Free play is a topic that naturally comes up among slot players. So today let’s answer a couple of questions about free play from players who are curious.
How do you earn free slot play? I was told at one casino that it’s how long you’re playing on a machine.
Candice
The key pieces to earn free slot play are:
- Use a players card. No card, no comps. Players cards are free and you can register at the players club booth or, increasingly, through kiosks that can print a card without waiting in line.
- Play slots. As you play, the casino will keep track of your bet amount, what game you’re playing, and how long you play. Based on that, they will calculate what they would expect to make off your play, on average.
- Await offers via mail. Presuming you played enough to generate an offer, the casino will send you an offer to come back to the casino. Those offers usually lead with free play, especially for casinos local to you, but can also include other components like food or hotel stays.
If you don’t play too much, don’t expect much either – casinos can give as little as $5 free play. Of course, that’s still something you didn’t have the last time, so it’s all relative. But we also have shared tips on how to maximize the free play you get!
Does free play expire?
Chad M.
It absolutely does, but there isn’t a universal answer to how long it lasts. For instance, offers can last for one day, one week or one month. Kiosk games can have free play that lasts for 24 hours, 72 hours, a week… it’s all up to the casino’s rules for their promotions.
Casinos are open about the expirations, though, so don’t be afraid to visit the players club desk and ask them when it expires. Sometimes this means if you plan to visit for multiple days you can accumulate it for a super session. Sometimes if there’s multiple windows you may need to use free play each day.
How can you receive more free play? Do you have to bet at a bet for long periods of time? For example : you bet .50 on a slot play longer then betting $5.00 and play less. Will you receive more on the .50 or $5?
Vicky
The amount of time you play does have importance. A player who makes one $500 bet on roulette on black or red is less interesting to the casino than a slot player who makes a series of bets totaling $500 on a slot machine.
Why is this? For one, a slot machine has a higher house edge – they’re expecting to make more money on those bets over time. But also, instead of it being a nearly 50/50 shot at winning $500, they can have a much better shot at winning at least a portion of that money. And because of that you’re worth more to them, and the offers will reflect that.
If you go into a casino with $100 and do $5 spins, you might be done in a minute if nothing happens, or one good bonus and you could be out the door $500 richer, but also in a few minutes. Doing 50 cent spins, there will be more wagers, and the casino will reflect that in its offers – you’re doing more work and giving them a better chance at your money, and they’ll reward you accordingly.
For more on how free play is awarded, check out our breakdown.
