Casino Comps and “Average Daily Theoretical”
Maximizing the value and benefits you receive from casinos is important. Ever wonder how the casino you visit decides what comps to give you? It all comes down to Casino Comps and Average Daily Theoretical.
When I first started gambling, my bankroll was small, and I played often. I thought that if I went to the local casino and played a little more often, the casino would see me as a loyal customer and raise the quality of my comps, such as free play. I would ask myself, “How could they depend on that player that appears once a year instead of me? After all, – they have me for life if they played their cards right.” But, alas, my comps continued to be menial – I called them “minion comps.”
Casino Rewards and Average Daily Theoretical
My thoughts about how casino rewards players with comps were wrong. Further research led me to understand Average Daily Theoretical. Average Daily Theoretical, or ADT, is the average amount gamblers lose daily, usually expressed in absolute terms, such as dollars. It’s your value to the casino, based on your average daily play – NOT the number of appearances at the casino.
Your Average Daily Theoretical is the amount a casino assumes your play is worth. A positive Theoretical is an assumed loss to the player. A casino typically comps players based on their actual worth and the game’s worth to the casino.
An “ADT” Example
A casino assigns each game a theoretical house advantage. For example, let’s say you play a particular game with a Theoretical of 5%. Assuming a player’s coin-in is $10,000, a casino would limit total comps to some fraction (less than one) of the theoretical $500 the player is assumed to lose. If the player had the same coin-in on a 1% theoretical game, the comps would be limited to some fraction of $100.
Your daily play establishes your ADT. An extended play in a casino’s day raises your “comp-ability,” and playing a little lowers it. Play your bankroll over fewer visits and see better mailers – spread out the same amount of money over more visits, less time each visit, and the offers decrease.
Related Posts below by Coach Kitty from TravelZork provide an intriguing way of raising your ADT: Casino Comps | The Big Play Casino Gambling Day – Part 1; Casino Comps | The Big Play Casino Gambling Day – Part 2
Related Post: 5 Considerations For Casino Play and “Casino Freebies”
Casino Days, Casino Visits, Casino Comps
It’s not just about time. Lowering your play per hand to play longer won’t increase comps. The casino wants two things from your play, time & money. Raising one or both (preferably) will raise your value to the casino, thus raising your worth.
One significant part of knowing is the “casino day,” which may not be what you consider a day or may differ from casino to casino. For example, some casino days start at 12:01 AM, while others start at 6:00 AM. Make sure you know which day your play falls on, for example, 1:00 AM.
The guys from “You Can Bet on That” give a good example. Let’s say you are staying at a casino for two nights with $400 as your bankroll. If you play the $400 through the first day, your ADT is better than if you split your bankroll over two days. And what if you get up to check out and put in one more $20 before you leave? Well, your ADT is now figured over three casino days, thus lowering your ADT.
So, if you visit often and play $50 each time, don’t expect great offers. Instead, make fewer visits putting through the same amount in a month, and your offers will increase.
Theoretical vs. Your Achieved Tier
Even if you are in the top tier of the rewards club, you may not get the same great offers as others in that same tier.”
That’s because your Tier score is a cumulative score. As you play through the year, your tier score continues to build until it eventually resets at the end of the year ( or 6 months for some New England casinos).
ADT is an average value. If you think about it from the casino’s perspective, it’s the answer to the question, “How much should we expect Player X to play per trip?”
A top-tier player who plays for 1 hour per day, because they live near their home casino may also have a low Theo score. This is could be because, on average, they play may play 1 hour per day. So, that casino will estimate that if that player goes on a four-day trip to a sister property, they’ll also play 1 hour per day there.
However, exceptions for loyal players are also made. Some casino companies value brand loyalty more than others.
Something to consider and remember is that some players may have a high tier score and a high Theo – but not all players with a high tier score will have a high theoretical.
No Rewards Card? Sure – Casino Comps and Average Theoretical
Sometimes not using your card is a good idea. For example, the morning of your departure may call you to play a little more. But a small play before you leave is a good time to will lower your visit’s ADT. Similarly, stopping by for a little VP or Video Keno and a drink on your way home may not need your card in play. Let’s compare two players on an overnight trip to their favorite gambling hall. Granted, this is very simplified.
- Player 1 – He plays $1000 on the first day, and $100 the second day using his rewards card both days. The casino rates his trip ADT as – $500. $1100 (total) divided by 2 days = $550.
- Player 2 – He plays $1000 on the first day, and $100 the second day, only he doesn’t use his card the second day. The casino rates his trip ADT as – $1100. Since he didn’t use his card the second day, only his first day’s play counts towards his ADT.
So, pass on using your rewards card when it could diminish what you have already built up and wish to maintain it. Always weigh the options available to you.
A Word of Caution
DO NOT PLAY MORE THAN YOU CAN SPEND TO GET BETTER COMPS. Overextending your bankroll just to make the next tier level could be very harmful financially in the long-run. Please remember to play for fun and play for recreation with the bankroll you can spend. Always spend up to your allowable bankroll.
Remember – Embrace the Math, Not the Myth
Binbin