I tend to agree with O2 to some extent. Once you start a giving gifts, you'll feel guilty if you don't continue to do so! I'm not against giving the host gifts at all, there's just a time and a place.
When I first started going to the Silverton, after a few trips in the regular rooms, we wanted to get a suite. Since the room was free, I thought it wouldn't cost much to upgrade to a suite, but they wanted $100 a night for an upgrade. No thanks! But the next time I was in town, I got a new host since my former host had left. I told her we wanted to get a suite and she said she would see what she could do. I didn't think it would be a problem since it was a "dead" time in Vegas, and there were plenty of rooms open. We wound up getting the "Bass Pro" suite which was pretty nice. She also got us cartons of cigarettes, and I wound up giving her $100 for her efforts.
I usually wind up giving the host some money if I wind up hitting a jackpot. These hosts know everything you do when playing a machine. So if you hit a jackpot, they know about it before G-D gets the news. But one host really pissed me off after I hit a nice Royal at the bar. I had hit this royal, and we left the bar and I had to go upstairs for something or other. Faye decided to stay downstairs in the reception area. I was planning on tipping the host when I went back downstairs as they weren't in their office before I went upstairs. While I was gone, the host saw Faye sitting in the reception area, and sat down next to her. She said she noticed that I had hit a royal at the bar. Faye acknowledged that fact. She then went on to say, "You know, we host don't make much salary, and we depend on tips to make our living!" Faye said her mouth almost dropped open as she couldn't believe a host would be saying this to her. At first I was pissed that not only did she bring up this subject before she would see if I tipped her or not, but I thought it was very rude to bring it up the matter to Faye at all! At first I thought, "Screw her and the Silverton" and I could take my business elsewhere. But we really liked the Silverton and all it had to offer, so I calmed down and sought out the host to give them their tip. At first I thought about $100 would be fine as that is what I gave the people who pay me off as well as the bartender and the bar back. But I had a feeling that if I upped her tip, it would pay me large dividends in the future, so I gave them $200, and boy was I right! There was no more "asking" for a suite when we came to town. It was now automatic, along with a gift basket and cartons upon cartons of cigarettes as well as a full comp anywhere we wanted one.
So I wouldn't rush to give your host a tip unless she's doing something special for you, like a room upgrade to a suite, or if you hit a nice jackpot. If you're an average player and she goes out of her way to give you something extra, then a gift card or present are definitely in order, but don't go overboard. I've heard the South Point is very nice, but other than playing just a small amount of VP at the bar, and going there for their delicious hot dogs from the cart in the sports book, I haven't spent much time there. If I didn't go to the Silverton, it would probably be my next choice as I've heard nothing but good reports about their restaurants and rooms. Have a great time there, and win a lot of their money so you can tip your host!
