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Thread: Traveling the country / minimizing expenses

  1. #1


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    Traveling the country / minimizing expenses

    Hi, i have been a successful player for several years now. I live in the Midwest, I have my own car, but im starting to burn out my local area and am thinking of a new approach.

    My approach is to travel the country and play only the best double deck games similar to what Kevin Blackwood did. My problem with this is the effect of expenses. I have a mid 5 figure bankroll as of now and want to limit expenses as much as i can so i can grow it to eventually the 6 figure mark. Ive played unrated my whole career and wonder if it has even been worth it.

    If i plan to travel the country, expenses will add up and maybe even nullify the gain from playing, so i think its time i play rated and try to get as many comps as i can to cover these expenses as much as i can that will come from flights, hotels, and cars. I have my own car but i rather not depreciate the vehicle by driving thousands of miles and going through these long road trips.

    Does anyone have an idea of what i can do that can minmize expenses but also be able to travel the country and maximize ev? Should i get a Total Rewards Caesars card and blast away at their comps and try to get Diamond Status?

    I think the idea of playing unrated is highly overstated anyway. I mean does it really matter if a casino gets your name and ID especially if youre already in the database. Flyers only last for a week or so anyway and you can still get flyered even without ever presenting an ID, so what benefit exactly comes from playing unrated anyway. Some casinos even have facial recognition and dont even need to see your id once youre databased. I feel as if i left so much money on the table early in my career by not playing rated, especially since i ended up giving them my id early on through their lies and intimidation and just not being on my toes at the time.

    Sigh..
    Last edited by Mrblackjack; 04-09-2018 at 04:57 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blackjackomaha's Avatar
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    Some suggestions:
    • Whenever possible, utilize employer-provided travel opportunities (conferences, training, etc) to aid AP.
    • Network with AP's --- trade accommodations at your home for accommodations when traveling, offer to rent a room/couch from someone (or go as far as AirBNB)
    • Plan stays in/around areas with low-cost or free public transportation. For example, an entity nearby that offers airport/casino shuttles.
    • Depending on how you complete your annual taxes, you might be able to deduct additional expenses from your winnings
    • Utilize credit card rewards to their fullest extent (intro offers, cash back, etc).
    • Team up with another AP to split expenses, find an AP in a location you're traveling to, etc.
    You don't score, until you SCORE!

  3. #3


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    Mrblackjack, do you play full time or recreationally?

  4. #4


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    You are in a similar situation to me, burnt out local casinos, thinking of travel, living in the Midwest. So far, I have just played in northern MS, other side of my state and trips to Law Vegas.

    You are absolutely right about playing rated. Despite now being in OSN, I still stay fee at CET, MGM, Trop, etc. Once I check in, I give a little play at the property I am comped in on one shift and later play unrated in the same and nearby casinos.

    I also play primarily DD games ($25 min) and about 15% 6 deck games ($10-15 min.).

    I am not as free as you so my trips have to be short duration for now (2-3 nights) but perhaps in future, I might get to extend to 3-4 nights. Total freedom to go on the road will only happen in Fall 2020 but I might be too old by then.

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by ZeeBabar View Post
    You are absolutely right about playing rated.
    MrBlackjack - have you been around long enough to know not to take Zee's advice? You've been smart to not play rated. Don't mess it up now.

  6. #6


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    fyi you don't have to blast away to get harrah's diamond status

    you just have to game the system through their various promotions

  7. #7


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    Quote Originally Posted by therefinery View Post
    MrBlackjack - have you been around long enough to know not to take Zee's advice? You've been smart to not play rated. Don't mess it up now.
    First, learn some English. Do you read my agreeing with the OP as " giving advice"? I also indicated my experience playing rated for the past 4 years and my experience following being listed in OSN.

    I guess your name, refinery refers to either being drunk or inhaling too many times working in one.

  8. #8


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    Quote Originally Posted by ZeeBabar View Post
    First, learn some English. Do you read my agreeing with the OP as " giving advice"? I also indicated my experience playing rated for the past 4 years and my experience following being listed in OSN.

    I guess your name, refinery refers to either being drunk or inhaling too many times working in one.
    It's the "advice" part you have a problem with? Let me try again, because the full quote is just too good:

    You are absolutely right about playing rated. Despite now being in OSN, I still stay fee at CET, MGM, Trop, etc. Once I check in, I give a little play at the property I am comped in on one shift and later play unrated in the same and nearby casinos.


    Advice or not, anyone who thinks they can learn from what you wrote here is on the wrong track. The last part of the second sentence confirms something I didn't want to believe: you really don't take what people say seriously. You actually think they don't relate your earlier rated play (on the same trip!) to your unrated play later? Get real, Zee.

  9. #9


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    Quote Originally Posted by therefinery View Post
    It's the "advice" part you have a problem with? Let me try again, because the full quote is just too good:



    Advice or not, anyone who thinks they can learn from what you wrote here is on the wrong track. The last part of the second sentence confirms something I didn't want to believe: you really don't take what people say seriously. You actually think they don't relate your earlier rated play (on the same trip!) to your unrated play later? Get real, Zee.[/COLOR]
    Refinery
    If you're going to call Zee stupid, do so with dignity and aplomb. Not saying I agree with Zee, but his advice us in line with his experience and frame of reference. It may have behoove him to state his 6d and dd ramps as a frame of reference - regardless, he's entitled to his, from his frame of reference, opinion.

    Zee
    Subtlety in response is a gift acquired. I recall Arnold's response from the 1984 Terminator movie - Fuck you asshole - now, that's subtle.

    https://youtu.be/zlJtohZSsfY

  10. #10


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    Quote Originally Posted by Freightman View Post
    Refinery
    If you're going to call Zee stupid, do so with dignity and aplomb. Not saying I agree with Zee, but his advice us in line with his experience and frame of reference. It may have behoove him to state his 6d and dd ramps as a frame of reference - regardless, he's entitled to his, from his frame of reference, opinion.

    Zee
    Subtlety in response is a gift acquired. I recall Arnold's response from the 1984 Terminator movie - Fuck you asshole - now, that's subtle.

    https://youtu.be/zlJtohZSsfY
    Actually, I think you just called him stupid because I certainly did not. I said what he wrote is not something to follow, and he doesn't take what others have told him on the subject seriously. Tell me where I'm wrong?

    Sorry, Freightman, your bias is showing.

  11. #11


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    Quote Originally Posted by therefinery View Post
    Actually, I think you just called him stupid because I certainly did not. I said what he wrote is not something to follow, and he doesn't take what others have told him on the subject seriously. Tell me where I'm wrong?

    Sorry, Freightman, your bias is showing.
    You implied, ergo you said.
    As for your allegation, I guess that depends on what the meaning if the word "is" is. Thank you Bill Clinton for that incredible line.

    https://youtu.be/Yp3TQf2xDc8

  12. #12


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    You’ve been good to not play rated. Eventually your lifetime win, visible on their computers, will result in having the ban hammer drop on you.

    It’s not gonna be glamorous. How thrifty are you? You may want to get used to the idea of sleeping in your car and eating granola bars.

  13. #13


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    Quote Originally Posted by hitthat16 View Post
    You’ve been good to not play rated. Eventually your lifetime win, visible on their computers, will result in having the ban hammer drop on you.

    It’s not gonna be glamorous. How thrifty are you? You may want to get used to the idea of sleeping in your car and eating granola bars.
    I have a different take.
    -don't play rated
    -don't sleep in your car, you have to much money on you
    -don't sleep in a flea bag, unsavoury types abound
    -sleeping in a car makes you more tired, more quickly. Do not play tired, it costs money
    -sleep and stay in reasonable accommodation. Make sure it's in or near your play area. Rest when necessary
    -do not maximize hours at the expense of playing tired. It will cost you money.
    -don't eat mounds if crappy fast food. Eat decently. Excercise. You'll be better off for it.
    -common sense is the order of the day
    -

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