Breaking down a strong video poker promo

We’re just now entering the third month of a three-month promotion that qualifies as one of the best, if somewhat underrated, Las Vegas video poker promotions of the year.

In June, July and August, both Binion’s and the Four Queens give away $400 per month in free slot play (FSP) for earning 4,000 points in the month. You also get $140 in extra comp dollars at each joint each month once you earn the 4,000 points.

One thing I like about this promo is that you don’t have to “earn” your way in through previous action or anything like that. You can just walk in off the street and participate.

Let’s break it down.

If you’re playing the Four Queens’ good Double Bonus game, it takes $80,000 coin-in to earn the 4,000 points. The base game, including the normal, everyday cash-back separate from the promotion, pays 100.295%.

The $400 from the promo adds another .5%, for a total return of 100.795% during the promotion.

So your EV on the $80,000 in is +$636.

That’s each month for the three-month period.

Over at Binion’s, if you play their 8-5 Bonus Poker, it takes $32,000 to earn the 4,000 points. The base game, including the normal, everyday cash-back separate from the promotion, pays 99.48%.

The $400 from the promo adds another 1.25%, for a total return of 100.73% during the promo.

So your EV on the $32,000 is +$233.60. Again, that’s each month for the three-month period.

So after three months, between the two joints, you’ll have an EV of +$2,608.80 — in cash.

(For simplicity’s sake, I’m counting the $400 FSP as cash, even though I think it’s technically $399.55 cash equivalent — $397.92 at Binion’s and $401.18 at Four Queens.)

In addition, you’ll also have $1,020 in comp dollars — $200 in comp dollars each month at each joint from normal play, plus the $140 bonus in comp dollars each month at each joint from the promo.

Unfortunately comp dollars cannot be converted into cash or free play.

You have to burn them by buying T-shirts and other junk at the gift shops, or by eating at Magnolia’s (perfectly acceptable), Binion’s Cafe (good and underrated), Chicago Brewing Co. (fine), Hugo’s (very good), or Top of Binion’s Steakhouse (currently closed, unfortunately).

Video poker players are always complaining (actually, I should just end the sentence right there) about not being able to play games in the 100.7% range at the dollar level anymore.

Well, here’s your chance!

By the way, this does not fall into the category of giving away “secrets” or privileged information. Both joints fairly heavily promote this deal in person, through email marketing, by regular mail and online.

My opinion is it’s a pretty great promotion, especially by today’s standards; just hope they keep it up.

"In June, July and August, both Binion’s and the Four Queens give away $400 per month in free slot play (FSP) for earning 4,000 points in the month. You also get $140 in extra comp dollars at each joint each month once you earn the 4,000 points."


At least you have one month left.

The worst part, though, is that you can't run it quickly.

You have to grind it at $1 machines, which is just torture.

Anyway, welcome to the site, and thank you for a good first post.

I did the same, or similar, promo at 4Q a few years back. I played mostly 9/6 Jacks and ran all the action in one day. I still get offers for 3 nights with 600fsp. So, the future mailers can be pretty good also by just playing the promo.

Unfortunately, I can't make it to Vegas in the foreseeable future to redeem these mailers.

Very misleading title. strong video poker promo.

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Originally Posted by AxelWolf

Very misleading title. strong video poker promo.

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It might be a strong play to him. In fact, it may be a supplemental play to any number of other smaller +EV plays that in totality, equate to a nice month's work. I'm sure most AP's are aware--the majority of AP's can't be bothered with these forums. They just go out and do what they do at whatever level is comfortable for their talents and needs, and couldn't care less about the criticisms, poorly thought out underhanded comments, or one-upmanship type posts. For whatever reason this guy chose to mention this promotion. Weak or strong, reading about it is not above or below any of us.

Back in the day this play would be back burner for me simply because of it's thin edge. I might work it in if I had extra time. In today's gambling world I wouldn't give it a second look. More and much easier money to be made elsewhere.