Don was somewhat right: playing $25 greenies is the only way to get tracked play - but not everywhere. Harrah's properties, for example, seem to throw free rooms around with less play than you describe.

Here's a trick that can work to get you more tracked play than you really deserve: sit down at a table when the Pit Boss is standing right there. Change 5 $100 bills - he will watch, or at least notice when the dealer calls out "changing $500!". Ask for $200 in green, the rest in blacks. Put a green out for a bet, and hand your player card to the Pitt Boss. If you immediately start winning - stay at $25 a bet (why come down?). If you lose, change in a few greenies and play reds. Chances are you will play for a long session, and be tracked at $25 per hand the entire time.

*Of course, if the house is doing their job, they will notice and bump you down to $10 play - but this frequently doesn't happen, as they are too busy doing other things. ***It is also possible that if the house is employing automated tracking (RFID chips, or the Bally optical system), that they might catch it immediately - but most properties using those technologies aren't using all of the capabilities...

ASK where you like to play - what level do they track play at? Usually they will tell you - I've heard All, $5, $10, $15, $25 (most glitzy Strip properties). James is right; as a long session comes to an end, as for dinner/breakfast etc - if you have had casual conversation with the Pitt Boss, you will frequently get it written out (if they still have the power to do it), OR they will override the computer, even if you haven't technically earned it yet. Just be aware of the later - next time you ask they may tell you that you are "over-comped"...