Columnists give explanations for common slot machine terms

Here are a few definitions for some commonly used slot machine terms.

Coin-in -- The total amount of money that a player wagers in a machine (either by putting money directly into the machine or playing off the credit meter) is called coin-in.

If you play a three-coin dollar machine 20 times, then your coin-in is $60 ($1 x 3 x 20). If you play a 100-coin nickel machine 10 times then your coin-in is $50 (5 cents x 100 x 10).

Players Clubs -- Every major casino in Las Vegas as well as several bars, gas stations, convenience stores and other gambling outlets have a "players club" or "slot club" (the terms are interchangeable) as a means to reward customers for their play. All are free to join and once you do you will be given a plastic card that resembles a credit card. Just insert the card into the card reader located on the machine you are playing, and as you play you will earn "points."

For example, at Station Casinos, Boarding Pass members receive one point for every dollar coin-in -- with the exception of the few "100 percent + video poker machines" (loose games that return more than 100 percent with perfect long-term play) that require $4 coin-in to earn one point. At the Cannery and Eastside Cannery, players earn three points for every dollar coin-in on slots and two points for every dollar coin-in on video poker.

Bonus Points -- In order to get more business on a specific day or month, casinos will offer two times, three times (or even 10 times) the amount of players club points for the same play.

Cashback, Comps -- Depending on the casino, players club points can be redeemed for cash (paid at the cage or through the machine), comps (free meals) or other items.

No Point Redemption Necessary -- At most earn-points-in-one-day prize promotions (very popular at the Cannery and Rampart) you do not have to redeem points to get the prize -- just earn them on the day of the promotion. The points earned can be saved for another use.

Hopefully this information answers common questions.

Jeffrey Compton and Bob Dancer write the weekly Players Edge column that appears Fridays in Neon. This column is a reprint from April 24. E-mail Compton and Dancer at jeffrey.compton@compdance.com.