Comps
casinoComplimentary rewards given by casinos to players based on their level of play, including free rooms, meals, and show tickets.
Key Takeaways
- 1Comps are free rewards based on your gambling activity
- 2Casinos return 20-40% of your theoretical loss as comps
- 3Never gamble more just to earn comps
- 4Play low house edge games to maximize comp value
What are Comps?
Comps (short for complimentary) are free rewards that casinos give to players based on their gambling activity. They include free hotel rooms, meals, drinks, show tickets, and even cashback.
How Comps Are Calculated
Casinos track your play through loyalty cards and calculate your theoretical loss — the expected amount you'll lose based on:
- Average bet size
- Hands/spins per hour
- House edge of the game
- Hours played
They typically return 20-40% of your theoretical loss as comps.
Example
Playing blackjack at $25/hand, 60 hands/hour, 0.5% house edge, for 4 hours:
- Theoretical loss = $25 × 60 × 0.005 × 4 = $30
- Expected comps (at 30%) = $9
The Comp Trap
Never gamble more than you planned just to earn comps. The comps are always worth less than your expected losses. Think of them as a partial rebate, not free money.
Smart Comp Strategy
Play games with the lowest house edge (blackjack with basic strategy, craps pass line) to minimize your theoretical loss while maximizing comp value.