Players Card Survey

**Midwest Player** · 02-22-2018, 09:14 PM

The question is do you play rated with a players card the majority of the time when you play blackjack?

I'm just trying to see if everybody does what is preached on this site. So here is another poll.

PS. Answer the poll according to what you do now, and not what you did in the past.

**SpikeBJ** · 02-22-2018, 09:42 PM

I play rated at 1 casino chain

**Stealth** · 02-22-2018, 10:19 PM

I am not an advocate of playing rated except in well planned and controlled circumstances and very rarely having to do with blackjack.

"The EV gained from comps will never equal the lost EV that results in not being allowed to play!"

**BoSox** · 02-23-2018, 02:39 AM

I do not play rated, and I recommend new players who are playing red chips, do not as well as it will cost you money by remaining to play through more negative counts when you should have left a table five minutes sooner "freedom that a nonrated player has, vs drawing attention by asking for your card back" resulting in lower EV. Higher levels players should also play unrated not only for the same reasons as the red chip players but just might make the borderline difference between being allowed to continued play at all, sort of like a balancing act, by not being greedy, and trying to get every dime out of them, as the casino considers it extremely insulting when a player not only wins but expects to be wined and dined. Plus your name is too valuable to be spreading it around it is negative EV, and not worth the risk.

**ZeeBabar** · 02-23-2018, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by BoSox

I do not play rated, and I recommend new players who are playing red chips, do not as well as it will cost you money by remaining to play through more negative counts when you should have left a table five minutes sooner "freedom that a nonrated player has, vs drawing attention by asking for your card back" resulting in lower EV. Higher levels players should also play unrated not only for the same reasons as the red chip players but just might make the borderline difference between being allowed to continued play at all, sort of like a balancing act, by not being greedy, and trying to get every dime out of them, as the casino considers it extremely insulting when a player not only wins but expects to be wined and dined. Plus your name is too valuable to be spreading it around it is negative EV, and not worth the risk.

First, a rated player can do the same thing an unrated player can do. There is no "asking a card back" because they dont take and keep it. Second, in local casinos in 1-3 casino towns, they will have idemntified and noted you even if they do not know your name so it really does not make a difference. Third, for a newbie playing red chips and still learning (and making mistakes), a card is a great way to establish yourself as a ploppy.

After having played with a card for 4 years, my conclusion is that as you become good, your wins become more consistent, you reduce the use of the card but maintain it, perhaps in one chain. I will be in Las Vegas again soon (beginning of March) and my rooms are still comped. I will give that casino some play. Like, I refuse the card, if I have lost, I apologize, "find" the card and book a loss. I go on to its sister casinos and others and play unrated.

The benefits are nothing to scoff at. Great comped meals, rooms, table play offers and more.

**BoSox** · 02-23-2018, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

First, a rated player can do the same thing an unrated player can do. There is no "asking a card back" because they dont take and keep it.

Where I play they take the card and swipe you in and put the card in a box behind the discard tray by seat position. ZeeBabar do as you please, you want to play rated go right ahead.

**ZeeBabar** · 02-23-2018, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by BoSox

Where I play they take the card and swipe you in and put the card in a box behind the discard tray by seat position. ZeeBabar do as you please, you want to play rated go right ahead.

I have played rated in Las Vegas, MO, PA, and Tunica and they simply swipe it in and return you the card. You can opt to leave whenever you wish just like anyone else. If you color up, they do come and note it down but if you simply up and walk away, no problems.

**NB10** · 02-23-2018, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by moses

That horse had long left the barn before I knew I had a choice. Im not sure one has a choice in some places. I remember being refused play because I didnt have ID.

Im not sure I understand the big deal as long as your playing within casino tolerance. Lots of perks that add up over time. I think free rooms is the biggie at the higher quality casinos. Some come with spa access and message. But shows, fights, and sports extravaganzas for free are fun that I normally probably wouldn't have paid for out of pocket.

With better planning, there was a time I could've lived rent, food, entertainment, and maybe even car free.

In most of the casinos near me they are more like a club and require you to show ID at the door. So it's virtually impossible to get in without them knowing who you are etc.

**hitthat16** · 02-23-2018, 07:36 AM

Comp count at one place/chain, card count at others.

**Freightman** · 02-23-2018, 11:41 AM

I didn't participate in the poll. Haven't used a card in years. Any of my regular haunts can easily figure out info. Little worried about that. Figure some have. I'm likely on a short leash in a few joints.

**Bigdaddy** · 02-23-2018, 02:45 PM

I play rated (under my real name) at my home store only because that ship already sailed (they know who I am). So I play very conservatively there and don't visit too often. Funny thing - I haven't received any comps from them in the last year or so other than a couple of player's points good for discounts at their lousy restaurants. But at least they haven't shown me the door yet (knock on wood).

Outside of my home store, I never ever use a player's card.

**ZeeBabar** · 02-23-2018, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Three

Tread lightly you know this is the last thing before the 86ing.

I played with a card (3+) years, still do but more judiciously. Despite the fact that I played rated and they had all sorts of information on me, when a local casino put me in the OSN, nothing much changed. They did not place my drivers license or drivers license photo or info on the OSN. Just a picture of me at the table, a picture of my car (since traded), my license plate (since changed) and that I was last seen in MO. Since the OSN listing, I went to and successfully played at a sister casino on the other side of the state. The other local casino sometimes takes counter measures but its primarily based upon my play there and not the OSN listing. I drive 30 miles away and play at their sister casino, get comped rooms on the other side of the state.

Despite the OSN, I get comped rooms elsewhere and nothing has occurred. I wonder if I wasted all that money buying a ladies wig and glasses and dress up as a 6' woman in a baggy tracksuit (my personna in LV on my last trip) or maybe that is what has helped me but so far, its been okay.

Maybe the casinos have all decided to independently determine if someone is a counter and not take the word of a small town casino in Iowa or rural MO. Who knows.

**BoSox** · 02-23-2018, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

I wonder if I wasted all that money buying a ladies wig and glasses and dress up as a 6' woman in a baggy tracksuit (my personna in LV on my last trip) or maybe that is what has helped me but so far, its been okay.

Is this one-upmanship? You just had to try and beat Freighters kilt and Scotsman look. Could both of you send pictures so we can all vote in a poll who has the better look? Zee, an Elvis disguise might have been cheaper.