Ask the Slot Expert: Comparing slot comps

Hi John,

Great site that I always check in on.

I have a comp question. Let's assume I go to a casino with the intention of playing a 3-reel $5 machine at 2 coins, $10 per spin. I intend to run $10,000 through the machine and quit. Assuming I play 6 spins per minute, ($60)--$3,600 per hour the $10k gives me about 2 3/4 hours of play, running $10k through the machine.

Another player plays a 3-reel $25 machine at 2 coins, $50 per spin, at 6 spins per minute = $300 per minute. That would give them approximately 35 minutes of play for the same $10,000.

Would all comps be equal since we both played $10k or would the $5 player get more since he put in more time. I'd assume the casino would rather have the $5 player, so would he get an edge?

Thank you,
Mike

I can't believe it but I was in Vegas in May, went to visit Wynn, and saw a $5,000 slot machine!

Mike,

Thanks for the kind words about the site.

Slots comps usually don't work the same as table game comps. Playing time is important in determining table games comps because it is used to calculate the theoretical win from the player. Slot comps are usually based on action and it doesn't matter how long it takes to give the action.

In your example, I would expect most comps to be equal, but the $25 player may get some offers that the $5 players doesn't get. The $25 players are more valuable because if they decide to play a few extra minutes, they'll give much more action than if the $5 players played the same number of extra minutes.

A $5,000 machine? I won't play it. Every hit requires a W-2G. That would really slow me down.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.