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You Mean It's Free?
(Playing the Comps Game to Win)
I've mentioned before that I count comps as part of my
overall win at the casino. After all, anything you don't have to pay for is money ahead,
right? But to work the comp system you first have to understand how it works.
The comp forumla varies from casino-to-casino, but the
concept is the same everywhere. You should also be aware of the fact that pit critters who
like you can help you get better comps - and that casino hosts hold the keys to the
kingdom. So, you want to cultivate relationships with those kinds of folks. More on that
later.
But first let's talk about your Theoretical. Each rated
player has what the casino refers to as a "theoretical." That is your
theoretical loss based on the game you play, your average wager, the pit's evaluation of
your strength as a player, the house edge, and the number of hours play.
Let's figure a theoretical for a low to mid-level craps
player. Say you buy in for $1000. The casino makes note of that because they believe that
is the amount you are willing to lose. Okay, say your standard bet is $66 inside. You play
2 hours a session. There are 120 decisions per hour. Now do the math. 240 decisions time
$66 equals (brace yourself) $15,840 in action you gave the casino over that two hour
period. Pretty impressive, right? Now let's say that based on your style of play - placing
the inside numbers - the pit thinks they'll win 4% of your action - or $633. That is your
theoretical number. The casino is willing to comp you back some pre-determined percentage
- say 20% - of your theoretical. In this case a player might get a comped mid-week room or
a discount on a weekend room plus a couple of meals. A comp value of around $130. Now the
numbers I used in this example are my own - and each casino guards their formula like it's
some trade secret - but ask the pit and he'll tell you what the magic number is. In my
part of the world an average bet of $160 for four hours gets you full RFB (room, food and
beverage). Meanwhile, some of the upscale casinos in Vegas will not rate players who
spread less than $200. The number is a moving target, depending on the casino property.
The objective, then is mask yourself as a bigger player
than you are. Yeah, they'll eventually catch on to you - but it's fun to play the game and
work them for every penny you can. Here are some simple rules that will help you improve
your casino rating.
1. |
Buy in for more than you
intend to play. Casino assumes you are going to lose that much. Looks good on rating card.
But use a little common sense here. Don't fall into the trap of betting it just because
it's in the rail. |
2. |
Make a large initial bet -
even if you NEVER work it. I've stepped up to a table, bought in for $1000 and told the
dealer to set me up $110 or $220 inside - but to leave it off until I tell him otherwise.
I get my change. The bets are set up. The pit records the buy in and initial bet. But I
leave my bets off until a decision on the current number. Then, when the dealer is taking
the rest of the bets down and the pit is over watching another table - I tell him to go
ahead and make my bets look like $66 inside |
3. |
Take a regression after your
first hit. If I have $66 inside, get one hit for $21, then regress to $22 inside - I have
$1 net risk on the next toss - and my AVERAGE bet has reduced to $44. Meanwhile - the pit
has me down for $110 or $66 on the rating card |
4. |
Place a bet for the boys every
time you see the pit picking up the rating cards. They'll hit you every twenty minutes or
so. Why do this? A couple of reasons. First of all, most of the pit guys came up thru the
tables and they appreciate a George - and will reciprocate by bumping up your rating.
Secondly, the dealers will reciprocate as well. You'll be amazed at how many mistakes they
can make in paying bets - and how often they will go the player's way. |
5. |
Press your bets when the pit
is writing. Be careful with this one - but I will increase my bets for one or two rolls
when the pit is updating the rating cards - then regress them once again. |
6. |
Salt away every other green
chip. Whenever you get into a hot streak and the table gets busy, it's time to start
taking some chips out of the rack and slipping them in your pocket. Don't be obvious about
it - and don't think you can get away with it with black chips - the eye in the sky is
tracking those. But you can squirrel away a greenie every fifteen minutes or so and end up
with an extra $200 in your pocket when you head to the cage. |
7. |
Color up SMALL. This relates
to number 6. The purpose is to be sure the number written down on your rating card at the
end of the session makes it appear that you had a substantial loss. Casinos like losers.
They're not as fond of winners (though scoring a big win is a SURE way to get a quick
invitation to come back - fully comped). |
8. |
Depending on the casino - I
may break my bankroll down and color up at two separate cages. I have had tellers call the
pit when I colored up a large amount and advise the PB that a player was cashing in black
or purple. Likewise, If I'm there overnight I may take all or part of my chips to the
room, lock them in the safe and cash them in the next morning - or get my wife to cash
part of them in. |
9. |
End each session with:
(a) a final tip for the boys
(b) a request for a comp (even if you don't use it - they'll credit it back to your comp
account) and
(c) a casual conversation with the pit/floor walker. Again, get to know these folks. By
the way - I do NOT ask for a comp every time I see a host or pit person. It will serve you
well just to sit down at an empty BJ chair and chat with these people - get to know them
as individuals. There are some great men and women working in these places. |
10. |
On occasion I've received some
exceptionally nice comps. I took two comped cruises to Cozumel on the Isle of Capri's boat
they used to run out of New Orleans. Yeah, the McDonalds of cruise lines, but hey - it was
free. There were couples on the boat that had paid $1500 per person. I spent a three-night
weekend at Harrah's Tahoe once - including airfare, hotel, all food and beverages for two,
a comp worth probably $2000 at the time. Right after the Mandalay Bay opened a host friend
from Harrah's moved over there and invited me out for 3 nights with full RFB - yeah, I had
to get myself there and back, but we're talking about the Mandalay Bay here - a comp worth
probably $1500 total. In each of these cases I took the time to send a personal note to
the host in question, along with a small personal gift (hosts can accept small gifts -
usually under $50 or so in value). I'm big on sending polo shirts with my corporate logo.
Also, I'll occasionally send a "communal" gift to the host's office - a box of
candy, for example, for all the hosts to share. Suddenly everybody knows your name. |
I also send Christmas cards c/o the casino to my favorite
hosts, pit critters and dealers. You'd be AMAZED how much mileage you can get out of a
buck and a half card. And once a year I send a letter to the casino manager -
congratulating him on his operation and praising any particular employees that have
yielded exceptional service. Why? A dealer at Harrah's told me they read one of my letters
to all the managers at the weekly managers meeting. And someone put a note in the computer
system about it - because several of the pit folks - after recording my buy in on the
system - stepped over and thanked me for it. Hey, shameless sucking up works.
Then there are the coupon offers - which also add up. Last
year I spent 66 nights in comped casino hotel rooms. We ate over 200 casino meals - and
very few buffets in the mix - and cashed around $1000 in free coin coupons (and there's a
secret about building a bankroll in that last sentence). It all adds up.
So there you have it. All it really takes is understanding
the casino's rating system and masking your play to make it appear you are a higher roller
than you are. But don't forget to be a George - and a friend - to some of the key people
in the casino. Be the kind of player the dealers like to see step up to the table and the
comps will come. All you have to do is ask.
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