Slot Dollar rate question

Does anyone have any rules of thumb for the rate at which casinos offer slot dollars/freeplay? In other words, for every $1 of theoretical loss, what can I expect back in freeplay? Is it $0.05, $0.10, ...? Any guideline would be helpful.

And, before anyone says it, yes, I know that this will vary from casino to casino. It will also possibly even vary from game to game. I understand there are no universal rules here, but a general ballpark would be helpful. Thanks.

Quote: stooge

Does anyone have any rules of thumb for the rate at which casinos offer slot dollars/freeplay? In other words, for every $1 of theoretical loss, what can I expect back in freeplay? Is it $0.05, $0.10, ...? Any guideline would be helpful.

And, before anyone says it, yes, I know that this will vary from casino to casino. It will also possibly even vary from game to game. I understand there are no universal rules here, but a general ballpark would be helpful. Thanks.

How do you ballpark that?

The range between 0% and any amount greater than 0% is technically infinite, but there are many casinos that will give you good offers based on a particular amount of coin-in (and expected loss) where other casinos will give you nothing.

Furthermore, while the most common standards are either coin-in, points earned or theoretical loss; some casinos actually base their offers (in part or mostly) on actual loss, so how would you factor that into the equation?

Another question would be whether you intend to continue to play at a given casino or not. If you are a first-time player at a casino, then you may well see free play offers that, in sum, vastly EXCEED your theoretical loss. Of course, to stay at that level of offers, your theoretical loss would have to remain relatively constant based on whatever period they use to calculate that and then the offers will likely be far less than 100% of your theoretical loss. In rare cases, the individual offers, "Pick ups," will remain at greater than 100% of your theoretical loss.

So, it really depends on what it is that you are asking. If you are asking what percentage your TOTAL free play offers will be, for a first time player, relative to your theoretical loss...the offers will often total MORE than your theoretical loss in the first place.

If you're asking what your individual offers will be relative to theoretical loss, assuming a relatively constant theoretical loss per visit...it's really tough to nail down an exact percentage, but I would say anywhere from 5%-25% would not be unusual.

General guideline I've heard repeated many times is that 20-40% of theoretical loss is given back in comps, which includes both hard and soft comps. For the lowest rollers, it starts at about 0.1 - 0.5% of total action + plus drinks + whatever promotions they give to everyone for walking through the door (eg point multipliers, occasional two-for-one buffets). Starting with about a few hundred in action per week, most places will give individual offers. As a bottom feeder I usually get $5 - $25 per week most places -- free slot play when I've played machines, match play and free bet coupons when I've played tables.

For the highest rollers, it's whatever can be negotiate with hosts and upper management.

Hoping others add more