Benefits "surpressed" in Colorado

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Bobbi
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Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:18 pm

Benefits "surpressed" in Colorado

Post by Bobbi »

I usually make one casino my "home". Lately it's been at the Monarch in Black Hawk. Been there for a couple of years - am "platinum" status. The last couple of times I had no free play available to me, but didn't feel like taking the time to go to the desk to see what's up. Yesterday I took the time and got the run around. I went up to the players desk - they had no answer. I went to the "elite" players desk, they had no answer, only that they saw nothing for me for the entire month of September - they suggested I go downstairs to see the host. Annoyed and curious, - I went to the host's office and was told my benefits were "suppressed". It's because my play is too good... Sooner or later it will happen to all VP players.
I know this has happened all over Vegas but I couldn't believe it was happening to me in Colorado...
Looking for a new "home" to play VP - My game of choice is triple up ddb.
Not too happy with Ameristar or the new Z, but might have to go back to one of them.
Anyone have any suggestions?

DaBurglar
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Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:11 pm

Post by DaBurglar »

Very good post, very detailed and informative and well written

Since you live "within reason" to the proximity of Nevada's two main markets (Reno & Vegas), I suggest you calmly put together a plan to visit either location a certain number of times over the following 12 months. Do you homework....some of what Bob Dancer advocates will help you a little in the short term, by really researching who has the games you enjoy and at what paytables, and benefits! Figure out your yearly bankroll, basic expenses (how high on the hog do you wish to live and eat while in Nevada) and then figure how many actual trips this all translates into....

At the end of the year after vsiting your chosen city and casino, figure out what you have and have not been given compared to what you actually won/lost/spent.

If I were you and assuming you are not a uber serious, retentive Advantage Player, I'd visit Downtown Vegas and select a place that feels comfy and good to you and give them a shot....I base this on the current location in Black Hawk you frequent....Vegas Downtown seems a good lateral fit for you. Of course, if you truly enjoy Reno (and the surrounding Lake and other amenities) try that place!

I hope you do well, keep us updated.

Bobbi
Senior Member
Posts: 213
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:18 pm

Post by Bobbi »

Thanks for the reply and input. At this stage of my life, cable TV and video poker are my forms of entertainment. I used to visit Vegas 4-5 times a year back in the day when a video poker player was welcomed. Those were the days when I would check into a free suite and have a welcome basket waiting for me. (MGM hotels, Harrah's and the G Nugget). Never paid for meals or shows. Then all of a sudden they made me feel like a beggar. Not a good feeling when no one tells you what's going on and you have to check in at the players desk before you check out to ask what they can do for you on the hotel bill. Casinos here in Colorado got bigger and the triple up game was the same as Vegas so I started to keep my gambling money here. Having reached platinum at Monarch, I also qualified for trips to the Atlantis in Reno but hadn't had a chance to take advantage of that yet. Very annoying that they wave a magic players card in your face and then take it away when you reach status. I will check out Reno/Tahoe and maybe other places downtown, but stay away from Atlantis since they are connected to Monarch.

FloridaPhil
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Post by FloridaPhil »

It's sad to here about this. We play in Blackhawk ourselves on occasion. The Monarch is one of our favorites. Can I ask you what games you were playing that they said you were too good at? I don't remember seeing any 100% games at the Monarch. Did you hit a big jackpot of some kind? As I remember the better games at the Monarch are in quarters which shouldn't have been enough for them to take notice.

Have you ever wondered how some of the people who claim to beat the casinos are allowed to continue to do so? It has crossed my mind, especially if you are a recognized expert. I would think it would be hard to find a casino owner that would let you play in his facility?

Bobbi
Senior Member
Posts: 213
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:18 pm

Post by Bobbi »

I play quarters - triple up DDB. (3.75 a hand) Usually at the bar. I did hit the progressive but that was last year.. It was about $14,000.00. Funny thing is that my husband also plays the triple up and so far he is still getting his mailings and freeplay. He does change from game to game (BP, TDB) but always triple up. I am guessing next month they might cut him off too. If you go to their website you can see the progressive jackpot amounts in live time. This is only for the bank at the bar. I will probably go back there and just not use my card since the husband is still getting his freeplay. I cannot even scan my card for double points on double point days. Ameristar seems to have gotten rid of their good machines and I went on a huge losing steak a couple of years ago - that's why I switched to Monarch. Before that it was the Reserve - Went once since it changed to the Z but didn't have much luck. I am about 1.5 hrs from the "hill". I go at least once a week. Play at least 4 hours straight and don't ask them for anything, but the freeplay was a nice little bonus. Their monthly gifts are crappy, not worth more than 10 dollars. - last month I got a pop socket worth about $2.00 (That's the thing you stick on the back of your phone to make it easier to hold). I am not even eligible for the crappy gifts anymore. I don't believe anyone that claims to beat the casinos at video poker - you win some, you lose some. It's a game for someone to use their "entertainment" money after the bills have been paid. Most days you lose, some days you break even or come out a couple hundred ahead. A big progressive is usually a once in a lifetime win.

FloridaPhil
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Post by FloridaPhil »

We always go to Blackhawk in late April. My wife is a Florida girl and loves to see snow. The mountains are beautiful. It must be great to live there. The Monarch had the best odds in Blackhawk. We play quarter NSU deuces on the machines in the back of the second floor. The dollars odds are worse. We never have any problem getting comped rooms at the Ameristar. The comp points are practically nothing. As a vacation once a year, Blackhawk is great. If I was concerned about odds and I lived in the west, I would stick with Vegas. We play for entertainment and Blackhawk delivers. Full pay machines are nice, but not all that earth shaking to us.

albatross
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Post by albatross »

From my experience I think that once you hit a Jackpot and don't give some of it back is when you get punished for doing so. The mail offers diminish from free rooms and food/play.. To Casino rate, buy 1 night get one free Etc. It has happened to us both in Reno and Vegas. But when we go back to play in those citys we stay with the competing casinos..Return and play for like an hour and the offers slowly return, First in their slow times (Xmas- Summer.) Over here in the west coast they have to compete with the Indian Casinos and Downtown Reno is practically a ghost town.

advantage playe
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Post by advantage playe »

benefits also severly suppressed at resorts world catskills.

Purzel
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Post by Purzel »

My personal favorite Casino in Blackhawk are the Lodge Casinos , Lodge and Gilpin ..... they send me the most cash coupons of every casino i go up there.... i dont play TDB but there are 9/6 TDB single in 25 cents and $1 at the Saratoga but i dont like their cash coupons...... Well good luck to find your right casino but i agree with you that the Ameristar is not a good casino for Video poker in Blackhawk

pokerpokerpoker
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Post by pokerpokerpoker »

Generally speaking, it seems a lot of casinos have "wised up". If you play the best VP machines (less than a 1% house edge), the casinos realize that they aren't making much off of you and slash your club benefits.

Sure, sometimes you get killed. Other times you get some pay-back. But over time....

One of my locals penalizes you for winning. Last year I was playing heavily on their best games. When I was losing, my mailbox was stuffed with goodies: generous FP, gifts, food ect. When I got hot and hit a bunch of jackpots, they cut me off - all while running similar coin-in.

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