gamerfreak
gamerfreak
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August 2nd, 2018 at 8:02:50 PM permalink
Quote: Nathan

A Player's Club Employee straight up told me that they give free play based on how often you lose. So if you are constantly WINNING, you don't get any free play. Another local Player's Club Employee said free play is based on how often you play, I presume that even if you are constantly WINNING, you still get free play.


Slot club employees usually don’t know up from down.

Comps are almost always based on theoretical losses, which are calculated by multiplying the house edge of a particular game by the amount of money wagered.

So here is a hypothetical example - a casino has a slot $1 machine set for a 10% house edge, and their players club rewards $1 in free play for each $10 theoretically lost.

You play 100 spins, or in other words $100 coin in:
$100 * .1 (HE) = $10 theoretical loss = $1 free play

Now this does not mean you HAVE to lose $10 to get that $1 free play - you could have hit a jackpot and won thousands, or lost $100 by being unlucky on every single spin. But reguardless, the theoretical loss (and amount of free play) will remain the same.
ChumpChange
ChumpChange
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August 2nd, 2018 at 9:51:09 PM permalink
If you play Blackjack (one word apparently) and bet $100 a hand (never mind splits & double downs) times 60 hands an hour on a slow table times 4 hours equals 240 hands times $100 equals $24,000 bet times 1% HA equals $240 expected loss, but they give you the value of 1 base bet back so they shrunk your expected loss from $240 to $140 or a near 40% discount on the HA.
Just stop betting at the 2 hour mark if you're one bet ahead and consider that a comp and use it.
Nathan
Nathan
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August 2nd, 2018 at 10:41:44 PM permalink
Quote: gamerfreak

Slot club employees usually don’t know up from down.

Comps are almost always based on theoretical losses, which are calculated by multiplying the house edge of a particular game by the amount of money wagered.

So here is a hypothetical example - a casino has a slot $1 machine set for a 10% house edge, and their players club rewards $1 in free play for each $10 theoretically lost.

You play 100 spins, or in other words $100 coin in:
$100 * .1 (HE) = $10 theoretical loss = $1 free play

Now this does not mean you HAVE to lose $10 to get that $1 free play - you could have hit a jackpot and won thousands, or lost $100 by being unlucky on every single spin. But reguardless, the theoretical loss (and amount of free play) will remain the same.



To be fair, the first Player's Club Employee did mention that the free play was given based on how much you lost. ;)
In both The Hunger Games and in gambling, may the odds be ever in your favor. :D "Man Babes" #AxelFabulous "Olive oil is processed but it only has one ingredient, olive oil."-Even Bob, March 27/28th. :D The 2 year war is over! Woo-hoo! :D I sometimes speak in metaphors. ;) Remember this. ;) Crack the code. :D 8.9.13.25.14.1.13.5.9.19.14.1.20.8.1.14! :D "For about the 4096th time, let me offer a radical idea to those of you who don't like Nathan -- block her and don't visit Nathan's Corner. What is so complicated about it?" Wizard, August 21st. :D
familyguy96
familyguy96
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August 10th, 2018 at 8:53:53 PM permalink
From my experience, comps pretty much never cover one's losses. One should play to win the game instead.
Bjo32
Bjo32
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August 11th, 2018 at 6:39:33 AM permalink
Of course one should play to win the game. But it’s always nice to pick up some comps along the way.
familyguy96
familyguy96
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August 11th, 2018 at 6:45:18 AM permalink
I just meant it's easy to get caught up in all the promotions and comps and forget why you are actually there to do.
billryan
billryan
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August 11th, 2018 at 9:11:36 AM permalink
Quote: nanumula

From my experience, comps pretty much never cover one's losses. One should play to win the game instead.



Then your experiences are wrong.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
SiegfriedRoy
SiegfriedRoy
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August 11th, 2018 at 9:20:37 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Then your experiences are wrong.



Please further explain. I’m really curious.
TigerWu
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August 11th, 2018 at 9:49:49 AM permalink
Quote: SiegfriedRoy

Please further explain. I’m really curious.



I, too, would like to know how comps=total losses, despite the fact that casinos freely admit they only comp a percentage of losses.

Maybe there's just some miscommunication going on here....
billryan
billryan
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August 11th, 2018 at 10:00:14 AM permalink
Go play in Laughlin. Get a card and play video black Jack. Run $1000 in coin through the machine . Your theoretical loss is about $40.
In a few weeks you will get an offer for free rooms and food comps far in excess of your losses. I haven't played in Laughlin in years but they flood me with offers.
Months ago, I attended an event at a non strip casino. Signed up for a card and played a little VP at the bar. Each month they send a mailer for $15 a week in both free play and food comps.
I could go on and on. Some get it, some don't.
That's two plays. Two of the least valuable out there.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Zcore13
Zcore13
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August 11th, 2018 at 10:05:53 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Go play in Laughlin. Get a card and play video black Jack. Run $1000 in coin through the machine . Your theoretical loss is about $40.
In a few weeks you will get an offer for free rooms and food comps far in excess of your losses. I haven't played in Laughlin in years but they flood me with offers.
Months ago, I attended an event at a non strip casino. Signed up for a card and played a little VP at the bar. Each month they send a mailer for $15 a week in both free play and food comps.
I could go on and on. Some get it, some don't.
That's two plays. Two of the least valuable out there.



Pretty weak if those are good plays. AP'ing sounds like a great life.


ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
TigerWu
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August 11th, 2018 at 10:19:13 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Go play in Laughlin. Get a card and play video black Jack. Run $1000 in coin through the machine . Your theoretical loss is about $40.
In a few weeks you will get an offer for free rooms and food comps far in excess of your losses. I haven't played in Laughlin in years but they flood me with offers.
Months ago, I attended an event at a non strip casino. Signed up for a card and played a little VP at the bar. Each month they send a mailer for $15 a week in both free play and food comps.
I could go on and on. Some get it, some don't.
That's two plays. Two of the least valuable out there.



Oh, okay. I thought you were trying to say that if you lose $10,000, you will get $10,000 in comps. That's what I thought that other post was talking about.
RogerKint
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TigerWuMaxPen
August 11th, 2018 at 10:25:43 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Go play in Laughlin.



Already -EV
100% risk of ruin
billryan
billryan
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August 11th, 2018 at 10:44:26 AM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

Pretty weak if those are good plays. AP'ing sounds like a great life.


ZCore13



Those are very weak plays, but simple examples of the fact that comps can exceed expected losses. Obviously, there are better plays but I won't discuss them with someone who doesn't have equal trades.
I logged just under four hours last week. About six hours including travel time. It is indeed a great life.
AP is not a career, it's a way of life.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
darkoz
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August 11th, 2018 at 10:52:59 AM permalink
Quote: TigerWu

Oh, okay. I thought you were trying to say that if you lose $10,000, you will get $10,000 in comps. That's what I thought that other post was talking about.



Bill knows what he is talking about and is trying not to give up the farm so to speak

I know how to lose $2000 and get back $12,000 in comp freeplay

Yes the AP life is sweet

Edit: I got one place I figured out how to lose $700 for$27,000 fp. Been working on how to do it for awhile. But that situation is much more rare

And dont bother pm'ing me about it. You will get no response. It exists is all u need to know
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Mission146
Mission146
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August 11th, 2018 at 11:02:03 AM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

Pretty weak if those are good plays. AP'ing sounds like a great life.


ZCore13



Come on, really?

BillRyan's last sentence was literally, "Two of the least valuable out there."

Hey, I have a good idea. How about everyone on here go ahead and post what casinos do the best mail relative to coin-in. We'll get the best they've got from BillRyan, AxelWolf and everyone else who wants to chime in.

Any good games that can be gimmicked for mail with absolutely zero Variance? Probably not anymore unless an entire casino staff pays no attention to forums AND is really &^^$^&&){Iing up, but let's hear them, if so.

Actually, everyone should post three:

-Best Expected Percentage Return
-Best Overall $$$ Return
-Best for Low Rollers

We can start awarding annual awards on what casinos have the most exploitable stuff, but we need to get it all in the open so it can be voted on, first.

ZCore, hopefully you don't take offense because you know I like you, but honestly...you know BillRyan isn't going to post anything close to the best play he has on here.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
TigerWu
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August 11th, 2018 at 11:46:52 AM permalink
Quote: darkoz

Bill knows what he is talking about and is trying not to give up the farm so to speak

I know how to lose $2000 and get back $12,000 in comp freeplay

Yes the AP life is sweet

Edit: I got one place I figured out how to lose $700 for$27,000 fp. Been working on how to do it for awhile. But that situation is much more rare

And dont bother pm'ing me about it. You will get no response. It exists is all u need to know



Reminds me of Don Johnson.

During the financial crisis of 2008, casinos became desperate to entice high rollers. In 2010, Johnson was made offers to play at the highest stakes. He negotiated several changes to standard casino blackjack in order to gain a mathematical edge.[4] These changes included dealers being forced to stay on soft 17, a 20% rebate where casino would refund 20% of his losses (20 cents to every dollar) for losses exceeding $500,000, six decks, re-split aces, and others.[5]

During a 12-hour marathon at the Tropicana, Johnson recalls three consecutive hands where he won $1.2 million, including one hand where he profited $800,000. Johnson bet $100,000 and was dealt two eights, which he split. Surprisingly, another two eights came, and he split again, wagering a total of $400,000. He was then dealt a three, a two, another three, and another two on the four hands, allowing him to double down on each hand. He was now wagering a total of $800,000. The dealer busted and Johnson ended up winning $800,000 in profit.[3]

Under these conditions Johnson was able to beat Tropicana out of nearly $6 million, Borgata out of $5 million, and Caesars out of $4 million. His total profits neared $15.1 million and seriously hurt casino profits. Though not banned from Tropicana and Borgata, the two casinos stopped Johnson from playing under those conditions and limits, while Caesars effectively banned him from playing.[3]
billryan
billryan
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August 11th, 2018 at 12:19:25 PM permalink
This reminds me of the press conference where a reporter asked Colin Powell if he had a secret plan and if so , would he make it public
I'm an amateur who read a few books, got lucky when a few APs helped me out and had some that took a chance on me.
Members here have been very helpful to me, Axel being first among them. Bob Dancers free video poker classes were extremely useful, especially the class on slot club points. I'd mention more, but I'm afraid I would forget someone so allow me to simply thank everyone.
Two authors I recommend for newcomers hoping to AP are Max Rubin and Jean Scott. Max seems like the ultimate hustler whereas
Jean Scott is really good at explaining the nuts and bolts needed to begin exploiting the system.
In a weird way, I owe it all to our President.
Had Hilary won, Max Pen would never have thrown the soiree where I first met most of the Gang of Idiots that became my circle of friends.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
lilredrooster
lilredrooster
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August 11th, 2018 at 1:41:17 PM permalink
play video blackjack and get a free room and free food in Laughlin

is staying in a hotel room in Laughlin and eating their bad food supposed to be some kind of great thrill?
they probably clean the sheets nicely but don't dry clean the comforters and duvets but about once every couple weeks or so. too expensive. let your imagination run free in thinking about what's on those comforters. watch out for bedbugs that hitch a ride home with you and throw a party in your bedroom at home.

APing for comps a sweet life?

Naaaaah. Homey don't play that tune.
Please don't feed the trolls
billryan
billryan
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darkoz
August 11th, 2018 at 1:51:02 PM permalink
Quote: lilredrooster

play video blackjack and get a free room and free food in Laughlin

is staying in a hotel room in Laughlin and eating their bad food supposed to be some kind of great thrill?
they probably clean the sheets nicely but don't dry clean the comforters and duvets but about once every couple weeks or so. too expensive. let your imagination run free in thinking about what's on those comforters. watch out for bedbugs that hitch a ride home with you and throw a party in your bedroom at home.

APing for comps a sweet life?

Naaaaah. Homey don't play that tune.



You are obviously right. Comps are utterly useless. Mailers are a waste of time and all casino food is garbage. Only thing dumber than people taking advantage of comps are the ones not taking advantage of them.
Last edited by: unnamed administrator on Aug 11, 2018
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Mission146
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August 11th, 2018 at 1:54:10 PM permalink
Haha! The comforters every couple of weeks...

The comforters every couple of visible stains or wetness discovered by the housekeepers, maybe. Otherwise, the housekeepers once every couple of nevers.

I can assure you that’s hardly unique to Laughlin or even El Cheapo motels.

Check this out:

Quote:

"Since these duvet covers have become all the rage, we grill the hotel providers with whom we work on how often they actually launder these things," she says. "The answers typically range from every check-out to once a month."



https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/1759401

PARAPHRASE: “The answers typically range from a lie to a considerably less extreme lie.”

Hampton Inn puts a sticky note saying they’re washed, so what you can take home from that is...well...that they put a sticky note there.

Anyway, you shouldn’t be taking it for granted those have been washed anywhere. Some places you can’t even trust the blankets.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
lilredrooster
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August 11th, 2018 at 2:02:44 PM permalink
APing for 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 not comps can be sweet.

money you can do anything you want with. you don't have to accept their idea of what you might like.

the challenge of the game - like a sporting event - that's what gets my juices flowing. all you can eat chicken wings and asian noodles? no thanks.
Please don't feed the trolls
billryan
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Mission146
August 11th, 2018 at 2:03:36 PM permalink
First thing I do in a hotel room is take off the bedspread thing and put it in a large garbage bag. A second bag covers my suitcase.
I thought I'd picked up some unwelcome critters one trip but it turned out my skin was dried out and taking showers somehow made it worse. The dermatologist is the one who told me to lose the bedspread.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Bjo32
Bjo32
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August 13th, 2018 at 11:07:27 AM permalink
Excellent comments on comps! One more thing to add. Comps are like frequent flier miles or any other company loyalty program. No one makes a trip for the frequent flier miles, but if you’re going to make a trip anyway you might as well collect the frequent flier miles. I know gamblers that pick the casinos they frequent based on their comp programs. And to me this makes sense. If they like to gambler for entertainment, then they might as well pick a casino that gives them good comps. This is just being smart.

I think some APs are leaving a lot on the table by playing unrated and not taking advantage of the comps. It probably depends on their playing level. At high stakes, the comps don’t add up to much. But for a low to medium level AP, the comps probably are worth it. The key is to learn how to play with better cover so you can be an AP and still get the comps. I know this is easier said than done. The debate goes on...
SiegfriedRoy
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August 13th, 2018 at 1:09:18 PM permalink
Quote: Bjo32

At high stakes, the comps don’t add up to much. But for a low to medium level AP, the comps probably are worth it. The key is to learn how to play with better cover so you can be an AP and still get the comps. I know this is easier said than done. The debate goes on...



I beg to differ. Comps are typically reciprocal. The higher stakes you play the more valuable comps you get. Also, for an AP if you play high stakes and don’t play under a players card, it’s a huge red flag.
FleaStiff
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August 13th, 2018 at 1:32:54 PM permalink
ALL comp systems are imperfect. Overworked personnel do the input, data entry screens change all the time, the comp system is a sum of different computer programs, much is based on estimates and assumptions. Floor personnel have distractions and can get confused.

Oh yeah, its good to start off well. First impressions and all that. I always toke right away. It might help, it surely won't hurt.

Comps should never really be the goal, just the "sweetener''.

Still, its good to be alert.
Bjo32
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August 13th, 2018 at 4:40:20 PM permalink
I’m a low stakes red chipper AP, and I get all the comps I can use. I don’t see how I’d get much more if I played higher stakes. I already get free hotel rooms and free meals for the weekend almost anytime I want to play.

Yeah, no casino is going to fly me in for free at my level. But for things I care about, free room and board, I already get everything I need. If I had to pay for my hotel and meals, this would eat into my profits. I also get a lot of other comps, like comp chips and free play, every week. I know for my level of play it works playing mostly rated and taking advantage of all the comps.

I understand this probably doesn’t make sense for APs playing at higher stakes who are more in jeopardy for being put into national data bases.
billryan
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August 13th, 2018 at 4:51:03 PM permalink
Where do you play?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Bjo32
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August 13th, 2018 at 6:51:51 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Where do you play?



In the south. When I lived in the northeast, those casinos didn’t give me squat. I never got much from Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods, and I always played rated.

Good point! It does depend on where you live. You got to find the right casinos, but if you do, some of the smaller ones in the south will you give you some pretty good comps, even for their red chip customers.
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