How to Get Comps at Las Vegas Casinos

Want to get something back for all that money you pour into the slot machines and lay on the tables in Las Vegas casinos? Do you wonder how some people get free meals, shows or even rooms in Las Vegas? "Comps" are complimentary items or services given to the casinos to players, and you might be surprised how easy they are to get.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine your bankroll before you go to the casinos.

2. Choose a casino or casino chain to gamble in. If you limit most of your play to a specific casino or chain, you will earn points faster and be more likely to get good comps.

3. Sign up for your casino's newsletter and deals at the casino or its website. These will inform you of special giveaways, cheap hotel prices and other goodies.

4. Get a player's club card at your casino. Often you can sign up for a card and the newsletter at the same time. A player's club card is just a plastic card that has your information on it.

5. Use your player's club card every time you gamble. When you put your card into a machine or hand it to a dealer, the casino tracks your level of play.

6. Understand what "level of play" means and how it affects you. Casinos are interested in how much you bet per hand or spin and how long you play per day. The combination of these things is your level of play.

7. Know that many casinos will not "rate" you at a table game unless you play $25 a hand or more. That means any play below $25 a hand won't be tracked for comps. If a husband and wife play at the same table, however, some casinos will combine the 2 bets in order to rate you as a player.

8. Order a free drink while you play. This is the easiest comp to get because all you need to do to receive it is play.

9. Get an idea of how many comps you earn. If you only play machines, this is easy because the machines calculate comp points as you play.

10. Calculate the approximate value of comps you earn at table games before you ask for comps. A casino is generally willing to give back 20 percent to 40 percent of your theoretical loss. That is determined by multiplying your bet per hand times the number of bets played times the house edge in that game. For example, the casino expects you to lose about 2 percent of the time in blackjack. If you play $100 a hand for 4 hours at about 60 hands per hour, your expected loss is $100 x 240 x 0.02, or $480. Most casinos will give you between $96 and $192 worth of comps if you ask.

11. Ask the pit boss for a line pass to a restaurant or even a meal comp if you've been playing several hours. Some casinos no longer allow pit bosses to give out comps because they are based on perception.

12. Redeem your comp points at any player's club desk. Each casino has a list of how many points particular comps cost.

13. Ask to see a casino host. It is a casino host's job to bring in and retain players. They are also allowed to give out the big comps, like food, services and rooms, but only if your play warrants it.

14. Try to stay at the casino you play at. Charge meals, spa services and other goods to your hotel room. At the end of your stay, ask your casino host if he can comp any of the charges.

15. Call your host or the players club before your next trip to ask if the hotel can offer a discounted room or other comps.

Tips & Warnings

• It is customary to tip cocktail waitresses, even if your drink is free. Good tippers also often get better service.
• If you want to get comps, but don't play enough to get them at upscale Strip hotels, try the smaller, older hotels or downtown hotels.
• Don't expect to get a free room or meal if you don't gamble much or if you are rude to the pit boss or casino host.
• Don't tip your casino host. Many are not allowed to accept tips, though many are allowed to take small gifts from customers.
• Never spend more money than you intended in order to earn comps.
• Watch for signs of gambling addiction, such as spending more money than you can afford to lose.
• Remember to ask for comps. Other than occasional room deals, most casinos won't offer you comps.