I hope everyone is having a great holiday season.  I haven’t posted anything with vacations and family but I have read a book I though I would post.

I recently came across the book The Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott.  Being a bonus chasing, rakeback loving cheapskate, I had to know if I could learn anything from this book for when I go to Las Vegas or the local casinos.

I read the first edition and the first thing I have to warn you is this book is old.  It was first published in 1998, so many of the specifics are very out of date.  There is a 2005 second edition which I would like to read to see how it is updated, but I suspect that will be fairly out of date as well.

The first thing one must do when reading this book is to read specifics as if they are anecdotes.  As I said earlier, this book is over 10 years old, and the second edition is over 5 years old.  A LOT has changed in Las Vegas where the majority of this book is written about.  Many of the promotions are long gone, video poker games and their pay tables have been tweaked, and her beloved Stardust is now actual dust.

If you approach the book in this manner there is quite a bit you can learn.  For starters, the casino looking for your money at every turn, use players club cards, coupon books, and promotions to make sure you are getting something back for patronizing a specific casino.  The house has an edge at almost everything so if you pick up on the ideas she champions you can lower the house edge or sometimes put it in your favor.

Another big point she makes is to ask, ask, ask.  Casinos have a lot of promotional dollars to earn and keep your business but if you don’t ask for it the casino does want to offer it to you when they feel they have your action anyway.  Ask about coupons and fun books, ask what it take to qualify for a free meal, show ticket, room.  You might not think as a low roller you can get anything but a yes will be a pleasant surprise because the casinos want to keep your action with them.

The money, freebies and bonuses won’t come easy for the low roller but they are there.

If you see value in picking up a nickel off the sidewalk or using coupons at the store you will love this book.

If you go to Vegas and get frustrated with your losses or think you are too small of a fish for the casino to care about, then this book has some important things to teach you.

If you go to a casino and think a free buffet, every other trip, is the best comp you can get, this book might surprise you.