Rewards Club Questions & Answers

Over the years, the casinos have experimented with many types of promotions to get you through the door. Free spins, free slot play, scratch cards, slot tournaments, table game tournaments, senior specials, cheap buffet......you name it, and they've tried it. Many promotions are fun and can be used to improve the players advantage - or at least close the gap.

One of the best ongoing promotions that most casinos offer is a rewards card.  All six New England casinos offer them.  Each casino has a different slant to their club's worth.  Here are some important questions, from personal experience, you need to ask to get the best "bang for the buck:"

1)  What can I redeem the points I accumulate for?
Many rewards clubs allow you to use your players club points for dining at their restaurants, or shopping.  Some offer using your points for free slot play, but usually for half the price. (ex., 50 points = $25 slot play).  Many casinos allow you to redeem points for entertainment, as in buying tickets for a concert.

2)  Do they expire?  If so, when?
This is important to know.  Some rewards club points don't ever expire.  Other clubs points expire after 13 months or even 6.  There are so many ways to use them, it's a shame if a player let them expire - especially when it takes so much money in to earn them.  Which leads to my next question...

3)  How much "money in" equals one point?
Points accumulate at different % or rates at each casino.  Knowing how much $$ it takes to earn one point helps when looking for the best player advantage at different casinos. For example, here is a comparison of the CT casinos (taken from " vpfree2.com):

• Foxwoods - Video Poker  $340 coin in = 1 point
• Mohegan Sun - Video Poker  $270 coin in = 1 point; however on full pay VP, you earn NO points

You can see how different two casinos less than ten minutes away can be, never mind those side by side on the Las Vergas strip.  It's the players responsibility to find out these facts.  Beware that some casinos can have different rates on different slot machines according to their expected payout % - and that info they just don't like to share!

4)  How many points equals one dollar?
Be sure you know this answer - some clubs approach points like they were lira (ex, 1000 points = $1).
And be aware that when using your points, some casino restaurants and stores may cost you 2x the points.  For example, at Borgata in Atlantic City, all stores and restaurants on the casino floor is 1 to 1.  But if you go downstairs to their food court, it will cost you $10 in points for a $5 burger.  BUYER BEWARE!

5)  Do different games accumulate points at different rates?
The answer is yes, but it's good to know the difference, as stated in question #3.  If you play table games, be sure to use your card!  However, some casinos won't take your card at lowest limit tables.  Be sure you ask before playing.

6)  Is it part of a larger "mega-club?"  (Such as Caesar's Total Rewards, or MGM's "M Life")
Knowing you can earn at the AC Harrah's and use them at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is a good thing.  You can't use your MGM-Foxwoods points at the Las Vegas MGM, for example.

Finally, Casino Rewards clubs offer different levels, according to your play.  The three things casinos take into consideration for tier levels and comps are average bet amount, time spent, and game played.  Usually, the casino looks at the average play for your last number of visits.  That number of visits varies per casino - for example, comparing the CT casinos again, Foxwoods averages your last three visits, Mohegan Sun your last 6 visits.  So beware of that $10 free slot play offer.  If it isn't parlayed into a longer stay, you may be bringing your level down by a visit for free play, eating and then leaving! (remember, these are all based on personal experience - I guess we learn from our mistakes!

Later in the week, I will include parts of an article by Jeff Compton, renowned writer of gambling and gambling tips such as his very popular book "Getting the most out of Slots."  It will feature answers to more questions about rewards programs, myths of slot card usage, and the connection to getting comps.

That's All for now.

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