How important are comps?
They are not important at all and they are very important. If you can con the casinos into giving you more comps then your play deserves then you are getting value for your time. If you merely get the comps that are commensurate with your play then you are just getting what everyone else would get, which is also just fine — take what they give you. Always hand in your player’s card to get what the casinos are giving but never give the casinos more than what you can afford to give in order to get a comp. Some people equate getting comped with their self-worth as in “The casinos gave me a free room, a free gourmet meal, free show tickets and all the hosts called me ‘sir!’ and I only had to bet $200 per hand for four hours to get it.” That’s silly, stupid, and costly if you can’t truly afford to bet $200 per hand. Play at the level that gives you the manageable thrill you are looking for but not for one penny more. The comps will come and they have absolutely nothing to do with your self
