[Toonces]

Well, a table game like BJ comps you on 40% of your expected loss. The expected loss at a typical poker table is (30 hands per hour) x ($4 max rake) * (70% as an estimate of average rake over max rake) / 10 players = $8.40/hour/player. This formula would argue that the going rate for comps would be $3.35/hour.

It's been argued that poker is a more resource-intensive game for the casino than a table game is, but I'm not sure I agree. A 10-table room needs about 12 dealers, 2 cashiers, and 3 floorpeople to support 90 players, and taking in $840/hour.

A 10-table BJ pit with 50 players on average making an average bet size of $20, losing 2% to the house, playing 50 hands/hour needs 15 dealers, 1 pit boss, 2 supervisors, and 1 cashier and earns $1000/hour. A typical BJ players earns 1/2 their average bet per hour in comps, in this case, $10/hour.

BJ also requires more heavy surveillance than poker and a more vigilant staff. I would be surprised if a poker table and chairs costs more per-person than a BJ table that seats only 6-7.

Given this, one would argue that poker players should get $3.35/hour in comps. But for whatever reason, perhaps supply and demand right now, that is not the going rate for a player. The going rate seems to be $1/hour, and I prefer that a casino allows you to keep those comp dollars in a comp account that you can spend when you wish.