Why I signed up on the board
There are many formulas used by hosts, as there are different properties. Most of you know specific formulas and the basics. Which are, Time, Buy-In, Average Wager and some type of Theo. As well there are different levels, the host desk, the floor person, the host on duty, the assigned host, the Player Development Executives and then the V.P.'s of Marketing as well as, outside and contracted independent hosts and other marketing people.
In this business the rules appear to be written to be broken or flexible. To complicate matters, say what the Mirage does another MGM property will do different or what the Wynn does is totally different to a player than what Green Valley Ranch does.
I have seen just about everything over the years, from the first time 'WOW'ed out their mind player to the classical elite 'Whale'. After two decades of hosting and another job title or two in casinos, there is not much I have not been around or witnessed.
With that little bit said as an over view, I look forward to reading some of the questions and answering what I can. I rather not deal with exact formulas for many reasons and yes, the bosses do occasionally look on this site. Mine does anyways and yes, he knows I signed up. So keep it general and we all can learn.
Quote: Host4LongTimeI have been off and on a semi-regular lurker, if there is such a title. I do work at a Vegas strip property as a casino host. I read with interest some of your questions, concerns, comments and 'lashing out' at the various properties concerning the almighty, "Complimentary". AKA: "COMP".
There are many formulas used by hosts, as there are different properties. Most of you know specific formulas and the basics. Which are, Time, Buy-In, Average Wager and some type of Theo. As well there are different levels, the host desk, the floor person, the host on duty, the assigned host, the Player Development Executives and then the V.P.'s of Marketing as well as, outside and contracted independent hosts and other marketing people.
In this business the rules appear to be written to be broken or flexible. To complicate matters, say what the Mirage does another MGM property will do different or what the Wynn does is totally different to a player than what Green Valley Ranch does.
I have seen just about everything over the years, from the first time 'WOW'ed out their mind player to the classical elite 'Whale'. After two decades of hosting and another job title or two in casinos, there is not much I have not been around or witnessed.
With that little bit said as an over view, I look forward to reading some of the questions and answering what I can. I rather not deal with exact formulas for many reasons and yes, the bosses do occasionally look on this site. Mine does anyways and yes, he knows I signed up. So keep it general and we all can learn.
Welcome to the board, and thanks very much for offering to be a resource!
I must admit, I am rather clueless about this aspect of casino life as I have never had a host before and I apologize if my questions seem amateurish
As far as you local property goes. Go in person to the host desk or their marketing/player development office, if they do not have a host desk. Usually all casinos do. Ask them exactly what you asked here. If you have been rated they have the info already. Look a host in the eye, shake his hand, ask him what can you do for me. Don't exaggerate how you play but you can hint a bit at bringing another player or two (if you can) or anything else that might mean more business for the host and the property. These days with the increased amount of gaming popping up, we are all under constant pressure to develop and build or rebuild, relationships with players. A lot will have to do with your buy-ins and how long you play.
Generally, and I say generally an assigned host usually comes about when the player is a 'steady' or 'known' wagering upwards of a $100 per hand average bet. Buy-ins and times are also factored in with the types of games. A host has the lee-way to deviate from what you should get according to the computer.
As far as Caesar's or MGM goes. For the higher line players it does matter and their play can be found out. Usually Atlantic City 'CET' cannot see what Vegas properties ratings are for player's with details, but they can call and find out if they wanted to. For the regular player the offers are all self populating in both of their websites. Only for the larger players will it matter where say a CET host will telephone the player's MGM host to verify past play or one property to another, not under the same company umbrella.
We all know that the general comp formula is (apx 40%) * (average bet) * (game "theoretical") * (hands per hour) * (hours played). My question is for the "average bet" in a game like Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, do you look at only the initial bets, or factor in the raise bets as well?
Quote: WizardWelcome to the board. I hope you'll stick around for a while. Here is my question:
We all know that the general comp formula is (apx 40%) * (average bet) * (game "theoretical") * (hands per hour) * (hours played). My question is for the "average bet" in a game like Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, do you look at only the initial bets, or factor in the raise bets as well?
Like I mentioned, as many different formulas (meaning, end result-comp given or not) as there are properties in Vegas.
If one of my players were on UTHE, I would be more concerned with the player's average wager rather than the initial because that is what is recorded and what the bosses will ultimately go back to. However, say you are a known, $5k B.R. player. If you always initially wager $50.00 but raise and press constantly and the floor records $125 average wager, then that is what I am going to comp off of. Disclosure, but that has to happen for repeated hands over the course of at least an hour or more. The problem comes frequently because the floor is not always looking and the host is not there. If I was flooring and I looked at your wager 10 times in 20 minuets, noticing 4 x's 2 green chips and 4 x's 1 or 2 black chips and 2 x's mixed chips, I would probably put down an average of $75.00 or $125.00 depending on other factors.
Quite often the average wager for a player is actually lower than if a floor recorded every single hand for 100% accuracy. If you flat bet one black chip for a solid hour, it is easy. The more a player mixes their chips within a wager and the busier it is, are all factors in getting accurate average wagers.
Secondly, how much of an inconvenience is it for you to talk to someone that doesn't really qualify for your time? A cold call or walk up, essentially.
Thanks, I appreciate the time you are willing to put into this.
Quote: ahiromuAs a host, would you rather have me come at you straight up or kind of play stupid on first meeting? Essentially, would you rather have me throw all the cards on the table and potentially come off as arrogant, asking for a bit more than I'm worth, and get shot down on some of it, or play stupid and go to your competitor if I don't get offered what I want? I'm naturally oriented towards the latter, but can force myself to be the former. Just to clarify, by "straight up" I mean tell you that I want airport transportation and $300 in food/FP/cash equivalent for a weekend at X property or up.
Secondly, how much of an inconvenience is it for you to talk to someone that doesn't really qualify for your time? A cold call or walk up, essentially.
Thanks, I appreciate the time you are willing to put into this.
I do want to answer this. Will right after I return from the airport as one of my players will be in at 5:30. No problem to answer.
I would like to talk about one of the harder games to figure average bet on, that being craps.
I have always wondered if I was receiving fair comps, under comp'd, or perhaps even over comp'd. Since I have received basically the same level of comps at CET, MGM, GVR, and now Mohegan Sun, I assume I am probably in the fair range. However, others who appear to play about the same level I do report they do not get the same comps. I 'think' most of my comps may be originating from the marketing arm. Things like a round of golf (in the off season), or commercial flight offer to Biloxi in June (gasping for air).
Most of my craps play is always the same. Buy in for a certain amount, and play until it is gone, or for 4 to 6 hours, depending on what else is going on. My average bet range can be as low as $60, and I have been rated at well north of $300 when the tables are running good. My mean is around $150 if the dice are cooperating at least a little bit.
I live in a city with some active casino junket groups, so I know a lot of my free flights are due to the junket status.
Would you be able to throw out a range of numbers for craps where certain comps would kick in?
What level play do you look for in order to become someone's personal host, as opposed to just letting them deal with the on duty host?
What average craps bet would you like to see for the following comp's
Room comp'd
Guaranteed RFB
Comp'd Access to nightclubs
Spa services comp'd
Pool cabana comp'd
Comp'd Golf rounds at casual course
Comp'd Golf round at a Premier course
comp'd travel (either flights or gas cards)
Loss rebate negotiation?
Any other comps you would like to add?
If this is too specific, no worries, just decline to answer, and again, welcome to the forum.
RC
Occupation: Restaurant manager
Favorite Casino(s): Green Valley
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