Question of the Day - 02 May 2023

[Editor's Note: This is the type of question that prevents Jean Scott from retiring. We're all extremely fortunate that the Queen of Comps continues, after doing so for nearly 30 years, to enjoy boiling down her Frugal books into one succinct answer.] 

The present casino atmosphere makes it harder for the low roller to get good benefits than it did back 45+ years ago when Brad and I started on our casino journey. However, there never was one silver bullet for us. Rather, we combined hundreds, maybe even thousands, of smart ideas and strategic moves over the years. Many of those good opportunities don't exist today and some of the smart techniques won't work these days. Some are still valid and useful, though not all of those will work for every player. You may be limited by your location or family responsibilities or energy level. But the more of them you can do, the more benefits you'll enjoy.  

So here's my list, in no particular order of importance, just as I think about what Brad and I did over the years.

1. Never stop researching" And don't just look for the best games in a casino, but also seek out information about the players club. When you know how much play it takes to earn a point and how much the points are worth, you have a percentage that you can compare with other casinos.

2. Scour the Internet for gambling information and forums where other players share valuable information they've learned.

3. Check out promotions. Read the rules and details carefully.

4. Use coupons.

5. Be choosy in selecting casinos. Stay away from the big resorts that not only cater to higher-level players, but actually look down on the budget-minded. Check out smaller establishments that will appreciate your business. Better to be a big fish in a little pond.

6. Don't dig yourself into a rut. Your usual casino cuts its benefits; look for another one. I always said, "Never marry a casino. Just have affairs, so you can cut and run when you're no longer treated right."

7. Be flexible when you play in a casino. When it's 3x players club points only in the morning, don't stroll in at noon to play.

8. Be nice to casino employees, especially hosts. Hosts who like you will give you more benefits than demanding and rude players.

9. Don't ask a host a yes-no question: "Can I have a comp to XXX?" Instead, ask in a way that doesn't make a host feel awkward and gives you valuable information. "Can you tell me how much I need to play to get a comp to XXX?" It's amazing how many times you'll get that comp, even though you haven't quite played enough according to the casino guidelines.

10. If you have a gambling spouse, it's almost always better to have separate players club accounts. (And in many cases, this is casino policy.) That way you can use your cards strategically; many casinos base rewards on daily average. One card is for days you're playing big. The other is for short-play days. Two accounts will usually generate two mailers from marketing for extra benefits you both can take advantage of. A host, if you have one, will see both accounts and reward you for your total.

Keep in mind that sometimes, there are exceptions to general rules or more details need to be added. In most of my Frugal books, I've have spent pages and pages, and even whole chapters, expanding on all these suggestions.

Want a short answer to your query? You must be very flexible and willing to work extremely hard!