Ellis Island - New Players Card / Card Reader System

Ellis Island has recently updated their player's card system. As a result, all cards from the previous system will no longer work in the machines or kiosks and must be traded in for new cards. Unfortunately, their process for making the swap is about as effective as a monkey f*^$ing a football resulting in long, slow lines.

If you haven't swapped your card out already, I would recommend going during a low traffic time.

The only difference between the old and new systems that I have noticed so far is that the old system would show your points accumulating at a rate that included any point multipliers that were in effect that day. The new system seems to show points accumulating based only on the amount wagered, not including any bonus points from multipliers.

I assume you are referring to delays at the various kiosks or the Player's Club desk.

In the past, most casinos have an express system wherein a BJ pitboss or a Craps pitboss sends the Pit Clerk to the head of the line and brings the new card back for the player fairly promptly.

Even if you lose money in the interim, its better than standing on a slow moving line.

Speaking of Ellis Island.....can someone explain what the big draw to that place is?

A couple years ago, when I was feeling out the different Vegas casino's to see what kind of mailers they sent to local's, I hit Ellis Island which I had never played before with a fairly moderate play consisting of about $8000 coin-in. I then waited to see if I would receive anything from them. Received nothing. But I have heard local's, both in person and on various sites swear by Ellis Island mailers, so earlier this year, I hit them again with a decent size play of 5 figures and again waited. I guess it has been 6 months and again, I have received nothing. And yes, they do have my current mail address.

Pros:
They have a good $7.99 steak dinner.
They have good BBQ
They have good homemade root bear.

Cons
They used to have my favorite VP but got rid of it.
Very smoky inside. I don't smoke and can usually stand it, but not there.

The last time I was there I had 2 BJ dealers. One that was very fast and not fun. The other was nice and messed up a couple of times in our favor and just let it go. Didn't even call over the pit boss when she made a mistake.

I live out of town ( Denver CO ) and I don't get any mailers from them.

Quote: kewlj

.... to see what kind of mailers they sent to local's, I hit Ellis Island ....

You're not local. Get a local address, give them several visits in a short period, and THEN the offers will start.

Quote: DenDexter

They used to have my favorite VP but got rid of it.

What was that? I loved the quick quads for nickels there. Hope you didn't mean that...

My first guess is FPDW. My second guess is 90/9/6 Jacks or Better.

Quote: kewlj

Speaking of Ellis Island.....can someone explain what the big draw to that place is?

Ellis Island uses a six month look back (not including the most recent month) to determine your mailer. If you just try to spike it one month and wait, you won't get anything good...at least not for long. They reward their consistent and regular local customers.

I just tried the Ellis Island version of MyVegas. Looks like the regular slots are fun play and the tournaments are the only way to get a prize but hopefully i am proven wrong because I would like to be able to earn consistent BBQ and root beer.

Here it is if anyone wants to try and test it out:

Ellis Island

Quote: DJTeddyBear

You're not local. Get a local address, give them several visits in a short period, and THEN the offers will start.

Not sure what you mean by the not local comment. I live in Vegas.

Quote: JB

My first guess is FPDW. My second guess is 90/9/6 Jacks or Better.

Yeah, I saw that in the VPFree2 archives. That was before my Vegas renaissance sadly.

Quote: tringlomane

What was that? I loved the quick quads for nickels there. Hope you didn't mean that...

They had progressive $0.25 99.17% Bonus Poker. I like the low variance.
The last time I was there ( year ago ) I didn't see it. Going to Vegas this Sat so might go by to check it out.