Notes

Aspects of Playing For Complimentary Gifts (Comps) From Casinos
Comps (complimentary gifts) are offered by casinos to compensate gamblers for their time, money and effort. Comps may include complimentary drinks, meals at reduced rates, tickets to show or other events, airfare reimbursement, flyback vouchers, or tickets to the Super Bowl. Comp programs are meant to encourage repeat visits and customer loyalty. These incentives are not limited to high-rollers. Many low-to-mid-level gamblers can receive surprising amounts of freebies or discounts. This is especially true in current times due to the state of our economy. In Las Vegas, visitor numbers and gambling bankrolls are down significantly. As a result, there have been increased comp offers by gaming properties to encourage gamblers into their doors. My wife and I stayed in Vegas for nine days, late October 2008. We didn't need to pay anything for our nights (all comped rooms). And we're not high-roll gamblers. Our gambling ventures involve blackjack at minimum 10 to 25 dollar tables, penny and nickel denomination slots, and video poker where bets range from 40c to $ 2.50 per spin.

Comp awards are generally determined by average bet x hours played x bets per hour x expected house edge x % casino comp return to players (generally ranges 25 - 40% of expected win by the casino). Let's suppose that you play a good blackjack game with player friendly rules and an accurate basic strategy. Your average stake is 10 dollars per hand. If trends play an "average " 6-deck shoe game you can expect to see 60 - 80 hands per hour if the table involves 3 or 4 other players. In order to calculate expected dollar returns for players and comp calculations, most casinos employ 60 hands per an hour with a house-edge of 2%. A majority of casinos will give a player comps equal to 40% of their expected win. Let's say you play for 5 hours, hopefully at more than one table. A reasonable comp calculation would be $10 (average win) X 5 (hours spent) X 60 hands/hr. X.02 (house edge), X.40 (proportionate return to players) This means cumulatively you wagered approximately $ 3000.00 (surprised?) Earned comps = $24.00 x.02 = $60.00

One tip for comps in Las Vegas and elsewhere is to always ask them. In order to be eligible for comps at table games, you may need to wager $15 to $25 per hand at some Vegas properties. Some Las Vegas casinos offer meal comps that are more generous than the Strip. I've had the opportunity to play for as long as 2 hours at Orleans Casino with a 10-20 dollars average bet. If asked for, I have never had any difficulties getting buffet comps. There are many different comp programs available between casinos and corporate gaming organizations. Players should decide where they would like to play and take advantage of any comp program details in that area. If a player's club representative/host is unclear about the exact method of calculating earned comps, don't be surprised. The amount of patronage and season can affect how comps are calculated. Low to midlevel players will find it more difficult to get comped during these high traffic situations at times. It is recommended that players familiarize themselves and their host with table or slots games. It is also a good idea for them to ask for a host who is not of the same gender. Talking to a host can increase your chances of winning more money in the future (minimize or enhance losses) and it can also help you to have a better gambling experience. At many properties, pit bosses can award meal comps. The key elements to playing a comp game with enhanced value are to keep your bankroll under control, play games with a lower house edge, be familiar with the property comp program, and ask questions. On games to play , "chasing" comps (ie playing too long just to obtain a meal) can lead to increased overall gambling losses, particularly if you're losing hand after hand, dice roll after dice roll, or slot pull after slot pull. It's best to use common sense.

Blackjack is a good game for comps. It has lower house odds than all other casino games. However, players must select games with favorable rules and learn the basic strategy for that particular game. If a player avails themselves of these conditions and employs tactics that decrease the speed of the game (fewer hands played per hour), they have employed some basic tactics to enhance their comp accrual. Playing at crowded tables and talking to others while the game progresses can slow down a game. They also need to take frequent bathroom breaks and cell phone calls breaks. One way to increase comp accumulation at blackjack is to raise bet levels while pit bosses and/or table hosts are watching certain play. These should help improve your table play ratings or accrued comp levels. If one is not being watched by casino staff, bet levels can be decreased if needed.

To track comps for video poker and slot machines, players must ensure that their player's cards are properly inserted. Players should also make sure to check the machine during play. Video poker generally offers higher payback return percentages vs slot machines but comps for VP play are generally less for the same wagers / time played as compared to slots. It's a standard casino tradeoff mechanism. It is possible to identify certain machines that have a higher payback percentage if you find a casino you enjoy and are able to spend enough time. The machines that are larger in denomination (e.g. $1 slot machines vs. penny slots) have higher payback rates. However, your ability play these will depend upon your bankroll and your money management plan. There are many payback percentage variations even within penny slots. Common sense and willingness can help you find the highest paying machines. To avoid getting soaked for a large loss and expecting the next draw to bring you a big win, it is crucial not to do so. For slot machines, we recommend a stoploss approach. When we have reached 40-45% of the original buy in amount, which is $20-25 dollars credit after a $50.00 buy-in, we will stop playing any given machine. Although most slot machines will drain your bankroll, there are other options for comps. Players can observe and actually play higher paying machines to help them identify these. Video poker with solid paytables (9/6 Jacks Or Best or Double Bonus), which means that the machine pays 9 for 1 on a full house, and 6 for 1 on flushes, is a good way to earn comps. It's slower than other slots machines of the same wager levels. You need to recognize machines that have a high payback percentage. These machines are those that pay out almost 100% over time. Individual sessions can, however, result in losses.

When looking for casinos to play any type of game, make sure you look out for player's club promotions (eg points multiplier days, blackjack enhances), and also use gambling coupons (blackjack matchplay and first-card Ace coupons). These will increase player expectations through reduced losses and increased returns. Although the current economic climate is generally favorable to comp offer acquisition, Las Vegas's is not.



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