Your "Average Daily Theoretical" (ADT) is the number casinos use to determine what you're worth to them — and what comp offers you receive. For VP players, understanding this calculation helps you make informed decisions about where and how much to play.
What ADT Means
ADT is your average theoretical loss per day of play. The casino calculates it from your player's card data:
ADT = Average Bet × Hands Per Hour × Hours Played × House Edge
For a quarter Jacks or Better player at max bet:
- Average bet: $1.25
- Speed: 600 hands/hour
- Hours: 4 per day
- House edge: 0.46% (9/6 JoB)
- ADT = $1.25 × 600 × 4 × 0.0046 = $13.80
For a dollar Double Bonus player at max bet:
- Average bet: $5.00
- Speed: 600 hands/hour
- Hours: 4 per day
- House edge: -0.17% (10/7 DB is positive expectation)
- ADT = $5.00 × 600 × 4 × 0.0017 = $20.40 (casino still tracks this)
The casino uses ADT to determine your comp budget — typically returning 15-40% of your theoretical loss as comps.
How This Affects Your Comp Offers
| ADT Range | Typical Comp Offer |
|---|---|
| $5-15 | Basic mailers: discounted room, small free play |
| $15-50 | Room offers (midweek), dining credits, moderate free play |
| $50-150 | Room offers (weekends), host attention, event invitations |
| $150+ | Comped suites, airfare credit, dedicated host |
VP players naturally generate lower ADT than slot players at the same denomination because VP has a much lower house edge. This is the trade-off: you lose less money (good for your bankroll) but earn fewer comps.
The VP Player's Strategy
Rather than increasing play to chase comps, smart VP players:
- Maximize pay table quality — A 9/6 JoB machine costs $3.45/hour in theo. An 8/5 JoB costs $20.25/hour. The 8/5 generates higher ADT and better comps, but you're paying $16.80/hour extra. No comp package is worth that premium.
- Play at the right denomination — Moving from quarters to dollars quadruples your coin-in and ADT without requiring different strategy.
- Consolidate play — Playing 20 hours across 3 visits at one property generates a higher average ADT than spreading the same hours across 6 properties.
- Use multiplier days — Tier credit multipliers don't change your ADT, but they accelerate your tier advancement, unlocking higher-tier benefits faster.
The Bottom Line
ADT is useful to understand but not worth optimizing at the expense of your actual bankroll. Always prioritize finding the best pay table and playing at a comfortable denomination. Let comps be a natural byproduct of smart play, not the goal that drives suboptimal decisions.