Casinos
are in the business of making money - just like any other form of
commerce. But they also realize that in order to continue making
money, you have to give a little back to those who are footing the
bill. Casino comps provide one of those rare instances where players
can take advantage of the casino. Whatever they are willing to provide
you – take it! The casino wants to promote customer loyalty by making
its regular players want to come back and ultimately attract new
gamblers by forging a sound relationship with its current clientele.
Casino comps (casino complimentaries) are the freebies doled out
to players by the casino to reflect gambling activity and encourage
continued betting. Free meals, discounted rooms, and courtesy drinks
are the most popular ways casinos use to entice players to keep
their business.
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The truth of the matter is that casinos spend millions of dollars
on casino comps. They devote a large percentage of their marketing
budget to pay casino comps to new and returning visitors. Notice
I said returning visitors too. They send you casino comps usually
via direct mail, offering enticements for you to come back and enjoy
some sort of luxury on them. Casino marketers do this to keep YOUR
business. Whether you realize it or not, a casino is and always
has been a business. They all compete for your dollar(s). Most have
tremendous marketing ploys, including scenic attractions, boxing
matches, and even famous performers.
Now that you understand the reason of a casino comp, I will move
on to the calculation of casino comps. Casino comps are determined
by several factors that include the amount of time you play, and
the amount you bet per hand. Let's say you are playing blackjack
for this example. In general the pit boss or floor person notices
you have been playing $5 per hand over the course an hour. I also
say notices because they usually oversee the tables to see if you
are still playing and how much you are betting. On average, a dealer
will deal 60 hands per hour. At that rate, you are betting $5 per
hand, so in one hour your total bets equal $300. The casino advantage
in the game of blackjack is roughly 2%. On average, you are considered
to lose $6.00 per hour. Of that $6.00 per hour, they comp you 40%
of that amount or $2.40. Some percentages differ slightly, but you
get the general idea.
Finally, here are some tips on getting your fair share of those
elusive casino comps.
Most important rule. Always, always, always use a comp card! Second
rule. Don't forget to use your comp card. Enough on that subject.
You need not be a high roller in order to use your comp card. In
fact, about 80% of the casino comps offered by a casino go to the
lower and mid-range players.
When you are at the casino comp desk, ask for 2 or 3 comp cards.
If they inquire why you need so many, just tell them you are forgetful
or your spouse needs one. Once you get your cards, leave one of
them in a slot or video poker machine in hopes that someone will
walk up to the machine and start playing. You would be surprised
how often this happens. Don't worry about losing your comp card,
you can always get more. Take your second card and use that to play
the games you play. If you got a third card, put that into a slot
or video poker machine before you leave the casino.
If you are playing craps and you have a partner, you could do the
following. You play strictly on the pass line, your partner plays
strictly on the don't pass line. Of course, there are a couple of
conditions that you and your partner must agree on. First, you and
your partner will only play the pass/don't pass line. Second, you
must agree that the $200 that you and your partner are playing with
will be shared; no matter if you lose your $100 or your partner
loses their $100. You will end up with your original $200 at the
end of your play.
If you are playing most table games, you can ask for a marker on
your spot. The dealer will save your spot for 10-20 minutes, depending
on how busy the casino is. You continue to earn comps while you
are absent!
I hope this has given you some ideas. If you have any others, email
us and we will include them in this article. Good Luck!!!
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