Questions about Hosts
November 25th, 2009 at 5:19:28 AM
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I've always wondered about host compensation. Are they paid based on actual wins/losses? Theoretical win/loss? Or just base salary?
Also, does anyone tip hosts after a trip for good service, extra effort? How would one go about this?
Curious if anyone has answers to these questions. Thanks.
Also, does anyone tip hosts after a trip for good service, extra effort? How would one go about this?
Curious if anyone has answers to these questions. Thanks.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:18:35 PM
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It is my understanding that they are paid according to the theoretical loss of their players. I don't know how the value of comps they give out factors into it.
Tipping hosts is rarely done, and I don't think it is expected. However, if a host gets you into a tournament, and you win something significant (like $10,000 or more), then I think tipping the host, plus the dealers, is in order. However, when I tried to do this at the Venetian once, my host refused it. What few times I've tipped at other casinos, the tips were accepted. When you tip a host in cash I would do so with an envelope. I think there may be rules against them accepting cash tips.
Tipping hosts is rarely done, and I don't think it is expected. However, if a host gets you into a tournament, and you win something significant (like $10,000 or more), then I think tipping the host, plus the dealers, is in order. However, when I tried to do this at the Venetian once, my host refused it. What few times I've tipped at other casinos, the tips were accepted. When you tip a host in cash I would do so with an envelope. I think there may be rules against them accepting cash tips.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
December 29th, 2009 at 12:12:58 PM
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What is the level of play that justifies a host at a typical LV casino? 5K a visit? 10K? 20K? My upcoming trip has a gambling budget of 5K over 4 days. Can we request a host to give us something nice (I would really just like a room upgrade, don't care about a comped room) or are we so puny they will laugh at us?
December 29th, 2009 at 1:03:08 PM
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I'll start with my 'bottom line': It doesn't hurt to ask.
I too thought I was too small and din't bother to ask to talk to a host, until a reservations clerk I was dealing with asked if I had a host. I replied, "NO, I'm too small potatoes for that." Next thing I knew, I was talking to a host that was able to give me the steep discount I was hoping to get.
OK, it was mid-week, but it was at the Taj Mahal the week of the Air Show (i.e. a crowded week).
When I think of a host, I used to think of Steve Cyr. Not anymore.
Just as there are gamblers of every level, there are hosts of every level.
I too thought I was too small and din't bother to ask to talk to a host, until a reservations clerk I was dealing with asked if I had a host. I replied, "NO, I'm too small potatoes for that." Next thing I knew, I was talking to a host that was able to give me the steep discount I was hoping to get.
OK, it was mid-week, but it was at the Taj Mahal the week of the Air Show (i.e. a crowded week).
When I think of a host, I used to think of Steve Cyr. Not anymore.
Just as there are gamblers of every level, there are hosts of every level.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
December 29th, 2009 at 4:45:36 PM
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Quote: sgaligerWhat is the level of play that justifies a host at a typical LV casino? 5K a visit? 10K? 20K? My upcoming trip has a gambling budget of 5K over 4 days. Can we request a host to give us something nice (I would really just like a room upgrade, don't care about a comped room) or are we so puny they will laugh at us?
They mostly consider average bet and average hours of play per day. It looks good to average at least four hours of play per day. It also helps if you play the high house edge games. Naturally, it takes more to impress the nicer casinos. This list is just an educated guess, but I think these would be the kind of average table game bet you would need to get a personal host:
***** (Venetian, Wynn, Bellagio): $400
**** (MGM, Mandalay, Caesars, Paris): $300
*** (Luxor, Harrah's, Ballys): $200
** (Excalibur, Flamingo): $150
* (Sahara, Riviera, Circus): $100
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
