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Casino Events
A memoir series from more than three decades of VIP hosting — starting with Jörn's 2003 California roadshow: 17 days, face-to-face relationships, and the events that shaped how we work with serious players today.
Written by Jörn Peter Thiessen
Casino VIP and player development specialist with 33+ years of land based and online gaming experience, including 2,000+ players personally hosted and 120+ VIP events and roadshows worldwide.
The High Roller Chronicles are based on Jörn's first hand experiences throughout his casino career. Some names and identifying details may be changed to protect privacy.
Methodology · 18+
Listed newest story period first. Prefer reading order? Start with Chapter 1. For the photo archive, see Past events.
Chapter 12 · October 2005
Chapter 12 — California to New York, 2005: When Casino VIP Loyalty Was Personal. October 13–29, 2005. San Diego, Newport Beach, Riverside, Palm Springs, Woodland Hills and Manhattan — dinners, feedback, an earthquake, and why recognition still beats another bonus.
Chapter 11 · September 2005
Chapter 11 — Texas: Turning Online Players into Real Relationships. September 15–26, 2005. Stillwater, Tulsa, Fort Worth and Dallas — coffee, dinners, Southfork Ranch, and why the first handshake mattered more than any promotion.
Chapter 9 · June 2005
Chapter 9 — Canada: The Road Trip That Taught Me to Listen. June 13–26, 2005. Thirteen customers across St. George, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, Vancouver, Creston and Calgary — and why the relationship kept the high roller online.
Chapter 8 · May 2005
Chapter 8 — Virginia & North Carolina. May 13 – May 24, 2005. Twelve VIP meetings over almost two weeks: why players gamble to switch off, why cash beats cars, and why loyalty follows people — not logos.
Chapter 7 · March–April 2005
Chapter 7 — Everything Is Bigger in Texas (and Oklahoma!). March 29 – April 11, 2005. San Antonio to Stillwater: three invitation emails, Wednesday timing, and why roadshow conversations beat any CRM report.
Chapter 6 · 2004–2005
Chapter 6 — Meeting Terrance Watanabe. What one of the world's most famous casino players taught me about VIP hospitality — Spago, a private jet to Las Vegas, Bellagio, and a friendship built on conversation, not promotions.
Chapter 5 · October–November 2004
Chapter 5 — Our First European VIP Roadshow & the Legendary MiG-29 Experience | October–November 2004. Paris, London, Newcastle, Switzerland — and a fighter-jet flight that changed VIP hospitality forever.
Chapter 4 · March 2004
Chapter 4 — The Florida Car Draw | March 6, 2004. Eight couples. Five states. One Ford F-150. The first live online casino VIP draw.
Chapter 3 · February 2004
Chapter 3 — African Safari & Cape Town | February 2004. One Canadian VIP couple, eight days, the Big Five, five-star luxury, and the trip that redefined VIP hosting.
Chapter 2 · September 2003
Chapter 2 — Florida & Georgia, USA | September 2003. Roadshow No. 2: 37 RSVPs, 30 VIP guests, seven cities, and eight dinners that proved relationships beat promotions.
Chapter 1 · May 2003
Chapter 1 — California, USA | May 2003. The first chapter in a memoir series from more than three decades of VIP hosting.
