Read the tiny print on the big multiplier offers.

Here's a reminder: when you get a casino offer about a big multiplier for your play, read the tiny fine print that is in the offer.

I just got in the mail an offer for a "mystery multiplier" for play at Harrah's Rincon. During the month of May, players can get a "mystery multiplier" of up to 50-times the Total Rewards reward credits earned. There are also "base multipliers" that are extra for play on these days and they are as high as 9-times for slots and table games and 5X for video poker for 7Stars players.

If you are lucky and the computer picks you, you could be awarded up to 50X your play.

At this casino, Reward Credits can be used for free play, or for comps, or for the purchase of gift items including Shell and Arco gas cards, Visa debit cards, Macy's gift cards, plus merchandise. So a 50X multiplier can really put money in your pocket.

But you have to read the fine print that comes along with these big offers.

Here's what the fine print says: "Higher multiplier levels will have maximum awarded values. See rules for complete details. After participants have reached the maximum for higher Multiplier levels, they will earn at their standard tier multiplier level."

So what is the maximum extra reward credits you could possibly "earn" from this? And will you "get lucky" and get an extra multiplier?

For those in the 7Stars tier, a 9X or 5X multiplier isn't bad to begin with but a high roller who magically scores a 50X multiplier might be very disappointed if he also finds out he's limited to an extra $100 of comps which would be like "pennies" to someone playing at high level tables and slots.

So I take it the "complete rules" were not on the mailer? That's an evil trick. Classic Ha$$ah's.

Will a host quote you "the complete rules" over the phone? What did the maximum value turn out to be?

So basically it is only 50X on your first $2000 of coin in?

I'd get the complete rules from a reliable source at the casino, then I wouldn't start playing until that was verified to me face-to-face by a second reliable source employed by the casino.

I think you guys are 100% correct about finding out what the official rules are for these "limitations." I didn't have a chance today to call down there, but I will.

I just called the Total Rewards desk and the "maximum bonus reward credits" that you can get from the multiplier is 250,000.

250,000 reward credits is the same as $1,250 in gas cards, and a bit less than that in free play.

Let me see if I have the math correct:

1. You get 1 reward credit for every $10 of coin-in at video poker.
2. If you play $10,000 of coin-in you would get 1,000 reward credits.
3. If you play $50,000 of coin-in you would get 5,000 reward credits.
4. If you got the 50X multiplier and had $50,000 of coin-in at video poker you would max out the 250,000 Bonus multiplier.

Did I get this right??

If you were lucky enough to get the 50X multiplier, the Video Poker coin in to max out the 250,000 reward credits would be $50,000 of coin in.

So since most won't get the 50X multiplier or anything close to it, you can be pretty sure that if you run $250,000 thru the machines then you'll get everything your multiplier says.

I didn't get this offer.

Anyway, I don't understand how you say 250,000 RCs are worth just $1250 in gas cards and less than that in free play.

A Seven Stars member can trade 250k RCs for $2000 in freeplay (125 points per $1 freeplay).

And if you're not Seven Stars, I would suggest holding onto the RCs and using them for food and whatever else at Caesars properties for 1:1 value (that is, a penny per RC). If you waste them on gas cards at a 2:1 ratio, you are throwing them away.

BTW, I recently got a multiplier offer for a different property that claimed 10x, and the fine print had no restrictions. When I called, after a lot of runaround I found that video poker was only 7x. Pretty bad they don't clarify that.

Dan, you're correct. Gas cards take more points than the free play conversion. Gas cards are $2 of comp value for $1 of gas card value. And yes, $1.25 of comp value for $1 of free play value. So when I was at Rincon the other night, I converted to free play rather than use cash.

Dan the offer is in the monthly mailer book for May from Rincon. I think this is a Rincon-only event. Keep in mind the casinos in the San Diego area are very competitive with comps and promotions. Several of the casinos have big weekly drawings now with at least two SoCal casinos -- Pala and Morongo -- giving away cars on the weekends. Plus Rincons $100,000 once a month drawing and weekly $50,000 drawing to one winner.

I have never stayed at Rincon and Rincon has other promotions for meals including free buffet with a minimal amount of play. Since I just drop in for a few hours of play and eat at the Cafe with a voucher I really don't need to use comp dollars there.

If I traveled to Caesars in Vegas then certainly I would reserve comp dollars to pick up meals but I just crossed above 300,000 tier points which gives me a few Vegas bonuses:

1. Diamond Aspirations benefit including $100 restaurant voucher
2. Seven Stars level 3 with a $500 voucher to the Gordon Ramsey restaurants
3. $500 annual dinner credit (I did not use the one for last year and have a new one for this year.)