$25 BJ Comp rate?

i enjoy eating at the Bellagio buffet.
I also just discovered the simple 'Ace - 5' card counting and am dying to try it.

Lets say i'm playing the $25 6deck BJ w/surrender (.28% House Edge).
How many hrs will it take to earn a free buffet?

MGM comps slowly. You will probably earn $3-$4/hr in "Express Comps" from MLife. Not sure how much the buffet is at Bellagio.

You might also try asking nicely for a pit comp after you've played for 3-4 hours.

Quote: teddys

You might also try asking nicely for a pit comp after you've played for 3-4 hours.

I know they say it never hurts to ask, but I think Bellagio might be one of the few casinos where you might be publicly humiliated if you do ask, even with 3-4 hours of play on a $25 table. Just be sure to have nobody else at the table...

All joking aside, my limited experience with the Bellagio pit bosses is they have their heads too far up their A-- to care about you, unless you lost 10,000.

I dunno. A buffet comp is one of the easiest comps to get, since it effectively costs the casino NOTHING. I got a comp to the South Point buffet after playing 2x$10 for 2-3 hours; they wouldn't do any restaurant even though I asked for it. But I agree, it might be tough at the Bellagio. Again, never hurts to ask. If you are doing the A-5 count you'll be at a higher average bet anyway.

Now, if you were playing at Hacienda, you could get your room for two nights, food, and probably a massage at that level.

My general sense is that asking for a buffe comp at the tables is one of the best and most underused advantage plays. However I've never done it at somewhere as swanky as the Bellagio so I agree there is some risk of mockery ;)

I ask for food everywhere after one or two hours of $20 or. $25 play.
I let them know I just need a quick bite so I can get back to the tables.
They usually will do it if you are polite and have a stack of chips in your hand.
I don't have much experience in Vegas but I would think with the abundance of options they would want you to stay onsite.

Quote: 100xOdds

Lets say i'm playing the $25 6deck BJ w/surrender (.28% House Edge).
How many hrs will it take to earn a free buffet?

MGM properties rate BJ at around 1-1.5% house edge, not the game's ACTUAL house edge -- because who plays perfect basic strategy except for people who also count? Until you get flagged as a counter, you should be earning a good bit. $25 x 60 h/hr x 1% = $15/hr in rated EV, and about $5 in comps. The buffet is $25-35, so it'd take 5-7 hours to get comped ... according to the math.

The truth is you could get comped before that; it depends on the pit. Friendly pit, no problem; stingy pit, tough luck. If they're friendly but still say "sorry," you could instead ask for a line pass.

Definitely play with a card, and if you're new to counting keep your spread low; worst case you can express-comp yourself at least some of the bill.

Helpful info 2.5 years later

MGM properties took the powers away from the pit bosses to give out comps. If you ask for any comp food to include buffets, the pit will call a host on duty over. The host will look at your play and will consider giving you a buffet at his/her discretion. Of course being extremely nice to them helps.

Hi,
This might not be the right place to ask and it might be a bit of a hijack but can anyone direct me to or in some way provide information on how to squeeze more comps out of BJ play when the casino bases the comp rate on time and average bet?

I have one idea already; play at a table with other people.

Slow game, lots a drunk people playing side bets. When boss comes to rate your play, bet more. When he leaves, bet less.