October 22nd, 2016

Getting Comps and Free Stuff at the Craps Table
© 2016 by M. Mitch Freeland

Before you put any chips down on the table, give your comp card to the dealer; he will give to the pit boss to monitor your play. Many tables have card scanners that will rate your play. Almost all updated poker rooms will also use this scanner.
 
Most casinos will not comp you on the odds bets, since the casino has no edge over you on this bet; however, your Pass Line, Come Line, Don't Pass and Don't Come will count.
 
At the crap table the casino will assume that you will lose about 2% of your bets.  This percentage could be slightly higher or lower depending on the casino.  If your average is $30 and it is estimated that you play about 50 decisions an hour, then your hourly betting is $1,500.  And 2% of $1,500 is $30 per hour. The $30 is about what the casino expects to win from you hourly. A good casino win give back in comps about 50% of your loss. If you played for five hours, theoretically, the casino will have won from you $150 and half of that, $75, will come back to you in comps.
 
If you play for ten hours in a casino, you would rack up $150 in comps. Whether you win or lose at the table, this will be evidenced on your comp card, imputed by the pit boss as he monitors your play.  Depending where you play, the $150 comp could be used to cover the cost of a room for one or two nights. It could also pay for a few meals. If you are with a friend or spouse who is also playing, your comps could cover your entire stay, including all meals.  This is theoretical because different casinos will comp you differently.  For instance, in the poker rooms across Las Vegas, the comps rage from $1 or $1.5 to $2 per hour. This will usually cover your meals. But if you play for eight hours a day for five days at $2 an hour, you will get an extra $80.  It may not sound like much, but it is free and the effort on your part is nil, because you will probably be playing anyway.  Your effort consists of taking your card out of your wallet when you sit down and handing it to the dealer. The dealer with swipe the card and hand it back to you. Now let the comps begin. It really is free money if you are going to play anyway.
 
To learn more about playing winning craps, comps and free casino stuff get your copy of How to Win at Casino Craps:  The Book for All Beginners or Winning Craps:  How to Play and Win Like a Pro:  How I Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos for 30 Years.  Books now available on Amazon.