Edgerfly

I like to play casino games a lot, and have pretty much figured out who offers the best comps in Macau. Coming from Las Vegas where there is much more competition, and the comps are more easily attainable, it was hard at first to gauge how Macau was issuing comps. It was hard to really figure out who was giving out the best comps.

But after being in Hong Kong, and going over to Macau a lot, I've learned which chain gives the best comps. Now of course you must be a high limit player, with an average bet that is something the casino will value (5-20kHKD I'd guess).

I've established many relationships with different hosts at different properties. Wynn, and MGM seem to pretty much go by the book of your play, and will not issue additional discretionary comps, even if you should be entitled to something a little extra because of a large loss, for example. It really has been my experience that they go strictly by what the computer tells them to issue. MGM gives their hosts a little leeway in giving you something extra, but usually that amounts to cars to the ferry terminals, and first class ferry tickets. Quite honestly it takes away from future comps, so I would forgo any car service MGM offers you since the bus is fine, and it takes away from your future comps. (unless you're a millionaire whale).

Hosts at Wynn don't have much leeway at all. Wynn doesn't even issue first class ferry tickets, which almost every chain does for semi-high rollers. This has been my experience bringing about a $50,000USD bankroll. So that tells you something about Wynn. Not surprising since they think they're the best property in Macau (obnoxious).

I was able to find that the international hosts at Venetian seem to match offers from other properties, and will take chances on new customers and issue comps up front such as rooms; very rare for Macau. The only thing they will do is rooms, and maybe some car service.

Galaxy seems to offer nothing until you play there, and makes no effort to go out of their way to try and steal customers from competitors, which is disappointing because their Australian counterpart is the total opposite.

I've found the best comps, and up front offers I got from Melco Crown, the City of Dreams, seems to be the best comps and offers to players, even if you've never played there before. They were able to verify my play at competitors, and offered me some really over the top comps which included suites, free airport transfers from/to Hong Kong, first class ferry tickets, and food. All this, and all they had to go on was my high level play at competitors. I'd never gambled a dime at their property. This was the first kind of comping I've ever seen in Macau that was the most in line with Las Vegas.

Basically, The City of Dreams seems to offer the best comps. You want to deal with their International Business Development department.

If anyone seems lost about comps in Macau, and are use to getting comps in Vegas, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions. I know many different hosts at different properties if you need a referral. It is a very confusing system in Macau, and varies greatly from chain to chain. Also from host to host.

mkjr

Interesting.

I had the feeling when I went to The City of Dreams, they might have figured out that mass marketing is the way to go and that perhaps reliance on "only" high rollers is not a wise move.

I am astonished that even betting that kind of money gets you squat at some casinos.

The mins were to rich for me to try my hand without having a equally large bankroll for things to average out. Then again, I find baccarat boring and I would rather play flip a coin with a friend... ;-)

Curious, what about the older casinos?

Edgerfly

cannot comment on the older casinos, as I have not really tried to get comps there but my limited experience with them has not been good. The grand Lisboa also wouldn't offer anything up front. The Le'Arc Hotel and Casino down the street from MGM (which by the way not many people speak English) even after significant play wouldn't give me anything.

Also you don't have to play baccarat. I only play blackjack (using basic strategy) where the house edge is only .09-.16 of a percent. Baccarat is much higher at over 1%.

Edgerfly

What's interesting to note is if you have a long layover in HK, and are a high level casino gambler, City of Dreams will pay for ferries and hotels from the airport which is a nice way to layover and see Macau.

mkjr

very smart of them.

My comment about bacarrat was merely that's all I seemed to be able to see. I like craps which I did not see much off and I do like playing basic strategy blackjack but with 500 to 1000 min, which all I saw, would mean a pretty big bankroll to even out any strings of poor hands.

Edgerfly

As luck would have it, MGM actually have Craps tables.

mkjr

I did see them. Sadly, it was on the morning when I was leaving. I was staying at the MO and they don't open them early.

Edgerfly

What is the MO? Yes, MGM only open them around 6pm. It was actually quite funny seeing them in Macau. It's quite rare to see Craps tables outside of the US, and Craps is not a game Asians are known to play.

christep

The Mandarin Oriental hotel, I guess

nydave11

What kind of rebate are you getting playing blackjack? For baccarat I was offered .5% in dead chips and .1% comps for a buy in of 500k HKG.

Dave

mkjr

yes. and it's close to the MGM to walk around. Have to say, the art there is impressive.

Edgerfly

sorry didn't realize that's what it stood for. I was in the lobby there once. It's literally across the street from MGM. Beautiful property. Too bad no casino...

Edgerfly

theres no rebates offered for playing blackjack. They are too smart to know not to offer a rebate for blackjack. The house edge is way too low.

But you can take take advantage of the ridiculously low house edge with comps.

nydave11

How much time are you giving them at BJ? Is the game a continuous shuffle machine? What would you value the comps at? Sorry for all of the questions.

When I was thinking of going back to Macau last year I started looking into junket reps, but found it quite difficult to get info.

Thanks
David

Edgerfly

About an hour to three a day. It's a CSM (yes no counting) but there are methods I'd rather not devulge in a public forum that can beat a CSM.

Im not sure what you mean when you say "value the comps at." I know it's a great way to really take advantage of going to Macau/Hong Kong for free which can be very expensive. Especially playing the low house edge blackjack games they offer with very generous and liberal rules.