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Poll : 25 April - 08 May 2018

Q:

This is a simple one-answer-only poll on how many players club cards you possess. We're interested in getting a gauge on how well-versed respondents are in availing themselves of all the benefits of having their table-game and machine play tracked by the casino players clubs.

And please, tell us in the comments which players clubs provide the most comps and perks for your level of play. The clubs don't, to be sure, have to be limited to Las Vegas, but we'd like to hear how many of you are in the upper tiers of the big Vegas clubs, at least enough to waive paid parking at the Strip casinos.  

A:
1558 Total Votes
5-9
26% (399)
more than 25
22% (335)
10-14
18% (287)
20-25
10% (152)
15-19
9% (148)
4
4% (69)
3
4% (68)
2
4% (56)
1
2% (29)
none
1% (15)

Analysis

No doubt about it: Readers of the Las Vegas Advisor and LasVegasAdvisor.com are casino players. It's an interesting curve, with no cards at the bottom, then 1-through-4 cards placing second, third, fourth, and fifth in order, and 20-25 and more than 25 in the top four.

Altogether, of more than 1,500 voters, 635 (41%) have 15 cards or more. At the same time, 44 respondents (3%) have one or no cards. 

In short, it seems to us that very few voters fire it up at their favorite casino game or games without every intention of collecting the share of comps that they earn with their play.

We're not surprised by any of the results of this poll. After all, Huntington Press laid the foundation for its publishing program on accruing comps while you play, with Comp City in 1994, The Las Vegas Guide to Slot Clubs in 1995, and the first edition of The Frugal Gambler in 1997. The coverage of comps, hosts, and coupons in More Frugal Gambling (2003) is among the most extensive ever published.

We've been stressing the importance of players clubs, points, and comps for so long that we're gratified to see it's almost automatic for our readers to be card-carrying members of so many freebie-generating establishments. 

 

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Comments

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  • [email protected] Apr-25-2018
    Use MGM, Total Rewards and TI the most often
    Runners up include Boyd,Wynn,and "Venetian" cards. MGM and Boyd have given me the most "comps". MGM has saved me money on tickets and resort fees. Boyd, free buffets.

  • marko675 Apr-25-2018
    mark
    Most used are Total Rewards and Boyd. Get promos on stays, buffets, free play. Others used are South Point and many downtown casinos.

  • tgabrielli Apr-25-2018
    Player's Cards
    I have 3 active cards: Boyd (Emerald), Stations (Gold) and Rampart. Stations doesn't give me enough comps to play there for any extended period; Boyd had been good, but lately their comps have decreased to the point where I'm considering giving up my status there and playing elsewhere. Just re-started playing at Rampart so it's too early to see the level of comps I get.

  • Monima Apr-25-2018
    the best is EI
    Ellis Island hands out coupons from their kiosk for free beer, discounted meals, and free slot play automatically put on your club card.  Great fun and great value.

  • Texas Transplant Apr-25-2018
    GET a card from EVERY casino I go to
    Have about 25 in total.  Always sign up and take advantage of sign-up deals and bonuses. like BOGOs (Buy One, Get One free) meals, bonus cash.  My friend went to Vegas for the first time in 20 years last December with me.  Between all his player's club sign up deals and the LVA coupon book we saved a ton.  Kept records and for 5 DAYS, TWO people it cost us less than $400 for all meals. 
    
    With all the "nickle and dime" crap that the strip casinos are pulling with poor BJ and VP odds I look at it as a way to get even. 
    
    LOVE Ellis Island and Rampart.  Nice comps, much better than "Strip" odds and a lot more fun in general.

  • Christine Jakubek Apr-25-2018
    Chris Jakubek
    The 25 cards do not include any of my Vegas cards.  I have the Detroit Casino's which are 1/2 from my home.  I have cards for probably every casino in Michigan and there are many Indian casino's.  I have cards for Indiana casino's, Black Hawk, Co., Deadwood, SD., Minnesota, and probably some I am forgetting.  Thinking of decorating guest room with them.  LOL!!! I get comps on food and free play and probably about 12 free rooms a year. In Vegas I stay at The "D".  Prefer Downtown now because I am older and there is less walking Downtown.

  • Del Miller Apr-25-2018
    LOTS, but one jewel
    I play almost exclusively at Boyd Properties. They've been very good with comped rooms etc. over many years, but if I want a change I have 24+ to check out.

  • OMB13 Apr-25-2018
    I only use 10-14...but...
    I have over 25 I've collected over the years. But, over the last 10 years, I only use about 10 of them every trip. Southpoint is where I stay and play the most so I get the most from them. 4 Queens downtown has a very good comp and cashback policy also.

  • Dave in Seattle. Apr-25-2018
    11 players cards
    I use just a few. Mostly Boyd's.
    I stay and play downtown.
    I'll carry all of my downtown cards,only.

  • Todd Sweet Apr-25-2018
    Over 25
    Have way more than 25.  I always get a card even if I know I'll only gamble at that casino one time.  I lose out on some good new customer bonuses occassionally since I had a card at the place 5-10 years ago.
    
    Started coming to Las Vegas in 2000 and before gambled in Illinois and Iowa.  Probably have a card from every casino in the midwest area.
    
    Use Total Rewards and Marquee Rewards the most.  They have local casinos by me in Illinois and places in Las Vegas to travel to.  In Las Vegas, use Boyd a lot since my brother and I like Orleans a lot over the years.
    

  • Pamela Kyles Apr-25-2018
    Player's cards
    I have five, but I only use one - Station. I live in Vegas and Station is the only casino to mail coupons, so I use them exclusively.

  • [email protected] Apr-25-2018
    cards
    I have 10, but mostly use TI since right now they treat me well.  However, with the disappearance of their good $2 VP, I may have to scout around elsewhere.

  • Mr. Seafood 21 Apr-25-2018
    PLAYERS CARDS
    I use Total Rewards the most. I'm a Diamond player so it's hard to play anywhere else when I get great comps at TR properties. I get offers for discounted nights at MGM, Boyd, and others, but FREE is still much better. 

  • Dave Apr-26-2018
    Too many...
    You’ve created a fun homework assignment: gathering and sorting casino players club cards. Thanks! 😁
    
    Ignoring duplicates, defunct casino and defunct clubs, I’ve got 41! But my homework isn’t done yet. Some of mine might have been merged. I suspect my number will be lower once my homework is done, but still WAY over 25...

  • Marcia Apr-29-2018
    Marcia
    sometimes to many it's hard to keep up

  • O2bnVegas Apr-29-2018
    Players clubs
    Room comps, Free Play, concerts, food, charter flights...MGM and Total Rewards area almost equal, MGM having an edge with their Express Comps.  (P.S. the charter flight destinations do not include Las Vegas, of course.)  One twist...I like Wynn a lot for the reason that they DON'T have the 'in your face' tier programs.  I'm sure they have them, just internally so we aren't lured to play more than we want to just to make/keep higher tiers.  I get enough Free Play, comped rooms and food offers at the same play level.  Having retired, I can only support so many casino companies these days.  The free flights are a huge benefit.  We don't use a car in Vegas but parking would be waved at those three.

  • Jose Gamez Apr-30-2018
    MGM
    Free parking w MLife card at MGM properties

  • Bobby V. Apr-30-2018
    so many casinos so little time
    Heck i;ve been to over  90 casino's around vegas from M to ....
    i even keep all my old cards, so  like i have  cards from the Hilton in many  periods, now westgate. i cherish some of the ones  from Sahara, Stardust Frontier and some of the others long gone.

  • Kirk May-01-2018
    Kirk
    Small player only play sports and horses, never get comped. Only advantage is drink tickets on horse betting.I have 20 players cards to use my members rewards coupons. These coupons save us many $$$ every vacation in Las Vegas. 

  • pixie May-12-2018
    MGM
    I am platinum and MGM and their comps seem to be very good.  The comps include any money spent at an MGM resort, which is the only reason I am platinum, since I mostly only play quarter video poker.  I almost always get a least a few nights free, free play and food and beverage comps.  At my local Hollywood casino the comps are not nearly as good.

  • [email protected] May-12-2018
    Card at every casino
    Every casino I walk into for the first time, I head to the players club to get a card before doing anything else. I have a bag in my car with all my cards. The strip ones are wrapped in a rubber band and, separately, the downtown ones in another rubber band. Easy to just grab the correct bunch when I'm going to be out walking around.

  • That Don Guy May-12-2018
    What you should ask is, how many are actually used?
    I have 22 "active" Vegas cards (MLife, TR, Boyd, Stations, acePLAY, and a few good at only one or two casinos), plus two from Australia (Crown Melbourne and Star Sydney) and quite a few inactives, including The One Club (Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, and a few non-Vegas ones, before they joined MLife).