ZorkFest is a conference where casino and travel rewards meet. Casino reward points and comps come from cash spending at restaurants and retail outlets in casinos, as well as gambling.
The vast majority of the TravelZork community is proficient at generating rewards from retail spending. However, they might not understand the intricacies of earning rewards and comps from gambling.
It’s an entirely different world from retail spending because there isn’t a direct exchange of money for goods or services and points. Gamblers could play and see no return after five, 20, 40, or even hours of play.
Earning rewards in a casino is different, but both can be useful. However, just playing the games isn’t enough.
Like travel, there are ways to maximize casino rewards. ZorkFest attendees can get firsthand experience on how to play casino games and how to get the most out of rewards.
There are a few ways to learn about maximizing gambling rewards. You can buy Zorkfest tickets and add-ons here.
Guest Speakers
Few people have Justin Vacula’s knowledge of maximizing rewards from online casinos. This is still a relatively new way to earn casino rewards. He regularly shares tips on how to get the most bang for your buck by playing blackjack, betting on sports, social casinos, and more.
Anthony Curtis is one of the smartest men in Las Vegas. He’s a Hall of Fame blackjack player but might be even better at scoping out deals from local bars in the suburbs to casinos in the tourist areas. He’s a great resource, whether he’s sharing tips on where to gamble or where to find cheap drinks.
John and Kristina Mehaffey gather information on where to find the cheapest casino games with the best odds in Las Vegas. It’s a job nobody wants to do, but their research is useful for deciding which casinos to visit or avoid. Their information is a great tool for anyone looking to stretch their budget.
Gambling Add-Ons
The speakers are part of the TravelZork education sessions and are included with the price of a ticket. A few add-ons are available on Sunday, Dec. 7, after the main conference sessions for those who want hands-on experience or to dive deeper into gambling.
There are three sessions on Sunday morning and afternoon for those who want to learn about baccarat, craps, and video poker. All three games have a relatively low house edge for the casino.
This should allow players more time at the tables and machines. The more time played, the greater the rewards. This also gives players more time to hit a hot streak and walk away winners.
The casino’s advantage is based on millions of simulations, and anything can happen in the short term. However, learning how to play games with a low house edge is a great way to maximize gambling rewards.
The baccarat and craps sessions are limited to a handful of players and cost $115 to join. Participants will receive a $100 promo chip, making the effective fee just $15.
These are real gambling sessions, and all participants must have a $1,000 bankroll to play. You keep your winnings.
- 9 am-10 am: Coffee Dice Craps Session (+$115, $1,000 buy-in required)
- 11 am-1 pm: Private Baccarat Table (+$115, $1,000 buy-in required)
There’s one gambling masterclass from noon to 3 p.m. John and Kristina Mehaffey will lead the “Casino Comp Maximization and Video Poker” session (+$180). During the three-hour class, you’ll learn how to:
- Evaluate and compare reward programs
- Maximize comp values
- Earn more rewards through video poker and electronic table games
- Reduce the casino’s house edge
- Stack promotions
When the session is over, you should know how to optimize casino rewards programs, stretch your budget further, and turn gaming rewards into valuable travel benefits.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.