What's with the Comps?

7 April 2022

By Royal Flushes

CINDY: Since the inception of Covid-19 and the general reopening of the casinos, what do you think about comps? Are they looser or tighter?

ABBY: I don’t know for every casino obviously but I can say we aren’t getting as much. But we are talking just a little here and there. I’ve noticed more “resort fees” added to rooms in some venues. Our rooms were generally comped fully without those resort fees. There have been little changes such as that. I do find that irritating.

CINDY: Otherwise, you don’t think the casinos are tightening up? You think the food comps are the same? Some of our casino acquaintances are complaining.

ABBY: Well, you do hear stories, right? But people love to complain and they often create a past when it comes to comps that actually didn’t exist. You find that with how they figure out whether they are winning or losing when they go to the casinos. We know this.

CINDY: Yes, so many players claim they broke even when in fact they lost. When a player says “I am down a little,” he might actually mean he got creamed.

ABBY: It’s important to keep records so you can’t fantasize your way to a victory or even to playing even. You have to be honest with yourself.

CINDY: I haven’t really experienced too much of a difference in our comps. Those resort fees, yes, but I wonder if this is the first time they appeared on a bill. Maybe they have been charged all along and we were oblivious.

ABBY: I think a lot of players figure they deserve comps because they lost money. Losing or winning money is not supposed to have any impact on your comps. At least with the lower-level comps in terms of room and food. I find it hard to decide about comps but I know we don’t play for comps. We just play and take whatever comps the casino gives us.

CINDY: Those mega-players often have private deals with the casinos. If some billionaire loses a huge amount of money the casino might return half the loss. That type of situation I have heard about but we aren’t anywhere near that kind of play. I think the casinos think of the two of us as “okay” and that’s about it.

ABBY: Do you think that those mega-players have their comps reduced?

CINDY: I have no idea. If they play the way they always play I wouldn’t think any casino in its right mind would reduce what they give such players. Who knows?

ABBY: I do think too many players give too much credence to the comps they get and where they are rated on the “charts” by the casinos they like to play in. I wouldn’t even think about that. Play where it is fun; where you like the games, the dealers, the machines, the food and shows. Don’t let the comps come between you and a good time.

CINDY: I actually think with the increase in at-home internet casinos…

ABBY: Those apps!

CINDY: Yes. Maybe more players are turning to online gambling and this might hurt the bottom line of the brick-and-mortar casinos…

ABBY: Even those casinos that actually own the online play!

CINDY: You know what? I think we are in a totally new world. The past few years seems to have changed so, so much. I almost feel that we have stepped into an alternate universe.

ABBY: Yes.