What's the value of comps? Please educate me.

[Jstark]

but even here if you somehow keep beating the casinos at blackjack or baccarat you will eventually be invited...

Baccarat is not beatable over long term.

The game itself, dealt under normal circumstances (ask Phil Ivey), it's not. Some side bets for it are though.

[olds442jetaway]

I have to agree with Bob as well. Though I myself am not a long term winner, I know a couple of people who are. Their math and strategy skills are flawless and they know how to play the system to maximize comps that would be equivalent to cash.

[OTABILL]

And when you encounter someone who maintains that they are a significant long term winner you are actually talking to a gambling addict.

I STRONGLY disagree with that sentence.

Agree with Bob as well. Engaging in recreational or professional gambling over a long period of time does not in and of itself indicate the person is an addict.

[Tedlark]

If you try playing without your card that may help a little if you manage to hit some non-taxable jackpots but that's not sustainable either.

And this is a FANTASTIC way of reducing comps and offers that you may otherwise earn.......

[Antebellum Reb]

only you know if you're truly a problem gambler but anyone who has dealt with addiction in general knows denial is one of the primary components and symptoms. beating games long term that are stacked against you is not something that happens frequently. it's not impossible but not likely and im primarily saying most who insist they are long term consistent winners are either self deluding or leaving out important details. if one of you happens to truly be one of the rareexceptions then good for you. but I maintain today's casinos will not tolerate significant long term winner for long, as far as handing out free stuff is concerned anyway.

[Jstark]

The games I mainly play, the odds are highly in my favor. Sure I throw in a little -EV play, but that's a small, insignificant amount. Also, I don't use players cards, nor need them, for the games I play. Therefore the casinos have no clue whether I'm a winner or loser.

[Player422738]

And when you encounter someone who maintains that they are a significant long term winner you are actually talking to a gambling addict.

I STRONGLY disagree with that sentence.

You could be both a long term winner and an addict.

The addiction you are talking about is more like vegetable addiction or tea addiction. You eat vegetable or drink tea everyday, but you don’t mind addicting to it.

[Lucky Larry]

I'm really enjoying the discussion. Being outside of Vegas, the odds are even longer that one can be a long term winner due to lower pay tables. In compiling our Win/Loss statements for the past year. I was only a winner at one casino. My main play site was down and my secondary casino was up for the year a small amount. The secondary site also has the highest pay tables (generally 99%) on my preferred multi-hand. I don't calculate comps, gifts, free play and in my annual judgements of whether the win/loss review. I do know that if I'm going to play I need to maximize my wins (by playing sound VP). I usually play low volatility, highest pay table games -bonus, DW and DWB at our casinos. I've learned to maximize my comps by learning the system and using that knowledge to benefit my play. For example, team playing one account card(s) to build points/tiers; to maximize each day's play to help ADT, learning how to use the fringe benefits, and enjoy the comps. Sometimes for Sweet C and I getting away for two days in a nice room, eating free meals, having quality time together, seeing a concert or just spending time at the pools or getting the free massages (yeah...we paid for it in play) at our stage in life is just "Living the Dream".

[kimgolf]

Comps are generally based on theoretical calculations. They take into account the hours played, coin in and coin out and which games you are playing ( slot machines comp higher for the same
Play as video poker) . Each casino has different requirements to receive comps for example Bellagio will require more than an off strip hotel in Henderson. Bottom line, do not play for comps, play how you play and if you get comps great!

[seemoreroyals]

I'm really enjoying the discussion. Being outside of Vegas, the odds are even longer that one can be a long term winner due to lower pay tables. In compiling our Win/Loss statements for the past year. I was only a winner at one casino. My main play site was down and my secondary casino was up for the year a small amount. The secondary site also has the highest pay tables (generally 99%) on my preferred multi-hand. I don't calculate comps, gifts, free play and in my annual judgements of whether the win/loss review. I do know that if I'm going to play I need to maximize my wins (by playing sound VP). I usually play low volatility, highest pay table games -bonus, DW and DWB at our casinos. I've learned to maximize my comps by learning the system and using that knowledge to benefit my play. For example, team playing one account card(s) to build points/tiers; to maximize each day's play to help ADT, learning how to use the fringe benefits, and enjoy the comps. Sometimes for Sweet C and I getting away for two days in a nice room, eating free meals, having quality time together, seeing a concert or just spending time at the pools or getting the free massages (yeah...we paid for it in play) at our stage in life is just "Living the Dream".

Nothing wrong with living the dream. And nothing wrong from extracting as much value you can from the casino or casinos you play at. It helps soften the blow when you look at your gambling account at the end of the year.