i'm a known cooler...

That explains the Mr. Freeze haircut.

Vacations HI isn't what it was precovid. My friends dad used to work part time as a driver and a benefit was free airfare to HI (He's from Maui, but moved to vegas and retired later there). Now, they don't get that benefit anymore, so he quit.

My 1st time there was when I was 21 and we went Vacations HI. My parents paid. At the time, Stardust was available and we stayed there (Where Resorts World is today).  Got the 3 meal a day coupons, but didn't use it as we wanted to eat other than HI food. At the time it was Omni Air. Bellagio had $5 war. I only brought $500 in gambling money as I was still a college student and not willing to spend a lot on gambling as I wasn't into it as much then.  I was a car guy, so my money went there.

I retired in 2019, just before covid hit hard.  My job was very stressful for me and a Vegas trip and playing craps was a way for me to run away from the daily stress of work.

I used Vacations Hawaii for solo trips when I needed to run away from work.  Unfortunately, my wife's job is not as flexible as mine but she gave me her blessings as she knew if I don't blow off some steam I would explode.

My Vacation Hawaii solo trips were perfect for me.  No need to worry about baggage handling nor transportation to and from the airport.  Rooms are part of the pkg.  Meal tickets.

All I did was play craps, eat, sleep, then rinse and repeat.  I wasn't there for fancy dining, entertainment, not sightseeing.  That's for when my wife comes with me.

Yeah.  I was a degenerate.  My name is QUIETShooter and I am a craps addict.........If there was a craps anonymous group that meets weekly I would be there.

drck1000, my opinion why so many people like to play at the Cal when they only offer double odds is because of the family type relationship the dealers, pit bosses, and employees have with the Hawaii people.

Many of the players are old, feeble, and need help playing, especially at the craps table.  I believe the dealers treat these seniors with respect and help them play.  They have the money (God do they have the money..... ) but they aren't mentally fast enough to keep up with the craps play.

This is where the dealers come in.  Because these people are visiting so often (some every other month) the dealers know their betting patterns, when they like to press, and how they like to spread their chips across the lay-out.  You can truly see the Aloha Spirit here at the Cal.  Not the Hawaii Supreme Court kind of Aloha Spirit.  The true Aloha Spirit.

What is interesting is of course it's easy to remember the dealers.  But it's not that easy for the dealers as they work night and day with thousands upon thousands of customers. 

But they remember.  What I found amazing is that after covid hit, I haven't visited Vegas until early this year.  We stayed at the Cal but a certain dealer I remember I didn't see him.  I thought he went on to better opportunities since a lot of people were laid off.

So after almost 3 years, I was at the craps table and happened to turn around to look at the other table that had people playing.  There he was, smiling and looking at me, and giving me the thumbs up.  On his break he came over to me to say hello and gave me a fist bump.  Even called me by my name.  Amazing.

Awesome dealer, by the way.

New Years Eve at the Cal/Main St. Station casinos was very strange.  Lots of people with families, along with the usual degenerate gamblers.

Both properties never opened all of their tables.  Main St. has 2 (used to be 3) but never opened the other one.  The Cal has 3 (one marked as a $25 table) but only had the 2 $15 tables open and never opened the $25 table.

WTF?  I could plainly see people wanting to play but couldn't get on the tables (myself included).  I remember the "old" days when the Cal had their craps pit and had all 4 (sometimes 5) tables going full blast.  Main St. had 3 tables open all the time during busy periods.

Not sure what the penny pinchers at the Boyd Corporation are thinking.  Besides their profit margin.  Maybe their business plan is working but their customer service has been put on the back burner in my opinion.

Oh well, that's what this thread is all about.  The changes in Vegas, many of them not for the better.  At least for the average gambler.

This morning I went down to see if I could play craps and what do I see on New Years Day?  Craps tables closed at Main St. and the Cal has one crap table open, packed by the same degenerates that  seemed like they haven't left the table since yesterday.

Rest of the other customers can suck wind.  The New Vegas.  Take it or leave it, I guess........

Prob lack of dealers. Precovid, every casino had at least 1 table open.

Went to NYNY 2 years ago and no table due to no workers. The 3 card poker dealer told me this.

Same at Park MGM.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Prob lack of dealers. Precovid, every casino had at least 1 table open.

Went to NYNY 2 years ago and no table due to no workers. The 3 card poker dealer told me this.

Same at Park MGM.

It cost a lot for Vegas to shut down for over 2 months.  With the airlines also shut down, casinos had no choice.

I'm sure many dealers found other employment while everyone went through pandemic lockdowns, possibly even out of the state.

Four years ago few believed that Las Vegas’ casinos would be forced to close
to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 virus that was rampaging worldwide.

But they did. And the fallout was brutal.

About a month after casinos in Macao were closed for 15 days to slow COVID’s
spread, then-Gov. Steve Sisolak on March 17, 2020 ordered all casinos as well
as restaurants, bars and other nonessential businesses in the state to close for
30 days.
...
As a result of the 78-day closure, the Nevada Gaming Control Board estimated
Nevada’s 219 major casinos lost $6.2 billion, a 25.2 percent decline from revenue
generated a year earlier.
...
An estimated 26,140 people from a workforce of 162,066 lost their jobs and the
unemployment rate soared to 33.4 percent. With demand for travel to Las Vegas
lost, airlines canceled hundreds of flights.
...
Red Rock Resorts never reopened Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho in North
Las Vegas, and Fiesta Henderson. Eventually, those properties would be sold
and demolished for other uses.

Boyd Gaming Corp.’s Eastside Cannery never returned, and the company hasn’t
said what will happen to the property. Boyd’s downtown Las Vegas Main Street
Station was one of the last properties to reopen and Red Rock Resorts ended up
selling the Palms to Southern California’s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

MGM survived the pandemic by selling the real estate beneath some of its resorts
to real estate investment trusts.
...
Since the 2020 closure, gaming revenue totals have roared back with three
consecutive years of records over pre-COVID 2019 beginning in 2021. In 2023,
Nevada casinos recorded $15.5 billion after a then-record $13.4 billion in 2021
and $14.8 billion in 2022.
...
While several casino companies continued to pay their employees through the pandemic, unions took circumstances from the pandemic to the bargaining table and negotiated the best contracts in their history.

“The health and safety of employees and guests had always been a top priority,
but now it was a whole different level,” Valentine said. “The resorts hired public
health experts and implemented some of the most comprehensive and well-
researched health and safety plans in the country.”

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/03/16/nation-world-news/four-years-ago-las-vegas-casinos-shut-down-for-78-days-the-fallout-was-brutal/

drck1000, my opinion why so many people like to play at the Cal when they only offer double odds is because of the family type relationship the dealers, pit bosses, and employees have with the Hawaii people.

Many of the players are old, feeble, and need help playing, especially at the craps table.  I believe the dealers treat these seniors with respect and help them play.  They have the money (God do they have the money..... ) but they aren't mentally fast enough to keep up with the craps play.

This is where the dealers come in.  Because these people are visiting so often (some every other month) the dealers know their betting patterns, when they like to press, and how they like to spread their chips across the lay-out.  You can truly see the Aloha Spirit here at the Cal.  Not the Hawaii Supreme Court kind of Aloha Spirit.  The true Aloha Spirit.

SNIP

Yeah, I see that.  However, some of those same folks also complain about the odds, etc.  One was one of my best friend's uncle.  He used to play quite big and got great comps.  We used to play craps at Cal alot with him and had some really good sessions.  I am personally more indifferent to the pass line odds, but found it strange that folks complain but still stay/gamble there when there are other properties.  That said, the crew loyalty angle wasn't something I personally value that much, but I can certainly see it being important to some.  Like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.  Certainly don't get that (at least commonly) on the strip.  Unless you're some huge whale.

I have one uncle that after he retired was going to Vegas about once a month!  Always staying the same place and they definitely know his likes, patterns, etc and more than just craps. 

Yeah, I see that.  However, some of those same folks also complain about the odds, etc.  One was one of my best friend's uncle.  He used to play quite big and got great comps.  We used to play craps at Cal alot with him and had some really good sessions.  I am personally more indifferent to the pass line odds, but found it strange that folks complain but still stay/gamble there when there are other properties.  That said, the crew loyalty angle wasn't something I personally value that much, but I can certainly see it being important to some.  Like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.  Certainly don't get that (at least commonly) on the strip.  Unless you're some huge whale.

I have one uncle that after he retired was going to Vegas about once a month!  Always staying the same place and they definitely know his likes, patterns, etc and more than just craps.

There was an interview with a pit boss and craps pass line odds. He said that many dont' even play max odds of 3,4, or 5. Let alone 10X odds at El Cortez or 100x odds at Plaza. So it's a gimmic.  Bluff on YT does play 10X odds though. So his $15 bet often has $150 odds.

I don't play passline because then it's more money I have on the table, so it deletes my budget faster.

Same guy explained the why to raising table limits. It's not just about making more money faster. If you raise the limit, then your player with less bankroll wont' be betting more numbers or as high. Example: $5 table, across bet is $32. Player is comfortable with that. Now raise it to a $15 table. And maybe they just  play the 6 and 8 for $36 as the same across bet is $96.Triple the players budget. So less chances of him making money as he's playing less numbers.  Same with the pass line. $5 pass with say 5X odds (6/8) is a $30 bet. On a $15 table, player is betting pass line with maybe only 2X odds or even odds due to the same amount.

1) There was an interview with a pit boss and craps pass line odds. He said that many dont' even play max odds of 3,4, or 5. Let alone 10X odds at El Cortez or 100x odds at Plaza. So it's a gimmic.  Bluff on YT does play 10X odds though. So his $15 bet often has $150 odds.

2) I don't play passline because then it's more money I have on the table, so it deletes my budget faster.

Same guy explained the why to raising table limits. It's not just about making more money faster. If you raise the limit, then your player with less bankroll wont' be betting more numbers or as high. Example: $5 table, across bet is $32. Player is comfortable with that. Now raise it to a $15 table. And maybe they just  play the 6 and 8 for $36 as the same across bet is $96.Triple the players budget. So less chances of him making money as he's playing less numbers.  Same with the pass line. $5 pass with say 5X odds (6/8) is a $30 bet. On a $15 table, player is betting pass line with maybe only 2X odds or even odds due to the same amount.

1) Ya, I don't recall going more than 10x on the back.  Even when playing the 20x tables at Main Street.

2) I guess that's one method.  I typically (or used to) target bets where odds are more to the player's advantage.  Yeah, I still see folks playing say $100 pass and backup  with say $50 or $100.  Their money and I am guessing their method, superstition, style, etc.  It is what it is and I am sure it makes sense to them. 

2) I guess that's one method.  I typically (or used to) target bets where odds are more to the player's advantage.  Yeah, I still see folks playing say $100 pass and backup  with say $50 or $100.  Their money and I am guessing their method, superstition, style, etc.  It is what it is and I am sure it makes sense to them.

1 strategy is if you max out the odds on the pass line cause say it's only 2x, then play the place bet as well.  I never see people doing this over the years. IDK if it's cause they don't know about it. As I rarely play the pass line, I have to tell the dealer "including" so he puts my money on the point as well.

1 strategy is if you max out the odds on the pass line cause say it's only 2x, then play the place bet as well.  I never see people doing this over the years. IDK if it's cause they don't know about it. As I rarely play the pass line, I have to tell the dealer "including" so he puts my money on the point as well.

I've seen folks play the place on the point many times.  I occasionally did it when wanting to play the point and didn't put anything on the pass line on the come out.  If the shooter is my friend, I'll most often play the pass line.  If stranger is shooting, depends on the table at the time.  I typically just put the place be on the rear pass line, but I've also had the dealers cover the "including" like you. 

While I know they are suckers bets, at least in terms of odds, I still play stuff like C&E and/or horn occasionally.  I've noticed (maybe wishful thinking) that horns tend to come out in bunches.  One of my buddies from college told me that and it stuck.  I "know" it's not supposed to happens statistically more than not, but I've had many a time where a $5 horn and 2-3 parlays/presses later turned into a lucrative, if not fun bet.  Just for $5. 

So some F1 indirect results are out.

November 2024 Strip
Rooms down $236 million compared to 2023 November.
Up 7% from 2022, but this doesnt' factor in inflation or higher cost of rooms, etc...

So some F1 indirect results are out.

November 2024 Strip
Rooms down $236 million compared to 2023 November.
Up 7% from 2022, but this doesnt' factor in inflation or higher cost of rooms, etc...

I hope F1 goes away for good.

I won a total of $3000 and some change at the craps table.  This is after I paid off my credit line markers I took out with the casino.

So I came home and tried to figure out how I did overall after my trip.  I figured I should have cleared a $1000 profit after I experienced several big losses at the craps table that I calculated to come out about $2000.  But instead of a profit of a thousand, I actually figured a loss of $300.

WTF?  Did I drop some money somewhere?   With my clumsiness that is 100% possible.

Until my wife reminded me that I treated my in-laws 3 times, paid for some meals when it was just me and wifey, and that I didn't figure in my losses playing $1 Video Poker.

I'm so stupid.  No wonder I stayed with my wifey all these years..... 

This video show a guy sitting down at a high-limit baccarat table, buying in with $50K in chips, then proceeding to play $25K chips per hand.

Once he's down a quarter million, he starts tilting and betting 2 chips ($50K) per hand.

After 20 minutes, he leaves in a huff after losing $400K, $350K of which was all on markers.

If I caught the conversation right, he played blackjack before this and had the $50K from that session.

I don't think he's there for the free beverages.   

I hope F1 goes away for good.

I won a total of $3000 and some change at the craps table.  This is after I paid off my credit line markers I took out with the casino.

So I came home and tried to figure out how I did overall after my trip.  I figured I should have cleared a $1000 profit after I experienced several big losses at the craps table that I calculated to come out about $2000.  But instead of a profit of a thousand, I actually figured a loss of $300.

WTF?  Did I drop some money somewhere?   With my clumsiness that is 100% possible.

Until my wife reminded me that I treated my in-laws 3 times, paid for some meals when it was just me and wifey, and that I didn't figure in my losses playing $1 Video Poker.

I'm so stupid.  No wonder I stayed with my wifey all these years..... 

On my phone, I keep a tally of each game p/l.  Like even if I play $100 for 1 minute, I track it.  This way at the end of my trip or even mid trip, I can see how I'm doing for each game. 

I also keep a separate tally for cash tips for valet, bellhop, etc...excluding restaurants.

It is a PITA to do sometimes as  need to keep taking my phone out, but it gives me a good FYI guide.

November gamling results are in. Strip down 4% from Nov 2023. This is about $50million. But up from Nov 2022.

But since the strip was down for the past 4 months and now 5 months, I don't think F1 is having the results the people want. Big casinos control the counsel who approved F1. It isn't the state who approved it or the city and county. Clark County is incorporated or something and has it's own counsel separate from the city and county.

But it is hard to say too as numbers can fluctuate big time, esp if a whale loses big or wins big.  Just going based off of some tipping info, traffic, people not traveling due to construction, etc...is what I base my statement on. Plus if you base it off of precovid, so Nov 2019, they are up. But you have to factor in that table mins increased from 50%-200%.

On my phone, I keep a tally of each game p/l.  Like even if I play $100 for 1 minute, I track it.  This way at the end of my trip or even mid trip, I can see how I'm doing for each game. 

I also keep a separate tally for cash tips for valet, bellhop, etc...excluding restaurants.

It is a PITA to do sometimes as  need to keep taking my phone out, but it gives me a good FYI guide.

That's a good idea.  I should try that.  I used to keep gambling money and spending money (food, taxi, tips, entertainment, etc.) separate but I got lazy this trip.

I used to also use the envelope method for gambling budget per day, and again I got lazy.

I was lucky at the craps tables this trip.  I had some decent rolls but the majority of my wins were from some really hot shooters on the table.

Couple of my craps sessions I figure were rare and one in a lifetime experiences although I hope I can have some of those sessions again in the future.

But if my future trips go back to the usual choppy table conditions I always experience, then I need to have more discipline in tracking my spending money, both gambling and otherwise.

That's a good idea.  I should try that.  I used to keep gambling money and spending money (food, taxi, tips, entertainment, etc.) separate but I got lazy this trip.

I used to also use the envelope method for gambling budget per day, and again I got lazy.

I was lucky at the craps tables this trip.  I had some decent rolls but the majority of my wins were from some really hot shooters on the table.

Couple of my craps sessions I figure were rare and one in a lifetime experiences although I hope I can have some of those sessions again in the future.

But if my future trips go back to the usual choppy table conditions I always experience, then I need to have more discipline in tracking my spending money, both gambling and otherwise.

Every game has a house advantage, so it's best to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

When i take out a marker, i rarely plan to play the full amount.  I usually get a $500 marker but only play $200-$250.  I put the remainder in a money clip.  That keeps my gambling money separate.  I put a few ones and 5s in my other front pocket for tips and incidentals and try to remember to use that and my wallet for anything i need to pay for.

From my reading and experience playing blackjack, you should have 10x your minimum bet for an hour session and 10x your session amount for the total needed per day.  So, a $25 BJ table means $250 buy-in per session and $2,500 total bankroll per day to sustain losses.  $2,500/day x 3 day trip = $7,500 to play at that minimum for that long.  My credit limit of $10K works out well for that.  Those numbers assume an average of 10 hours playing/day and a certain percentage of winning to help sustain the losses.

Hopefully I make a profit and can pay off the marker before leaving the table.  If so, the profit goes in the clip.  Markers let me know how well/bad i'm doing if i keep all that separate.  When i was $1,800 ahead that last trip on the first night, I paid the marker and had $1,800 profit to play on.  That's over 7 {losing) sessions on a $25 table before I need another marker.   

I keep a log in my room of all the gambling money I win, lose and borrow.  When I go to the room, i log any markers borrowed, value of any chips in my pockets, and remaining gambling cash.  That keeps me current knowing if I'm up, down or even for the trip.

It's a good idea to keep track no matter your method.  If you happen to win over $10,000 in a jackpot or cash out that much in chips, you have to fill out an IRS form At the beginning of the next year, the casino will send you a W-2G showing your total winnings the previous year.  That is supposed to be reported on your next tax return as income.

Tracking your wins and losses provides documentation for the IRS.  You're allowed to deduct losses from winnings, so a $25,000 slot jackpot could be totally voided for tax purposes if you lost at least that much over the calendar year -- but you need to show you tracked your gambling money separately.  Marker slips can help show how much you withdrew on credit, so $10,000 in markers and only $10,000 in winnings would cancel out.

Best to track all your play all the time BEFORE you need to document your losses for the IRS.  After you hit that jackpot would be too late -- officially.

You may deduct gambling losses only if you itemize your deductions
on Schedule A (Form 1040) and kept a record of your winnings and
losses. The amount of losses you deduct can't be more than the amount
of gambling income you reported on your return. Claim your gambling
losses up to the amount of winnings, as "Other Itemized Deductions."

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc419

That's a good idea.  I should try that.  I used to keep gambling money and spending money (food, taxi, tips, entertainment, etc.) separate but I got lazy this trip.

I used to also use the envelope method for gambling budget per day, and again I got lazy.

I was lucky at the craps tables this trip.  I had some decent rolls but the majority of my wins were from some really hot shooters on the table.

Couple of my craps sessions I figure were rare and one in a lifetime experiences although I hope I can have some of those sessions again in the future.

But if my future trips go back to the usual choppy table conditions I always experience, then I need to have more discipline in tracking my spending money, both gambling and otherwise.

I don't have a daily budget, but recognize when on tilt.  In general, I keep about $3K in my pocket. Good thing I CCW. When I hit the UTM royal flush on the river, I had $8K in my pocket ($3K starting plus $5K win).

I usually buy in $500 for any given game. But have left after losing $100 often. Last trip we were at Resorts World and they had $15 3 card poker. Lost 5 hands in a row, so I left. $45 a hand ($15 table). Even the deal agreed it was good for me to leave when I was cashing out.

At least with craps, my strategy change is after 3 PSO's. I then hedge with laying the 4 and 10 if they haven't been rolled. And if they have, then I'll play DP enough to cover my place bets.  But in general, my stop loss is $500 on craps. Regardless the time spent on the table.

From my reading and experience playing blackjack, you should have 10x your minimum bet for an hour session and 10x your session amount for the total needed per day.  So, a $25 BJ table means $250 buy-in per session and $2,500 total bankroll per day to sustain losses.  $2,500/day x 3 day trip = $7,500 to play at that minimum for that long.  My credit limit of $10K works out well for that.  Those numbers assume an average of 10 hours playing/day and a certain percentage of winning to help sustain the losses.

For craps, it's have enough bankroll for 10 shooters. So depending on your strategy, is what your bankroll would be. Example: I play the inside place bets on a $15 table. So my bankroll should be $660 ($66x10).