I recently posted in the TravelZork Facebook group about an upcoming Caesars Rewards 10x Tier Credit Multiplier for in-person play, which should be available for all players at all Caesars casinos. Oddly, one person didn’t like this great promotion.

One commenter bemoaned the promotion, claiming ‘status will be worthless’ and that he earned the status as a ‘real gambler’ rather than someone who mainly played during promotional periods. I will respond to these lamentations and explain why the term ‘real gambler,’ in this case, is a false category condemning someone to unnecessarily lose, and even spew, money.

“Real Gambling” vs. Gambling Intelligently and Applying Skill

Year after year, I read people complaining about casino status being “worthless” when status becomes easier to obtain, yet I, attaining statuses through creative methods and taking advantage of promotional bonuses like the upcoming Tier Credit multiplier, still find great value in status.

Although devaluations happen, it’s not necessarily the fault of people tier matching, earning through spending on the MGM Mastercard, or playing during tier bonusing days. Is it even possible to demonstrate one factor is to blame for devaluations?

I find MGM Gold status extremely easy to earn even with minimal in-person tier earnings (most earned tier is through the MGM Mastercard), yet I still get great value from room upgrades, late checkouts, Amphora Lounge access, and much more.

I find Caesars Diamond status easy to earn through using the Caesars Rewards Visa, playing online Blackjack using rewarding debit cards to have an advantage, and playing during tier multiplier days. I find value in waived resort fees, later checkouts, and usually lower room rates.

My game, like the name of the classic Gambling With an Edge Podcast, is gambling with an advantage. I aim to use the casino loyalty programs’ tools to earn status with minimal losses and, in some cases, even play with a sustainable advantage.

Rather than being a ‘ploppy’ or ‘civilian,’ (classic GWAE terms) just straight-up gambling outside promotional days and taking a loss of the full house edge (and possibly more than needed playing bad games and making bad bets with high house edge), I look to gamble intelligently applying skill.

What is the Deal with Being a “Real Gambler”?

It seems incredibly foolish to basically say, ‘I don’t want to wait for promotions. I’m just going to play any time. I’m a real gambler’ rather than strategically playing well during promotional periods. What is the rush, anyway, to earn status so early in the year?

Why look to classify yourself as a ‘real gambler’ when there is no such thing as an ‘unreal gambler’ or whatever that opposite would be? Personally, I’m not impressed by people calling themselves ‘real gamblers’ when they play bad games, make bad bets, and intentionally miss out on bonusing opportunities. I view that as a ‘foolish gambler’ or ‘bad gambler.’

I want to be an intelligent gambler and will still be a ‘real’ person gambling. I will have more money in my pocket in the long run, playing a tenth of the required coin-in, for example, when a 10x Tier Credit Multiplier is offered. I refuse to be shamed into a false category of not being a ‘real gambler’ because I take advantage of promotions.

Don’t hate the player, hate the game, or better yet, embrace the game and the player who explains how to better game the game.

As always, be both intelligent and responsible with credit cards and gambling.

For past TravelZork articles, especially about MGM and Caesars Rewards statuses mentioned in this article, see my author link.