opinion on joining player's clubs

I am hoping to illicit the board's opinions on whether or not to join player's clubs at casinos. On the one hand I hear people advocating joining the clubs to get comps, better hotel rates, etc. However, I assume that this means you must identify yourself with the club card presumably in your real name every time you sit down at a table. This seems contrary to the general card counter strategy of remaining anonymous and low-profile to the casinos. It would seem that privilege of anonymity would outweigh the potential benefits of most casino compensation packages for club players.

Also, what happens if you get identified as a counter while playing and using your club card. The casino instantly has your name and pertinent information. I assume that this makes future play at that casino difficult to say the least, especially if you ever want to use your club membership again.

Are some serious BJ players members of player's clubs at some casinos and intentionally not at others? How do you all decide whether or not to join? Can one still get comped things like hotel stays and meals without being in the clubs and without giving a real name?

Many of the responses you will get here will be from extreme paranoia counters who are scared out of their mind count in a casino, scared to spread more than 1-4 in SD, and definetely scared to give their name. I am a part of every players club in vegas, I always use it, and i always get meal comps and other comps. If for some reason you do happen to be indentified as a counter while using your card then obviously dont use it next time you go back there, but chances are you wont be identified, as most counters rarely have this happen to them if they know what they are doing. Sure there are ocasional back offs and they will have your information, but the comps you receive from them fare outweigh going overboard to protect your identity.

Shotkaller

Get one in an alternate name when possible. If that's impossible, get one in your real name. Nothing looks more suspicious than a player not wanting to be rated.

I've been thinking about attempting to get rated under a phony name at a couple of places. To date, I've just declined when asked for my card; but I seem to be playing for larger amounts of money and it does seem to feel more awkward declining.

Is this just a matter of purchasing a fake id somewhere, or what?

you meant 'elicit' rather than 'illicit'?

litcrit wrote:

you meant 'elicit' rather than 'illicit'?

Actually, no - it was a play on words. I was alluding to the underhanded nature of the whole thing. Perhaps it did not come off that well.

You have to read between the lines sometimes as it is unwise to post about such things. All serious players find some way to use aliases.