mbstone

Whether you won $9500 or lost $9500 isn't the question. Suppose during that 3.5 hrs you were playing blackjack you played 40 hands per hour for a total of 140 hands at $350. If you are a perfect basic strategy player you have a -EV of 0.5% or about $1.75 per hand. This works out to a theoretical loss of $245 (more if you play poorly, learn your basic strategy cold!). The $81 comp offered to you therefore is not significantly out of line.

gengar

The 12% figure explains a lot. This just goes to show how ill-conceived the whole "Express Comps" system is. It's like MGM is making a feeble attempt at eliminating guest-host interactions while also trying to throw a bone to gamers who would rather just go through the website than have to call in. But at a meager 12% which could (depending on the property) be as low as 1/3 of what would normally be granted, it makes the whole scheme pointless and has the bonus effect of alienating players. As I mentioned before in this thread, everyone is still just going to have to talk to hosts anyway.


Ya, he even said that himself - just look at what you quoted.

BTW, 40 hands/hr is extremely low even at a multiple player table (which is less likely at 350avg, too) and throws off your estimates.

dand99

I believe the standard these days is 60 rounds/hr for calculating comps. OF course, if you're playing heads up it'll be much more - but I don't think the pit suits can adjust anything to take that into consideration....

As to accumulated losses - that does help, but only if you're talking to someone who can work outside the framework of "computer said so".

D.

gengar

60hph is about right for a full table, so I wouldn't be that surprised if casinos use that as a baseline for ratings - but anything less than a full table will be much faster than that.

Rating systems do accommodate variances in hph; on rating cards and in software this is usually referred to as "game speed". Of course, whether casinos or pit bosses choose to accurately measure this is a different issue.

dand99

Really ? I wasn't aware that game speed was factored into the system - you sound like you're familiar with these systems.... are you ?

D.

gengar

I'm familiar with some of the systems that are used, but not familiar with how companies actually implement and use them. For example, it's entirely possible that some casinos may just skip over the "game speed" rating category even if it's in the software and on the cards.

I'd be annoyed if hph weren't measured accurately since I almost always play heads-up... I mean, heads-up can probably exceed double the baseline 60hph even with shuffling.

baccarat_king

Some might say, that 'heads-up' play is not comp-maximizing (in almost all instances).

MIAFlyer

Unfortunately, I know from expereince many MGM properties will comp 10% of actual losses, but you will have to speak to a host.

dand99

Perhaps that's true when you form a longer-term relationship with a property ? Or when your losses are high ?

nrr

When you look for offers in your account on www.mlife.com, there is a begin and end date, make sure you extend the end for several months, otherwise offers which are available probably won't be listed.

dand99

Anybody have any idea how table game play translates into tier credits ?

I logged about 10 hrs x ~ $120 avg / hand (BJ) for ~ 30,000 tier credits - is that typical ?

nrr

In the MLife brochure they state:

"Your Tier Credits for playing table games accumulate according to length of play, average bet, and game type. For example, get rated at $25 per hand in blackjack for one hour and you will receive 550 Tier Credits."
So based on your play 10 x 4.8 x 550 = 26400, so you seem to have gotten the better of the deal. [120/25 = 4.8 ]

dand99

Thanks - I never got a brochure.

That's interesting. I have seen a few opinions about how much a gold (or above) status is worth - does anyone have any input on this as of the new system (2011) ? Any real perks to getting "elite" status ?

Thanks

D.

nrr

In the same booklet I quoted from (above) they have a grid listing perks for the various levels. IMHO the whole program is not that great (compared to Harrahs), except that Gold and Plat. earn "Express Comps" at an accelerated rate.
[In Harrahs system: diamond level players: (1)special lounge, (2)special lines at their players club, (3)casino cage, (4)check-in--MLIFE Plats get none of these. There are special lines at the buffet for plats]

gengar

Both, and add in a third in that losses have to be consistent in order for hosts to base comps off anything other than ADT.

Seems about right. Although I was staying at Cosmo over March Madness I put in about 80 minutes at Bellagio, ~1.5k average and got a little under 60k credits. This is their double deck game (stand S17, no surr, no rsa).


Platinum in mlife is worthless for table games players (as you appear to be). Anything that a Platinum-level table games player can now get through Platinum would have been available previously by talking to a host anyway. And some of the listed perks are a total farce, such as nightclub access.

BTW, word on the street is that MGM is already planning a massive overhaul of mlife to make it more attractive, but it might be too late for that. Had a drink with my old host and all he did was complain about how many players he's losing. Really got to feel for the hosts. Best thing for all the Bellagio employees at this point would be if Elaine buys the property.