short sessions/comps

Thunder

Well-Known Member
Blue Efficacy said:
Oh they will put it in, that is one of their top duties is to account for the cash coming in.
I wish I could believe that Blue, but seriously 1/2 of the time when I ask them how much did I buy in for, they quote me the wrong figure and usually on the low side. Maybe they take it more seriously in Vegas or other places but this has been my experience in AC.
 

moo321

Well-Known Member
FLASH1296 said:
"Big buy-in will help your ratings. Like $500 on $10 minimal table or $2000 on $25 minimal table. Even you just play 20 or 30 minutes." ...

is a completely incorrect assertion, and is quite ill-advised as well.

It is best to buy in for 20 units or even less.
Big buy-ins create unwarranted attention.

When a casino rates you they simply use an uncomplicated algorithm.

Your buy-in, amount won, and amount lost are NEVER included as factors.

The factors are:

  • Time spent playing (in ¼ hr. increments)
  • House Advantage (in their opinion)
  • Decisions per hour (in their opinion)
  • Average wager. (in their opinion)

The product of the factors is then multiplied but whatever coefficient the casino manager dictates. 24% is the most common figure.

So: If you play BJ for 4 hrs. with an average wager of $30 and they decide that 1.0% is their House Advantage at 60 hands per hour; they will multiply that out and come up with $18 and finally 24% of that will get you $4 worth of comp dollars.

Garnering a surprisingly greater amount than what is predicted - is a very common occurrence, especially if the floor-person likes you,
and you toke when s/he is around while you have been winning.

Comps like free rooms, match play, tournament invites, gifts, etc. are most often generated from your basic level of play, as opposed to a specific rating.

Y M M V and probably will.
I don't know what you're basing this broad generalization on, but I have confirmed probably 10 casinos where it is absolutely not true.

As a broad generalization, it may be generally true. However, I don't care about generalizations. An AP that uses comps should thoroughly understand the comp system at every casino, and understand that they are different.

I recently had a host tell me "if you had bought in for X dollars, I could have comped the suite, but with your Z buy-in, we can comp a room." No mention of bet size.

And as another example, one Harrah's casino lumped all table play together at the same rating level. Another gave drastically more for what was considered a better house game. Same corporation, different comp system...
 

farmdoggy

Well-Known Member
Thunder said:
I wish I could believe that Blue, but seriously 1/2 of the time when I ask them how much did I buy in for, they quote me the wrong figure and usually on the low side. Maybe they take it more seriously in Vegas or other places but this has been my experience in AC.
Actually I think you're right... Probably depends where you play. Yesterday I thought I would ask after having the feeling that they missed a few buy ins. As the PC saw me coloring up $535 he says "You must have had a good night huh?" I said "I think so, but I'm not sure... How much did I buy in for?" He made some joke like $100 and I said "Way off." As I was waiting in line at the cage he calls my name, so I walk over to the pit, which was not too far away, and he asks me "$300?". "I know I'm in for at least 5", I say. He says "Ok, I'll put you in for a few more."

Turns out I bought in for $800, but ratholed $200... I lost $65 but the casino thinks I made $35... Kinda scary, cause I've made a killing at that casino. If my ratholing was offset by their laziness than I might be headed for trouble or even worse... I might have to pay taxes! I'm gonna start paying better attention.

So far my comps have been great at this place. MUCH better than Flash's algorithm would predict. I have an average bet of between $15-$20 and I rack up about $5 an hour in comps. I mostly use my points for beers though (not free like in Vegas, possibly why I get more points).
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
Must Reading

moo321 said:

"I don't know what you're basing this broad generalization on, but I have confirmed probably 10 casinos where it is absolutely not true.

As a broad generalization, it may be generally true. However, I don't care about generalizations. An AP that uses comps should thoroughly understand the comp system at every casino, and understand that they are different.

I recently had a host tell me "if you had bought in for X dollars, I could have comped the suite, but with your Z buy-in, we can comp a room." No mention of bet size."



No, it is not a generalization. Casino comp systems are not different
in any substantive way between different properties. My statement is
based on decades of experience in dealing with casino hosts at all levels.

Your host is a standard casino bloodsucker who want you to increase your action.
He cares not at all about your rating. He cares a lot about how much action you
generate, and for most players, the more they have in front of them the more
they bet. Why is this the case ? Because a host earns his money based upon
the TOTAL action generated by "his players". Sorry to burst your bubble. Developing
a healthy level of cynicism when dealing with people who are dedicated to separating
you from your money is something that we all do well to cultivate.

Casino Hosts are big earners, with some earning ¼ million bux a year or more.
Most make perhaps ½ of that. Small casino hosts may earn as little as $50,000
per annum. They receive a % of all of their player's "theoretical" that is
derived as in the comp formula itself. e.g. John Doe, over the year, had
total bets of X dollars and he played mostly baccarat (bank only); so his
"theoretical" loss is 1% of every dollar wagered. Each casino decides what
fraction of that figure goes to the host; but it is how hosts get compensated.
They care not if you win or lose, but they care mightily that you keep
generating "action"; and in service of that goal, they are quick to offer their
better "producers", (as 'whales' are referred to by hosts), tasty incentives
to keep returning to the casino.

In all likelihood, I have been dealing with casino hosts since before you were born,
unless you were born in the 1970's that is. I know of what I speak. I do not have an
"Axe to Grind". It is your choice as to who to believe.

Aces & Faces to ya'
 
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blackjackomaha

Well-Known Member
Might be slightly off topic, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but for increased comps is it generally a good idea to ask for a casino host? I believe they generally have more leeway for RFB, in addition to other available comps?

However, the casino would then have more information on you as opposed to only a player's card, correct?

Also, what is the minimum level of action you should consistently play before inquiring about a casino host? Should your average bet come out to $50? $100?

I'm sure it varies from casino to casino, but in general what have you experienced?
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
If you intend to garner free rooms, etc. it is best to have a relationship with a host.

The requisite level of play is low but somewhat depends on the casino in question.

Nearly anywhere, if you put in hours with a $25 average bets that will easily suffice.

Several years ago, when our economy was percolating, if you asked for a
host at the better MGM casinos in Las Vegas, they would not even rate your
play if you were < $200 per hand [4 hrs. per day]. Now even $25 players are rated.

I think that it was in early 2008, I was asked for a casino host at the M.G.M.
Grand in Las Vegas. My average bet was > $150. I got the brush-off from a
host after four hours of play, who offered me nothing of value, and failed to
hand me her business card !

The next day, after accumulating a lot of hours of play at that level,
the Pit Boss summoned a Host without even being asked

Basically, you just look around and see what stakes most people are playing.

If you are a RED chip player, you may find a Host to be too busy to assist you.

On the other hand, if you play BJ at $25 tables you are "golden".

In general, you have a good chance of being introduced to a rookie host, just
feeling his/her way, if averaging $15/hand in rural areas of the South or Midwest.

Anyone can win or lose, but those whose play is efficacious, Merit credit for good news, and find the adverse less vexatious.
 

blackjack avenger

Well-Known Member
Stick Out

If playing for comps it's not that important for the pit to know exactly your buy in and cash out. Since you are trying to manipulate those numbers anyway.

If you want your buy in's recorded you need to make some noise. Probably $500 and only $500 buy in's. So they will hear it and register it. Often the pit will ask the dealer what a player bought in for and what they left with once they leave. The dealers are struggling to remember. It's not a highly accurate system. If you play just start to notice the procedures with other players and you will see. Unfortunately, the pit is more concerned with what you leave with then what you buy in for, so consider making some noise on those buy in's if playing rated.

Each casino will be different in how accurate they are.

There is a computereized comp system, you can also ask people for stuff and what you get depends on the person.

:joker::whip:
playing for comps you draw attention and stick out, tread carefully. One can easily go from under the radar to on the radar. I though many proclaim the importance of staying under the radar? Ask yourself WHEN you are backed off or barred will it be worth it.
 
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