To the avid casino visitor the phrase “Casino Comps” is the Holy Grail. The reason, well minus the exception of trying to win on the casino floor, to making the homage of travel to any number of casino properties. Well to many figuring out how to get that perfect room, the ticket to the next best show or seats at an exclusive casino restaurant is an unknown science. A science perfected in knowing how to work a casino’s complimentary system.

I’ve taken a little time to investigate the so-called experts out there who say they know what it takes to maximize this process of getting the best in casino comps. Because there is sooo much information out there I’m going to use some information I found from a casino player vet.

Let’s begin with the explanation of the formula used to determine a comp. The formula is basically the following;

Average Bet:
X (Times)
Total Hands per Hour:
X (Times)
The House Edge as a %
————————–
Expectation

Then this figure known as Expectation is Multiplied by a pre-determined Comp Rate to ultimately yield the comp rate.

Ok, math aside, the expert gets into how to really take advantage of some flaws that are present in how this formula is derived.

First, try to have the casino floorman rate your play at a higher bet rate than you really are betting. Yep, according to my research there are ways to do this. One simple, but maybe not so obvious strategy is just be extra nice to this person. Seriously!!! These people have the last say in how you are being rated and it really is subjective. Be nice it pays dividends. Ok strategy number two is really crazy. The expert here says to pick a table with a game where you see the floorman at all times but at the same time a floorman that really isn’t paying attention to your game. During this time, always play the table minimum, but keep an eye to see if the floorman is watching. Once you catch his eye, up your bets past the minimum. A third strategy to make sure you do is tip your dealer. The floorman and dealers talk and reward based on these talks.

Now, moving in the second phase of maximizing your casino comps. This one is really simple and takes into account a big part of the formula. Basically, if a black jack player is using basic strategies, the casino edge drops below what is expected to win by a player that attempts to use sophisticated strategies. Utilize basic strategies and increase the expected comp rate.

A third set of strategies involves trying to decrease the number of hands played in an our. Doing so effects the formula above. The expert I read offers these suggestions. Try some of these. When playing try to set aside in the schedule time for a once an hour bathroom break. It is advised to play table games that are played utilizing face down rules as opposed to face up. Think about it, it takes the dealer more time to count the cards in a game where they have to turn over all the cards first. It’s little things like this that add up and lower the expected number of hands played. Hey let’s not forget about getting that drink every once in a while. Again, this is an art, but if you keep an eye on that floorman you can get your drink, waste some time and up your comp rating.

Sure there seems to be a lot that goes into playing at casinos and getting the treasure trove of comps that can come along with it. Yet, think about this, every day over $500,000 in comps are given away in Las Vegas casinos alone. Don’t you think you deserve a little bit of this for all the money you drop in a casino? I know I do.