Ever wonder about that small plastic card that players hand to dealers? I often wondered what they were used for. Finally I asked and found out that it was the method that most casinos use to track your play at the various table games. I went a long time without one. I have always been a little paranoid (about a lot of things) and I was not willing to let the casino "track" me.

However, when I found out that you could get free meals and bypass those long lines at the restaurants I got in line, for the card that is. I figured that as long as I was going to play, I might as well get something back for my playing time.

Getting a player card is the first step. If the casino(s) don't know about you they can't fill your mailbox with offers to visit their casino. A lot of the offers that come in the mail offer two and three day stays, comped! Some even include meals, welcome parties, show tickets, free entry into craps, blackjack, and slot tournaments. Don't be without a player card from each of your favorite casinos.

You should have more than one favorite. Let the casinos compete for your play. It's great to have a number of casinos vying for you to stay at their casino. As the casinos continue to expand and add rooms by the hundreds, there is an ever increasing need to fill up those rooms. Bottom line, shop for the best deal!

Player cards are issued through a Players Club (various names abound) and come in different levels, VIP, Gold, Silver, Member, etc. These cards usually signify different levels of comps. For example, a Gold card might alert the casino floor person that the player is getting a room comp and maybe some meals. A VIP card might signify a full RFB (room, food & beverage) comp.

Players' clubs are usually found near the Guest Services or the VIP Service desk. Sometimes there are different desks for slot clubs and table games. Be sure you sign up for the right one. It takes only a few minutes to obtain your own personal card (similar to a credit card).

Using the information from your players card, the pit crew observes and records information about your table play. This information can then be fed into their computers. Computers allow the casinos to track your play, compute your comps, determine who gets invited to special events, and provides information on cost and profit to the casino.

The computers, and associated player databases, can be used to rate players for specific mailings to "valued" customers. They can determine whom to invite, what to invite them to (Slots, Craps, or blackjack), and what level to comp their customers.

How valuable is a casino host who can keep players returning but keep the dollar value of the comps he writes or approves low. Do you suppose he is rated? (Maybe by his boss?) If you know the number of customers that visit in a month (for a specific host), the customers rated play, and the comps the customer(s) received, can you calculate the average dollar cost (to the casino) for each customer? You bet you can! Do you suppose the hosts have targets to hit? Do you in your business? Do you now understand why YOU HAVE TO ASK the casino host for comps?

Once you have your player card USE IT! I always thought it was too much trouble. That is until I found out I could cash in on the free stuff and bypass those long lines. Anyway, as one dealer told me "They need something to do besides watch the guys and gals go by." Make sure that the floor person knows when you move from table to table in their pit. Also, let them know when you leave. Building good rapport with both the dealers and pit personnel is essential. In my booklet Casino Comp Basics - A Manual for the $10 and Up Bettor, I discuss the importance of having good rapport with the casino staff. On a recent trip to Las Vegas it paid big dividends. I'll tell you all about it in a future article.

When you begin play at a table a rating slip will be started with information such as: Name, address, social security number or birthday, phone number, and a short player description. Some casinos also keep track of how much money you came in with, (in chips or how much you bought in for at the table). They also track if you bought more during the game, and how much you left with. With a lot going on the floor person sometimes has to ask for help from the dealers. After you leave they may check with the dealer to confirm their figures, or if they have been busy, information to complete your tracking card. Here again the dealer can be a big help to you in the rating process. If they like you they may estimate your average bet to be higher than it actually was, resulting in potentially better comps.

One Saturday morning I checked with the "Club" regarding my comps. I think that morning I got more information than normal. I was told how many hours I had played, my average bet, how much I had won, and my dollar comp value. Remember, if you don't ask, you'll never know. The worst they can say is that information is not available.

Two people play blackjack for 6 hours at an average bet of $20. Player A has a players card and walks away with $ 57.60 in comp dollars. Player B walks away with nothing! Who won the most? Get your Players Card!

Until next month remember, when you know how, it's easy!

About the Author: Paul Enockson is a teacher, lecturer, author, and computer software developer. He is the author of "Casino Comp Basics - A Casino Comp Manual For The $10 and Up Bettor". For details on his manual, visit his web site at http://www.compbasics.com/compbasics/. His most recent accomplishment is his new Las Vegas web site at http://www.aGlitter.Com, a site containing a wealth of information on Las Vegas Room Deals, Casino specifics, shows, attractions, tournaments, winning tips and much more!