The Official CET Cheapness Thread

[jpfromla]

Was invited to the Vista Lounge at Caesars LV by my four free drinks. Ordered my $24.99 drink and requested a water back. I was told they only have 1 ltr Fuji at $10. All I wanted was a small bottle or even a plastic cup with water. I was not going to use one of my drink tickets for a glass of water.

[coach belly]

Was invited to the Vista Lounge at Caesars LV by my four free drinks. Ordered my $24.99 drink and requested a water back. I was told they only have 1 ltr Fuji at $10.

Here's a link to a photo of the Vista Lounge on Yelp that show the little bottles of water with drinks on a table.

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vist...1mErqiVcXpBqDg

[jpfromla]

Was invited to the Vista Lounge at Caesars LV by my four free drinks. Ordered my $24.99 drink and requested a water back. I was told they only have 1 ltr Fuji at $10.

Here's a link to a photo of the Vista Lounge on Yelp that show the little bottles of water with drinks on a table.

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vist...1mErqiVcXpBqDg

Yes, last time I was there nine months ago, before you ordered a drink the cocktail waitress would drop several down on the table. Last night nope, no little bottles, only fiji and another brand $10. Now, if I was playing VP at the bar, maybe different? And she said specifically they were not giving water out unless you bought it.

[DGenBen]

Was invited to the Vista Lounge at Caesars LV by my four free drinks. Ordered my $24.99 drink and requested a water back. I was told they only have 1 ltr Fuji at $10.

Here's a link to a photo of the Vista Lounge on Yelp that show the little bottles of water with drinks on a table.

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vist...1mErqiVcXpBqDg

Yes, last time I was there nine months ago, before you ordered a drink the cocktail waitress would drop several down on the table. Last night nope, no little bottles, only fiji and another brand $10. Now, if I was playing VP at the bar, maybe different? And she said specifically they were not giving water out unless you bought it.

Fucking bean counters are going to put that company into the grave.

[coach belly]

Last night nope, no little bottles, only fiji and another brand $10.

So a $25 10oz cocktail and a $10 liter of water back?

[MDawg]

I don't drink and four, one liter bottles of Fiji per day would be great by me, but typically they don't even give those up all you find as far as still water at Caesars Vegas is 591 ml Aquafina at the food outlets like Buddy V's Pizzeria or Pronto by Giada.

In Tahoe they will give you four free Fijis but they are not one liter, more like 500ml, if that.

[Dan Druff]

Embedded Tweet

https://twitter.com/#!/x/status/1883720380071969129


3 hour line.

Combo of Paris' system going down (they forced everyone to check in at Horseshoe), and the super low staffing at the front desk nowadays.

Sometimes at 3am, there are NO front desk reps. When they have just one working, when he/she goes on break, there is nobody there.

Cheapness is at insane levels.

[coach belly]

3 hour line.

Can you explain why someone would wait 3 hours in line to check into a hotel?

I won't do it...but please wise me up...why would anyone else do that?

[mickeycrimm]

In her latest blog post Jean Scott wrote about CZR laying off a lot of casino hosts. Click on Jean's name:

[incorrect link removed]

[Dan Druff]

Mickey, you posted a link to your own Google Mail account, which did not bring people to the blog.

I removed it. Please post the real link, as I'd like to read it.

[Dan Druff]

3 hour line.

Can you explain why someone would wait 3 hours in line to check into a hotel?

I won't do it...but please wise me up...why would anyone else do that?

Oh, I wouldn't. I'd either find a way around it, or I'd leave and come back later.

But some people are sheep, and just go through the motions in life.

Basically picture a family from the midwest. They get into the Vegas airport, taxi over to the Paris hotel, drag their shit to the lobby, and there's a tremendously long line. They grumble but stand in it. After about an hour, it has only moved about 1/3 of the way, but they feel committed at that point, and don't leave. By time they reach the front, it's been 3 hours.

Check in lines have been worse than ever in Vegas over the past 2 years.

To be fair to CET, it's not just them. Many casino companies are having the same issue. It's all related to cuts in staffing, poor logistical management, poorly maintained systems, and incompetent (and low paid) hotel managers.

[Rob.Singer]

A better question would be to ask why anyone would want to go inside a CZR property anymore. Has there ever been more of an effort by a hotel/casino operation to annoy and get rid of their existing customer base....while at the same time discouraging potential new customers?

[mickeycrimm]

Mickey, you posted a link to your own Google Mail account, which did not bring people to the blog.

I removed it. Please post the real link, as I'd like to read it.

If you don't know, her husband, Brad Scott (Tom Bartlett) passed away a few weeks ago:

RENO TRIP REPORT

Jean Scott's profile photo
Jean Scott
unread,
Feb 19, 2025, 2:39:30 PM (8 days ago)
to vpfree-...@googlegroups.com

A trip report for those who didn’t see it on my Jean Scott Facebook page.

Trying to catch up a bit, because I had promised a nice long trip report about my October casino visit in Reno. However, my life got complicated as soon as I got back to GA and I’m just now beginning to catch my breath and settle into my new changed life without Brad. It isn’t an easy adjustment to say the least but I am so grateful for the support of family and so many friends, including some of you here.

In many ways this Reno trip was a textbook advantage-play casino visit. For 40 years it was always a big plus if Brad and I had family tagging along and also, if we could meet up with frugal friends. In the past, when Brad and I both played heavily, we always earned enough comped benefits for ourselves and 2 or more family members. This time daughter Angela and her hubby Steve, due to their own recent CZR play, had the same comped charter air fare offer as I had that included companion benefits for my travel buddy Susan. Plus, I was pleased that we could get together and socialize with several frugalite friends during our stay.

I have mentioned many times in the past how important it is to build relationships with hosts. I hadn’t played in Reno for many many years, but now had an offer from Silver Legacy, a former Eldorado property now merged into CZR. I had been losing many of my long-time CZR hosts because of company cutbacks so didn’t have a host for this visit. So I looked up on my trusty go-to site (https://www.vpfree2.com/ ) for property info, including a host list, and lo and behold I found a familiar name, a host we had perhaps 25 or so years ago at another Reno property, now with a new owner and name. This host had long ago switched to the Eldorado company but he still remembered Brad’s and my name and could check our CZR solid play history so he was able to give me special attention and more perks than perhaps a new host wouldn’t have been able to do.

As usual I did the same prep for this trip as I had done for so many years: Check online about the VP inventory. Brush up on strategy on my computer software. Although we stayed in Silver Legacy, I chose to play in Eldorado, part of the adjoining 3-casino “Row.” They had my favorite high-EV video poker game, NSUD (Not So Ugly Ducks). My goal was to finish my play for 2024, getting to 75,000 tier credits which would keep me at the Diamond Elite tier for 2025.

Another concept I always felt was important in our gambling, especially as we got older, was that we needed to be flexible. When Brad’s mental skills started declining, we switched to playing one machine together so I could help him. Now that I was older and playing alone, I found that my energy level was lower than I expected. I used to be able to reach my daily goals playing at the $5 denomination and maxing out the bonuses each day. This trip I found I had to play slower to maintain accuracy and I just couldn’t play as many hours per day as in the past. This wasn’t a total surprise as my thinking has been a bit slower since the brain surgery so I was prepared by having a larger credit line. Fortunately, I had the bankroll (from 60 years of being frugal ��) so I could comfortably switch to the $10 denomination.

As usual I did the same prep for this trip as I had done for so many years: Check online about the VP inventory. Brush up on strategy on my computer software. Although we stayed in Silver Legacy, I chose to play in Eldorado, part of the adjoining 3-casino “Row.” They had my favorite high-EV video poker game, NSUD (Not So Ugly Ducks). My goal was to finish my play for 2024, getting to 75,000 tier credits which would keep me at the Diamond Elite tier for 2025.

Another concept I always felt was important in our gambling, especially as we got older, was that we needed to be flexible. When Brad’s mental skills started declining, we switched to playing one machine together so I could help him. Now that I was older and playing alone, I found that my energy level was lower than I expected. I used to be able to reach my daily goals playing at the $5 denomination and maxing out the bonuses each day. This trip I found I had to play slower to maintain accuracy and I just couldn’t play as many hours per day as in the past. This wasn’t a total surprise as my thinking has been a bit slower since the brain surgery so I was prepared by having a larger credit line. Fortunately, I had the bankroll (from 60 years of being frugal ��) so I could comfortably switch to the $10 denomination.

Although I was well-prepared for this casino visit, as is not unusual, I unexpectedly hit a snag. For 40 years I have had to cope with casino snags: incomplete information, bad communication, incompetent staff, complicated bureaucracy…. I could write a book about problems I have faced and tried to fix in casinos. And the one I faced on this trip just about did me in.

I will finish this story in my next posting, an example of not giving up on fixing casino snags.

In the meantime, my March 6th Vegas trip is on if my health holds up! And I hope some of you will be able to attend the frugalite meet-up at the Food Hall (nobody wants to call them a Food Court anymore) at the Horseshoe Casino on Sunday, March 9th. I will be there at 1 p.m. and will stay until 2 p.m. and even longer, until about 3 p.m., if there are some who want to sit and chat longer.
Jean Scott

[jpfromla]

Mickey, you posted a link to your own Google Mail account, which did not bring people to the blog.

I removed it. Please post the real link, as I'd like to read it.

If you don't know, her husband, Brad Scott (Tom Bartlett) passed away a few weeks ago:

RENO TRIP REPORT

Jean Scott's profile photo
Jean Scott
unread,
Feb 19, 2025, 2:39:30 PM (8 days ago)
to vpfree-...@googlegroups.com

A trip report for those who didn’t see it on my Jean Scott Facebook page.

Trying to catch up a bit, because I had promised a nice long trip report about my October casino visit in Reno. However, my life got complicated as soon as I got back to GA and I’m just now beginning to catch my breath and settle into my new changed life without Brad. It isn’t an easy adjustment to say the least but I am so grateful for the support of family and so many friends, including some of you here.

In many ways this Reno trip was a textbook advantage-play casino visit. For 40 years it was always a big plus if Brad and I had family tagging along and also, if we could meet up with frugal friends. In the past, when Brad and I both played heavily, we always earned enough comped benefits for ourselves and 2 or more family members. This time daughter Angela and her hubby Steve, due to their own recent CZR play, had the same comped charter air fare offer as I had that included companion benefits for my travel buddy Susan. Plus, I was pleased that we could get together and socialize with several frugalite friends during our stay.

I have mentioned many times in the past how important it is to build relationships with hosts. I hadn’t played in Reno for many many years, but now had an offer from Silver Legacy, a former Eldorado property now merged into CZR. I had been losing many of my long-time CZR hosts because of company cutbacks so didn’t have a host for this visit. So I looked up on my trusty go-to site (https://www.vpfree2.com/ ) for property info, including a host list, and lo and behold I found a familiar name, a host we had perhaps 25 or so years ago at another Reno property, now with a new owner and name. This host had long ago switched to the Eldorado company but he still remembered Brad’s and my name and could check our CZR solid play history so he was able to give me special attention and more perks than perhaps a new host wouldn’t have been able to do.

As usual I did the same prep for this trip as I had done for so many years: Check online about the VP inventory. Brush up on strategy on my computer software. Although we stayed in Silver Legacy, I chose to play in Eldorado, part of the adjoining 3-casino “Row.” They had my favorite high-EV video poker game, NSUD (Not So Ugly Ducks). My goal was to finish my play for 2024, getting to 75,000 tier credits which would keep me at the Diamond Elite tier for 2025.

Another concept I always felt was important in our gambling, especially as we got older, was that we needed to be flexible. When Brad’s mental skills started declining, we switched to playing one machine together so I could help him. Now that I was older and playing alone, I found that my energy level was lower than I expected. I used to be able to reach my daily goals playing at the $5 denomination and maxing out the bonuses each day. This trip I found I had to play slower to maintain accuracy and I just couldn’t play as many hours per day as in the past. This wasn’t a total surprise as my thinking has been a bit slower since the brain surgery so I was prepared by having a larger credit line. Fortunately, I had the bankroll (from 60 years of being frugal ��) so I could comfortably switch to the $10 denomination.

As usual I did the same prep for this trip as I had done for so many years: Check online about the VP inventory. Brush up on strategy on my computer software. Although we stayed in Silver Legacy, I chose to play in Eldorado, part of the adjoining 3-casino “Row.” They had my favorite high-EV video poker game, NSUD (Not So Ugly Ducks). My goal was to finish my play for 2024, getting to 75,000 tier credits which would keep me at the Diamond Elite tier for 2025.

Another concept I always felt was important in our gambling, especially as we got older, was that we needed to be flexible. When Brad’s mental skills started declining, we switched to playing one machine together so I could help him. Now that I was older and playing alone, I found that my energy level was lower than I expected. I used to be able to reach my daily goals playing at the $5 denomination and maxing out the bonuses each day. This trip I found I had to play slower to maintain accuracy and I just couldn’t play as many hours per day as in the past. This wasn’t a total surprise as my thinking has been a bit slower since the brain surgery so I was prepared by having a larger credit line. Fortunately, I had the bankroll (from 60 years of being frugal ��) so I could comfortably switch to the $10 denomination.

Although I was well-prepared for this casino visit, as is not unusual, I unexpectedly hit a snag. For 40 years I have had to cope with casino snags: incomplete information, bad communication, incompetent staff, complicated bureaucracy…. I could write a book about problems I have faced and tried to fix in casinos. And the one I faced on this trip just about did me in.

I will finish this story in my next posting, an example of not giving up on fixing casino snags.

In the meantime, my March 6th Vegas trip is on if my health holds up! And I hope some of you will be able to attend the frugalite meet-up at the Food Hall (nobody wants to call them a Food Court anymore) at the Horseshoe Casino on Sunday, March 9th. I will be there at 1 p.m. and will stay until 2 p.m. and even longer, until about 3 p.m., if there are some who want to sit and chat longer.
Jean Scott

Thanks Mickey,

Please send part 2 when it comes out. My guess is she tried to cash a check for more bankroll.

[mickeycrimm]

I'll post part 2 when she puts it up.

[Rob.Singer]

I'll post part 2 when she puts it up.

Thanks mickey, I wasn't aware. She--and he--are certainly a part of my vp journey (as you know).

Although I'm not surprised because she's always been infatuated with CZR properties, it's perplexing as to why she chose those ragamuffin casinos for her play in Reno when there's much nicer properties, especially for her age group, south of downtown. And they (Pep/Atl) both have better vp, restaurants, rooms, ambience, slot club benefits for out-of-towners, etc.

Being stuck with a casino rewards operation for all these years when CZR is notorious for constantly tightening the noose around their players' necks, really isn't something to be boasting about in a column. But I get how so many players feel loyal to such a declining program. I'm just glad I broke away from the Harrahs grip the moment they started to require more points to reach diamond and belt-tightened the lounges, etc.

[mickeycrimm]

I'll post part 2 when she puts it up.

Thanks mickey, I wasn't aware. She--and he--are certainly a part of my vp journey (as you know).

Although I'm not surprised because she's always been infatuated with CZR properties, it's perplexing as to why she chose those ragamuffin casinos for her play in Reno when there's much nicer properties, especially for her age group, south of downtown. And they (Pep/Atl) both have better vp, restaurants, rooms, ambience, slot club benefits for out-of-towners, etc.

Being stuck with a casino rewards operation for all these years when CZR is notorious for constantly tightening the noose around their players' necks, really isn't something to be boasting about in a column. But I get how so many players feel loyal to such a declining program. I'm just glad I broke away from the Harrahs grip the moment they started to require more points to reach diamond and belt-tightened the lounges, etc.

I think it was the $10 per tier credit that attracted her to the ROW. She also plays Cherokee North Carolina which also has $10 per tier credit. Dancer plays both those places too. She plays just to Diamond Elite these days but Dancer still plays all the way to 7 Stars, which I think is a half million dollar wager at $10 per TC. They both have been playing NSUD, 99.73%, and they both probably take advantage of multipliers.

I don't know if you are aware of this but Brad is now a cadaver.

[Rob.Singer]

Yes, I saw where Brad succumbed. He wasn't well the last time I ran into them around 15 years ago.

Interesting tidbit: around 2004 there was a drawing invite to the HRH (inside Mortoni's--dinner also on HR). They gave away around a dozen items to invited players. The last two items were of course their best giveaways that day: a man's and a woman's Movado watches, both worth around $1000.

Jean's name got called for the woman's watch. Then they called my name for the man's.

I wasn't needing any more watches, but it would have been nice to have won the lady's watch for my wife. So I went up to Jean and asked if she'd like to switch, and she said yes! She wanted a watch for Brad, and I gave mine to Cindy. Everyone left happy. My wife takes hers with her on our every trip to this day.

[Don Perignom]

I don't know if you are aware of this but Brad is now a cadaver.

Yes, I saw where Brad succumbed.

He cashed in his chips.

[mickeycrimm]

I don't drink and four, one liter bottles of Fiji per day would be great by me, but typically they don't even give those up all you find as far as still water at Caesars Vegas is 591 ml Aquafina at the food outlets like Buddy V's Pizzeria or Pronto by Giada.

In Tahoe they will give you four free Fijis but they are not one liter, more like 500ml, if that.

You can blow a lot of money on water. Hell, it's at least $2 a bottle at every convenience store. I buy the 40 packs of 16.9 oz. bottled water at Walmart for $5.36 and keep it in the vehicle. That's less than 14 cents a bottle. 4 bottles a night go to the hotel rooms with me.