Mission146 Articles
Quote: Mission146VP at least? That was nice of them.
Nothing good though as you can imagine.
Here is an issue of, 'People in Gambling," featuring him:
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/people-in-gambling-eliot-jacobson-phd/
It just worked for me, might have been temporary
I'm jinxed, my computer doesn't like me. the title is part two but the error pages reads part three not found.Quote: Mission146https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/know-the-laws-part-II/
It just worked for me, might have been temporary
Between my mouse and my luck, I'm about ready to pack it in.
One thing about jurisdictions is that civil lawsuits can change casinos behavior.
In Vegas minors can't be alone or sit at a table or gamble but in some casinos the only way to get to the hotel is thru the casino.
Yet in Biloxi if a minor goes one foot past the security guard its citation time, not warning but criminal record. One woman was challenged by a guard and she ran three steps to catch up with her boyfriend's hip pocket for her id and she was darn near tackled by the guard.
Quote: FleaStiffIn Vegas minors can't be alone or sit at a table or gamble but in some casinos the only way to get to the hotel is thru the casino.
Yet in Biloxi if a minor goes one foot past the security guard its citation time, not warning but criminal record.
Flea,
Hmmm... maybe for an unattended minor.
However, I often see minors (with one or more adults) at Biloxi casinos walk through the casino to get to the buffet, for example.
Also, the entrance to the live-stage theater at the Beau Rivage is quite a ways inside the casino. I have seen long lines of mostly children (again, with an adult) in line to see the Xmas special (or similar). The kids get to watch nearby slot players for several minutes as the line inches toward the actual theater entrance.
And, the floor layout at the Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi is totally screwed up. There is no way to get to the hotel registration desk without passing through some part of the gaming area. Also, one cannot go from the hotel registration desk to the hotel elevators without going past the small "smoke free" slot area that is immediately across from the ice-cream and candy shop (which I believe I have seen kids can walk to without an adult accompanying them).
In my experience, the casinos (try to) keep reasonable security around these "blended" areas.
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/news-and-notes-24/
1. Revel Finally Sold and Rebranded Ocean Resort
2. Rough Start for AC Revenues in January
3. Wynn Resigns as CEO of Wynn Resorts
4. UKGC for Politically Correct Gaming Expos?
5. Max Bets for UK Betting Shops? (Fixed-Odds places)
6. Lottery Revenues Not Going Where Claimed?
7. Vegas Gets Crushed on SB Betting
8. Armed Robbery at New York New York
9. Unarmed Robbery at SLS
10. Lady Luck Nemacolin Employee Theft
11. Casino Car Thieves Caught
12. Man Sentenced for Robbing Same Casino Twice
........Its a trade show for commerce, not LOCAL commerce.
5. Max Bets for UK Betting Shops? (Fixed-Odds places)
........Northern Island had restrictive laws on this ALL the time even though UK was more liberal in bet limits.
I'm firing this thread back up with an Article about vulturing, meeting other vultures and spreading competition for plays. I decided to revive this thread because I didn't exactly have a good lead for a new thread in mind and no current threads are really about this subject.
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-vultures-are-dead/
Thanks as always for reading!
Mission146 "Vulturing, as we know it, is dead."Quote: Mission146Greetings!
I'm firing this thread back up with an Article about vulturing, meeting other vultures and spreading competition for plays. I decided to revive this thread because I didn't exactly have a good lead for a new thread in mind and no current threads are really about this subject.
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-vultures-are-dead/
Thanks as always for reading!
You have no one to blame but yourself. Brian, or whatever his name is, probably learned about vulturing from one of your articles.
ok, Probably not, but you get my point.
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-36th-day/
No summary, I'll let the article speak for itself to those who wish to read it.
Quote: Mission146On alcoholism and quitting:
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-36th-day/
No summary, I'll let the article speak for itself to those who wish to read it.
You want comments here, aye? Hope so, cuz...
I've a bone to pick. I won't congratulate you or look up to you in any way, if it does ya fine, but I find your idea that (paraphrasing) "You didn't do nothin' cuz all you did was get back to par" to be POISON. It's fine if you hold that view yourself and about yourself, I suppose, but I think it's faulty logic and, perhaps, quite dangerous.
Do we not cheer for the guy who finally stands on his own after taking a nasty hit on a kickoff? He's not even "back to par"; he's a good goddamn sight away from even double bogey let alone par, but we cheer for the effort, the productivity, the accomplishment thus far. And is he so different from you? Did he not make that choice to engage in that behavior that resulted in his "lessening"?
Don't follow the social mediaisms such as pretending there's some universal numerical average we're all comparing ourselves to. All you need do is compare you to you - 1. Are you 1) actively engaging in becoming "better" and 2) is it working if comparing you to you a day / week / month / year ago. If 1 = yes, then congratz to you (the Royal You, of course, Specific You can go to hell ;)) because you're doing it. You can tweak 1), and probably will have to to maximize the payout of 2), but if 1 = yes, then so long as you keep it that way then you win.
Prefer comments on the Article page, but it's all good!
I think that as much as it is my natural, "Poisonous," way of thinking about this sort of thing, it's also helpful not to be congratulated because that creates an unnecessary pressure to continue doing what I'm doing. I know encouragement is probably the most helpful thing for a great many people, but for me, it just stresses me right out. More than that, I'm sorry, but I just don't view it as an accomplishment. I view it as seeking accolades for fixing something that I shouldn't have broken to begin with.
The guy who took the nasty hit on the kickoff was at least doing something productive. More than that, he wasn't the direct cause of his injury, the play and the player who hit him were the direct causes. Nobody except for me directly caused my current situation and nobody except for me is responsible for the fact that I need to get out of it. That's not to say I don't have help, because I do, but that it's ultimately my responsibility.
I don't want to compare myself to myself a week or a month ago because I have still not accomplished very much at all and am still quite unhappy with myself in the present state. I'll start worrying about where I am vs. where I was when I actually accomplish something. I haven't even succeeded at not acting on my alcoholism yet, I've only succeeded in not acting on my alcoholism so far. I guess there is no success, at least not until death, all I can do between now and then is just try not to fail.
Quote: Mission146Face,
Prefer comments on the Article page, but it's all good!
Sorry. Will try to remember for future.
I won't argue your personality. Personally I am the same way with regards to self-communication. I've called myself a "f#$%ing pussy" out loud at least 4 times today, as that's how I inspire myself to push through the pain. Athletes, soldiers, I suppose some of us are used to "toxicity" to the point it's not toxic and instead familiar, comforting. So on that, I get it, and no arguing.
But I do think IN GENERAL it's a poisonous outlook. I won't speak for you, but having myself been several times at rock bottom (and a handful where I've punched right through bottom and kept going), sometimes that complete nothing of an action to a "normal" person is GD near the Hand of God to someone in the barrens. Having very recently come out of a "life threatening" bout of depression, I can easily recall such actions. Something as simple as noticing an interesting rock. It was just an aquarium pebble of no importance, it just had this little sparkle of quartz in it. And I NOTICED it. Like, holy wow f#$%, you have eyes, good job, right? But for my personal struggles, the act of noticing something that my "normal self" considers interesting, and actually finding that interest again during my struggles, was one of my personal greatest accomplishments over the last 4 and a half years.
How f#$%ing below par is noticing a glimmer? That's infantile at best, more describes a bar for one of the "lesser mammals". Don't care. That "accomplishment" was the greatest thing I've done in the last 4 years because for ME, it was 2) due to a whole lot of 1).
That's all. No argument, I guess just leaving the comment/engaging in convo for lookers on.
Giddyup.
Quote: Mission146Thanks, Face! I'll be looking forward to that, "Glimmer," moment for sure. I recall the existence of those, but not the feeling of them, so that will be an interesting thing to experience again.
Hey, Mission.
I've missed you. Welcome back, dude. No pressure intended, just glad you're getting your feet back under yourself. Love ya. Mean it.
This article looks at the potential effects that the El Dorado/Caesars merger could have on players:
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/el-dorado-to-purchase-caesars/
I'm sorry if there's already a thread for this, but if so, I couldn't find it. I try to only use this thread if there's not already a thread for something, if there is, then I usually just link to my articles in the relevant thread. I figure that covers everyone because it hits people who are interested in the topic and then the people who regularly read the articles anyway are already covered.
Unless you're like me and am.being an ahole. Then comment here.Quote: Mission146Face,
Prefer comments on the Article page, but it's all good!
I think that as much as it is my natural, "Poisonous," way of thinking about this sort of thing, it's also helpful not to be congratulated because that creates an unnecessary pressure to continue doing what I'm doing. I know encouragement is probably the most helpful thing for a great many people, but for me, it just stresses me right out. More than that, I'm sorry, but I just don't view it as an accomplishment. I view it as seeking accolades for fixing something that I shouldn't have broken to begin with.
The guy who took the nasty hit on the kickoff was at least doing something productive. More than that, he wasn't the direct cause of his injury, the play and the player who hit him were the direct causes. Nobody except for me directly caused my current situation and nobody except for me is responsible for the fact that I need to get out of it. That's not to say I don't have help, because I do, but that it's ultimately my responsibility.
I don't want to compare myself to myself a week or a month ago because I have still not accomplished very much at all and am still quite unhappy with myself in the present state. I'll start worrying about where I am vs. where I was when I actually accomplish something. I haven't even succeeded at not acting on my alcoholism yet, I've only succeeded in not acting on my alcoholism so far. I guess there is no success, at least not until death, all I can do between now and then is just try not to fail.
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/resort-fees-are-getting-outrageous/
Quote: FleaStiffResort Fees get me 'carpet walking privileges' and 'elevator riding privileges', wow! I have been to some non-gambling resorts that allowed that!!
They should start listing those as features. Don't want to pay? Take the stairs to your room. JK
I really have nothing whatsoever in the way of statistics that support my statement that Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n Roll has been replaced with Sex, Drugs and Gambling though I would hardly be surprised if some government agency was indeed able to provide supporting data.
I have absolutely no data on Virtual Sex, Virtual Drugs or Virtual Gambling. It is simply that things do indeed get "monetized". Just as surfing of ocean waves soon brought us professional surfers, computer games have brought us professional game players and professional game-arenas.
I recently performed a "mini-highjacking" of a trip report thread to discuss the use of hosts at an upscale resort by players whose action was nowhere near to being of particular interest at the high-end casino. This soon lead to several forum members contributing comments about the casino's monetization of virtual gambling as a means of establishing and maintaining relationships with their players.
Casinos probably don't hire sociologists but they do hire MBAs and these bean-counter types see what seems to work.
Quote: Mission146They should start listing those as features. Don't want to pay? Take the stairs to your room. JK
Actually, casinos often try to maximize their return on any investments including carpets and stairs, etc. I don't blame them at all. Waitresses in high roller areas will be attractive and even in the general casino area the most attractive waitresses get the prime shifts. Shills, such at a baccarat table that tpens in the late afternoon, will be used by a casino but not at some tiny little Let It Ride table.
Its just this absurd fee charge that rankles! I can understand levying a fee for a special use category such as a gym or sauna but see little justification for things like a fee for expected items. An internet access fee for extended use might be tolerable but never a fee for internet use in the lobby area where people need to contact friends or relatives and check someone's possibly delayed flight.
I think these screen-scraping sites that force casinos to be on the first page or lose out entirely may be the root cause of the much-hated resort fee charges. General search engines seem to return hotel booking services by the dozens before they display a hotel's actual web site.
Quote: FleaStiffActually, casinos often try to maximize their return on any investments including carpets and stairs, etc. I don't blame them at all. Waitresses in high roller areas will be attractive and even in the general casino area the most attractive waitresses get the prime shifts. Shills, such at a baccarat table that tpens in the late afternoon, will be used by a casino but not at some tiny little Let It Ride table.
Its just this absurd fee charge that rankles! I can understand levying a fee for a special use category such as a gym or sauna but see little justification for things like a fee for expected items. An internet access fee for extended use might be tolerable but never a fee for internet use in the lobby area where people need to contact friends or relatives and check someone's possibly delayed flight.
I think these screen-scraping sites that force casinos to be on the first page or lose out entirely may be the root cause of the much-hated resort fee charges. General search engines seem to return hotel booking services by the dozens before they display a hotel's actual web site.
The resort fee at Caesars’ properties in AC that gives wireless access limits the guest to two devices. I wonder if you can ask them to double the resort fee if you have your kids in tow?
I actually ran up against this on a recent visit to Harrah's NOLA. There were three of us in the room, and they wanted another $10/day for an extra connection! We decided we could survive with just the two.Quote: Mission146The resort fee at Caesars’ properties in AC that gives wireless access limits the guest to two devices. I wonder if you can ask them to double the resort fee if you have your kids in tow?
Quote: JoemanI actually ran up against this on a recent visit to Harrah's NOLA. There were three of us in the room, and they wanted another $10/day for an extra connection! We decided we could survive with just the two.
I'd have paid it, said the three of you aren't going to gamble now because you had to pay it and then thank them for saving you money. I'd follow that up with an E-Mail saying same.
Although, it's not nearly as bad as the buried Resort Fees for Tropicana and Ocean Resort, with Ocean Resort being the worst offender. In the extremely fine print it says how much the Resort Fee is and that it is applied at check-in. Doesn't give you the option to pay it upfront and certainly doesn't show or indicate it in the price at booking.
Came as a surprise, too, because I've heard people talk about places doing that, but I'd never actually seen it.
LOL. That would be great! And in reality if the kids have to squabble over computer games or something its not going to be much of a vacation for the wife and how willing will she be to ever return as a satisfied customer. If the wife can't send a photograph of the lovely room to her friends and relatives because there is insufficient internet access, just what sort of an ambassador of good will is created upon her return home?Quote: Mission146I'd have paid it, said the three of you aren't going to gamble now because you had to pay it and then thank them for saving you money. I'd follow that up with an E-Mail saying same.
>>>>>>>> Doesn't give you the option to pay it upfront and
>>>>>>>> certainly doesn't show or indicate it in the price at booking.
It is that attitude that is most annoying. If the hotel can't be friendly and generous to its guests do the dealers really think there will be an over stuffed toke box?
2.) Have a house edge.
3.) ???
4.) Profit.
How can it fail?
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-death-march/
Quote: Mission146I'd have paid it, said the three of you aren't going to gamble now because you had to pay it and then thank them for saving you money. I'd follow that up with an E-Mail saying same.
Although, it's not nearly as bad as the buried Resort Fees for Tropicana and Ocean Resort, with Ocean Resort being the worst offender. In the extremely fine print it says how much the Resort Fee is and that it is applied at check-in. Doesn't give you the option to pay it upfront and certainly doesn't show or indicate it in the price at booking.
Came as a surprise, too, because I've heard people talk about places doing that, but I'd never actually seen it.
LOL....yeah that's sure to be effective......NOT
On an individual basis, probably not too effective but after awhile others will start feeling the same way.Quote: MaxPenLOL....yeah that's sure to be effective......NOT
Quote: FleaStiffOn an individual basis, probably not too effective but after awhile others will start feeling the same way.
Wishful thinking tends to not get one very far in life. Good luck and never stop dreaming.
Quote: MaxPenLOL....yeah that's sure to be effective......NOT
Vote with your feet. If nobody spent any money at the property, then they would either have to close or change something.
Quote: MaxPenWishful thinking tends to not get one very far in life. Good luck and never stop dreaming.
Aren't you supposed to be a fan of, "The market decides?"
He may well be, certainly very many are, but "the market" is diverse and customers have different threshold levels. Those who gamble and win will forgive a check-in slight.Quote: Mission146Aren't you supposed to be a fan of, "The market decides?"
However some emails will perhaps be effective.
I'm of the opinion that "squeaking" is the right thing to do, but sometimes they never use any oil.
Quote: FleaStiffHe may well be, certainly very many are, but "the market" is diverse and customers have different threshold levels. Those who gamble and win will forgive a check-in slight.
However some emails will perhaps be effective.
I'm of the opinion that "squeaking" is the right thing to do, but sometimes they never use any oil.
That's my point, they won't gamble and win if they don't gamble at all. What does squeaking mean?
True but although pissed off some will say after that long line at the airport, I want entertainmentQuote: Mission146That's my point, they won't gamble and win if they don't gamble at all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> What does squeaking mean?
Reference is to 'its the squeaky whell that gets the oil', meaning that complaining is the right thing to do but is not always effective.
Quote: FleaStiffTrue but although pissed off some will say after that long line at the airport, I want entertainment
>>>>>>>>>>>>> What does squeaking mean?
Reference is to 'its the squeaky whell that gets the oil', meaning that complaining is the right thing to do but is not always effective.
I would rather at least make an attempt, like you, to complain about what I consider to be unfair or ridiculous business practices. I agree that it doesn't always effectuate change and might even take it a step further and say it usually doesn't effectuate change, but it could and has in individual instances.
if hotel booking sites stop their price stripping practices, resort fees are likely to disappear.
Quote: FleaStiffthe resort fees article references some strong language currently being used in silicon valley which is currently discussing how companies can be forced to compete against an 'organic' search page via paid search results. terms such as blackmail and extortion are not used lightly,these people mean it.
if hotel booking sites stop their price stripping practices, resort fees are likely to disappear.
I received email promos for Eldorado and Circus Circus Reno advertising "Your Resort Fee at Eldorado Just Became A Resort Credit"
"Book at the Eldorado today and your resort fee becomes a daily resort credit of $30 to redeem for dining, spa or retail costs that have been charged to your room."
Which sounds great because I'd probably spend $30 on stuff anyway—until I see that their resort fee is $34! (And not including tax. Though I wouldn't expect the credit to cover the tax.)
Better than nothing, I suppose. They're probably hoping I either don't use the credit, or spend far more than $30/day.
Quote: smoothgrhI received email promos for Eldorado and Circus Circus Reno advertising "Your Resort Fee at Eldorado Just Became A Resort Credit"
"Book at the Eldorado today and your resort fee becomes a daily resort credit of $30 to redeem for dining, spa or retail costs that have been charged to your room."
Which sounds great because I'd probably spend $30 on stuff anyway—until I see that their resort fee is $34! (And not including tax. Though I wouldn't expect the credit to cover the tax.)
Better than nothing, I suppose. They're probably hoping I either don't use the credit, or spend far more than $30/day.
That is a great step forward. Obviously we all wish they would just get rid of them but until then at least you can get something back for it.
I couldn't find a good thread to tack this on, so I'll just throw it here.
Some of the problems people had with overseas based casinos including non-payment, delayed payment, closing accounts and the casinos arbitrarily declaring wagers void or that a player committed bonus abuse.
In this article, we are going to compare overseas internet casinos to a licensed and regulated online casino in Pennsylvania and the differences between the two are astounding...because there basically aren't any:
https://www.wizardofvegas.com/articles/online-casinos-vs-online-casinos/
This is buried. It should be front and center. This type of stuff is total b*******.Quote: Mission146Greetings!
I couldn't find a good thread to tack this on, so I'll just throw it here.
Some of the problems people had with overseas based casinos including non-payment, delayed payment, closing accounts and the casinos arbitrarily declaring wagers void or that a player committed bonus abuse.
In this article, we are going to compare overseas internet casinos to a licensed and regulated online casino in Pennsylvania and the differences between the two are astounding...because there basically aren't any:
https://www.wizardofvegas.com/articles/online-casinos-vs-online-casinos/
https://www.wizardofvegas.com/articles/on-advantage-play-and-tribalism-part-4/
—Relevant active thread
—Relevant inactive thread
—This thread
—New thread if I think it can create a lot of conversation
But, I usually try to use an existing thread, if possible and practicable.
Quote: GialmereWhy spill all the ink in the Oklahoma casino battle thread? That topic has "Mission Article" written all over it.
I was starting to think the same thing, thank you!
There's no active thread where this really fits, so:
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/reviewing-reviews/
This is just an article where I look at some of the more silly casino reviews on Google and critique/make fun of them.
Here are two examples:
---Great Response!!! (Four Queens):
We were going to stay for 3 nights and barely ended up staying 1 night. We ended up getting in late around 1130 and we had parked in the parking garage for the hotel. There is no direct connection into the hotel so you have to walk outside parking garage to go into hotel. No sign when you get outside how to get to hotel. On top of that there was a homeless man smoking meth in the parking garage. There were no covid precautions being taken. They do not check for vaccination if you are not wearing a mask. My spouse and I felt very uncomfortable and unsafe. I do not recommend this hotel to anyone.
Hotel Response:
Thank you for your review. We are sorry you did not enjoy your time with us and we wish you the best as you search for your Las Vegas home away from home.
That’s so great! The hotel’s response is basically, “Good, don’t come back.”
This guest actually thinks Four Queens should go around asking for proof of vaccination for EVERY guest not wearing a mask? You’d have to increase your staff, for the entire property, by at least 20% to have any hope of doing that!
Listen, reviewer, if you are THAT worried about Covid, I don’t know, maybe don’t visit casinos?
I’ve also been to Four Queens and there are, indeed, signs directing guests to the hotel front desk area. Typically, you would start by re-entering the building. Did he think that he would have to walk into a different building?
Let’s move on to The D:
---Alphabet Fail
This is an old hotel not anywhere near what you would expect for D hotels. I booked a suite with panoramic view. The windows were very dirty, old dated furniture. The casino was hot due to the ac malfunction and the clerk informed me that there will be a water outage from 4 am to 8 am. I decide not to stay and requested a refund. The clerk went in the back and returned stating that the manager said no. I was literally in the room for less than 5 minutes. Regardless of the poor customer service I left and got a room at Bellagio. I've stayed at the D in Orlando and it was wonderful, but not the one in Vegas. There are a lot of better hotel options.
It did not compare well to, “The D in Orlando.”
The first thing that I should mention is that there is no property in Orlando named, “The D.” There is a property in Orlando named, “The B,” and is owned by B Hotels and Resorts; there is also a property named, “The Delta,” which is owned by Marriott. Both of these properties are near Disney Springs and are not casino properties.
So, we are starting with this guy expecting a Downtown Las Vegas casino-hotel to compare favorably to a Disney Springs resort hotel. Well, no wonder he was disappointed.
The good news for him is that Bellagio is more likely to compare favorably to whichever of the two Disney Springs resort hotels he stays at.
Quote: Mission146
It did not compare well to, “The D in Orlando.”
Maybe s/he was thinking about the W Hotels. Both letters are three away from the end of the alphabet. I could see that being easy to mix up. :-P
I noticed a long time ago that slots people overcrowd the reviews for casinos, complaining like hell that they lost. I have to think experienced gamblers learn to disregard these same folk!
