Casino Hotel "Comp" Secrets.....
Jan 11, 2001, 3:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 263
Casino Hotel "Comp" Secrets.....
I know some of you wont budge... but as a young, well-off, beginner gambler I want to learn the secrets early on, instead of wasting my money on rooms I could get a comp for. PLEASE SHARE 
What do I have to do?
What do I have to do?
Jan 11, 2001, 5:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
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This is a great question and I'm just the guy to help you. Please send me my ticket to Vegas and meet me at the Venetian for your first lesson.
Jan 11, 2001, 6:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Posts: 4,343
i am not a big fan of gambling so i have never actually done this but . . . .
i would just walk right up to the concierge desk at a casino and introduce myself and ask where i need to go to deposit some money with the casino for your bankroll this weekend. see what they do. i would suppose that if you deposit a good chunk of change that comps will start coming your way. . .
anybody with more experience . . . is this a totally outlandish idea?
i would just walk right up to the concierge desk at a casino and introduce myself and ask where i need to go to deposit some money with the casino for your bankroll this weekend. see what they do. i would suppose that if you deposit a good chunk of change that comps will start coming your way. . .
anybody with more experience . . . is this a totally outlandish idea?
Jan 11, 2001, 6:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
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I agree on the QuietLion recommendation. Another thing you should do (before everything else) is to apply for some kind of the 'Players Club' card or the 'VIP' card program (inquire with your front desk person). Every major Las Vegas hotels have this. The program is usually free and they often comes with perks that regular guests don't get.
Let Luck be the Lady Toonite!
Jamester
Let Luck be the Lady Toonite!
Jamester
Jan 11, 2001, 7:22 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The casinos generally operate with new customers on a "time" basis. If you are spending enough time at the tables, they will immediately mark you and be receptive to your request for comps. Unless you are a celeb, very distinctive looking, or a high roller, it is best to alert the pit boss at your first stop that you intend to give this house your time, you would like to set up a "line" (of credit), and then you will be put into their system. After enough time (this varies by house), you will become a comped customer with no regard as to whether you win or lose, and don't think that they don't know about this. Their systems will tell them about your betting style, the length of your stay at any particular game or table, and how much you are winning or losing, almost to the dime. Drawing down your line and not using the chips at the tables will get you nothing. The main criterion as to the size of the comps will be the size of your play. Naturally the $100 player will be showered with greater comps than the $5 player, but even the latter will get due respect from most houses if they see him as a steady customer.
Jan 11, 2001, 10:40 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
OK, a comping primer.
First, slots (including video poker) and table games are different. For slots, all your bets are counted exactly. You earn comps at the rate of between about .4% and 1% of your bets, depending on the casino. You go to the slot club desk and ask for a comp and if you have enough built up you get it.
Table games are different. Your play is measured by your average bet times the number of hours per day that you play. A room comp will take a minimum of $25 average bet for four hours in a second-tier casino, perhaps as much as $75 for four hours at a very trendy one.
If you don't plan to gamble that much, you can usually get a buffet or coffee shop comp by asking the pit boss after you have been playing for a while. The trendier the casino, the harder it is to do. But there's no harm in asking.
As a last resort, ask the pit boss for a line pass. That will at least get you to the front of the buffet line.
Good luck!
First, slots (including video poker) and table games are different. For slots, all your bets are counted exactly. You earn comps at the rate of between about .4% and 1% of your bets, depending on the casino. You go to the slot club desk and ask for a comp and if you have enough built up you get it.
Table games are different. Your play is measured by your average bet times the number of hours per day that you play. A room comp will take a minimum of $25 average bet for four hours in a second-tier casino, perhaps as much as $75 for four hours at a very trendy one.
If you don't plan to gamble that much, you can usually get a buffet or coffee shop comp by asking the pit boss after you have been playing for a while. The trendier the casino, the harder it is to do. But there's no harm in asking.
As a last resort, ask the pit boss for a line pass. That will at least get you to the front of the buffet line.
Good luck!
Jan 12, 2001, 12:15 am
#10
Used to be MBS PremExec
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I agree it is of the utmost importance to get a card, and get rated...It does help to have a line of credit. If you do get set up with a line of credit (markers):
Settle up before you leave each table...If you owe them money and can cover the marker you signed there, DO IT. If not, put the money in your pocket and move to the next table.
If you do the above, then ALWAYS sign a new marker when you sit down at a new table, IMHO...That way, you always know that they have a record of you playing there. If you just ask to be rated, the floorman may or may not actually rate your play...By signing another marker, they are pretty much forced to watch you.
Also, it never hurts to try to become friendly with a floorman/pit boss/shift boss...That person should be your 'go-to' guy or gal...BE BLUNT! Say, "Joe, I've been playing here for the last 8 hours, you at least going to buy me some dinner?" At the end of the trip, if you think that you had played enough to earn it, ask "Is there anything you can do about my hotel room?" Like QuietLion said, never hurts to ask.
If you get comped that time, there really isn't any reason that you shouldn't in the future...Even before you go out there. Get the name of a casino host who you can call to make a reservation in the future. Chances are if they'll put you in touch with a host, then chances are also good you'll at least get a casino rate and a few meals, if not RFB (casino jargon for a full-comp of Room, Food and Beverage).
Also, it's my belief that if you are going to Vegas to gamble and you are new, just like the airlines, don't spread yourself too thin. Find a place you like, and gamble there...IMHO, better to have everything comped at one casino/hotel than to have a meal here and there at several casinos.
Just my thoughts...I haven't had to pay for a hotel room in Vegas since I started gambling at 19 (oops, did I say that?). And I'm not even that huge of a gambler, just consistent.
[This message has been edited by MBS PremExec (edited 01-12-2001).]
Settle up before you leave each table...If you owe them money and can cover the marker you signed there, DO IT. If not, put the money in your pocket and move to the next table.
If you do the above, then ALWAYS sign a new marker when you sit down at a new table, IMHO...That way, you always know that they have a record of you playing there. If you just ask to be rated, the floorman may or may not actually rate your play...By signing another marker, they are pretty much forced to watch you.
Also, it never hurts to try to become friendly with a floorman/pit boss/shift boss...That person should be your 'go-to' guy or gal...BE BLUNT! Say, "Joe, I've been playing here for the last 8 hours, you at least going to buy me some dinner?" At the end of the trip, if you think that you had played enough to earn it, ask "Is there anything you can do about my hotel room?" Like QuietLion said, never hurts to ask.
If you get comped that time, there really isn't any reason that you shouldn't in the future...Even before you go out there. Get the name of a casino host who you can call to make a reservation in the future. Chances are if they'll put you in touch with a host, then chances are also good you'll at least get a casino rate and a few meals, if not RFB (casino jargon for a full-comp of Room, Food and Beverage).
Also, it's my belief that if you are going to Vegas to gamble and you are new, just like the airlines, don't spread yourself too thin. Find a place you like, and gamble there...IMHO, better to have everything comped at one casino/hotel than to have a meal here and there at several casinos.
Just my thoughts...I haven't had to pay for a hotel room in Vegas since I started gambling at 19 (oops, did I say that?). And I'm not even that huge of a gambler, just consistent.
[This message has been edited by MBS PremExec (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001, 7:18 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Posts: 1,296
I will expand just a little on QuietLion's post.
I will use Blackjack as an example.
They calculate your comps in BJ on an average of 60 hands an hour. If you are playing $25 a hand, that comes out to a total of $1500 wagered in an average hour (Wow! I didn't realize I was betting that much)
The average house take on BJ is around 2% (Every game differs in this category, with Blackjack and Craps being two of the highest payouts). That means that the house will win an average of $30 if you sit there for an hour at $20 a hand. Most casinos comp around 60% of the house take, meaning that you would earn $18 in comps for playing an hour of $25 a hand Blackjack.
It doesn't matter if you are winning or losing, as long as you are playing a large amount of money. They know in the long run you will lose anyway.
The Pit Boss has quite a bit of leeway in their ability to comp so this should not be taken as the mantra.
I will use Blackjack as an example.
They calculate your comps in BJ on an average of 60 hands an hour. If you are playing $25 a hand, that comes out to a total of $1500 wagered in an average hour (Wow! I didn't realize I was betting that much)
The average house take on BJ is around 2% (Every game differs in this category, with Blackjack and Craps being two of the highest payouts). That means that the house will win an average of $30 if you sit there for an hour at $20 a hand. Most casinos comp around 60% of the house take, meaning that you would earn $18 in comps for playing an hour of $25 a hand Blackjack.
It doesn't matter if you are winning or losing, as long as you are playing a large amount of money. They know in the long run you will lose anyway.
The Pit Boss has quite a bit of leeway in their ability to comp so this should not be taken as the mantra.
Jan 12, 2001, 8:10 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 987
The previous suggestions are right on. You can expect a coffee shop for 2 people for about 2 hours of $10 per hand play on BJ on the "locals" casinos (any of the Stations, Gold Coast, New Orleans, Sun Coast). The newer strip casinos will want some more action.
There are 2 types of people "in the pit" the floormen and thier supervisor the pit boss. You usually will only speak to the floormen/women. Make sure you ask to be rated when you sit down and buy in (give them your ID or players card if you have one). Before you get up (and hopefully color up) ask the floor person for exactly what you want (ie don't ask for some food or you'll get breakfast for one, ask for dinner for two at the coffe shop or buffet). If you don't get what you want the floor person will usually tell you what they will give you. You will NOT get anything if you don't ask for it!
Feel free to drop me an email or post agin with more specific questions. Have fun and good luck.
Freefaller12k
former craps dealer suffering withdraw while on the road....
edited for fat fingers..
[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 01-12-2001).]
There are 2 types of people "in the pit" the floormen and thier supervisor the pit boss. You usually will only speak to the floormen/women. Make sure you ask to be rated when you sit down and buy in (give them your ID or players card if you have one). Before you get up (and hopefully color up) ask the floor person for exactly what you want (ie don't ask for some food or you'll get breakfast for one, ask for dinner for two at the coffe shop or buffet). If you don't get what you want the floor person will usually tell you what they will give you. You will NOT get anything if you don't ask for it!
Feel free to drop me an email or post agin with more specific questions. Have fun and good luck.
Freefaller12k
former craps dealer suffering withdraw while on the road....
edited for fat fingers..
[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001, 8:42 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Yinzburgh
Posts: 183
My Suggestions:
1) Buy and read "the Frugal Gambler" by Jean Scott. Jean is known as the "Queen of Comps". She gives numerous tips to get comps both on video poker and table games.
2) Go to http://www.vphomepage.com/
and learn all about full pay video poker. That way can will be playing with an advantage over the casinos (or very close to) and you can get meals and rooms comped.
The previous posts are right in that you must get a card for slots and for table games (you might need a seperate one for each type of game) and make sure you present it every time you play. If you are playing a tavle game, you might want to bet higher when you first sit down and every time the pit boss is looking so you get rated for betting more than you actually did.
You should also ask to speak to a casino host when you get there (or call before you get there!) and you can find out what level of play would give you the comps you want (or you might get comped some stuff up front).
But buy Jean's book and visit the site and you should be on your way!
Paul
1) Buy and read "the Frugal Gambler" by Jean Scott. Jean is known as the "Queen of Comps". She gives numerous tips to get comps both on video poker and table games.
2) Go to http://www.vphomepage.com/
and learn all about full pay video poker. That way can will be playing with an advantage over the casinos (or very close to) and you can get meals and rooms comped.
The previous posts are right in that you must get a card for slots and for table games (you might need a seperate one for each type of game) and make sure you present it every time you play. If you are playing a tavle game, you might want to bet higher when you first sit down and every time the pit boss is looking so you get rated for betting more than you actually did.
You should also ask to speak to a casino host when you get there (or call before you get there!) and you can find out what level of play would give you the comps you want (or you might get comped some stuff up front).
But buy Jean's book and visit the site and you should be on your way!
Paul
Jan 12, 2001, 10:35 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2000
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It's usually very simple. If you play table games (i.e. blackjack, craps, etc...) and you buy in 500 or a 1000 at a time, play for at least $25 to $50 a bet, and play for several hours a day. You can be sure that the casino personal will introduce themselves to you and get your name. Then they will track you every time you play. Some places you need to give them a card, others just your name.
Believe me, if you play enough, they will take care of you. The more you bet and the more time you play for will determine the level of comps you receive.
I not sure how it works on machine games (i.e. Video poker, slots, etc...) but, I would guess your not going to get much playing the nickel machines.
I haven't paid for a hotel room in Vegas for 15 years. If you really want to know for any specific hotel. Just ask one of the floorpersons in the pit.
Believe me, if you play enough, they will take care of you. The more you bet and the more time you play for will determine the level of comps you receive.
I not sure how it works on machine games (i.e. Video poker, slots, etc...) but, I would guess your not going to get much playing the nickel machines.
I haven't paid for a hotel room in Vegas for 15 years. If you really want to know for any specific hotel. Just ask one of the floorpersons in the pit.