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Thread: Expenses

  1. #1


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    Expenses

    My planned Las Vegas trip this fall has now turned into a family birthday celebration for my wife. I will now have my wife, daughter, mother-in-law and sister-in-law with me. What was going to be an AP only trip will now also include the Grand Canyon, boat tour on the Colorado river, Cirque du Soleil etc. Will also have to rent a mini-van instead of a small car. No possible way this trip will be financial +EV, but at least it will be family +EV. In my 20's, I would ride the bus for 17 hours to get to Reno and have a total of about $200 in expenses for a whole week. Now I will be spending $200 on each lunch. My question is whether it would be worth it to play rated at a few stores for this trip? Typically I am fine with a sandwich from the food court, as it is quick and I can spend more time at the tables. With a large party, RFB comps become much more attractive. In the past if I got a $50 food comp, I would only count it as $10 as that was the amount I was going to spend at Subway, even if I ended up having a steak instead, but now with extra mouths to feed (and serve drinks, and take to shows) would anyone consider playing rated?

  2. #2


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    Quote Originally Posted by Old, but not dead View Post
    My planned Las Vegas trip this fall has now turned into a family birthday celebration for my wife.
    At least we know who wears the pants in your house. In my house, I get a weekly allowance. So I suppose we are in the same boat. All of this is just meant for good fun.

  3. #3


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    Your question is more complex than what was presented.

    Do you have good cover for the games you are going to play? Do the include double deck on the strip?

    What $ level are you playing and does that level generate enough EV to warrant the risk of backoff, flyering and tresspass?

    Generally, if you plan on tombstoning to generate enough play for the comps, then your risk of countermeasures goes up exponetially. If you plan on a hit and run methodology (less than one hour sessions) you will have better cover but more difficulty generating meaningful comps in a short trip.

    So, consider these issues and perhaps some others, like store tolerance and store comp policies, and you will likely see why a your question does not warrant a yes or no answer.
    Luck is nothing more than probability taken personally!

  4. #4


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    Quote Originally Posted by Stealth View Post
    Your question is more complex than what was presented.

    Do you have good cover for the games you are going to play? Do the include double deck on the strip?

    What $ level are you playing and does that level generate enough EV to warrant the risk of backoff, flyering and tresspass?

    Generally, if you plan on tombstoning to generate enough play for the comps, then your risk of countermeasures goes up exponetially. If you plan on a hit and run methodology (less than one hour sessions) you will have better cover but more difficulty generating meaningful comps in a short trip.

    So, consider these issues and perhaps some others, like store tolerance and store comp policies, and you will likely see why a your question does not warrant a yes or no answer.
    I generally like to play hit and run, so I normally play unrated, as short sessions will not generate comps. This time however my 80+ year old mother-in-law will be along. She will not want to be changing casinos every hour, so I can see myself playing some longer sessions. i was thinking that the casinos I played long sessions in I would use an extra polite spread, just enough to be +EV and hopefully get some comps in return for my polite betting. Still trying to decide if it is worth it, or if I should try and remain anonymous.

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by BoSox View Post
    At least we know who wears the pants in your house. In my house, I get a weekly allowance. So I suppose we are in the same boat. All of this is just meant for good fun.
    I wear the pants in my home.......................WHEN MY WIFE LETS ME.

  6. #6


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    Quote Originally Posted by Old, but not dead View Post
    I generally like to play hit and run, so I normally play unrated, as short sessions will not generate comps. This time however my 80+ year old mother-in-law will be along. She will not want to be changing casinos every hour, so I can see myself playing some longer sessions. i was thinking that the casinos I played long sessions in I would use an extra polite spread, just enough to be +EV and hopefully get some comps in return for my polite betting. Still trying to decide if it is worth it, or if I should try and remain anonymous.
    Earlier this year, I planned a Vegas trip. Probably a week or so prior to plane ride, one of my sons wanted a break, and also wanted to come with me.

    I said yes, my wife worked out an equitable division of expense, which had my son burdened with an IHOP breakfast, while I got off lucky, concerned only with airfare, hotels and most other meals. Further, it was my additional pleasure to buy presents for my grand kids.

    I simply decided to enjoy myself with my son, which meant I did not maximize my hours for profit purposes, and we had a blast. I managed an operational profit, though it was insufficient to cover all expenses. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

    A couple of months later, my other boy and I went away for a father son weekend, though no gambling destination was involved. Do these things while you can. These are good memories.

  7. #7


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    The more I think about it, the more I realize I am not going to have much AP opportunity on this trip with the family along. Will just use as a scouting trip, and play a few short hit and run sessions or any AP opportunities as they appear.

    New Email:

    APinVancouver at gmail

  8. #8


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    Quote Originally Posted by Old, but not dead View Post
    The more I think about it, the more I realize I am not going to have much AP opportunity on this trip with the family along. Will just use as a scouting trip, and play a few short hit and run sessions or any AP opportunities as they appear.

    New Email:

    APinVancouver at gmail
    Depends on how you will be spending most of your time.... if just a few big tourist traps on a strip, maybe rated, get a few comped buffet and count that as your ev.

    Save some of more juicy places at night. Then do some hit and run. I did a similar thing a few years ago, and I am probably a few years younger than you. Everyone was happy, but did get a little much after a few nights.

  9. #9


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    family and loved ones can be excellent cover.

  10. #10


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    Quote Originally Posted by RTR2021 View Post
    family and loved ones can be excellent cover.
    This is so true. My best ever trip was when I got married in Lake Tahoe. Paid for the wedding chapel at Harvey's, Limo, Photographer, Flowers and dinner cruise for 20 people on the MS Dixie all in cash from winnings on the trip. Played with my brother, friends, uncle etc. We would drink beer and discuss the upcoming wedding while I was spreading like crazy, and no one cared because of all he wedding talk. Was getting 1 x $5 to 3 x $100 spread on single deck with no heat. Good times
    Last edited by Old, but not dead; 06-26-2019 at 03:15 PM. Reason: typo

  11. #11


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    Quote Originally Posted by RTR2021 View Post
    family and loved ones can be excellent cover.
    Now my mother-in-law drives me nuts when I play with her. Asks advice on how to play hands, but then doesn't take it. Plays the side bet all the time, even though she knows it is bad odds, and slows the table down to a snails pace. She also hides her cards when I am trying to make an insurance decision.....can't play with her, and my wife doesn't play. Only been to a casino once with my sister in law, and we got drunk playing nickel video poker.....more good times . Hopefully I can teach my daughter at least basic strategy, but she will be at the pool, or in the mall, and probably not the casino.
    Last edited by Old, but not dead; 06-26-2019 at 03:16 PM. Reason: typo

  12. #12


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    Quote Originally Posted by Old, but not dead View Post
    My planned Las Vegas trip this fall has now turned into a family birthday celebration for my wife. I will now have my wife, daughter, mother-in-law and sister-in-law with me. What was going to be an AP only trip will now also include the Grand Canyon, boat tour on the Colorado river, Cirque du Soleil etc. Will also have to rent a mini-van instead of a small car. No possible way this trip will be financial +EV, but at least it will be family +EV. In my 20's, I would ride the bus for 17 hours to get to Reno and have a total of about $200 in expenses for a whole week. Now I will be spending $200 on each lunch. My question is whether it would be worth it to play rated at a few stores for this trip? Typically I am fine with a sandwich from the food court, as it is quick and I can spend more time at the tables. With a large party, RFB comps become much more attractive. In the past if I got a $50 food comp, I would only count it as $10 as that was the amount I was going to spend at Subway, even if I ended up having a steak instead, but now with extra mouths to feed (and serve drinks, and take to shows) would anyone consider playing rated?
    Pick a chain (cough cough theformerTR) for your base. Their BJ is awful. Play rated, with a polite break-even spread. Play VP. PM me if you want to find the best machine in your casino. Get everyone in the family to get a card, and use the combined comps to minimize expenses. If you don't have one already, get a TR credit card. That automatically makes you Platinum, and you'll get a reward dinner plus two free show tickets. You don't even have to use the card.

    Go to Groupon and pre-buy buffet passes. Let the family load up. Then you only have one other small meal to cover. You can also go to Vegas.com and buy discounted show tickets.

    Don't rent a car. Use uber, the trams, the monorail, or get a day pass for the bus. The freedom of a car isn't worth the stress of driving in Vegas, imho.

    In the early AM, while they're asleep, sneak out to play some sweet games before the table minimums are raised. An added benefit is you can often get heads up. So instead of quantity, you'll have quality.

  13. #13


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    The last few times I went I did get a car. just depends how far away from the strip you’re venturing to. Car is cheap and most places have free parking. While on the strip, yes uber, lift are the ways to go.

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