Ever since Caesars Entertainment announced several big changes in its Total Rewards players club loyalty program, players have been working on ways to outsmart the comps program to get more benefits for less. Here's a summary of what we've been able to discover, plus some suggestions for maximizing "tier points" to get the most out of the new Caesars Total Rewards system.
It’s pretty clear that Caesars raised the “tier scores” to qualify for Seven Stars and Diamond status to cut down on the number of casino players who get the highest levels of the Total Rewards loyalty program perks. But Caesars, at the same time that it raised the bar to qualify for the highest players club levels, also put into place some new rules that could favor savvy players.
Let’s use the highest Total Rewards group called Seven Stars for our discussion here.
In years past, Seven Stars status required 100,000 tier points which represented $500,000 of “coin in” at slots and $1,000,000 of “coin in” at video poker. The betting levels for table games vary but are based on denomination and type of game, and while Caesars has never revealed the exact requirements for table game players, they are probably similar to those for video poker players.
The requirements for Seven Stars have now changed to require 150,000 tier points or $750,000 of coin in for slot players, and $1.5-million of coin in for video poker players. These higher tier scores are not necessarily a bigger barrier for these "higher levels" in Total Rewards.
First, coin in does not necessarily represent losses. As players recycle their wins through the games they earn tier points, so it is even possible to attain Seven Stars and still maintain a profit. And that’s where the “advantage players” think they can score.
Second, there is now a way to get extra tier points as a bonus without losing money. And this all comes down to "advantage play."
Advantage Play is the new buzzword among casino-goers. Books, magazine articles and websites are now devoting large amounts of content to the subject of advantage play which basically is how to get more out of the casinos for less.
Advantage Play includes finding and playing the games with the best odds for players; how to maximize casino offers for free play, hotel stays, free meals, show tickets and event tickets; and how to get similar benefits from multiple casinos during the same trip to cities such as Las Vegas.
Advantage Play strategies even include checking-in to multiple hotels on the same Vegas trip to take advantage of free play and free meal offers from different casinos.
“Advantage Players” believe there is a way to beat Caesars Total Rewards at its own game, which is how to score the extra “tier points” needed for Seven Stars by losing less than Caesars hopes the players will lose when gambling.
The “secret” for the APs (Advantage Players) is that Caesars is rewarding higher volume players with “bonus points” for certain levels of play during a 24-hour period. For example, if a player earns 2,500 tier points in a 24-hour period, they will get a bonus of 5,000 tier points. In previous years there were no “bonus points” which meant that a video poker player in the past really had to put through “coin in” of $1-million to earn Seven Stars. But now, with the 5,000 point bonus for 2,500 of actual “earned points” a player needs to put through coin in of $500,000 which is half of the amount needed in previous years.
Here’s how it works after 20 days of play of video poker with coin in of $25,000 per day:
In years past, 20 days at $25,000 per day meant $500,000 of coin in and 50,000 tier points.
Under the new system, 20 days at $25,000 per day means $500,000 of coin in and 50,000 tier points plus 20 days of bonus points of 5,000 per day which is another 100,000 tier points.
So literally, it is possible to attain Caesars’ coveted Seven Stars status for less coin in. And in the world of casino games, less coin in can mean less revenue for the casino and lower losses for the players.
The “trick” for the players is to be sure that they reach the proper coin in level to attain 2,500 tier points in a 24-hour period, and once they do to stop playing until the next 24-hour period so that their additional play also receives a bonus.
Bonus points are awarded for as few as 500 tier points earned in a 24 hour period.
Savvy players can take it one more step by playing the games with the best odds and potential best theoretical return. In the case of video poker players, selecting the proper game with the best theoretical payback could trim the “cost” of becoming Seven Stars dramatically.
For example, if a video poker player puts through $500,000 in a 9/6 Jacks or Better game which returns 99.54% the theoretical cost of attaining Seven Stars is only $2,300. And the Advantage Players compare that $2,300 theoretical cost to the benefits of Seven Stars which includes free trips, free hotel, use of limos, free meals, gifts, free in-room movies, free wi-fi, and show tickets for a full year.
Unfortunately, not everyone plays 9/6 Jacks or Better and at some of the Caesars properties this game is not available. Even at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the high-paying 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker game is not available except at games requiring bets of $5 per coin and higher. Video poker games at the $2, $1, and 50-cents and 25-cents levels have lower pay tables such as 8/5 and 7/5 and even 6/5.
And for slot machine players, the return is a mystery even when machines are advertised to return up to 99-percent.
Advantage table game players have their own "math returns" to figure based on their ability to play certain games such as blackjack, and what bets they make in games such as craps.
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