the truth about casino hosts, comps and gifting

[andrea]

http://www.vptruth.com/articlesdetail.cfm?Counter=278

I would recommend the above link as required reading for anyone who thinks that a casino host/hostess "lives" to make them happy and hopes they have a big win.

[sonntex]

I have often wondered if hosts were really beneficial. I have used them to good advantage a few times, but, generally, what I can get from them, I can get just by calling the reservation desk. I have gotten an upgraded room a time or two thru a host and a steak dinner once, but that is about all. Everything else comes from coupons or specials sent thru snail-mail.

[allie-oop]

Thanks for this article, Andrea.

I have always wondered just what a casino host was supposed to do for me. My experiences with them have not been beneficial at all.

Now I feel I have a litte insight into what they are all about.

[Vegastraveler]

Thanks for posting, but the author of the article is considered to be a "crack pot" in conventional VP circles.

[smmoo]

I just checked my credit card end of year summaries for three years before we had a host-total cost of room at Boulder Station for 3 visits a year times 3 years =9 stays =$2700 total room charge at Boulder Station for the last three years, 3 visits a year with a host- total 9 visits $0. In my book a host makes a whole lot of difference. Our gambling budget before and after hooking up with a host=the same:D

[Victoria]

What your host can do for you everyone knows depends upon your play but many do not know that it also depends on what hotel you are talking about. Many places, especially the big corporate owned places, the hosts have little or no individual power. They are basically computer operators who look up your points and say yes or no depending upon them.
Some independent or smaller corp owned mid size and small casinos give their hosts a broad range of power. These are hotels that continue to make money today even though they may be older and some think run down. Their hots can do enough to keep the same people always returning.

Victoria

[GREGRIO]

When I hear folks say..."my host just..." or "my host gave us..."
or "you should ask to speak to a host"...it sure gives the wrong idea
to a lot of newbie gamblers and normal low rollers that are confused about what hosts can really do for them and who they will even give attention to.

You want something for free, a treat, you want(need) to feel special and
feel you should be appreciated for giving a casino your 'play' Well...........
average/low rollers play alot...in their favorite casinos...many different
denominations of choices on many different types of gaming. They're on
a bankroll...maybe set a limit of $50. $100. $300. a day...play every day for three or more days per visit...get the Players Club Cards...use 'em
every time they play...machines or tracked by a Pit Boss...but will
a host pay attention to them...............probably not.
I do five trips a year, average gaming bankroll $1,800., usually stay
at the same hotel and I've never qualified for a host (or ever felt I needed one)

Nice as a host seems, they love your 'play' more than you. I've met some
nice folks that are hosts, but when their day in a casino starts...THEIR JOB starts...and their job is to keep your money in their employers casino. They
pay attention to the player who spends alot of money...period.
"I'm sorry, but your amount of play doesn't................."

You want that $229.00 room comped?...FINE, gamble away $5,000.
Maybe that's a poor example 'numbers' wise, but you get my drift.
You've got to spend lots of money to get something for free from a host
and I don't care how you slice it, that's reality. Ironic isn't it...you've
got to spend lots of money to get something for free! Nothing is free
in Las Vegas.

I've never needed a host to have a great time in Vegas. I get the rooms I
like, deals that work for me, I play for myself-the fun-and the money, not
the house...I think the term 'my host' is pretty egotistical actually.

[Boston_Bill]

I guess I'm one who was confused by the role of a host. Im a low roller but pretty loyal to the Golden Nugget. Their comp system seems pretty outrageous to me( takes alot to get 1500 points). The host I was in touch with there while a nice person didnt really do anyhing to make me want to stay and gamble there. She obviously knew my point balance. Not quite sure what I expected but still a little disapponted.

[Vegastraveler]

Boston Bill, the comp requirements @ the GN went up alot in the past year or so.

With new owners coming in (again) there maybe some changes. They did publicly state that in lieu of the high rollers they will target the masses.:)

[Boston_Bill]

Boston Bill, the comp requirements @ the GN went up alot in the past year or so.

With new owners coming in (again) there maybe some changes. They did publicly state that in lieu of the high rollers they will target the masses.:)

Thanks.
I really do enjoy staying there. I hope they make it a little easier for us low rollers.

[andrea]

there are many differing theorists in video poker. the author i submitted writes a regular column for "gaming today" so i think "crackpot" is an unfair descriptive. he is not a long term player. neither am i. i play vp one hand at a time and i play to win each one in the here and now, not at some future point of "infinite play". i don't have that luxury of time or money. so i am a short term player. i play to win in the moment, not in the future that no one can guarantee i will have. so if you or the long term theorists think a winner is a crackpot, i respect your opinion. i just don't understand it.

you might read some of of the vp truth free strategies on the website. they are interesting. and remarkably, they seem to work.

happy gaming.
enjoy. andrea from las vegas

[wildpitcher]

We were scheduled to spend three nights at the Golden Nugget in December. It would be our first time a the GN and we're looking forward to it. However, we were recently offered 2 free nights at the Orleans for the same timeframe.

I picked a casino host off the GN website and emailed to see if they would match the 2 free nights to keep our business. I haven't heard anything back. I'm beginning to think our chosen host is on vacation or something ;)

[Victoria]

We were scheduled to spend three nights at the Golden Nugget in December. It would be our first time a the GN and we're looking forward to it. However, we were recently offered 2 free nights at the Orleans for the same timeframe.

I picked a casino host off the GN website and emailed to see if they would match the 2 free nights to keep our business. I haven't heard anything back. I'm beginning to think our chosen host is on vacation or something ;)

Wildpitcher, first off I have no experience with GN hosts. I do believe unless you are a known high roller, or the host knows your play from being at a different job (hosts move from casino to casino and take their customer lists with them), you just can not expect very much from a host. That said, you should at least expect a reply!
The kind of reply I would expect would be the host telling you that the GN could only comp two nights for you if you put in X amount of action. For all that host knows right now, you might stay there and play at the Plaza or somewhere else.
If you really want to get an answer from them, call them and ask to speak to a host.
I once had a host for several years that never seemed to be in. Anything I asked for I seemed to get but the host was always absent. I always refered to her as "the host who is a ghost."

Victoria

[Vegastraveler]

Sorry, but I subscribe to the Bob Dancer school of VP.

Don't you love these aliases? :)

Just a little more then a year ago, the GN wanted 6k thru the machines for a comped night and half of that or so for a buffet or coffee shop comp. Then the room comp requirements went up to almost 20k thru. Yikes! But it is so much easier to get a marketing offer. There is a difference.

Having said that, a host has limitations as to what they can do for you if you are staying on a marketing offer. I don't normally use a host but one at the GN who is well thought of is Wanda Young. She came over from MSS and is quite popular.

[dlf1616]

I read this article. We don't have any assigned hosts at any of the casinos we play at. We have had times we have spoke to hosts and gotten assistance that we could not get from the front line employees. Example: Requesting and receiving a Saturday arrival when it is not the policy of the casino to allow it. I would suggest to everyone to read ALL you can, by MANY different sources and not take this one persons opinion as the only one you should listen to. Read all you can and draw your own conclusions. No one persons opinion should be taken as the ultimate "truth".

[Boston_Bill]

Sorry, but I subscribe to the Bob Dancer school of VP.

Don't you love these aliases? :)

Just a little more then a year ago, the GN wanted 6k thru the machines for a comped night and half of that or so for a buffet or coffee shop comp. Then the room comp requirements went up to almost 20k thru. Yikes! But it is so much easier to get a marketing offer. There is a difference.

Having said that, a host has limitations as to what they can do for you if you are staying on a marketing offer. I don't normally use a host but one at the GN who is well thought of is Wanda Young. She came over from MSS and is quite popular.

Intersting that the GN is marketing their hosts all over downtown with promotional photos(at least they were in August).
Katie Daley is a nice person if anyone needs a slot host. Check out the GN website to email. www.goldennugget.com

[VegasDMW]

What your host can do for you everyone knows depends upon your play but many do not know that it also depends on what hotel you are talking about. Many places, especially the big corporate owned places, the hosts have little or no individual power. They are basically computer operators who look up your points and say yes or no depending upon them.
Some independent or smaller corp owned mid size and small casinos give their hosts a broad range of power. These are hotels that continue to make money today even though they may be older and some think run down. Their hots can do enough to keep the same people always returning.

Victoria

Take if from a former industry insider with extensive experience dealing with casino information and player tracking systems - Victoria is on the money, so to speak. The only point I'd argue with is that there really AREN'T ANY SMALL OR INDEPENDENT CASINOS LEFT IN VEGAS OR ANYWHERE ELSE THESE DAYS :eek: (except indian tribal casinos, but even some of those are now run by Harrah's and Station's).

IT IS ALL ABOUT YOUR PLAY, AND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU LOSE. The casinos and the hosts know (using "real time" statistics) EXACTLY how much "coin in" and "coin out" every slot player with their card in has at any given moment.

There is so much information being processed by the casinos every second of every day - it would blow your mind to know what they know about you and how profitable a customer you are.

[wildreddeb]

If we are allowed to plug books, I would suggest the Frugal Gambler. Worked everytime hubby & I went and stayed at The Orleans. He played cards 3-6 hours a day and would get free buffet coupons. We are pretty low rollers and a comp meal is cool for us.

Sign up for email from you favorite hotels. We always get emails from them with free or low room rates.

:p

[vegasluvr]

When I hear folks say..."my host just..." or "my host gave us..."
or "you should ask to speak to a host"...it sure gives the wrong idea
to a lot of newbie gamblers and normal low rollers that are confused about what hosts can really do for them and who they will even give attention to.

You want something for free, a treat, you want(need) to feel special and
feel you should be appreciated for giving a casino your 'play' Well...........
average/low rollers play alot...in their favorite casinos...many different
denominations of choices on many different types of gaming. They're on
a bankroll...maybe set a limit of $50. $100. $300. a day...play every day for three or more days per visit...get the Players Club Cards...use 'em
every time they play...machines or tracked by a Pit Boss...but will
a host pay attention to them...............probably not.
I do five trips a year, average gaming bankroll $1,800., usually stay
at the same hotel and I've never qualified for a host (or ever felt I needed one)

Nice as a host seems, they love your 'play' more than you. I've met some
nice folks that are hosts, but when their day in a casino starts...THEIR JOB starts...and their job is to keep your money in their employers casino. They
pay attention to the player who spends alot of money...period.
"I'm sorry, but your amount of play doesn't................."

You want that $229.00 room comped?...FINE, gamble away $5,000.
Maybe that's a poor example 'numbers' wise, but you get my drift.
You've got to spend lots of money to get something for free from a host
and I don't care how you slice it, that's reality. Ironic isn't it...you've
got to spend lots of money to get something for free! Nothing is free
in Las Vegas.

I've never needed a host to have a great time in Vegas. I get the rooms I
like, deals that work for me, I play for myself-the fun-and the money, not
the house...I think the term 'my host' is pretty egotistical actually.

LOL- Used to think the same thing. I just started asking for a host the last couple of trips. Have gotten all meals comped and the last time (last week), we got the entire room comped when I called to say I was checking out. Never had that happen before and I feel, had I not asked, nothing would have been done for me. So now I do say "I have to call my host." :)

[tee-bone04]

We have stayed a the GN for the past 10 years. WE have been thru several ownership changes from Wynn, MGM, The boys and now Landrys. My experience has been that if you are a TABLE games player the Players card will not accumalate any points. You must give the card to the table when starting play to be tracked jsut like the slot machine. Get to know the Pit boss. If you want any meal comps it must come from the PIT Boss via a ticket for the Buffet, Deli or Carson Street. Any thing else needs to come through a HOST.

We I first started playing my 3 day budget was about 500.00 now it is 1500.00 inflation, I got to know the pit bosses and was never turned down for a buffet comp or Cafe. One of the pit bosses introduced me to a host. Now keep in mind that I am a craps player only, my total table spread at the time was maybe 25.00. The host would at the end of the trip comp my room.

I would also check the players card points protion based on my wifes play and could get nothing. One time she spent 17 HOURS on one machine, .05, and we could not even get a buffet.

We have had very good luck with our host, James Bratolli, and have not changed my play to accomadate anything.

If you want discounted rooms and do have a players card, call the marketing department and ask for a casino rate on the room, this will also save you money.

If you want anything you must ask someone who can make the decision and knowing who to ask is the key.

Relationships do help. My relationship has gotten me a room the same day on a hoilday weekend. It can never hurt. The worst thing they can say is no.

This relation ship with James has also gotten front row tickets for a family member to "O" when sold out at the normal price, in house show tickets comped for customers of mine who were staying at the GN.

I am in no way a high roller I sill play an average of 3 - 4 hours a day with
25 - 50 spread on the craps table.

Tee-Bone

[Boston_Bill]

We have stayed a the GN for the past 10 years. WE have been thru several ownership changes from Wynn, MGM, The boys and now Landrys. My experience has been that if you are a TABLE games player the Players card will not accumalate any points. You must give the card to the table when starting play to be tracked jsut like the slot machine. Get to know the Pit boss. If you want any meal comps it must come from the PIT Boss via a ticket for the Buffet, Deli or Carson Street. Any thing else needs to come through a HOST.

We I first started playing my 3 day budget was about 500.00 now it is 1500.00 inflation, I got to know the pit bosses and was never turned down for a buffet comp or Cafe. One of the pit bosses introduced me to a host. Now keep in mind that I am a craps player only, my total table spread at the time was maybe 25.00. The host would at the end of the trip comp my room.

I would also check the players card points protion based on my wifes play and could get nothing. One time she spent 17 HOURS on one machine, .05, and we could not even get a buffet.

We have had very good luck with our host, James Bratolli, and have not changed my play to accomadate anything.

If you want discounted rooms and do have a players card, call the marketing department and ask for a casino rate on the room, this will also save you money.

If you want anything you must ask someone who can make the decision and knowing who to ask is the key.

Relationships do help. My relationship has gotten me a room the same day on a hoilday weekend. It can never hurt. The worst thing they can say is no.

This relation ship with James has also gotten front row tickets for a family member to "O" when sold out at the normal price, in house show tickets comped for customers of mine who were staying at the GN.

I am in no way a high roller I sill play an average of 3 - 4 hours a day with
25 - 50 spread on the craps table.

Tee-Bone


One added note.
If you call the number on back of the GN players club card and ask for a casino rate they'll immediately check your points balance.
At least they did that with me and they quoted me a regular rate.
I agree on the table games, you should at least have your card in your hand when you sit down