Here are a few definitions for some of our commonly used terms

As this week is especially slow for casino promotion news (we've already told you about all the April promotions, and it is too early to write about May), we will explain the various terms that appear in this column every week.

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). Because of the differences in player club point-earning formulas (see below) we try to give the coin-in required to earn promotional gifts or drawing entries.

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%+ 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. At the bottom of each "Player's Edge" column, we list the bonus point promotions that we hear about.

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, especially for new readers. But please feel free to send any additional questions or comments to jeffrey.compton@compdance.com.

Bonus Point Days: 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.; Cannery (C.A.N. Club): 5x April 29; Eldorado (Prime Rewards): 3x Wednesdays; Ellis Island (Passport Players Club): 6x Sundays and Tuesdays, 5x Fridays (some machines excluded); Gold Coast (Club Coast): double cashback Tuesdays and Saturdays; Golden Gate (Club 1906): 2x Tuesdays and Thursdays; Hacienda (Club Matador): 2x Mondays and Wednesdays, 4x Tuesdays; Jerry's Nugget (More Club): 3x midnight-6 a.m. April 25; Jokers Wild (Prime Rewards): 3x Wednesdays; M (iMagine Rewards): 3x slots, 2x video poker; Railroad Pass (Players Junction): 2x Mondays, 3x Tuesdays; Rampart (Club Rampart): 2x Fridays; Silver Nugget (Slot Club): 2x every day; Silverton (Discovery Club): 5x Fridays (slots only); Terrible's (Players Club): 3x Thursdays and Sundays, 5x slots on Mondays and 10x slots on Wednesdays; Tuscany (Players Club): 10x Tuesdays, 5x Sundays and Wednesdays, 5x Monday-Friday 12 a.m.-5 a.m. (some machines excluded). Note: All Station and Fiesta casinos are offering 5x points for seniors (50+) every Wednesday. Please swipe your card at a kiosk to activate the multiplier.

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