comp question

**Bodarc** · 07-29-2015, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by realestate

i am OK with playing a bad game since im just looking for comps.

Originally Posted by realestate

i think its around $200/hand for 4 hours for a room comp for BJ.

realestate, undoubtedly you haven't taken a quick look at your simulation. Your expected value per hour is $5. Your N0 on the first sim is 40 MILLION rounds. On the second sim, it is so far off the chart CVCX can't even register it. So, to try to get a hotel room and a crab claw, you are playing a game where a loss of one standard deviation the first hour (very easy to do), will cost you over $ 2,000 and you have to play for 4 hours. You can buy a lot of hotel rooms and crab claws for that.

Comp city is a good book with some good tips but there is one thing he forgets when he gives some of his bj examples (everyone has to sell some books) and that is the law of large numbers. On average OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, statistics kick in but to go to LV and bet $200 or so per hand, you could very easily LOSE thousands of dollars. All over a hotel room!

I have stayed in the Waldorf Astoria. It has some gorgeous antiques. You can stand outside on the balcony and almost touch the roof of the Chrysler building. It was beautiful, but the room itself is nothing but a hotel room. No better than your local Red Roof Inn. The same is true for a room at any casino ... it is nothing but a hotel room and a crab claw is nothing but a crab claw.

Take just one or two of your $200 buck bets, get a room at the casino or some motel, pay for your buffet and search for some game where you have a real advantage. If you can't find an advantage, don't play! Go watch a show somewhere and pay for it and use your spare time learning some strategy or finding a game that gives you an advantage.

Just my 2 cents worth.

**MJGolf** · 07-29-2015, 11:35 AM

I agree with Bodarc. Comps have changed over time and if that's a primary purpose, then you can risk a lot to get very little. I want to add a little. Ceasar's/Total Rewards.......at the moment and who knows due to their bankruptcy.......is a lot easier on room comps. MGM is easier on food/points comps that you can exchange. Don't forget the value of their rewards cards/member's cards IF you are playing for comps. And you can still always call the pit or a host and ask for casino rate on the rooms. That's usually at least 50% off or more, depending on how full they are, weekend v. weekday, etc. You can obviously more than make up the cost of a room and food with profits playing. So that's one reason Munchkin says it's not worth your name and info exchange for a free room and a buffet IF you are going to play harder/higher limits v. part time play like some of us are.

I have another trick or tip you can use and it doesn't really hurt your name on playing because you can get a Total Rewards credit card......a Visa........that you get 1% bonus on everything you purchase, with 3% I think back on purchases at Ceasar's properties. 2% gas and groceries. Those can cut your costs a significant portion, too, just by your usual every day purchase.

The comp hustle in BJ is JUST NOT what it used to be. When all they kept was your average time played and average bet, it didn't matter. Now they have at least 3 levels they rate you on your competency of play. As an AP or skilled player, I assure you that the comps for BJ play are much, much less than what Rubin wrote about in Comp City. Look at his original publication date. Though his book has been updated a little; it's no longer an accurate view of what is happening in the current casino world.

Just my two cents worth........so with Bodarc's 2 cents, you now have 4 to do with what you choose.

**WABJ11** · 07-29-2015, 12:53 PM

Just note that Caesar's room "comps" charge you outrageous "resort fees" which really end up making the room not comped at all.

**realestate** · 07-29-2015, 01:00 PM

Ok maybe bj is a bad idea... ill probably play craps, spanish21 or UTH after learning strategy

**WABJ11** · 07-29-2015, 02:08 PM

I would highly suggest video poker too... Jacks or Better 9/6 paytable which you can still find if you look hard enough. At the Cosmo in the high limit room. Also Caesar's Palace has some $5 9/6 machines. Just be ready for variance.

**Three** · 07-29-2015, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by WABJ11

I would highly suggest video poker too... Jacks or Better 9/6 paytable which you can still find if you look hard enough. At the Cosmo in the high limit room. Also Caesar's Palace has some $5 9/6 machines. Just be ready for variance.

Many places have gotten really chintzy on comp points for VP. Some casinos are still okay though.

**Avincow** · 07-29-2015, 03:51 PM

Comps are a consolation prize for LOSING. Why do you want comps? To feel special? Why not play real blackjack, make $100/hr (well within your reach given your bankroll and willingness to virtually flat bet black) Then you can pay for the pricey balcony suite at the Cosmo, eat the pricey caesar's buffet, and whan all is said and done, you will have some leftover money for an escort who will make you feel better than any casino host will make you feel. Good luck!

**Three** · 07-29-2015, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Avincow

Comps are a consolation prize for LOSING. Why do you want comps? To feel special? Why not play real blackjack, make $100/hr (well within your reach given your bankroll and willingness to virtually flat bet black) Then you can pay for the pricey balcony suite at the Cosmo, eat the pricey caesar's buffet, and whan all is said and done, you will have some leftover money for an escort who will make you feel better than any casino host will make you feel. Good luck!

Nothing wrong with earning free rooms and gourmet meals while making a nice score.

**realestate** · 07-29-2015, 04:03 PM

Well I'm just doing it since I'm going with friends and they want to do some gambling. I guess I was a little fooled by comp city and had high expectations

**Avincow** · 07-29-2015, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Tthree

Nothing wrong with earning free rooms and gourmet meals while making a nice score.

I know, I'm just being hyperbolic.

**WABJ11** · 07-30-2015, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Tthree

Many places have gotten really chintzy on comp points for VP. Some casinos are still okay though.

While this is partly true, you can still find properties that value video poker play very well and give you good comps. One good place comes to mind. Gold Coast is one vegas property that has 9/6 jacks or better and gives generous comps. Also they renovated that place so it's actually a nice casino/hotel too.

**Masterhoudini** · 07-30-2015, 02:51 AM

Read my earlier post if you wanna get RFB playing BJ. This is considered a tolerated spread.

**MJGolf** · 07-30-2015, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by WABJ11

Just note that Caesar's room "comps" charge you outrageous "resort fees" which really end up making the room not comped at all.

It's sadly, not JUST Caesars' any more.............MOST LV hotels are charging resort fees of some shape and fashion. See:

http://www.resortfees.com/las-vegas/

If FTC would get into this like it has with other businesses or airlines, then they would have to go back to actually including a truer picture of their room rates. It's kind of like the airlines........you better count the resort fees into your nightly room charge like you have to count baggage fees into your airfare to come up with a better, more accurate price. It's a travesty of travel now!!!