Stupid Comp Question

[Matt Gwinn]

Are comps calculated base on the amount that you lose to the casino, or the amount that you bet. For example: let's say I have $30 to my name and play nickel slots until I'm broke. During that time I win some, lose some and eventually get up when the money is gone. So, I've lost my $30 but in reality I've bet far more because I won and lost repeatedly over time.

Am I comped based on that $30 or the potential hundreds I've bet throughout the session?

I only ask because I hear of people in some mailing lists I'm part of claiming to get comps based on $3000+ per trip (or even per day). That just seems like a lot of cash to lose. I'd ask them personally, but for some reason I feel less stupid asking here. Maybe my disposable income is not as high as Vegas regulars'.

,Matt

[sonntex]

Comps are computed differently by each casino. At Harrahs properties, you get one point for every $5 that goes thru the machine. That includes what you win during the session. On video poker it is one point for every $10. You can also get points from them if you ask to be rated at the tables. In their system, 1000 points equals $10.00. This $10.00 can be used for food, toward a room, etc.

Other casinos do it some other way. We have played a lot at MGM, but they have never given us anything except some cash back. We have asked for at least a free buffet and they acted like we were stupid.

The Coast casinos have another sytem. Their cash back is pretty generous but I don't how it is calculated. With them you have to have a card for slots and a separate one for tables.

But, they all say it is based on coin in, which includes what you bet plus what you win and put back in during a session. Tables are based on how big each individual bet is and how long you play.

[emtcater]

coast casino's actually base theirs on money won. Win 5 bucks, get 5 points. Hit a royal on a dollar machine, for 4K? Get 4K points.

4K points equals 12 bucks in cash OR comps. You can also split it up in increments of 1K points, with 1K points being 3 bucks.

I don't know how they rate for table games.

[smmoo]

Station Casinos comps are based on coin put through the machine. Last trip we brought our usual $200 a day to gamble with(I know LOW rollers LOL) which was $1200 for six days, came back with $600 of our bankroll and still had the room comped for the entire stay. We have not paid for a room in years and we only gamble $100 a day each, so I guess it depends on who owns the casino. ;)

[togabill]

According to my host at NY-NY the way that hotel bases comps is - the amount of your wager and the length of time you bet. In other words if you play blackjack and your average bet per game is $50 (the people in the pit are supposed to keep track of that. They will write down what you started playing, and then keep an eye on you from time to time to see if you changed your per game wager. If you do, then they will make note of that including the time you changed your bet amount). They will also keep track of the length of time you play.

Then, when you are finished gambling for the day (it's based on a 24 hour period, I don't know the time it begins and ends) all of your play is entered into their system and it comes up with the total amount of time you gambled during that 24 hour period and your average wager amount.

According to her - it doesn't matter if or how much you win or lose. They only care about the amount you wager and the length of time you play. I guess it's because they feel most people are eventually going to end up losing anyway.

And if you wish to know what your play is just give your player's card to any host and they will tell you what they have recorded for you. I do this every couple of days just to make sure there haven't been any mistakes made, and once there was and it was immediately corrected.

I do know that most of the casinos within the MGM family operate differently. I also know that if you played the same at the MGM Grand as you would at NY-NY, you will not get as many comps at MGM. That was also verified by my host as well as past experience. Why - I don't know.

What I would do if I were you is, after getting a player's card, ask to speak with a host in order to find out exactly what that casino's policy is, as they all seem to be somewhat different.

I know this was long but it was the only way I could explain it properly. I hope it helped.

[Muggs McGinnis]

Yes -
There is a mathematical formula.
But
The only TRUE formula is if you play slots.
ALL casinos LOVE slot players !
It is easily calculated on your slot card.
Table games ?
I play table games -- and I have NEVER felt the pit boss'
calculate my play correctly !
Why ?
They watch your first bet and walk away.
Also -
When I win.......I get nothing - if I ask for something.
When I lose ......I have a better chance of being compensated.
just my experience -
Muggsy

[BobK]

These are little more open, and based on some discretion of the Pit Boss. Yes, they still consider average bet, hours played, and the house edge. But, if you've been playing in a longer session and ask for a comp (buffet, coffee shop). Best bet is to get a rapport with the pit bosses and they will go out of the way to help you out (especially if you are a guest in the hotel where you are playing).

[cindyinnj]

So far, for us, Bellagio & Mirage go by how much you bet and how long you play.

[GREGRIO]

Understanding all this stuff is a smart plan but....being aware and playing
for comps can be expensive and pretty silly to me. Play what you like, when
you like...any points I earn that I can use for this, that, or the other thing
are great, but spending lots of money to get something for free has never
made sense to me. Play for the fun, the money, and the entertainment...
...not the HOUSE.

[tryon4]

Don't worry about the comps. Each place is different. Play what you like and just watch them build up. To over worry about comps can ruin your good time.
If it really is important to you then go o the slot club on arrival and ask what the rules are.
We basically use the One Club but that doesn't mean we don'tgamble elsewhere.
Your gambling money should be expandable cash and whatever you get in return is a bonus.

[Matt Gwinn]

We don't plan to gamble much - maybe $200 over our entire 8 day stay. I just figured if we're gonna throw money away (I'll lose it all eventually), we might as well try to get the most out of the deal. I'm not looking to get our rooms paid for, but a free meal is always nice.

I honestly don't expect to get anything for free gambling $200, but if the casino doesn't evaluate my gambiling the same way I do it would be nice to know.

I'd also like to know which has better odds: $5 blackjack (2 deck), Video Poker or Quarter Slots? (assume the highest payout on slots and video poker as I've been researching that and plan to play the high payout machines if possible)

,Matt

[sonntex]

The odds on blackjack are the best but finding a 2 deck $5 game will be difficult. Some of the casinos downtown may have them and possibly Casino Royale on the strip. It is possible that some of the strip casinos will have $5 tables during the mornings and early afternoon when they are not very busy. I have seen them at Paris and Harrahs, but they play from a shoe. No 2 deck.

Video poker odds are better than quarter slots odds. You have to find good payouts schedules which are few and far between in LV.

On slots, the best odds of winning something are on the low payout 2 coin machines. I always look for the machines that have a low payout across the top. Usually not more than 2500 coins. The odds of winning and getting to play a while are better. The top jackpot may not be very large but you will get a lot more small jackpots and could come out with a nice win if you hit a winning streak.

Sometimes, if I am ahead for the day, I play a 5X machine. However, if you just really want to try something like a 10X or 12X pay, you might get lucky. But with only $100 a day to play with, you could eat that up in about 15 minutes(or less) on a high payout machine. Even a quarter machine.:(

[ltslovak]

The Coast people told me that theirs is calcualted 1 point for every dollar you win. It's a little different way of doing it.

[Elliern]

The Orleans gives back $12 for 4000 points based on amount won as stated above. (basically $3 per 1000 pts) They also have a "complicated" method for comps which they had a difficult time explaining. They have a+ to b- ratings. (we are rated b- high rollers that we are - LOL)
We were told by Sarah one of the slot hostesses, they consider the frequency of visits, amount wagered, time spent gambling and "other factors" when determining comps. We were mailed coupons for 2 free breakfast/lunch buffets and BOGO lunch/dinner buffet and $5 match play at the tables and special room rate for specific dates. Sarah said this was "about right for comps based on our rating." This is stilll much more than we got from the Rio. We really don't expect a whole lot when we play mostly nickel and quarter vp machines and visit maybe once a year. This still allows us to go at a reasonable rate.
Ellie

[RLambert]

In general, I think comps are based on coins in, no matter if you are playing with your money or theirs and the amount of time at the slots.. You can always ask a gaminmg host for specific details.

[HeyNow]

If you only plan to bet $200 on an 8 day trip, definitely do not play blackjack. You will never get comps. I watched a guy play 8 hours of Blackjack at Palms last year betting $10 per hand. After 6 hours he was counting down until he got to 8 hours because he was expecting comps. When he hit 8 hours, he announces it to us at the table and calls the pit boss over. He asks to get him and his friends into ghostbar without waiting in line, no cover charge, and get a VIP table based on his comps. The pit boss offered to go check his play, he comes back and offers him a $10 drink ticket at ghostbar. One of the funniest things I have ever seen, the kid couldn't believe it. He said "but I played 8 hours". the pit boss responed with "but you never bet more than $10".

I say that because Palms is one of the easiest places to get comped.

You might get lucky and make the $200 last a few hours in a Video Poker machine, but you probably won't get enough points accumulated to get 2 free buffet passes.

[crisndeefromde]

Play to have fun not for the comps. With all the changes to the comps out there I can't see playing for comps as in our situation we would be broke city. If they happen, they happen. I do make sure that I have my players card in the machine or on the table to take advantage of what ever I am playing though. I just don't have enough brain cells to keep track over each casino's points system though.

[Matt Gwinn]

Do you generally have to ask for comps or will the casino automatically offer them to you if you have enough points?

I think I'd feel a bit like Oliver Twist asking the pit boss for free stuff (especially if I'm not eligable for it)

So far it looks like we're going to play VP & Slots at the Wynn (because it seems relatively easy to get a free buffet) and VP & a few hands of BJ at Barbary Coast (where we are staying).

,Matt

[sonntex]

If you use your players card you will get comps automatically from most of the casinos, but they will be in the form of coupons that will come in the mail for future trips. If you build up enough points you can get meals, etc. comped while you are there.

Some of the casinos give cash back which you can get that day. You will have to ask when you get a players card how it is handled in that particular casino.

You can usually get some things comped if you charge your meals, etc. to your room then have them use your comp points when you check out. We stay at Harrahs properties and do most of our eating and playing there. We charge meals to our room then charge them off against our points when we check out. Last trip out we stayed at Rio, but ate at Ballys, Paris and Harrahs and charged it to our Rio room. They were all comped against points we earned on our Harrah's player's card.

Since you are staying at Barbary, you should be able to play at all the Coast casinos and build up points then use them to get meals comped. Ask them how it works when you get your card.

And be sure to get a players card in every casino where you play. Many of them give away free coupon books with food coupons, caps, cups, etc. when you sign up. Sometimes, you can even get discounts for shows. Harrahs has given discounts on Mac King show tickets in the past when you sign up with them. Don't know if they still do that or not.

After you play in a casino for a while, you can always go back to the booth where you got your card and get them to tell you what comps points you have earned and how to use them.

[HeyNow]

Do you generally have to ask for comps or will the casino automatically offer them to you if you have enough points?

I think I'd feel a bit like Oliver Twist asking the pit boss for free stuff (especially if I'm not eligable for it)

So far it looks like we're going to play VP & Slots at the Wynn (because it seems relatively easy to get a free buffet) and VP & a few hands of BJ at Barbary Coast (where we are staying).

,Matt

You have to ask for everything. The only comps they will just give you are the ones you get in the mail. Just do like everyone said and get a players card and put it in the machines you are playing. That will keep track of everything you do.

You are not going to get any comps playing blackjack unless you are playing $25 per hand. Maybe Barbary Coast is different, but I doubt it is that much diffferent. If you play $10 per hand, you'd probably have to play at least 4 hours to get a free buffet.