There have been several discussion here on what gets offers. Just came across a new twist.
A friend was in Vegas last month and visited teh Venetian. He and his wife sat down to play Carribean Stud. He was betting 25/50, his wife 10/20. A girl from the pit asked if tehy wanted to be rated. My friend said no since they had made a small buy-in, $400. The girl convinced them to give her their drivers licenses to get rated. My friend was winning so it didn't bother him that she didn't return with cards for them for almost an hour. When she gave them their cards she said she added $1,000 to their buy in for being so patient. He said they played for about 2 hours total.

Yesterday he received an invitaion from them. Three comped nights and limo service from the airport. For a total of two hours play! Do you think the girl in the pit recorded a higher average bet also or do you think a $1,400 buy in got this?

The last time I played Pai Gow at the MGM I noticed a sign on the table saying that players would only be rated when making either a $400 or $500 buy-in and a minimum bet of $25.

Jeff,
On Pia Gow, I can understand it. When we play it's always a slow start and if things go well (read, I'm playing with thier money) I get brave and start pressing my bets. I know I've never received casino rate at the Flamingo for my table play, and Sue & I have done 12hr shifts at the Pia Gow tables there.
I hope your friend takes advantage of that offer! it's one he's not likely to see very often for that amout of buy-in or play.
Lee-PA

Can you explain to a novice what "being rated" means......and what buy in means. My husband and I have always stayed away from the tables......opting for our favorite video poker machines.
Thanks, Carrie

Hi Carrie,
Someone else more knowlegable than I can expalin about being rated. I only wanted to comment that anyone planning to go to Vegas should learn to play at least backjack. It only has a few basic rules and it can be very inexpensive to play as well as a lot of fun. If you want to be conservative you can play BJ for as little as $1. There are many casino games available for computers but the one that I found the best is one called Avery Casino. It will teach you blackjack, craps, video poker and a number of others. What I like about it is that it has "Ask the Expert" and if set to that mode, the expert will tell you before you make a mistake. If you decide you want to make that play anyway you can override the suggestion. The game costs less than $20 at Best Buy.
I think that by learning the table games you can have more fun in Las Vegas.

Best wishes. Tom Casey

Carrie,
Buy-in, is nothing more then the money converted into chips for play at a given table. Lets say you give then 5 $100 dollar bills at a table game, that would be a $500 buy-in.
A rated player, is anyone that is getting clocked (time played/bet per hand)Most casino's use those little slot cards at the tables so they know who bought in for how much, and then how long did they play and then figure the complamentaries from there expected loss. Each casino's rating method varies greatly. The small joints tend to give more, but then they don't see big betters very often. The other problem with the smaller places is, what do you want, that they can give you. If you looking for a gourmet meal, then don't play at the Maxim. If you get my drift. Hope this helps!
Lee-PA

Thanks Lee!!!

Carrie,

I think Lee gave you a very good answer about buy-ins and getting rated. I agree with Tom that you should try table games. BlackJack is probably one of the easier games to understand. I highly support his suggestion of getting a computer program to help you learn the game. Many of the large strip casinos have instructiongames. You're at a table full of people who know no more than you do. The casino's will usually let you bet very small amounts at this table, like $1.00.
What you don't want to do is sit down at a table not knowing what you're doing. Sometimes you'll find a dealer that will help you and even players that will help you. You will also find tables with very rude dealers who won't help you and players that will get upset if you make plays they don't like. If you happen to hit a table like this, get up and move.

jm

Lee,

I'm suprised you didn't get casino rate for 12 hours of Pai Gow play. Did you ask? I usually play them for all the comps I can get. I'll ask in the pit as well as talking to my host when I leave. You can kind of 'double-dip' that way [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img].

jm

Jeff,
I always give them my card when I play. I never know how long I'll be playing. It all depends on how my luck is running and how my table mates are, and is the dealer friendly.
Lee-PA