Let's talk about Bankroll

[oldslotguy]

My bankroll has increased over the years as I do like to play the $5 machines. They are exciting to play especially when winning. I do enjoy playing video keno and penny slots too as I usually move around in a casino. I'm usually in Vegas for 3 nights and play a certain amount I'm willing to lose. I have had trips where I come home a loser and trips where I have my bankroll intact and some.

I justify my losses with the great comps I get as the casinos definitely know how to lure players

When you reach a point where you could have eaisly paid out of pocket instead of losses, those "free" conps don't amount to diddily.

[Nhcris]

I have been systematically raising my bankroll over the years as well. Before I retired, I only got to a casino now & then, like on a cruise or a rare trip to AC. In those days i thought nothing of playing 5 line dollar slots and when I went through $60 or so, I called it a day.

After I retired I finally got to Vegas & I think my bankroll for the first trip was around $250 for the entire trip. But as a Vegas first timer (DH was there for a conference) there was so much to see & do that I would throw a $20 in when I had a few minutes and that was about it. Slots had changed & I didn't understand all the penny video machines, so I spent a lot of time seeking out old quarter & dollar reels.

Somewhere along the line I got the brilliant idea of doing some online research, stumbled on a slot forum, and the rest is history. Gone are the days that I can go to Vegas with a couple hundred bucks. I can't even go to my locals without a decent bankroll anymore. Funny thing is, I won fairly frequently in the early days, and because my bankroll was so small I would stop and take my winnings. Now unless it is a huge win, I have become conditioned to playing it all back. DUH!

[RiverSong]

I plan on going to one of my local casinos in June. So far I have $150 saved, by then I should have $240 more and this will be for a 2 night stay. ( plus $90 freeplay ) I'm going to gamble like its 1999! :lol:

[SoCalRob]

I plan on going to one of my local casinos in June. So far I have $150 saved, by then I should have $240 more and this will be for a 2 night stay. ( plus $90 freeplay ) I'm going to gamble like its 1999! :lol:

Great fortune is wished. I expect a TR on it too @RiverSong!!

[hlaburg]

When you reach a point where you could have eaisly paid out of pocket instead of losses, those "free" conps don't amount to diddily.

I have thought that many times especially on losing trips but if I'm going to play the slots I might as well take the comps...

[Nhcris]

When you reach a point where you could have eaisly paid out of pocket instead of losses, those "free" conps don't amount to diddily.

I also take comps into considerations to soothe my losses. I sometimes think "Heck, I should have just paid for the room and meals" but what would I do with my time? And what about the thrill of the possibilities? But that being said, I do need to reevaluate my strategy (yet again) and cut back on the big losses.

[Skyler]

Cassie, I would love a play by play of how you're feeling and what you're thinking as you low roll like it's 1999! Would definitely be interesting to me for sure!

[zeus]

I am a very thrifty person. So we budget $400 per person per day for Vegas. It used to be $300 per day. But we are not high rollers at all and can play off of that moving our bets up and down throughout the day. We figure it is that much per day at an all-inclusive resort and since we are not really fans of the sun, Vegas it is. We get to stay, play and eat off of our gambling BR, so it is all good. We are in the process of paying off our house 16 years early and padding the retirement accounts, so we try to be somewhat modest with our gambling budgets.

[Evoni]

When you reach a point where you could have eaisly paid out of pocket instead of losses, those "free" conps don't amount to diddily.

I think that depends on the individual and where they are playing and how often. I don't play at locals but in Vegas I have gotten comps that definitely made up for a good portion of my gambling losses and sometimes all the losses, especially when they have special events like their gift shows and I can score a lot of Best Buy and Macy's gift certificates. Then there are those rare trips where everything is comped and we go home with more money then we arrived with. Of course there are also plenty of losing trips where the comps didn't make up for the losses but at least it was better then paying for both the gambling and then also paying for a room, resort fee and food too. For the most part I don't gamble extra just to get the comps, I'm usually gambling the same amount I would have played on the trip even if I was paying for my room, food and shows. I do agree with you that if one finds they are gambling over the amount they would have gambled on the trip if paying for their own room and food and feel the comps are driving them to gamble more then they should, it's time to reevaluate the value of their "comps".

[oldslotguy]

I think that depends on the individual and where they are playing and how often. I don't play at locals but in Vegas I have gotten comps that definitely made up for a good portion of my gambling losses and sometimes all the losses, especially when they have special events like their gift shows and I can score a lot of Best Buy and Macy's gift certificates. Then there are those rare trips where everything is comped and we go home with more money then we arrived with. Of course there are also plenty of losing trips where the comps didn't make up for the losses but at least it was better then paying for both the gambling and then also paying for a room, resort fee and food too. For the most part I don't gamble extra just to get the comps, I'm usually gambling the same amount I would have played on the trip even if I was paying for my room, food and shows. I do agree with you that if one finds they are gambling over the amount they would have gambled on the trip if paying for their own room and food and feel the comps are driving them to gamble more then they should, it's try to reevaluate the value of their "comps".

Very true Evoni. I should be keeping track of ALL my comps. As of now it's $125 @week FP, and 2-3 times a month double that, $50 @ week 'free' food, 2 rooms @ month. Also get comp $s, points for more 'free' play. Over 3 nights for our anniversary, we had 3 rooms,$1145 FP, $350 food. Really quite generous, + came out ahead.