Comp Hustling
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Whenever they ask, I say my wife has one for the slots and I don't
play enough for it to matter. This always seems to satisfy them
and they go away. I know people used to do comp hustling,
but is it worth it these days. I remember reading that card counters
who used perfect basic strategy could get comps worth more than they
lost sometimes. I've read more recently that the pit in most casinos
are very hip now and if they spot you using BS, no comps for you.
I get comped rooms, food, concerts.
Hey, if it's there, take it.
Quote: MrVYes, it's worth it.
You mean you work the system just for comps?
How does that go, exactly. Comp hustling is
considered a form of Advantage Play by casinos
and is frowned upon, apparently.
I do however keep comps in mind.
About the only "hustle" I engage in is to make a good sized opening bet when first buying into a craps table, usually green chips, as the casino usually begins their rating by looking at your first bet.
As far as "hustling" for comps, my crystal ball does not show that for me in the near future.
1. Bet big when the pit boss or floor man is watching and rating you. Bet small when they walk away.
2. Play at busy tables. You will have fewer hands or rolls per hour, or lower expected loss.
3. Take bathroom breaks or smoke breaks. The comp clock is still running if you have chips at the table.
4. Tip the dealers when then pit boss is watching. A lot of pit staff were once dealers and appreciate the tips for their crew.
Yes, it is harder to get comps. Casinos are being more stingy. And while I don't play for comps, I will always take free stuff.
I play a lot of $5 Craps at Belterra Casino in Southern Indiana. I put at least a $6 6 and 8 place bet up for the dealers at least once an hour. They really make a fuss over me as not many of these Midwestern goombahs tip dealers anything at all (except in the poker rooms) I get comps out the butt there.
Quote: ncfatcat...Midwestern goombahs...
Hehe, is that an oxymoron?
Quote: ncfatcat. . . Midwestern goombash . . .
Quote: AyecarumbaHehe, is that an oxymoron?
More like a tautology.
Quote: kpWhat actions would you consider "comp hustling"?
Most obvious is a team of two where one always bets black and the other always bets red, or Player/Banker, Big/Small (you can get really good comps at Sic bo, in my experience), etc. It's just like if you were betting both black and red yourself, except that it's two supposedly unconnected people so you don't look as weird. The idea is that, assuming that the two people pooled their resources beforehand, they should come out just below where they started in cash (because of the zeros or whatnot), but come out ahead in comps because they were playing Roulette or Sic bo or some other always-negative-expectation game for hours and hours.
Quote: FleaStiffActions taken for the comp effect rather than for actual desire. Staying an "extra" fifteen minutes because you are about to hit that four hour mark,
It may be a "comp hustle" to stay the extra fifteen minutes...but it can make a difference so it may make sense to take a bathroom break and then bet a couple of times when you come back rather than playing through the full four hours.
Quote: FleaStiffalways checking with the floor to see what your average bet was
As long as you aren't changing your bet to "please" the house, why is it "comp hustling" to ask what your average bet was? I don't like the way some folks rate bets because they don't seem to have a good handle on what you are betting. I'd talk to them upfront the next time. They don't have to do anything but it may get you the proper rating. I want to be rated for what I bet...I'm not asking for more or less than that...
Quote: FleaStiffbugging hosts
Depends on how much you bug them. Casinos take your money and budget money to give some back as comps. Why would it be hustling to ask for what your chunk of that is, even if it is tiny?
If you are only thinking about comps and are doing things to get more, then you might be "comp hustling". On the other hand, just checking the facts and asking that they be correct is not "comp hustling" in my mind.
Quote: heatherMost obvious is a team of two where one always bets black and the other always bets red, or Player/Banker, Big/Small (you can get really good comps at Sic bo, in my experience), etc. It's just like if you were betting both black and red yourself, except that it's two supposedly unconnected people so you don't look as weird. The idea is that, assuming that the two people pooled their resources beforehand, they should come out just below where they started in cash (because of the zeros or whatnot), but come out ahead in comps because they were playing Roulette or Sic bo or some other always-negative-expectation game for hours and hours.
That is a comp hustle--you could playing hundreds (thousands) of dollars on each side and get some pretty good comps along the way without losing as much as a person does betting alone. The nasty little house edge could hurt you over time, though...
for 4 hours, 30 spins an hour, and make
$500 bets, what would they comp you.
On a single-zero wheel, about 40% of your expected loss, so $621 comp. Probably includes a free room for a couple nights, limited food and beverage, and a show or two. Limo from the airport and other soft comps also.Quote: EvenBobIf you were to go to the Bellagio and play roulette
for 4 hours, 30 spins an hour, and make
$500 bets, what would they comp you.
Quote: teddysOn a single-zero wheel, about 40% of your expected loss, so $621 comp.
Are they using 40% these days? I thought they
had reduced comp values.
Quote: ncfatcatI play a lot of $5 Craps at Belterra Casino in Southern Indiana. I put at least a $6 6 and 8 place bet up for the dealers at least once an hour. They really make a fuss over me as not many of these Midwestern goombahs tip dealers anything at all (except in the poker rooms) I get comps out the butt there.
I'm sure your tipping at Belterra helps, but to be honest, they comp relatively well for Midwestern casinos; certainly the best of the four Southern Indiana casinos (at least, in giving comp dollars). Horseshoe does give comps without deducting credits, but you have to ask.
Quote: heatherMost obvious is a team of two where one always bets black and the other always bets red, or Player/Banker, Big/Small (you can get really good comps at Sic bo, in my experience), etc. It's just like if you were betting both black and red yourself, except that it's two supposedly unconnected people so you don't look as weird. The idea is that, assuming that the two people pooled their resources beforehand, they should come out just below where they started in cash (because of the zeros or whatnot), but come out ahead in comps because they were playing Roulette or Sic bo or some other always-negative-expectation game for hours and hours.
I wonder. You have the factor of both bets being against a house edge and having to bet twice as much. Maybe you earn all those comps.
Quote: heatherMost obvious is a team of two where one always bets black and the other always bets red, or Player/Banker, Big/Small (you can get really good comps at Sic bo, in my experience), etc. It's just like if you were betting both black and red yourself, except that it's two supposedly unconnected people so you don't look as weird. The idea is that, assuming that the two people pooled their resources beforehand, they should come out just below where they started in cash (because of the zeros or whatnot), but come out ahead in comps because they were playing Roulette or Sic bo or some other always-negative-expectation game for hours and hours.
I knew someone who did that once, after being told by a manager that they needed to play for 4 hours to get their hotel stay comped. Not 45 minutes in the manager dropped by and told them, "don't worry about it, we'll just give you the effing rooms".
Such straddle comps work, but probably don't fool anyone. Pretending not to know each other and just happening to be on opposite colors probably doesn't fool them at all much less later when they see you together at some other table. I suppose it can tip you over into a slightly higher category for comps, but I don't think it would give you all that much. They rate on money at risk and pretty soon they just adjust it to the size of your bet times the percentage green is likely to show up.Quote: heatherMost obvious is a team of two where one always bets black and the other always bets red, or Player/Banker, Big/Small (you can get really good comps at Sic bo, in my experience), etc.
>playing Sic bo
Good for comps? I sure hope so. Its rare in Vegas and its high house edge except for a few bets, so Sic Bo is likely to be expensive.
Quote: FleaStiffSuch straddle comps work, but probably don't fool anyone. Pretending not to know each other and just happening to be on opposite colors probably doesn't fool them at all much less later when they see you together at some other table. I suppose it can tip you over into a slightly higher category for comps, but I don't think it would give you all that much. They rate on money at risk and pretty soon they just adjust it to the size of your bet times the percentage green is likely to show up.
There are casinos that will rate you properly even if you do this by yourself. There's no difference between:
$20 red or black
18/38*(20) + 20/38*(-20) = -1.05
and
$10 red, $10 black
36/38*(0) + 2/38*(-20) = -1.05
Smart casinos recognize this and rate you the same.
Quote: jc2286There are casinos that will rate you properly even if you do this by yourself. There's no difference between:
$20 red or black
18/38*(20) + 20/38*(-20) = -1.05
and
$10 red, $10 black
36/38*(0) + 2/38*(-20) = -1.05
Smart casinos recognize this and rate you the same.
Perhaps you control the variance if that is your goal is all, I'm thinking
Quote: gamblerThere are many ways to increase your overall rating at the tables, which some might call comp hustling.
1. Bet big when the pit boss or floor man is watching and rating you. Bet small when they walk away.
2. Play at busy tables. You will have fewer hands or rolls per hour, or lower expected loss.
3. Take bathroom breaks or smoke breaks. The comp clock is still running if you have chips at the table.
4. Tip the dealers when then pit boss is watching. A lot of pit staff were once dealers and appreciate the tips for their crew.
Yes, it is harder to get comps. Casinos are being more stingy. And while I don't play for comps, I will always take free stuff.
Number 3 will not always work because some casinos have a pause button. If a player leaves the table but asks for his spot to be saved he or she is put on pause. I like to wong out at the table and I've been put on pause for that. Foxwoods pit personnel are under strict orders to hit the pause button any time a player leaves the table and in some cases if they just sit out a few hands. One tap on the computer screen and your time is frozen.
