Have you been a Vegas coach?

[pauldixon]

Periodically we get those questions..."How do you get such great offers to stay free in Las Vegas?"
That starts the conversation about only playing games with a low house edge- perfectly- being disciplined in your play- leveraging coupons- and the rest of the Las Vegas graduate course work we spend our time perfecting.

Sad to say most people- and many who I have brought to Las Vegas are unwilling to gain the knowledge or put in the time to be successful- however every once in a while there is a success story.

Recently a friend who had been going to Las Vegas for years, came back from his first successful trip. We had spent many a pleasant hour discussing the ins and outs of frugal gambling and I loaned him my treasured Jean Scott books. Unlike his previous trips, he had tutored himself on VP, studied VPfree carefully and played with discipline.  He was booked into three hotels over his long weekend trip since they were all free, had free play and free food at each of them....and...hit his first royal!
I must admit that I felt a sense of pride when I got the text message (and of course jealousy since I was here in Iowa shoveling snow while he was in Vegas).

He and I were talking today and his trip- and he is already anticipating his next trip!

Paul

[justmare]

Yep, I've tutored, but haven't had the same result as you. As much as I try, about the farthest I can get anyone to go is use a players card. (And not even all have gone that far.)

[knagl]

Yes and no.  I've never gone in depth about gaming because most of my friends are just going there for a vacation, not because they have any aspirations of being an advantage player.  I have explained to couples that they're better off playing on one card (ie. two people on the same card) instead of both of them playing on the same day on two different cards, and I've explained that video poker, with the best paytables, is one of the lowest edge games in the house when played correctly.  Most don't really have the interest to sit down with a trainer program for hours to learn, though.

I've also been happy to share my "Vegas tips" with friends who haven't been there before, or who have never ventured off the strip.  For the most part, those "tips" are just about where the best buffets (price and quality) can be found, casinos that they wouldn't otherwise check out like the M Resort, and the like.  Most everyone I've told about some of the outlying casinos had never even heard of them, but were very happy after checking them out based on my suggestions.

[Lolly]

My two adult kids have practically grownup in Vegas ( family vacations ) are my two success stories. They know not to pay full price for anything. They work the comp system the best they can,  with their amount of action.  They both get comp rooms and free play.
GVR calls son at least 4 times a year cold calling lol.

[tonystewartrules]

I done this for a quite a few. Many have gone with me the latest my cousin who went once 4 years ago with someone else. He was amazed at my knowledge of the area just driving around. Although my luck was poor until he was at airport he left a day early. I once before my next door neighbor was going the first time spent a long afternoon with some brews. We went over many key items. But the info we all have acquired is a lot more than a few tips. But is always nice to do and try to make their trip go a little better.

Terry

[tonystewartrules]

Yep, I've tutored, but haven't had the same result as you. As much as I try, about the farthest I can get anyone to go is use a players card. (And not even all have gone that far.)

Is it better to use a players card? benjammin always said they mess with your machine when you use one. And you will get more jackpots without it. Or take it in and fool them.

Terry

[lvfritz]

I'm chuckling over this one........not only have I taught, but I have been taught!  Been taught by people here and by people over at the LVA.

I learned from Justmare and others that are still tutoring people here and at the LVA.  But my favorite story comes from an LVAer of years gone by.  Some may recall a poster at LVA named Hchuckles.......Joan was her name.  We had exchanged some information at the good ol' LVA and then she talked about playing the Hilton's 9/6 JoB quarter 10 play.  A friend of mine had been touting me on giving the machine a tumble, but I thought (and I was likely right) that the machine was too rich for my blood.  I pm'd Joan to ask about her experiences with the 10 play.  I played some 50 and 100 play for pennies to get a feel for the multi line.  And finally Joan said that she sits down and plays $300 and can usually play for quite a while.  She suggested that I just give it a shot and see what happens......worst turnout is a $300 loss after running some points.  I finally decided to give it a shot.

Labor day week of 2004.  I put in my $300 scared to death.  Moving up to $12.50 a pull for a quarter player is quite a leap.  It was late in the day, and it didn't take long for a hooker to plop down next to me and start a conversation.....needless to say, I had to stop playing long enough to tell her that I had no interest in her conversation.  She and her friend stopped talking to me but were playing a single line game next to me, putting in single coins.  I was just hoping that they would leave when the unthinkable happened.  71 hands into my experiment, the machine dealt me a royal.  I sat there stunned.  As I was checking off 10, jack, queen, king and Ace for about the 3rd time, the machine locked up, flashing jackpot call attendant.

I always think back to Joan when I think of that win.  Without having the chance to talk to someone who had been there, and done that, I would have never sat down at that machine.  Thanks Joan!

Yes, I have touted Vegas newbies.  But I know that I haven't had the impact on them that Joan had on me.  Another poster had a siggy line that read, always willing to share what little I know.......that about says it all, doesn't it?

[calif.loves.vegas]

Oops. Didn't mean to post on this side.

[Lolly]

I always think back to Joan when I think of that win.  Without having the chance to talk to someone who had been there, and done that, I would have never sat down at that machine.  Thanks Joan!

Great story! I actually met Joan here in California.  She's  a class act.

I too, have learned a lot from Mare, another class act!

[justmare]

That is a great story, Fred. Joan was a super lady. Loved her and was really sorry when she stopped posting. I saw her and Dian at Caesars once after that -- just ran into them one day. Wish she would come back. I learned a ton from her, too.

I also learned a ton from Lolly! Girl, what are you talking about? You've taught ME, not the other way around! lol

[VegasFan]

I've given up on trying to teach/talk smarter gambling with most of my friends/family. They really don't get it or understand you can be an advantage player. Obviously I'm not doing it for my day job and I don't always come out ahead, but in the long run I would say you stand a better chance of being ahead then your average gambler for sure. We're all gamblers, some just a little more savvy then others.

[Lolly]

I also learned a ton from Lolly! Girl, what are you talking about? You've taught ME, not the other way around! lol

Thanks Mare but,  YOU really get in there and make sure you understand the nuts and bolts of an operation,  to fully optimize what your doing.   I just  will know something works or doesn't.  lol

I saw you over the course of a couple years, piece together the Harrah's inter working operation, like it was a crime scene!!

[lvfritz]

I am more like icasmedic......if someone asks a specific question, I will tell them what I know.  But I don't volunteer anything to newbies anymore.  You can see their eyes glass over when you start to explain coin in vs coin out, or vp strategies.  You mean there's more to that game than luck? 

[joespoolhall]

Over the years I have "coached" many about Vegas. A few have even joined LVA and taken advantage of deals to some extent. Then there are others that seemed interested to learn about deals, the difference between strip and locals pricing etc., but in talking to a lot of them after their trips, you know they didn't use the info. I think the typical occasional Vegas traveler is content to just pay the going rate and leave it at that. They might think that the deals take too much effort, I don't know. I enjoy talking Vegas and the deals available, but I don't go out of my way anymore to inform. I know that even if they seem interested at the time, chances are they won't apply it. If someone comes asking I'll tell though.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

[justmare]

Lolly -- and now it's all changed and we can't figure out any of it! LOL