How would you handle this gambling trip?

[Blase]

I'm headed down to St. Louis this weekend with my friend Karie for a two night trip to see a Cubs/Cards game. I was invited to come by my old Harrah's Joliet host Nick, who now works for Lumiere Place casino down there. He invited myself and a guest to stay at the Four Seasons (comp room valued at $1100 for the two nights!) and with VIP box suite tickets for the game Monday night. Nick has become a friend and Karie and I are looking forward to getting down there on Sunday and hanging out with him watching the first full day of NFL games.

Here's the catch - I really don't want to gamble down there. For one, it's a casino that's not affiliated with anything in Vegas. Two, it's not like I'm going to make frequent jaunts down there if they send me free play, like I would with a casino that's an hour away. Three, I have taken some heavy losses my last few trips and don't have a huge bankroll, and I want to save my money for my Vegas trip in October. However, I KNOW I have to gamble... some. It would be shitty to do that to Nick especially when he's gone out of his way in putting us up at the Four Seasons (instead of the other hotel adjacent to the casino). I have no play history there at all and he's really just extending this trip based on my past play at Harrah's Joliet, so I don't want to completely bone him.

So what would you do? I really only have Sunday to gamble as Monday we are planning on doing the rooftop pool during the day and then the Cubs game that night, and we'll be leaving early on Tuesday to head home. I'm hoping if I bring only $500 and no ATM cards, I'd be ok with that loss, but I'll really need to low roll and hopefully extend my play so I can accrue some points. Also, I'm not sure if I feel comfortable asking Karie to play on my card, but I think it's only fair considering I'm getting her a free trip and free tix to the game!

[Pat]

that's a tough one. I'm sure he is expecting the same type of play that you do at Joliet. I guess you have to ask yourself this question. It you didn't have previous heavy losses and a larger bankroll, how would that affect your upcoming trip? Would you have gambled more? He's giving you some nice amenities. If it were me (and it isn't), knowing that I would never go back there again to a casino that has no affiliations, I would not have accepted the offer from someone I consider a friend.

[RiverSong]

I'd let him know and be ready to pay for some of it or be assigned a different hotel. Good luck with whatever your decide.

[Blase]

that's a tough one. I'm sure he is expecting the same type of play that you do at Joliet. I guess you have to ask yourself this question. It you didn't have previous heavy losses and a larger bankroll, how would that affect your upcoming trip? Would you have gambled more? He's giving you some nice amenities. If it were me (and it isn't), knowing that I would never go back there again to a casino that has no affiliations, I would not have accepted the offer from someone I consider a friend.

I guess my thought is that he's gotta know (assume) that I won't be coming back down there regularly, so I wouldn't play like I would up here at a place I'd be visiting again. I even said to him that I only get down to St. Louis once a year - at most. There are too many other places I'd rather travel. And like I said, he's a friend, so I'm wondering if he partially invited us just because we're fun to hang out with. He's texted me saying "I'm definitely hanging out with you guys this time" because the last time we went to a game together (in Chicago) he got stuck hanging out with some not so fun clientele.

I am debating whether I should text him beforehand though and just give him a heads up.

[Elf70]

I think I'd pass on the offer and ask him to keep you in mind for future offers when you're better funded. Or as RiverSong suggested let him know upfront that you're willing to change hotels and/or pay for some of the trip.

[Blase]

I also don't even know what his position is down there. He went to Majestic Star in Indiana after leaving Harrah's, as Director of Player Development. Then got laid off from MS in May. Then a month later texts me that he's now with Lumiere in St. Louis - so I of course ask if he moved down there? He said no, he still lives up here, and only goes down when he has events or big players in town. So I guess for this trip he'll be there Sunday - Thursday because he's going to all three Cubs games.

I don't know how you're a host without a physical presence, and he's not listed on the website as a host, so I'm curious as to what he actually does... was going to hopefully get the deets this weekend.

[TwoArmedBandito]

I would explain your situation to him. Maybe not do the hotel but get the suite baseball tix.

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[Mary9915]

I think I'd contact him and tell him that you'll have to pass because you don't have a bankroll to justify the comps. If he's inviting you as a friend, he'll let you know that it's not a problem. If he's inviting you as a friendly host, he'll probably thank you and extend the offer another time...

[michelelovesvegas]

Yes, I would be upfront and tell him that you will not be gambling hard, unless you get a really nice HP, and then you will be happy to recycle some of it!! Ask him if this will make a difference on his offer, put it in his hands. If he says no, will not make a difference, go, have a good guilt free time on their dime!

[zeus]

Blasé, I can only say if you are giving it this much thought, I believe you know the answer. If he is a truly good friend who means something to you, I would have to tell him thanks for the offer, but no thanks. A friend is worth more than a game, even with VIP seats. Save your money for next month. You love Vegas, you get a lot out of it, and though only $500, I would much rather have it for Vegas.