Players Club Spotlight
Getting the most out of table play
By Jeffrey Compton

Maximize your comps by understanding how casinos rate table players

Over the past fifteen years, the gaming industry has seen tremendous changes comping slot play. Players clubs utilizing electronic tracking technology have made it much easier for casinos to compute how much money customer put through the machines, and the clubs have made it simpler for customers to figure out not only what comps and benefits are available, but how to get them. Slot and video poker players are getting comped at greater rates than ever before.

But in many cases, table comps are still stuck in the previous century. Computer upgrades have expedited the tracking process, but many casinos continue to rely on the age-old method of visually estimating the player’s action, and rewarding comps on a discretionary basis. Most casinos rank and reward table game players using one of the following methods:

• Players are rated for discretionary comps based on periodic visual estimates of their play. This estimate is made by the dealer, or, more frequently, the supervisor. While some casinos still use manual rating slips, more and more are reverting to electronic keypads located at each table.

• Players are rated for visible comp dollars, instead of or in addition to discretionary comps, which can be checked by the player at a kiosk or card reader. Depending on the system, the comp dollars may be immediately visible, and even accessible. For a casino can do this, they have to be set up to show visible comp dollars through their players club. Quite a few are going that route.

• Players are rated for players club points, which are then combined into points earned at the machines. Depending on the players club, these points can be redeemed for cashback, food comps, and so forth. Most casinos that award players club points to table game players do not offer same-day cashback. A few Native American casinos give cashback at the tables (such as Jackson Rancheria, in California), but this is quite rare.

• A few casino have resorted to electronic chips that allow management to obtain exact information on a players’ action. However, customer resistance to this kind of “Straight-Jack” system has been high.

What determines which system a casino uses? Several factors, including payback of the games, quality of the comps and the background and prejudices of the casino managers—but the most important factor is the opinion of the players. Many traditional table games players do not like “slot clubs,” and prefer discretionary comps given out by table game supervisors or their hosts. Casinos catering to new players, or locals who do not build up enough play in one trip to get a comp, might find it more profitable to award players club points.

Plan of Action
No one system is best for all players. Much of it depends on personal situations. A table player who likes to chat up dealers and supervisors would favor a more traditional setup, as long as they have no fear asking for comps. Players who divide their time between table games and slots, or couples who have a joint account but play different games, may like their action combined and converted to a common measurable system.

Whatever your preferences, there are still some steps that should be in your table game comp plan.

Pick your game before you pick your club. All table games are not created equal. Some blackjack games pay the traditional 3-2 for naturals, while others pay only 6-5. Some roulette games have a single zero while others have both single and double zeros. Some crap games offer only single odds, while others go as high as 10X odds or even higher. All of these differences affect the overall payback of the game, and no player reward system is going to make up for bad rules.

Find out how the casino rewards table play. Sign up for the players club. When you are at the booth, ask the attendant how they comp table play. Most of the time, the answer will be quite general—it's not a question they get asked frequently, and may not know the answer. Whatever they say, confirm it with a table game supervisor while you are playing. If the casino rewards table game players with points or open comp dollars, find out how long it takes the points to reach your account.

Buy in big and make your first few bets big. Most systems rely on visual appraisal, so a first impression can be important. You do not have to play your entire bankroll, and you always decrease your action after the first visual rating.

Consider opening a credit account. If you are good with managing your money and have a strong credit rating, then find out if the casino offers credit. Those that do tend to be more comp generous to customers with an established account.

Always ask for a good comp after a big loss. Losing your bankroll is a bummer, but you can try to put a positive spin on the situation by asking for a nice dinner comp. Most casinos allow table game supervisors to write comps up to 10% of a players loss, assuming they haven’t had a big win in the last few days or hours.

So while you may be stuck with a “dated” table game reward system, you may be a lot better off if you learn to play it your way.