What this solves
Casinos don't comp generosity — they comp math. Strip properties typically return roughly 25–35% of your theoretical loss (theo) in the form of rooms, meals, and show tickets. That sounds generous until you realize "theo" is the amount you are expected to lose given your average bet size, time on device, and house edge. The actual comp receipt is closer to 15–25% of your real losses for table players, and as low as 0.2–0.4% for slot players using a players card.
Two calculators below: one figures out how much comp a player can expect given their play; the other reverses it — what was your "free room" really worth in theo the casino needed you to lose.
The calculator
Part A — How much comp did you earn?
Theo = (avg bet × hands/hours per day × days) × house edge. Most hosts quote you a theo number; if you don't have one, use your actual net loss — they are usually within 20%.
Part B — "Marketing claim vs reality"
A host just offered you a "free" room + show ticket + dinner. What did it actually cost the house, and what was your real effective comp %?
How to read the result
- Theoretical loss (theo) is what the casino's players card system calculates you should have lost based on game speed, bet size, and house edge. Hosts are graded on theo, not your actual outcome. A player who bets big and wins has high theo and gets comped; a player who bets small and loses gets little.
- Comp % at Strip properties: ~20–30% of theo for table players, ~0.2–0.5% cashback for slots with players card, higher for VIP hosts chasing whales.
- Retail value vs casino cost. A $250 room "costs" the casino about $80–120 to provide (the room would have sold or gone empty anyway). So a $750 retail-value comp package might cost them $250 — meaning your $1,800 actual loss generated a comp whose true cost was 14% of your loss.
- Rule of thumb: if your effective comp is below 20% of your actual loss, you are being comped at industry-standard rates. Above 30%, your host is chasing your future play (or you are being marketed to).
Limitations
- "Theo" is a host's estimate of your future play, not a measured reality. Two players losing the same actual amount can have wildly different theos based on bet size and game speed. Your comp value depends on how the host rates you, not how you actually lose.
- Slot and video poker comp rates are dramatically lower than table game comp rates. A slot player losing $1,000 might earn $2 in free play; a baccarat player losing $1,000 at $200/hand earns $200+ in comps. The discrepancy is intentional — it's by design, to push you toward house-favorable speed games.
- Comp retail values are inflated by the property. A "complimentary" $180 show ticket was probably going to walk-up customers at $90. A $100 dining credit costs the kitchen about $35 in food and labor. The cash value of a comp to you is what you'd pay on the open market — which is usually 40–60% of the "retail" number.
- Free-play, loss rebates, and tier credits are not counted as comps by most hosts, even though you receive them. Add them separately to the comp value if you want the true picture.
- This calculator doesn't model match-play coupons, point multipliers during promos, or junket commissions — those are separate economics.
FAQ
Is comping based on theo or actual loss?
Theo, almost always. A player who bets $500/hand for two hours and wins $5,000 has higher theo than a player who bets $25/hand for six hours and loses $1,500. The first player gets a bigger comp because the casino expects the oth of those $500 bets to come back, eventually.
Should I play with a players card?
Yes for table players (ask the floor to rate you), no for slot players who value speed (card slot scores are slow and the cash-back is negligible). Cash-back on slots is typically 0.2% — you'll earn $2 in free play per $1,000 cycled. If you're a high-volume slot player, ask about point multipliers and tier fast-boards.
What's a fair comp % for a casual visitor?
20–25% of theo is the standard casual Strip rate. If you're getting 40%+, your host is recruiting you, or you've been marked as a "valuable" player based on past visits — and they expect to make it back. If you're below 15%, you might be under-rated. Talk to a host before your next trip.
What's "overt comping" and why should I care?
Some hosts over-comp to lock in future play. If a casino is giving you comps worth more than 50% of your theo, they have decided they want you back enough to take a short-term loss. This is a signal either you've been flagged as a future whale, or there's a mistake in their rating. Either way, it's a relationship — not a gift.
Sources
- Las Vegas Advisor "Comps" guide, 2024–2026 print edition
- Nevada Gaming Control Board monthly revenue reports (theoretical win rates by game type)
- Wizard of Vegas comp calculator methodology, 2026 reference table
- Strip property player card tier disclosures, individual loyalty program 2026 terms