What to do with a casino host?

I got a letter in the mail the other day from my new host at the Flamingo (and any other Hararah's property) introducing herself to me. I didn't know my level of play was high enough to warrant a host; I'm currently Platinum but not even close to Diamond.

Having never had a Casino host before, I'm not sure what benefit it will be. I usually book my rooms through the TR website, and I usually have enough offers for free or nearly-free rooms at the low-end properties. I don't really go to shows. I don't really eat out at expensive places. Can she help me with discretionary comps that don't spend my credits?

With regards to gambling, I have dabbled in AP but am not really serious about it. And when I do try to play blackjack with an edge, I generally try to hit the MGM properties with better rules and play anonymously; at Harrah's properties I'm much more likely to just hit the craps table. So I'm not worried about that really.

That is pretty neat! I am a Diamond level player and have never been contacted by a host. I dont play very high either to warrant a host. But I am thinking you could ask for some discretionary comps. Flight rebate? Gas rebate? Never hurts to ask!

If you really want to make the most of it pick up a copy of Comp City by Max Rubin, he really explains how to work the system and how to handle hosts. And it is fun as hell to read.

There's a host at a local casino thats so gorgeous its hard
to talk to her. Confronting beauty like that in person is
so uncommon I can't handle it. People are always telling
her to move to Vegas, she'll make a fortune as a host.
Think of Sam from the Las Vegas TV show, only better.

I've never received any significant benefit from a host. I'm a mid-range player, and have been surprised to have several contact me. Here's a summary:

Rio - Asked for dinner at Voodoo. Host made the reservation. But I didn't get anything comped, or any special treatment.
Rio - Asked for good tickets to Celine Dion. He said he could get me tickets. No discount. Couldn't tell me where they'd be located. I made my own reservations.
Harrahs - Asked for reservations or front-of-line for dinner for a group at Toby Keith's. Restaurant is not actually affiliated with the hotel, so the host couldn't do anything for me.
Aria - Made my hotel reservation for me (coulda done it myself). Made reservations for me to Crazy Horse at MGM. Except she screwed it up, and got me tickets to Copperfield instead. I had to change tickets at the last minute, and got crappy tickets to Crazy Horse. Woulda been better off doing it myself.

I'll echo the statements of the other Diamond players here that have not been contacted by a host in Vegas, so congrats on that... I'm already close to Diamond for the year (about 400 points to go, which I'll get on my next trip I'm sure).

I do have a host set up at Horseshoe Tunica, and she has been very helpful with me. She got me weekend comped rooms, which aren't impossible to get in Tunica but can be a challenge on the website, and food whenever I needed it. Granted, it was all buffets, but I'm low maintenance. In the past, I got spa reservations at a discount and at least at Horseshoe, they don't have to take it out of your Reward Credits.

As far as Vegas, I'm not sure how the comp system would work. On the one hand, they did diddly for me at Caesars when I checked out, deducting everything off my account; however, I really didn't play all that much, so I guess I don't blame them, and my room was a premium room with a fantastic view.

I don't really think it would be out of line to ask her what she can do for you and what she can't. If she'll just advance you a few meals after using your RC's up, it still might be worth it. If she can do it all without touching your RC's, then it's definitely worth it, though you'll be playing bad games with high house edges if you want to maintain it. If she's just going to drain your account then you're responsible for the rest, I'd say thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to be tied down to Caesars properties in Vegas, when there are so many better gambling deals in town.

How much play does it take to get a host in Tunica?? I'm a middle level blackjack player there, but I'm moving down to Jackson so I'm sure it's all for naught. Hopefully I'll be able to get in a lot of play in Vicksburg now. Any insight on that?

Quote: rebelaccountant

How much play does it take to get a host in Tunica??

In Tunica if a girl approaches you and says she'll
be your casino host for 15min for $100, she's
talking about something else entirely.

Quote: rebelaccountant

How much play does it take to get a host in Tunica?? I'm a middle level blackjack player there, but I'm moving down to Jackson so I'm sure it's all for naught. Hopefully I'll be able to get in a lot of play in Vicksburg now. Any insight on that?

I can't help you with Vicksburg, but the big dog there is Ameristar and they heavily use the host system (at all their other properties). Good news there is that the hosts are pretty free to help you out; bad news is if you go to any other property, you retain your tier status but no points or comps.

As far as Tunica, you can request a host at any time, but Horseshoe is the only casino that really utilizes it. To be honest, they're most helpful in setting up rooms and any meal requests beyond buffets. But most of the time, buffet comps will be given to you if you play about 30 minutes; at Horseshoe, they'll USUALLY ask YOU if you want them. You do need to give them some play, but even a $5 BJ player will be offered a comp (and yet I see people EACH TRIP pay cash!)

At my local casino I call a host if I need a room and don't have any offers. They know I play blackjack and craps and have me in the system as having an average bet of $31, which I think is a little on the high end, though I do tend to play for a lot of hours when I visit. She will never comp my room completely, but she will usually give me a rate of 49-79 dollars for a Friday or Saturday night when the rack rate is obscenely high like in the 200's. She does not deduct points off my player's card, though she puts something in the system because when I go for day trips the pit will always give me a buffet for 2 when I ask but when I'm getting a discounted room I have found that they come over to me and say "Sorry, we already helped you out a lot on the room" when I ask for the buffet. Never hurts to ask though, I would be up front with her and ask her what she can do for you.

That's been my experience in Tuncia, as well. I used to give a lot of play to Hollywood, and got $200+ in free play every week and free nights any day of the week, but since Penn took them over, I have to work just to get free drinks it seems.

I've had a little experience at Ameristar, and had no problem getting meal comps, but I didn't stay long enough to get any decent mailers, so I'll probably keep my exclusively there.

Quote: rebelaccountant

That's been my experience in Tuncia, as well. I used to give a lot of play to Hollywood, and got $200+ in free play every week and free nights any day of the week, but since Penn took them over, I have to work just to get free drinks it seems.

Don't get me started on Penn National. The service is atrocious at nearly every property they operate, and while the comps for table players are usually better than average, I can't stand their awful way they treat you.

Quote: JamieV

That is pretty neat! I am a Diamond level player and have never been contacted by a host. I dont play very high either to warrant a host. But I am thinking you could ask for some discretionary comps. Flight rebate? Gas rebate? Never hurts to ask!

I was a mid level Diamond player a couple of years ago, and inquired about flight comps. At the time, I had received a $300 comp for dinner at Voodoo Lounge without a problem. I was told to come back when I had $10,000 in losses.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and stories. I'll report back if the host ends up being any use for me, at present I don't see a huge benefit. If I can't get a free room at the Flamingo this summer I guess I'll give her a call, but from looking at the calendar rates and my current offers it shouldn't be any problem.

I use a host under two circumstances. I live in Ct. When I go to lake tahoe upon checking out I have the host check my play. She usually comps the remainder of my hotel bill and my food purchases. At home I use my host for everything that is not given to me based on my play. If I have not received tickets for a particular show I will ask for them. The answer is yes about 75% of the time. I also ask for vip entrance to freeshows. Hotel room reservations which are free sun-thur discounted fri-sat with room upgrade. Host also provides food comps on birthday and anniversary. Also issues invatations to private events. In Ct your nothing if you don't use a host.

Quote: bigfoot66

If you really want to make the most of it pick up a copy of Comp City by Max Rubin, he really explains how to work the system and how to handle hosts. And it is fun as hell to read.

What a coincidence, I just picked up a used copy of this on Amazon a few weeks ago, but it's been sitting on my bedside stand un-read since then. One question about the book: I have the 2nd edition from 2001. I'm assuming there hasn't been a new edition, since as far as I could tell, it was nearly impossible to get a new copy easily on the web (my used copy wasn't expensive). Is most of the material in the book still relevant more than 10 years later? I'm thinking about stuff like computers used to track play time/average bet more closely than the cards they used to use, etc. Although I know a lot of places in Vegas still don't have computers in every pit.

I'd assume that like most casino gambling/AP/etc. books, most of the ideas are still valid if not the actual procedures.

Ever since I realized that my host at JANugget happened to be the TOP HOST...I've used her ever since for making all of my reservations...
She keeps me up in a suite, whereas my mailer doesn't necessarily include a suite. (I would imagine that's a "discretionary")

I hope the Wizard doesn't mind me writing this, but I recently went with him to Harrah's on a comp (ate at Oyster Bar, try the pan roast!), and the host shot him down for a comp to Absinthe. I thought this was rather stingy of them. Although I don't know how much the Wizard plays, I assume it is big. And Harrah's video poker paytables are so bad you are already giving up a lot to the house.

I've never had occasion to deal with a Harrah's host myself. I mostly just go through the TR website and whatever coupons they give me.

I would agree with what everyone here has said about the job of a host. I text my host for reservations in Vegas, which might be better than booking through the website or making a phone call.

Other than that, I honestly don't know what a host is supposed to do. My friend and I have always wondered why hosts even exist. It's just a salary for an employee that looks to be completely wasted.

Have you read the book about Steve Cyr: "Whale Hunt in the Desert?"

Interesting and informative book about Las Vegas' then-Super Host.

Quote: rottenluck

I would agree with what everyone here has said about the job of a host. I text my host for reservations in Vegas, which might be better than booking through the website or making a phone call.

Other than that, I honestly don't know what a host is supposed to do. My friend and I have always wondered why hosts even exist. It's just a salary for an employee that looks to be completely wasted.

Necromancy to this degree is impressive.

Hosts primarily exist to accomodate high-end players. Many high-rollers may be old school and do not prefer to work comps through a website or a kiosk. They like the personal touch of calling a host and the host setting up the show/dinner/room/limo reservations. For mid-rollers, having a host might feel like a hassle because all you are looking for is comp'd/discounted room. Having a host can be intimidating due to the pressure of "hitting" the required play. I am sure some hosts operate like that, but many do not hawk your play during a weekend. In a given weekend, a host has multiple players he is taking care of, and he/she will be spending most of the time taking care of the high-rollers and whales. If you're a premium player, 10K+ marker, having a host opens more doors for other things. A mailer says you get 2 tickets to the superbowl party, but if you have a good relationship with a host, he/she has more leeway to get you 2 additional tickets for your friends. A good host will pull you out of a session when you're getting beat up and tell you to take a break. A good host will set up rides for your friends at the airport coming in at different times. A good host will walk you to a night club and with a quick nod, get you and your friends seated at an awesome table with no waiting (If you're into clubs).

There are disadvantages of having a host. If you get an offer though casino marketing...say free 3 nights and $100 food/beverage comp at a given casino. You know you're not going to play much that weekend and would like to just sleep/eat for free. Making a reservation online with the offer and just hitting and quitting is easy. If you have a host, he/she may get you the 3 nights free, but you may not the get benefit of $100 food/beverage because the expectation is that you'll play long enough to get $100+ comp'd.

Let's say you still book through a host knowing you won't have much play for a given weekend. Most good hosts will still comp your food and beverage as long as it is reasonable. A good host would rather make you happy and have come back than to piss you off. However, with that said I've dealt with some prick hosts.

I've gone through both mailers and hosts over the years. At my current level of play, I know having a host benefits me. I do not discourage folks not getting a host because it can be intimidating.



They make money by getting a fraction of your theo. They genuinely want you to win and playing longer because ultimately they have an incentive. However, I will say a good host will never try to get you to go tilt on a given weekend because they want you to come back.

Nice thoughtful post S-Roy, thanks.
I've had a host assigned for a couple years at my 'local' (3 hrs away) store.
Never knew exactly what to ask, how to take advantage, how to behave.
I think I will just simply ask for a face to face next time I'm there, sometimes we miss each other.
Then I'll ask what the host wants to do for me, what I should ask for w/o coming off like a jerk....
The answer may come back complete BS, but may be enlightening.
Maybe I'll take a hidden recorder and share the answer on here.
I know many, maybe most, of the active members here have all this stuff figured out already, but I really don't. That fact bugs me.

You're welcome 2feathers.

I just want to make it clear that my experiences are strictly with Vegas hosts. I've had AC and Biloxi hosts but I do not have much experience there. I think meeting up with your host would be great. Also letting him/her know what you want can't hurt. They can say no if they'd get in trouble. As long as you are nice and play a good amount, your host should value you as a customer. If not, ask for a new host. If the new host cannot do anything for you either, you may be working at a casino which has a terrible comp system or you are overvaluing your level of play. But good luck go you. Would love to hear back from you on your encounter with your host.

Quote: SiegfriedRoy

<snip>They make money by getting a fraction of your theo. <snip>

Do you happen to know of this percentage for one example, just curious. Just a ballpark figure.

Quote: Mooseton

Do you happen to know of this percentage for one example, just curious. Just a ballpark figure.

I do not. I've looked everywhere online. I'm curious as well.

A common misconception is that hosts cater solely to high action players. There are tiers of hosts as well as players; Executive hosts deal with VIPS's (Seven Star/Diamond) and there is a slew of casino hosts and marketing personnel who handle action of all levels. The best way to establish a relationship with a host (If you haven't been assigned one) is the reach out to the host on duty during a gaming session. Get a business card and keep in touch. Their goal is to develop new players such as yourself.

I want to thank the forum base for their insights on this topic. It's one of those things I've thought about but never asked.

I'm also glad nobody jumped on anybody for chiming in after 2 years or so without any action. No sense opening a new thread when an old one will suffice, right?


With that said - I have a Slot host. She's an older lady, and although she "gets the job done" - she's pretty old. Nothing close to a Sam from Las Vegas. Closer to a female version of Jamie Farr, only older. Probably hairier.


What I've gotten that I don't think players without a host get:

Tix to private parties thrown exclusively for all Top Tier card holders. It's a smaller casino, otherwise, I think I'd probably only be mid-tier based on my play.

For example, I recently got to see a Mystery Dinner Theater show - it was catered by the casino, but the acting troupe was "The Detectives" - they do comedy/mystery dinner shows all over the Southeast. And, it was a great show!

Room reservations - sometimes I've just planned to hit and run but find myself staying longer and getting tired. She's good for "finding rooms" when the front desk says they don't have any.

New Years Eve - I hadn't planned to go there on NYE. But, in October, she sent me a confirmation number just to hold my room - and just told me if I didn't think I would come to cancel it as soon as I knew. She got a brownie point for that, giving her a few points to her credit.

There have been a couple of functions that she spaced out on - didn't let me know about and I found out just by being there gambling. I have to cut her a little slack because she's having a serious medical issue.

But, eventually, I'm going to slide away from this casino, even though I like the non-smoking. Their view on Video Poker - they hate it. So, when I get great free play offers (February, 125 per week) I have to waste it in a slot machine. So, it's really like 50 to 80 in free play. Whereas, at the Imperial Palace, I can get that in video poker, my preferred game of choice. I'll miss the non-smoking part and the High Limit Bartender. She's awesome.