Being tracked and how to beat it?

[ZeeBabar]

http://www.casinowatch.org/harrahs_p...patents_1.html

[Freightman]

http://www.casinowatch.org/harrahs_p...patents_1.html

Try heads up. It's a giveaway.

[Joe Mama]

Nothing new here. Illustrates the price you pay for "freebies". Have to be discerning when to, and when not to play rated.

[Stealth]

That article, while somewhat informative, is over 15 years old. Last time I check Total Rewards had over 40 million members.

You beat it by (1) not giving them a card or (2) beat it with the free play offers.

[ZeeBabar]

I am taking the gamble that with 40 million on their rewards program, extracting $3-400 dollars every other week playing rated will keep comps coming while not concerning management. This month, it took me two short sessions of 15-20 minutes each, spreading only 1-5 to get my $700 plus. With a larger rotation and limit of under $800 from any chain each month, I am hoping to aim for $2000 a month playing rated. So far so good.

[BoSox]

I am taking the gamble that with 40 million on their rewards program, extracting $3-400 dollars every other week playing rated will keep comps coming while not concerning management. This month, it took me two short sessions of 15-20 minutes each, spreading only 1-5 to get my $700 plus.

Zee, I think you have it down to a science. They will never catch you, especially when when you walk out the door with those $3 dollar winning sessions.

[Freightman]

P

Zee, I think you have it down to a science. They will never catch you, especially when when you walk out the door with those $3 dollar winning sessions.

I can see the high 5's and kudos now.

Congratulations sir, you have just won $3.

[Stealth]

This month, it took me two short sessions of 15-20 minutes each, spreading only 1-5 to get my $700 plus.

You are being naive. If you are winning, then the offers will diminish first and then gradually disappear. The time to get there will depend on your rate of play, but you will arrive.

Please remember, that you are playing a game that you should not be able to win and as your winning continues to the "long run" they will reach the conclusion that you are an advantage player. It is a fact. If you are a losing player, then you will achieve your $2K per month indefinitely.

The most accurate statement you made was "I am taking the gamble".

[ZeeBabar]

Stealth, to clarify, I have no choice. The pit folks at the 3-4 local chain casinos that are local know me as a regular, don't need my players card to log me in. These ones I am trying to mAnage with small wins and losses and hoping they will not bar me. Others, I am playing unrated, taking your advice.

I am not at a place where I can travel more than 1-2 short trips of 1-3 days each.

It's funny but the last 5 or so visits to a local casino where I am rated, my plan was to log in a few small loses by walking away soon as I was down $150 or so but variance has been on my side this month and I have been up right for the start.

I started the year with my biggest month loss of $6300, followed by another Losing month in February of $3300. In the next 5 months, I have won $23k plus, up for the year now to $14k. August has been the best month ever for me with being up $7k in 21 days including the Law Vegas trip. I hope to crack $20 k this year.

The confusion is that everyone predicts disaster and having played rated 90% of the time this year and no back off, I wonder if they look at life time earnings or spreads. My spreads are low, 1-5 most of the time on DD games.

[Bubbles]

The dislike for playing rated is because the casino has your name. They can also more easily have a record of your lifetime play. Both of these work against you. The latter at that particular casino, and the prior if they notify any other casinos or databases when they decide they no longer want your play. It's often -EV to play rated. Your play will be cut short at that casino, as well as any others they might directly or indirectly inform. I think it's better to do something like video poker for comps and never give your card at the table. Your perceived unsettlement of the pit when you refuse to play rated is most likely just a reaction to your own aprehention. Either you are applying your own feelings to them, or they are picking up on your uneasiness and then trying to determine the cause.

Are there times to play rated? Sure. I do a heck of a lot of play rated. Green chipping Vegas DD is not really one of them. Have I green and black chipped Vegas rated? Yes, and I've lived to tell about it. Do I recommend it? Heck no--especially not how you play. You're just asking for a BO and BOLO. I understand the cat and mouse is fun. I occasionally flirt with fire myself. Free st00f is hard to pass up too. To say it's fine to play rated spreading 1-6 using hi-lo while green chipping Vegas DD is just idiotically naive.

When sitting around a camp fire, some people learn not to touch the fire by seeing someone else get burned. Some people learn not to touch the fire from being told by others. Then there are those who must learn by touching the fire themselves.

[ZeeBabar]

Fenix, I am aware of Las Vegas, though I have gotten away playing rated there too. I play primarily in MS and MO. The latter does not back you off but take other steps. The only one they have taken, maybs, is dealt only one deck of two.

[Frank Galvin]

Since I do not play rated, and never have, I have never had to contemplate whether to estimate the value of the freebies (FRB) typically given by casinos in my annual income tax returns.

Curious, do most of you include an estimated value of the freebies when determining your gambling income reportable to good ol' Uncle Sam?

[21forme]

Curious, do most of you include an estimated value of the freebies when determining your gambling income reportable to good ol' Uncle Sam?

Does my answer qualify as atty-client privilege? :-)