Posted on December 23, 2007 by Casino Player in casino bonuses, casino comps, casino executive, casino promotions, casino VIP host, free casino money, get casino complimentaries // 0 Comments How To Beat The Casinos. Jun 13, 2017 tips on how casino hosts work and how to use them. Jan 05, 2018 Find out which comps and extras are offered through your player’s card by speaking to the casino host. This person is specifically tasked with helping player’s club members get more out of their casino experience, so you can ask them about all the comps and learn all the ways to take advantage of perks.
No matter what happens with the economy around the world, casinos are never going to run out of money. It’s a business model that’s always going to succeed.
But that doesn’t mean that they will always beat you.
Many gamblers have learned how to use the casino system to their own advantage, and one of the best ways to do that is by getting comps. Casinos all over the U.S. give stuff away for free every single day.
Why shouldn’t you be one of the people getting some of that free stuff?
What You Should Know About Casino Comps
Comps are free stuff and perks that casinos give to gamblers.
And they come in multiple forms:
Free meals, free hotel rooms, free parking, casino credit — if you’re doing it right, you could be getting these perks all the time. There’s no reason that you can’t get casino comps every time you go out for a night of gambling.
What you don’t know about comps could be affecting your ability to get them and make the most out of them.
You don’t have to gamble away a ton of money to get free gifts from the casino. In fact, this might be the most common misconception about comps.
There’s a simple way to start getting free goodies from the casino, and you don’t have to drop hundreds of bills on the table to get them.
Comps are not just for high rollers and players who lose a ton of cash. Casinos give them away all the time to all types of players — winners AND losers.
No matter who you are or how much money you’re losing, the casino wants you on their floor gambling. They’re happy to give you free meals and other gifts so that you’ll keep playing.
Even winners can get comps, because the casino wants to keep you on the floor — all in the hope that you’ll start to lose, and give them back some of that money they’ve been giving you.
First Things First – Get a Player’s Card
Before you can get any comps, you’ve got to be in the system.
Here’s how you get in the system:
Ask any casino employee about getting a player’s card, and they will tell you where to go to sign up for the program. Most casinos have their own dedicated player’s club, so even if you have a card with another casino, you’ll still need a new card for every casino you visit. (Some casinos do participate in programs that include multiple casinos, though — you’ll get details about that at the player’s club desk, if there are any.)
The casino wants to get you on the floor and gambling as fast as they can.
Fill out the form, give them your ID, and wait a few minutes to get your card. Then you’ll be ready to start earning all those great comps and casino rewards. Even if you don’t plan on spending much money at the casino, it’s always worth your while to get a player’s casino card. There’s no other way to get rewarded for the time and money you do spend gambling.
Once you have your card, don’t forget to use it. Slot machines, video poker, and other gambling machines will have a scanner for your card. Look for this before you add any money to the machine. If you need help, just flag a casino employee and they’ll guide you through the process.
You can also hand your card to the dealer for them to scan if you’re playing table games (like baccarat, craps, or blackjack). If you don’t know where to show your card, just ask the dealer. They will help you. The card must be scanned so the casino has a record of your activity and your time spent gambling.
The more time you spend gambling, the more comps you get. The minute you have your card scanned and start gambling, you’ll start adding up points with the casino that will become comps.
Take Advantage of the Specials Instantly
Ask a dealer, pit boss, or any other casino employee about any specials that may be happening right now. Many casinos run special promotions that allow you to get bigger and better comps. There may be player bonuses for playing specific games, so make sure you ask about these special casino deals before you make your mind up about which game you’re going to play.
Always take advantage of deals and limited offers so you can get more free goods.
You can also ask about coupons or vouchers that may be available to you right now as a player’s club casino member. Most casinos also offer club signing bonuses, too. These are rewards that you earn just by signing up for the player’s club card. This is how you start getting comps instantly.
The casino employees might not always volunteer information about all the free stuff you’re entitled to get after you sign up, so make sure to ask on your own so you don’t miss out on anything.
Do Some Research
If you already know which casino or casinos you plan to visit, do some research ahead of time and start working on your comps even before you start gambling.
Many casinos explain their player compensation program as an incentive to get more people to sign up for casino player cards. Go to the casino’s website and look for information about their player’s club and/or their compensation program. Sometimes, you can find a detailed guide that tells you exactly how the compensation point program works at that specific casino. Once you have this information, you’ll know exactly how to start making the system work for you.
While you’re researching, you can also sign up for a player’s card before you even go to the casino and get the whole comp process rolling along even sooner. Many casinos allow you to sign up for their player’s clubs online rather than in person, so you’ll be ready before you even set foot on casino property. Some casinos will even send you special coupons and offers through the mail ahead of your trip, so it’s worth it to take this extra step if you’re planning your casino visit in advance.
The Unspoken Comps
Along with the comps that the casino will outright give you through their player’s club program, many casinos offer little perks to people with a player’s card. The little extra comps give you more of a VIP experience when you’re at the casino.
Here’s an example:You might be able to use your card to get a line comp at the casino buffet. This means you get to go to the head of the line and cut in front of everyone else who is waiting.
Here’s another example:
You might also qualify for a casino rate on your hotel room, which can get you a discount of up to 50 percent on your room.
Find out which comps and extras are offered through your player’s card by speaking to the casino host. This person is specifically tasked with helping player’s club members get more out of their casino experience, so you can ask them about all the comps and learn all the ways to take advantage of perks.
What Games Should You Play to Get the Most Comps?
The best way to get comps from casinos is to spend time in the casino playing their games.
Your goal?
To spend as much time on the casino floor while losing as little money as possible.
To do that, choose to play casinos games with a low house edge and a slow rate of play. Slot machines and video poker can both cost you a surprising amount of money surprisingly fast. You play these games alone, so there’s nothing to slow you down, and your gambling ends up being constant. The odds are also greatly skewed toward the casino’s favor when you play slot machines. That makes it easy (and likely) to lose lots of money in a very short amount of time.
That’s the worst way to get comps — by losing lots of money on slot machines. Try table games where the odds are better. The play is much slower, too. You can spend more time and less money at the craps, blackjack, and baccarat tables.
You’ll earn more points toward your comps as a result. Comps aren’t about how much money you’re losing or winning. They’re based on how much time you’re spending at the casino. Remember that the more time you spend gambling, the more the casino is going to want to keep you there.
Ask, Ask, Ask
Casinos want to give away comps. They just don’t want to give away too much. To make sure you’re getting all the comps you’ve earned, make sure you ask about them. When you’re done gabling for the night, talk to any player’s club host and ask them about comps you may have earned. They can look at your card and see what you’ve earned, so you know exactly what you’re entitled to get from the casino. The host will often give you an extra little comp (like a meal) because you came up and asked them about your rewards.
The Free Drinks
The most well-known comp offered by any casino is the free drink. Almost every casino in the U.S. will offer you free drinks if you’re gambling, whether you’re sitting at a table or a machine.
Always take advantage of this comp by flagging down a cocktail waitress the minute you hit the casino floor. She’ll give you a drink for free to take with you while you go find the table or the machine where you want to play. Flag her down again any time your glass is empty.
Find out what kind of drinks are offered for free, and keep your thirst quenched while you’re gambling. There’s no reason your glass should be empty when you’re on the casino floor. After all, free is free.
One caveat, though:They give you free drinks for a reason.
Drunk people tend to lose more money gambling. They start making poor decisions.
Be careful of that.
Come in Hot
Chances are, you already know how much you’re willing to spend on a night of gambling.
But when you go to the window to get chips for the night, ask for something above this amount. If you plan to lose $200, ask for a marker for $2,000 instead. This will get attention from the player’s club host, who will probably offer you a comp immediately. You will probably get a room discount, a free meal, or some other perk right away if it looks as though you’re about to spend thousands of dollars at the casino.
When you’re gambling, use just the $200 you’re willing to spend. When you cash out at the end of the night, add the extra $1,800 back to the pile unspent.
You’ll have earned some extra free stuff without having gambled anything you didn’t intend to lose.
Do Everything at the Casino
Some casinos don’t just reward those who are gambling, they’ll reward you for spending money anywhere at the casino. Look for casinos that have a lot to offer, and make the most of your stay. Mention your player’s club card when you check in at the hotel, when you shop at the boutiques, when you eat at a restaurant, even when you buy a cup of coffee.
In some cases, you can earn points for every dime you spend anywhere in the casino, so make sure you’re always using your card for everything you do while you’re there.
Conclusion
Take advantage of all the free stuff the casino will comp you, because their entire purpose is to take money away from you. Everything at the casino is designed for you to lose money and lose track of time, so that you’ll play longer and spend more. Balance that out by getting all the comps offered by the casino. Use all the tricks, take advantage of all the offers, and flash your player’s club card with every single move you make at the casino.
After all, gambling is a give-and-take process, and the casino will both take your money and give you free stuff in return.
How To Get Comps From Casino Host Free
Say you have a pretty high Theo, how do you know what is reasonable to ask for and receive in comps (in addition to the room)? For instance, should every meal be comped, how about money for the gift shop, other things?
That depends on the casino and depending on which casino it is, it may depend to a lesser or greater degree on the host.As was also stated in another post, 'it never hurts to ask.'
Many casinos are tied to the amount that you've earned on your player's card and the hosts (or pit supervisors whom you can also talk to about a comp) will only give you a comp up to that amount on the player's card. This system removes any discretion that hosts used to have in comping their players. [The 'bean counters' in management don't like it when a hosts or pit supervisor overcomps a player. The hosts and pit supervisors don't like it that they are unable to handle things as they previously did.]
Other casinos still allow the hosts to make decisions based on your play and what you request regardless as to what may be currently on your card.
I was at the Wynn last year and discovered that they allow the hosts to make the decisions on the comps. However--since it is the Wynn--the amount of the comps may be quite small compared to a different casino based on the exact same level of play.
You are correct to recognize that the amount of your comps will be based, to a great extent, on your Theo. That is why it is a good idea to ask--while you are playing at the tables as well--about your ratings including average bet and Theo. You will likely discover that not all casinos rate in the same way and, indeed, even different pit personnel within the same casino will rate your play differently. This lack of consistency for determining your average bet within the same casino is a continuing problem for casinos and for the player.
If you think you've not be fairly rated, then talk about it with the proper personnel--which would not necessarily be a host or anyone from the player service department, but rather a table games supervisor.
In addition and separate from your Theo is the fact that the casino and/or host can increase your comps based on your losses. In other words, you may have earned a certain level of comps based only on your Theo, but if you've had a large loss (or several large losses!), the casino/host will typically add a percentage of those losses (perhaps 20%) to the amount which they may comp you. This additional consideration based on your losses will not necessarily show up on what you've earned on your player's card.
If you do have a pretty high Theo, then you should try to get a host assigned to you or at least routinely call the same host for all of your needs. You should find that you may be treated a little better as the result of that one-on-one relationship with a particular host. Again, it will depend on the casino as to whether your play justifies the decision that you will be assigned a specific host.
This arrangement of having an individual host assigned to you is more likely accomplished if you do most of your play at the same casino. Guess what? That is what the casino wants. So in assigning a host to you, the casino will be better able to attract and retain all of your play.
Another thing to note is, obviously, not all comps are valued (by the casino and/or host) in the same way that you may value them. For example, the cabana by the pool at Caesar's for the day may have a larger comp value assigned to it than a suite for the weekend.
Also keep in mind the offers and coupons that you may have received. Even if your play justifies a specific host being assigned to you, that host may want to apply a coupon offer to your comp. Depending on the casino, the 'payment' of your comps could come out of two different budgets. For example, a particular casino may have a 'player development budget' and this is the budget that the hosts have available by which they can comp. In addition, the same casino may have a 'marketing budget' and it is from this budget that the coupons (for rooms, cash, meals, etc.) are paid for. Your host may prefer to handle your needs out of this 'marketing budget' and keep his/her 'player development budget' available for additional things.
Not only do different casinos handle the whole matter of comps in various ways, these ways often change from time to time. So what I say here may not apply to your own individual experience at your own casino.
Let me qualify the above remarks by saying that I have not worked in a casino, nor have I worked for player development. I've started this thread in response to the question in hopes that other people may be able to shed more light on this subject.
I've never tried gift shop comps, I never thought to. I think meals are always easier, because they seem more like hospitality than gift shop items.
This is an often rehashed topic, but you have added some fresh topics with the discussion of the different budgets available to the host. It does pay to learn as much as you can about your casino's comp guidelines. Once you know what they look for, you can be sure to maximize the potential comps you receive.
One word of caution. Don't get so focused on comps, that you lose sight of how much you are spending to get those comps.
It is pretty easy to get used to the nice treatment, the quick check-in lines, the free rooms and spa treatments, etc. But it is also easy to start playing with higher amounts than you should be, which seems okay when you are breaking close to even. But getting slaughtered is always a possibility, and then those free comps become VERY VERY EXPENSIVE.
Casinos will often comp somewhere between 15-35% of your theo loss in comps, so playing the machine with the best ratio of house-calculated theo loss to actual theo loss can yield a big advantage. At most casinos, I would guess there is something that if played with correct strategy, on the right days, will yield significantly over 100%. The best things I have seen have yielded somewhere between 105-110%, after mail, for a large amount of money.
Finding the best machine at a casino that can give huge mail is not an easy task, however, and when you do find it your account may have enough visits that it's not really feasible to play it to a huge theo loss. Oddly enough, many of the people I've seen who are very methodical in managing their play and picking the best machines still seem to blast their money away on dumb things at the casino.
Sure there are sweeteners for major wins or major losses and some sweeteners for 'player investment' purposes if they think you have long term potential. Places like Tuscany have very good deals in their gift shop, other places usually have crap in their gift shop and just how many sun-caps with a casino logo would you want anyway?
Best thing to do is decide what you really and truly value and go only for straight comps that don't involve items of little real interest to you. I've heard people ask for free travel miles on their airline cards... as if some host could tap into the airline's computer and get those miles for them!
There is one thing that I learned: one computer system bills 'handicapped' or ' assisted-device ' rooms not to the player's comp account but to some ADA Compliance Account.... so its now easier to get a comped room if you ask for one that is wheel chair accessible or has a seated shower or something like that.
Do you think one hour $25 ante Mississippi Stud is worth a buffet comp?
No, but 3 hours might be. Remember that you are asking for something over and above what is getting put on your account for that play.