In a recent offline discussion concerning my frustration of the lack of comp/accrual points experienced recently by a large Strip property, I received this insightful historical explanation from the one and only Molly Bloom. In a rare event, indeed, she has given me her gracious permission to post her words here for your perusal and enjoyment. Have some Kleenex handy.
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When the Strip featured the El Rancho Vegas, The Frontier and The Flamingo--the first three Vegas Strip resorts in order of appearance--there was a conscious attempt to distance themselves as true carpeted palaces from their downtown sawdust joint brethren. Since that time in the 1940s the distance has only become more apparent and real. I could go on but time won't let me (anyway, I've always been an Outsider).
All to answer your question about Vegas--in the last few years formulas for figuring table game theoreticals have been radically altered by the bean counters who have enlisted their IT departments and corralled a few devious but knowledgeable casino people to do the dirty work. You get less for more in the ongoing campaign to turn tables into slots machines (a la Mindplay). The ripple effect has meant that most hosts have been relegated to a "Just say 'No' " policy. Shortly, the need for table hosts will be obliterated except at the uppermost levels. Gone the way of the coccyx. Gotta evolution, gotta evolution!
For a player at the red/green level, I'm sorry to say there is little hope for comp point accrual/ great hotel offers in Las Vegas. The situation elsewhere differs somewhat but LV has always been a bit different.
I'm just giving you the straight news. In the "good ole days" hosts existed to attempt to drive a red chip player into green-land and the greenies into the great black void and upwards. The powers that be don't care about your play any longer. They realize most players aren't going to progress into lifetime losers and will not waste millions marketing to the few who do.
In fact, when I went back to Vegas last week, several casinos had just initiated polices that limited comp point accrual to a brief 30-day window. That's right. You must use up your points within that time frame or lose them forever. There's little you can do if you are an infrequent flyer. Use 'em or lose 'em. And these two places market themselves as locals joints in certain respects.
I wasn't even supposed to know about this new policy--they don't announce these things with pride--but I specialize in having ears all over. I was warned about one place the day they had a meeting to nail it causing me to run right over to their gift shop and loot the place for gifts for all the kids. Mailed everything home. I left seven points in my account to make a point. Think they'll care? Nahhhh.
The larger Strip spas have gone to a dual comp policy. The player has a limited amount of available funds in her/his account. A larger percentage is withheld or "banked" by the casino. If a player wishes to access this larger portion, she/he must appeal/grovel to the proper authorities. In other words, if you wish to go to the coffee shop or buffet--no problem. But for fine dining or larger purchases, you need to ask mom or dad if you can have your allowance. Comps, good room rates, and all other goodies are handed out at the discretion of each property and owned by casinos, not the players. They have the right to change their policies, control the comps, or revoke them at any time. You have no "rights" to these. Of course, no marketing, credit monger, or host in her/his right mind (now there's an oxymoron) is going to proclaim this with pride. But it has always been true.
In the mad 90s, when casinos were sprouting like Spring blossoms in an unprecedented national surge, many current players got accustomed to gathering comps points and good room values like small furry animals, squirreling their points to use at will. They got used to easy policies. With the introduction of Harrah's national players club card, other large multi-properties succumbed as well, linking properties from the East Coast and Midwest to the West. The winds have shifted. Less for more.
Bottom line--they just don't care about you--or me. If you haven't gotten familiar with the concept, get used to it.
Comps were initiated as a way to fight competition and reward loyalty. Casinos of the new millennium view tables as a necessary evil and not much more. They aren't willing to spend any more than it takes to have you come and play. They want slot players and more slot players. We are a nuisance. Smart players have always been so. If my hosts all look at me sheepishly, embarrassed, and tell me there's not much they can do--and these people go way back with me, there's little hope for someone like you.
Most industry floor people and dealers are keeping their eyes focused on next year when Wynn's new hotel opens. Currently, there's a logjam. For the last few years (Nov. and Dec. 2001), since Palms and Green Valley Ranch opened, there hasn't been a new property of note that opened (The Cannery?). Many are hoping to get new jobs with Wynn which will free up their current positions. But I wouldn't look to Wynn LV as a savior for players. This is a high-end carpet joint, descended directly from the first three Strip properties with Bellagio as the most recent reference--not exactly red and green chip playgrounds for regular comps and room values. And other mid-Strip properties that will benefit from Wynn's opening--the Frontier, Stardust, newest Sands/Venetian creation, etc. are in the same position. They aren't going to welcome red and green chip players with open arms. They will tolerate limited mid-week action but will not spend much money or waste comp points to drive it.
Caveat emptor.
Best as always,
Molly Bloom
======================================================
When the Strip featured the El Rancho Vegas, The Frontier and The Flamingo--the first three Vegas Strip resorts in order of appearance--there was a conscious attempt to distance themselves as true carpeted palaces from their downtown sawdust joint brethren. Since that time in the 1940s the distance has only become more apparent and real. I could go on but time won't let me (anyway, I've always been an Outsider).
All to answer your question about Vegas--in the last few years formulas for figuring table game theoreticals have been radically altered by the bean counters who have enlisted their IT departments and corralled a few devious but knowledgeable casino people to do the dirty work. You get less for more in the ongoing campaign to turn tables into slots machines (a la Mindplay). The ripple effect has meant that most hosts have been relegated to a "Just say 'No' " policy. Shortly, the need for table hosts will be obliterated except at the uppermost levels. Gone the way of the coccyx. Gotta evolution, gotta evolution!
For a player at the red/green level, I'm sorry to say there is little hope for comp point accrual/ great hotel offers in Las Vegas. The situation elsewhere differs somewhat but LV has always been a bit different.
I'm just giving you the straight news. In the "good ole days" hosts existed to attempt to drive a red chip player into green-land and the greenies into the great black void and upwards. The powers that be don't care about your play any longer. They realize most players aren't going to progress into lifetime losers and will not waste millions marketing to the few who do.
In fact, when I went back to Vegas last week, several casinos had just initiated polices that limited comp point accrual to a brief 30-day window. That's right. You must use up your points within that time frame or lose them forever. There's little you can do if you are an infrequent flyer. Use 'em or lose 'em. And these two places market themselves as locals joints in certain respects.
I wasn't even supposed to know about this new policy--they don't announce these things with pride--but I specialize in having ears all over. I was warned about one place the day they had a meeting to nail it causing me to run right over to their gift shop and loot the place for gifts for all the kids. Mailed everything home. I left seven points in my account to make a point. Think they'll care? Nahhhh.
The larger Strip spas have gone to a dual comp policy. The player has a limited amount of available funds in her/his account. A larger percentage is withheld or "banked" by the casino. If a player wishes to access this larger portion, she/he must appeal/grovel to the proper authorities. In other words, if you wish to go to the coffee shop or buffet--no problem. But for fine dining or larger purchases, you need to ask mom or dad if you can have your allowance. Comps, good room rates, and all other goodies are handed out at the discretion of each property and owned by casinos, not the players. They have the right to change their policies, control the comps, or revoke them at any time. You have no "rights" to these. Of course, no marketing, credit monger, or host in her/his right mind (now there's an oxymoron) is going to proclaim this with pride. But it has always been true.
In the mad 90s, when casinos were sprouting like Spring blossoms in an unprecedented national surge, many current players got accustomed to gathering comps points and good room values like small furry animals, squirreling their points to use at will. They got used to easy policies. With the introduction of Harrah's national players club card, other large multi-properties succumbed as well, linking properties from the East Coast and Midwest to the West. The winds have shifted. Less for more.
Bottom line--they just don't care about you--or me. If you haven't gotten familiar with the concept, get used to it.
Comps were initiated as a way to fight competition and reward loyalty. Casinos of the new millennium view tables as a necessary evil and not much more. They aren't willing to spend any more than it takes to have you come and play. They want slot players and more slot players. We are a nuisance. Smart players have always been so. If my hosts all look at me sheepishly, embarrassed, and tell me there's not much they can do--and these people go way back with me, there's little hope for someone like you.
Most industry floor people and dealers are keeping their eyes focused on next year when Wynn's new hotel opens. Currently, there's a logjam. For the last few years (Nov. and Dec. 2001), since Palms and Green Valley Ranch opened, there hasn't been a new property of note that opened (The Cannery?). Many are hoping to get new jobs with Wynn which will free up their current positions. But I wouldn't look to Wynn LV as a savior for players. This is a high-end carpet joint, descended directly from the first three Strip properties with Bellagio as the most recent reference--not exactly red and green chip playgrounds for regular comps and room values. And other mid-Strip properties that will benefit from Wynn's opening--the Frontier, Stardust, newest Sands/Venetian creation, etc. are in the same position. They aren't going to welcome red and green chip players with open arms. They will tolerate limited mid-week action but will not spend much money or waste comp points to drive it.
Caveat emptor.
Best as always,
Molly Bloom
