Vegas baaayybeeee!!!

[StudiodeKadent]

Excuse the over-enthusiastic title.

But yes, I have recently arranged a small trip to the infamous Las Vegas.

I'll be staying mid-strip and will be performing my gambling mostly at Monte Carlo but will also be playing at Bellagio and ARIA on occasion (i.e. when table limits are lower). And I'll be staying at one of these three properties (I'd rather not disclose which).

As we know I'm a basic strategy BJ player, and I will be betting $25 to $30 dollars per hand. My bankroll for gambling will be able to tolerate this level of betting.

At least according to the Wizard Vegas BJ Survey, this kind of betting should be able to get Liberal Strip Rules (i.e. S17 DAS DA2 LS RSA 6D, HE 0.27%) at these properties at some (possibly most) times of the day.

Now, I will not be APing in any way. But I will be joining the MGM Mirage players club.

What I wish to ask people here is how to maximize my value for gaming.

At this level will I get a few nights on casino rate? Food comps?

I've heard "Four Hours A Day At $25" is the zone you start seeing casino rate rooms. Does this have to be done in one sitting at the same property? If I spread it over the properties I'm proposing to play at, will I be penalized?

Also, do I have to play in the property I am staying at in order to get room rate cuts?

Also, do the properties generally have courtesy busses at the airport?

How expensive are taxis in Vegas?

Any recommendations you'd make to a Vegas Virgin about to be, ahem, "deflowered" (excuse me whilst I puke over the metaphor)?

 

[fubster]

Can't really help, sorry. Have fun anyway. If you're gambling for fun, craps = awesome.

That's all I can really suggest haha

 

[StudiodeKadent]

Can't really help, sorry. Have fun anyway. If you're gambling for fun, craps = awesome.

That's all I can really suggest haha

Well, I'm mostly a blackjack player (and the house edge on pass line + odds in Craps is above that of liberal rules S17 BJ), but I might try out a $5 craps game ($5 on pass line, then take maximum odds) at some time.

 

[johndoe]

Well, I'm mostly a blackjack player (and the house edge on pass line + odds in Craps is above that of liberal rules S17 BJ), but I might try out a $5 craps game ($5 on pass line, then take maximum odds) at some time.

The house edge is higher in craps (~1.4% for the pass line), but there are far fewer bets per hour, so it's probably a wash (craps may even be cheaper). I'm not sure how the comp rates compare, though. If they lump you in with the average suckers placing bets with a 5-10% house edge, you're golden.

Regardless, play whatever game gives you more entertainment, given the cost.

I'm far from a comp expert, but if you play several hours (aggregate at MGM locations) at $25+ you'd definitely get a solid room discount and offers, if not a night or two free.

Just be sure to check the tables for S17, there are plenty of H17 tables in these stores too.

 

[StudiodeKadent]

The house edge is higher in craps (~1.4% for the pass line), but there are far fewer bets per hour, so it's probably a wash (craps may even be cheaper).

I was talking about pass line + taking the odds (betting the maximum allowed on the odds of course), which does have a lower aggregate house edge than H17 liberal rules blackjack. But yes, S17 liberal rules is better than doing the above at the craps table.

I'm not sure how the comp rates compare, though. If they lump you in with the average suckers placing bets with a 5-10% house edge, you're golden.

Regardless, play whatever game gives you more entertainment, given the cost.

I'm far from a comp expert, but if you play several hours (aggregate at MGM locations) at $25+ you'd definitely get a solid room discount and offers, if not a night or two free.

Just be sure to check the tables for S17, there are plenty of H17 tables in these stores too.

No problems. Thank you very much for the advice. I'll make sure I get an S17 table.

 

[Machinist]

Don't

I believe you get a much better ev if you play the DON'T? -.4 or something close to that ......maybe it was -.6...anyways....
Hey have a great time ...I envy anyone that can have a good time in a casino.
I used to, till i screwed it up for myself and started working at it ....
That's why i dont become a professional tournament fisherman... I love fishing to much to screw that up for me...

Have fun!!!!!!!!

Machinist

 

[StudiodeKadent]

I believe you get a much better ev if you play the DON'T? -.4 or something close to that ......maybe it was -.6...anyways....

Yeah, its about 0.1% better to play the "don't pass"/"lay odds" bet. But the "everyone wins together" thing is kind of what makes Craps fun, allegedly.

I won't be spending much time or cash at a Craps table. Just leaving the possibility of some $5 craps open if I want to try it out, that's all.

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

Playing the don't is slightly better, but be prepared to take verbal abuse from everyone at the table. Since you're generally playing craps for "enjoyment," you can eat the extra 0.1% and not look like a jerk, in my opinion.

For comps your best bet is still blackjack. Find the sloooooowest table possible, slow it down even further by making fun conversation, ordering drinks, talking to absolutely everyone, asking the dealer protocol questions, etc. Bet slightly bigger when being rated and when the floor comes back over to check on you, but don't be conspicuous. Visibly put chips in your pocket and take about 3/4 of them back out when you color up (it looks like you're not intentionally ratholing this way and ideally they'll think you pulled the full balance from your pocket).

You can find S17 DAS RSA LS at all 3 of those locations at the quarter level and above. You could probably limit your play to peak and near-peak times because you'll be able to get a crowded table. Good luck!

 

[shadroch]

Ways to pump up your comps.
1) Place large bets when you first sit down. The PB will watch you for your first few bets. Try to go $50 or more for your first five bets.
2) Drop your bets but keep an eye on him. Bet more when he's around.
3) Slow play.Play full tables. Sit out the last few hands of a shoe, take lots of bathroom breaks. Betting less hands per hour means you can bet more each hand and risk the same amount overall
4) tip the dealers and be nice to the pit crew. They are the ones deciding your comps. Who do you think gets over? The obnoxious player who looks at the crew as his enemy, or the friendly tourist type who makes the crew feel appreciated.
5) Be nice to your fellow players. Make having you at their table a pleasure for the dealer and the pit crew. Make them want you back.

 

[moo321]

Aria's DD probably has the lowest HA, for a BS player.

Honestly, though, your comp hustling will go much further downtown. $25 a hand should get you 3 square meals a day and a cheap/free room. Four queens was pretty good with comps when I was there. Golden Nugget will be the exception; not so good with comps.

 

[Homeschool]

If you have time before your trip and haven't read it , read Comp City by Max Rubin. It's a good start, and being just a BS player it will give you some pointers.

Homeschool

 

[StudiodeKadent]

For comps your best bet is still blackjack. Find the sloooooowest table possible, slow it down even further by making fun conversation, ordering drinks, talking to absolutely everyone, asking the dealer protocol questions, etc. Bet slightly bigger when being rated and when the floor comes back over to check on you, but don't be conspicuous. Visibly put chips in your pocket and take about 3/4 of them back out when you color up (it looks like you're not intentionally ratholing this way and ideally they'll think you pulled the full balance from your pocket).

You can find S17 DAS RSA LS at all 3 of those locations at the quarter level and above. You could probably limit your play to peak and near-peak times because you'll be able to get a crowded table. Good luck!

Lonesome,

Thanks very much for the advice. I'll make sure to play slow, chit-chat and the like. As for the bet fluctuation when the Pit-Boss is near (I believe this trick is called "Comp Counting" right?), I admit I am somewhat hesitant to try this... I am not planning to bet more than $30 a hand, but going from $30 to $25 would still be useful, right? Or should I just not bother?

And thanks for the advice regarding busy tables. In general I tend to go for busy tables since they're more entertaining (gambling alone and fast with no chat is really dull), so I'll take that advice for sure.

Ways to pump up your comps.
1) Place large bets when you first sit down. The PB will watch you for your first few bets. Try to go $50 or more for your first five bets.
2) Drop your bets but keep an eye on him. Bet more when he's around.
3) Slow play.Play full tables. Sit out the last few hands of a shoe, take lots of bathroom breaks. Betting less hands per hour means you can bet more each hand and risk the same amount overall
4) tip the dealers and be nice to the pit crew. They are the ones deciding your comps. Who do you think gets over? The obnoxious player who looks at the crew as his enemy, or the friendly tourist type who makes the crew feel appreciated.
5) Be nice to your fellow players. Make having you at their table a pleasure for the dealer and the pit crew. Make them want you back.

Thanks for that advice. 3, 4 and 5 will certainly be taken. 1 and 2... tentatively, and again I won't be betting more than $30 per hand (as stated above).



Thanks for all the advice. Do the properties usually have courtesy busses at the Airport, by the way?

 

[shadroch]

Harrahs doesn't. I don't know about MGM.
If you are by yourself I'd go with the CLS shuttle. It's about $16 roundtrip and far superior to the other shuttle companies, especially for your return to the airport.

 

[StudiodeKadent]

Harrahs doesn't. I don't know about MGM.
If you are by yourself I'd go with the CLS shuttle. It's about $16 roundtrip and far superior to the other shuttle companies, especially for your return to the airport.

Thanks very much for the advice. CLS shuttle... thanks.

I won't be gambling at Harrah's properties on principle. Eating once at Paris's buffet... well I might do that (I've heard its one of the top 4 buffets on the strip).

 

[shadroch]

My friends like the Paris buffet, I don't. It's top- heavy with French food. Go figure.