Page 6 - May 2006 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
A Vocabulary Lesson on Comps Iby Jean Scott, Queen of Comps
t has been said that once a teacher, always a teacher. When I retired from the high school English classroom after 25 years, I could not stop teaching. I just switched my subject material and started to expound to anyone who would listen about how to be a smarter gambler. So today
the casino “lesson” is a vocabulary study that will teach you some basics of how to get more from a casino — whether you are winning or losing on your machine.
yield more comps from a host than a gru I-deserve- this requisition. Moreover, gracious acceptance of anything that is given will pay rich rewards in future gifts. Word your request as a question that will elicit information as well as avoid awkward-for-both-of- you negative answers.“How long do you have to play to qualify for a comp to the co ee shop?” instead of
“Can I have a meal comp?”
CONCENTRATION—Putting all your eggs in one basket is good advice here. I have friends who jump from casino to casino, trying to nd out where they are “lucky.” However, this method will keep you from earning as many comps as you would if you chose one casino for the majority of your play. Most casinos have tiered comp levels with a minimum of play required for the comp system to kick in. I suggest you play in one casino until you reach this basic activation level for meal comps. In addition, if you want to start earning free room comps, you will need to continue to play at this casino until you reach the higher comp level. Only then would you want to pick up another casino and start working your way up their comp ladder.
If you want to learn more about getting comps and how to get more of them, you might want to read two books by Jean Scott: The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling. Go to her Web site (www.FrugalGambler.biz) for other products, including Tax Help for the Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott and Marissa Chien, E.A.
COMPS—Short for complementaries. It means the things the casino gives you without charge just because you are playing in their casino, anything from drinks (non-alcoholic ones in California) to penthouse suites. I call these the casino extras because you get them simply by playing — you don’t have to be losing money to earn them. Besides the usual comps for meals, rooms, and shows, Brad and I have been comped for haircuts, massages, airfare, limo rides, parties, phone calls, and invitational tournaments. e 21 years we have been going to casinos have seen us ooded with gifts: so much logo wear it would ll a large closet, lavish food baskets and ne bottles of spirits, expensive jewelry and electronics, and enough toys for our grandchildren that they think Santa lives in a casino.
RECOGNITION—You cannot get anything from a casino if they do not know you are playing there. How do you get their attention? One all-important basic requisite: join the player’s club. en every time
you put your player’s card in a slot machine while you play, the casino knows you are giving them your valuable business and they have already put it into their budget to reward you.
LITERATURE—No, not Shakespeare—I mean the printed material that you will usually nd at the player’s club desk. Read carefully for speci c details on whether the club gives back cash or comps or both. Brochures may tell you exactly how the player’s club works, giving a list of the things you can earn as you play and how many points each requires. Although some casinos spell out the criteria for giving out their valuable booty, the great majority does not. Player’s club clerks can often answer questions that the literature does not address. If you take your points in cash, can you still get meal comps? How many points does it take to get a free bu et? A free room?
ATTITUDE — Use something I call the“honey/vinegar” factor. A pleasant, polite, undemanding tone will
May 2006 Table Game and Slot Tournaments
GOLDEN ACORN CASINO
SATURDAY, May 20 at 3 p.m.
$10,000 Guaranteed Blackjack Tournament
Buy-in is $25 for $200 in “tournament chips,” fortwo.Prizesbasedon84entries,1stplace—$10,000, birthdaysinMay.To ndouthowtobecomeaVIPClub
and re-buy(s) are $25. After 21 hands, the player at each of the six tables with the largest pot advances to the next round. Six winners will split $10,000, and the 1st place winner will take home $5,000 in cash! Registration starts at 1:30 p.m., play starts at 3 p.m. First come, rst play, so make sure you arrive early! Blackjack tournaments now operate on a points system—earn points just by participating, and earn extra points by making it to the semi- nals or the nal table. e top 84 players of the year will return in December to challenge each other in a special free Blackjack Tournament with huge cash prizes guaranteed—and a brand new truck!
CASINO PAUMA
Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
Blackjack Tournaments
Entry fee is $25, minimum of 54 entrants required. $500 added to total prize pool. 1st place wins 50%, 2nd place wins 25%, 3rd place wins 15%, 4th place wins
10% and 5th and 6th place win free entries into the next Blackjack Tournament. Space is limited to 72 entrants. Call 760-891-7926 to register or stop by the Casino Pauma Palm Club.
2nd place — $2,600, 3rd place — $1,300, 4th place — $780, and5thplace—$520.Spaceislimitedto84entrants,and must have 60 entrants. Call 760-891-7926 to register or stop by the Casino Pauma Palm Club.
is tournament is for VIP Club Soboba members with Soboba Member, call Club Soboba at 951-665-1000.
SATURDAY, August 26, 2006 9 a.m.
Classic $10,000 Video Poker Slot Tournament
Entry fee is $100 and includes tournament play and bu et
FRIDAY, May 26
Invitation Only “Birthday Buffet and Slot Tournament”
SATURDAY, August 26, 2006 12 Noon.
Classic $10,000 Blackjack Tournament
Entry fee is $100. Prize fund based on total amount of
$100 entries plus $10,000 added by Casino Pauma. 1st
placewins50%,2ndplacewins25%,3rdplacewins10%, SwipeyourTotalRewardscardinthePromotionsCenter
4thplacewins5%,and5thand6thplacewindinnerfortwo. between3p.m.and6p.m.Playbeginsat4p.m.andwinners
Maximum 72 entries, minimum 54. Call 760-891-7926 to register or stop by the Casino Pauma Palm Club.
SOBOBA CASINO
MONDAYS at 6 p.m.
Free Slot Tournaments
Registration starts at 5 p.m., and play starts at 6 p.m. for up to $500 in Bonus Play (Sobobucks) awards.
TUESDAYS at 5 p.m.
$1,000 Club Soboba Blackjack Tournament Registration begins at 3 p.m. at tables across from Club Soboba. $15 buy-in and unlimited re-buys.
announced at 9 p.m. $20 entry fee for Gold cardholders, free to Platinum and Diamond cardholders.
FRIDAY, June 9–SUNDAY, June 11
Millionaire Maker Blackjack Tournament
Pre-sale buy-in begins May 1st in the Poker Room. Tournament open to all Total Rewards cardholders. $100 buy-in or 10,000 Rewards credits. Registration begins at 7 p.m.– 9 p.m. on Friday, June 9th at the Promotions Center. Preliminary rounds begin Saturday, June 10th at 10 a.m. in the Pavilion. Semi- nalist round begins Sunday, June 11 at 10 a.m. and nalist round begins at noon in the Pavilion.
WEDNESDAY, May 31 at 5 a.m.
$1,000 Free Craps Tournament
Register at 3 p.m. in the pit across from Club Soboba.
HARRAH’S RINCON CASINO & RESORT TUESDAY, May 16 at 4 p.m.
Back to the Beach Slot Tournament
Page 6 May 2006
May 2006 Tournaments Jean Scott, The Frugal GamblerTM