Tell me about "comps" in casinos

[Eduardo]

What are some good comps you have gotten?  Before I go to Vegas some day I want to learn more about these and how I can get them.  What are some examples of how casinos do it?  Any secrets?I don't think this is an area there is a lot of information about.  I know nothing. Do you get a free hot dog or something when you get a straight flush? How does it work?

[kjmema]

If you are from out of state, call the casino, preferably off the
strip, and ask for a casino host.  They are who decides
comps.  They will give you free things, food, room etc. depending
on your play.  There are always little books that give you two for
one specials etc. but I'd go for a bigger comp than two hot dogs. 
The off the strip casinos cater to out of towners and remember they are
all CLOSE to the strip and most have shuttles if you want to see the
sites.  Just don't play on the strip or you are lible to get
stripped, OF YOUR MONEY....

[Eduardo]

Is that a common thing to ask for a casino host?  I think I would feel funny like I'm pretending to be someone special. 

[Eduardo]

Can someone explain more?

[BOOPSAHOY]

RE:Vegas Comps
When I went to the Venetian I got a players card and a 2nd one for my husband. Every time we played slots, VP, cards etc we used our card. At the end of the stay I went to the Players Club Desk and asked if I had any cashback coming to me. They gave me a check for $68. Then I went to the credit desk and asked to see a host-I asked what she could do for me. Since my husbands company was paying for the room and food she gave a comp for Zefferinos for $!50 and told me when I wanted to come again to contact her-there were things she could do for me. I never called but Ive rec'd mailers for 3 free nites (including Labor Day Weekend), free VP tournaments with freeplay and food comps, free tickets to Phantom and lots of other stuff.
 
RE:AC Comps
 
Get a players card and use it. Ive had a host there for around 6 years. After going to the Taj a few times and using my card I recd a card in the mail saying this woman was my host. I now get comped rooms with $50 per person in room comps (roomservice) per day. I get cashback and bonus coin throughout the month. Also free tickets to shows (saw Ringo,Lionel Richie,The Pretenders, Tom Jones,The righteous Bros) and invites to many slot tournaments and gifts. So the only secret is USE YOUR CARD and PLAY AT ONE CASNO!
 
BUT NEVER GAMBLE FOR COMPS!!!!!

[Ohio Bob]

Lets talk more about comps. What do you think will happen if Eduardo calls the casino host with no play in that casino to show? I`m sure they will be gracious and friendly(or I`d look for another casino right then) but with out some coin in history what will happen. Boopsahoy had the right idea ,get a card, get some play in, ask what you can get.
Not sure what you mean by never gamble for comps,Boops? after all if you don`t play cards, slots, vp, or table games why would they comp you?
One thing to remember, when some one tells you of all the great comps they get from a casino, they didn`t get them just because they are a heck of a nice guy or gal, they got them for losing a bunch of money at that casino!
At most restaurants in the casino there are two lines, I always told the wife that that other line was the losers line! Now I`m in that line too*LOL*

[vpguy3]

I believe one important thing to remember about comp value is not how much you lose but how much you play. My understanding is that casinos are more concerned with "coin in" than loses.Let's say you put $100 in a VP machine and play for 30 minutes and cash out with $150. You're up $50 but you may have actually bet several hundred dollars because you replayed your winnings.In essence the casino is comping you for playing with their money since most of us will continue to play for the RF or Aces or quad w/kicker even if we're down. I don't think I've ever put even $20 in a VP machine and not won something and just kept playing off my winnings until it's gone or I think it's time to cash out.

[Ohio Bob]

Your right vpguy, alot of the coin in comes from winnings I think. I look at as if I have two bankrolls one is the money I carry into the casino and the other is what I call casino money...what I win or get in cash back comps. I`m a lot looser with the casino money! I do admit to a problem leaving a machine when I hit a good jackpot or am up. But I`m working on that!

[BOOPSAHOY]

When I said never "play for comps" I meant dont lose more than u can afford just to get a comp!  Those free coffee machines can get very espensive that way. LOL

[UrJoKing]

Hello Eduardo,If you are not familiar
with some of the sites I have listed below; please take a few minutes and check
them out. I think you will find a lot of useful information.

They are a must read for anyone that enjoys playing VP.  

You can never have too much knowledge.

Keep in mind all comps are at the casino’s discretion. No harm
done asking for something. The worst thing that could happen is they tell you
no.  

It is your hard earned money you are spending in their
casinos. You are the customer.

Do not feel silly asking for anything within reason. In
addition, it helps to be polite and sober.   

Join all the rewards clubs in the casinos you play in and
introduce your-self to the video poker hosts.

In Las Vegas
consider yourself a high roller if you are comped a room.

Here is a report from a VP player dated from 2002.

$22,500 play/day for room comp

RFBL: $33,000/day  

RFB: $66,000/day

RFBL= Room Food & Beverage -Limited

RFB=Room Food & Beverage

  

http://members.cox.net/vpfree/LV.htm

http://members.cox.net/vpfree/F.htm

http://www.bobdancer.com/articles.cfm

http://www.casinoplayer.com/archive/060 ... ewards.htm

PS,

My favorite VP machines in Vegas are at the Stratosphere
Casino.

As of January this year they were located toward the back of
the main casino floor.

They are all the older style of .25cent VP machines that are
increasingly difficult to find.