Reasons You Should and Shouldn’t Sign Up for a Players Card

Casino players clubs are a great way to earn casino comps off the money your gambling. Who doesn’t love free stuff?

These awards programs are one of the easiest ways to stretch your casino gambling bankroll. Here are the top five reasons you should sign up for a players card at your favorite casino and three reasons why you maybe shouldn’t.

1 – Why You Should: The VIP Experience

Casino hosts exist to keep their players happy. These casino hosts dedicate a large percentage of their time to high rollers.

However, they serve at the pleasure of all players club members. You can ask any questions about the loyalty program, potential comps, and your level at the players club desk.

These casino hosts can tailor your rewards to your personal likes and dislikes.

Aren’t in the mood for “Liberace on Ice” at the Gold Level? No problem. The players club staff can easily scratch the Ice Capades tickets for a steak dinner.

Once you reach a high enough level, you may even have a dedicated host that will serve as your personal concierge during your visit.

These hosts can accommodate anything from getting a prime tee time at the exclusive country club nearby to making sure your favorite cigar is never more than the wave of a hand away.

2 – Why You Should: Discounts Galore

Nearly every casino’s players card will immediately begin paying dividends. By simply signing up for the card, you can immediately enjoy a discount on food and gifts around the casino.

Typically, these discounts will start at around 5%. This may sound small, but if you’re playing a game like blackjack with a small house advantage, the money you can save on meals may eliminate the losses at the tables.

The discounts grow based on the amount of money you’re betting. I was able to get a nice Yeti cooler in a casino gift shop for less than 50% of retail by using my player’s card discount. That was a really nice $200 perk.

Be sure to check the casino’s website and social media pages to get the latest discounts and promotions.

3 – Why You Should: Exclusive Events

Casinos are regularly hosting special events and tournaments for their loyal players. These events can range from a bonus system where perks are increased for a specific event to a massive contest where the grand prize could be in the five-figure range.

A popular players club event is where the casino will give away a car. Players gain entries to be drawn as the winner by playing.

The more you play, the better your chances of winning. It’s a simple and effective way for the casino to encourage players to gamble more often.

It’s great for the players because it doesn’t matter how much you win or lose at the games. The only metric that is measured for the contest is how much you play.

So, if you lose $300 on the slot machines but win a $40,000 car, you really won big.

4 – Why You Should: Cashback

The players club card comes with a huge amount of perks—the most eye-catching being cashback. Cashback promotions are usually introduced at 0.1%. It seems like an indistinguishable amount, but it adds up.

Remember, this isn’t cashback on how much you have won or lost. It’s 0.1% of every penny you put into play. This can add up over the course of only a few days. Best of all, the percentage of the money you get back will increase based on your rewards level.

When you factor in other freebies like the comp drinks you enjoy while playing and points towards other comps, the cashback is really just the icing on the cake.

5 – Why You Should: The Freebies

Players club cardholders can earn a wide variety of other freebies. Players will often get emails inviting them to participate in free events, and I’ve covered the free money. If that’s not enough for you, the casinos agree.

I had a buddy take me to Las Vegas for a week. We changed hotels three times, but the only money that came out of pocket was for airfare and gambling.

He had amassed enough in comps to get a week’s worth of stays and meals around Las Vegas. Even though we moved around a bit, it was a unique and enjoyable trip.

I’ve covered five reasons you should sign up for the players card. Now, let’s look at some reasons you shouldn’t. Here are three factors to consider before heading to the players club desk.

1 – Why You Shouldn’t: Chasing Comps

I regularly talk to slots players that are chasing a comp. They know that by gambling for another hour, they can reach their next perk. This goes against several of the core principles around casino gaming.

First, you always need to set strict time and loss limits. I encourage you also to set a win limit, but that’s beside the point here.

If you are extending a playing session, regardless of what limit you’re ignoring, bad things will happen. You’re essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul.

By choosing to gamble for an extra hour today, you’re robbing casino time from the remainder of your trip. Secondly, you should never throw good money after bad. This principle is key to a happy and healthy gambling career.

Whether you’re chasing losses at the blackjack table or chasing a free steak dinner on the slot machines, chasing money is always bad a play. I happened to have a wonderful ribeye for dinner last night. The steak itself cost $23 and was one of the best steaks I’ve enjoyed all year.

Depending on what denomination you’re playing, the steak dinner you’re gunning for could cost you well over $25.

Keep in mind that the rewards you’re going for will never amount to the losses you’re expected to make reaching them.

2 – Why You Shouldn’t: It’s Difficult to Climb the Ladder

Most gamblers join the players card club with the expectation of enjoying personal concierge and limousine service around town overnight. They couldn’t be more poised for a rash of disappointing realities to hit.

For starters, you’ll need to wager thousands of dollars before you ever see any change in your rewards or get a meaningful comp.

To qualify for comps like rooms and show tickets, expect to be in the tens of thousands. If your ultimate goal is to reach the high rollers status with lavish luxury suites, exclusive rounds of golf, and a personal concierge, it’ll take millions of dollars being put in play.

Again, it’s not about how much you win or lose. The only thing the casino cares about is how much you’re wagering. They’ve double- and triple-checked the math and are extremely comfortable letting you enjoy any comps you’ve earned.

It’s a small price to pay in their eyes.

3 – Why You Shouldn’t: The Casino Tracks Your Every Move

Look, it’s 2020, and surveillance is everywhere. Don’t believe me?

Have a conversation with a friend or text your wife about socks. Then, log onto Facebook or pull up Google and count how many ads you see for socks.

Scary, right? That’s not what I’m referring to completely, though. It’s no surprise that any casino floor is covered in the most sophisticated surveillance available.

I hate to say it, but they’re using that against you. I don’t mean to come across as some shadowy conspiracy theorist. In fact, if I were the casino, I’d likely do the same thing. After all, I have a family to support.

The way the casino may use this against you is by keeping you on a game longer. Imagine that you play a specific slot machine for four hours every day for three days. On day 4, it’s approaching four hours, and you’re winning.

What’s to stop the casino from sending your favorite cocktail over (remember, you swiped your players card to get that $1 off in the bar) just as you’re getting ready to head out.

You don’t want to be rude. Besides, you’re up on the casino and have this delicious beverage to enjoy. What’re another 30 minutes?

I’ve had it happen to me, and unfortunately, I didn’t catch on until the around the 50th time.

Conclusion

This page offering five reasons you should sign up for the players card and three reasons you shouldn’t will hopefully help new players see the card’s benefits.

At the end of the day, the players card is a great way to reduce the house edge. You can earn some great comps, and yes, the casino is making money off you anyway.

My dad, who spent his entire life in finance, used to tell me, “If you want free money, rob a bank. If you want to have fun, go to the casino.”