MGM Players' Club -- Does it matter which MGM property you play at?

After becoming a member of the MGM properties comp club last year, I finally checked this week to see what estimated losses they posted for 2008. I noticed that this report breaks the losses out by MGM property (amount lost at The Mirage, at Bellagio, etc.).

I am curious if anyone knows whether the amounts are added together for determining comps or if it is best to "play where you hope to stay" sort of speak?

I enjoy walking down the strip with a group of friends and playing a little at a variety of the MGM casinos a long the way, but if these amounts aren't being aggregated for comp purposes then I am essentially shooting myself in the foot as far as rewards are concerned (playing too small an amount at 10 different casinos instead of a larger amount at 1 or 2). Has anyone gotten an answer on this issue from an MGM host?

It doesn't hurt to ask your host to be sure, but I'm pretty sure all comps/points are pooled from all MGM properties.

Bear in mind that the information that hosts provide ...

well...

its not always accurate

I have a great host at one of the MGM properties. She explained their whole marketing system to me, including how to whore their system for better comps and mailers. She explained how they love losses, and look at buy-in a lot, but don't care as much for bet size, etc.

Best casino employee I've ever met.

I used to play at The Edgewater a good bit. I never recieved comp offers from any other MGM property except The belle, which is next to The edgewater.

MGM sold Belle/Edgewater a while ago, right?

Yes they did. But it was an MGM property when I played there.

Hosts, Comps, and mysterious goings on.

Moo321,
Please summarize what the host had to say about "whoring" the system.
Was there anything that wasn't covered in "Comp City" ?
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Some hosts, of course, are more forthcoming than others.

However, hosts generally know 'next to nothing' about gaming and casino operations.

I was most particularly interested in moo321's reference to "buy-ins".

I have heard this myth before.

Casino Hosts do know how to read your "theoretical" off of a computer display.

That is the what they focus upon because their annual bonus is a percentage of the aggregate "theoretical" of "their" players - not upon net wins/losses. That bonus, in fact, is most of their earnings. Casino Hosts at good properties earn six figure incomes.

What the host calls your "theoretical" is your overall negative expectation - based upon:
(1.) total hours. of play TIMES
(2.) [what they imagine] is your game's house edge TIMES
(3.) your average bet TIMES
(4.) (a conservative estimate of) hands played per hour.

For example ... You play BJ. You play for 4 hrs. Your average bet = $100 The casino uses 1% as your disadvantage. Sixty hands per hour. Ergo the algorithm computes as follows: 4 x 1% x $100 x 60 = $240 A percentage of that "theoretical" loss you deserve as comps.

For comp' purposes casinos typically use a figure like 24% of your "theoretical" that is made available for "soft" comps. Some casinos will go as high as 40% if you are a consistent loser or a regular customer known to make asinine bets, e.g. tie bets in Baccarat or hard ways bets at Craps.

24% of $240 = $58 You ask for a steakhouse comp' for 2 and you get it anyway - because an on-property restaurant tab is a "soft" comp. Actual cost to the casino is about 20% of the restaurant tab, so you have enough comp's to eat; OR you want a room for the night. It is already 11 p.m. mid-week and filling an empty room costs the casino ZERO. That is an ultra "soft" comp'. A "hard" comp is best exemplified by an air-fare comp. If they reimburse you, they are giving you actual "hard" cash.

Decades ago, I too believed that (somehow) your initial buy-in was factored into the comp' algorithm.

Hosts may promulgate this myth (re: "buy-ins") because it motivates some foolishly greedy gamblers to dump extra cash on the felt in an ill-conceived attempt to boost their comps. The big buy-in has no bearing upon your expectation, but it may keep you playing llonger, which boosts your "theoretical", which, of course, boosts the host's earnings.

What do you think about all of this ?

The amount of buy-in might have nothing to do with one's expectation, but all that matters is that the host thinks that the amount of buy-in has something to do with one's expectation, even if the host is trying to deceive the gambler.

It actually doesn't matter much whether the host is a lying bastard or not, so long as the host is working in his own interest (as opposed the casino's). Having the best-looking numbers (even if it's all a sham) helps both the player and the host in the exact same way, so assuming the host has sufficient self-interest, the best way to comp whore is to do what the host says, even if it doesn't make a lick of sense.

I have no advice to give. I'm just pointing out a general phenomenon, which is that even if the messenger is untrustworthy, the message can sometimes be trusted. This can be applied to many different fields, like politics or negotiations.

Different casinos have completely different systems. I have casinos that mail me $100 cash offers (NOT matchplay), all the way down to Harrah's doesn't give me anything.

You seem to think that there's one universal comp system, which isn't the case.

For example, Harrah's looks at your last few "trips". A video poker "trip" occurs when you put your card into a machine, play, and then pull the card out. So, if you want mail offers from Harrah's, you should play all your video poker at once. Other places look at your day's play.

Also, comps and mailers are different.

Interesting

Ok here is a Scenario on maximizing comps. (please tips and pointers most appreciated)

I rarely get to go to Vegas, the joys of having kids huh? ive been torpedoed at my local haunt on only now play once every couple of weeks when im out of town.

And in late march im going to be in Vegas for 4 fabulous nights, and i haven't booked anything yet (a Tuesday to checking out on Saturday morning)

Now ideally i want to stay on the strip, i last stayed at the Stratosphere and didn't like the distance much.

Now the scenario, i only go to Vegas perhaps once every 3 years? and i want to maximize my comps while i am there for this trip.

Should i book by hotel in advance?
Should i sign up for a players card on the spot or prior?
Should i try and connect up with a Host beforehand?

bankroll is about 5k, and am an ok/good counter, who plays craps for a while because i enjoy it and turn my brain off.

Whats my best plan of attack?

as always guys thanks for the info

I am in a similar position for an upcoming trip and would also appreciate advice on these issues if anyone has the time to provide it.

Well, for lower level counters downtown is probably better. And comps are better downtown. But you're also downtown, and it's not exactly the safest or nicest place in the world.

Care to share her insight? Either here or by PM? Thanks, amigo.