.

 

[Softballguy]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read / watch, but that’s a lot of negative press. All of them can’t be wrong.

As I mentioned earlier, you're watching the wrong videos. Negative videos get the clicks, so garbage vloggers are incentivized to hyperbolize the situation. You've said multiple things -based on what you've heard- that are factually incorrect. Check out the vloggers I recommended above.

So, are you saying they don’t charge $45 to $55 per day resort fees at most hotels on the strip, $18 beer, $25 cocktails, $25 per day parking, $50 - $75 buffets, $12 to $30 hamburger, $9 water and $26 water at the Aria, $40 to $50 Ubers from the airport to the strip, including airport surcharge, plus some I didn’t mention? If not, then tell me what the true charges are on the strip.

It's not hard, really. Resort fees aren't hidden; they're clearly shown when you're booking your room. It's included in your total. Yes, drinks can be expensive. They can also be cheap. Water is expensive at some places, but very cheap, even free, at others. My last Uber from Harry Reid to Planet Hollywood was $34.

If you want to believe the click-bait videos you're watching, go right ahead. Like I said, I know trashing Vegas is the cool thing to do right now. But you should at least try to get your facts straight.

 

[FairWarning]

Probably don't put more than $1-2k in play on any given day.

My budget is $200 a day. We are in different pools which explains why I have never sniffed any of the comps you speak of.

Let me be clear. When I say $2K in play, that doesn't mean that's my daily budget. 100 spins at $1 on a slot = $100, but you're not going to lose every spin. 40 hands of blackjack at $25 a hand is $1,000 in play.

How do you get the casino to think you are putting in play $1K a day without putting it at risk? Do you sit down at a black jack table and put down $1K cash for chips and then play a few hands and walk? Do you just play 40 hands and then walk with whatever you have left?

Talk to me like I know nothing because I keep hearing people getting these comps but have no idea how to get them. If you aren't risking $1-2K a day but getting the reward for it I would like to know how to do that.

You can't just play a couple hands and leave. If you turn in a players card the computer is tracking your average bet, how long you played and if you color up your chips when you leave then they know what you started with and how much to left with and a lot of casinos are starting to get away from leaving the table with chips and they print vouchers. If you play a slot they know everything.

It is annoying, but asking is the best way to get stuff. Managers etc can go a little above and beyond the regular comp system and will if you are a new player and they want you to come back. They understand not everyone is a whale that will bet 1000s of dollars a hand and come to Vegas six times a year.

They are definitely tracking the black and up chips, those dont leave the table.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. reduced value from casino games (does blackjack pay 2 to 1 anywhere anymore?)

I've heard second-hand, unconfirmed reports of roulette wheels with 0, 00, and now, 000.

Oh that's true. Not everywhere, but many places. Worse yet is that some places try to hide the 000 by disguising it in a graphic. Fontainebleau uses three bow ties, which is a graphic found all over the casino. Took me a minute to even notice it.

When has blackjack ever paid 2 to 1? I know a lot of casinos have tried to go 6 to 5, but most have been 3 to 2.

Most went from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5. This is on the strip I’m talking about.

Like I said go to the wrong places. There are still.plenty of 3 to 2 black jack games and 10 to 25 dollars minimums if you look for 5 minutes online.

I heard there is 3 to 2 downtown, but the strip has mostly converted to 6 to 5. I suppose all these videos are wrong. Which strip casinos offer 3 to 2? What happened to the $5 min blackjack? I read some offer it during particular hours on weekdays, but that’s it. Again on the strip, not downtown or outskirts.

I was at the Grand in August and played 3 to 2 blackjack. 5 dollar probably still exists, but you are going to have to find a hole in the wall because of inflation. You said you haven't been in like 30 years. If you haven't bought a house in 30 years would you still expect to buy your house for 100k when it is worth 300k?

Oh come on man, I said I researched it. Because I haven’t been there in 30 years is the reason for the research since I was thinking of going. I’ve watched at least 50 videos on Vegas the last month and every single one of them lay out what I’ve been posting. Mostly negative on Las Vegas. I know you can’t believe everything you read / watch, but that’s a lot of negative press. All of them can’t be wrong.

As I mentioned earlier, you're watching the wrong videos. Negative videos get the clicks, so garbage vloggers are incentivized to hyperbolize the situation. You've said multiple things -based on what you've heard- that are factually incorrect. Check out the vloggers I recommended above.

So, are you saying they don’t charge $45 to $55 per day resort fees at most hotels on the strip, $18 beer, $25 cocktails, $25 per day parking, $50 - $75 buffets, $12 to $30 hamburger, $9 water and $26 water at the Aria, $40 to $50 Ubers from the airport to the strip, including airport surcharge, plus some I didn’t mention? If not, then tell me what the true charges are on the strip.

It's not hard, really. Resort fees aren't hidden; they're clearly shown when you're booking your room. It's included in your total. Yes, drinks can be expensive. They can also be cheap. Water is expensive at some places, but very cheap, even free, at others. My last Uber from Harry Reid to Planet Hollywood was $34.

If you want to believe the click-bait videos you're watching, go right ahead. Like I said, I know trashing Vegas is the cool thing to do right now. But you should at least try to get your facts straight.

Now who’s being hyperbolic? The entire point to this thread is that it appears Vegas strip is pricing out the middle class, who have more options now than ever. Other casino destinations provide better value. Something Vegas isn’t providing as much as they once did.

 

[Capella]

Everybody can gamble on their phones now. Why would you spend money to do it?

The sphere look cool af though. I’d like to go see that wizard of oz show there.

 

[Softballguy]

Everybody can gamble on their phones now. Why would you spend money to do it?

The sphere look cool af though. I’d like to go see that wizard of oz show there.

I'll be there Tuesday. Can't wait.

 

[GenX fan]

The sphere look cool af though. I’d like to go see that wizard of oz show there.

I read that this show was bringing in $2 million in revenue every DAY.

 

[Capella]

The sphere look cool af though. I’d like to go see that wizard of oz show there.

I read that this show was bringing in $2 million in revenue every DAY.

Oh wow. Didn’t realize it was that big.