I wasn't sure where to post this topic-this seemed like a good enough place. This is Gene and my 5 th trip to LV in the past 5 years. Although we're not big gamblers, we took advise of BB posters a talked to a host at 2 casinos where we wanted to stay.....they were very friendly...asked a bunch of questions...and became our best friends...booking our rooms for our upcoming October trip. Now that we have a new best friend what things can we ask them to do for us? Is in appropriate when we check in to ask her to book dinner reservations for us?? We're new to this so please advise.
Thanks

Carrie,
Look at this from the other direction. The host is working for a business, and you're the customer. The job of the host is to keep you as a loyal customer.
Room reservations, dinner reservations, show reservations are all within the scope of what they can do for you.
Depending on what you play and how much you play, you can sometimes ask for more in comps then they can give. Making a reservation for you doesn't cost them anything and when you ask them for a reservation, if they can, they'll usually comp it for you also. Even if you're just going to the buffet, ask for a line pass. Again, no cost to them and may easily end up getting you a comp.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you're a good player, you could ask for tickets to sporting events, concerts, or shows. Greens fees, health clubs, you name it.
A small gift for a gracious host when you depart is nice and will probably help with future favors you may ask for.

jm

Thanks Senator- what would you recommend as a gift for the host? Also why does everyone call you Senator-just curious?

Carrie,
The "what to give the host" topic has been hashed around before. I always find it interesting. My wife & I use Godiva Chocolates as the gift. We haven't been turned down yet! LOL Will & Christine, our friends have followed suit too. So I guess after we leave town our host gains 5 lb's. <s> Just remember, in the summertime, you must carry it in your carry on, on the plane, or you'll have one big peice of chocolate to give instead of a 40 peice box to give the host! <VBG>


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
pljs78a@talon.net

Carrie,
The senator and Lee gave you good advice. Lee suggested to me to give our host Godiva chocolates and they always seem to work for us. <s> The only thing that I would add is when you ask your host to make dinner reservations for you, let them know if you will be celebrating a special occasion, such as Gene's birthday last year. Our slot host made our dinner reservations for my birthday last year, and because she made the reservations and told the restaurant that I was celebrating my birthday, they saved the best table in the house for us. As Jeff said, it costs the casino nothing to do something special like that, if you aren't being comped, (we were not comped) but it makes for a special evening for you.
Lee Ann

[This message has been edited by Lee Ann (edited July 31, 1999).]

Thanks Lee Ann & Senatorjm- Godiva sounds like a good idea-do you usually give them their present when you arrive? Do you have them make your restaurant reservations when you first get there or prior to arrival?
Thanks

Carrie,
We usually give the Godiva to the host when we first arrive. There is no special time though. If you want to give it at the end of your trip that is perfectly fine. We just like doing it up front because then we don't have to be lugging it around or leaving it in the room for the maids <g>.
We usually call our host before our stay to make any special dinner reservations, etc. This not only guarantees us a better seat, but we also touch base as to when he/she will be available so that we may meet him/her. It is at this time that we give the chocolates.
Michael

Michael,
That's when we give the bribe....er...I mean gift! Oppps! LOL Also, why wait till the end, this way the host has her gift in hand and thinks well, they didn't forget about me. It's also an excelent time to ask for a line pass for the duration of your stay. These cost then nothing and fre up your time for more sightseeing & gambling! I never understood why you'd wait till the end of a trip. Just like those cruises, where you tip the last night. I find a nice bar and drop the tender a 20 the first night. You'd be suprised how quickly, you've just made a new best friend on that ship! (tip is included on most lines when you purchase drinks.) Also, tip the maid every day, don't wait till check out!!!! Also saying goodmorning to him/her and just treating them like a person and not some servant, goes a long way too. Another helpful hint when dealing with anyone working for tips, simpathise with them! ie...(bellman) I don't see how you manage, this big hotel & and all those heavy bags (if your a woman batt your eyes like a doe, if your male...this don't normally work so well and if it does...look out!) then tip generously. You just sent the message, that you feel his pain and he/she will do more for you.
Humor is a great way to soften someone up too. Most airline counter people are suckers for this. I mean at that job the laughs are few and far between. So play to the weak points! If me playing the fool, makes them laugh, I'll go for it. Just remember, no political, sex, or hurtful humor. Stick with the generic. I usually play the fool (a part my wife says I'm good at) (actually she claims she has trouble telling when it's an act and when it's not). har har har!
Ok, now that I posted way more then anyone asked for.....I'll take a break. <s>


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
pljs78a@talon.net

Carrie,

A year or so ago I seemed to be getting great upgrades on rental cars. Someone asked me at one of the meets how I kept doing this. I told them that when I made my reservation I told them my name was Senator Jeff M.. <G> It just sort of stuck.
As to what to give the host, I've taken OSU sweatshirts. Had one host who liked to golf, I'd take him golf shirts and/or golf balls. We've done the candy thing. Also used that at the rental counter like Lee said. A gift certificate to a restaurant not in their casino would be nice. Most hosts are not allowed to accept cash. Some might even have a problem with the gift certificate idea. A scarf for a female or tie for a male would be nice.
Talk to them a little and find out about thier family and hobbies, this might help you in gift buying.
A nice letter to the casino manager about them goes a LONG way. Trust me, they'll remember you for that!

jm

[This message has been edited by senatorjm (edited August 01, 1999).]

Here's a question that I'm almost embarrassed to ask, because I SHOULD know the answer.

I've been going to Las Vegas about twice a year for the last six years. When I play, I always get rated. I play BJ (almost exclusively), and I tend to play 3-4 hours a day, with an average bet of about $35-$50 per hand, and a bet spread of $25-$125 a hand.

Now, I tend to get decent room offers at some places, and get regular comp offers from some Downtown places. When I ask, I'll almost always get a meal comp from the pit. However, I have never had my own casino host. My question is this -- How do I get one? Do I just ask to be assigned a host, or does the casino decide if and when they will assign me one.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, if anyone knows the name of a good host that I could contact, I'd appreciate hearing from you (if you don't feel comfortable giving the host's name over the public board, feel free to e-mail me at mlosacco@aol.com).

Thanks!

Mark

Mark,
You'll find that a great deal of people hold there hosts close to the heart and are very reluctant to give out names. There have even been a few of us here that have gotten burned doing this.
Don't wait for the casino to offer a host, they never will (or hardly ever will) ask to see a host while playing. Or ask at the front desk to speak with a host. Or most have counters (host arn't always there but they can be summoned).
Hosts can be used for simple things, not just comps. Like line passes, reservations to shows & dinner.
What they'll do for you, depends on the type of property you play at. Of course the higher profile the property, the harder it is to get some of the good comps (IMHO)
I'm not a comp wizzard, so others may be better suited for a reply here.

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Mark,

What property are you interested in gettinga host at?

I think te absolute best way to meet a host is to sit down at a table, make as large a buy-in as you're comfortable with and tell someone in the pit that you'd like to speak with a host. They'll call someone. When the host comes, introduce yourself and say something like, "My name's XXXX, I enjoy playing here and wanted to get set up with a host". By the way, I think the name "host" works for male or female. They'll ask for either your players card or if you don't have one, a drivers license. The host will likely ask if there's anything they can do for you. This would be a good time to say your and you wife, or whatever, were thinking about trying the XXXXX restaurant and see what they say.

The other way to meet a host is to go to their offices, usually at casino services or VIP services or sometimes at the slot desk. I don't think you can beat meeting tham at the table with several hundred dollars setting in front of you.

One other thing on ratings. As soon as the pit person takes your card to start rating you, make sure the first bet they see is on the upper scale of your betting spread. That's the number that usually gets written down and left there unless your betting changes dramatically. As Lee said, the casino will rarely assign you a host.

As to giving you the name of a host, I would do it for you if I know someone at the property you're interested in. I think any host appreciates new business being steared their way. What I won't do is call a host and ask them to take care of someone I feel is going to go stay in a cheap room and not give them any action

jm

Gosh, you guys seem to be reading my mind! We have never had a host either and wonder if perhaps we should.

I know a few of you had me sign books to give as gifts to your hosts. I'm thinking that I'd want to go with one of them, being that they will sort of know who I am.

Any ideas?

Debbie

Debbie,

If it's for a property I have a Host at, I'd be glad to share their name.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, if you're not gambling at least 4 hours a day, you're probably not going to get much benefit from a host.

jm

I can give you a host's name at Caesars or the Rio.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Thanks for the replies!

Jeff --

Good advice! I'm sure having a host see right from the get-go that you plan to do some playing will make them more interested in having you as one of their players.

Lee --

I hear what you're saying about people not wanting to be burned when they give out their host's name. It makes sense to always be careful about who you give the name to.

-- Mark L in NJ

Markl,
One other thing (which might just be a "me thing"), I hate rejection, so when I ask for something, I always try to leave a way out that the host can give me something. It may not be what I wanted, but atleast we both don't walk away feeling like we failed. There is no worse feeling then being turned down and just left standing there , like the kid in the Oliver Twist movie, asking for "more please". <S>
Also, confidance seems to play a factor here, not the, I deserve it tude, but the kind where you don't feel out of place asking for something. Sort of like a bavado thing.

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

I agree with you Lee......it doesn't hurt to ask for something...you might not get what you ask for....but they'll probably give you something...that way everyone walks away a "winner".

Lee & Carrie --

I agree, both with asking and a (silly, I suppose) fear of rejection. I've been able to generally get over that fear, and I feel comfortable asking at the tables when I feel I deserve something. I've never been turned down, although a few times they've offered me something that was a cut below what I requested. I do feel, though, that having a host generally would make things easier, at least with getting set-up with accomodations when coming in to the city.

Thanks.

Mark