Casino Comps and How to Take Advantage of Them
Casino comps. If you've never heard of it, comps is slang for "complementary." It's those free services you get for being a regular customer at a casino. Everyone should take full advantage of casino comps regardless of the kind of player they are. Professionals and casual gamblers, high rollers and low-stake players, all can benefit from comps. It is a myth that only VIPs can be comped. While they are the ones who'll get the five-star hotel rooms and limousine rides, the rest of us can still enjoy free rooms, food and beverage (or RFB) if we do it right.
Casino omps are distributed to players through a rating system which can be unique for each casino. A rating formula is used to determine who gets what comps and how much. As a rule, the more money you lose (or appear to lose) to the casino, the more higher your comp rating and the more comps you get. However the casino comp system is not flawless. It may be able to track your playing hours and the amount of money you wager, but not necessarily how much you actually win or lose.
Here are some tips on casino comps and how to take full advantage of them.
Always join the players' club.
It doesn't matter how often you expect to play in any given casino. You never know when you will be back there, and every moment you play there counts. So sign up for the casino's slot club or players' club and use your slot card whenever you play machine games like slots, video poker, video blackjack, etc. For table games, ask the pit boss to "rate" you for comps.
Be friendly with casino personnel.
Casino comp rating is not totally mechanical. The casino personnel can exercise some discretion on the floor. So be nice to the pit boss, waitresses and everyone else. It makes it easier to ask comps from them, and more likely that you will get it even if you don't "officially" qualify for it according to your rating. Just make sure you don't demand for comps; ask politely.
Play in the same casino more often.
The more frequently you play in the same casino, the faster your comp rating will rise. Much faster than if you hopped from one house to another.
Play in off-peak seasons.
Casinos are busier in some times of the year than others. If you play during "slow" periods for the casino, you will get rated more for being such a loyal patron.
Casino comps really are a rebate. In a place where there are all kinds of temptations and distractions aimed at taking your money from you, comps can be a real bonus. Use them to get the most out of the money you spend in the casinos. But don't play for the sake of comps as they won't be enough to change your fortune in the house. Play for fun or play for money, and enjoy the freebies as hey come.