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Online casino comps
The "comps" system
All casinos, both on land and online, offer player reward systems of one
kind or another. On land the format depends on whether you play table or
machine games and is beyond the scope of this article. Online, you simply
get a certain number of points for a certain amount wagered, and these points
are then convertible into cash.For example: Casino Average offers one point for every $10 wagered, and will give you $1 for every 100 points. So, in order to earn a dollar in comp cash, you need to wager $1000 in total. One dollar in a thousand works out at 0.1%. Now, just add this to the return of the game in question, and you have the overall return, with "comp points value" included. For example: a Jacks Or Better video poker game, at 99.54%, improves to 99.64% with 0.1% comps.
For the VAST majority of players, these comp points really don't amount to much relative to the games they play; if you play slot machines with a player return of 95%, the fact that you get 0.1% in comps (or 0.5%, or even 1% or 2% for slot players) really doesn't matter a jot. However, for our purposes these comps represent a significant addition to the overall return, because the house edge on the games we're considering is already so low; for example: a 99.90% game jumps all the way to a 100% break-even game, with just that relatively tiny comp-value factored in.
Games and house edges revisited
Now let's look back briefly at the games and the numbers:And now let's take a look at the reward systems and work out the final numbers - all information correct at the time of going to press. Remember, when we see the magic "100%" figure, we have the edge!
Intercasino
The "Players' Club" programme offers 0.5 comp points for every $10 wagered in single deck blackjack and 1 point for every $10 wagered in video poker - then $1 in "comp cash" for every 100 points. This equates to $1 for every $2000 wagered in blackjack, or 0.05%, and $1 for every $1000 in video poker, or 0.1%.
Double Bonus 99.94% + 0.1% = 100.04% overall return.
Single deck blackjack 99.93% + 0.5% = 99.98% overall return. Factor in the Cryptologic composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100.01%.
Intercasino UK
As with the Intercasino dollar version, The "Players' Club" programme offers 0.5 comp points for every £10 wagered in single deck blackjack and 1 point for every £10 wagered in video poker - then £1 in "comp cash" for every 100 points. This equates to £1 for every £2000 wagered in blackjack, or 0.05%, and £1 for every £1000 in video poker, or 0.1%.
Double Bonus 99.94% + 0.1% = 100.04% overall return.
Single deck blackjack 99.93% + 0.5% = 99.98% overall return. Factor in the Cryptologic composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100.01%.
Sands Of The Caribbean
As with many casinos, Sands offers different comp rates for different players. At their "Base Camp" level it works out at 8 comp points for every $10, whilst the "Summit" level is 13 points per $10. 1000 points gets you $1 at all levels, which works out at values ranging from 0.8% to 0.13%. Assuming "Base Camp" level:
Double Bonus 99.94% + 0.08% = 100.02% overall return.
Single deck blackjack 99.93% + 0.8% = 100.01% overall return. Factor in Cryptologic composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100.04%.
Remember that as you move up the various levels in the Players' Club, based on your wagering total, your comp points acquisition rate improves - from 8 points per $10 wagered at "Base Camp" up to 13 points at the highest "Summit" level.
VIP
The "Players' Club" programme offers 0.5 comp points for every $10 wagered in single deck blackjack and 1 point for every $10 wagered in video poker - then $1 in "comp cash" for every 100 points. This equates to $1 for every $2000 wagered in blackjack, or 0.05%, and $1 for every $1000 in video poker, or 0.1%.
Double Bonus 99.94% + 0.1% = 100.04% overall return.
Single deck blackjack 99.93% + 0.5% = 99.98% overall return. Factor in Cryptologic composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100.01%.
Ritz Club London
The Ritz reward programme offers 0.5 comp points for every $10 wagered in single deck blackjack and 1 point for every $10 wagered in video poker - then $1 in "comp cash" for every 100 points. This equates to $1 for every $2000 wagered in blackjack, or 0.05%, and $1 for every $1000 in video poker, or 0.1%.
Double Bonus 99.94% + 0.1% = 100.04% overall return.
Single deck blackjack 99.93% + 0.5% = 99.98% overall return. Factor in Cryptologic composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100.01%.
(The following five Microgaming casinos belong to the same group and offer exactly the same comp deal.)
Colosseum
Colosseum offers one comp point (called "empires") for $10 wagering, with 1000 points redeemed for $10. The comp dollars are added to your account at the beginning of each month if you've reached a total of $10,000 in wagering, for $10 in comps, over the previous month. If your total wagering is less than that, the comps are rolled over into the next month, or until such a time as you reach your $10,000 in total wagering. $10 for $10,000 works out at 0.1% comp value.
Single deck blackjack 99.87% + 0.1% comp value = 99.97% overall return. Factor in the Microgaming composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100% exactly.
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel offers one comp point (called "keys") for $10 wagering, with 1000 points redeemed for $10. The comp dollars are added to your account at the beginning of each month if you've reached a total of $10,000 in wagering, for $10 in comps, over the previous month. If your total wagering is less than that, the comps are rolled over into the next month, or until such a time as you reach your $10,000 in total wagering. $10 for $10,000 works out at 0.1% comp value.
Single deck blackjack 99.87% + 0.1% comp value = 99.97% overall return. Factor in the Microgaming composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100% exactly.
Vegas Joker
Vegas Joker offers one comp point (called "bonuses") for $10 wagering, with 1000 points redeemed for $10. The comp dollars are added to your account at the beginning of each month if you've reached a total of $10,000 in wagering, for $10 in comps, over the previous month. If your total wagering is less than that, the comps are rolled over into the next month, or until such a time as you reach your $10,000 in total wagering. $10 for $10,000 works out at 0.1% comp value.
Single deck blackjack 99.87% + 0.1% comp value = 99.97% overall return. Factor in the Microgaming composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100% exactly.
Vegas Slot
Vegas Slot offers one comp point (called "reels") for $10 wagering, with 1000 points redeemed for $10. The comp dollars are added to your account at the beginning of each month if you've reached a total of $10,000 in wagering, for $10 in comps, over the previous month. If your total wagering is less than that, the comps are rolled over into the next month, or until such a time as you reach your $10,000 in total wagering. $10 for $10,000 works out at 0.1% comp value.
Single deck blackjack 99.87% + 0.1% comp value = 99.97% overall return. Factor in the Microgaming composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100% exactly.
Vegas Country Casino
Vegas Country Casino offers one comp point (called "guitars") for $10 wagering, with 1000 points redeemed for $10. The comp dollars are added to your account at the beginning of each month if you've reached a total of $10,000 in wagering, for $10 in comps, over the previous month. If your total wagering is less than that, the comps are rolled over into the next month, or until such a time as you reach your $10,000 in total wagering. $10 for $10,000 works out at 0.1% comp value.
Single deck blackjack 99.87% + 0.1% comp value = 99.97% overall return. Factor in the Microgaming composition-dependent strategy variations and we arrive at 100% exactly.
iNetbet
iNetbet has the best, if slightly complicated, rewards structure of any I've come across - you can see it here: http://www.inetbet.com / promotions / compscontent.asp. Basically, you can get a maximum of $785 for 2000 comp points (NEVER redeem less than the maximum 2000 points). comp points acquisition rate for pontoon ranges in my experience between $120 and $150 for one point. Assuming $150 for one point, you need to wager $300,000 to get your $765, or a comp rate of 0.255% - very good indeed.
Pontoon: 99.83% + 0. 255% = 100.085% overall return.
Caribbean 21: 99.83% + 0. 255% = 100.065% overall return.
The relatively high house edge on the Pontoon and caribbean 21 games - at least in relation to the other games under consideration here - is WELL compensated for by the great rewards programme.
SciFi
SciFi's rewards structure is a bit of a mystery - it appears to be a well-guarded secret to anyone outside the "Galaxy Club", and I'm not even sure that comp points ARE awarded to non-club members. However, with 100.76% Deuces Wild, who cares? Fantastic game!
Full Pay Deuces Wild 100.76% + possibly 0% comps = 100.76% overall return. The hands-down winner.
Acropolis
Acropolis awards the generic $1 for $1000, or 0.1%.
Blackjack Switch 99.95% + 0.1% = 100.05% overall return. Remember, though: Blackjack Switch is a DIFFICULT game to play correctly.
Hundred percent gambling!
You can see that EACH ONE of these games, utilizing perfect strategy combined
with comps, returns from exactly 100% to as high as 100.76%. Still: nobody's
perfect. It's likely you WILL make mistakes along the way. The video poker
games are not easy until you've got some good practice and experience under
your belt - I still make mistakes myself, even when playing simple blackjack.
It happens. Practise the blackjack games in "free" mode, and use a good
video poker programme like Winpoker
until you're proficient at the game. You'll get there. In time, and with
a little sweat, you'll be playing in the knowledge that your game is actually
giving you a small edge over the house. Speaking from experience, it's a good feeling!
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