Casino Hosts and Player Ratings

Every major casino has a comp system that uses a card to track your play. These systems were originally created for slot players, but some casinos are now integrating table play into the card rating system.

It's really easy. You fill out a form and the casino gives you a card. Insert the card into the slot machine every time you play and the wagers will be recorded.

Hand the card to a floor person and your table play will be rated. Points accrue for dollars wagered. The clubs offer comps and cash back for points. They also offer promotions and discounts for simply being a club member.

Of course this is a casino, so it's not quite as uncomplicated as a grocery discount. The first mystery is how many dollars equal a point. Some club brochures clearly tell you. Some have fuzzy information and you have to ask. Occasionally you'll find clubs that treat the question as if you were asking to audit their books.

The second mystery is what you can get for the points. Most clubs have printed brochures that state clearly how many points it takes for a comp room or comp meal, but none of them tell you that a casino host or pit boss has the option to give you more.

Another thing to consider is that table play is usually rated and camped separately from slot play. So you're back to horse trading.

A casino host

A casino-oriented player

Pit bosses and slot supervisors

a comp system