Hi folks, long time listener, first time caller. Apologies for what may become a long rambling post.
First off, vp is a hobby for me. It is something I can spend an infinite amount of time on (practicing, strategizing, actually gambling, etc. . .) with a positive correlation to the amount of enjoyment I get out of it. I live on the east coast in the bible belt, so the closest casino is about 5 hours away. My goal when on a gambling trip is not to pay the rent, but to at least have a 0 balance on the books when I've completed a gambling trip (with variance, that doesn't happen most of the time, but at least you can calculate that you are playing a positive game when you take into account all the variables). When accounting for all those variables, I take into account the cost of the flight, usually to Vegas, hotel room, and food. With the opportunities in downtown Vegas, it is pretty easy to break even on paper. However, this is supposed to be fun, so a little change in the routine would be nice. I have a decent job, so I consider my bankroll as infinite, and I am comfortable playing at the $1 level, and maybe if I am feeling really frisky, I'll risk a $2 or $5 machine.
Obviously playing at CET properties expands my possibilities throughout the US, and MGM properties gives more opportunities in Vegas. However, about all I can glean from message boards is how bad the comps at these properties are becoming and how it was so much better a couple of years ago. My questions are:
1) Simply, accounting for freeplay and cashback to offset loses at a -ev game, is it possible to have a +ev at a CET property? How about a MGM property? I realize that there are alot of variables to this question (adts, time on machine) that could lead to many answers, but just knowing +ev is possible would make it worth a try. I know some people like to keep their plays to themselves (and that's OK), but examples would be nice.
2) How large is the variance in the amount of freeplay given at CET properties nationwide? E.g. will the same amount of play on a similar machine lead to the same amount of freeplay offers (at the respective properties) at Planet Hollywood vs. Harrah's Tunica.
3) If one expands on question #1 and takes into account other comps (food, show tickets, free stuff, etc. . .) does the play at MGM or CET properties become positive? For this question, I don't include hotels as to me, this is easy enough to get. Can one achieve returns large enough to offset airfare (let's say $400).
4) Does anyone have experience with junkets to CET properties (or others) and how easy is it to get free trips?
Thanks in advance for the conversations. Questions clarifying anything is appreciated.