Satisfied With Your Average Bet?

Imagine for a second that you are twice as rich as you are now. Would you double your average bet? How about if you have 10x the money that you currently have. Would your average bet go up by 10x? And if you were 100x richer then you are now, would your average bet climb to 100x what you bet currently?

I ask the above for a couple of reasons. The first was that I read an article a couple of years back that Bill Gates, who at the time was the richest man in the world, (I think he has slipped to 3th or 4th now) would go to Las Vegas and be very happy betting the table minimum at the $5 or $10 blackjack tables. While Bill Gates obviously isn't a hard core gambler, it got me thinking that if I had Bill Gates' money, how much would I bet. Would I be a blue whale and gamble several $100,000 a hand? After all, percentage wise, that's pocket change for Bill Gates.

The second reason why I ask this is based on a self examination as to why I enjoy gambling and going Las Vegas. For me, gambling is a way of relaxing and blowing off some stress. I can afford the level I gamble at, and at my current level I get quite a bit of nice comps, often RFB'd. Getting a "free" mini-suite, food, drinks and show tickets makes me feel as if I am lowering the house edge even more.

But, if one of my motivations is playing for comps, do I ever need to bet more per hand? My average blackjack bet is about $300, so would betting 2x, 5x, 10x or even 100x that amount really give me more satisfaction or that much better comps? Yes, it could give me a bigger suite and a more fawning host, but is that worth the price?

Just wanted to find out from others what they think. Are you satified by your average bet?

I am not satisfied with my average bet, if only because it's too high. How much you bet depends on your personality; it is not correlated to how rich you are. I read Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan would go to Las Vegas and bet $25,000 a hand on blackjack, and they are not nearly as rich as Bill Gates. By now, I've decided I like to play for the challenge. I know most times I can't make money. So I wish I had started with just minimum bets.

I do believe there is a "sweet spot" betting level that will allow you to maximize your opportunities. It's probably around $100/hand. At that point you will start getting serious comps and offers. Otherwise you might as well bet the minimum. I personally never go above $25/hand. (Once 2x$20).

So to summarize, if I was richer, I'd bet $100/hand, in casinos that give the best comps. For VP, I'd probably up my level to dollar single line, but only on select machines.

I read that same thing about Bill Gates. But he's a bad example. He could play $5 or $50,000 per hand without it affecting his bankroll either way. So why play $50,000? On the other hand, why not step up to the $100 table - if for no other reason than to avoid the trash talk when a play makes a bad play. Then again, he may find that entertaining.


Me? I'd probably play at a slightly higher level, but not much. I'd more likely play with a higher bankroll and make it last longer, than to play for higher variance.

Why vary your bet solely to get more comps.
You are happy at your current level of risk and current level of rewards from the casino and from the game itself.
I'd say leave well enough alone.

Whats the use of trying to improve your comp rating slightly when there is not really all that much it will gain you.

Is there anything you have asked the casino host to comp you for that they have refused? Sure you can eat another meal for free but if you are not hungry, why bother?

My understanding is that as rich as Bill Gates, you should no longer care about comps, nor the "respects"
the casino would give to you if you bet more. Why should you bet more?

Quote: gambler

Imagine for a second that you are twice as rich as you are now. Would you double your average bet? How about if you have 10x the money that you currently have. Would your average bet go up by 10x? And if you were 100x richer then you are now, would your average bet climb to 100x what you bet currently? ... My average blackjack bet is about $300

I bet the same $5 to $20 a hand that I did 20 years ago and yes, I'm very satisfied with that. I won't tell you my "x" factor but it's certainly able to support betting much, much more.

Of course I could bet more, but in the casinos I visit in Laughlin or downtown LV, a (sober) green-level ($50+) BJ player sticks out like a very sore thumb. He is usually at a table by himself, getting a lot of "personal attention" from the pit, and does not appear to be enjoying it.

I know how to play, and like to think that I know how to count. Playing red, nobody bothers me. I really doubt that I could play the way I do if I was betting green or black.

When I have a decent win, I used to regret that I wasn't playing for higher stakes. But of course it works both ways.

And I don't play for comps. When rooms are $30 a night or less, it just doesn't matter. In recent years, gas is always the biggest expense for me. The occasional comped meal is nice but it's a bonus, not an expectation.