Free Coupon Bets - How should I use them?

I get many free bet coupons in the mail I figured I used them when I am out and about, but I want to use them properly. Maybe perhaps gain a long term edge (based on the assumption I continue receiving these free bets every month or so).

Example: $25 free bet on any table game, DON"T BUY IN. I figured if I play it, it doesn't matter whether I win or lose, I have the long term edge because it's not my money. Thus, in theory, in the long run I make money regardless of the game.

That doesn't sound so fun however. Walking into a casino to play one free bet and leaving. Fuel, time and energy wasted. I mean seriously.

What if I follow it up with a bet or two? or 1 hour of play? That changes the odds of the game right? I know that any time I am playing with the casino's money, that changes the edge.

What would be my edge against the casino or would I even have an edge on let's say from the worst game like American Roulette (5.26%) to Baccarat (1.06%)? Keeping the free bets on a game that has a low house edge sounds smart to me.

Am I thinking straight or am I delusional? I just want to be smart about my free bets. What do you people think? Thanks!

 

If you use a "free bet"coupon, and then leave... you are probably not gonna hear from that casino again. You have now pegged yourself as an ultra low roller based on such a low amount played.

As to what games to play. Sometimes people treat that like real money and play whatever they would normally play. Forget house edge or that silliness. This is Vegas and they did not build it based on winners.

Are these coupons a waste of time? That answer varies based on what you do with your time in Vegas. Some people will walk 2 miles to get a free key chain with a rabbits foot on it. Personally, we walk an easy 5 miles a day in Vegas. But, we do not like to spend time standing in line for something of minimal value. Heck, on my last trip, I could have "checked in" at Venetian for 2 nights and gotten $75 freeplay. We just did not want to bother.

 

You are correct that if you include a free bet coupon in your gambling sessions, you'll have the edge over the casino overall, but based on the length of the session. One blackjack example:

A $25 coupon (win or lose the coupon is gone), is worth about $12.40 EV. In 1 hour at $25 flat bet, you expect to lose about $10 at a table with good rules. So you are still +EV after 1 hour. (EV=Expected Value.)

I like to drop the free bets on player or banker at baccarat, or on the passline at craps or a PaiGow hand. These gives me the best chance to make it pay off (~49%). I don't want the high edge at the roulette table.

At blackjack, you only expect to win about 43% of your hands so you'll just see it disappear more often. However, any low edge game gives you the same basic EV, despite your 1-hand chances of winning.