How to Play the Player's Club

Slot machines, video poker, and table games have traditionally been the casino games that apply to strategy guides and money management techniques.  However, casinos have many more resources to ensure they make a profit and they that pose just as much of a threat to the gambler’s wallet as the traditional casino games.

The focus of this article is the casinos player’s club.  At first glance it appears that they are harmless marketing devices that allow casinos to track the gaming activity of their guests and offers guests all sorts of comps, from cash back and prizes to complimentary hotel rooms and dinners. 

The question is whether they are, truthfully, yet another disguised tactic enabling casinos to further capitalize on a player’s dollars.

The straight answer is yes.  They can be, but only if players let it happen.  Whether casino player’s clubs harm or help is one thing that the customer can control in the casino world made up predominantly of chance.  The ideas is not to be manipulated by club promotions.  Player’s can take advantage of some real perks as long as they maintain reaping rewards under their own conditions and not the conditions of the casino.   

Avoid becoming a slave to the club.  How does one know they are a slave?  The moment a player begins spending more time in the casino, spending more money at the casino, and taking more trips to the casino than is in their comfort zone, the player’s club has become the master in the relationship. 

Casinos most commonly take advantage of tiered player’s club programs.  A tiered club essentially dangles a carrot in front of the player’s nose.  Players are required to bet more money and make more frequent trips to the casino in order to excel to the next tier in the system.  Each tier, as suspected, offers more perks and comps.

Another classic scheme used by casinos is the one-day promotional invitation or direct mail cash back.  Think about it.  It is not helpful to make an unscheduled trip to the casino for the sake of some $15 coupon or a cheap gift.  Once a player is in the casino, they will likely end up betting and losing much more money.

The players at the least amount of risk of being abused by the player’s club system are the high rollers and the holiday players.  Anybody that is in a position to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars at an individual casino outing is probably accustom to getting what they want, when they want.  Also, holiday players that make a trip to the casino maybe once every three month and have no plans of changing that, probably will not be suckered either.

The group that casinos target most is the semi-regulars that find themselves in the casino about once a week.  These enthusiasts are most likely to find themselves gambling outside of their comfort zone. 

The best approach to the player’s club system is to join the club at every casino you frequent and use your card every time you play.  But, make the casino work for you.  Build equity around your schedule and only claim prizes that you want.  The purpose of the player’s club is to enhance your gambling experience.  There are enough pitfalls out there to diminish it. 

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