Bonus Poker Days

[FloridaPhil]

Over the years, we have come to realize comps are a very important part of the VP game.   Game odds are set by the casino.   If you want to play VP in today's casinos, most of us are going to play negative games.  Intelligent players realize there is a cost to play these games.  To cut the casino's edge, informed players pick their casino based on the games and the comps.   Good comps can make a mediocre game playable.  In the past we didn't value comps.  That was a mistake.  Today we play at casinos where they treat us like valued customers and are willing to give us something to offset our losses.  If you are playing consistently at a casino that is not willing to reward your loyalty, you are losing twice.

[olds442jetaway]

You are right about the comps Phil. Just using myself as an example, for 2017 i stayed 100 or so nights valued at around 20k. That doesn't even count the nights that were suites sometimes valued at 2k a night or more. Food on them for the year about 10k. Shows on them 2k though I could have gone to more. Free play around 5k. Gifts around 1k. Other things called perk points too. Those I use for gas and bought none of my own gas for 2017. So that adds up to 1500 bucks. I'm not counting drinks since I hardly drink at the casino, but any top shelf booze I want was available including single malt scotch. My 93 year old dad enjoyed a couple of those last year the time or two I took him up there. Anyway, I'm sure I left out some things, but the above adds up to retail value of 40k or so. I lost a bit more than that and with that said, I will take the cash any day. Could have bought that new Dodge Hemi outright again this year.

[wildman49]

Comps are great but the free play is what we all want. This year I am closing in on 15k in free play. That's a big help on the bottom line. Saw some great shows and many comped steak dinners this year. Olds I did get the suite room once this year, that's a great night there! I spend a lot of  time in that Jacuzzi tub ahhh relaxing! $1,200 in gas cards, $1,600 in food vouchers, most the gifts we can op out of for free play.To close out the year a 2 night comped new years eve  package worth $850.00 plus we get fitted for an Eddie Bauer jacket. Not sure on that value since I have not seen it yet.I have had the best year ever and really looking forward to 2018!

[wildman49]

which brings me to ask a question concerning my current most frequented casino.soaring eagle.they appear to be changing the way they rate players,with something called pattern-of play and it doesn't sound good with ominous implications for h&r.anyone know anything about this?     Never heard of them rating players. But I will say this my 3 month point average went up 10,000 points but my new flyer came today and my free play dropped $15 per week. There might be some kinda change going on. You can't get any answers from players club, they all answer the same question different.I must be doing ok with my host, if I go in and ask for tickets to a show, without hesitation he says " how many do you want" Current temp 1 degree

[olds442jetaway]

Yes Wildman...free play is just as good as cash to me. You are getting 3 times what I am getting at Mohegan. Any idea how much you cycle through in an average 24 hour period with say 8 hours or so of play? My average is about 12,000 to 15,000 bucks in an 8 hour session.

[FloridaPhil]

Free play is weird.   It's not just the denomination or the length of time on the machines.  Other factors affect it as well. Our free play is definitely better when we play slots over VP.  If you want to see a huge increase in your free play, hit a big slot jackpot.  Sometimes extra free play drops out of the blue for no apparent reason.  Hard Rock free play and comp points are generous, but they expire quickly which benefits regulars.  I think casinos all over the country share information and we can all benefit from learning new trends and how they work.Free play is great, but the biggest value to us are the free night stays.  We use these as often as we can and it's like being on vacation all the time.   Both Tampa and Hollywood are completely under construction.  The Hollywood Hard Rock is building a new casino that will be a huge landmark.  The new hotel/casino is shaped like a giant guitar over 20 stories high.  It's about 1/3 done and it's going to be awesome.  Tampa is also adding a huge new hotel.  Rooms have been hard to get there, so this will be great for us.With the games going more negative, comps are getting more important than ever.  Dancer would do well to write a book on casino comps.  I'm sure it would be a good seller.

[Tedlark]

Doesn't Jean Scott write books on casino comps too?

[FAA]

The Queen of Comps. Has she abdicated her throne? She's been quiet of late.

[wildman49]

Yes Wildman...free play is just as good as cash to me. You are getting 3 times what I am getting at Mohegan. Any idea how much you cycle through in an average 24 hour period with say 8 hours or so of play? My average is about 12,000 to 15,000 bucks in an 8 hour session.I was doing about the same as you about 15k but this trip moved to $5 a hand and doing much more per trip and hour now. Going to take 3 months to see if there is a change on the free play since I was playing $2.50 bets from June to Nov.current temp 2 degrees

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Tedlark]Doesn't Jean Scott write books on casino comps too?
[/quote]She does, but they are not Video Poker specific.   Lots of people write about Vegas comps in general and Jean's books are some of the best.  I would like to read a book aimed at someone who plays VP in today's world.  Not just Vegas VP, information every player can use.   Free play, comp points, cash back, raffles, giveaways, the whole enchilada. In today's VP you must include comps in order to have any chance of making a long term profit or even breaking even.  We have enough books on how to beat VP playing in the year 2000.   Whatever you think of Mr. Dancer's books,  you have to admit he is someone who is an expert at the comp game.  He consults for casinos and knows how these programs work from the inside.   He is also a pretty good writer.   I would buy that book.