Las Vegas Las Vegas Players' Clubs

For (mostly) Las Vegas locals who play machines. Alot of the casinos make a huge distinction between slots players and video poker players in terms of cash back and/or offers. That Harrah's chain does not do this. Or, in my eyes my offers seem very fair. I realize Harrah's properties pay like chit. Most of them, anyway. For the most part I play video poker. But a slot that has self contained progressives within a bank or within one machine is way over what it starts at its +EV and I'll play it. Yes, I'll even play the statewide ones when they're in the million$ like Wheel of Fortune and Monopoly. But to stay on track. Even though I do not come home a winner at Harrah's Las Vegas properties I still play there. WTF? Why would ANYONE do that?!?! Ahhh, now here is why I'm posting.
Let's say, like me you play video poker and poker tournaments. AND YOU USE YOUR TOTAL REWARDS CARD. Always your card, especially at Harrah's.
Whatever game(s) you play at these properties you get invites for tournaments for a future date. "So what?" you say, "Big deal." YES. They are a huge deal. This is why EVERYONE should play at these properties. Because these invitational events give you opportuities to play for free for tens of thousands of dollar$ in winnings. These events often pay down to the top 500 players. You'll never get a roulette invite if you don't play roulette. So, since you're already pretty good at your chosen game you have an advantage over the other people who just think they're good at that same game.

Cashing in these events can be life changing, as Harrah's sponsors the Millionaire maker slot event...even if your game isn't slots. All of their regulars get slot invites, if they play some sort of machine, even electronic blackjack. As long as you're a Harrah's regular, you'll get invites to the qualifiers. Top finishers go to the finals in December. But even if you don't do that event, you can win anywhere from $10K to $130K and these amounts are just in VP, slots and poker. I have no clue about craps, bj, roulette, etc.
And this is why you shouldn't avoid Harrah's.

I am a middle tier high roller at all of the Las Vegas chains. NO OTHER PLAYER'S CLUB in town offers these limited participation events. Stations has some events, but opens them up to EVERYONE who is a Platinum, President or Chairman player. If you've ever tried to play in these events, it's madness. Lines so long they stretch from one door to the other. Not worth it and the number of places they pay in relation to the number of participants isn't worth your time (especially the time you spend waiting to register).

At Harrah's, the field is small, the number of places paid is large. Its a great opportunity to make a few thousand for no risk. But, of course, you do have to weigh it against how much your willing to risk while playing there to generate the invite. If you player poker, the risk is comensurate with your skill. So the risk is probably small. If slots, well, you know that answer. In VP meh-not too good. Some paytables suck. Others are fine.