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One Man's Casino Players Club Collection

[Ed. Note: Little did we know that Hotel Maven Tim Leffel has a bit of a gambling problem as he weighs in our How to Get a Comped Room in Vegas story, complete with a picture of all his players club cards.]

It is not easy to get a comped room in Vegas unless you are "a whale" or a celebrity. Or a casino manager's dream: a tabloid cover hero who gambles away so much that he is both.

That doesn't keep us from trying though. People dutifully sign up for a casino's membership program, walk around with a silly cord and a card attached to their belt, and eagerly anticipate the day when they will be showered with free rooms and gifts. Really though, just assume it ain't gonna happen. If you play 25-cent slots or video poker for days on end, forget it. If you play blackjack all night at the lowest-minimum table, forget it. If you play Texas Hold-em an entire weekend, it doesn't matter if you are a winner or loser--no comps for you. In other words, unless you are prepared to gamble with thousands of dollars, and pull out more when you lose that, don't go expecting a complimentary room. Most people who get those rooms have paid for them several times over in losses.

Outside of Las Vegas, the odds are better. But in Sin City, you are competing with Chinese captains of industry who don't flinch at dropping $100G in a weekend. You are in the same casinos as lawyers who bill their clients more for one hour than you brought for your whole vacation. That guy who owns half the skyscrapers in your city? He's here too. So are the bratty trust fund kids who are trying to look cool throwing $100 chips around and the Silicon Valley millionaires who think that winning just takes a big wad, lots of patience, and a good brain for math.

Want to get something for free in Las Vegas? Sign up for the membership card if it includes a free table bet--that's found money. (If they're feeling generous they'll even give you a pack of cards.) Go on a weekday so you'll pay 1/2 or 1/3 what the same hotel room costs on a weekend. Best of all, walk away from the table while you're ahead. You'll get something for free and you didn't even have to suck up to the pit boss.

It's a good thing Tim is the author of the new book Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune (due out Aug. 4) as he will certainly need to save some money after he blows through Vegas.

Related Stories:
· How to Get a Comped Room in Vegas [HotelChatter]