Anyone get so-called "RFB" at a casino?

[TGuns]

Just wondering if anyone has made claim to receiving any "RFB" at a casino when playing and/or winning big money - that is complimentary room/food/beverage, basically VIP treatment. I'm no bigshot and I've never, but I figure with all the aces on this board someone must have the inside track.

How is it, what establishment(s), whats the best freebies you've gotten? Anyone?

-TGuns

[Dave B]

My buddy was so drunk at Imperial Palace that they offered free buffets to get us to leave. I wouldnt exactly call an IP buffet a benefit though, it is more like a punishment.

Most poker rooms give discounted rooms, not freebies (unless they are lying to me). Mirage also comps meals for players, but they come in twice a day and the number is limited.

When I was in Vegas last April, Treasure Island comp'd our room and about 6 free meals. But my friend dumped $2k in slots to "earn" his comps. Not exactly free.

[howzit]

unless you throw black chips around like confetti, forget the uber VIP.

But, they're nice enough to send vouchers for free future weekends (non-peak) and me and my friend went on a tear at Barbary coast and got FREE PASS TO DRAIS!!!!! (enough silicon in that club to keep the Titantic floating)


On a happier note, a coworker got white-hot at the craps in AC, cleaned up $3k in about 40 mins and they threw the kitchen sink at him. Comp boxing tixs, limo ride back to the city, free rooms.

On a sadder note, the only free thing I got was a buffet at the Benegal Club (Taj) for playing $25 BJ. If you consider eating with a handful of 60 y.o. NJ retirees your type of bag, than I highly recommend asking the pitboss for a comp at the Benegal room.

[TGuns]

Can't beat a buffet! Hey howzit, what's Drais anyways - a club or a strip club or what? I saw another post mentioning that place, apparently it is the place to be (afterhours at least.) I like your coworker's AC comps, very nice.

I guess I'm just curious because you read about those MIT BJ team guys 10 years ago, getting comped EVERYTHING - one guy got his entire wedding comped: ceremony for hundreds of guests, catering 1st class, open bar, reception, transportation, blah blah.

Just wondering if there's poker players that get VIP besides the guys we see on TV...

[Dave B]

The Matador does.

[hookedupmonte]

alot of times when your on the floor at a table game just ask the pit boss for a comp for food, ive never been turned down yet. Just be tell them your little hungry and been gambling for a few hours and need something to eat. Does not include poker rooms though, they all have their own comp systems

[Buffarino]

Can't beat a buffet! Hey howzit, what's Drais anyways - a club or a strip club or what? I saw another post mentioning that place, apparently it is the place to be (afterhours at least.) I like your coworker's AC comps, very nice.

I guess I'm just curious because you read about those MIT BJ team guys 10 years ago, getting comped EVERYTHING - one guy got his entire wedding comped: ceremony for hundreds of guests, catering 1st class, open bar, reception, transportation, blah blah.

Just wondering if there's poker players that get VIP besides the guys we see on TV...

Drai's is a restaurant (an unbelievable one - one of the best meals I've ever eaten) and then turns into a nightclub. I highly recommend eating there if you get a chance.

[howzit]

Drai's is a restaurant (an unbelievable one - one of the best meals I've ever eaten) and then turns into a nightclub. I highly recommend eating there if you get a chance.

I also saw some other "eating" underneath the table around 5AM.

[Golden Holden]

The trick to getting comps is not being shy. You just need to ask the pit boss for a comp, and you'll usually get one.

If I'm playing blackjack, and I see the pit boss come over, I usually double or triple my usual bet while he or she writes down everyones average bets.

Its a nice way to inflate your ranking with the house and get bigger comps.

(sometimes you even win the bet)

[e42294]

My girlfriend plays A LOT of Baccarat. She can get a room comp'd whenever we want, we never pay to eat (not buffet either), we've seen plenty of shows for free Who's Line, Howie Mandell, David Copperfield (free to get in but don't forget the $20 tip to get a front row seat).

We got room and dinner at Brightons (Sands AC) comp'd for New Years with a brunch the following day (didn't make it to the brunch though.) I highly recommend Brightons, that was an outstanding meal. Don't go to the steakhouse at the TROP though, I thought that was terrible.

The key is to not be shy. You have to ask, they aren't going to come over and beg you to take a comp.

I like the idea of putting extra chips up when the pit boss is looking, to get your avg bet up, but don't forget they mark down how much you sit with and how much you leave with, so if you are winning at a table make sure you take some chips and put them in your pocket when the pit boss isn't looking also. Makes it look like you won less when you leave the table.

I personally like Bally's the best for comps because they have the little machines that you can use to comp yourself. They put money into your account on the machines based on your avg play, then you can take it out for food, to go shopping, for hotel charges, tobacco, etc... anything but cash. I comp'd myself a limo to the airport from the Hilton in Las Vegas with min. play over a 2 day period at Blackjack. (Hilton LV was part of Bally's, Ceasars, etc... back then.)

[TGuns]

Ha ha I'm definitely gonna visit Drai's.

So I guess the easiest thing would just be to mention to the pit boss "Hi, I've been playing for a few hours and I'm getting hungry - any recommendations on where to eat?" or do you say "Hi, I'd like a (fill in the blank) please"

Anyways I probably wont get comp'ed just nice to know.

[Ensano]

most poker players don't really get comped much.. it's usually on games where the casino takes a big edge in any play done (slots, bj, craps).. the rake isn't specific enough to one person to comp them.. and also the hose comps you big it you're winning in a game against the house (bj, slots, craps).. they know that the longer you play the more you're going to lose.. thats just the math of it.. so if you get lucky once against the house.. they'll comp you the bit boss' left arm if it'll keep you in the casino playing..

[mindgame]

This really depends a lot on where you play. Harrah's AC comps poker player $3/hr. Harrah's outside Chicago comps us $.60/hr.

I played at the Hilton in Reno a couple months ago and after two hours of play you could have the "poker room rate" --$25/night. Not bad for a Hilton! Not only that but you could ask for a meal ticket and you got a $10 coupon for food at any of 4 restaurants on the premises. They'd give you 3 or 4 of those a day. Hey, it covered a tow big sandwhiches, chips, and a large coke...better than buying. I don't go to eat...I'm there to work. The ten covered almost any breakfast you'd want--all you had to do then was tip....

Oh...and don't get me started on tipping. It's like taxes, except it all goes for a good cause.