Casino Host

Just wondering how much a person has to gamble to rate a casino host? I play a lot of Poker
and a bit of Blackjack, do those games count? What is the advantage of using a host? Excuse my ignorance. Thanks,

completely depends on where you are talking about. Poker probably isn't going to get you a host.

If you are playing at Aria, a host probably won't even look at you unless you are betting multiple black chip blackjack for several hours a day.

A few weeks ago, my friends and I were approached by and received cards from an executive host at Golden Gate immediately after we bought in for $300 or so a piece at the $25 table


It is much easier to get a hosts attention if you are playing machines though

Choose an off strip hotel and tell the dealer you're interested in getting a host when you buy in (buy in for at least $200 - $300). They will alert the floor man and he will rate your play. You should be prepared to play $25 hands frequently. Watch the floor man and just increase your bets as he gets closer. Once you have a host, you can call them for rooms instead of the reservation line. They'll send you invites to parties and special events, plus tell you when you are eligible for comps, discounts and free play.

We are not high rollers but have hosts at M and two station properties (RR and AS). We play VP, slots, 3CP and a few other table games. Haven't paid for a hotel room in Vegas in 10 years, but we also don't ask for much, just some comps and slot tourney invites. Our hosts usually change every year as staff in Vegas moves around alot.

You don't need a host to get decent comps at CET, just use your players card. We rarely play there due to the bad VP paytables, and the points that expire every 6 months, but they still send us free room offers every month.

Not sure if poker players get rated, but you might find some interest at smaller hotels (think downtown, Boyd or Fiesta properties).

A host would likely approach you while you're playing since you popped-up on their $$$ Radar Screen.

Poker Players in many card rooms receive "points" for their play. Usually in the $1.00-$2.00 per hour. Sometimes, they can also get a meal comp, it depends on the "power of the pencil" that the shift boss or room manager has. (ie: Golden Gate will comp $10.00 after 4 hours of play. Per se, they do not have a way to actually "track" how long a person has played. The comp must be asked for. Bellagio also will provide a $15.00 meal comp after "15" hours. They've installed the Bravo system, so will know how long a player has been at the table. They also may comp more in the larger games. Binion's does not comp players, but "pays" them a generous $2.00 per hour. I've also gotten "small" meal comps at Tuscany, MGM, Palm's, and IP, and kept my earned points.)

I "always" find a host, even though I rarely play table games, and not much VP. I'll approach with the "angle" that I'm spending 6-18 hours per day playing poker, and should'nt an occasional meal be included, if just to keep me inside their property instead of my leaving to go elsewhere to eat.

"Works" for me. Hosts do have discretionary comps they can award. I don't seek rooms, just a buffet, deli, or coffee shop meal. I get more than other poker players, because I know how to, and am not intimidated from asking.

IF you do not try, you will never succeed.

I found the easiest comps are when you are playing slots or VP. They seem to cater to those people way before anyone else.

Thanks to everyone for all the info.

Gambling to sustain the favor of a Host is a pathway to financial ruin.

Edited to correct some spelling and to say:

I've had Hosts do me some nice favors along the way, so I didn't mean to sound so negative about Hosts. Just don't let the desire to please the Host stop you from playing where and how much you want to play. Your trip, your money.

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Originally posted by: O2bnVegas
Gambling to sustain the favor of a Host is a pathway to financial ruin.
q]

And that my friends is how it works and why the hosts are there.

I find that most of the people on this site are at least semi bright and CHEAP! My kinda people. So, take the comps and never gamble more or longer to get a "free" room or meal. Always present a players card with your buy-in, that way you don't need a host right away, they can look up your play later.

My wife and I average about $50 a bet, myself at BJ and Craps, the wife at BJ, PG and (gasp) LIR. We usually stay downtown at the GN. We do not have a "regular" host but get the usual room, meals and beverages comped. On one trip we were losing more than winning and greatly scaled back our gambling. At the end of the trip we were still comped but did not receive any more invitations. After a call to casino services I was told to book my next trip myself and they would evaluate my play then, kinda like starting over.
After our last trip staying with friends at the Bellagio we have been getting invites from my friends host there. Little does he know there is NO way I would ever gamble at the amounts that my friend does. We do however plan to take them up on the offer though. The host will not be pleased at the end of our stay!

Sometimes just even introducing yourself might be of some benefit.
Even if they can't comp you rooms or a big dinner, they may just offer you a buffet or coffee shop comp to be nice.

I remember many years back at the MC, ..... I didn't even have to ask,
........ just was inquiring why the system seemed to be tightening up, we chatted a while,
I said thank you, started to leave and then she said "So are you guys hungry?".


Rick