Is there any way to figure out a casinos comp system?

[BigJer]

Not talking about Total Rewards but other casinos that are not a part of a chain or anything. So say that I'm at a local Indian casino how can I figure out their comp system? Should I just ask the PB or player's club?

[shadroch]

The Las Vegas Advisor boards have plenty of information on this. I'd ask the players club rep.

[BigJer]

The Las Vegas Advisor boards have plenty of information on this. I'd ask the players club rep.

Thanks. One reason I ask is if whether or not most casinos will "grade" you according to the quality of your play. So if they think you are a bad BJ player then they will give you a higher comp percentage. If you are a good player then they will give you a lower percentage.

[BigJer]

Your skill level is part of the equation. The other parts are average bet and tine played. They multiply that by a estimated advantage (for blackjack your skill level) and you earn a percentage of this amount. The stores I am aquainted with have 3 levels. I call them:
1) Total idiot, can't even pronounce basic strategy
2) Basic strategy player, plays reasonable basic strategy
3) Skillz player, someone that will do better than a perfect basic strategy player

You can tell what they think of you by your comps. Once you get to the skillz player rating you earn comps very slowly.

Tell me about it. At my home casino it takes me nearly 16hrs., probably more, to get a $10 buffet! Granted I'm a red chipper but man that seems like a long time.

BTW when I go up to Reno, since I get free rooms and the food comps are easier, that includes my GF who does not play, and with the free drinks it's almost like I'm getting an RFB comp. Then I crush 'em at the tables!

ETA:

I'm most likely in the third group.

[shadroch]

Your skill level is part of the equation. The other parts are average bet and tine played. They multiply that by a estimated advantage (for blackjack your skill level) and you earn a percentage of this amount. The stores I am aquainted with have 3 levels. I call them:
1) Total idiot, can't even pronounce basic strategy
2) Basic strategy player, plays reasonable basic strategy
3) Skillz player, someone that will do better than a perfect basic strategy player


You can tell what they think of you by your comps. Once you get to the skillz player rating you earn comps very slowly.

You want to be in the second group, but that pretty much sums it up

[bigplayer]

Comps. Ask the pit for your average bet when you leave. Then check your card comp balance and you will be able to reverse engineer the comp formula for the bucket of comps that you control. There is a separate "hidden" discretionary comp balance that only a host or supervisor can give to you and you can only find that out from one of them, and they usually won't tell you about this bucket or what is in it. Mail offers and free rooms are also considered part of your comps so, like at Harrah's, it looks like you're only getting 5% of your expected loss in comps based on their horrible point accrual, but then get back cash coupons, free rooms, tournament invites, etc in the mail and that is all figured in by the bean counters as part of the giveback to you which, on average, costs them about a third of what they expect to win from you. So for a place like Harrah's most of the comp value you get is from what arrives in the mail, and if you can drive your comp return higher by redeeming a ton of it. (not to mention concentrating your play into a few days rather than spreading it out).

Comp rates are also different depending on skill level, the rules (6/5 comps > 3/2 shoe comps > double deck comps). I know one casino (Monte Carlo) that used to require 2x the hours of play at double deck to get the same comps as shoes. Some casinos also strongly penalize your comp accrual if you don't play at least 4 hours, regardless of your average bet. They not only want a high average bet, but also want 4 hours a day of play to give full credit for your action. (Stupid). Some casinos are very open about your comp balances, some are secretive. I had one tell me "I can't tell you how many comp dollars you have, but I'll tell you that you have enough to buy buffets for 18 people".

[21gunsalute]

I asked this question at a casino I'd frequented about a dozen times after not even being able to get a lunch comped at their deli. I asked 2 or 3 suits and I got the same answer: "It's complicated."

[NT21]

Once you get to the skillz player rating you earn comps very slowly.

I'm not sure I agree with this. One of my hosts specifically told me that I'm highly rated, skillz-wise, but still got showered with comps. As you already alluded to, the other considerations are average bet and time played. So if you're highly skilled, but have a large average bet and put your hours in, you'll be fine. Don't forget to rat-hole, either to lessen your perceived wins or exaggerate your perceived losses. But you can be rated as a skilled player and do just fine with comps.

To piggy back on what BigPlayer wrote (which was excellent), I encourage players to not be afraid to ask for what they need (better yet, ask for what they want). The worst a host can say is "no." So don't be afraid to be politely pushy. If you want event tickets, limo service, a room upgrade, dinner reservations, or anything else, just ask. Obviously, a red chipper may not get the royal treatment, but if you're asking for something reasonable, given whatever level of play you're at, there's a good chance they will accommodate you. But you have to get comfortable asking for things.

[BigJer]

I asked the Player's Club yesterday and they said there is no sliding scale in the Comps system. Everyone gets graded the same.

[D.A.]

I asked the Player's Club yesterday and they said there is no sliding scale in the Comps system. Everyone gets graded the same.

I wouldn't necessarily trust the players club to always know exactly how ratings work. They might know if there are tiers that earn faster (or with multipliers) but often they have know clue how a tables game rating is actually factored.

[BigJer]

I wouldn't necessarily trust the players club to always know exactly how ratings work. They might know if there are tiers that earn faster (or with multipliers) but often they have know clue how a tables game rating is actually factored.

I should ask the PB?

[D.A.]

I should ask the PB?

Better to ask a host if you're really curious.

[BigJer]

Better to ask a host if you're really curious.

This one place has no hosts, as far as I know.