Are there really no good deals left in Vegas?
10-25-2021
, 04:32 PM
Quote:
Of course there are almost always "deals" if one is diligent, that is finding some bargain over what's generally available.
I think the OP is referring to the notion that experiencing LV (and possibly making some $ from it) is much more expensive than the past. For example, playing Blackjack decades ago was a profession easily obtained by quite a few players. Even semi pro tourists flying in could play Blackjack and pay for a lot of their trip costs. One could also make a decent chunk of change betting sports, but with player cards identifying +EV players (along with increased vig) that has become much more difficult. I don't need to describe what's happened to poker.
Costs for staying on the strip was not much more than downtown or the local casinos (e.g. Sam's Town). You can park at the Venetian for free, but driving from place to place on the strip now is basically unheard of with the $20+ parking fees. You can use Lyft, but you pay for that as well. One could get free vouchers from as far away as Baker for Orleans buffet, which was probably one of the better buffets in town. Somebody even offered a web site to track all of the coupon book offers. Some people even lived for free using those coupon books, with free food and match play $ providing for room fare.
Vegas basically went corporate and grew up. They are much smarter now identifying where to offer bargains so they get some identifiable return from it (e.g. players cards). They make money with food and entertainment, instead of using it as a carrot to lure people to gamble. And they are a lot better at identifying APs to increase their hold at the tables. Slots of course are a much bigger source of revenue than the past, benefiting primarily from technology improvements increasing appeal of the games. There are few bargains available for slot players, it is a guaranteed loss (although you might be able to play longer for the same $).
I think the OP is referring to the notion that experiencing LV (and possibly making some $ from it) is much more expensive than the past. For example, playing Blackjack decades ago was a profession easily obtained by quite a few players. Even semi pro tourists flying in could play Blackjack and pay for a lot of their trip costs. One could also make a decent chunk of change betting sports, but with player cards identifying +EV players (along with increased vig) that has become much more difficult. I don't need to describe what's happened to poker.
Costs for staying on the strip was not much more than downtown or the local casinos (e.g. Sam's Town). You can park at the Venetian for free, but driving from place to place on the strip now is basically unheard of with the $20+ parking fees. You can use Lyft, but you pay for that as well. One could get free vouchers from as far away as Baker for Orleans buffet, which was probably one of the better buffets in town. Somebody even offered a web site to track all of the coupon book offers. Some people even lived for free using those coupon books, with free food and match play $ providing for room fare.
Vegas basically went corporate and grew up. They are much smarter now identifying where to offer bargains so they get some identifiable return from it (e.g. players cards). They make money with food and entertainment, instead of using it as a carrot to lure people to gamble. And they are a lot better at identifying APs to increase their hold at the tables. Slots of course are a much bigger source of revenue than the past, benefiting primarily from technology improvements increasing appeal of the games. There are few bargains available for slot players, it is a guaranteed loss (although you might be able to play longer for the same $).
10-25-2021
, 04:33 PM
10-26-2021
, 12:15 AM
