Comp Psychology

[Howard Burroughs]

While this subject may not be as fascinating as a chance meeting with Sklansky while he is buying-in at the Bellagio chip counter or as breathtaking as a deadly asteroid cascading toward the earth (while the Unabomber is asking Cindy Crawford if he left his cell phone with diamond trim over her apartment last night)............


Here goes......


Comp Psychology: Or better yet maybe comp philosophy is the better term.

I had a friend tell me yesterday, "If you're any good at poker, you don't take comps. You buy your own meals with your poker winnings".

It got me to thinking (a dangerous thing at times). I've seen this same sentiment in some old 2+2 & rgp threads as well.
Posters will say something like, 'real poker players eat steak & lobster and would never consider accepting a food comp in any way, shape or form'.

In addition to these posts, I also personally know several everyday players (ranging in skill level from mid-limit pros to super-fish) who never get a food comp (even though they play everyday & know that they are available).

On the other end of the spectrum there is this from Frank Scoblete's Guerrilla Gambling book:

"Commandment 6 - I am going to take advantage of every possible casino promotion. If the casino is giving away a free pen, I am going to accept the free pen, even if I own a pen factory."

While I admire Mr Scoblete's zest for life, if someone is offering me something I have no use for, I'll either take it and give it to a friend or pass. My aim is not to settle a score with a casino.

I don't know how it is in your room but where I play there are a lot of card rooms in town. The Flamingo poker room is the only Vegas room I am aware of that has a no-comp policy.

Binion's is about the easiest place in the world to get a comp. Though if you are a "regular" in any room (with a few exceptions) they practically throw them at you.

With a lot of the rooms going to the swipe cards, it's even more absurd to refuse to sign up for a swipe card if you are a regular in a swipe card room (though I know some who will not lower themselves with a swipe card even though they do play everyday).

If two players play 6 full days a week at the Orleans, One swipes, One gripes......

Our swiper has $54 in comps at the end of the week.

Our Griper has $0.

At the end of 51 weeks (let's figure they took a one week vacation to the Commerce)....

Orleans swiper - $2,754

Orleans wiper - $0



***************************


Of course our Orleans griper/wiper has every right to do things his way. I respect that. I just don't get it when some Vegas players (and posters out there in poster land) imply that we poker players who take what they're giving, are one step removed from welfare recipients.


What say You?


Thanks in advance for any feedback.


Howard

[PokerBabe(aka)]

Since I don't eat steak and lobster every day, I happily accept comps from Mirage and Bellagio at least once a week. Who said there is no such thing as a "free lunch"? I guess if you loathe buffets and "casino food", it's fine to refuse a comp. Personally, I like 'em (and your math makes sense, Howard). LGPGEG, Babe [img]/forums/images/icons/heart.gif[/img]

[Howard Burroughs]

Babe said, "LGPGEG".


Let no one ever say the Babe has no sense of humor.


Rock on Babe!

Best

Howard

[Ed Miller]

I get a comp every day I play poker at Muckleshoot. Refusing a comp for pride's sake is just silly.

[Al Schoonmaker]

Howard,

How could you say that this subject is less interesting than meeting David Sklansky, or an asteroid attack, or a call from the Unabomber to my old girlfriend, Cindy Crawford? Oh, I never told you about Cindy and me? Some other time.

Anyone who is too full of pride to take comps that he has EARNED is just plain dumb. He is essentially saying, "The casino doesn't take enough of my money. I shall give them a charitable donation." They may also be too dumb to take frequent flyer miles from the airlines. Why fly free when you can pay for it?

If they are that dumb, I want them in my game. Let them make some of their donations to a much more worthy cause than casinos and airlines, namely my retirement fund.

Al

Al,

If they are dumb enough not to recognize the value of a comp for ego's sake, they maybe dumb enough not to recognize a value bet. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Argyll]

I agree with Al on the comps. My question is personal, are you the same Al Schoonmaker that used to be a salesman in the Disk Drive industry? inquiring minds want to know

[Al Schoonmaker]

Sorry about the delay in answering. I never sold disk drives, but most of the salesman in Control Data took my Computer Based Training course called, "Selling: The psychological approach."

Regards,

Al

[AmericanAirlines]

Hi Allan,
But isn't the best sales approach really to have the best product at the given price point?

Selling or buying anything else isn't too terribly rational is it?

Of course, this leaves out things with a personal angle.

I.E. a better piece of manufacturing machinery is a fairly objective decision... a better pair of shoes, assuming similar quality, ends up being a personal taste issue.

Sincerely,
AA

[SittingBull]

U EARNED those comps! And if a player is too PROUD to accept any,then he will USUALLY NOT FOLD a losing hand to U--even if he knows that he is beat---PRIDE,U know!
BTW,unfortunately,my casino offers the players NO comps! [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Since I refuse to pay the inflated price for the meals/hot dogs/Etc., I bring my own dinner/lunch. [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
Happy pokering, [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
SittingBull