Comps for Table Play

Help out a low roller here...how do the casinos award table play?

I know the standard narrative is that they keep track of how much you are betting and how long you play and then plug that into some formula that comes back with a comp. But in my experience that is BS.

I typically walk up to a table, buy in for a couple hundred bucks at which point the pit boss enters something into his computer with my card...but then thats it. Hes not watching how much I'm betting or how long I'm staying there. Usually he wanders off to some other table.

So how are they coming up with the comps ? Are they really paying attention to what you are betting? Or is it just what I buy in with? Or maybe because I'm a low roller they dont give a crap?

1. Many places just don't rate play below a certain level. Ex. less than $25 at Wynn Bel Ven CP etc.

2. Many players bet a level amount and the floor people stop watching. In that case your first few bets should be your large bets while they are watching. If you are "playing for comps", you can plan around this, particularly at craps.You have to be betting the layout. I have never been comped for my craps play.

. Once you start putting $100 or more in action, you are being watched. Not necessarily for comps. More for cash control and surveillance.

4. This can be game specific. At Treasure Island I was playing texas holdem bonus, $25 ante, $25 blind, and
player bets. Avg total was $100. The play was not rated. They told me that they stopped counting the player bet, and the ante and blind together (plus bonus ie sucker bets) had to be over $75 .

5. CET is not at all friendly to table game players

I am definitely spending more time playing downtown.

Thanks for the question and the reply. I was interested as well. I played some low limit black jack this past trip and enjoyed it. My bankroll will be nicer this coming trip, so likely $50 hands. I love the Bellagio and saw that there are lower limit tables depending on the time of day so wanted to give it a try though I know below a certain level I probably wouldn't be rated. It seems such an elegant place to play though and I understand it has pretty good rules?

El Co downtown is best of course. Never played there but will definitely do so this trip as well.

I do know that at least in El Cortez's literature (as well as online), it says that there is a separate comp Dollar account for Table Games play but I don't know exactly how that works there.

RecVPPlayer

When you finish your play they enter your rating into the computer. At that time ask them what they are rating you. They will say something like 3 hours @ $25 a hand average. The dealer normally lets the pit boss know if your bets change much from your first bet. You are right it is subjective to a large degree which is why you can hustle them with a little effort.

I know the Stations rate table play and slots separately. Silverton puts everything on your points, as does Harrahs. I know at a couple of the smaller places, when I bought in for $500 at craps, they actually had a host come over and introduce themselves. It did not happen at the $400 level, even though my betting amounts were the same.

PJ, here are my tips:

Play often with the same dealers and bosses, learn their names, genuinely greet them by name, create or contribute to a good vibe at the table, and of course, tip periodically. They can rate you on the higher side of your play now and then if they want to. I'm a low roller too.

They rate you on "buy in" also.
Buy in
average bet
length of play

I like to buy in for $400-$500, even though I am only risking say $200 that session. I get a couple of black ($100) chips and don't spend them. NOTE: Alcohol sometimes insists that I DO turn them into lesser chips to be gambled with when my guard and stack are down. So sometimes this can backfire a little for those with less self control.

But I am certain that the buy in matters. Sidenote: You buy in for $100 (they put that in the computer) and start getting rated. You lose. You buy in for another $100. They normally do not add that to your initial buy in. So even though you bought in for $200, they only count the $100.

Average Bet: The pit bosses walk around and look at what you are betting. Some do a great job of keeping up on it. Some don't care. Some walk around and check the dealer but don't pay much attention to your bet. Varies by pit boss and casino.

Friendliness: I have found some dealers you can talk to and they are friendly and may rate you better. Some pit bosses still have the authority to give you something on the spot (not on your card). Some (many) pit bosses don't like to be bothered and are not friendly.

And of course some casinos value the BJ player, and some casinos do not. They all want the slot player and the better casino odds. I have found my blackjack comps to dwindle over the years, even though I am betting more.

I wanted to report back that I played blackjack at the Bellagio and did well! I'm so proud of myself. I researched the best games, practiced on a computer before the trip, took my strategy card with me and even got my nails done before playing. LOL. I found a $25 table that had S17. I played two days. The first day I got to the table at 8:30 pm and was grandfathered in as the table minimum went up to $100. I bought in for $500, lost that, then another $500 and about 9 hours later -- yes, around 5 am -- I left with a bit more than $4k. I took pictures of four yellow chips in the ladies' bathroom. If there ever comes a time when I can't make it to Vegas anymore I will look at that photo and smile.

The dealers were understanding and shared with me some basic etiquette rules as were the players and were impressed that I was consistently following basic strategy. More than a couple of times a player asked me "what does your card say I should do?" LOL.

The next day I lost at VP at Bally's and said to myself, well, let me go back to Lady Bell and see if I can do a repeat. I walked over with $600 and left with about $1,000.

Interestly, when I checked my express comps the boothling said I had earned only $12, LOL, even though she said my play over 2 days was 10 hours at an average bet of $55. She also noted that the computer showed that I was up a bit more than $4k. I also found that interesting that that was noted though I don't remember the pit boss noting how many chips I was leaving with when I left the table.

Another dealer said I should have talked to someone about getting a meal or two comped off but I didn't stay there so didn't have any charges that could be comped.

For the Bellagio, that bet is not high but given the number of hours I played, should I expect to receive at least some comped room stays? I'm planning my 50th birthday celebration later this year for a weeklong trip with my brother, his fiance and some dear friends and would love to split my trip between Caesars Palace (if I can't get the entire week comped) and the Bellagio.

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement to give Bellagio a try!

Congrats on the 4k lil sis!!!