Discretionary only 10% of theo?! Is that bad?!

So I was speaking to a host, who said this, in regards to theo and back-end comps:

SO, they don't put the room cost on the backend comps...but 10% seems a little low...because I doubt this room is 20% of my theo.
Is that bad??

 

I am assuming you are talking about Total Rewards ? And perhaps Hunter can clarify this exactly for you, but since the bankruptcy, CET hosts have had their "hands tied" when it comes to discretionary comps. I have seen this mentioned on the 7stars insider webpage, as well as the "gambling with an edge" podcast that Bob Dancer hosts. In essence, the hosts really have very little they can do for customers above and beyond their offers.

 

Not even close to Total Rewards, at all.

 

Sounds like you are getting room + "points" + 10% of theo for food so not necessarily bad. When you hear about 30-40% of theo being comped back that includes the upfront room and assumes the host takes any available "points". It also assumes a high theo player. Most low-midlevel players get no discretionary comps at all, so 10% of something is better than 0. Finally, if you are playing full pay vp your theo is close to zero anyway.

 

ALL players can get discretionary comps...but if your play is only worth xxx and the room comp takes it all up, then you're getting zero.
Also, it is 99% video poker, however the theo setting is 4% (the ROM has keno and slots on it)
The casino is pretty bad for points + mailers too...POINTS (if I took FULL advantage and ONLY played on a double points day) would give me $80 worth of food comps, PLUS the mass-mailer is probably another $50 dining credit...so still, for a "Diamond Level Play", I'd only be getting $210 worth of food comps per trip.

 

Tim, I think you know you are getting a very good deal. You're staying off strip or downtown at a place that offers 99.5% video poker at the .25 or $1 level. You're going to put $50,000 coin in. In your mind, and in reality, your theoretical loss is $250. Of course, if you don't hit a royal you will probably lose more than that. You have figured out, through past research, that the casino thinks your theo is $2000 for this play. Congrats! You are way, way, way ahead of 99+% of players who ever set foot in Nevada. In fact most don't even understand what we are talking about.

Let's think this through. Room might be worth $50. Points might be worth $80 if you maximize them, which you probably will since you wrote about it. "Mass mailer" coupon is worth $50. You are going to lean on someone for $210 on the way out since they have explained what they will do for you. So, for your $250 theoretical loss, you are going to get $390 in comps. This is "not bad" at all, in fact it sounds like one of the few remaining advantage plays in the LV comp world. Take it.

 

10% theo for food is not bad at all.

 

Truth...but I can do better, haha.
At another place, before discretionary is even talked about, I can earn $208 in comp dollars, of of $15,625 coin-in, on a 99.52% game, THEN add in mailers, THEN ask for backend comps (although this place is known for no mailing people for beating them less hard than I plan to)...

 

Was this a TR host? This isn't correct as far as TR is concerned. In addition, we always take room comp into consideration. Suites take up more "comp space" than rooms do, so a customer that is just barely suite eligible can expect less food and beverage than if they were to take the regular room. I do not discuss comp %'s with customers that aren't in my book and established, but I can tell you the quote above is not indicative to how we process comps.

 

Hopefully that isn't 47.8/9/6 JoB at the $5 level...if it is, run good or have deep pockets!