speedo

Message for thereuare, Tom and Mike: I'll only defend myself a tiny bit, and apoligize for the misleading statements I made. But in defense, my reference to blackjack is from both reading and experience, and my conclusion is this: Each card out of the deck modifies, or changes the cards remaining in the deck. Knowing this and with precision play, (basic strategy won't do) a player has the possibility to even out the playing field with the casino. Of course, single deck, shoes, casino payout policies, etc., also come into play and can affect the players chances of winning. (Mike, I know of no Las Vegas casino that allows card "counting". If they either know or even suspect a player doing so, the player is requested to leave. But in reality, there are few serious players that don't keep track of cards) Also, Mike, in my opinion, craps odds are a gross misrepresentation. Dispite the 100X odds you reference, chances are a seven will come up before any other number - including the point number on which you have your 100X odds. I agree, the 100X odds increases your payout in the event the dice do pass, but the odds of them passing remain constant, and favor the house. And finally, regarding video poker, I stand corrected. My thought process in the earlier response was on gaming, as in competition - inner-action with others, if you will - not slots or videos. Yes, most all authorities on the matter that I have read, will tell you that with perfect play on certain machines, the gambler can indeed, attain an ever-so-slight advantage.

Again, I apologize for any misleading statements. I do not try to mislead in responding, but gambling in Las Vegas is an enjoyment for me and I visit there often. So if anyone has better insight on how to maximize my chances of winning, I'm eager to listen.

bubba

Words of wisdom: " Never play with the sole intention of being comped or receiving so-called free drinks." The so-called free drinks can get very expensive if you're on a losing streak!

Don't think so

First off, a budget of 200 dollars a day in gaming is NOT going to get you a comp room at the Mandalay Bay, or anywhere else. Maybe 800 a day get one free night, but I don't even see that happening. I worked for another upscale hotel on the strip and would not even consider giving somebody a comp room, or anything else, for 200 bucks a day. I don't mean to be rude, it is just the name of the game.

Don't think so

Whoops! Don't want to mislead anybody, that was 800 dollars an hour, not per day! To get a comp room, based on maybe 3/4 hours of play.

x

So you were a casino host or casino manager?
The decision as to whether or not a specific comp is justified is based on a simple formula, plus the player's long term history at the casino.

It's not really a very subjective decision. Any casino will be glad to tell you exactly how much you have to put in play per hour and how many hours you have to do that to get a specific comp.

tom

You're right x. "Don't think so's" answer doesn't sound like an answer a casino host would give. I budget approximately $200/day (sometimes I play less, sometimes more) and regularly get free rooms at Caesars and Rio. Although I budget $200/day, I'm gaming around 5-6 hours per day.

I suggest to Susanna that if she is going to Vegas with someone that she gets two cards in her name and both play on one card.

Mike

Speedo,

I'm not trying to be a flamer, but your analysis is simply mathematically wrong. I had a lot of wacky theories until I started studying the mathematics of gambling. I'd definitely recommend that you read the Mensa Guide to Gambling. It's an awesome book, I think you'd love it.

A few things:

1) The odds bet in craps DOES NOT favor the house, no ifs ands or buts, it is a perfect 50/50 bet, this is simply not debatable No mathematician has ever argued this and it is a pure calculation. The $101 Casino Royale bet has a .0146% house edge on the pass line and a .0137% edge on the don't pass line.

2) You cannot get an edge in single deck BJ, S17,DAS,double any,split 4,no surrender, 3:2BJ, without altering your strategy based on played cards (counting). No blanket strategy works. You must alter your play as you penetrate the deck, this is counting, which I agree will get you booted. Most experts rate best possible BJ play without Rain Man - esque counting for the game I described above which is the BEST you'll get in Vegas at .1412% house edge.

3) A full pay Deuces Wild VP machine DOES offer the player an edge for perfect play in the long run. One problem with this is the long run is a very long run because you have to do some wacky things in pursuit of the elusive Royal Flush, so you'll give back some potential wins in the short run to get the Royal.

Anyone who finds this topic intersting, read the Mensa book I mentioned and/or read http://www.thewizardofodds.com/

David

June and Speedo, You both are traking my comments out of context. I do not go to Reno or Las Vegas with the idea of winning. There is a reason why they have all these nice hotels and casinos in operation. Basically I play because I find it entertaining, not with the idea that I will win or get a comp. I go up with a pre-determined amount of money that I am prepared to lose, and then I stop playing after that. My philosophy is that if I am going to play anyhow, why not get a comp in the process? I agree that it is foolish to play just to get a comp or to play with the idea of winning.

speedo

Message to Mike, David, June and Susanna: June, you seem to be a good sport, and even without odds, I'd bet your a good mom, too. Say "hi" to Wally and the Beav for me. thanks.

Mike: Won't engage in further debate, but will say thanks for the advice and tip. I'll follow up on the Mensa book and website.

David, I too enjoy gambling for the entertainment value, don't mind dropping some money, and have few visions or expectations of leaving Vegas with the casino mortage in my pocket. And a comp or two along the way often feels like a pretty good consolation.

June, my opinion's changed. You seem to be a good sport, and even without odds, I'm betting you're a pretty good mom, too. Say "hi" to Wally and the Beav for me.

And Susanna. Are you satisfied with the answers to your question???

Everyone have a great weekend, and should your travel plans include Vegas in mid-October, look me up - I'll be there. We can further debate the merits of comps right at the table!

june

David, not that it likely makes any difference to you, but I'm glad to see that you think as you do (as per your last post). That's a very defensible and reasonable perspective.
In fact, then, you are simply there to enjoy the experience, if you win or get a comp, great. If not, you were budgeted for the loss.

Mike, excellent summary. (But .1412% equals .001412; the house advantage for BJ is 1.4%).

speedo, Wally is still on summer break and is picking up Eddie Haskell from the detention center right now. I'm worried they may not come straight home. The Beaver is over at Larry Mondello's house making pancakes. I'll be sure to tell them you said hello.

david

interesting thread. I have a good friend who used to be a dealer and still gambles quite a bit. He gave me the name of his casino host and I flat out asked what level of betting would be required to get a casino rate on a room at Bellagio and was told $50 per hand on blackjack for 4 hrs per day. At that point I decided to pay the regular rate for the room and just gamble with what I felt comfortable with. After 4 days of $5/hand blackjack for 3-4 hrs per day I asked for and received a buffet for 2 at the Bellagio and thought that was fair.

Christina

Susanna - unfortunately, Vegas has a way of "pulling in" the novice gambler and leading them to believe that comps are "a given". No matter what anyone says...$200.00 per day is not chump change. However, for Vegas - it is. My husband and I were first-timers last year, and spent 10-12 hours per day in the casinos ( 7 days - VP and slots), Mirage - and only got a few buffets for our trouble. We had quite a few points on our slots cards, but since our rooms were paid for online - we couldn't get a break. Lesson - don't get your rooms online, don't stay at the Mirage and learn how to play table games - we expect to do much, much better when we go in December. However - we are still not counting on the room comps...maybe a special in the mail for 2003...we can only hope!

hanna

Christina: you really need to go back through and read the above posts, and try to learn what's been said.
You'll save yourself a lot of money and frustration.
DO NOT go to LV and strategize your spending habits expressly to get comps.
It's a total and complete waste of money.
Your comment "don't ever book a room online" is exactly the wrong advice.

I'm not going to repeat everyhting above, but, Christina, you still don't get it yet.

Christina

Look, HANNA...if you were smart enough to read my post, you would see that I was explaining WHAT NOT to do. Particularly for a first timer...I believe I was clear that comps are not a given, or even worth it for the casual gambler. Why people like you insist on post ignorant comments is beyond comprehension. GO BLOW. Susanna...just letting you know that the Casino Host suggested that we do not book online (i.e. Travelocity, Expedia). Obviously, for HANNAH's sake I have to be more clear...book online with the specific hotel - you're okay. Charge everything to the room. Have fun...maybe you'll get lucky!

Frank

Geezzz Christina, I guess one trip to sin city makes you an expert huh??...
Well, at the risk of being flamed by the "pro", I might suggest that the money you will save booking online versus booking thru the hotel web sight will more than make up for any comp a $200 a day gambler will recieve...but hell, what do I know,, I've only been to Vegas 60 times.

bj playah

I've been comped rooms after having booked through expedia and specific hotel websites. There's no reason you should not be able to unless it's something like Expedia's priceliney type thing where they give certain rates and you pay in advance and they're not cancellable, it doesn't have anything to do with the internet rather a pre-pay reservation. Book on the internet like Hannah said but make sure it is a normal reservation where you give a cc at checkin and they charge it at checkout (other than the typical 1 night pre-charge which I've only had done to me in Vegas). ANyway, if you really want to play for comps you should arrange everything with a host ahead of time and don't just call the promo dept but get the name of a good host ahead of time.

Susanna

THANKS EVERYONE!!! Your information has been very helpful. It was interesting to read that my $200/day is piddly. And, it tells me that I'd prefer to pay for the room ($179 for a Sat. nite) and just play at the level I can afford. We'll still go ahead and get the club cards - my husband and I - and use them as we gamble. Then, at the end of our stay, we'll see what they've earned us....if anything.
You are all terrific!
Susanna

Don

Hi Susanna,

I travel to Vegas 1-2 times a year. Sign up with the Players Club at the Casino of you choice for a chance at cimp's. M-Bay, Luxor, Excalliber, and a few others are the same club. Its called the "One Club", play as you intend to play either machines or table games. Check with the "One Club" desk when you leave to see how you did. You level of play will determine what you may get. I played for hours on a $20 and did not check mine when we left last time. Luxor has sent me nice offers for comp rooms and even Boxing tickets at M-Bay. Have some fun, relax, and see what happens.

Good Luck,

Don