Earning comp points—often called “comps”—can significantly enhance your casino experience by offsetting expenses on meals, rooms, and more. While every casino’s comp structure differs slightly, understanding which games offer the most favorable comp point rates can help you maximize rewards with minimal additional cost. In this article, I’ll draw on personal experiences from various casino trips and online play to reveal the games that tend to yield the highest comp point returns. Whether you’re spinning the reels or sitting at a table, these insights will allow you to accumulate comps strategically and enjoy perks sooner.
How Comp Points Work
Comp points are essentially a loyalty currency that casinos award based on your wagering activity. In a land-based casino, a slot machine will usually track play through your loyalty card, assigning points for each dollar wagered. Table games often rely on pit bosses or electronic tracking at designated terminals. Online casinos automatically credit points whenever you wager real money on eligible games.
The rate at which points accrue varies by game type. In my early visits to a major Las Vegas casino, I noticed that my slot play earned comp points at a rate of about two points per $1 wagered. At the same property, playing blackjack at $25 per hand yielded roughly one point per dollar wagered—effectively a faster rate. To translate points into rewards, most casinos use a simple formula: a certain number of comp points (e.g., 1,000 points) equals a dollar’s worth of free play or other perks. Knowing how each game type feeds that system makes a big difference.
Table Games vs. Slots
Table Games
Playing table games like blackjack, baccarat, and craps usually generates comp points faster than slots. Why? These games typically have a lower house edge (with proper strategy) and higher average bet sizes, which casinos reward accordingly. For example, I once visited a mid-tier property in Atlantic City and was explicitly told that their blackjack comp rate was five points per dollar wagered (compared to two for slots). Combined with basic strategy, my risk remained manageable, and my comp point balance ballooned after only a few hours.
Within table games, some variations are more comp-friendly than others. Blackjack with a 3:2 payout on blackjack rather than 6:5 means you lose less over time, so casinos can afford to give you points at a faster clip. At a “non-Vegas” casino on a trip to Macau, I found a European blackjack table where 3:2 payouts were standard, and my point accumulation felt nearly double compared to a 6:5 table back home. Always ask the pit boss or check the promotions board to confirm payout structures and comp rates.
Slots
Slots, in contrast, pay out comps more slowly since their higher house edges leave casinos with more margin to work with. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them—especially if you enjoy slots. Low-volatility slot machines can extend your bankroll longer, effectively increasing your time on machine and, with it, your point accumulation. On a memorable cruise line trip, I played a penny slot with a low-variance profile and a $0.25 minimum bet. Although my win/loss swings were modest, I stayed at the machine for hours, steadily racking up comps. By the trip’s end, my cocktail vouchers and buffet credits exceeded my $100 initial spend.
Progressive slots sometimes offer promotional boosts to comp rates. During a holiday weekend in Atlantic City, one casino ran a promotion that doubled comp points on all progressive slots. I hopped between various machines, chasing mini-jackpot hits—even small ones—and my points skyrocketed. That said, beware of high volatility: you could spend a fortune chasing a jackpot while your comp rate, even at a boost, may not offset the risk.
Video Poker and Other Electronic Table Games
Electronic games such as video poker strike a balance between slots and live table games. Full-pay video poker variants—like 9/6 Jacks or Better—can offer an RTP near 99.5% when played with optimal strategy. Many casinos award comp points on these games at a higher rate than slots, recognizing that skilled players’ lower theoretical losses justify more generous rewards.
During a weekend trip to a Midwest riverboat casino, I gravitated toward a bank of multi-hand video poker machines. My strategy yielded modest but consistent returns, and I earned comp points at a rate similar to mid-limit blackjack. What’s more, because video poker doesn’t require a pit boss to manually rate your play, points credit automatically, and there’s less chance for human error.
Other electronic table games—such as electronic craps or roulette terminals—often have predictable comp rates. While these may not match live tables, they combine fast game speeds with lower minimum bets. On a recent stay in a smaller Nevada casino, I alternated between electronic craps with a $5 minimum and live baccarat. The combination allowed me to vary my play style while steadily increasing my comp balance.
Specialty Games: Bingo, Keno, and More
Don’t dismiss specialty games. Bingo and keno usually have higher house edges, but casinos sometimes run promotions to drive players to those lobbies. At a resort in Ontario, the casino offered triple comp points on keno during weekday afternoons. I spent a lazy afternoon picking numbers, sipping coffee, and watching the draws. Though my net losses were slightly higher than land-based table games, the inflated comp rate meant my point-to-dollar ratio was competitive, yielding free slot credits and meal vouchers at a nice clip.
Similarly, bingo halls often double as poker rooms during certain hours. One Canadian riverboat I visited had a promotion where bingo play earned enough points to convert into a free poker session. I tried my hand at bingo just to snag those points, and I ended up leveraging my comp-based poker seats into a modest tournament cash—demonstrating that sometimes playing outside your comfort zone pays off in unexpected ways.
Strategies for Maximizing Comp Points
Know Your Casino’s Structure
Before you play, learn the comp point ratios for different games. Most major casinos publish these rates online or post them in player’s clubs. At one resort in Las Vegas, the website clearly stated that slots paid one comp point for every $5 wagered, while table games paid one point per $3. Armed with that knowledge, I tailored my play: long slot sessions during peak hours (when promotions ran) and targeted table play when the comp floor was quieter.
Leverage Promotions and Tiered Loyalty Programs
Casinos frequently run promotions doubling comp points for particular games or during specific times. Signing up for email alerts or joining the player’s club mobile app lets you catch these deals early. On the Venetian’s Valor Rewards program, I once scored 50% extra points on all table game play between noon and 6 PM. I scheduled my visit accordingly, ensuring maximum points for a given time frame.
Manage Bet Sizes Wisely
Bet size directly influences the number of comp points per hour. Higher bets usually earn points faster, but they also deplete your bankroll more quickly. Balance your bet size to optimize both comp accumulation and play time. For example, if you have a $200 bankroll in a session, betting $10 per hand in blackjack might yield points quickly but risk a swift loss. Alternatively, lowering to $5 per hand extends your playtime, resulting in more total hands and potentially more points in the long run.
Diversify Play Sessions
Switching between games can keep your session fresh and allow you to exploit different comp rates. If you’ve been on a slot machine for hours, switch to video poker or an electronic table to maintain momentum and capitalize on other point-earning opportunities. During a long layover at a Midwest airport casino, I cycled between penny slots, multi-hand video poker, and $5 craps, which maximized my play time across varying point ratios.
Choosing the Right Casinos
Some players find that their local properties have tighter comping policies, prompting them to explore alternative venues. If you prefer “casinos not on GamStop,” you might discover they often offer more generous comp structures to attract international or lightly regulated players. While using such sites, always verify their licensing and paytable transparency, ensuring a fair experience.
Beyond online options, consider regional casinos with robust loyalty programs. In the Northeast, tribal casinos tend to reward mid-range bets with higher comp returns. On a road trip through the Great Lakes region, I discovered a tribal property that awarded comps at 20% above average for mid-stakes table games, making my blackjack play particularly lucrative compared to nearby competitors.
Real-World Examples
Las Vegas Strip
At a major Strip property, I tracked my play over a weekend. By alternating between $5 video poker and $10 blackjack, I earned roughly 500 comp points per hour of play. Those points translated into $50 in free play and $30 in meal credits. While my net loss was about $300 over the weekend, the effective “return” in comps felt like a cushion, softening the blow of losses and extending my time on the floor.
Atlantic City
Visiting Atlantic City’s Boardwalk casinos, I noticed that slots often ran promotions such as free slot play every 100 comp points. Combining that with a $0.25 slot that paid one comp point per $1 wagered, I managed to claim ten free spins for a minimal outlay. That cycle kept me engaged without spending heavily and gave me more chances at progressing to higher table comps.
Riverboat Casino
One riverboat casino in the Midwest offered tiered rewards: Bronze level players earned one comp point per $5 in slots, while Platinum members earned that same point rate per $3. By accumulating points quickly on video poker and upgrading to Platinum within two visits, I unlocked significantly higher comp rates. On my third trip, I was earning comps so swiftly that my room stay was effectively free.
Final Thoughts
Comp points can transform your casino experience, turning wagers into valuable perks. By focusing on games with higher comp point returns—table games, full-pay video poker, and strategic promotional slots—you can maximize rewards without drastically increasing your risk. Key strategies include understanding each casino’s comp structure, managing your bet sizes, and capitalizing on promotional opportunities. For those exploring alternative online avenues, “casinos not on GamStop” may present additional comp-friendly environments, though due diligence on licensing is essential.
Ultimately, successful comp point accumulation hinges on balancing enjoyment with smart play. Keep track of your sessions, adjust your strategy based on point rates, and you’ll find that the perks—free meals, hotel stays, and bonus play—can add significant value to your casino outings, both online and off.
