I am a red chip table game player, and thus barely register on the radar. But I'm curious if there are any comps I am missing out on. I know that the most basic comp is a free drink. Is there anything else that's available that I just need to ask for? e.g. Line passes for a buffet, or something to that effect that really doesn't cost anything to the casino. Thanks!
Depends on where you play at? But if you can increase your play to $25.00 and stay and play atleast 4 hours a day you would probably get some offers like $75.00 free play free room Sun-Thur. 2 nights, 2 free buffets. Something close anyways. I doubt $5 dollar bet would get you more then a $5 dollar free play and maybe a free buffet mailer. They key is try and stay for 4 hours and most important ask the pit boss before you leave if he rated you and for how long.
When I played table games at that level I could usually get a meal at most of the downtown properties with the exception of the GN. I had plenty of meals comped at the now closed Du-Par's at Golden Gate playing $5 BJ and craps. I also got the odd meal here and there at DTG. From what I've heard South Point is fairly loose with their comps but I don't have any personal experience with them in this regard.
That's simply not true. You can get very nice comps at the "lesser" casinos for $5 bets. My wife plays $3 blackjack at Sam's Town and gets meals for both of us. The big thing to do, is ASK THEM, not us! When you are ready to leave the table, ask the pit person if you earned anything. If they say no, ask what is required.
What we usually do when playing table games for awhile (at red chip level).... Call Pit Boss over if he/she isn't busy at the moment (or wait for them to stop by the table), then ask .... "Is it possible that we've played long enough for a food comp?" Phrasing the question this way seems to work for us. Takes some of the pressure off the situation by making it all about some computer program and not the pit boss decision. I'm not saying this well, but hopefully you get the gist of the idea. They will usually say, "I don't know, let me check. Where did you want to go?" Or something along those lines. Make sure you have an idea in mind before asking - if you are ok for buffet, then ask for buffet. You'll probably have your best luck with that rather than asking for the high end steakhouse. Coffee shop (or equivalent) is usually a pretty easy ask also. This usually works for us. In fact, we try to remember to do this if playing a table at night by asking for a morning breakfast buffet for the next day. Sometimes it's a paper comp, sometimes they just "send" it to the buffet and you claim it by giving them your card. It depends on the casino and how they handle it. I agree SP is pretty easy for a buffet comp. I haven't tried for anything else, but we did get a buffet from them several times. Good luck - remember, you don't ask, you don't get! Cheers, Kelly
Everyone one is right. First you have to ask when you are done playing. Second it's easier to get comps downtown if you stick with the 4 hours of play. Or break it up over the day. If you take care of the dealers then they take care of you.
I typically play on the Strip, but will go downtown for an evening to alleviate stress on the bankroll. I'm not strictly a $5 bettor, but will max out at $15 min tables, and typically flat bet. It's enough to earn me the Casino Rate on rooms, which is fine - I'm not going to increase my bankroll significantly to chase comps. I'm more interested in knowing what the next level of comps is. I have certainly put in a number of marathon, 4+ hour sessions, though usually at properties where I have always felt like I was betting below the line of where they'd even bother rating someone. I love this idea, and will definitely give it a try next time I'm out there. Thanks!
The worst that can happen is that they say no. I personally don't care what anyone else at the table might think. I know at the California downtown that they will usually write you a $10 comp to the café. Which covers the awesome prime rib dinner! Usually doesn't take too much play either - I know we have had success with asking there with red chip play, and probably not even with the whole 4 hours of play others are recommending. At MSS, we have gotten comps to 777 also for about the same play. YMMV. Additionally, we ask a bit before we are ready to go eat or be done playing. It can take 15 minutes or so for them to process the request/paperwork and that's a really long time if you are just sitting there staring at them to get the job done. Good luck and be sure to come back and relay your success stories!
Another thought - if you end up playing a decent amount of time at the casino in your hotel, it wouldn't hurt to ask before checking out if they can comp off any of your room charges. Depending on where you are staying, play at "sister" properties may help also. (MSS/Cal comes to mind, but I'm not sure if that is the case with Strip properties - we almost never stay on the Strip. Others can probably chime in with advice). Stop in the VIP/host office or call from your room. Calling is sometimes more "comfortable" if you are shy. Again, we ask it like this....."Is it possible that we have played enough to have some of our room charges waived?" or "Is it possible we have played enough to pick up some of our room charges?" I also don't wait until the last minute to do this - the night before check out is our usual MO. Good luck!
I always tell the wife, "If we had our tips back, we could have steak and lobster!" Still, it pays to be nice. You don't have to toke like a drunken sailor, but people do things for people who are nice to them. Look at it this way: When you have a crabby dealer, do you tip them? Most likely not. But, you do tend to tip the nice ones! Works the same for comps. You've been laughing, tipping, and chatting up the dealers and pit people, and they want to help you. Treat them indifferently, or like shit, and see what that gets you!
