Q.  You always mention in your mailers" Free for Qualified Players". What is a "qualified player"; how do I become one and how do I find out if I am "qualified" for a comp trip?

A.  All casinos use a rating and tracking system to determine the theoretical profitability of a customer. Each customer's gaming activity, while playing table games, is tracked and rated by the casino pit supervisors. Based on the players Average Bet and Time played and "house advantage" of the game played, the casino uses a formula to determine what they should have statistically won from the player. The casino can then determine what portion of this "theoretical win" can be reinvested in the customer.

For an example: A $50 average bet blackjack player playing about 4 hours per day will, on average, statistically lose about $150.00 during the gaming session. (The comp value for slot players is determined by total amount of coins played. This is why we always encourage you to use your rating card each and every time you play slots. We also suggest that couples use same account number on each rating card. Your combined play usually generates more comps.)

Most casinos "reinvest" about 35-40% of this "theoretical winnings" in the customer for comps for room, food, beverage, shows and airfare reimbursement. Generally speaking, the player's actual win or loss is not a factor when the comp limits are calculated. (Of course, if a player losses a significant amount of money in a very short time, allowances can be made for comps) In this example, the "theoretical win" shown in this example of $150 would earn the player about $60.00 in comps. (Please note: Actual results will vary based on many other factors not brought out in this example)

Now the question is: What does this $60 in comps buy you. At some casinos where room rates are lower (especially during of-season and mid-weeks) this may be sufficient to earn you a complimentary room. In some high end casinos, this may not even qualify you for a casino rate! So, it is important to know and understand your potential comp value AND the cost of the goods and services that you expect from the casino. Obviously it takes more comps (higher average bet and more time played) to get a suite at The Venetian instead of a standard room at a lower tier casino.

The player's comp value will apply to room charges, meals and other "in-house" expenses. Any remaining comp value may be applied to airfare reimbursement or other "hard costs" that you want the casino to comp for you.

That is why we always ask that you call us to check what your comp status at any of our casinos may be. We may be able to offer you full RFB status at one casino but only a room comp at another. We will always do our absolute best to make sure that you always receive your full comp value and we will always suggest to you the best casino for your level of play…But, of course, the final determination is yours to make!

A new feature is being offered by some casino today…"portable comps". This means that the comps you do not use for your current visit can be accumulated for use on a future trip or can even be redeemed for merchandise or other nice rewards at a future time. Think of your comps as a deposit being made to your "debt" account for use at your discretion. For example: You earn $300 in comps on a visit to Harrah's Las Vegas but your expenses are only $200 for this trip. This leaves you with a $100 in your comp account that you may choose to use at any Harrah's property or leave in your account for use to purchase merchandise, gift certificates, etc. Harrah's and Foxwoods are offering these "portable" comps.

Q.  The casino sends me an invitation for a free meal at the steak house or a free three night's stay at their hotel. What does this actually mean?

A.  This is a great question since this issue seems to cause the most confusion with players. The bottom line is "There ain't no free lunch". The comps the casino provides "up front" to you is "charged" to your comp folio account. What ever your play during the current trip generates in comp value is first applied to the up front comps already provided by the casino. In other words, do not necessarily expect to receive an airfare reimbursement this trip, thinking that your room was "free". In cases where the casino (or Junket Tours) provides your air up-front, this too is posted to your account and is deducted before any additional comps can be extended. It is, however, extremely rare that a casino would ever ask a player to pay actual money to cover up-front comps… even if play during the current trip was not sufficient to cover cost.