How to best play the Cosmo and Trop "Free On Us" Rebates? Wizard, please weigh in

I know that the Wizard weighed in on the Riviera $1000 slot loss play. I have a decent idea as to how to play the two subject rebates. However, does the Wizard, or anyone else, have an optimal play in mind? I am not a slot player, thus, I have really no clue what would be best to play.

Missed out on the Riviera's promotion, last year. Don't intend to miss out on the Trop's and Cosmo's promotion.

Thanks!

I don't play slots either but I seem to recall that the important point is to READ the offers.

First time club members only?

Note particularly what determines a DAY? 24 hours from issuance of card or midnight on the day its issued?

Reimbursement in free play? In dollars? In doses at how many days? weeks? etc.

May you be frustrated by all this and have only profits!!

OK, I do go to the Wizard of Odds pages, but had not for a few days, as is apparent. He has a pretty good synopsis here https://wizardofodds.com/games/slots/loss-rebate/

However, if he would give particulars (I have yet to read the entire article, nor digest completely what I have read) I would appreciate it. Any others "been there, done that"?

FleaStiff, I appreciate your well wishes. I have tried to read all the fine print (a very good suggestion, as are the majority of yours.) Looks like high-denomination slots are to be played, hope for a large win, if not, play "good" lower denomination video poker.

There is a thread at the eog website currently discussing this in their main forum.

A couple very intelligent posters there recommend one pull on a $100 slot machine or playing four hands minimum of $5 video denomination video poker at $25 per hand.

Well, going to the high limit room and having a fling might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you've saved up some money and there is a chance of a rebate should you lose it, then it just might be worth your while to do the high limit room under the offer. The existence of the offer won't chance your results at all any more than the existence of a life insurance policy or a will. Its just that utilizing the offer may make a good safety net for your gambling bankroll if things really go South for you.

Can anybody post the rules?

Here are details about Cosmo.

http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/game/identity_promotions.aspx

1. Must lose $100 or more in one gaming day.

2. If you lose $100 or more, go to the Identity desk, tell the employee you wanted to use the lose $100 on us promo, and $100 in freeplay should be loaded on your card immediately after they activate the promo.

3. Promotional day is midnight to midnight (double check this - I'm not 100% sure). Also this cannot be combined with another promo on the same gaming day.

4. Unlike the web says, this isn't just for new members. Every member can redeem this once as long as the promo remains active. So if you reach your "win goal", you can attempt it again tomorrow, next trip, whatever, as long as they don't end the promo.

Best VP choices according to VPFree2 and what I noticed in May:

99.54% JoB: $5, $10, $25, $50
99.17% BP: $5, $10, $25, $50
99.11% DB: $5, $10, $25, $50
98.01% BP: 25¢, $1, $2 (quarter machines also offer Double Super Times Pay - 98.51%)

http://www.vpfree2.com/casino/cosmopolitan-las-vegas

Also, VPFree2 is generally horrible about ignoring 9/6 DDB (98.98%) because it technically is below 99%. Examining this forum post from this spring, 9/6 DDB is also likely to be available at the $5 level (maybe higher...no idea) in the high-limit room.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showpost.php?p=778215&postcount=82

Free play can be grinded back with small variance with 7/5 Bonus (98.01%) for pennies (1 to 100 hands - no minimum bet requirement).

I didn't get a chance to try Tropicana unfortunately.

Information I am finding, via the internet, on the Tropicana promotion is: Up to a $200 loss rebate for new member sign-ups only, you can not have previously been a member of any Tropicana Players Club under its current or former names. Your actual rated slot loss up to $200 will be reimbursed in the form of free slot play, 50% given the same day you sign up and the rest 30 days from the date you sign up (will be valid for one year). Complete rules and details will be presented at the time you receive your card. Be sure to read through them, as there are lots of rules for this one.

Tringlomane has pretty much summed up the Cosmo's rules. That one looks to be a bit better, as it can be repeated on numerous days, provided one has never lost the $100.00. On the Cosmo game, I think I would arrive and sign up about 10:30 - 11:30p and try to lose it fast. Then, I could receive my free play after midnight, trying to get it done quickly. Of course, hitting a big payout before midnight would be awesome, as well. Then returning the next day, maybe late in the evening again, and rinse lather and repeat.

Others, please continue to weigh in. Slots or VP? Obviously, high-variance on the initial buy-in.

Quote: tringlomane

Here are details about Cosmo. <snip>

Best VP choices according to VPFree2 and what I noticed in May:

99.54% JoB: $5, $10, $25, $50
99.17% BP: $5, $10, $25, $50
99.11% DB: $5, $10, $25, $50
98.01% BP: 25¢, $1, $2 (quarter machines also offer Double Super Times Pay - 98.51%)

Be aware that Cosmo likes to give their server-based gaming a workout. You may not find the same games or paytables from one day to the next.

Quote: tes3355

Be aware that Cosmo likes to give their server-based gaming a workout. You may not find the same games or paytables from one day to the next.

Really? I'm a bit surprised by that. What I saw was on a Sunday/Monday, fwiw. I didn't double check the high limit room.

Well I DID say that you MAY not find the same games or paytables from one day to the next. I DIDN'T say that they change them EVERY day. Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Will try harder.

I did the trop one and did very well. I'm usually a pretty low player around $1 max on slots, but thought I'd just max bet on a wizard of oz slots. Ended up winning about $900, my biggest win to date! Did the same at Cosmo but no good at all.