Do you belong to an upper-tier at a players club (platinum, diamond, etc.)? Then consider getting an extra card from the booth that does not show your status and use that one when you play. Save the other to use only when you need to. Also, avoid using a PIN that is based on your birthday, address or Social Security number (or your spouse's). Use your mother's birthday instead.

Make it a point to encourage casino staff to ask for ID when redeeming points, especially if you are doing so at a third-party owned restaurant in the casino or entering the VIP room (thankfully most of the players clubs will do so automatically). There is nothing wrong with asking a negligent cashier "Shouldn't you check for my ID?" or passing a special "Thank you for asking" to the team member who is properly doing their job.

Beginning Jan. 9, the El Cortez will host free weekly video poker classes taught by Bob Dancer. The beginner class will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and the intermediate class in the same game will take place from noon to 1 p.m. See the casino for the class schedule. The classes will take place in Roberta's Steak House, and everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Bonus Point Days: Cannery (American Can Club): 5x all day Mondays and Wednesdays; Casino Royale (Club Royale): 2x 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 8-11 p.m., 3x 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.; El Cortez (Jackie's Club Cortez): 3x 5 p.m.-midnight Sundays and Mondays, 2x Tuesdays or Thursdays (sign up at booth prior to play); Eldorado (Prime Rewards): 5x Mondays and Tuesdays, 2x Wednesdays, 3x Thursdays; Ellis Island (Passport Players Club): 2x Saturdays through Thursdays, 5x Fridays (some machines excluded); Fiesta Henderson (Amigo Club): 5x Tuesdays and Fridays; Fiesta Rancho (Amigo Club): 5x Tuesdays and Fridays; Gold Coast (Club Coast): 3x through Jan. 14; Golden Gate (1906 Player's Club): 2x Tuesdays through Thursdays; Hacienda (Club Matador): 2x Mondays and Wednesdays, 4x Tuesdays; Jerry's Nugget (More Club): 3x Tuesdays and Thursdays; Jokers Wild (Prime Rewards): 5x Mondays and Tuesdays, 2x Wednesdays, 3x Thursdays; Las Vegas Hilton (Resorts Destination Casino Club): 2x Reward Dollars today; Orleans (Club Coast): 3x through Jan. 14; Railroad Pass (Players Junction): 2x Mondays through Wednesdays; Rampart (Rampart Rewards): 2x Saturdays; Sahara (Club Sahara): 2x comp dollars Wednesdays; Sam's Town (Prime Rewards): 7x through Monday; Slots A Fun (Circus Players Club): 2x Wednesdays; Suncoast (Club Coast): 7x through Sunday, 3x through Jan. 14; Terrible's (Players Club): 3x Thursdays and Sundays, double cashback Sundays through Wednesdays; Tuscany (Player's Club): 10x Monday and Tuesday; Westin Casuarina (Premium Player's Club) 2x 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; Wild Wild West (Wild Card): 5x Thursdays, 7x Saturdays; Wildfire (Wild Card): 5x Thursdays, 7x Saturdays. (Note: Several casinos were not able to confirm their January Bonus Point Days at press time.)

The Player's Edge appears Fridays in Neon. E-mail Jeffrey Compton and Bob Dancer at jeffrey.compton@compdance. com.