Slot Comps and the Wily
6-5
20 December 2006
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark: Last week you mentioned comps and how
to get them for blackjack players. How about for
those of us who play slots, how do we get them?
Fran F.
Slot players get their share of goodies by
signing up for a Player's Card and inserting it
into the machine's card reader while playing.
Doing so allows the casino's computer to track
the amount of money you fed into the machine and
reward you accordingly.
Casinos, Fran, also have promotions to cajole
players into signing up, so just by registering
for your Player's Club Card, you may even be
entitled to some freebies for joining. Why, I
just re-gifted a lovely casino tote bag to a
brother-in-law I don't like.
So what can you expect comp-wise by being a slot
player? Well, even though casinos vary on what
they'll dole out, luckily the majority of them
splash on their brochures information on how
much money you will need to play to earn the
points needed to get a specific comp.
Also, Fran, you might want to check out your
favorite casino's web site for that same
information. Not only can you possibly sign up
for a Player's Card online, a couple of casinos
where I have a Player's Club Card allow me to
track my points right from my laptop.
Dear Mark: I know you are completely against
systems of any kind, but I've been working on
one for the past three years that I believe is
foolproof against roulette. Would you be willing
to review it and see if I'm on to something? In
exchange, if you feel it's worthy, I would be
willing to allow you to invest in it, and of
course, share the profits. Harry J.
I flipped a coin and it came up tails, so, I'll
pass. But you know what, Harry, once you make a
kazillion dollars, don't forget to drop me a
line and say "Hey Dummy, I told you so."
Dear Mark: Hooray for me. I actually found a
single deck blackjack game that pays the full
amount for a blackjack, and not six for five.
Anyhow, on the first hand, myself and the player
next to me both got aces to split, and we both
received face cards. Although I am not a card
counter, how would you bet the next hand? Rob B.
Bet small or not at all.
Although Rob, as stated, was not counting down
the deck, even as a recreational player, if you
happen to see a disproportionate number of tens
and aces leave the deck, you will want to bet
less, especially on a single deck game.
Likewise, you will want to increase your wager
if lots of small cards are withdrawn, especially
fives and sixes.
Now, Rob, as to your hurrah account of locating
a tough-to-find single deck game that pays 3 to
2 for a blackjack: Yes, some casinos may still
offer "Single Deck" blackjack, however, there
may be a fang behind that welcoming grin. Note
that blackjacks now predominantly pay "6 to 5."
Minus the 6 to 5 rule the house edge is
typically 0.05% against a basic strategy player.
Add a 6-5 rule on blackjacks and the cost to a
smart player is an additional 1.39%, for a total
casino advantage of 1.44%. Rob, you'd be much
better off on a multiple deck game that pays 3
to 2 for a blackjack than on a single deck game
that pays 6 to 5.
Gambling Wisdom of the Week: "Fear can make a
sucker do some of the most drastic things you
ever imagined …like taking a job." Minnesota
Fats (1966)
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