Break down of Low vs Mid vs High Roller
Started by Happygirl21 on Tuesday, 8th January 2013 6:37 am
Up until reading the post about Death of Low Roller I never even gave much thought to different "Roller Levels". I read, on this page, the average person brings about $500.00 for gaming. Is that really accurate? I am sort of curious to see where I fit in. My personal rule of thumb, and what I would tell anyone else, " don't bring more than you can afford to lose".( and honestly, who can afford to lose any these days?)
Just wondering ....
jinx73 responded on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
If you view many Vegas Message boards, this question comes up a lot. The convention authority reports averages from their surveys yearly. The hard part in pinning down what 'level' you or someone else is, is as much about whether someone's willing to lose their bankroll for a trip, or that's their budget. Factor in things like coin in during a trip and how many days someone goes and it gets more complicated.
After a period of time in visiting Las Vegas you get a feel for where you are. At $500 for a trip you aren't on many casinos radar for your play, but you aren't person non grata. There are plenty that don't risk anywhere near that much on a trip. Double the amount and on the strip you are probably still in the lower tier, but getting closer to the average gambler, then factor in type of game played, amounts played at, and how many days that budget is spread over and you can get a better idea.
Happygirl21 replied on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
For the first 19 yrs I was playing BJ ( exclusively at CET properties, as I live in NJ) I was never able to get past Gold Tier. On my 2nd trip to LV (11/2011)I made it to Platinum and have been able to maintain.I'm sure the fact that my table minimums, buy in etc has increased as my playing has improved helps. As dumb luck would have it CET has implemented new tier credit guide lines for 2014 TR, hopefully I will be able to hit them on my upcoming trip to LV. It seems to me that it is "easier" to earn TR credits in LV than NJ, but that's just my opinion..
mctrees02 responded on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
My wife and I break down our budget on a per day basis. Our standard rule is $300/person/day. If we go for 3 full days (arrive Friday-leave Monday), then we're taking $1800.
In terms of comps, we can usually get our room comped at most strip properties outside of Wynncore, Bellagio, and Caesars. As it has become increasingly more important, we try to stay at hotels where we enjoy the spa/fitness/restaurants/etc so as to maximize the comps that we receive for that spending as well.
coybotjr responded on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
My budget for years has been about $250 a day and I usually stay 4 days/ 3 nights I go to Vegas about every 9 months. I think I would still be considered a low roller, although I still spend plenty more on shows, food, shopping. But, at that rate I get haven't had to pay for a room at Bally's for years. (I could also stay at Harrah's, Flamingo, Quad(gross), or even PH and Paris depending on the dates.
shantytownbrown responded on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
It seems funny to me to read this, seeing folks comped for $250/day risk and not paying for rooms..my father and I have been travelling to Vegas now for over 18 years, and he seems to be able to get decent (read 3 of 4 nites comped) room rates playing just over that in coin in , however, I have only been comped once for a 4 nite stay,and that was Venetian, before they stopped looking at the "average" guy a few years ago.. and otherwise no nites offered...nada, zip...just giggles and snickers from the booking agents
despite some aggressive coin-in last trip, best I could get for this trip was $550 for 4 nites incl tax and resort fees (fri-tues) at MGM presidents day weekend...
I am hoping to up my play this trip (not for comps but because I can) and we will see what results...
Happygirl21 replied on Tuesday, 8th January 2013
I have to say your post surprises me, this will be my 5th trip to LV and I have yet to pay for a room. Granted 2 of the stays have been at IP ( in the 2 bedroom ph), one at Bally's & the other Harrah's. But this trip is for 5 nights comped at Caesars in the Octavius tower. I am by no means what I would consider a high roller, but yet I get comped pretty well. Plus the last few times I have been given casino play ranging from 300. to 550.. This coming trip I am getting 100. I have no idea why I keep getting these great offers but hey, as long as they want to give it to me, I am happy to take them. Plus this trip my airfare was paid for by my bf for Christmas, sooo...How could I turn it down? lol.
StudiodeKadent responded on Thursday, 10th January 2013
First factor - it depends on Slots or Tables. Slot players lose more ceteris paribus, so you climb up the tiers of importance more quickly (as bankroll size increases) as a slot player.
I'm a tables player, and there it can depend on the game but hardly anyone risks significant money on games outside of the "big four" (Baccarat, Craps, BJ and Roulette), so there's sort of a standardized ranking based on betting chips.
LOW ROLLERS = Red Chippers
Often not even rated under players club programs (although it depends on the casino), and usually can only get free drinks while playing.
LOW-MID ROLLERS = Green Chippers
Rated players, typically get casino rates, discounts, free nights here and there, etc.
HIGH-MID ROLLERS = Black Chippers
Free rooms of various sizes, often comped outright.
HIGH ROLLERS/WHALES = Purple and Yellow (and more) Chippers
Hookers 'n' Blow On Speed Dial (or stuff approximating it, I guess)
Of course this varies by property, on the basis of demand, and with length of stay and other stuff. So it is at best a rule of thumb.
GMase responded on Sunday, 13th January 2013
A purple chipper would NOT be a high roller anywhere other than small off-strip casinos.
If you want to go buy "chip" color:
Red = micro roller
green = low roller
black/purple = mid roller
yellow/flags(5k chips) = high roller
higher then these = whales
A high roller is minimum $50k bankroll per trip. A lot of people will say whales start at $1,000,000 per trip but I'd say $500,000 is enough since that is the minimum credit line to play in a private gaming salon at Wynn. I'd call them whales at $500,000 but I think the casinos think of them as the high-end of the high-rollers.
GMase responded on Sunday, 13th January 2013
By the way, that average person gambling budget of $500 that LVCVA comes out with is through a survey of visitors to Vegas. That includes anyone who gambled at all, and its self-reported. Its literally done in person by the survey takers walking up to people at the airport. And its a big list of questions. The average person that would stop to answer all those questions for a free keychain or whatever they give out is not a good cross section of the average Vegas visitor.
shantytownbrown responded on Wednesday, 16th January 2013
guess i should be happy with my free drinks and a chance to win big, and keep that small jealous streak to myself for those who gamble as much or less than i do that seem to be on the casino radar which I fall short of.
oh well! I am still coming to LV twice a year whether they want me or not!