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Thread: Phil: Best Casino(s) for Comps

  1. #1
    Phil
    Guest

    Phil: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    What're the best casinos on the Strip (or Off-Strip) and Downtown if you're playing strictly for comps (i.e. basic strategy player not counting).

    What avg. bet size do you need for food/bev and what avg. bet size do you need for room?

    Thanks,
    Phil

  2. #2
    Nifty_49
    Guest

    Nifty_49: Re: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    > What're the best casinos on the Strip (or
    > Off-Strip) and Downtown if you're playing
    > strictly for comps (i.e. basic strategy
    > player not counting).

    > What avg. bet size do you need for food/bev
    > and what avg. bet size do you need for room?

    > Thanks,
    > Phil

    You might want to take a look at the book "The Frugal Gambler" By Scott. Its only about ten bucks (I bought it here) and has some of the info I think you are looking for.

  3. #3
    Marc
    Guest

    Marc: Re: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    Phil - IMHO, your best bet is the MGM/Mirage properties at least as far as strip goes. They own MGM, New York New York, Boardwalk, Golden Nugget, TI (nee Treasure Island), Bellagio and Mirage. Your best strategy is to spend ALL of your money (room, food, entertainment, gambling, etc. at these properties and ALWAYS charge EVERYTHING to your room ...when gambling, ALWAYS use the "fun" card. The night before you check out go talk to the casino host and ask what comps you are entitled to....be assertive in asking for what you want...particularly if you have something in mind.
    Here is a synoposis of my last trip:
    1) stayed at a mini-suite with strip view high up the MGM grand tower.
    2) went to the Mystere' show at Treasure Island
    3) ate at Picasso's in Bellagio (perhaps the best resteraunt in Vegas)
    4) ate at several other MGM/Mirage places
    5) always drank in MGM/Mirage bars/lounges
    6) always gambled at MGM places...casino host told me my average bet was $36.00 and my average session was 4 hours...this is really the key to all of the comps. - average bet, average session length. You can help elevate this by getting along with the pit boss and making sure when he is looking you are throwing out a decent sized bet.
    Night before I checked out, I talked to the casino host..pretty nice guy. He immediately gave me my 3 nights hotel comped ($850) and gave me 1/2 my four Mystere tix ($175). I asked him what he could do about my Picassos dinner...he pulled up some info., etc. ended up giving me $400 off that bill as well. So I totaled over $1,400 in comps. which isn't too bad. With the positive action at the tables, we walked away with a virtually free trip. But, the only way to get this is to follow the rules above and to not be shy in asking...the buddy we were with forgot to use his card 1/2 the time, only charged about 1/2 his expenses to his room, etc...wasn't very assertive in asking - so he ended up with $130 in comps.
    Hope this helps. Have fun!

  4. #4
    Parker
    Guest

    Parker: More info needed

    > What're the best casinos on the Strip (or
    > Off-Strip) and Downtown if you're playing
    > strictly for comps (i.e. basic strategy
    > player not counting).

    Hard to say. The best comp house for someone whose average bet is, say, $200 would be totally different than for a red chip bettor.

    > What avg. bet size do you need for food/bev
    > and what avg. bet size do you need for room?

    Naturally, the bigger and more elegant the hotel/casino, the tighter the comps. In general, comps downtown are easier than on the strip.

    A few hours with a $10 average bet will get you a coffee shop or buffet comp just about anywhere downtown, and at the smaller strip properties.

    Solid green action ($50-$75 average bet) will get you just about anything downtown (except possibly at the Golden Nugget).

    Room comps are actually easier to get than gourmet restaurant comps, except during big conventions, special events (Super Bowl) or holiday weekends.

    As others have mentioned, there are a couple of good books on comps available:

    The Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott

    Comp City by Max Rubin

    The Frugal Gambler is primarily aimed at red chip level players, while Comp City is for the better bankrolled bettor. Both have been recently updated.

  5. #5
    Coug It
    Guest

    Coug It: RISKY

    > Phil - IMHO, your best bet is the MGM/Mirage
    > properties at least as far as strip goes.
    > They own MGM, New York New York, Boardwalk,
    > Golden Nugget, TI (nee Treasure Island),
    > Bellagio and Mirage. Your best strategy is
    > to spend ALL of your money (room, food,
    > entertainment, gambling, etc. at these
    > properties and ALWAYS charge EVERYTHING to
    > your room ...when gambling, ALWAYS use the
    > "fun" card. The night before you
    > check out go talk to the casino host and ask
    > what comps you are entitled to....be
    > assertive in asking for what you
    > want...particularly if you have something in
    > mind.
    > Here is a synoposis of my last trip:
    > 1) stayed at a mini-suite with strip view
    > high up the MGM grand tower.
    > 2) went to the Mystere' show at Treasure
    > Island
    > 3) ate at Picasso's in Bellagio (perhaps the
    > best resteraunt in Vegas)
    > 4) ate at several other MGM/Mirage places
    > 5) always drank in MGM/Mirage bars/lounges
    > 6) always gambled at MGM places...casino
    > host told me my average bet was $36.00 and
    > my average session was 4 hours...this is
    > really the key to all of the comps. -
    > average bet, average session length. You can
    > help elevate this by getting along with the
    > pit boss and making sure when he is looking
    > you are throwing out a decent sized bet.
    > Night before I checked out, I talked to the
    > casino host..pretty nice guy. He immediately
    > gave me my 3 nights hotel comped ($850) and
    > gave me 1/2 my four Mystere tix ($175). I
    > asked him what he could do about my Picassos
    > dinner...he pulled up some info., etc. ended
    > up giving me $400 off that bill as well. So
    > I totaled over $1,400 in comps. which isn't
    > too bad. With the positive action at the
    > tables, we walked away with a virtually free
    > trip. But, the only way to get this is to
    > follow the rules above and to not be shy in
    > asking...the buddy we were with forgot to
    > use his card 1/2 the time, only charged
    > about 1/2 his expenses to his room,
    > etc...wasn't very assertive in asking - so
    > he ended up with $130 in comps.
    > Hope this helps. Have fun!

    You could be in for a rude awakening using this tactic. Going to shows and expensive dinners where you may or may not receive comp. credit could put a big dent in your bankroll.

  6. #6
    pat
    Guest

    pat: marc,no way

    > Hard to say. The best comp house for someone
    > whose average bet is, say, $200 would be
    > totally different than for a red chip
    > bettor.

    > Naturally, the bigger and more elegant the
    > hotel/casino, the tighter the comps. In
    > general, comps downtown are easier than on
    > the strip.

    > A few hours with a $10 average bet will get
    > you a coffee shop or buffet comp just about
    > anywhere downtown, and at the smaller strip
    > properties.

    > Solid green action ($50-$75 average bet)
    > will get you just about anything downtown
    > (except possibly at the Golden Nugget).

    > Room comps are actually easier to get than
    > gourmet restaurant comps, except during big
    > conventions, special events (Super Bowl) or
    > holiday weekends.

    > As others have mentioned, there are a couple
    > of good books on comps available:

    > The Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott

    > Comp City by Max Rubin

    > The Frugal Gambler is primarily aimed at
    > red chip level players, while Comp City is
    > for the better bankrolled bettor. Both have
    > been recently updated.
    your leaving something out.36.00 bettors dont get those kinds of comps at the mirage properties.they are tight as hell.

  7. #7
    Marc
    Guest

    Marc: Re: RISKY

    I understand your point. I am not a comp. junkie...whether comp'd or not, we would see shows and eat at the better restaraunts. For us, those entertainment options are as big a part of our Vegas experience as the poker and bj....so I am not eating Picassos counting on comps...that is just a nice perk at the end.

  8. #8
    Marc
    Guest

    Marc: Re: marc,no way

    Perhaps I got "lucky" with the casino host...but that is what I got. My total play in 3-1/2 days was approx. 35 hours + my wife's approx. 15 hours. I was a bit surprised as well as normally I will get my room comped only regardless of MGM or PPE, etc. Interestingly, since that trip in early March, I have received some significantly attractive offers from MGM including suites for up to 3 days, Tabu table, etc. via email and USPS. I get the impression that the strip is hurting vs. previous trips and perhaps the offers are a bit better. I did spend 2 hours at Binions during the same trip at a SD table and wasn't offered Jack----. In fact, it took over 30 minutes to get a waitress and over 30 minutes to cash out...brutal atmosphere - preferred the SD at Boardwalk though pen. was no better at the SD games.

  9. #9
    methodman
    Guest

    methodman: Re: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    > And then when then find out your a decent player and throw you out in the middle of the night and alert other prperties so you can not even get a hotel;well it still be worth it..
    DOUBT IT..
    .

  10. #10
    Bettie
    Guest

    Bettie: Clarification

    > As others have mentioned, there are a couple
    > of good books on comps available:

    > The Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott

    > Comp City by Max Rubin

    > The Frugal Gambler is primarily aimed at
    > red chip level players, while Comp City is
    > for the better bankrolled bettor. Both have
    > been recently updated.

    Just to clarify, only Comp City has been updated. It is a second, expanded version of the first. The Frugal Gambler has not been updated. Jean's new book, More Frugal Gambling (due out in July this year) is a completely different book with the same focus. You would do well to own both, as they are very different. Comp City and The Frugal Gambler are both available on our online catalog under "Gaming Guides and Information" and we will add More Frugal Gambling as soon as it becomes available.

    Thanks,
    Bettie

  11. #11
    mitteam80
    Guest

    mitteam80: Re: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    If you want to extend your advantage play lifetime, don't get comps. Avoid casino hosts.

    If you don't care about your lifetime, then comp away. That is what I do. Note I get tossed in the first or 2nd day of a 4 day trip.

    When I have made trips where I play the same bet levels (black chip) and don't ask for comps and generally act un-memorable I have gone over a 100 hours of play without one toss.

  12. #12
    bigplayer
    Guest

    bigplayer: Mirage Room Comp

    requires about $100 avg for 4 hours a day...less at TI and GN, more at Bellagio.

    An average of $36 is lucky enough to even be rated and probably wouldn't even get you casino rate unless arranged beforehand. Exception, if you played 12 hours a day with a $36 average then that would be the same as a $108 average for 4 hours.

    Likewise, if you're a huge loser a host may have mercy on you hoping for a return trip.

  13. #13
    dd
    Guest

    dd: Re: Best Casino(s) for Comps

    > Phil - IMHO, your best bet is the MGM/Mirage
    > properties at least as far as strip goes.
    > They own MGM, New York New York, Boardwalk,
    > Golden Nugget, TI (nee Treasure Island),
    > Bellagio and Mirage. Your best strategy is
    > to spend ALL of your money (room, food,
    > entertainment, gambling, etc. at these
    > properties and ALWAYS charge EVERYTHING to
    > your room ...when gambling, ALWAYS use the
    > "fun" card. The night before you
    > check out go talk to the casino host and ask
    > what comps you are entitled to....be
    > assertive in asking for what you
    > want...particularly if you have something in
    > mind.
    > Here is a synoposis of my last trip:
    > 1) stayed at a mini-suite with strip view
    > high up the MGM grand tower.
    > 2) went to the Mystere' show at Treasure
    > Island
    > 3) ate at Picasso's in Bellagio (perhaps the
    > best resteraunt in Vegas)
    > 4) ate at several other MGM/Mirage places
    > 5) always drank in MGM/Mirage bars/lounges
    > 6) always gambled at MGM places...casino
    > host told me my average bet was $36.00 and
    > my average session was 4 hours...this is
    > really the key to all of the comps. -
    > average bet, average session length. You can
    > help elevate this by getting along with the
    > pit boss and making sure when he is looking
    > you are throwing out a decent sized bet.
    > Night before I checked out, I talked to the
    > casino host..pretty nice guy. He immediately
    > gave me my 3 nights hotel comped ($850) and
    > gave me 1/2 my four Mystere tix ($175). I
    > asked him what he could do about my Picassos
    > dinner...he pulled up some info., etc. ended
    > up giving me $400 off that bill as well. So
    > I totaled over $1,400 in comps. which isn't
    > too bad. With the positive action at the
    > tables, we walked away with a virtually free
    > trip. But, the only way to get this is to
    > follow the rules above and to not be shy in
    > asking...the buddy we were with forgot to
    > use his card 1/2 the time, only charged
    > about 1/2 his expenses to his room,
    > etc...wasn't very assertive in asking - so
    > he ended up with $130 in comps.
    > Hope this helps. Have fun!

    How many hours of actual BJ did you play? Seems like a lot of comps for a small player. 15 hours a day or more for 3 days?

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