Buying in big

[Dopple]

Generally I just buy in for 100-200 but if I have 700 in my pocket why not buy in big. Wont it help with the comp points? It almost gives you a psychological advantage when you have a big stockpile in front of you.

Or could it draw heat?

 

[KenSmith]

Generally, comps are based on average bet and ignore your buy-in. I've heard people claim the contrary, but have never seen any evidence of it.

A large buy-in can draw unwanted attention if your first bets don't seem to match the buy-in. If you buy-in for $700, you might look OK to play with $25 bets, but certainly wouldn't want to bet anything lower than that.

If you're playing the comp game, making a few big bets as soon as you sit down can be a big help anyway though, so buying in bigger AND betting bigger for a few hands is a good plan.

 

[steven5210]

Yeah my friend told me buying in big gives you comp it really doesn't.. well if you are playing in vegas. If you are playing at the big franchises like MGM and etc it states on the playersclub website that comps depend on average bets, sitdown time and maybe a few others. There's apparently also minimum bets you must be doing to even get any comps at all. I just got back and let's say buying in even $500 at every table I went to only earned me about 10 points...

 

[QFIT]

IMHO, buying in big and not playing big just makes you look like a money-launderer. And casinos don't need that.

 

[shadroch]

Nothing please a pitboss more than having to order a new supply of chips while you sit there with a surplus of them you never put in play.

 

[moo321]

Generally, comps are based on average bet and ignore your buy-in. I've heard people claim the contrary, but have never seen any evidence of it.

A large buy-in can draw unwanted attention if your first bets don't seem to match the buy-in. If you buy-in for $700, you might look OK to play with $25 bets, but certainly wouldn't want to bet anything lower than that.

If you're playing the comp game, making a few big bets as soon as you sit down can be a big help anyway though, so buying in bigger AND betting bigger for a few hands is a good plan.

I am thoroughly convinced it helps comps in many casinos. Some casinos, it won't do a damn thing for you, but if you go whining to someone after "losing" a grand, you can usually get a nice steakhouse dinner for your troubles.

There is another aspect of comps which I have actually verified, namely "front money". I've had hosts tell me they will only consider certain comps for someone who is a "$x000" player, and I've been on junkets where they told us not to buy in from pocket, but deposit the cash and pull markers so we can better get credit for our play.

The logical way to whore comps from front money is to bring your whole bankroll and deposit it. Next, churn markers; that is, pull large markers, rathole chips, and pretend to lose a significant portion of your money. Lastly, ask for ridiculous comps: gourmet restaurants, free rooms, suites, gas cards, airfare reimbursement, etc.

Note, I'm not neccesarily recommending that you bring your whole bankroll. There are a lot of reasons not to: airport security, IRS, robbery, etc. But, it can be a nice comp hustle.

 

[irobinson]

I am thoroughly convinced it helps comps in many casinos. Some casinos, it won't do a damn thing for you, but if you go whining to someone after "losing" a grand, you can usually get a nice steakhouse dinner for your troubles.

There is another aspect of comps which I have actually verified, namely "front money". I've had hosts tell me they will only consider certain comps for someone who is a "$x000" player, and I've been on junkets where they told us not to buy in from pocket, but deposit the cash and pull markers so we can better get credit for our play.

The logical way to whore comps from front money is to bring your whole bankroll and deposit it. Next, churn markers; that is, pull large markers, rathole chips, and pretend to lose a significant portion of your money. Lastly, ask for ridiculous comps: gourmet restaurants, free rooms, suites, gas cards, airfare reimbursement, etc.

Note, I'm not neccesarily recommending that you bring your whole bankroll. There are a lot of reasons not to: airport security, IRS, robbery, etc. But, it can be a nice comp hustle.

Hey, I think comp hustling is the best way to get an advantage. Takes less time than it would at a table anyway.

 

[moo321]

Hey, I think comp hustling is the best way to get an advantage. Takes less time than it would at a table anyway.

Tons of good ways to do it. Mailers, matchplays, getting airfare reimbursed from multiple casinos, cashback, comped items that have cash value, etc.

 

[shadroch]

Comp and coupon hustling is much better than card counting for the small roller.

 

[irobinson]

Tons of good ways to do it. Mailers, matchplays, getting airfare reimbursed from multiple casinos, cashback, comped items that have cash value, etc.

I live close enough so I don't worry about airfare, but I get match plays, free rooms and food like crazy from the one place I like to play at. I am a small roller so the rooms and food get me more than playing at the tables. Unless it is one of those times when you just can't loose, no matter what.

 

[Cherry7Up]

Comp and coupon hustling is much better than card counting for the small roller.

Is Rubin's "Comp City" still considered the best source for a small roller to learn to take advantage of this, or are there newer/better books now available?

 

[moo321]

Is Rubin's "Comp City" still considered the best source for a small roller to learn to take advantage of this, or are there newer/better books now available?

It's a great book. I don't know if it's the "best". It's probably saved me as much money as card counting has made me.

 

[FLASH1296]

20 units. Simple as that !

Your "buy-in" is not an algorithm factor used in determining comps.

I always buy in for 20 units. That is "just right".

I can alway pull out the same amount as needed.

Pit Bosses love to see you repeatedly buying-in.

It leaves a distinct impression that you are a chronic loser.

 

[Thunder]

I'm going to go against the popular opinion here and recommend that people buy in for a good amount. Reason being is that half of the time when you buy in for more, the dealer will yell, "200" or something but the pitboss never bothers to insert that into the computer thus making it seem over the long haul that you're winning a lot more than you really are in their eyes.

 

[FLASH1296]

Thunder,

WHERE are casinos that have floormen ignoring multi-hundred dollar buy-ins ?

 

[Thunder]

It's happened to me numerous times at the Trop recently and it's happened to me probably at every casino in AC that I've played at, at one point or another.

 

[sabre]

It's happened to me numerous times at the Trop recently and it's happened to me probably at every casino in AC that I've played at, at one point or another.

Foxwoods as well. Thunder makes a very good point.

 

[shadroch]

Is Rubin's "Comp City" still considered the best source for a small roller to learn to take advantage of this, or are there newer/better books now available?

It's a very good source. I'm not aware of a better book, but the paid side of the Las Vegas Advisor's forums are the best source I'm aware of for finding coupons, promos and such.
Many of Mr Rubins tricks are either outdated or don'twork for red chippers.

 

[FLASH1296]

I am sure that it happens now and again.
But you said it happens " ... half the time."

 

[peaegg]

I am sure that it happens now and again.
But you said it happens " ... half the time."

It depends on the shift, as well as how crowed. If your second buy in is 500 or more, there is little chance that the dealer would not get the floor attention before does the exchange. So my strategy is never buy in for 1 or 2 hundred, no matter first or second buy in. Never buy in too large either. It does attract unwanted attention if you have a pile of chips in front of me.