Strategy Question for Diamond Status by years end

[backsider]

Am I getting this right? The poster is willing to lose money for card status? Boy have they got his number.

[marie meijer]

Well, yeah, backside, since you put it that way. However, we enjoy perks of diamond status including free rooms, meals, concerts, big ticket free gift shopping, flights and  Caribbean cruises. Once I maintain that diamond status for the next year, I enjoy more play at different casinos. One year I almost walked away from it. I am currently more neutral about the diamond status than previously.

[Frank Kneeland]

Whatever you decide, set aside, perhaps $200, and give them a little slot action to avoid only having high return VP play. Some casinos are now treating VP only players like black sheep.

[marie meijer]

Interesting post, Frank, and thank you! That makes sense and I had not given this a thought. IF you are kidding or being facetious, now is the time to fess up. Usually, slots give double the points than VP. The obvious is behind this: The premise that a good, clear thinking VP player may or will win more than a mechanical slot player. Definition of a good VP player includes one who trains, learns, reads, practices, improves, plays when comfy, rested and sober. One who looks for the best pay tables and games within a given casino and is able to play those games advantageously/wisely. Also, one who avoids or  has minimal distractions such as a sticky key machine or bummed out by the player next to him...on a cell phone, smoking, talking, humming, teaching someone how to play, slapping keys and hitting the screen.

[Tomcat1569]

Frank may be onto something. Plan on giving it a shot before year's end to see what it does for my offers (I'm already Diamond FWIW).

[BillyJoe]

Any other suggestions/comments from the VP community?
Get a 2nd card, give it to your wife, and the both of you play slots until you reach 11k tier score. The best slot that I found for longer play on a limited bankroll is Quick Hits $5. It's $10 a pull, but you get your bet back on any Quick Hit in any position. A $10 pull will give you 2 tier credits @ Harrahs/Caesars.

[leakysqueaky]

Marie..............I maintained diamond status at Harrahs New Orleans for 6 years straight. I never received any cruise offers, flight offers or big ticket free gift shopping.
They would give a diamond gift of the month which retailed for around $20.00/30.00 bucks. There were also platinum and gold members in their respective lines for the "same" gift. Their Palm Room lounge left a lot to be desired.
I was going 3 times a week and playing video poker consistantly.
Then, for some unknown reason, they cut back on my free play. I never could get an explanation why. I was going the same, playing the same. I am jaded on Harrahs and took my business to the Gulf Coast.

[OTABILL]

Harrah's has cut back on its local offers
tremendously the last few years. Harrah's hotels in Las Vegas are also losing their luster compared to the newer, more upscale venues. We can
live without them.

[Frank Kneeland]

Interesting post, Frank, and thank you! That makes sense and I had not given this a thought. IF you are kidding or being facetious, now is the time to fess up. Usually, slots give double the points than VP. The obvious is behind this: The premise that a good, clear thinking VP player may or will win more than a mechanical slot player. Definition of a good VP player includes one who trains, learns, reads, practices, improves, plays when comfy, rested and sober. One who looks for the best pay tables and games within a given casino and is able to play those games advantageously/wisely. Also, one who avoids or  has minimal distractions such as a sticky key machine or bummed out by the player next to him...on a cell phone, smoking, talking, humming, teaching someone how to play, slapping keys and hitting the screen.No, for sure not joking. I and one of my partners each ran $100,000 thru a local casino on good return VP, with the only difference being that I also played $5,000 on stupid silly slots. That's a mere 5% of what I put thru on VP.When monthly mailer time came I got two levels higher on my mailer, offers and comps. Two months later he was de-carded and asked not to play there anymore. I am still welcome and I have a freaking book on VP with my real name on the cover.It's clear they look at slot action as proof you are in idiot. Careful, give them too much slot action and you'll prove them right. The holds can be enormous. You aren't doing it to win, never forget that and keep it to the min required. I stick to progressive slots when they are "up". Sorry I can't share more. The reasons should  obvious.Good Luck out there Happy New Year.P.S. The act of playing bad machines so that you'll be allowed to play good machines without heat is called, "Cover Action". Only use cover action at casinos that are worth the effort.

[OTABILL]

No, for sure not joking. I and one of my partners each ran $100,000 thru a local casino on good return VP, with the only difference being that I also played $5,000 on stupid silly slots. That's a mere 5% of what I put thru on VP.When monthly mailer time came I got two levels higher on my mailer, offers and comps. Two months later he was de-carded and asked not to play there anymore. I am still welcome and I have a freaking book on VP with my real name on the cover.It's clear they look at slot action as proof you are in idiot. Careful, give them too much slot action and you'll prove them right. The holds can be enormous. You aren't doing it to win, never forget that and keep it to the min required. I stick to progressive slots when they are "up". Sorry I can't share more. The reasons should  obvious.Good Luck out there Happy New Year.P.S. The act of playing bad machines so that you'll be allowed to play good machines without heat is called, "Cover Action". Only use cover action at casinos that are worth the effort.
 I assume they decarded him for winning consistently at VP. I thought that only happened to card counters at blackjack amongst honest players. I guess if I ever do well at VP (not likely), I better study slot machines. LOL  BTW, Harrahs gives you less total rewards points for VP then for regular slot play. Another reason we rarely go to their local property.