Playing for comps?

[Mike316]

Sorry for a newb question. I only recently started learning KO, up untill now I have been straight BS on my very once-in-a-while trips to the casinos. Now that I'm starting to take it a little more seriously, I often find myself completely lost.

Anyway, question is: Can anyone explain to me the process of playing for comps? I've never heard of people doing this before I came to this board. Do player's cards cost money, what effects how much you get comped, etc.?

Also (totally unrelated question), how do you guys manage not to piss people off if you leave your seat to "hit the john" or whatever when the count is low? I mean, I would think after a few trips people would either start getting irritated, you'd start getting some heat from the pit, etc?

 

[ihate17]

Your final question

Sorry for a newb question. I only recently started learning KO, up untill now I have been straight BS on my very once-in-a-while trips to the casinos. Now that I'm starting to take it a little more seriously, I often find myself completely lost.

Anyway, question is: Can anyone explain to me the process of playing for comps? I've never heard of people doing this before I came to this board. Do player's cards cost money, what effects how much you get comped, etc.?

Also (totally unrelated question), how do you guys manage not to piss people off if you leave your seat to "hit the john" or whatever when the count is low? I mean, I would think after a few trips people would either start getting irritated, you'd start getting some heat from the pit, etc?

I am a talkative, friendly guy at the tables. That is my personality and it is incorporated into my act, but the truth is I am not at the blackjack table to make friends, so if I annoy a few other players so be it and I hope they leave when the count is high. I leave on a bathroom break, cell call break, to say hi to someone or for whatever reason when I want. What does your leaving do? Change the flow? You should know the flow is a myth but in pretending to be a loser at the tables, you can not say this.

Your only concern might be the pit. In many ways it depends upon the casino and the amount of money you play. I have seen guys (non counting, superstitious players) jump from table to table because if they lose 3 hands in a row they bolt and they get no heat. Then you have casinos where if you are betting red chips, the pit could not care as long as you did not embarras them.

But overall there is a limit to how often you can leave and return to a table. Understanding your casino and common sense should be simple enough.

ihate17

 

[Preston]

The comp cards are free just sign up for them when you enter the casino. You can also get one printed while you play by handing them your drivers license.

You earn a certain amount per the amount of time played. The higher the stakes, the higher the comp points. Trouble is that if you are wonging it can be difficult to get points to add up to anything.

There are two ways to get comped:

Either you have enough points/credits to cover what you want comped

Or

Say to the pit boss "I've been here for 17 hours, is there anything I can get for my time?" Also helps if you mention you've been getting your ass kicked.

Depending on the casino as to what you get. I had a pit boss at the Borgata in AC this weekend trying to get me a COMPED room on SATURDAY NIGHT! Turns out they were booked solid, but at least he tried. I did manage to get a free buffet though. And then after that I had enough comp points to get another buffet the following day.

 

[shadroch]

Actually,the two questions are quite related.One of the ways you play for comps is to frequently leave the table.The fewer hands per hour you play,the higher bet you can place with almost the same risk factor.
At a crowded table,you'll get about 60 hands an hour.If you bet $20 a hand,you put a total of $1200 at risk that hour. If you take two rest breaks,and step away for a smoke,you might get it down to 40 hands.A $30 bet on those 40 hands runs the same risk($1200 wagered),but you'll get better comps as you are betting 50% more.

How to play for comps;
Buy in for a good amount,40-60X the table minimum,hand the dealer your player card and make sure the Pit guy gets it.While he is watching make a bet 3X your normal bet.Win or lose,keep that same bet out two more hands.
Now he has you tracked at an average bet of 3X. As soon as he is not paying attention,drop your bet back to X.Keep an eye on him and when he's around bet 2X-4X,when he's not drop back to X.
Try to engage the pit boss in conversation. Compliment him on HIS pit and casino.Tell him you are staying at a really nice hotel( best in town) but you got your ass kicked playing there and had to get out for awhile.Do everything you can to convince him you are a big player and a guy the casino would love to keep.

 

[CaseyCat]

Here's a couple of things I've tried to increase comps. Maybe someone can tell me if they really help. 1) Take a long break, come back for a few hands and leave; 2) After a break go to another pit, buy in again even if you have chips in your pocket. I figure the first gets more play time credited, the second also makes it look like were hammered at the 1st table and are chasing your losses. 3) avoid coloring up at the table unless you stashed plenty of chips ... lets them know you won.

Once a pit critter commented on me pocketing black chips. Kind of friendly about it, but obviously had something in mind: maybe thought I was hustling comps or an AP. I do that more discretely now. Seemed he though I ratholed more blacks than I really did ... I was just pocketing my buy-in for safe keeping

Is there anyplace to find out what a given casino might comp and how much play is expected for good comps? I don't want to ask the boss for room or even a buffet when I only have enough for a T-Shirt, and have him go snickering back to the crew what this chump asked him.

Casey

 

[CaseyCat]

Actually,the two questions are quite related.One of the ways you play for comps is to frequently leave the table.The fewer hands per hour you play,the higher bet you can place with almost the same risk factor.
At a crowded table,you'll get about 60 hands an hour.If you bet $20 a hand,you put a total of $1200 at risk that hour. If you take two rest breaks,and step away for a smoke,you might get it down to 40 hands.A $30 bet on those 40 hands runs the same risk($1200 wagered),but you'll get better comps as you are betting 50% more.
.

Yea, but all that leaving and you'll disturb THE FORCE,, umm I mean THE FLOW of the cards and piss off the ploppies! :laugh:

 

[EasyRhino]

There's a book by Max Rubin called Comp City. It's very good, you should read it.

In my limited experience (mainly soCal) if you are playing tables games, and want a comp, you have to ask for it, the crew is just not going to give you something out of the blue (or in the mail) even if you've played enough to earn something. Or, if they do start randomly comping you out of the blue, it means you've probably had theoretical losses far, far, far, in excess of the comp.

Start with something small (food) and work your way up (rooms, random perks, bvg). Worst they can say is no. I ended up haggling with a lady PC when she told me my play was insufficient for a buffet comp for 3. "how about two?" "Nope" " how about one?" "okay".

 

[shadroch]

Here's a couple of things I've tried to increase comps. Maybe someone can tell me if they really help. 1) Take a long break, come back for a few hands and leave; 2) After a break go to another pit, buy in again even if you have chips in your pocket. I figure the first gets more play time credited, the second also makes it look like were hammered at the 1st table and are chasing your losses. 3) avoid coloring up at the table unless you stashed plenty of chips ... lets them know you won.

Once a pit critter commented on me pocketing black chips. Kind of friendly about it, but obviously had something in mind: maybe thought I was hustling comps or an AP. I do that more discretely now. Seemed he though I ratholed more blacks than I really did ... I was just pocketing my buy-in for safe keeping

Is there anyplace to find out what a given casino might comp and how much play is expected for good comps? I don't want to ask the boss for room or even a buffet when I only have enough for a T-Shirt, and have him go snickering back to the crew what this chump asked him.

Casey

It might be the pitboss didn't want to have to order a new supply of blacks.
Depending where you play,PBs are very protective of their chips.
At El Cortez,a green chip removed from play might be noticed,while a black at MGM may not be.
As for your points
1) I'm not sure thats helpful. I'd take more short breaks. Keep them under ten minutes. If you are keeping a player from getting a seat,you will annoy the PB.
2)I'd cash in the chips,then buy in again.
3)Again,removing chips from the table causes the PB extra work,and annoys him.He is the guy who is writing your comps,don't forget.
In addition,some casinos sweat cashing in blacks and will call to verify where you got them.

An interesting thing about comps is that they usually come off your account after you use them,not when they are written.You literally could ask a PB for a comp for 2,while you already have a comp for 2 that the PB that just left gave you five minutes ago.

 

[ihate17]

a little more on ratholing

Here's a couple of things I've tried to increase comps. Maybe someone can tell me if they really help. 1) Take a long break, come back for a few hands and leave; 2) After a break go to another pit, buy in again even if you have chips in your pocket. I figure the first gets more play time credited, the second also makes it look like were hammered at the 1st table and are chasing your losses. 3) avoid coloring up at the table unless you stashed plenty of chips ... lets them know you won.

Once a pit critter commented on me pocketing black chips. Kind of friendly about it, but obviously had something in mind: maybe thought I was hustling comps or an AP. I do that more discretely now. Seemed he though I ratholed more blacks than I really did ... I was just pocketing my buy-in for safe keeping

Is there anyplace to find out what a given casino might comp and how much play is expected for good comps? I don't want to ask the boss for room or even a buffet when I only have enough for a T-Shirt, and have him go snickering back to the crew what this chump asked him.

Casey

Shadrach gave you some good pointers and I would like to just add this little bit. At the place where you were pocketing blacks, as many casinos do, the pit tracks the blacks and larger chips. Once caught, if the pit wishes he will credit you with every black chip that he can not account for. This can result in their recording you as a winner while you always do wish to appear a loser in their eyes.
At most casinos no one is watching the green and it is easy to pocket. Look what happens when a player comes into the game with chips. He comes in with 2 blacks and 3 green, gives the black to the dealer and the dealer lets the pit know that he is changing 2 blacks. You pocket between 1-3 greens about this time and their little table count has not changed. Go on your breaks with a chip or two in your hand and pocket them. Pocket a chip when there is no attention on you. If your EV at the table is $50 per hour, you can easily and slowly pocket 3 green per hour and change your long term EV to -$25 per hour.
If caught pocketing black or higher then just be the typical player. You are putting it into your personal vault and hoping to never have to pull it out again before you go to the cashier. Players pocket high value chips all the time but expect that to be noticed. When pocketing green you must be sneaky.

ihate17