suggestion: a comps section

A comps section has a distinct advantage over using the hotel section.

First, it puts all the information in one place, for simple viewing.
Harrahs and MGM have multiple properties, but each has their comp system under one umbrella. While there is some variation from property to property, the main gist of the program is not hotel specific.
Comp programs are dynamic. Casinos that were comping great 6 months ago, may be very tight today. That info would easily make it into a comps section, but is anyone going to bother putting it in a hotel report?
Right or wrong, comps does have influence on where one stays and plays. Why make someone go through 15 different hotel sections to sift through posts looking for recent comp info, if they could look one place for the most recent info?

No response required, just hoping for a second consideration of what seems to be a pretty good idea.

Quote: Wizard

I would prefer to see discussion of that filed under each individual casino. Comps should be only one of many reasons to choose a particular casino.

I think, Michael, that there is value in the centralized location as follows:

Certain AP techniques are designed to maximize comps, regardless of the casino. I think it would be interesting to hear discussions about these techniques without having to hunt through dozens of individual casino forums. What games do people play? What about the taxability of comps? How do you know when you're being rated? What are some of the factors that typically go into the rating?

I'll stop now before I turn this thread into a Q&A, but I think that comps is worth its own forum.

I agree. We currently have a solo source for evaluating BJ rules, Craps Odds, etc. for all of the casinos.

Sorry Wizzard, but to follow your reasoning the gaming information would be listed property by property as you suggest for comps, not collectively as it is. It's easy to compare BJ, it should be about as easy to compare comps.

LPB

The remarkably overcomplicated but knowledge-theoretically optimal solution is to remove the hierarchical structure of the forums and the threads/posts grouped within them and use tagging and categories instead. That way a post about comps at the Wynn would automatically show up in the "Wynn" bucket as well as the "Comps" bucket, and nobody would have to worry about where to put it. And then as conversations evolve, the tags can change from the initial set, alerting readers of a particular topic to the message even though the conversation started elsewhere.

Not that I expect the Wizard to completely re-architect his site, but there are ways around data organization problems like this.

Quote: Wizard

Comps should be only one of many reasons to choose a particular casino.

Clearly. And "comps" are ever changing and vague. Its not something that there can be a chart carried out to four decimal places. Look at one recent contributor, he admitted comps were high on his list but a relatively smoke free atmosphere was far more important to him. His action would have had him comped at many joints in this town, but in some of them he would have been gasping for air and in others he might have to fight off a few muggers. So decision making based solely on comps is unlikely to ever take place.

I'd prefer the very experienced craps dealers at the Venetian to the trainees at Terribles and it means enough to me to not even care if Terribles is willing to comp me.

Many of us have a certain tier dictated to us by a companion's preferences and we are allowed to choose from only a rather narrow range of casinos anyway. From that narrow range, comp policies are ever changing and are available to us only through second hand sources. Few visitors to Vegas will base selections solely on comps any more than they will base it solely on fountains or famed restaurants.

Quote: EvenBob

Comps are for chumps. I have no players
card for any casino. My wife does, but thats her
problem.

Now Now Bob We all know who her biggest problem is, and his name !! LOL

Out of towners are probably a better source of information on comps for out of towners. While basic comps like cash back and meals are the same for everyone, often mailed offers will differ for locals.

Cheapo Vegas does a good job of segregating the casino reviews into sections for rooms, gambling, eating, etc. These sections can be then combined on a page for a casino, or a page comparing gaming options across casinos.

Comps, discounts, and freebies are for chumps. Real men insist paying at least full retail price for everything.

I do not feel like a chump gassing up to drive to Blackhawk. Those $5 and $10 vouchers add up.