Harrahs Total Rewards card vs. MGM-Mirage Playersclub card

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

Which is better? Obviously it is better to have both.

A buddy of mine and me had a discussion and agree that it might be worthwhile to have both but to dedicate a majority of playing to one chain.

I like the Harrahs's Card (Harrahs, Rio, Caesar's Palace, Flamingo, Paris, Bally's, IP, etc.) because I feel like they have better offers for their members. But my friend likes MGM (MGM, Bellagio, Mirage, excalibur, NYNY, Mandalay?, etc.) cause he believes their point system is different and more can be obtained through "talking" to your host and getting true "comps" (and not simply paying with points).

Looking for opinions either way. I realize the worst thing to do is gamble to get comps, but if we are gambling anyways, where do you guys think we should earn our comps?

sean1 · Apr 26, 2007

Which hotels do you like better?

I like the Bellagio and Mandy.

Sean

5starbomb · Apr 26, 2007

Harrahs hotel chain is the best. Caesars is da bomb

FatTony · Apr 26, 2007

I get something from the Harrah's group every day in the mail. Might be taking up on the free weekend the last week of June.

Just can't believe how much airline tickets are for Vegas in the summer time. It's $600 RT. :WTF:

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

I think Caesars and Bellagio are the best (too balla for me though)!

I am a $1 slot / $25 avg BJ hand / 2/4-4/8 limit poker / buy in $100-$200 craps kind of player. I barely qualify for the Bellagio/Caesars minimums, gotta hit up the second-tier.

MGM/Mandy/Rio/Paris all feel the same to me (I know MGM is huge) while Excalibur/NYNY/Mirage/Ballys/Harrahs/Flamingo kind of have the same feel to me

I guess the question is for a guy that plays $25/hand BJ ($10-$100), which casino chain will be better to it's customers? is it the same? My buddy thinks he is a great talker and if he can talk himself into a free meal that would be a positive for him.

soli · Apr 26, 2007

I actually like the Harrah's total reward card mainly because they also have casino's in other states to gain Reward points

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

soli said:
I actually like the Harrah's total reward card mainly because they also have casino's in other states to gain Reward points

good point, although I never go to those other locations. Harrah's points expire if you don't show activity every 6 months. I just had 15,000 points wiped out when I showed up last week!

charliepeete · Apr 26, 2007

casino windsor is taking harrahs card starting in june.........so xpanda can make some points before we stay at harrahs on the strip forthe bash..................

LOUIEM · Apr 26, 2007

By using my Harrahs card in Atlantic City I was able to get 4 free nights In VEGAS with all meals included , basically everything except air fare. Not bad IMO. And it included a weekend too. Thursday - Sunday.

Mr.Smith · Apr 26, 2007

shdw01 said:
I think Caesars and Bellagio are the best (too balla for me though)!

I am a $1 slot / $25 avg BJ hand / 2/4-4/8 limit poker / buy in $100-$200 craps kind of player. I barely qualify for the Bellagio/Caesars minimums, gotta hit up the second-tier.

MGM/Mandy/Rio/Paris all feel the same to me (I know MGM is huge) while Excalibur/NYNY/Mirage/Ballys/Harrahs/Flamingo kind of have the same feel to me

I guess the question is for a guy that plays $25/hand BJ ($10-$100), which casino chain will be better to it's customers? is it the same? My buddy thinks he is a great talker and if he can talk himself into a free meal that would be a positive for him.

one simple trick to getting comps if you bet $10-100 would be to call the pit boss over when you have a $100 out there anyway and ask for a comp then. if your playing somewhere like Bellagio that has a good buffet you can get a comp for two easily by doing this.

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

Mr. Smith said:
one simple trick to getting comps if you bet $10-100 would be to call the pit boss over when you have a $100 out there anyway and ask for a comp then. if your playing somewhere like Bellagio that has a good buffet you can get a comp for two easily by doing this.

does this work? I know the pit boss tries to look to see your average bet (if you throw $100 when they walk by then it looks like you are betting bigger).

....i was under the assumption there is some formula they use...(i.e. $x/hand for y hours = z points)....and this formula just gets added to your points? is there an advantage to sweet talking a pitboss? Maybe if there was a lady pitboss that I could flirt with?

TTinCO · Apr 26, 2007

Fat Tony said:
I get something from the Harrah's group every day in the mail.

Join the club.....it's freaking amazing how much stuff they send out.

Mr.Smith · Apr 26, 2007

shdw01 said:
does this work? I know the pit boss tries to look to see your average bet (if you throw $100 when they walk by then it looks like you are betting bigger).

....i was under the assumption there is some formula they use...(i.e. $x/hand for y hours = z points)....and this formula just gets added to your points? is there an advantage to sweet talking a pitboss? Maybe if there was a lady pitboss that I could flirt with?

yes, it works.

they dont have time to watch everyone closely, or much at all. they mark your initial buy-in and watch a couple bets early. they realize many people vary their bets and may start out small.

call a boss over when you have a big bet out and ask nicely for a buffet comp. buffet comps are no big deal for them to hand out. if your at a nice place like Bellagio or Paris where the buffet is damn good, these are good comps though if you can get them.the first thing they will do is look at your current bet before they say anything. they see $100 out there and you should be good to go, no questions asked. even with $50 or $75 it will probably work. sometimes you might get turned down.

of course, dont do it 2 minutes after sitting down. and it helps to be at a $25 min table where they know if youve been there a half hour you couldnt have been betting less than $25 at any time

FatTony · Apr 26, 2007

TTinCO said:
Join the club.....it's freaking amazing how much stuff they send out.

Monday, I got 2 things from the Flamingo and one from Harrah's. :lolBIG:

TTinCO · Apr 26, 2007

Yep, sounds like we're on the exact same list.

Livinthedream · Apr 26, 2007

Harrahs gives you better offers

J2 · Apr 26, 2007

Harrahs properties also have the worst blackjack in Vegas.

Maybe stay at Harrahs but play at MGM properties

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

J2 said:
Harrahs properties also have the worst blackjack in Vegas.

Maybe stay at Harrahs but play at MGM properties

This doeesn't make sense....isn't the point of playing at harrahs/MGM is so I can stay there free of charge. What makes the blackjack worse at harrahs (not arguing cause i lose money regardless of where I play BJ)

J2 · Apr 26, 2007

I would play for comps in the specific property and not stay somewhere else but some people don't care about comps or most dont even have players cards so they stay wherever is cheaper. Harrahs is cheaper than MGM properties.

Example about the blackjack:

The best game you can get at Harrahs properties is a house edge of .26 but the min bet is $500 at Caesars. They replaced most games with 6/5 bj and restrict doubling down and hit soft 17. Horrible. Flamingo has blackjack with a 1.99% House edge. LMAO

You can get a double-deck game at the Mirage with great rules and a house edge of .19% and $25 minimums.

All properties including MGM have some garbage games for small players but the best advice is to check the rules at the table and dont play 6/5 blackjack.. Find 3/2.

shdw01 · Apr 26, 2007

J2 said:
I would play for comps in the specific property and not stay somewhere else but some people don't care about comps or most dont even have players cards so they stay wherever is cheaper. Harrahs is cheaper than MGM properties.

Example about the blackjack:

The best game you can get at Harrahs properties is a house edge of .26 but the min bet is $500 at Caesars. They replaced most games with 6/5 bj and restrict doubling down and hit soft 17. Horrible. Flamingo has blackjack with a 1.99% House edge. LMAO

You can get a double-deck game at the Mirage with great rules and a house edge of .19% and $25 minimums.

All properties including MGM have some garbage games for small players but the best advice is to check the rules at the table and dont play 6/5 blackjack.. Find 3/2.

damn, i wish i talked to you earlier. i didn't realize the house edge moved so much with the different systems. I played a shitload of 3/2 but I thought it was because of the single deck and the house edge remained consistent. .....lots of hitting on soft 17s too!