you decide

[notes1]

you have 2 choices, for the sake of the discussion, let's limit the answer to one or the other.

you are a low roller, want to go to vegas for a two full day gaming trip and you will put about $20k through the machines.

option #1- pay for airfare ($400), your own transportation around town (airport, etc), get free rooms because you have played vegas before and figure you can eat for next to nothing from comps earned. you can play the casinos that offer the best paytables.

option #2-get a free plane/hotel/transportation from a strip properties, but you must play at their casinos only, or you will never get offer again. paytables for DDB are 8/5, instead of the 10/6, I hear about.

which do you choose?

[Lionqueen]

Probably #2 and I know it should be #1 but I rarely venture out anyway. Years ago we would go casino hopping but I don't enjoy the crowds on the sidewalk or traffic so if I'm staying put I would rather be at a mega resort where I can settle in and enjoy their restaurants, spa and access to my room.

[Vman96]

So option 2 is everything that option 1 is plus a flight, but a worse paytable?

I know it's hypothetical, but airfare is the last thing casinos in Vegas give out. Free airfare on $20k coin in would be awesome though.

I would take option 1 if solo. Option 2 if the gf was with me. A 2-day trip, she would demand the strip.

[Galeygoo]

This is fun, notes...  Truly a dream scenario; especially the "20k in machines" partI choose door #2; what a great time I would have....

[pokerpokerpoker]

#1 At 1000hph and $1 denomination the average expected loss would be $150 or so per hour playing 8/5. A few hours play would theoretically recoup my travel expenses by playing 10/6.

Of course anything could happen over the course of a 2 day trip. My last trip playing halves and dollars 9/6 and 10/6 I didn't hit a SINGLE premium quad, aces, or royal and blew most of my trip BR way ahead of schedule. But then, last night I hit 4 premiums, one with kicker and 4X mult., and 4 aces - in less than 2 hours. You never know.

[Tedlark]

Option 1. But how would they know if you DID play somewhere else anyway? Would they leash you to their casino?

[case]

I would choose option 2

The main reason is it is only 2 days. If it was longer I would take the first option because of the added free food and better pay tables. A short trip I could live with the 8-5 VP for the free flight.

[notes1]

the scenario I mentioned is not just a hypothetical, I will be making my 3rd trip, under option #2 shortly. it was not intended as a test or a right/wrong quiz. I thought most would look at it from a purely math prospective. if the theo difference in paytables was approx 2% (do not know if this is correct), total play was only $20k and the cost savings was $450-500 (air/transportation), it seemed like the fully paid trip was worth the reduced theo. if you are one that does not believe the theo always works out over a short time period, it seemed like as easy answer.

those who play higher stakes would look at it differently. wanting to enjoy the strip could be a consideration, happy wife(girlfriend)/happy life would also factor in. the casino that made the offer would know your past play history, if you did not meet it, no more offers.

in the past, not doing it this time, have actually taken this trip, booked a comp room with free play offers at another hotel nearby, given the other room to a friend and just played the free money. do this once, the other casino will cut you off. free plane to vegas is not going to come to low rollers like me, but there are ways to get one, if you keep in contact/use enough gambling travel agencies and can go on a 2-3 week time notice. airfare for bigger players does happen often.

[Tedlark]

notes - good luck to you during your trip.

[DaBurglar]

First and foremost, GOOD LUCK notes1!    I hope you win, but equally important I hope you can provide some detailed info on the differences between your Vegas experience and recent forays to AC........Question: who exactly is offering you this ....."offer"?    A casino or travel agency, and if travel agency, which one???    I must admit, I am totally corn -fused by this....My next jaunt to Vegas most likely will be in between Thanx given'  and X-MAS......I plan to select the absolute BEST vacation package I can find at the major airlines websites, and book a Downtown Vegas property for at least 7 nights, possibly 10!    The appeal of paying for EVERYTHING (air & hotel) for a week long stay is a convenience and simplicity I cannot ignore.....I am not enough of a high roller to screw around with hosts haggling for this and that and winding up with a piece meal trip where SOME of it is FREE and some of it is not.   Plus if I am going to travel that far, it is too much trouble for me to only go for 4-5 days or less.....I need at least a week to make it worth the hassle for me personally.I considered doing Reno since I have not been there in ages and I always liked Reno just as much, if not more, than Vegas, and the video poker tends to be slightly more friendly in my experience.    I will decide soon, but i will tell you all up front that my main motivation for going in between the holidays is 1) it is usually less crowded as many people stay away during the holiday seasons to save money for family, etc.   But the flip side is the people who DO show up tend to be a lot like me. single or middle age/youngish couples with no children looking for the same experience I am.....   2)   I plan to do a lot of SPORTS betting as the college season will be winding down and the conference championships will be in full swing (always fun betting those wild and important games!)   PLUS, you have the late season second half NFL games with teans entering the home stretch for a playoff push.....makes for exciting betting!3)  Weather is my type....warm days, cool nights.......4)   Live poker actions is usually focused on TOURNAMENTS as a lot of the tourists (aka FISH) are not there during the holiday season, so casinos offer up very high value winter tournaments and invitationals.