Hi there,
I'm typing to your from the Diamond Lounge in Lake Tahoe, having just completed my DIAD. I wanted to pass along everything I've learned as 'net fodder in the future.
* "Are there (or will there be) any C casinos that offer bonus/multiplied RCs?"
sector7up2 said that Harrah's Rincon has multiplier days, which is true. There are other C properties that do as well ... The best place to look for these is under something similar to a "Promotions/Events" tab off the main page of any given C property you're interested in.
* I've read statements (although I can't dig any up this second) that are similar to "DIAD is for new D members only." If this is still true, could this mean that I would not be eligible since I've already lived on the D brick road earlier in my life?
vpbp2002, Dean Nishima and carolm60656 have all achieved D status with combinations of DIAD and "normal" Diamond (ND) earnings. I just earned DIAD having had ND before. No problems. No questions.
* Are there any of the C casinos (or hosts) that seem to be better/worse or more welcoming/hostile toward people doing DIAD?
The answer to this remains unclear to me. The one thing that was painfully obvious was Harrah's Rincon was far more familiar and conversant on DIAD than Harrah's Lake Tahoe ... That MIGHT, however, be due to the booth staff's far greater command of the English language in Rincon.
My DIAD experience follows for anyone who might be interested.
After searching the VPFREE2 database, much fiddling with Wolf Video Poker software, and coincident travel plans, I decided to head to Harrah's Lake Tahoe for DIAD. Roughly speaking I figured there awas a 2/3 chance that I would lose less than $1K (including winning in that number).
Calling the slot club, they had no problem telling me that the slot day went from 06:30 - 06:30 daily.
I went to the Rewards desk (TRD) today and there was some confusion ... When I asked about DIAD, I was directed to a slot host -- apparently the booth staffer was thinking that I wanted to be granted a Diamond pass for the day. After talking to the host -who noticeably recoiled after seeing my most recent play- I went back to the TRD who informed me what I already thought I knew ... 3K tier credits would get me DIAD.
I plunked myself down with my girlfriend to a $1 JoB 3-play. My girlfriend and I split the same machine both for companionship and to help ensure fewer mistakes as we played. Here are the sequential milestones of the session (the $ numbers are my overall standing at the moment of the hand being dealt).
* 4 9s dealt. +$48
* 4 4s. +$480
* 4 7s. +$450
* 4 Ks. +$515
* 4 As. +$545
* 4 As. +$525
* 900 base points. even.
* -$100 @997 base points.
* -$200 @1053 base points.
* 4 8s. -$145
* 4th 7 dealt to 2 different hands. +$155
* 4 7s dealt. +$410
* 1500 base points -- half way to DIAD. +$390
* 4 Ks. +$275.
* 4 6s. +$350.
* 2000 base points -- 2/3 to DIAD. +$180
* Straight flush. +$470
* 2319 base points. even.
* 4 7s. -$25
* -$300 @2605 base points.
* -$400 @2644 base points.
* -$500 @2665 base points.
* -$600 @2754 base points.
* -$700 @2805 base points.
* -$800 @2853 base points.
* 4 8s. -$630
* 3000 base points. -$755. DIAD achieved.
Elapsed time: almost exactly three hours.
Tough end on a rollercoaster session. Those last 700 base points essentially costed me a buck apiece.
(For the record, during this session I made decisions on 2000 dealt hands and had three mistakes that my GF and I know of. At one point I held KQs when there was a 77 on the board (all hands happened to pay on my mistake draw). On another I held a K only when there was also a suited T on the board. On another I played suited QJ instead of holding TJQK.)
I marched back to the booth and was given a D card with an expiration stating 3/12. My understanding -which may not be correct- is this card will be renewed with a card stating expiration on 3/13 when I replace it later this year (if this turns out NOT to be the case, I'll tap the list). It was extremely difficult to get a precise understanding because the booth person's English explanations were far from clear and precise.
Now armed with a D card, I trooped back to the host and asked for a room and buffet comp. This was followed by a lot of typing (maybe 10 minutes worth) ... the host gave me a super-nice room, but no buffet.
For what it's worth,
m.
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