Tips & Tricks

How to Enjoy All the High Roller Benefits

By Casino.org Staff Writer November 21, 2018

4 minute read

Whether you visit Las Vegas or you play at your local casino, nothing quite compares to feeling like a VIP. Playing with money feels like pure luxury, so why not also get rewarded with other forms of luxury? Being a high roller can mean getting access to the full red-carpet treatment, but even low or medium rollers can enjoy the high life, too.

Where you play can make a big difference on any of these guidelines. Being a small fish in a big pond, such as a $25 per hand table game player in Las Vegas, you probably won’t be treated as a high roller. But do the same in a smaller local casino, and you might get to enjoy the perks of being a big fish in a small pond.

Luxury Rooms and Suites

This is one of the most sought after and common perks for casino visitors. If you want to head to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, of course it’s ideal to get comped the room or suite. Free accommodation can be fantastic, and help you feel seen and appreciated… especially if your room comes with a welcoming bottle of champagne.

Hosts will often comp high rollers with luxurious rooms or suites. Bring your whole family and make the most of the trip, or travel alone to truly indulge. Depending on how much you plan to play, the casino might even organize your travel to and from the casino.

Fine Dining

All the best casinos have incredible restaurants. Off the strip establishment and even local casinos can offer decadent dining, with top chefs crafting delicious cuisine. If you are comped for dinner, it usually doesn’t matter what you order, so feel free to indulge. Other times, you might get comped to a certain value, at which point you may need to actually check the prices on the menu.

Then there’s the booze. Top casinos have incredible wine lists, champagne and top-shelf liquors available. Try out a signature cocktail or that amazing vintage of wine while you play. Most casinos offer free drinks to anyone who is gambling, but the higher you roll, the more top-shelf your drinks will be.

Shows and Entertainment

Want to see top performers? Tickets have always been a key way for casino hosts to lure players in. Back in the day you might get comped to go see Elvis, whereas now the performers are Lady Gaga, Britney Spears or Celine Deon. From Cirque du Soleil to famous touring acts, your casino host can set you up with VIP tickets to the best events and entertainment around.

Traveling with kids? Ensure that the casino comps you with free pool cabanas or arcade credits. Have a partner who isn’t the biggest fan of the casinos? Ask your casino host about shopping comps, spas or free tours in the area.

Extended Lines of Credit

One of the most common (and controversial) perks comes in the form of extended lines of credit. Casinos will often offer their own lines of credit to high rollers, making it easy for you to chase losses or keep playing after your bankroll runs out. This can be a wonderful perk if you’ve got plenty of cash or you earn tons, but it can also be a dangerous way to dig a deep hole.

How Much do You Need to Spend to Become a High Roller?

The answer to this will vary a lot depending on what you play and where. For example, the odds are typically better the more you’re wagering. Slots found in the high roller rooms might have a house edge of 3% compared to the 10% on the casino floor.

It also depends on how long you like to play for. Do you want to have a marathon, 8-hour play session, or do you tend to gamble for an hour or two before moving on?

Back in the day, casino hosts just made their own decisions about who to comp and how much. But now, it’s all linked to how much you’ve accrued on your player’s card. That’s why it’s important to always use your player’s card, whether you play slots or table games.

In general, there’s a formula to help a casino determine how much to give players. This is how much you bet per hand or spin, how many hands or spins you average per hour, how many hours you play, and the house edge to determine your theoretical losses. For example:

$1,000 bet per hand x 100 hands per hour = $100,000 in bets

$100,000 x 8 hours = $800,000 total bets

1% house edge

$8,000 in theoretical losses

$25 bet per spin x 120 spins per hour = $3,000 in bets

$3,000 x 2 hours = $6,000

3% house edge

$180 in theoretical losses

Obviously, you could end up winning or losing during that period, as theoretical values aren’t necessarily true in reality. However, if the casino assumes you’ll lose $8,000, of course they will comp you a $500 suite or meal, whereas a $180 loss might get you a free gift or buffet.

Again, if you play at your local casino compared to a hotel on the Las Vegas strip, your theoretical losses could go a lot further. The most expensive suite in Las Vegas would go for $25,000 per night, compared to a local casino’s presidential suite for $17,000. The most expensive meal in Las Vegas could run into the thousands, compared to hundreds at your local 5-star establishment.

Of course, the odds and vibe are also different at your local casino. So, in the end, it’s best to see comps as additional rewards, instead of some kind of gambling investment.