If You're a Gambler...

[kevin_standlee]

...and plan on playing while you're at Worldcon, note that the Atlantis has an affinity program (as do all the major casinos these days). The Atlantis' program is called Club Paradise.

When we signed up, we were given an affinity card and a randomly-selected initial free play credit. You can use the free-play credit at most of the slot machines, although you do have to put in a little bit of money to "prime the pump." Now it's possible to game the system so that you end up being able to take away most or all of the "free" money, although in our case we were enjoying ourselves too much playing the game and we frittered it all away, but in the meantime we were earning the two types of points the program accumulates. I still don't completely understand how the points accumulate, but somehow we managed to accumulate the required 20 "tier points" in the first 24 hours after signing up. (I think we probably were out about $50-$60 in slots, keno, and tracked blackjack table play, although of course the total amount wagered was more since we won some and lost some along the way.) That got us one free breakfast/lunch buffet at Toucan Charlie's, worth between $12-$20. It's unlikely that any of us are sufficient high rollers to get up to even the first bonus tier (Preferred) of the program during such a short stay, but it still seems like it's worthwhile to sign up if you're planing on doing any gaming at all; just remember to cash out whatever comps you've earned by the end of your trip unless you're expecting to be back within a year, since you'll forfeit the points if you don't earn some at least annually.

If you don't plan on gambling, you can just skirt the edges of the casino while you come and go to your hotel room and the restaurants.

Comments

[kshandra]

In all honesty, whether or not you intend to gamble, if there's a chance that you'll be returning to Reno for any reason, I'd sign up. Signing up for Comps Plus at the Grand Sierra when I stayed there after Burning Man is how I got the free two night stay that turned into my anniversary trip with gridlore last week...and that was just for having the card.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I agree. I sign up for all of these affinity programs. Sometimes I score big upgrades with them. I recognize, though, that not everyone is comfortable with these programs since they do track what you're doing. Lisa, for instance, avoids them; she'll play the slots with my card in the machine instead.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Actually a couple sharing a card just helps you earn accumulated points quicker, never a bad idea.
I'll probably join for the giggle of it. I do put aside a few dollars to play on these things, never actually expecting to come out ahead.

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

Indeed; likewise, if one is concerned about privacy then sharing the card can only obfuscate any one user's habits.

[travelswithkuma.livejournal.com]

As Bears wills bes 21s bys conventions times, Bears is going to haves funs.
Ofs courses bears will shares alls hes wins withs Lisas ands Kevins.
Hmmmmms mayes nots alls thes fishes buts surelys somes.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm wondering how the tier points add up. I got to preferred within 2 hours on my first trip there. Last week I dropped like 800 dollars and only made up around 200-300 tier points. Most places do point per dollar like atlantis does with comp points but tier seems to go different. Anyone know?