Every casino has different policies. Harrah's, for instance, seems to put more weight on how many times a year you visit (than by how much you play). I may be incorrect in this - I've had a few good runs at Harrah's, and once you do that, they may keep you in that rating category even if you play at lesser levels on subsequent trips. SO, it may be a function of how fast Harrah's downgrades you, to explain why they seem so liberal with their comps.

Other properties are more demanding, and it's totally based on play. It appears that the bottom line at most of the nicer strip properties, is $25 per hand/ dice throw, for 4 hours a day (or dollar machines $2-3 per pull, for four hours per day) - before you start getting free rooms. (I don't play poker, so I have no idea how they rate players.) If you only bring a few hundred a day to play, you REALLY have to hit some winners early to keep going at that pace. Looked at another way; if you bring $5,000 for a weekend, you are going to get your room free even if you lose every hand - because your money will last for the entire 4 hours of play.

NOBODY has been able to explain what's going on at the Wynn for comps - I've never played big at Mirage properties, so it's not like Wynn stole the rating database when he got bought-out. I attended the Grand Opening night, but only played about $100 - and most of that was nickels, so I kept my slot card out. Then, out of the blue, I got a 2 night free stay offer via mail! Like Steve Bedo, I took advantage of that during the Convention - and again, only gambled about $100 of my own money (which didn't last very long). Included in that initial offer, was $100 of free slot play - unfortunately, it went right down the tubes... So, imagine my shock, when I got ANOTHER 2 night free-stay letter. This time, however, free slot play was not part of the bargain. These offers at Wynn could mean that they are having problems with their player rating and/or marketing softward - so they are offering comps to just about everyone that has signed up to their Red Card club, and just taking first-come, first served? OR, it could mean that the Wynn brain trust sees a big downturn in the economy coming up, and they want to make as many friends as possible NOW by getting as many players into the hotel to check it out?

By the way; you don't want them seeing you play small (nickels, quarters, $5 tables) - it lowers your rating. Only use your slot card if you are playing $2-3 minimum on slots, or $25 table bets - you can drop down to table minimums after a couple of hands, and they probably won't notice - so you'll get credit for that higher play your entire time at the table. HOWEVER, if you are in one of the few casinos that have RFID or Bally Mindplay enabled tables, they are going to know what every bet is that you make, and this strategy won't work then... If you are a husband/wife team, and the wife plays small (for example) ; DON'T LET HER USE YOUR PLAYER CARD! Small play will ruin your over-all player rating! Instead, get her her own card, and then she can play for points that will buy hats & other junk - your player rating will remain safe, and you'll still get your free rooms, etc.). If, however, you know you'll NEVER play large, and you are the kind of gambler that plays $20 in nickels every paycheck - go ahead and play for the points with your card; you might as well get something back. Just remember you're probably never going to see free rooms with small action... I once played a dollar slot ($3 a pull), for 9 straight hours. I started with $20, and although the credits hovered between $200-500 throughout the session - I never got the jackpot! Aferwards, I never paid for a room there again, and I always got a view-room with jacuzzi tub - in their minds I played many thousands of dollars, and they wanted me back!