Borgata Comp System
 

First, I would like to say how great it is that we have this forum. Thanks to everyone for their hard work in making it a reality.

Mrs. Vker and I play pretty decent stakes in AC. Bally's was our place for about 7 1/2 years. I play Pai Gow Poker and some craps, DW plays slots. We continued to play at Bally's after the Harrahs merge. I liked TR. Points=dollars you know where you stand. Ballys really needs to update their rooms. I know the other HET properties have expanded and/or updated.

This past summer we started visiting Borgata. (After some conversation with Concierge Mike ^)

We stay at the Water Club. I love the rooms and the comp system is even easier. You simply earn dollars which are easy to see-put your card in any slot machine. I also like that there is only the comp dollar value to monitor. Earn $1000 comp dollars in a year and you move up to the Black Label card. Harrahs Total rewards has both Tier Credits and Reward credits. One for status and one for comps.

I wish the restaurants were better at Borgata. (Havent tried them all yet.) Our last visit, we did room service for every meal. Its nice to put on some shorts, stretch out and still enjoy a top notch meal.

I also like that they work with MGM properties in LAS. Haven't used this yet, but hope too soon.

The casino drinks are, IMHO, better than the other casinos.

They have really taken good care of us. Many places don't rate Pai Gow Poker too high. It doesn't hurt that our luck has been pretty good there!

I have heard that Borgata is pretty good to their table players.

Is most of your action from Pai Gow Poker? (and not slots?) And, if so, would you care to share (in a general sense - range) your average bet and hours versus the comps (rooms etc.) received.

Do you feel Borgata is treating you better than Harrah's with regard to your table play?

FWIW, We enjoyed a lovely dinner at SEABLUE with friends, but it was a little while ago.

I've been meaning to comment, that ConciergeMike is an incredible resource, and we are quite fortunate to have a great industry person contributing to threads on FlyerTalk. ^^

Responding to the previous poster and adding one more thing about the Borgata System.

1) Your comp dollars are spent by you on food, bar tabs etc. Comp rooms do not count against your comp dollars. They will also match your premium status of another system immediately.

I would say 90% of my play is Pai Gow. I play slots with my wife or if I need a break. I play two hands (which they combine for comps). I bet a min of $140/hand-$280 total plus Fortune Bet. I will get as high as $550 combined when things are going well.

I have only been to Borgata twice-over night each time. First time, they upped me to Black Label with my Harrahs Diamond card. On that trip, they comped my room and all food.

Second trip, room comped in advance. In fact, they told me I was eligible for a room two nights a week for one year. (Ha, Ha-I'd be divorced!)

On second trip, total play time about 9 hours. I earned $852 comp dollars.

As far as how I was being treated. I used to play at Harrahs (marina) pretty heavy in the late 90's and early 2000's. had a great host-was RA etc. Then they got very tight on the number of table games and the comping of those games. I went to Ballys. Treated very well. I probably still would be. The people were nice. They just don't have Fortune Pai Gow and upgraded rooms.

Based on your play, you would be treated VERY well at Borgata and have connections at MGM properties in LAS including Bellagio.

I'll be back to Borgata for post-surgery recovery on Nov 8:D

Stop by one time. I think you will like it.

The Borgata reputedly has the loosest slots and the best poker games in AC. Personally, I don't like Borgata - it's inconvenient, the staff is snooty (and I don't understand what they have to be snooty about) and it just has a cold character about it. But I'm in the minority, as many people seem to love it.

As to room comps, Harrah's gives those out like candy, but at Borgata, it is reputedly difficult to get rooms comped, but I believe I read this elsewhere (or maybe it was here, I can't recall) that there is a trick to getting rooms comped, or at least, this is what one woman did - actually as i think about it, it's kind of complicated to recall precisely, but she would go and play $100 worth of slots and couple times a month, and after 4 months, she got rated as room-worthy and started getting offers. I will try to find that information and post it here in this thread, if I can find it again.

Thank you, gentlemen. :D Much appreciated. Mr. Vker is a concierge's dream client - he stops and says hi and asks if I'm on FT while I'm working. :p

baccarat_king, OTOH, forgot to tell me he was in town back in July. :mad:;) I have yet to meet him and really would like to at some point.

Loose slots = true.
Best poker = true...largest room, most celebrity sightings, very likely the best variety of game availability.

Inconvenient = perception-based. Exit 1 off the Expressway dead-ends to Borgata, and for whatever reason the signage doesn't make that clear. People that call and are lost have a hard time believing that it's that easy.

Snooty staff = I can't safely touch that one. Having worked at other AC properties, all I'll say is that it's nice to work at a place where the product can be defended, as opposed to service failings leading to a guest just getting a :rolleyes: from the Front Office staff.

Thanks Mike. We will see you this weekend!

OK, sorry, my bad ;) I get a bit overwhelmed sometimes.

My plan for my next AC visit is to arrive in the AM on Thursday, 20th November, departing in the late afternoon on Sunday, 23rd November.

Other than possibly catching Madonna on Saturday night, and a social poker thing (I hate poker, BTW) with my AC friends.... I'm totally free that weekend.

But, I will most definitely try to stop by to say hello -- I really do want to meet you, ConciergeMike. ^^

No sweat, sir. I should be there that weekend, since I'm not traveling again until Christmas. I actually want to pick your brain on things local to you - I'd like to get up to MHT for the SigSauer school, and I could very much use a local's lay of the land.

Being from BWI, I fly SWA alot. I know they have many flights from BWI-MHT non stop, but they have many PHL-MHT non stops as well. (If you didn't want to drive.)

Oh yeah, absolutely no driving. I don't drive more than about 3 hours unless I absolutely have to, and the PHL-MHT fares are usually so low that flying would (!!!) work out to be cheaper. It'd also be my first trip on WN.

I really want to get up to the SigSauer plant for one of their training weekends.

MHT to Epping (I think?) shouldn't be a big deal. Lots of things to do in NH, and close to Boston, if you need the big city thing.

MHT is an easy airport. No crowds, no issues. Yes, PHL-MHT and BWI-MHT are quite the bargain (on WN); and lots of convenient flights.

Mr. Vker, this confirms what I've heard with regard to Borgata treating table players well. Looks like you are on your way to Top Tier Borgata Status. Very glad to hear you are being well taken care of. ^^

Yes, the school/plant is in Epping. But the range days are typically 0800-1600, so I doubt I'd be going into BOS for anything nightlife-ish unless it was just for dinner.

I think PHL-MHT is something like 6-7x/day, and it's a great schedule for me: fly out Friday afternoon, have dinner up there, shoot Sat/Sun, fly home Monday morning.

Since I only play slots (not video poker), Borgata has two numbers to keep track of comp dollars and slot dollars, cd's are used for restaurants and other non gambling activities (merchandise is at a 2:1 rate at the shops)--cd's do NOT cover tips; slot dollars are used for "free" slot play in the machines, for the slots I play they are earned at 1/2 the rate of cd's. Right now (October and extended into November and hopefully into December:)) you earn sd's at 5X rate. CD's expire if unused after 6 months.
Since Borgata is linked with Mgm and Boyd casinos in LV, you can redeem Borgarta certificates (minimum $50) for use there--these cover anything you can charge to your room (including tips) and merchandise is at 1:1 ratio. Excess value on the certificates is forfeited (so I you use a $50 and charge $40) you are not supposed to get the $10 back--Bellagio has been nice and in some instances credited my cc with (even) small excesses.:)
PS: The lowest level is Red Card and Black Card (requiring 1000 cd's in a year) is next. There is a Titanium level, but info on this tier is not published.

My friend who is Titanium got his around the 6k cd mark.. i don't know if that is the bogey, but he's got it.

Does ConciergeMike know? Is it an action issue or just points? (IE can i just get 6k cd and get it, or would one get it if their action/line was big enough?)

With their 5X promo, you would earn ($852/2) x 5 = $2130 in free slot play.^
(Regular slot dollars are 1/2 comp dollars--5X promo boosts your total considerably!)

IIRC - his 852$ is a combination of pai gow play and otherwise, but im sure either way he can still pick up alot of slot dollars!

FWIW, the word is that the Borgata lowered their cash back earn rate for video poker during the 5X cash back promo. No surprise really, but of course, changes the advantage --- as you are earning cash back at a lower rate (at least with respect to video poker).

Another Borgata lover here :)
 

Hi All,

I am so excited to find this thread!! :) Since I first walked into this sanctuary last Christmas I immediately fell in love with it! And the Spa Toccare made it even worse!!! Since that time I went to Borgata 4 times this year.

Regarding comps - being not very "gambling" educated before our trip, my boyfriend and I only had one player card on my name. He plays poker and speds at least 8 hours a day that. I can testify - and agree with Concierge Mike - Borgata has t Za Best poker room in AC. So what has happened - BF never got a players card, and I only play a little slots and do Spa and Dinners. So really we recevied nothing comped at all. After learning our mistakes through out a year, he will now get his players card and hopefully we will get something comped.
Althought, I think that Borgata guests should also be rated on their spendings during their stays - we pay for our rooms, expensive dining and entertainment, and, of course, SPA :) So aside of the gambling we spent significat amount of money in the place, but it didn't turn up in anything comped, not event a Comedy Club tickets!:D

We are already booked for Dec 24 and 25 and hopefully this time we will get on a "white" list of Concierges :) Will be my pleasure to meet other FT members, if they happen to be in Borgata over those days.

Cheers and good luck!

hey all,

i'm trying to get a get a black card as easily (and cheaply) as possible. to trade up to a black card with a harrah's card, they only accept diamond cards?

is it faster to get a harrah's card (playing $25 min blackjack for example) then to just play at the borgata?

and if you get a black card by trading up, do you get any comp'd rooms or anything since you don't have an established adt at the borgata?

thanks!

I must question, WHY the necessity of getting the Black Card. Upon status-match trade up, you'll get a comp room, some free play, and some comp dollars. Black Card will allow access to the Borgata Amphora Lounge (for a fee, from comps) --- but, other than that, unless you plan on giving Borgata "proper play" --- Black Card alone is not going to get you anything in the way of future rooms etc. etc.

Getting a Harrah's diamond card playing $25 blackjack is virtually impossible. I could give you the figures, but it's basically not possible, due to the fact that earning 11,000 tier (requirement for Harrah's Diamond) would take forever to earn that many tier points. (Harrah's gives very few tier points to under $100 table players)

If you play tables, earning diamond at Harrah's would require significant table play at a $150 (or preferably above $150) average bet @ the tables.

Easiest (and most risk intense) way to earn Harrah's diamond is via slot play. Best way (though, earning is not as robust as slots) is via video poker (high denomination, if you are in a rush ;) ) Atlantic City still has some decent video poker inventories, which makes this quite possible -- without risking a ton of money (or course, dependent one having a proper bankroll for the game played).

Wallet candy?

I actually do not like the Amphora lounge too well. We generally have all meals through room service. Borgata comps it all including tip. Restaurant tips are not comped. The Water Club room service menu is pretty good.

I concur with your assessment of necessary play levels. (Although, things may change with the economy.) $100/hand would get you a room with reasonable food comps.

Does anybody know what Borgata comps for regular poker? $1/hour? I might be spending a Saturday there at some point this winter.

ConciergeMike, working at Borgata this weekend? I'm visiting for the first time this weekend from NYC.. Can't wait to check it out! Hear that it is a great place from my friend who visits regularly. I'm more into racking up miles but will be trying my hand at the comp system this time :)

Unfortunately, he was a victim of the layoffs at Borgata a few months ago.

We have started playing there exclusively since August. We had a great time. Miss being on the boardwalk, but it compares quite well with the mega resorts in Vegas.

Highly recommend Michael Mina's SEABLUE, and the seasonal tasting menu. We very much enjoyed dining there @ the end of December.

BTW, are you taking the new ACES train from NYC?

I second the Seablue suggestion. DH really wanted to have dinner there so I went along. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed our meal. Service was also very good.

This is OTish but...

Anybody here have any experience staying at The Water Club? I don't usually stay at The Borgata (ever) but on one of my stays I wasn't able to secure a comp next door at Harrah's Resort so I am looking to shell out some cash to stay there for a weekend.

starting this thread again--Borgata good and bad
 

I really like the Borgata. I don't typically play enough there to earn the black label, but I keep my Harrah's Diamond one current and Borgata matches it every year.

The good--

1) I'm primarily a $50 BJ player with some slots, mostly $1 but also some $5. Comps are very generous. Table comps are MUCH higher than Harrahs properties even with the frequent multipliers at AC Harrahs' properties.
2) I rarely have trouble getting a room.
3) Spa is nice
4) Best concerts in AC
5) Good restaurants...can't beat Bobby Flay Steak!

The Bad--

1) Restaurants are very expensive.
2) Black Label Club almost always has a line and charges $10 in comps.
3) Check-in lines are LONG
4) Tables are very crowded...

Question
 

I was @ the borgata in july for about 4 days and my and my fiancee stayed @ the waterclub (2 nights comp'd). I'm only a red card holder however I got my points down from 1,000 down to 863 in order to get my black card. I brought down with me about $3,000 and played almost everyday, high rollers slots ($5-25 machines) and I spent all my money in playing however I walked out of there with about 4,000 in winnings.
I just received an email from a slot host stating there are many changes to the borgata and invited me to contact him in regards to room reservations, dinner reservations, club and shows and anything else in regards to comps etc...
My question is did i really play enough to qualify in order to get a slot host?? Or is the borgata just hurting for business and wants me to go back???

Hi there, I'm confused a bit. You played $5-$25 dollar slots but only earned $117 comps? That seems low.

Regardless, if you are playing that level of slots, you definitely warrant a slot host. I do wonder what changes to the comp system the host referenced. Anyone know anything?

Response
 

Yes I only recieved approximately 137 points in comp and approx $152 in comp dollars. I may have gambled approx $2,000 or so in the $5-25 slots and about 1,000 in roulette.
Another question I have is when Im playing roulette and I put lets say $200 on the table to start and Im playing approx $30-50 a spin how is the casino keeping track when I get about $2,000 in winnings on the table and throw it back to the casino???
I try to spread my betting so that im not putting all my money in one particular area slots,tables etc. however either way it's kind of difficult to tell when your getting the most for your betting style ? Can anyone give any insight there?

[QUOTE=PwK1102;12714071]Yes I only recieved approximately 137 points in comp and approx $152 in comp dollars.

I'm still confused. What do you mean you received $137 in points? Borgata doesn't have a points system. If you received $152 in Comps that you received $152 credits (need 1,000) total toward black label.

Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=jraindc;12714092]You need to earn an additional 863 by July 05, 2010 to become a My Borgata Black Label cardholder.

I'm saying points but I mean whatever is referenced to the number that borgata is talking about above.

I received 152.00 in comp dollars, and I see what your saying, that I need an additional 848.00 in comp dollars to get my black card.

I just found it odd that I had a slot host contacted me, I didn't think I played heavy enough to get the attention thats all.

Thanks for your help

[QUOTE=PwK1102;12714148]Do you play in Las Vegas? Your play there can influence things they do in AC--remember they are linked with the MGM-Boyd properties.
About 6 months after they opened, I received a comped room offer from Borgata--I had not (yet) set foot in the casino--I surmise they got my name from play at MGM in Las.

Response
 

[QUOTE=nrr;12729995]No actually i haven't made it to vegas lately. Im about to get married so my fiancee said no to vegas right now (I guess she thinks that would cause a bit of a problem)

But the first two times I was @ the borgata I gambled lightly

The third time was for three days straight. I mostly only played the high roller slots and a little bit of roulette but in my reading now I am noticing that that may be a bad idea because you get comp half as fast.... is that true ??

borgata point system
 

hi, i am a black card member from borgata, i only play in borgata when i go to a/c. i've treid the other ones before (tropicana, trump etc) but i love the borgata because it's bright, modern, clean.

the first 2 years i played without getting any cards (my stupidity), finally one floor manager told me to get a card because she recognized i was coming almost every week. i got a red card and in about a month i was promoted to the black card. i play rarely in the high limit tables (roullette) or most of the time at the roullette tables by the entrance. i stay around 5-6 hours easily every time i go, the point system is a little funny in my opinion. one time i played from 11am in the morning till 8pm in the evening. i got close to 600 points on my card, i didn'y buy a lot of chips, the most $1,000. after that i went to the high limits, spent $3,500 in 2 hours, ended up getting only 55 points.. so i am not sure what the logic is, is it how many hours regardless of the amount, or is it how much chips you buy? i also get the impression that if the managers see you tipping well, i have a feeling they rate you better, i wouldn't sign in blood for this though.

Welcome to FT!

Most casinos rate table game players by the average bet multiplied by the amount of time spent playing. So if you lose $50,000 in one spin of the roulette wheel and go home, you might be a player the casino should shower with comps -- but unfortunately the way the system is set up that amount of play would barely register.

Tipping the staff usually does result in more favorable casino ratings. Don't be shy about asking the pit bosses about ratings and comps.

I just got back from a trip to Borgata, stayed at the Water Club side - but just as a gauge in terms of how much comp dollars one earns -

i was playing the texas hold'em bonus table game for (according to my host) 483$/hr for 3 hours and some 5$ dollar job for about 25 minutes - it came out to be 134$ comp dollars..

however, my host comp'd my dinner at fornellettos (sp?) and my late night run to n.o.w. due to a loss, and ended up leaving my comp dollars alone (which i was surprised at) - it seems there is some level of discretionary comps there which i don't recall being there the last time i was there.. as well, she re-up'd my black label even though i hadn't played there much in the last year (i think it said i was like 500+ comp dollars away when i booked the room)

although interestingly enough, they did upgrade the online reservation system for players, now one can search for just about every category of suites at borgata/water club other than the two categories which are PH @ WC and some other suite @ borgata.. (with a price marker if you happen not to qualify for comp?)

They must be desperate for business, I signed up for a card 5 years ago but never played, I just called up for a room reservation and they offered me a free night but I'll take it.