Rated vs Unrated

As a followup to my other thread, I'm curious of the approach the APs on here usually take. My playing partner and I have gone almost 100% rated to soak in as many comps as we can. I've now been backed off from an MGM and CET place, so I'm going to have to go unrated from here on out.

How does going fully unrated change things? Obviously you'll have more scrutiny on you from the start so you'll have to keep sessions short. But, does anyone have any additional tips?

Short sessions. Small buy-ins. You are a lot less likely to be asked for a card with a small buy-in than larger buy-ins. You might also consider a chip inventory for local games. This allows you to enter a game, without a buy-in, which is one of the times you are often asked for a players card.

Some CET properties have a policy to check ID if you're playing a minimum of $25 a hand on blackjack regardless if you look well over the legal gambling age. An older gentleman tried to sit at a game, was asked if he had a player's card and responded that he didn't. He was then asked for ID, which he reluctantly gave. Turns out he wasn't a barred refusal and was clear. Don't let this happen to you, because if they look you up, they'll see that you were barred. You could always go with the legally changed name and ID approach, but I wouldn't risk it. Or the fake ID route, which I've read that some people take.

Interesting fact: in some casinos, when people wish not to be rated, the name they give and a description of them is written down on a rating slip if they are playing decent money. I have seen some of these player descriptions, one being "chubby male, glasses, cap, plain t-shirt."