Low Level VP Heat

Just figured I would ask this before I got started on any kind of playing schedule.

I am thinking of playing at several casinos for maybe 1 day every 2 weeks or 1 day a month. Get a Player's Card, get in their system for mailers etc. There are maybe 2 casinos in my mind right now that I would like to play at regularly as more of a "work shift" type of arrangement(6-8 hour days, 5-6 days a week) after I get settled in. I will play quarters and nickles and do not plan on playing any machine that will give a payout higher than $1199.

Just seeing if I will attract any type of heat for this or if I should be far enough under the radar to put in a daily grind.

All tips, info and suggestions are always appreciated.

IMO staying away from 1200 payouts is silly. If you are playing a game that is worthwhile to play as a job then you should be playing for more than quarters. I am not expert, that is just my opinion.

Quote: Perdition

There are maybe 2 casinos in my mind right now that I would like to play at regularly as more of a "work shift" type of arrangement(6-8 hour days, 5-6 days a week) after I get settled in. I will play quarters and nickles ....

What do you think your hourly EV will be playing 30-48 hours/week on quarter machines, including comps?

Quote: MathExtremist

What do you think your hourly EV will be playing 30-48 hours/week on quarter machines, including comps?

3-8 dollars maybe? All comp earning will be reduced because of higher % machines so pretty much just playing to tread water or be up a little over the course of a week or so. Best case scenario is I earn free food and maybe a prize like a wallet with money, freeplay or whatever the trinket of the month is. Guess depends on the promotions and how many same day points they want you to grind out.

Quote: GWAE

IMO staying away from 1200 payouts is silly. If you are playing a game that is worthwhile to play as a job then you should be playing for more than quarters. I am not expert, that is just my opinion.

I'm not sure his reasons for avoiding taxable payouts. Some people can't sign w2g's due to government programs and other things. Only playing .25 non taxables will not be very lucrative without a ton of effort. Sitting in a few casinos playing FPDW for mail will get old real quick.

Quote: AxelWolf

I'm not sure his reasons for avoiding taxable payouts. Some people can't sign w2g's due to government programs and other things. Only playing .25 non taxables will not be very lucrative without a ton of effort. Sitting in a few casinos playing FPDW for mail will get old real quick.

Simply a game for fleas.

Well going back to the original question, if I stay at one casino for a long period of time everyday playing VP at these levels, should I expect any issues or should I be ok?

Quote: GWAE

IMO staying away from 1200 payouts is silly. If you are playing a game that is worthwhile to play as a job then you should be playing for more than quarters. I am not expert, that is just my opinion.

I find it depends on if you're already itemizing your taxes... because if you aren't... you won't be able to deduct your losses from a potential w2g. In which case, you're adding a huge amount of -EV to the game.

Quote: ahiromu

I find it depends on if you're already itemizing your taxes... because if you aren't... you won't be able to deduct your losses from a potential w2g. In which case, you're adding a huge amount of -EV to the game.

but if you are doing this for a living you should be paying taxes on these winnings so a W2g is irrelevant. I guess this would be a whole other topic that we should just avoid.

You should get little to no heat playing at that level at any casino in Vegas.

Quote: Perdition

Well going back to the original question, if I stay at one casino for a long period of time everyday playing VP at these levels, should I expect any issues or should I be ok?

Why would you want to play at only one casino? Spread your play around among the local type places. The beauty of Vegas is that because of competion, especially among the 'local' type casinos, is that mail offers are disproportionately high for the amount of play required to generate those offers. Play a number of these places and start getting these monthly mailers.

I am a blackjack guy. Blackjack is my bread and butter and accounts for most of my income. But, when I moved to Vegas and discovered how VP and the mailers work, it us just too good not to take advantage of it. I think it works best as a supplemental thing, although I know there are some that do this as their primary form of AP. I couldn't do it fulltime. I don't like machine play. Luckily, I have a playing partner now and he enjoys machine play, so he now handles all our machine play, which is mailers from 15-18 casinos per month and between the two of us we have at least 2 accounts at each. :-) So he gets his fix of machine play @+EV, and I can focus on my blackjack.

Since my partner and I eat out at a casino at least once a day (our big meal) and often twice a day, the food comps are an extra bonus, that folks might not figure in.

If you play your cards right (pardon the pun) you can grind out a low level income on the 100%+ quarter machines, and also get free food vouchers. Many casinos offer free buffets if you earn so many points in a day so you can add that as well. Combine this with drawings (longshots but a big bankroll boost should you win), and very limited mailers you can do pretty well if you live cheap. No need to cook, just eat out and leave a tip for food and drinks. Remember tips could eat into your earnings bigtime on quarters. Try to play at places that offer comp points as well as cashback. Your life will revolve around multiple point days. Good variance to you.

Forgot to answer your question: I'm a low level flea and never got any heat. Mostly from people who can't stand smokers in a smoking area who plop right next to me. I actually engage in light conversation with slot hosts/change girls since I'm in the same areas over and over. As long as you tip on a handpay (you won't have this problem) you should be fine.

Thank you to everyone for the advice and suggestions.

So I guess I will be categorized as a flea. Does that mean the casino will look down on me or just other players? Also the only tips I should have to worry about is making sure the drink girls get money if I ask for a water, milk, juice, soda etc. right?

I don't understand. Why would anyone get heat for VP play regardless of denomination?

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Winning players get trespassed and no mailed (receive no mailers) and get other benefits cut. This usually happens when playing higher denominations (dollars or higher) because it hurts the casino's bottom line more but can also happen playing quarters. They advertise 100%+ payback games to get losing players (players playing the wrong strategy) to play these games or visit their casinos thinking that they have better games and lose, not to attract players playing the correct strategy which they cannot beat in the long run.

Quote: Perdition

Thank you to everyone for the advice and suggestions.

So I guess I will be categorized as a flea. Does that mean the casino will look down on me or just other players? Also the only tips I should have to worry about is making sure the drink girls get money if I ask for a water, milk, juice, soda etc. right?

Only a really rude person would call you a flea for what you are doing. As long as you are pleasant to Staff that you come across you're just another player playing. You won't even be a blip on the radar.

Good luck and have fun with it!


ZCore13