Another look at playing rated/using players card

[KewlJ]

Since you brought it up, I'll say it and won't pull punches:

I don't think anyone expected YOU to pull any punches. Barring some sort of intervention of Christmas spirits from the past, that is just not how you roll, at least in regards to this particular subject matter.

I strongly disagree here. As comps are minimal for table games nowadays, especially for red chippers, why risk your name for a negligible return?

First my wording was not good at all. Instead of saying "Should (definitively) play rated", I should have said, red chip players are the only ones that should even consider playing rated.

But even at that, you make a good point. Most casinos are just so tight now, offering nothing for red chip play and little for even higher limit table play, that it probably isn't worth it, unless you have an unusual circumstance.

Back in my red chip days, playing Atlantic City, the comps I got for my red chip table play were important to my situation. I was living on a shoe-string budget, trying to build my BR and the little bit of food comps meant I didn't have to spend actual money on food and got a little something to eat more nutritious than mac & cheese and PB & jelly sandwiches which were my food staples for a year or two. When I started getting some (weekday) room comps, that saved money (and time) on my travel back and forth from Philly. And a few matchplays just helped build the BR. Comps were money to me. And while my red chips days really were not that long ago, 11-14 years ago, things are far different today and probably not worth it for most players for the little bit (if anything) that you get for that level play.

As a matter of fact, I think you could take it a step further and recommend that newer players not even play red chip at all. Skip that level, even if it means waiting a year or two to build a bigger BR. In Today's world of BJ play and surveillance, database technology, who knows how long a player really has time-wise to play. With a finite number of years, why waste a couple years (as I did) playing red chip and burning out your face and name for peanuts.

 

[SoftSeventeen]

Most pros who have played a long time advise not using players cards but I think that perhaps another look is needed.

I have played rated now for 4 years, in MS, Las Vegas, PA and the Midwest. At times, I have attempted to play anonymously but found that if there is heat, the easiest way to dissipate it is to hand over your players card. Believe me, the heat is 10 times greater for an anonymous player, especially at Green Chip minimum games.

I think, more and more often, the pit ignores you, puts in the amount you won or lost at the end of your session and leaves the decision-making for higher ups to review. If you are playing anonymously, they call surveillance to evaluate whether to back you off.

Now, whether it's lifetime earnings, or last year's play or what can get you in trouble is unknown. In the meantime, I get my comps, free rooms, table play coupons and meals.

One pit guy logging me in told me today that I was up for the year.

Maybe it's my max bet ($150), maybe it is that I only win 60% of my sessions, maybe it's the short sessions, maybe it's the 1-6 spread, maybe it's that I never leave a session up more than $1500 (usually under $1k) but so far, no major trouble.

In the meantime, the difference in heat is incredible. I play anonymously and the pit is at the table or glancing at my chip stack often, or obviously assessing me. I play with card, they see most likely my last few sessions, when I was last at their casino and that I did not take them for huge amounts and they go away.

I'm in total agreement. I love the free stays, food, drink, and entertainment.
I win, and never get hassled.
What's the problem here?

 

[BoSox]

As a matter of fact, I think you could take it a step further and recommend that newer players not even play red chip at all. Skip that level, even if it means waiting a year or two to build a bigger BR. In Today's world of BJ play and surveillance, database technology, who knows how long a player really has time-wise to play. With a finite number of years, why waste a couple years (as I did) playing red chip and burning out your face and name for peanuts.

I agree completely. It just represents the reality of the times, with all the changes.