Page 6 - June 2011 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Bill Burton: About Gambling
SJtretching Your Casino Dollars
ust as the economy seemed to be improving and many of us were starting to feel some relief from the money pinch of the last few years, the price of gasoline skyrocketed, forcing us to reevaluate our budgets again to make up for higher fuel prices. is is coming at a time when many of us may be planning yearly vacations.
In the past, I have shared some tips for stretching your dollars during your casino visits, and I have been looking for some new ways that you might nd helpful.
Transportation
If you drive to the casino, you can save money by carpooling. Instead of meeting your friends at the casino, if possible, meet at a location close to where you all live and drive together. My friends and I will take turns driving or split the price of the gas. Some casinos o er shuttle busses, and you may nd that it’s cheaper in the long run to take the casino’s bus.
If you have to y to your casino destination, you can save money by booking your ight on an online discount website. You can save quite a few dollars if you are exible with the day and time that you y. Early morning ights are usually more expensive than afternoon and evening ights. Flying on weekends or holidays can also be more costly. Make sure to compare di erent days and times of the ights. If you can be exible, you may be able to save a considerable amount of money.
Hotels
If you belong to the casino’s players club, call and talk to a host about your hotel stay. You may be able to get a room comp or a discounted casino room rate. Booking a room during the week will be less costly than the weekend. It’s a matter of supply and demand, so rooms are at a premium on weekends. Check out the casino’s website for any promotions that can be found only online.
Package Deals
A vacation package plan combines a casino room and airfare to give you savings on both. ese packages sometimes include shows and other discounts to give you more savings. In many cases you will be able to pick up a package for the price you would pay for airfare alone.
A little shopping around can save you a lot of money on your trip.
Dining
Dining at the casino can be expensive if you always eat at high-end restaurants. One way to save money is to choose dining options that are less expensive. Instead of the steakhouse, try the café, or choose the bu et or food court. If you are going to the casino for a day trip, you might want to have a big breakfast at home before you go, and then you can get through the day with a light lunch. If you are going for the evening, it will be less expensive to have your dinner at home before you go.
And don’t forget players club dining comps. You can always ask a casino host.
When You Play
e easiest way to save money when you gamble is to lower the denomination of the games you play. Instead of playing dollar slot machines, drop down to quarter machines; or if you play quarter machines, go to nickels.
When you play slots, you want to get the most entertainment possible for your money, and reducing the number of lines you play can help achieve this. Unless you are playing a progressive machine, there is no reason to play the maximum coins on every available line. If you choose to play all of the lines without trying for the progressive jackpot, then you should play a single credit on each line.
If you are getting ready to leave, avoid playing o your credits because it is more convenient than cashing out and taking your ticket to the redemption machine. A dollar here or there can add up.
Play one machine at a time. Playing more than one machine just gives you more exposure to the house edge. In the long run you will lose your money faster, and shorten your playing time.
Join the Club
Room discounts are not the only reason to join players clubs. Some casinos o er cash back, discount dining and other promotions to members of their players clubs. Make sure to use you players club card every time you play. Two or three times a week, my mail box contains o ers from various casinos. I have also been receiving some o ers from casinos I have not visited in a few years. ey must be mining their databases from their players clubs for anyone who previously signed up for a card. I’ve received o ers for free nights at some luxury casinos where I have not given them enough play to rate a free bu et, let alone three free nights in a mini-suite.
Shop Around
ere are many special deals being o ered all the time by di erent casinos. Spending a little time doing some research can save you a lot of money on your next casino trip.
Until next time, remember: “Luck comes and goes... Knowledge Stays Forever.”
Bill Burton is the author of 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets and Get the Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold’em available online at billburton.com. Burton is also an instructor for Golden Touch Craps: thecrapsclub.com.
PAGE 6
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
June 2011