Free Stuff! -- Casino Comps
Originally published 2006, revised 11/2010
- How to Earn More Slot Comp Points? Earning More Comps playing slots. Whilst most people immediately think that they are going to be getting the most casino. Earn Comps on Bonus Credits. One thing that is also worth knowing is that all of your real money gaming action will be.
- If you create your account online, do so a few weeks in advance so that the casino has time to mail you a coupon for some comps before your visit, especially if you are traveling to get there. When you sign up in person, ask if there are any comps that you can get immediately.
'Comp' is short for 'complementary' and it means anything free or reduced price that a casino gives you. It's a marketing tactic, like 'buy one get one free' at the grocery store. If you're parking your RV overnight at the casino you already have one comp -- the free parking -- and it didn't cost you anything on your comp account!
Online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks offer a variety of bonuses that are similar to brick and mortar casino comps. Also similarly, comp hustlers and advantage players can use these bonuses to turn a profit via bonus hunting, or can convert these comps to a guaranteed profit using the technique of matched betting.
What kinds of comps can you expect?
At a minimum, anyone playing a casino game (in Nevada and most other states) can expect free drinks, including soft drinks, beer, wine, mixed drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, even milkshakes in some places. Pretty much anything the bar can make you can have free while you're gambling.
Of course, you do need to tip the cocktail waitress or bartender. They work hard, and work for tips, so I recommend the following:
Tipping for Cocktails
Normal good service $1 each drink. Excellent service, $2 each drink. If you're somewhat of a high roller and you'd really like special treatment from the cocktail staff tip $5 up front when you order each drink.
Check out www.cocktaildoll.com. You'll learn the inside story of what it's like to cocktail at a casino. Many of her stories will have you rolling on the floor laughing!
Beyond free drinks the sky is the limit for comps, it all depends on how much you play.
Low Rollers can expect free or reduced price buffet meals, reduced price rooms, some other limited comps.
Average players can expect the same, plus free rooms and/or upgrade to suites, nicer restaurant comps, show tickets, special invitations.
If you're a High Roller, you'll get what's called RFB. That stands for Room, Food and Beverage. You'll also get free show tickets, rounds of golf, airfare to visit the casino, cruises, celebrity social events, etc.
How do you get additional comps?
There are several ways to receive comps, but the primary two are through marketing, and by asking for them at the casino.
Marketing Comps:
After you visit a casino and play some you'll start receiving marketing in the mail. Usually this will include coupons that you can redeem at the casino for free buffets, free room (or reduced price), free spa visits, show tickets, etc. You may also get what's called 'bounce back cash' or 'free play'. Bounce back cash is a coupon that you exchange for cash at the casino. Free play is a coupon for a dollar amount of free play on slots or video poker machines. Both are great. Cash is nice, but you usually get less cash and more free play.
A typical quarter video poker player who plays 4 to 6 hours a day for a long weekend might get between $25 and $50 in free play for the next trip. If you play a lot longer you might get more. If you play at the Dollar level you might get $100 to $300, and so on.
Comps you ask for
One thing to remember in a casino is to ASK for a comp, because you'll rarely get it unless you ask!
Playing Table Games: If you play blackjack, craps, or other table games you'll usually get your comps from the Pit Boss. How much you get depends on three things:
Your level of play -- how much you're wagering
How long you have played
What casino you're at, how upscale it is, and their comp policy
The basic version is this. Sit down and play for a few hours. When dinner time comes, tell the dealer; 'I'd like to color up, and could you ask the boss if I can get a dinner comped?' The pit boss will check your play, and will tell you if you can have a comp or not. If not, ask what level of play is typically required for a couple of buffets or a trip to the coffee shop or whatever it is you'd like.
Special Note for RV Travelers
Comp 'status' is a different game for Locals than for Vacationers. As an RV traveler, sometimes you're like a Local and sometimes like a Vacationer. If you care about comps it's important to recognize which you are 'now'.
Vacationer
If you're just visiting for a few days, and will be moving on, then you're more like a vacationer. If you'd like to get a room comp next time you're in town (maybe for friends to join you for a vacation) or to use in the casino RV park, then you're like a vacationer.
If you're a Vacationer, you care about getting the free room comp, and about achieving the highest status you can on the way to being RFB. The path to high status as a vacationer is daily average play. The casino knows you'll only be in town a short time, so they want to know how much action you'll give them on your next trip.
Here's how you get the highest possible rating as a vacationer:
Read Gambling 101, and pick casinos that offer good games. Never 'play for comps', they're just a bonus
Play at casinos that want your business.
For a given gambling budget, one casino may lavish you and another may ignore you.
Do some research, and find out which casinos will give you the best comps for YOUR level of play. For Las Vegas, join the Las Vegas Advisor and visit their online forum. Worth many times the cost of membership. If you visit casinos in the Midwest check out www.midwestgamingandtravel.com
Give all your play for the trip to ONE casino. This will give you a high daily average.
Talk to a host, or slot club supervisor, and find out what time the casino 'day' begins and ends for tracking play. Often this is midnight but not always.
Your daily average is '$ divided by days'. So if you give the casino $20k of action over 3 days your average is $6,666, but if you spread it over 4 days your average is $5,000. Big difference.
Time your play to avoid messing up your average.
At the end of your trip, talk to a Host. Ask them to take a look at your play and tell you what you'd qualify for on your next trip.
Some times it takes 2 or 3 trips to become 'established' at a casino, but sometimes one visit is sufficient.
Be prepared to tell the host what you'd like to have if they ask (room, buffets, RFB).
Local
If you'll be in the area for a month or more - maybe for a whole season - then you can play like a local. For local players, casinos don't care so much about your daily average but about your total action. You also have time to take advantage of promotions that may be going on (like those free car drawings that you 'must be present to win').
Here's how you get the best comps as a local:
First two points are same as for a vacationer above.
Don't worry about daily averages. When you're playing for a month or more it's your total action that matters.
Find out what papers run the casino specials and promotions and become aware of them all. Get on casino's email lists so they'll tell you. Seek out casinos that are offering promotions where you have an advantage.
Be aware of any 'tier' systems that reward you for reaching particular levels of play. These often have names like Gold, Platinum, Diamond, etc. If achieving the next tier has enough value for you give all your play to that one casino until you reach the level you desire, then it's OK to move around some.
Ask the casino a few days before you leave how close you are to the next tier. You may be only a few hundred points off, but if you wait a year you may have to start over.
Here's a more detailed explanation of how casinos figure comps.
Warning: This may put some of you to sleep. We're going to do math...
You're playing green chips ($25 a bet) and you've been at the blackjack table about 4 hours. If you're in downtown Las Vegas (except maybe the Golden Nugget) you can easily ask for some buffets, or probably a nice restaurant comp with a limit on spending. If you're on the strip at Bellagio, Wynn, City Center, etc. you probably qualify for another cocktail.
Next time, you're playing black chips ($100 a bet). Now you can probably get an open comp for two at a gourmet downtown restaurant. At the Bellagio, Wynn, Mirage, etc. you'll get a couple of buffets (and they're really good buffets!) Some strip properties are trying harder during the bad economy and you might get more.
Getting to know Theo
Who is Theo, and why should you get to know him? Theo stands for 'Theoretical Loss'. (Note, this is the 'technical stuff' folks, so fair warning).
Theo is the dollar amount you are expected to lose playing a particular game, at a particular rate, for a specific time. The formula is Vig x Your Average Bet x Hands Per Hour x Hours Played. It is used to compute how much you can receive in casino comps.
Let's say you're playing a game with a 1.5% average casino vig. The actual Vig (house advantage) with expert play may be 1%, but they usually do these figures based on the average, so if you have some skill you come out ahead! Now lets say you play at the level of $25 a hand, and play 40 hands per hour. That's .015 x 25 x 40 = $15.00. Now let's say you play for 4 hours. Statistically, your loss should be $60 for that four hours of play. That's your Theo.
Casinos have a standard for what percentage of your Theo you can be comped. Sometimes the pit boss has discretion, and will take into consideration a really bad losing session. Comping at 40% of Theo is typical. So in the example above you now have about $24 in 'compability'. You ask for a couple of $15 buffets, and the pit boss throws you a bone and writes you the comp for $30.
But let's dissect this comp, what's it really worth?
Most of the comps you receive will be what are known as 'soft comps'. The casino didn't spend $30 cash to give you those two $15 buffet tickets. It may have only cost the casino $4 to serve your meals. To YOU, it's still worth $30 (unless you'd prefer to eat a cold ham sandwich in your room). The same principal goes for those $8 mixed drinks you got for free, and that $150 a night room.
'Hard comps' are a completely different thing. Most of the time you need to be a high roller to get them. Let's say you're playing at the Rio, and you tell the host you'd really love tickets to see Zumanity (the Cirque Du Soleil show at NYNY). Those tickets are 'hard comps' because the Rio has to pay hard cash for them. So unless you're a real high roller forget it.
What should you remember from all this?
If nothing else remember this; 'Ask for comps'. Be aware of what you can get from the casino to offset your losses (or add to your winnings!)
Resources on the web
Places I've found for researching casino comp systems and asking questions about specific casinos:
The Frugal Gambler, More Frugal Gambling books by Jean Scott http://queenofcomps.com
Casino Comps Yahoo! Group (Free) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/casino_comps/
Las Vegas Advisor ($39/yr, but with an excellent coupon book) www.lasvegasadvisor.com
- Midwest Gaming and Travelwww.midwestgamingandtravel.com
Las Vegas casinos are well known for giving out comps to gamblers. The most common rewards they offer include buffet passes, drinks, hotel stays, show tickets, and meals.
You’re likely happy to receive any of these rewards through casino games. However, you may also be interested in other perks at Vegas casinos.
That said, I’m going to discuss more on how you can earn comps in Sin City and some of the interesting ways they can be used.
First Step: Get Your Players Club Card
You may be excited to hit the slot machines or tables when entering a casino. However, the first thing you should do is ensure that you have a players club card.
These cards ensure that you qualify for comps. You insert your players club card into slot and video poker machines to rack up rewards.
When playing table games, you should inform the dealer that you wish to be rated. They’ll give your card to the pit boss. In turn, the pit boss will stop by from time to time and see what bet sizes you’re making.
You can get your card either by visiting the front desk or signing up online. After completing registration, you should be approved for the VIP program instantly.
You don’t necessarily have to get a players club card to earn rewards. However, the pit boss or a floor supervisor will have to notice your play without one.
Unless you’re spending hours on the table and/or betting big, then you may be waiting a long time for this to happen.
Earning Vegas Gambling Comps
You can generate comps by playing any game in Las Vegas casinos. However, the rate at which you earn rewards varies based on the game.
Video poker and slot machines typically feature a 0.1% comp rate. Table games, on the other hand, may only offer a 0.05% rate or lower.
This discrepancy is due to the average house edges with each type of game. Slot machines usually have higher house advantages than table games and give back more rewards as a result.
Here’s an example:
- You play a slot machine with 92% RTP (8% house edge).
- You bet $1,000 on this game.
- 1,000 x 0.08 = 80
- You’ll theoretically lose $80.
- Comp rate is 0.1%.
- 1,000 x 0.001 = $1 in rewards.
Most table games have fairly low house edges when compared to slots. Casinos don’t make as much money from them per dollar wagered and, subsequently, don’t offer as big of comps.
Here’s an example:
- You play a blackjack game with a 1% house advantage.
- You bet $1,000 on this game.
- 1,000 x 0.01 = 10
- You’ll theoretically lose $10.
- Comp rate is 0.03%.
- 1,000 x 0.0003 = $0.30 in comps.
You’re not even earning a dollar’s worth of rewards in this scenario. That said, you’ll need to play for a long time or bet big just to generate anything significant.
Collect Comps Through Resort Purchases
The point of this post is to discuss gambling rewards at Las Vegas casinos. However, you can also pick up VIP perks through any purchase at casinos.
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Some casinos have comprehensive rewards programs that extend throughout all their properties. For example, Caesars Entertainment features the Caesars Rewards program.
Their VIP plans entitle you to comps via any purchase made. Hotel stays, meals, shopping, shows, and spa visits all qualify as long as such purchases are made through qualifying casinos.
Therefore, you don’t have to spend all of your time on the gambling floor just to get rewards. You can also do so via other purchases through many casino outlets.
Interesting Comps Offered by Vegas Casinos
As a gambler, you’re probably used to getting free drinks. You might even play enough to pick up a free meal or hotel stay.
Of course, Vegas has been giving these types of rewards out for decades. You may yearn for more options with your comps.
Here are some of the moreinteresting and/or lucrative VIP perks that Sin City offers:
- Bottle service at nightclubs – You typically pay around $300 for a reserved nightclub table and bottle of liquor.
- Cashback – You’re given back a percentage of the funds you gamble.
- Free casino tournaments – Free entry into a slots or table game tournament.
- Free golf round – Casinos with golf courses (e.g. Wynn) often give out free rounds.
- Limousine rides – Travel in style to a fancy restaurant or nightclub.
- Loss rebates – You get back a percentage of your losses (e.g. 10%).
- Private jet transportation – If you’re a true high roller, then you may be ferried to the casino in a jet.
- Request game rules – You forgo most or all other comps to ask for special rules that can lower the house edge.
- VIP gambling tables – Gamble by yourself or with friends at your own private table.
Different VIP Levels
Many casinos have different tiers in their loyalty programs. Depending upon where you fall in these tiers, you may be privy to better offers.
At the most basic VIP level, you’ll receive free drinks and maybe even cashback (on slots). You don’t even have to join the players club to get drinks if you’re consistently gambling.
In the second tier, you may receive free self-parking and food. The latter can be a very nice reward depending upon the restaurant and value of your meal coupon.
The third tier normally offers a free hotel room, valet parking, and access to a VIP lounge. You’ll have most or all of your needs comped in this situation.
Some casinos have a fourth tier or higher for whales. Here’s where private jet transportation and penthouse suites come into the equation.
Ask Before Playing
Casinos employ hosts to deal with loyalty members. You can chat with a casino host to customize your rewards.
The host will be more receptive to your requests if you’re a bigger bettor. However, they may work with you regardless.
If you’ve been playing baccarat for four hours, for example, you can ask the host what your play qualifies for. They may give you a list of options, including a buffet pass, show tickets, or spa visit.
Assuming you’re looking for specific rewards and plan to gamble a lot, then you should talk with the host before hitting the tables or machines.
Focus Your Play on a Certain Casino for the Best Comps
You should sign up for the players club no matter where you gamble in Vegas. However, you’ll work towards the absolute best rewards by sticking with a specific casino or company (e.g. MGM Grand).
Concentrating your play on one casino accomplishes two things:
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- You move up towards better comps.
- You look more valuable to the casino.
A gambling establishment will see you as more valuable if you’re betting $10,000 per day instead of $1,000. They may give you more value in terms of rewards to retain your loyalty.
For example, you might normally be subject to a 0.1% comp rate on slots. However, the casino could bump this up to a 0.2% rate if they notice extensive play from you.
Nothing is stopping you from spreading your gambling around to different casinos. After all, you may simply like the experience of playing in a variety of venues. But you should at least consider the benefits of focusing on one to two casinos.
Don’t Get Carried Away With Vegas Comps
The thought of eating free lobster dinners and being shuttled about in a limo may sound exciting. However, you don’t want to overextend your play just for comps alone.
The casino still holds the advantage even with rewards included. Unless you’re one of the greatest comp hustlers alive, you’ll always be facing a theoretical loss.
Here’s an example:
- You gamble $5,000 on slot machines.
- The average house edge between these games is 5%.
- 5,000 x 0.05 = $250 in theoretical losses
- Comp rate is 0.2%.
- 5,000 x 0.002 = $20 in comps
- 250 / 10 = 25
- Your theoretical losses are worth 25x more than the rewards.
Casinos are fully aware of the math behind VIP rewards. They know how much they can comp you and still earn a long-term profit.
In rare cases, you may be able to game casinos through comp hustling. But you must put lots of work and effort into finding the perfect opportunities.
In short, you should only gamble for entertainment purposes. Don’t bet more for the sole purpose of upgrading to a hotel suite.
Conclusion
Las Vegas casinos offer far more comp options than you may realize. They give out everything from casino tournament tickets to bottle service. Gambling establishments will even work with you to ensure that you get specific rewards. For instance, you may be interested in seeing a certain show rather than getting a free meal.
But first thing’s first, you need to join the players club. You can start earning rewards immediately once you have a players club card. Afterward, you just need to hit the slot machines and/or table games to begin generating VIP perks. Slots deliver more rewards than table games, because they have higher house edges.
You’ll even rack up comps through other purchases at casinos. Hotel rooms, meals, shows, and more help you accumulate rewards.
Given the comprehensive VIP programs at most casinos, you’re better off concentrating your play at one or two establishments. The relevant casino(s) may bump you up in VIP status and offer you superior comps as a result.
Above all, make sure to have fun in the casino and don’t focus too much on the rewards. Instead, you want to let comps come naturally.
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