Comp City: A Guide to Free Casino Vacations

by Max Rubin

Book Overview

Win every time you gamble? Is that possible? It is if you play for comps. Every year, U.S. casinos give away more than a billion dollars worth of amenities to customers in return for their gambling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0929712366
• ISBN13: 9780929712369
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Huntington Press
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A lot of Brass = A lot of Comps

First, let me say that Rubin doesn't tell you to grovel before the pit bosses to get a comp, nor does he advocate stealing. He does say that it pays to ask, and at worst, they'll say no, but often they say yes, or at least make some kind of offer. He tells hilarious stories about Vegas characters, some of whom were thieves, but he doesn't favor copying their example. What he does want to teach is his ACES method of gathering comps, which is based on blackjack played with the black chips. But you don't have to lay down a C-note to use his methods. Even a low roller like me can get good comps, (particularly with the rise of the California tribal casinos creating wonderful competion for the gaming public) if I use his methods.

One of the best books on playing in Vegas, period

The reviewers who said Rubin is a cheat and a thief don't know what they are talking about, nor do the ones who say this is only for $100 and up players. He gives numerous ways for players of EVERY bankroll level to maximize their return in comps. If the casino doesn't want to give it, they don't. If they do, why not take it? Would you turn down buying a car that costs $18k normally for $15k just because you know other people are paying $18k for it, but you got the better price because you knew invoice on it? OF course not. Applied properly, this is the best edge any average player will EVER have versus the casinos, bar none, and all it takes is learning basic blackjack strategy and asking to be treated as you deserve. Some people just don't understand it, and I am thankful for that, as that is what keeps Las Vegas profitable for people like me. Trust me; this book is brilliant, well writen, well thought out, and anyone who loses sleep over getting extra comp value out of a casino is not of sound mind anyways. And as far as selling boxing tickets you got as a comp when you don;t like boxing? Why not? They're yours.

Good for Review before visiting Vegas

I used to visit Vegas alot but two kids later, i find the visits few and far in between. This book is great to read and re-read before you even start to plan your trip(s)to SIN CITY. It'll give you a good heads up on how to get the best bang for you buck and live like the high rollers...well,.....kinda. The info in the book works!!! Good Luck to all

Entertaining and Informative

In my opinion this is one of the few worthwhile gambling related books out there. Max does a great job clearly explaining how the anyone with a $500-$50,000 bankroll can get their full gambling value. My wife and I had spent the last couple years playing positive expectation video poker and obtaining comps the "Frugal" way. We always came home with a seriously depleated bankroll and free rooms, but rarely did we ever do anything better than a free or discounted buffet. However, I can now take $3000 to most any casino market, play Blackjack and break even for the most part, while eating at the best joints in the casino, free rooms, free spa admission, airfair discounts, etc. The trick is to make them think that $3,000 is $30,000 and this book shows you how.

For all of you who......

First, I would like to say flat out-- yes, Max talks about husteling every possible comp you can get and sometimes the methods he mentions can be demeaning or whatever (pardon my terrible spelling!). But this is the definitive book an all aspects of comps, from sittting down at a slot machine right as the cocktail waitress walks by to full RFB (room, food and beverage), and as such, it covers ALL aspects. You choose what you want to do, but don't bite the book because you don't like some methods. Secondly, I would like to inform all the people who rate this book low and talk about Max's strategies eventually losing your bank and this that and the other thing. Knowing about blackjack and standard deviation and the correct odds will help you there. If you DO play basic strategy blackjack, your comps will, ON AVERAGE, pay for your blackjack play and then some. Don't tell the people who are browsing this book that Max doesn't know about casinos. This is MAX RUBIN. Max is a very knowledgable man, and the host of teh infamous Blackjack Ball, where all the best of the best BJ players get together and brag to eachother about how great they all are. I can assure you Max knows what he is talking about. If you are looking to make money, learn to count cards, or better yet, get a real job. If you are looking to get the most bang for your buck, get free stuff, and maybe even have a Vegas vacation pay for itself, GET THIS BOOK. Max is the man!