[delgadobb]

Update #2: Now an even dozen ...

12 out of 12 coming out ahead & getting a free buffet for something I'm doing anyways. This may be too much of a good thing, I've resorted to taking friends a couple times. It's gotten to the point that I have to remind myself to just eat like a regular meal; I don't have to stuff myself to get full value. It's been very simple & straightforward to earn buffets on a regular basis.

Do I expect to come out ahead every time? No. That said, playing poker will give a reasonably skilled player a 75+% chance to come out ahead while earning a free buffet. I guarantee there's a lot of poker players relying on Caesars for their subsistence (in terms of food, anyways) - many of them are used to eating out frequently since they lack cooking skills & this gives them good value. In my case, I happen to do a lot of cooking at home so it's not as big a deal to me ... yet it's still a nice perk while it's available.

Consider this a data point for the naysayers who want to assume it's automatically throwing $$ away.

As for the individual buffets, Planet Hollywood is my first choice, with Rio and/or Paris a close second. The casino inside PH is quite noisy & not for me, but the buffet is one level lower & somewhat secluded, so it's actually a nice setting. Some of the stuff I've liked has included lobster bisque, seafood paella, steak kebabs, chicken curry, roast duck, chicken tandoori along with the usual crab legs, shrimp, prime rib.

My next trip will be to the Rio as someone advised me that Diamond members with local ID can upgrade their free buffet to the seafood buffet for $13 - I have not been able to confirm this myself but will try soon.

[GeorgeJ.]

Originally Posted by Willy702

I think I read the national average is 90% of all checking accounts require either a minimum balance over $500 or a direct deposit to not charge a monthly fee. There are a few free ones out there, but fewer and farther between.

Chase & Wells Fargo are in that 90% of banks then...they both require a $1500 balance if you don't do a direct deposit of paycheck...

[GeorgeJ.]

Originally Posted by EA

Uh, if a bank wanted to charge me for not direct depositing, I would go to another bank. I use a credit union. They don't do all that crap.

If my employer made me do direct deposit, I would. I only go to the casino because they give you free beer and sometimes free other things like buffets. Also, if I deposit a check, sometimes the bank holds it for a few days. It's easier to go to the casino, get free stuff, then take cash to the bank where it will post instantly. Boulder Station is only 1 block out of my way when I go home from work, so I'm not even going out of my way.

Back in the 80's, Bank Of America used to charge a fee if you deposited CASH into your account! I would hope that they've dropped that practice in the last 30 years...

[NoMoreRJ]

Originally Posted by Willy702

I think I read the national average is 90% of all checking accounts require either a minimum balance over $500 or a direct deposit to not charge a monthly fee. There are a few free ones out there, but fewer and farther between.

You should switch banks to online banks that have free ATM access and no checking account fees. Or open an online account and transfer money from online bank to your bank and some of them will count that as direct deposit. Then transfer that back and forth. I have mine set for auto transfer in and out each month to avoid the fees.