Gambling Forums

dewey089 · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject:

I was content with the Four Queens rooms. Most reports I hear are folks being content. From all I've read I suspect that they are not as nice as Golden Nugget or Main Street Station, but may be as nice as California and are better than the old Binions when they were open or Plaza or Vegas Club or Golden Gate.

I did have one experience while staying there I did not like.
I was down playing my buddy Gator Dan's Silver Strike collector's money through the silver strike machine and another collector came up and told me the Palms had issued their $200 coin that day.
These are what the collectors really crave. They turn in the $10 coins for the $200. He also said he would drive me over, so I went to my room to get the $200 in Palms Silver Strikes I had won at the Palms the day before.
The maid was cleaning.
She let me in by my showing her a key but without having me use my key, and let me sort the strikes all across the bed while she finished up the bathroom and then she left. I could have been anyone with any old key.
I could have taken everything in the room and walked away with no trouble. I did take $200 in Silver Strikes out to trade at the Palms and no one questioned me.

I generally travel alone and I just don't bother with maid service. I call housekeeping in the morning and cancel service. I leave the do not disturb sign on the door.
If I see the maids in the hallway, I remind them "no service today" and usually try out a bit of my Spanish to grab an extra towel or banter a bit.
I trust the maids not to steal, but I don't trust the rooms to be safe while they clean.

Don't forget that you can use the Binions pool if you stay at the Four Queens.

MaryP · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject:

I think you're right about the 4 Queens.

"By the way, here is a question. Is there any downside to taking cashback and not having a huge point balance. Lucky Pete thinks he gets more offers from say the Four Queens when his point balance is high. I think it must not be like that."

I usually play on the strip or a locals place. I did spend a lot of time on the quarter 10/7 bonus poker against the wall at 4 Queens. It has been a while but I think they are progressives as well. I won money but still get lots of mailers from them and they are definitely good ones. Free rooms and free play. I think the last free play was for $150. This is quite good when I consider that I took my money out and asked for and received a comped dinner for me and my husband. Even though it has been a while they continue to send good offers. I will consider playing there in the future although I am not so sure about staying there. I really don't know any thing about their rooms so if anybody on this forum does I would appreciate the information. I usually take my cash after too many stories about people losing it. New owners or other reasons so why take a chance. I don't see a negative effect on my offers. If anything they are the same or better than if I leave my money where it is. I used to leave it if I knew I was coming back.

dewey089 · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject:

This week we visited Bank of America and opened a Total Rewards charge account. Once charge every six months keeps my points fresh.

I did send a few Harrah's cards and a few dollars with my buddy Lucky Pete who is in Vegas or Laughlin as I write.

One or the other methods will keep me current. I don't have many, but I hate to be wiped out, especially if that changes the way my offers go.

By the way, here is a question. Is there any downside to taking cashback and not having a huge point balance. Lucky Pete thinks he gets more offers from say the Four Queens when his point balance is high. I think it must not be like that.

LBoyd · Moderator Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 861

Dewey Wrote:

dewey089 · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:23 am Post subject:

MaryP · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject:

I enjoy reading all of your tips. It really helps me to save money in ways I would never thing of on my own, so thank you Dewey.

"And for this call I did not have to pay the $10 processing fee either. Apparently changing a reservation entails no fee, so the frugal way to book is to book something on line, wait a while, and then call.

I also had three nights booked at the Imperial Palace, but I could only use my "offers" in one Harrah's property.

So, it seems that early booking on the Rewards site saves money. Then it seems that just as the "offers" show for the dates booked, a call to Harrah's may save more money. "

I plan on following your suggestions for future bookings.

dewey089

HARRAH'S

My next trip is in April. Generally I go in August and December. I avoid conventions. I stay downtown or slip away to Laughlin where the VP is still full pay.
However, I am changing my gambling focus, dropping intense VP play and concentrating on live poker.
For live poker the strip is a better place to play. And conventions are very good things. Casinos don't change the odds at the poker table. People and their quality of play do.

Now, I play no one armed bandits. Generally I go unnoticed by casino marketing. But my Harrah's poker play around the country apparently has attracted some attention, and I am getting my best deals on their Rewards site using my card.

So I booked there a month ago.
Now here is the weird thing about that site. Once you make a booking, you can't book again on line for that month in any Harrah's properties. They don't want you to get two rooms at your special rate. You have to call. You don't have to pay the $10 processing fee for the call because it is the fault of the computer. They waived that when I asked.

You also can't see what they call your "offers."

When I booked there were no "offers" for April. I booked too early.
But I am a book and rebook frugal guy even when staying on the strip, so last night I decided to call and see what was what. I had to change my dates anyway.

I had booked Flamingo for five cheap nights, ($40)
I explained my dilemma to the booking operator. She agreed that I could not see rates to decide if I wanted to rebook to save money. She was surprised I could not see my offers, but I suggested that she could see my offers so would she mind looking to see if I was missing any good deals.
Since I booked, the rewards rates had gone up $25 over the five nights. But my offers included two free nights. So she rebooked me. I saved $80-$25 or $55 plus 12% =$62

And for this call I did not have to pay the $10 processing fee either. Apparently changing a reservation entails no fee, so the frugal way to book is to book something on line, wait a while, and then call.

I also had three nights booked at the Imperial Palace, but I could only use my "offers" in one Harrah's property.

So, it seems that early booking on the Rewards site saves money. Then it seems that just as the "offers" show for the dates booked, a call to Harrah's may save more money.
What surprised me most was the two comped nights. Poker play does not often generate many free nights.