Tuesday, August 04, 2015

What paying resort fees on 2 for 1 at the D did to my frugal thinking

At the D high level gamblers who get full comps pay no resort fees.
However, mid level to low rollers lost a comp this year.
Last year resort fees were waived on a 2 for 1 mailed offer. Now, they must be paid on the cash night portion. So, for low rollers, this was about a 50% reduction in comp. The D is still a decent deal most of the time, but I concentrate my play to preserve my bankroll over these 23 to 25 day trips and to get the most EV for my play.
I like to low roll somewhere and get decently comped.
The D's decision to toss in a hefty resort fee was in part to raise hotel rates for those who don't gamble. Now, they've decided to raise them just a bit more for those who gamble moderately.
Then too I loved that nickel drop full pay deuces and I'd play it for hours between the times when the 8/5 Vue bar Bonus progressives were not in a player friendly place. I was entertained, my mind challenged, at real nickel rates. No longer possible. That machine is gone.
Finally, some nights the D has rates as low as $16, so even with the resort fee, the 2 for 1 mailing is a great deal. However, the LIfe is Beautiful and other festivals push up room rates downtown. I only used 2 nights of the offer during this year's September time and the rates were $34 a night , so $56 with resort fee. $28 a night does not reflect much EV gained by gambling.
In fact, in November I booked 3 nights for $28 right across the street at the Fremont using the American Casino Guide coupon (buy 2 get one free, no resort fee, no gambling daily score to maintain)
There are similar coupons for other downtown properties.
My strategy for the next 2 day trip will be to cut back on play and see how little play at the D will still generate the 2 for 1 offer and to look for other places where moderate play might capture more comps.
Playing nickel triple play at the Orleans on senior Wednesday is probably the best bang for my buck.
The 9/7 with progressive DB is a more dependable VP than the D 8/5 Bonus.
I'm low rolling there with more entertainment for my risk. I get three lines for 75 cents a spin rather then one line for $1.25 a spin. I get two free buffets, reduced movie tickets, $10 free food added to my 2 free nights, drawings, The Nite Kings, a much nicer room, a heated pool ( my son and I braved the D pool last November and were pleased for the polar bear experience but it can't compare with the Orleans pool)
 Then last year right in the middle of the day Orleans gave out $5 to anyone with a player's card who stood in a short line.
And their elevators are efficient.
 And somehow my Orleans play must be affecting Gold Coast offers. Last year I got 2 free nights. This year I got a nice mailing with reduced rates. I don't play there except for a bit of diversion, $20 here or there. I don't worry about daily play averages. So why they cut in half the B Connected rates is well beyond me, but I'm glad that they did it when a family meetup (most of them staying at Bellagio) made the Gold Coast the only reasonable choice.
Also, points I earn with just a bit of play at Boyd casinos can be used so many places. D points can be used just at the D in the café. I love the café, but gambling more than I need for breakfast gives me points I won't use.
Since I figure my gambling bankroll as the difference between my other expenses in Vegas and what they might be in other places in the world, I want to reduce expenses as much as possible. In one sense, I want only to gamble with their money.
I know that my situation is a rare one, and that my low rolling seems ludicrous to many Vegas visitors. But to put room rates in perspective, last year in November I was in Vegas for 25 days (4 at the D) and spent $9.25 a night on average for room costs (resort fees, taxes, everything)
It was a losing trip. I lost $928 gambling.
However, by keeping expenses down it still is a lot of fun and a grand vacation for very little expense. Being retired I have much more time than money and I sit home some days when I'd like to travel because the money isn't there. But the money to travel to Vegas is always there for a low roller like me.
Details are herehttp://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/tr-snippet-costs.html

Actually, when I budget in not using my car for 25 days, not going grocery shopping, etc even a losing trip to Vegas saves me money. Thanks Jean Scott.

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