Boyd Gaming loyalty program

[HardEight]

Boyd Gaming has the CET loyalty program beat in all ways. I have never made it past the Sapphire level yet I get everything I need at multiple properties.
It appears that the folks here are enamored with CET from some unknown reasons. Is it because they feel the need to be "important"
Boyd has 17 casinos affiliated with their loyalty program they give nice free play offers as well as meals.
So you schmucks keep feeding CET properties to maintain your status, I'll remain with Boyd who's not anywhere near bankruptcy and enjoy my perks.

[RS__]

Outside of LV, is Boyd any good? It sucks in LV.

[redietz]

What is it you don't like about the Boyd program, RS, as compared to CET?

I'm only Sapphire, but that will get you a couple of nights at each property every couple of months plus food via comp/cashback. Plus, if you're a senior, you're really not operating at any disadvantage playing video poker if you choose the right days. Not losing and free rooms beats free rooms and losing.

I did learn, the hard way, that just like CET, Boyd does not treat all players at one level nearly the same. Most Sapphire get free video poker tournaments and blackjack tournaments and such, pretty much on a monthly basis. Not me -- I'm categorized as a bad man, I guess, and my offers are limited compared to big net losers.

[Alan Mendelson]

Which Boyd properties are best in LV and why?

[redietz]

I think most people would consider Suncoast the highest end property. I don't stay that far out, so my experience is primarily with Gold Coast, Orleans, Fremont, and Main Street. Gold Coast appears to have the best volume of near-strip good video poker machines. Sam's Town, from what I understand, has better video poker and comps a bit better, but I can only take so much animatronic howling. Orleans, which is somewhat spiffier than the Gold Coast, has a handful of good vp machines. Nice bar area near the race/sports at the Orleans. Main Street has the great casino decor from when it was a sister property to Church Street Station in Florida. Fremont is the classic downtown place, with $1 shrimp cocktails and a retro buffet/coffee shop that I really like.

[Rob.Singer]

Suncoast is the best of the bunch because of its location, but the casino is no different than a large warehouse with machines. Most low-level out-of-towners are too cheap to make the drive to Summerlin anyway.

There's little difference between the Gold Coast and the Orleans. Fremont's a long time dump, and Main Street is only marginally better. Sam's Town is where knowledgeable players will play, except that it's located in a ghetto. Those animal howling sounds are only audible & annoying to the vp player who chooses to sit at the Atrium bar.

You don't go to any of these places other than Suncoast or Billy Bob's at ST for a decent meal unless, of course, you're there on-the-cheap.

[redietz]

Not to correct Rob, but the Orleans opened the Alder and Birch Steakhouse a couple of months ago, which would not be considered low end by any means, and they also have the Prime Rib Loft, which is not really my cup of tea. If I get back there anytime soon, I'll report on the Steakhouse.

And I was kidding regarding the animatronic howling at Sam's Town. I'm an old fan of animatronics dating to the 1964 World's Fair.

[Rob.Singer]

Not to correct Rob, but the Orleans opened the Alder and Birch Steakhouse a couple of months ago, which would not be considered low end by any means, and they also have the Prime Rib Loft, which is not really my cup of tea. If I get back there anytime soon, I'll report on the Steakhouse.

And I was kidding regarding the animatronic howling at Sam's Town. I'm an old fan of animatronics dating to the 1964 World's Fair.

I don't mind being corrected, having not been to any of these places in over 5 years. I'd like to try Alder & Birch sometime. Tues. we're going to LV see a close friend come out of open heart surgery, and then we're going to Piero's for dinner.

[redietz]

The steakhouse is interesting in that it is right on the corner in a high-traffic area and has see-through windows, so the public gets to see the movers-and-shakers inside, at least in the lounge section. I found it a fascinating design feature because it sort of creates an old-school ambiance and dress code that way.

[Alan Mendelson]

Anything on quality of the hotel rooms, in room dining, entertainment, ambience? Will my honey be impressed if I take her to any of these properties while I play craps?

[regnis]

I have stayed at the Orleans numerous times--not by choice but for the HPWS. I have nothing good to say about it. It is dirty and smoky. The rooms are pretty drab and old with things not really in good working condition. I found very little in the way of good VP, and didn't like the craps games.
You are also pretty stuck too far from the strip if you are like me and like to walk around. You can't really walk anywhere around the Orleans. You can take a free shuttle to Caesars, but it is pretty slow.

Alder & Birch wasn't there so I can't give an opinion. but otherwise the restaurants are ehhh. I will say the buffet for breakfast was pretty good, although it was free so I can't base it on price.

I did get some good stuff as a senior--I think movie tickets and more buffets.

Alan--not the ambience or overall experience for a wife or girlfriend.

[jbjb]

The only thing I'm trying to impress in a casino is my wallet.

[redietz]

The only thing I'm trying to impress in a casino is my wallet.

Yeah, if I wanted to be James Bond, I'd get a costume for Halloween and leave my wallet at home.

Note to regnis: Air quality has improved at both the Orleans and Gold Coast. They (and the Rio) must have been lowballing their air filtration systems two/three years ago. They were bad. It's somewhat better now.

[Alan Mendelson]

The only thing I'm trying to impress in a casino is my wallet.

But that's not the only reason why I go to Vegas.

If just to play video poker, I would go to a SoCal casino with 8/5 Bonus. Pechanga has that, so there is no need to drive to Rincon and break my promise never to return there.
If just to play craps, I would probably day-trip to Bellagio for their Small Tall All bet on $10 tables and I would choose that casino first because I like their tables the best.

If I am making a trip to Vegas and to be part of a players club, I am going to pick a casino resort that gives me options for nice rooms, entertainment, dining and where my honey is going to feel comfortable and happy.

Years ago I brought a date to Caesars who not only had NO interest in gambling but she HATED it. When I played craps she walked around the Forum shops and loved it. She wasn't shopping and spending money -- she was window shopping and enjoying the time. She would stop at some candy shop there and buy gummy bears and the like because she loved them as she walked. By the way, she and her father owned a candy company and that's why she was always eating candy to see what was trendy. (She also had a certified sweet tooth. LOL)

I really haven't had a date in Vegas who loved gambling. But they loved going to shows and restaurants and getting their nails done while I played. So that's how I value a casino and its players club -- not just with video poker paytables and free rooms.

[Alan Mendelson]

It is dirty and smoky.

I think you can say that about every casino except that some are better than others. I think WYNN was probably the cleanest of any casino I was ever in both for cleanliness of the gaming areas and air quality. But I was at WYNN only once and I don't know if that is how it is all the time. I've never been in a room there. The time I was in Wynn was to check the $25 symbol on the VP machines in the high limit room and I played a little 25-cent VP while I looked around.

[jbjb]

Nothing wrong with that.

[Dan Druff]

But that's not the only reason why I go to Vegas.

If just to play video poker, I would go to a SoCal casino with 8/5 Bonus. Pechanga has that, so there is no need to drive to Rincon and break my promise never to return there.
If just to play craps, I would probably day-trip to Bellagio for their Small Tall All bet on $10 tables and I would choose that casino first because I like their tables the best.

If I am making a trip to Vegas and to be part of a players club, I am going to pick a casino resort that gives me options for nice rooms, entertainment, dining and where my honey is going to feel comfortable and happy.

Years ago I brought a date to Caesars who not only had NO interest in gambling but she HATED it. When I played craps she walked around the Forum shops and loved it. She wasn't shopping and spending money -- she was window shopping and enjoying the time. She would stop at some candy shop there and buy gummy bears and the like because she loved them as she walked. By the way, she and her father owned a candy company and that's why she was always eating candy to see what was trendy. (She also had a certified sweet tooth. LOL)

I really haven't had a date in Vegas who loved gambling. But they loved going to shows and restaurants and getting their nails done while I played. So that's how I value a casino and its players club -- not just with video poker paytables and free rooms.

Dating an anti-gambler when you gamble frequently is a bad move.

When any girl expressed strong anti-gambling sentiments, I would quickly move on.

[Alan Mendelson]

Dating an anti-gambler when you gamble frequently is a bad move.

When any girl expressed strong anti-gambling sentiments, I would quickly move on.

Now you're giving love advice?

I didn't force anyone to go with me to Vegas. They weren't bound and gagged in the trunk of my car. Geeze.

[Rob.Singer]

Dan's advice also doesn't make much sense on a practical level. My wife has no interest in gambling, yet here we are 37+ years later happier than ever. People can make things work if they talk, and talk with a mutual respect of what it is that makes both persons who they are.

It is not difficult stuff.

[Alan Mendelson]

I guess Dan is giving advice from the perspective of a tournament poker player who sits at a table for eight hour stretches with a half hour meal break half way through. And then when he's not playing he has to get as much rest as possible to be ready for the next grueling day. that's a rough life style for a "non supportive partner."

But it's different when you go to shows, dinners, watch movies and have room service together.