Player's Club Question

I was asked a question today about using someones player's club card in a slot machine. Not being a slot player I hesitated to give an answer, but promised to look into it. Can two people use the same person's card simultaneously to get extra points or does the casino frown upon this?

My understanding is that its usually better to have man and wife open separate accounts and then have the casino host link the accounts electronically for comp purposes, however, casinos do seem to issue the same number if a couple wants that.

My wife always plays on my cards and just puts enough on her cards to keep them active. In that way we achieved a much higher level of comps. Most of our experience has been with Harrahs and MGM.

The few casino systems I am familiar with allow more than one card (of the same account) to be played at the same time. I would say it is generally not encouraged by casinos though.

Mark

Yes, you can use two or more cards of the same account with the same numbers simultaneously at all casinos without any problem at all. People who play two machines at a time do it all the time, and those who's husband or wife uses their card to play a machine at the same time they are, do it even more often.

Quote: RobSinger

Yes, you can use two or more cards of the same account with the same numbers simultaneously at all casinos without any problem at all. People who play two machines at a time do it all the time, and those who's husband or wife uses their card to play a machine at the same time they are, do it even more often.

Thanks Rob and everyone else. I had a hunch that was the case, but as we all know hunches and gambling don't always mix well.

Quote: benbakdoff

Thanks Rob and everyone else. I had a hunch that was the case, but as we all know hunches and gambling don't always mix well.

Just be sure you are using your card. I remember reading once that when chasing some sort of promotion that maxed out at a given value, Bob dancer played on hiis wifes card. When challenged by the casino he negotiated a settlement that seemed based more on him being Bob dancer than fairness.

Quote: buzzpaff

Just be sure you are using your card. I remember reading once that when chasing some sort of promotion that maxed out at a given value, Bob dancer played on hiis wifes card. When challenged by the casino he negotiated a settlement that seemed based more on him being Bob dancer than fairness.

That was Station's Jumbo Jackpot, and it set the precedent for a casino chain's policy saying the player must be playing with their own card in the slot and no one else's--yet still allowing the jackpot to be paid even though he had his wife's separate card in his reader. Nowhere else does it matter who's card a player chooses to use.

Technically, players cards are only for the patron to whom it is issued. In most cases, using your wife's / dad's / friend's won't gain much attention, although there's a slight chance of it hindering any dispute claims that may arise.

For nickle and dime stuff, the casino's not going to bother with policing each and every card. However there are multiple scams involved with using other's / multiple cards, which is most definately frowned upon. Most of them involve inserting one's card and mechanically disabling the reader device so that no other cards can be read. Besides the cost of repairing the issue, it causes any play on that machine to be credited to the scammers card, thereby entitling him to rewards he did not earn by shortchanging everyone else. Cases like this are absolutely investigated and acted upon, often with legal repercussions.

But two people using one card on a random night out? Worst you'll get is 'Sir, please refrain from doing that'. More often than not you won't be bothered at all.

I've played at 3 or 4 casinos using someone else's card and have had multiple handpays at each, and no one said a word of discouragement. I've done it at times to help local friends get rated better because points aren't that big a deal to me. The slot club card is really only for the player's benefit in getting their their loyalty rewards, and it has nothing to do with any other aspect of gaming.

But as Face says, there are many players who regularly use half a dozen or more cards (friends & family) in order to maximize their monthly mailers, free-play, etc. That is actually a scam and is not allowed by any casino I know of. I do know individuals who have been banned from entering certain casinos because they were caught doing it.

As to if it is worth it to use the same card would depend on the Clubs tiers. If playing together will give you a bump to the next tier than it may be worth it. But if it will only bring you to the high end of the tier you may go from getting $25 in free-play each to now just one getting $25.

Now I will often play my wife's card if she is not w me in LV just to keep her level and points active. Never had a problem but never had the host run out w the big check and balloons when playing on her card.

Playing with a spouse's card is a double-edged sword.

Sure, it counts as a visit so old points get an extention before expiring, but if you're only using it a little, it kills the player's total action per visit average.

Even worse is to use the spouse's card just to use the free-play.

While the inability to link couple's accounts, or even to partially link them, is one of my pet peeves, I'd say to just use your own card.

Quote: benbakdoff

Thanks Rob and everyone else. I had a hunch that was the case, but as we all know hunches and gambling don't always mix well.

LOL. Hunches usually seem to work only when you don't play them!

So what actually happens if you get an IRS with someone else's card in the machine? The win is automatically posted in the computer to the person who's card is in the reader. Does this raise a flag? Do you have to make an excuse as to why someone else's card was in?

IRS forms only accompany hand pays. You're required to provide ID.

Depending on the casino's policy towards using a spouse's card, it may be no problem, to cancellation of all points earned that day, or cancellation of the player's club account, or cancellation of BOTH accounts.

If that win was played with the other player's free play, I think they'd be in thier rights to not pay.

But if paid, the winner provides ID and gets the IRS forms.