Hotel Casinos and the Casino Rate
We have all seen the 3rd world casinos, at least once in our lifetime. I have yet to really see any good post or comments on the actual logistics behind them. So here goes…
The last time I went to Puerto Rico, I stayed at the Ritz. Not b/c I can afford $300’s a night at the hotel, but because I got a $99 dollar casino rate. This is one of my favorite Travel Ninja tools to slash prices. The more you travel the more you will find hotel casinos. Learning the system has a lot to do with your street smarts. Instead of asking for the AAA rate or any upgrades, simply ask if there is a casino rate. I first came to understand this the day I really worked a casino over. Most people’s definition of working a casino over is a couple of thousand in a couple of minutes, then cashing out. For me, it’s somewhat the opposite. My goal is to make $100 per hour, have a couple of drinks for free, and most importantly become a Casino’s Host’s, best friend.
Finding the Casino Host is simple. He is the casinos version of a restaurant hostess. You can always ask if you can’t spot them. What worked for me at the Ritz was slow and steady Roulette playing. I like to play the 12’s. That means a $5 bet wins $15. One of the things I like to do is play 2 twelves at the same time. So two $5 bets increases my odds to 66 percent. I will lose one, and hopefully hit the other which enables me to make $5. Bet 10 to win 5 with 66 percent odds. I always make sure the pit boss or host is aware of when I sit down, and how much I spend. It’s a good idea to sit down with an extra hundred that you ABSOLUTLEY WILL NOT PLAY. I call it my ‘bling’. Remember, Casino Hosts, love anyone having a good time, playing, and hopefully winning. For the casino, if someone is winning there are always at least 2 people losing. So that being said, I took my $200 out of my pocket, waited until I saw the 3rd set of twelves hit, and started my game on the first and second twelves. If it doesn’t hit, on the first time, I will bet the same amount on the second then double down on the third miss and the fourth. Gambling is not something you should expect to win, but if you can sit down and enjoy slow play, you will be sure to become friends with the Casino Host. That’s the goal. Once I finished my original game at the casino, I took my $100 earnings, cashed out, and went to the hotel. Don’t forget to plant the seed. Before I was finished with the game, I asked the Pit Boss if there was a nice steak house in the hotel. After the game was over, as I was leaving, I asked the casino Host what time dinner was starting at the upscale steakhouse. By the time I went to the room, showered, and came back downstairs, wouldn’t you know… it was the Casino Host, introducing himself to me, and buying me an $18 glass of wine. “Mr. Carotta, anytime you come back please call me so I can make sure your stay is pleasurable, and you receive the casino rate”. Hotel Casinos love to have players, losers are always better, but players allow the roulette wheel to start spinning, allowing plenty of time for others to loose, and you to enjoy your slow play and your casino rate. After all, you saved $200 per night, might as well try your luck with half of it.
The Traveling Gambler, ‘Oceans 14′
10
Jul 2009
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Category: Travel Hacking
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
34 Responses
Leave a Reply
I have to admit that I am a huge fan of gambling, and I frequent Las Vegas all the time, but I like your method of making $100 per hour. I had no idea that they had these kind of facilities in Puerto Rico, so I’ll have to keep this in mind for my next trip!
Sweet, love it!
I myself have never played Roulette, but I’ve always wanted to. It intimidates me.
I have never heard of a $99 casino rate! I usually try to give myself a better room rate if I’m going somewhere with a casino, especially because it is something that makes my stay in Vegas almost dirt cheap. I’ve never checked out Puerto Rico though, but I really want to. Good tip!
Haha, it is always good to be in with the casino host, especially if they are going to wine you and dine you. Even though you may lose big from time to time, that is what pays about gambling.
I don’t want to show this to my husband because I always get on him about his love for gambling, so he would totally appreciate a story like this!
Haha, I like the idea of setting down the extra bling!
All of this gambling talk has got me excited because I’m going to Vegas for the first time next month. Woo!
Thank you for the tip on asking for the casino rate. I’ve always found that if you ask hotels for these type of amenities, then they are more than happy to accommodate you.
Is there a legal gambling age in Puerto Rico?
That’s a great attitude to go into gambling not expecting to win, but just enjoy a good game.
My favorite game is roulette!
Sadly, I’ve never been to a third world country, only to England.
I’m so glad to have found a cool travel blog!
So do they treat you as good in Puerto Rico as they do in Vegas??
I’ve had the pleasure of spending an entire summer in Puerto Rico, but the weird part was that I really never went inside a casino. Now that I read your blog, I feel like I really missed out.
My favorite part of gambling is the free drinks!
I have heard that Puerto Rico is really beautiful so it’s great to see that they have all kinds of fun activities to do, especially gambling
This sounds like a vacation that my husband will absolutely love because he is all about casinos, though we have never been to Puerto Rico.
So have you gone back to that casino again? It sounds great!
The very first time that I played Roulette was on my 21st birthday in Vegas, so it has always been a fave
Sounds like a fantastic vacation!
I look forward to more upcoming posts, these sound like fun!
I like that you included a picture of the casino, great touch
I worked as a casino employee for a long time, though it wasn’t in Puerto Rico, but I understand the logic that they will treat you well if you are spending your money and winning. Way to go!
I have looked at a bunch of travel blogs, and I really like this one the best, so you better believe that I will be back for more upcoming posts in the future.
Haha, every time a friend goes to Vegas, I will give them five dollars to put on a Roulette table for me!
I love all of the details that you gave in this post, makes me want to go there!
I grew up in Puerto Rico, so this picture makes me really nostalgic and want to visit home again soon. Thank you for the great reminder!
I would love to stay at the Ritz anywhere on earth, so thanks for these great tips!
I would be content making $100 per hour and having free drinks so it sounds like a great vacation idea. I never thought about checking out the casinos in Puerto Rico!
Cool idea!
I look forward to checking out your upcoming posts because it seems like they will give me great details and vacation ideas!
Greetings Aaron,
your story is inspiring and Im excited for the days that I will be sharing my bliss on television like you.
FYI:The rest of the post is missing.
Thanx and many more Blessings to you!
Amanda