sam: the numbers Harrahs is looking for

[sam]

Some of you may have seen recent posts on the Heartland 21 page about the changes in BJ that Harrahs made in mid-August at the Caesars Indiana store. It appears to be paying off for them. The August win % was 12.2; the September % was 17.6. The drop in Aug. was 13,428,307 and the Sept. drop was 12,170,456. The Aug. win was 1,649,905 and Sept. 2,146,917. I hope the difference in the drop was due to players avoiding the bad rules but it may just be a seasonal thing. I don't remember the win % ever being this high during Caesars seven year run. The tables seem as packed as ever as I walk through on my way to the poker room.

[Venom11]

I heard it's just seasonal, any updates?

[sam]

Mid-August they went to eight decks on all red chip games. Some auto shufflers were added to some tables. Prior to those changes the win % had consistently been in 12-14% range. I don't remember it ever being above 14%. Yesterday I was told some green chip tables were eight decks now also. The fourth floor high limit area is still six deck.

> I heard it's just seasonal, any updates?

[Lightning]

I think that the numbers will come back and bite them in the end. How many players will return over time given the higher house takes of the games. I do know of some players, although not counters, who were still fairly knowledgeable and played for fun. They would go on gaming adventures on average about four times a year. As the conditions in blackjack have deteriorated, they simply do not go anymore. I know some young people who just turned 21 who enjoy gaming. After making their first venture to gaming country, based on their observations, I doubt they will return to a gaming town. I think that the poor rules in casinos are good for quarterly profits, but will drive away long time and return customers. Perhaps casinos short term greed will win our long term, who knows. But either way, an interesting report on their profits.