Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game

I don't know who did it or when it happened, but someone shortened the word complimentary to comp and made it an industry standard.

In casino language, comps are cash or gifts (freebies) that the casinos give to their customers as a reward for gambling with them. It promotes good will and also entices players to be loyalty to the establishment. In order to get comps from the casinos, you must play the ask game.

Most players think that comps are only for the guest who spend big bucks at the casinos and therefore don't ask for them.

This is wrong. There are many different comps given out by the casinos and it depends on how much money you play which comp you might get.

Casino properties give away everything from free candles to promotions that offer free rooms and food.

A small comp that a casinos gives away to everyone is free drinks. Most casinos will give you a beer or cocktail as long as you are playing. I have seen high rollers ( big money gamblers) ask for special drinks such as a rare Scotch Whiskey and the casino would get it to keep him there and gambling.

There is another comp that is generally easy to obtain and that is Casino Rate. The casinos like you staying and playing on property. They are willing to give you a discount on the hotel room rate and if you play enough you can probably get a full room comp.

In order to qualify for comps you need to do two things:

• First of all you have to get your play rated. This means you must sign up for the casinos player's club and use your card whenever you play the machines. When you play table games you have to ask the pit boss to rate your play.
  
• The second thing you must do when looking for a comp is to ask for it.
  No one will ask if you would like a free meal or a free hotel room, you will have to ask for what you want. If your play qualifies for the comp you are looking for you will get it. If not you are told you don't have enough play. You can then inquire as to how much play is required for the comp you are seeking. Most of the casino employees will bend over backwards to keep you on property and playing.

So to recap:

• Most casinos will give food and beverage comps freely if you ask.
  
• Some will give the hotel rooms fairly easy during off peak times and sometime during peak times if you ask.
  
• If you gamble big denominations, the sky could be the limit, if you ask.
  

A friendly smile and a polite inquiry can land you right in the middle of some very nice freebies. Aways play the ask game when you visit a casino.

Happy Gambling!