Needs some advice about a Casino offer.

[Bona]

I am a micro stakes poker player getting ready to start playing in some B&M games. I have little or no interest in any casino games except poker at this point.

The casino I am going to play at offers first time "sign up" players (casino games not poker, obviously) a one time opportunity to be reimbursed for first day losses up to $500.00

I think I know what to do but I thought I would run it by this forum to see if anyone had a better line of play.

You must play a minimum of an hour (maybe it's a half hour I'll have to double check.) Anyway:

I buy in at the craps table for $500. I play the pass line for minimum bet ($5) on every new pass and play double odds when any point is established.

At the end of the hour I put all the chips I have (ahead or behind) on one pass. I then quit either busto $500 and get reimbursed or up nicely with a little poker stake money.

Your thoughts? Can I do it a better way? (PS I know this is dull [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] my intent is to maximize my opportunity to build a stake but eliminate as much risk as possible)

[asterion]

Check the terms of the offer. I'm betting that craps is excluded at the very least.

[Bona]

Yes. I will check again and recheck because I don't want to stack off 500 just to be denied on some nitty trap. It is credible to me though because a) it is a legitimate casino (oxymoron?) and b)it is only for first time (lifetime) new "rewards" club card members. First day only. I don't know if I am allowed to post the casino name but I will just in case someone has knowledge of the offer. It is a "Horseshoe" property. If anyone says this offer is likely not straightforward I will probably pass on it altogether because, like I said, I am very indifferent to casino games.

[asterion]

This is a physical casino, not an online casino? Then your odds are somewhat better that craps will be allowed, but I still wouldn't be surprised if they did not include blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette (at least) in the offer. I'm basing my opinion on reading lots of online casino promo offers in the past few years, and all of what I just listed was often excluded. If you were lucky, bets in those games didn't count towards the wagering total. If you were unlucky, they'd claim bonus abuse and take everything you won and sometimes you'd be lucky to get your deposit back without a fight.

[Tom Ames]

Sounds like a Harrah's (which owns a couple of Horseshoe casinos) offer which they run occasionally, though usually for less than $500. If so, it is quite legitimate. I know dozens of people who have done them--usually very successfully. However, I do know of at least one case where Harrah's records were incorrect and they refused the promised reimbursement.

This offer will likely only be valid for machines as it is impossible for them to track accurately your wins/losses at table games. Everyone I know personally who has taken advantage of these offers has used it on video poker. But slots should also work. Basic strategy is to play a relatively high ($1,$2,$5) vp machine initially. If you make a big hit early, switch to a very low denomination (5c or so) and finish out your hour's play. If you don't make a big hit early, when you approach the maximum reimbursement level, switch to a very low denomination and complete your time requirement.

In other words, you want to end your hour's play with a $500 loss, or a decent win. You do not want to lose more than $500 or finish with a small loss or a small win.

You will probably receive your reimbursement by mail. Before leaving the casino, stop by the player's club and verify that you have met your play requirements. Good luck.

[Bona]

I believe this casino is owned by Harrahs. It was a Binions and I think Harrahs bought it.