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Thread: Negotiating free play?

  1. #1
    I haven't tried it, but has anyone negotiated with a host over free play?

    Yes, I've asked for additional free play to see if the host could "update" my existing offer, but I never actually negotiated to say I wouldn't make the trip without getting something extra.

    I would think that "negotiating" free play would be something only high rollers could do who could also say to a host "I am going to gamble XXXX amount for XXXX hours." I don't do that -- and frankly I can't since I have a limited budget.

    On my last several trips when free play was offered I've asked for additional free play but was told "no" but still made the trip.

    For New Year's there won't be any free play and I never asked for any. I also wouldn't expect any.

  2. #2
    I was trying to use a small free play offer that I had received. One offer was for $200 Jan 1-31; I also had one for $200 for Feb 1-29.

    My dates are check in Jan 31 and check out Feb 2. I could not book the offers on the computer--it didn't like the dates crossing over. I have never called the 800 number but I just did for the first time and she took care of it with no problem and couldn't have been nicer.

    I suppose I could have asked my host and/or negotiated for the $200 with her. But I am only a low level diamond now and not particularly fond of my host anyway. But I was surprised how accommodating the 800 lady was. In the past when I was a player I always negotiated the free play.

  3. #3
    Regnis how did you negotiate in the past? Any tips and tricks?

  4. #4
    Alan-I can't claim to have any tips or tricks other than I wagered excessive amounts and spent ridiculous amounts of hours at the craps table and in the race book.

    In those days, they made an effort to get me there. Since I only usually have one "fancy" dinner and maybe take in one show, they were open to some haggling over free play as I wasn't burning up a lot of comps. But I had a high level executive host who wasn't so bound by the system.

    Now I'm just a schmuck who takes what they offer--which isn't much. I was actually surprised by the $200.

  5. #5
    Not sure about MGM properties, but at CET, hosts have been mostly neutered, and have become nothing but RFB distributors. So when you ask a host for anything, if it's not room, food, or beverage, they will generally say no. Even if your request is RFB-related, they will consult their computer first and see if you qualify, or if your play on the upcoming trip is likely to justify it on the back end.

    Much more was left to the hosts' discretion in the past, but after getting burned one too many times by stay-no-play customers who once had a great gambling history but changed and were just looking to maximize freebies, CET decided they would let the computer make the more accurate decisions.

    At the same time, despite being neutered, hosts still count on your play to make their all-important commission, so it's easy to feel the tension when dealing with them. They can't do much for you, but you are expected to do things for them.

    regnis complimented the staff at the 800 number. I have to agree. This staff has no commission incentive, and is instructed to simply be helpful to Diamond and Seven Stars member. Furthermore, they do not have access to your play. Often they will help you a lot more than hosts will.
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  6. #6
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    I haven't tried it, but has anyone negotiated with a host over free play?

    * * *

    For New Year's there won't be any free play and I never asked for any. I also wouldn't expect any.
    Hi Alan:

    My Mlife host agree to get me free play for NYE even though it was not part of the offer I got in the mail. I had to initiate that discussion. But I am not sure such a request would work for everyone as the last time I stayed in Bellagio, my wife was with me and hit the slot machines so currently we are attractive in the eyes of the casino.

    FAB

  7. #7
    Originally Posted by FABismonte View Post
    I had to initiate that discussion.
    Would you mind telling how you brought it up, and how the discussion went?

    If you can break it down in the style of "here's how you ask the pretty girl in class on a date."

  8. #8
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    Would you mind telling how you brought it up, and how the discussion went?

    If you can break it down in the style of "here's how you ask the pretty girl in class on a date."
    Alan,

    Even when I was single I was not very good at asking girls out. I was introduced to my wife by her cousin. But I can explain in general terms how I initiated discussion on NYE free play with my host.

    Step one: Get free play from some Las Vegas casino for any particular time.

    Step two: Be contacted by former host who moved to Bellagio and is interested in moving you over to the MLife crowd.

    Step three: Explain to host that getting established at MLife puts you at a free play offer disadvantage as a new player.

    Step four: Host responds "Since you are new I can get permission to match free play as long as you email image of the offer."

    Step five: Go to Bellagio, collect free play and take your wife who likes slots and so as a married couple lose money on the trip.

    Step six: Get subsequent invitation to Mlife NYE (Special Concert) , and tell host you would like to go but there are other (e.g. Rio, Flamingo with NYE invites with Free Play) and ask if he can also throw in free play.

    Step seven: Graciously accept NYE offer plus get free play.

    Easy peasy (as long as your have a wife who likes to play slots)!

    FAB

  9. #9
    FAB thanks for the step by step recipe. I'm not sure the loss is required. I've always thought it was the level of your play that generated future free play offers.

    Your tip about mentioning other free play offers is excellent.

  10. #10
    FAB, I am assuming your tactic does NOT work with CET, right?
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  11. #11
    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    FAB, I am assuming your tactic does NOT work with CET, right?

    Dan,

    I never tried with CET because it has been my experience that its "hosts" do not have the necessary flexibility. I guess you agree with me.

    FAB

  12. #12
    I know this will not matter since most people here are with CET and their ADT system.

    I overhead in the past from a casino host at Morongo telling a person who was complaining how other Casinos offer way more free play, and even if they just played once or twice.

    The response I heard from the host who claims to have been working for other casinos in his lifetime stating that Casino X may give people more free play than we do since they know their machines are much tighter and the player will not win anything. The high free play number is offered to entice those who are predicted to play a large amount on top of the free play to make significant money from them. So the first or second visit must have a big loss or so.

  13. #13
    Originally Posted by alpax View Post
    I know this will not matter since most people here are with CET and their ADT system.

    I overhead in the past from a casino host at Morongo telling a person who was complaining how other Casinos offer way more free play, and even if they just played once or twice.

    The response I heard from the host who claims to have been working for other casinos in his lifetime stating that Casino X may give people more free play than we do since they know their machines are much tighter and the player will not win anything. The high free play number is offered to entice those who are predicted to play a large amount on top of the free play to make significant money from them. So the first or second visit must have a big loss or so.
    That's bullshit.

    For the most part, the tightness of the machines is approximately the same across casinos, especially with slots.

    Morongo does have 24 video poker machines with paytables of 98.98% return or better, but that's all at the $1/credit level, and the rest of the video poker there is crap.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  14. #14
    I played at Morongo a total of four times in the last two months and I don't think their offers or promotions are worth another visit. I earned their highest card -- Black Card -- in three visits. So far, the only offer I got from them was for $120 of free play on ONE day -- December 23rd. My "instant cash back" was nice but as we know, cash-back never gives you a 100% return and was in reality a fraction of my loss. It was a mistake for me to go there.

    Let me add this: there were hosts who came up to the $1 VP players on either side of me and offered them comps for lunch or dinner but said nothing to me while I was playing $5 VP. In my mailer I saw that I was assigned to a host -- and the host who I was assigned to never contacted me either while I was at the property or by phone or email and they have both.

  15. #15
    I was not trying to promote the casino in any way, there are hardly any low rollers or very casual gamblers here. In the example, I forgot to state that the big free play offers are offered to slot players rather than video poker players since slots are the cash cow of a casino. Before Alan went on those four trips to Morongo, I did for the record mention that the casino was not suited for him since there are no craps and the video poker is inferior.

    I never had a host even though I played much bigger in the past.

    Regarding to free play in SoCal, I did talk to someone who went by Soboba casino and played slots there one night. He got mailers for many $100 free play day opportunties. That very well exceeds the best Morongo mailer I ever got, though it does not come with a hotel stay since there is no hotel. Their $5/$10/$25 VP is excellent, but $100 is just 4 hands.

    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    That's bullshit.

    For the most part, the tightness of the machines is approximately the same across casinos, especially with slots.
    I disagree with the slot tightness, Morongo and Pechanga are way looser than any other places I played in the last 10+ years. I do not play slots anymore but definitely I had more winning moments there by a mile.
    Last edited by alpax; 12-22-2015 at 07:59 PM.

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