People often ask me what’s my favorite casino in Atlantic City. It’s a tough question to answer. The casinos all want to cultivate loyalty to one gaming hall _ their own.

   But I gamble the way I shop. I can count the brand-name products that I buy faithfully on one hand, and still have fingers left over. When I go to the supermarket or drug store, I determine what I need, and then see what brand is on sale, what I have a coupon for (preferably both at once), and who’s offering a mail-in rebate.

   I do the same thing for my casino play. First of all, if the place doesn’t have decent full-play video poker at the levels I play, they don’t get my business. At the end of every month, I take all my mailed offers and put them in chronological order. Then every Sunday night I look through the next week’s offers and determine which, if any, I’m interested in. The quality of the offers and the other things going on in my life help me decide where I’ll play for the week.

   Of course, I have a core casino. But that core has changed several times over the years as the casinos put in or took out video-poker machines, tightened or loosened comps or closed restaurants I like. But I’m never loyal to my core. If my primary casino is Property A, and Property B sends me an offer for $50 in free play, guess where I’ll be?

   And then I change my mind for other circumstances. I’m a local, so I don’t need rooms. But if I want a mini-vacation, I’ll usually pick the Borgata because they have the nicest rooms and I can get it comped. If a friend is coming in from out-of-town, I’ll meet them wherever they’re staying. I’m always flexible.

   You have to decide for yourself where to play. Who has the games you like? If you’re from out of town, who has the rooms you enjoy staying in? Who serves your favorite food? Who gives you the most mailed offers, cashback and comps for your style of play?

   Have fun choosing. And always let them know if they don’t give you what you want, you’ll take your gambling bankroll elsewhere.

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