Las Vegas-Play Where u Stay??
 

I have been to Vegas 3 times. I wanna now be a regular (at least once a year). Is it important to play where u stay in order to get the best comps? I love to play downtown but wife likes hotels on strip...i usually drop 500/day on craps and black jack and would like to settle into a place and call it home. I am interested in any suggestions.

Your question is a good one, but answers itself. Wherever you play, if you are playing for comps, the casino is going to want to comp your room. As such, that's where you'll be staying. When you come back again, if you've been a strong player, they will arrange a room before you arrive. So that's where you'll be staying. Of course you can take comps for other things, like shows (where you play) and food and lots of other things. But they'll want you to stay there, because they know they'll get a better "return on their investment" by having you in house. <BR>If you are losing several hundred dollars a day, you'll have no trouble finding a strip hotel that wants to accommodate you. When you select a hotel, notify the pit boss when you start playing that you've decided that you'll be a regular in the future and he/she will start keeping track of your play. That's all there is to it. The pit boss doesn't care, as you may know, whether you lose or not. No one even keeps track. They simply track your average bet multiplied by minutes played. Of course the more expensive the hotel the more you have to play to get high level comps. But you'll be fine at most strip hotels.

Good points...but does anyone have any recommendations as to where to call home...i will even go downtown

As someone who's never been to Vegas, would someone attempt to explain the concept of "comps"? I keep hearing this term and I guess I just don't get it. Does someone from the casino actually come up to you and say "By the way, your room is on the house" or what? It seems like I've heard people say they've been comped meals, a room, drinks... How does it work?

Scooter, <BR> <BR>We LOVE to play at Binion's Horseshoe (RIP Ted) because they have the best Black Jack rules in town and the best atmosphere if you can deal with the smoke. We used to stay on the strip and drive downtown and back several times a day, but a couple of years ago we started staying at the Golden Nugget downtown across the street from Binion's Horseshoe. The Nugget is the only Grand Hotel located downtown. The rooms are almost identical (decor and everything) to those at the Mirage for about half the price. They will track your play and comp you if you play long enough. The pool doesn't compare to those at the Luxury properties on the strip, but my wife enjoyed their Spa (although it's not as nice as the one at the Luxor). Don't play for comps, play to win and have fun. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>

To Lori: comps (short for 'complimentaries') are a casino's way of showing its appreciation for your business. Think of them as gambling's frequent flyer miles. <BR>The $$ you are comped is a function of the length of time you play and the number of $$ you play per hand of cards or spin or dice roll, etc. You can be comped anything, and I do mean anything in Vegas. Typically the casino will give away food first (free buffet or dinner). Remember that the casino is not exactly going broke giving you a buffet comp (cost maybe $2-3 to the casino) considering you'll have to play more than $500 to get it (not lose that much, just lay it out there). <BR>High rollers who gamble really big $$ can ask for anything from a free helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon to a fur to be purchased by a service attendant and sent to the Mrs. to companionship. The casino doesn't send a bill. Only requires that the comped individual lay out very big $$ each day. It's a nutty relationship. The gamblers may lose more than $100,000 in a session, but usually feels honored to get the comps (which could have been bought for a tiny fraction of the losses). The kicker is when comps are given on top of a big winning session.

I am a fully comped regular in Las Vegas and Reno. I agree pretty well with what Jack says with one minor exception, <BR> <BR>Many people think of comps as an award for their patronage of the casino. However the casino looks at comps as an incentive for the player to continue spending at their casino. That is why casinos will go out of their way to comp big winners even if they haven't spent that much. They are hoping to entice you back knowing that in the long run, they will get back your winnings plus some. <BR> <BR>When a casino invites you for a free trip/nights or whatever, it does expect you to play at a certain level during that visit. If you don't then they will not offer it again except under special circumstances. <BR> <BR>ADVICE: <BR> <BR>NEVER play for comps as it is a losing battle. That free meal/room etc. will cost you 5 times the cost of the comp. However, if you like to play like I do then by all means collect whatever you can. Don't be afraid to ask because you usually won't get mcuh without asking. <BR> <BR>Just do NOT let the comps dictate your level of play. Let the comps be an extra for your normal play.

I hear what everyone is sayin about dont play for comps. And I dont but I figure since I like to play anyway..... <BR>I have considered the Nugget but wonder if there is a srtip place that may be ok...my wife is not a player but loves to walk and shop the strip. <BR>Thanks and keep the advice coming!!

I'm not sure what you're driving at Scooter. The point is, you'll get comped wherever you choose to play if you play enough. All you need to do is pick a place to take your business. That's a personal kind of choice, and I'm sure if you've been to LV 3 times, you have a feel for the different personalities of the casinos. If you like quiet, more upscale surroundings, you won't find a more accommodating casino than Desert Inn. A lot of celebs go there because it's not a tourist spot and it's very 'private' feeling compared to others. Also upscale are Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, Mirage. The atmosphere downtown is more 'old Vegas', less stuffy, but a lot smokier, and an unhappy wife can ruin your trip. I think you should be able to find a place on the strip to make you both happy. For mid strip action, try Treasure Island, Harrah's, Paris, etc. Lots and lots of choices to suit different tastes.

TY all...anyone have a favorite casino they would like to give...why is it ur fav?

I think Jack and LVLarry et al have given you good advice. Since you want opinions, I love staying at the Bellagio because it's a lovely casino/hotel, and I don't like loud places. The Mirage is also nice (I haven't stayed there in a few years, but it has a great location.)Many like Caesar's - I'm not a big fan, but I've not stayed there. I've stayed at MGM several times and won well there - they offer good comps. I won my only LV hand pay at Harrah's. I can understand that your wife wants to stay on the Strip...I love walking and looking at everything in the center location...it's fun to go in and out of all the themed casinos, and it's just not easy to do when you are staying downtown. I know your odds are better downtown, but there's something to be said for contented mates. Good luck, and hit the big one!