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What to expect? Comps advice needed.

Discussion in 'Comps' started by radicalsee, Apr 22, 2013.

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  1. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Hi everyone,
    I will be heading to Vegas for the first time next month and would like to know how to get the most out of comps. I usually play in Macau and Singapore and comps there are not that big a deal.

    From what i have read so far, i will charge most F&B to the room and hopefully see what they can take out at the end of my stay(9nights). Do i need a host for this(if i even qualify) or just speak to the front desk upon check-out? I plan to either stay at The Mirage or Bellagio, depending on where it would be better for my level of play.

    My average bets are around 100-200 a hand on blackjack and 75-100 a spin on roulette, gambling around 6-10hours a day. All advice much appreciated. Thanks!
     
  2. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Your bet size is similar to mine -- you might be slightly higher if you get toward the two hundred range. At that level I feel like you're going to get more comps for your money at Mirage. But then B is a nicer hotel, so if you go to Mirage you're giving that up.

    If you are betting over $100 a hand, a host will have interest at the Mirage. But you don't need one if you are just looking for comps at the end of your trip and nothing up front -- you can go through a duty host when you're ready to leave.

    But not wanting anything up front is also going to be a good way to get a host if that's what you want. If you call Mirage and ask to talk to a host, they are going to ask you whether you play table games or slots, and then transfer you to talk to someone based on your answer. When you get on the phone with the host, they'll want to know your MLife number if you have one, and if you do they'll assess your play and make you an offer if you warrant it. If you don't have one, you can tell him what you play and what you're looking for -- He'll probably offer you a casino rate (20% off list price) just for talking to him.

    If you explain up front that you know you don't have history at the hotel and you aren't looking for anything up front, he's going to be happy to help you. Why not? It's a no risk proposition for him. He'll promise to review your play after the trip and see what he can do. He'll take care of booking your room, and he might be able to help with something small -- like if you want a high floor room, tell him and he'll probably do it. Again, if it's no cost to him, he's going to be pretty open to helping out.
     
  3. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Thank you Mike for the advice. I think i'll go with the option of speaking to a host first without asking for anything upfront, with the promise of him reviewing my play at the end of the trip.
    Another question, is it possible to be rated on the same mlife card for both me and my wife when we play on the same table? We usually play on the same table except for the few times she goes off for an hour or two to play slots. Her average bets are around the same as mine.
    We are wondering if that is possible as it would get us a higher rating and probably more freebies.
     
  4. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    you and your wife will sign up for separate Mlife cards, but just ask them to link them together when you sign up. at the end of the trip, the host will look at the combined play on both cards for the purposes of comps. if each of you are playing the same level for about the same time, that will effectively double your theo and the comps you will earn. at that rate, you're looking at closer to $300-400 avg bet. in that case, I would recommend staying at the B as it's much nicer. and you should expect to get your room taken care of as well as a good chunk of F&B.
     
  5. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    I'm not an experienced gambler, but the 75-100 a spin on roulette should be more attractive to a casino host than your black jack play due to the higher theoretical loss.

    Also, when playing in the US be sure you're playing a single 0 roulette table. US casinos are unique because the lower stakes roulette tables add a additional 00, which doubles your theoretical loss. With any property you're considering be sure to investigate the roulette single 0 minimums.
     
  6. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    however, I should also say that if you both are playing at the same table, you can give the pit boss just one card and tell him that you guys are playing together. he will combine your bets each hand and write down a single value for avg and put all of that play on the single card. if you and your wife always travel together that can be a better way to go about it because all of the play on a single card will make you look like a bigger player. also, when she goes off to play the slots, she can take a copy of your card and play on that as well. then all your play is on your one account and you'll look bigger which has its advantages.
     
  7. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    This is what I do. My wife and I always travel together and she doesn't play unless I'm also playing. It's been no problem to have the pit boss combine our play (in our case, it's her small bet added to my larger one.)
     
  8. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Thanks, I'll ask the pitboss to combine our play since it is beneficial to look like a bigger player.
    What do you mean by a copy of the card when my wife goes off play slots? As in another card with the same mlife number? Or do you mean her own card but link the account?
    Side question, is it better to book a One bedroom suite at The Mirage or a standard deluxe room at bellagio?
    Which stay would be more enjoyable?
     
  9. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    I meant to ask if by copy of my card it means another mlife card with exact account number. I had no idea it was possible to have another card with exact account number.
     
  10. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    When you sign up they'll ask you if you want one card or two. They will be identical. I always get two because I regularly lose them. But you can use both at the same time if you're playing two different machines.
     
  11. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Great info, thanks! One last question, assuming i accumulate enough tier credits during my stay, will the pitboss give me a new card when i leave the table or do i have to go to get a new card myself?
     
  12. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    The play won't hit the system for a few hours at least so you'll need to wait until then.
     
  13. lmondun

    lmondun Low-Roller

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    If those are the only choices you are considering, and you only are talking about quality of the room, then I would definitely take the suite at Mirage. I think the standard rooms at the Bellagio are unexceptional, by Vegas standards.

    In terms of overall enjoyment, most top-level players seem to strongly prefer Bellagio, which definitely has better dining options, a more upscale aesthetic and a generally higher level of expectation in terms of personalized service.

    Personally, I like the Mirage for its more casual attitude and accessibility to neighboring properties, but I'm more of a mid-level player than Shifter and some others who frequent this board.
     
  14. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    Mlife TCs cycle at 3am
     
  15. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Thanks all for the pointers! Am already looking forward to vegas and hopefully have a good time gambling&eating!
     
  16. finsfanscott

    finsfanscott Low-Roller

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    Another point to consider, at $100/hand blackjack you can play in the High Limit room at Mirage, with access to top shelf drinks (Johnny Walker Blue, Macallan 18/25, etc.) and will probably get attention from a host/pit boss if that is important to you. At $100/hand at Bellagio, you would be in the main pit. Also, comp rates for the rooms (the amount the casino charges to your comp account for the room) will be much less at Mirage than Bellagio. A 1bdr suite at Mirage may not be too far off the "cost" of a regular room at Bellagio.

    Hope this helps!
     
  17. radicalsee

    radicalsee Tourist

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    Getting into the High Limit room just by playing $100/hand sounds like a great deal, if only for the drinks!
    I don't necessarily need a host, not that important. Just wanna hopefully get a reasonable deal and have a good time.
     
  18. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    You can do that at most MLife properties...pretty much all of them except for B and Aria. Maybe MGM on a busy night might want $200 a hand.
     
  19. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    MB is also always $200 for high limit room.
     
  20. donovanrs28

    donovanrs28 Low-Roller

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    While at Mandalay Bay two weeks ago, I was unable to use both cards while playing slots. The one entered first would work, but the other would say invalid. I usually have my mom use my card, but she had to use hers...
     
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