Now that Pennsylvania has opened table games in its casinos, it is time to talk about my third vice.
If you combine my number one vice with my number three vice you get books on gambling. The number of books on how to win in a casino is astronomical. Texas Hold-em has become extremely popular and I feel that more money is being made on publications than is being made at the tables.
What players like me need to know is how to stay in the casino for long periods of time without spending a lot of money. In other words, I enjoy casinos but am very cheap. Jean Scott has come to my rescue with her books, THE FRUGAL GAMBLER and MORE FRUGAL GAMBLING. Believe me, she speaks with authority.
If you follow the Travel Channel, you may recognize her name. She is also known as the "Queen of Comps” and the "Gambling Grandma”. Her books are packed with information on how to get in on the casinos’ "give aways“. This is advice for frugal, recreational gamblers who want to cash in on the freebies that the high rollers enjoy--- on a more realistic level. You may not eat at the up-scale restaurants or stay in the penthouse suite, but you will get the occasional free room and meal.
Jean tells the low-level player how to make use of slot clubs, cash-backs, bounce-backs, and comps. To translate -- cash-back is the money the casino will pay you back for gambling, not par with what you spend but it helps. Bounce-backs are the offers that the promotion office sends to you to get you to return to their location. Comps are the complimentary offers that should keep you from going to the casino across the street. These vary greatly from casino to casino and require some research.
Slot clubs are the secret to it all. Think of it as joining Sam’s Club except with no fee. (I recommend joining even if you are walking through the casino to catch a bus and not spending a dime.) The membership card then tracks your play and tells them how important you are to them. Believe me, the small gambler is important.
In MORE FRUGAL GAMBLING, Jean’s daughter speaks for the beginner or casual player. I found the second book to be very informative. It covers tipping, how to ask for your comps, and how to pick a casino. Most people know when they are in a place that feels out of their financial league, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.
So far my experiences in Pennsylvania have been so -so. Hollywood Casino, at Penn National, charges for things that out of state places provide for free. I also avoid the big flashy casinos. I figure somebody has to be paying for all the electricity to keep those light going and I do not want it to be me.
My husband and I have played from coast to coast and met some interesting people, had some fantastic meals, stayed in some very nice rooms, and generally have had some great times. Authors like Jean Scott have helped make this a “frugal” vice.
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