Smart Baccarat

I know I still owe a trip report from the most recent (September 8-11) Vegas trip,
but, alas, it is basically written -- just haven't had time to post it with pics (yet).

Anyway, I was thinking about a strange COMP situation Alex and I ran into a Luxor after the VMA party at LAX.

So, we go into the barren high limit pit at Luxor; and Alex insists on playing the double decker. This is definitely the best BJ game at Luxor;
the stats (from what I can recall, after numerous Red-Bull & Grey Goose and glasses of sparkling wine) :
2 decks ($100 minimum - probably $5K Maximum)
Double Down after splitting is OK, and the dealer stands on a soft 17.
We can figure that the casino edge on this game is around 0.25%
(in non-technical terms this game only gives the casino a quarter of a percent edge --- if you play perfect basic strategy)

Now only Alex was playing, since I personally hate Blackjack - but, we were having a good time joking with the dealer and pit boss. Though, I must admit that one of the dealers was an absolute ice queen. Visions of that Blackjack scene in Vegas Vacation started to flash before me :



anyway, after dropping a decent bit of skrilla to the ice queen dealer; things started to look up, and a recovery was in order; and accomplished (once again, details are fuzzy.. but, those black chips started to finally stack up again).

Well, Alex, on his quest to separate himself from HET was looking to get in some nice play at Luxor (we then went to the dice pit) and had them setup a players card account for him. In the infinite wisdom of Vegas pit-bosses trying to deal with non-US players while creating a players club card, they decided to put a comp (which we had asked for) on my players card, since it would "just be easier" -- though, the rating would go on Alex's card. For this very short session (around 45 minutes, but lets call it one hour for ease) they gave us a full coffee shop comp for 3 people (drinks, appetizer, entree, dessert) -- estimated value of around $40 per person ($120 total comp).

Of course, the irony of all this, is that I just wanted a few french fries and a drink; I wasn't really in the mood to have a complete dinner at 3AM (gotta love Vegas).

Since people are always asking, what "should" I expect in comps, I usually do my little analysis for comp expectation --- and then try to compare it to what one actually gets.

Of course, we need to make a number of assumptions
1 Hour of Blackjack play
60 hands per hour (assumption of number of hands played for comp'ing purposes)
$175 average bet (based on $100 minimum table with a $100 to $200 bet spread)
2% (assumption of % used by the casino for comp'ing purposes)

Action = 60 hands x $175 x 1 hour = $10,500
Casino Edge (based on 2%) = $10,500 x 2% = $210
So, based on the above set of assumptions, a casino can expect to win $210 for this hour of play (otherwise known as the theoretical win)

Now, the question is, HOW much of this $210 will a casino give back?
If they gave back 40% of the theo (which would be considered pretty large)
Then you should get a comp for around $84.00

So, this example proves a few things (since, we really have no way of knowing all of the assumptions; though, on a game with a 0.25% edge --- figuring 2% for comp purposes is very generous).

- Luxor Pit Bosses in high limit are very bored and just loved our stunning personalities
- This comp was more discretionary, and since we were 3 people, they just wrote it as a 3 person coffee shop comp (even though, it should have been for 2 people)
- Since we were basically new table players (in an otherwise empty high limit pit) they were being extra nice --- to suck us in a bit)
- MGM-Mirage is much nicer to their table players than HET

Anyway, it is all very interesting; and goes to prove the most important point of COMPS --- that is ASK! ASK! ASK!

Personally, $100 Blackjack is a very dangerous game; unless you are stepping up to the plate with around $15K. Even though the rules (and edge) for this game made it a very good play, the variance (and risk of ruin) for Blackjack can be quite evil; and unless you get lucky (and run away very quickly) --- you might have to endure some substantial loses before things turn around a bit. And, of course, the biggest problem with playing heads up Blackjack is the speed of the game. Though, in a double deck game, they still spend a decent amount of time shuffling the cards (and, in our case, had to also introduce 2 new decks at some point --- since it was at the 2 hour mark, where they change out the cards).

Good Luck!

Labels: blackjack, comp, highlimit, luxor, mgm, mirage

The Box


Ryan in the outside portion of the box




Ryan and I enjoy the moment...


the dessert cart --- now, I didn't know this was part of the package...
My favorite part of luxury boxes (after the food & beverage) is the private bathroom.






Ryan inside the box watching the Patriots -- imagine Multi-tasking a Red Sox and Patriots game at the same time.

Labels: baseball, fenway, luxury box, red sox, yankees

WOW!!! What a surprise!

I'm going to my first Red Sox game tonight (vs the Yankees)!

UPDATE

3PM Limo is booked, and I think considering everything -- it will make for a much more relaxing evening; and will allow me to consume a bit more in the "adult beverage" category..... I'll leave around 5.45PM to get there a bit earlier... as I want to really soak up the experience.

Game scoop :

Schilling closes season set with Yanks

On Sunday at Fenway Park, fans will witness a pitching matchup so steeped in the tradition of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry that the stuff might as well be oozing through Gates A-D onto Landsdowne Street and Yawkey Way.
It's a formula part toxic and wholly beguiling: Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, nemeses of the Red Sox and Yankees, facing each other from each side of the Boston-New York axis for the first time.

They are 45 and 40 years old, respectively. Yankees manager Joe Torre recalls catching Warren Spahn, who was a 42-year-old winner of 23 games in 1963. This is something else.

"That was remarkable," Torre said. "But he wasn't a power pitcher, and these guys are basically still power pitchers."

Labels: baseball, fenway, red sox, yankees

Thanks to my man Alex being up on everything Vegas...
We dumped Pure and went straight over to the VIP entrance at LAX @ Luxor

P. Diddy Hosts the VMA After-Party at LAX
September 9, 2007
LAX Nightclub was built for a king on Sunday night as P.Diddy and DJ AM hosted a star studded VMA after party. Entering the club wearing a jeweled crown and gold medallions, Diddy reigned supreme over the entire VIP stage. With DJ AM spinning hit after hit, Diddy grabbed the microphone and began his impromptu emceeing for the evening. With the packed house in frenzy from the duo of Diddy and DJ AM, Britney Spears entered the club and hung out with a small group before leaving for the evening. Seated at the table just next to Diddy was Paris Hilton who was joined by Palms owner George Maloof and local funnyman Jeff Beacher. As Hilton and her group danced at their VIP booth, she eventually made her way over to Diddy's table to spice up the party a bit. Surrounding Diddy in his entourage were singing sensations Eve, Ne-Yo, Cassie and Young Joc as well as Taye Diggs, Ray J and Los Angeles Clipper Shaun Livingston. While Diddy held court on the VIP stage, Tommy Lee and Criss Angel tore it up on the opposite side of the stage with a plethora of women and Ryan Starr of American Idol fame. The two buddies rocked all night and took in the electric vibe at LAX while fans tried to catch a glimpse and snap pictures. Son after Pamela Anderson dropped in to check out the nightclub and say a quick hello to Lee. Meanwhile the dance floor VIP tables were lined with celebrities including Adrian Grenier of Entourage who was joined by The Hills cast members Brody Jenner, Frankie Delgado, Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port as well as hip hop legend Too Short, rocker Cisco Adler and actor Josh Henderson. Too Short decided to give Diddy a break and took the microphone for a few minutes to sing along as DJ AM blared his old school hits. Shortly after Diddy took the microphone back and addressed the crowd partying Sunday night at Las Vegas' top nightclub destination. Also making LAX the VMA after party of choice was musician Robin Thicke, actors Jesse Spencer of House and Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot.

Labels: las vegas, lax, luxor, mtv, vma