What do you "deserve" as far as comps?

[cardcounter0]

I think if a patron sits in a chair for more than 5 or 6 hours, and pays you money in rake, then you should feed the guy. It is not like you have to pay him overtime, and he doesn't get paid coffee breaks, so give the guy a good meal. He might stay and play longer.

The real problem is all comps are not equal. Some places have a "use it or lose it" comp system. You play a long session, build up a big comp, but after all that time you don't want to spend a bunch of time eating, you want to get out of there. You grab a snack, and Poof!, big comp is gone. Next time you come for a short while, are really hungry, but you can only get a small comp.

Comps that you can build and retain are a big plus. Maybe a guy will only eat a hot dog or two, but keep building his comps. Then he can take the wife out to eat for a big fancy meal with the built up comps, and she isn't so upset about all the time he spends playing poker.

Some places have restricted comps. You can only use them for food, or only at the snack bar or deli where the crap food is served. How many greasy snack bar hamburgers can you eat with a $40 comp? If you are going to comp somebody, then comp them. Why do you care if he spends it on food, or buys some smokes, or gets some golf balls from the gift shop?

So I guess, if you play a decent amount of time, you deserve a decent meal. But the player should have the comp for a decent meal's value, and his choice of what to do with it. Save it, eat it, blow it, use half of it, give it away -- it is the player's comp, let him do with it what he wants.