How Comps are Calculated

[Optimus Prime]

I grabbed a copy of Comp City and I’m enjoying it so far. It seems tailored for a much higher bettor than I am but I’m sure I will get use out of it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks for the post; it has a lot of great info in it. My only question would be this: If the pit boss doesn’t rate my play and this task is left to surveillance, should I incorporate these misplays (stand soft 18 vs 9, 10, A, Stand 16 vs 10, take even money) indefinitely? This wouldn’t be for cover purposes, but to decrease my skill rating.

My understanding is that outside Vegas, few pit critters know basic strategy, so your cover plays are largely wasted EV. You're better off just making certain index or even BS plays (i.e. A8 v 5/6, 8 v 6, 17 v A in H17 with LS) correctly and letting them see how "dumb" you are that way.

[RatherNotGiveMyRealName]

My understanding is that outside Vegas, few pit critters know basic strategy, so your cover plays are largely wasted EV. You're better off just making certain index or even BS plays (i.e. A8 v 5/6, 8 v 6, 17 v A in H17 with LS) correctly and letting them see how "dumb" you are that way.

These cover plays are trivial when it comes to EV (they decrease my EV by around 1-2%). If I find out that I can increase my comps by lowering my skill rating, I’d be happy to make the trade. The problem is that I don’t know if my skill level is taken into account when they calculate comps. I will find this information out in the future.

[Hsiaodi]

I don’t see the other part of this consideration come up yet. If you look at more senior members, most of them “regret” playing rated. This sentiment comes up often.

If you’re a recreational player or not planning on playing for higher stake or have other ways of AP (not strictly counting) perhaps playing rated is okay.

Sure it’s exciting get something for “free” and being comped. Nothing is free unfortunately.

[Praxis]

The way that casinos calculate comps can vary from casino to casino. The most advanced will factor in everything they can, which can include skill level. However, many do not, and most just eval players with "average bet"x"time played." I don't know of any who really do their due diligence and take into account all the relevant factors, like number of players at the table, which would probably be too hard to do anyway. One local, poorly managed casino I frequent will comp players based purely on losses, which is just wrong from a business standpoint.

[RatherNotGiveMyRealName]

I don’t see the other part of this consideration come up yet. If you look at more senior members, most of them “regret” playing rated. This sentiment comes up often.

If you’re a recreational player or not planning on playing for higher stake or have other ways of AP (not strictly counting) perhaps playing rated is okay.

Sure it’s exciting get something for “free” and being comped. Nothing is free unfortunately.

I have no intention of playing for higher stakes. I just want to go to my local casino and play low-stakes as a side hustle making 50-60 dollars an hour, which is what I'm poised to make with my spread and game.

[RatherNotGiveMyRealName]

The way that casinos calculate comps can vary from casino to casino. The most advanced will factor in everything they can, which can include skill level. However, many do not, and most just eval players with "average bet"x"time played." I don't know of any who really do their due diligence and take into account all the relevant factors, like number of players at the table, which would probably be too hard to do anyway. One local, poorly managed casino I frequent will comp players based purely on losses, which is just wrong from a business standpoint.

After reading Burning the Tables, I thought that every casino recorded your skill level, bet size and time played. But after being at the casino for longer and reading up on it, I'm pretty sure that my place does not take into account skill level. I'll ask a dealer if I know them well enough and see if they know the answer.

[Midwest Player]

I do not like my coming out bet to be table min. If I'm playing a $5 table I will often have my base bet be $10 and drop to $5 in negative counts. Often the pit looks at your first 5 minutes of play to determine your average bet. The coming out bet often determines your average bet. I also don't like cover plays and think they are a waste. Most of the time such a play will go unnoticed.

Don't rule out discretionary comps. This year I got some free meals without anything coming off my comp balance. Sometimes hotel rooms are put aside just for comping players, and often they are the choice rooms like being closer to the elevator or closer to the front desk. I have received free hotel rooms from a host already after being told the hotel was full and sold out. At this one casino I now always book the room through a host and not the front desk. They will tell me the room and where it is located ahead of time which is not always the case with the front desk.

[RatherNotGiveMyRealName]

I do not like my coming out bet to be table min. If I'm playing a $5 table I will often have my base bet be $10 and drop to $5 in negative counts. Often the pit looks at your first 5 minutes of play to determine your average bet. The coming out bet often determines your average bet. I also don't like cover plays and think they are a waste. Most of the time such a play will go unnoticed.

Don't rule out discretionary comps. This year I got some free meals without anything coming off my comp balance. Sometimes hotel rooms are put aside just for comping players, and often they are the choice rooms like being closer to the elevator or closer to the front desk. I have received free hotel rooms from a host already after being told the hotel was full and sold out. At this one casino I now always book the room through a host and not the front desk. They will tell me the room and where it is located ahead of time which is not always the case with the front desk.

I’m pretty convinced that cover plays are a waste of time at this point. That is, if they don’t rate your skill level when they calculate your comps. I like the idea of not betting the table minimum at the beginning of a shoe. This both looks less counter-like and also, like you said, gives the impression that your average bet is higher than table minimum. It seems that at this place, the pit almost never watches play, he’s too busy bouncing from table to table, counting chips, making phone calls and taking player’s cards. I wonder if they determine your average bet through the eye.

What is a discretionary comp? I’m guessing it’s one I simply ask the pit boss for.

[Praxis]

often they are the choice rooms like being closer to the elevator or closer to the front desk.

Reminds me of one time I got comped a room in AC which was right next to the elevator. The elevator was really loud the entire night, sometimes I need to be careful what I wish for.