How To Get A Host In Vegas
Complete a 'marker application' and you will have a host assigned. Go to the VIP are and talk with a host and they will explain the service. If you feel you will be spending $1000 or more a day, they will try to keep you at their casino and help you with shows and rooms. Big comps come from $3000/ day and up.
- Answer 11 of 25: Just curious. I see alot of posts about people having a host and was wondering how you get one and what they do for you? Thanks, Pastalvr. Las Vegas Tourism Las Vegas Hotels Las Vegas Bed and Breakfast Las Vegas Vacation Rentals Las Vegas Packages Flights to Las Vegas Las Vegas Restaurants Las Vegas Attractions.
- MGM Grand Las Vegas offers text alerts to consumers interested in receiving property discounts as well as event and information related to MGM Grand Las Vegas. A message will be sent to your mobile device for verification. By joining this program you agree to receive periodic text messages. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP to 50435.
Las Vegas gamblers commonly believe that casinos only cater to high rollers. Some might envision a whale basking by their infinity pool, while a host works on their daily schedule and room service feeds them grapes.
Okay, so maybe room service doesn’t feed anybody grapes. But high rollers do have access to hosts and many lavish amenities.
The average gambler may think that only the elite can be hosted. However, the truth is that anybody can enjoy a casino host’s services with enough knowhow.
That said, I’ll discuss what exactly what a host does. I’ll also cover how any player can work with a host to get their favorite comps.
What Is a Casino Host?
A casino host discusses comp options with players and fulfills their requests. Employed by a casino, the host has the authority to issue just about any comp within reason.
- They commonly offer buffet passes, hotel stays, limousine rides, meals, spa visits, and show tickets. Hosts may also deliver more-exotic rewards, including choice nightclub tables, custom room décor, and shopping credits.
- They’re willing to offer specialized perks to the biggest gamblers and high rollers. This aspect is a big reason why many believe that Vegas casino hosts are only available to whales.
In reality, though, these employees’ main role is to make sure relevant players have a good time. If an average Joe gambles enough to be worth the casino’s time, then they too deserve a host’s services.
What Does a Casino Host Do?
A casino host carries two main roles:
- Ensure that players have a good time and want to come back to the casino
- Bring money into the gambling establishment
Regarding the first duty, a host isn’t just a booking agent who does the gambler’s bidding. They also develop relationships with players, get an idea on their preferences, and use connections to fulfill requests.
Everything begins with the host introducing themselves and chatting with a gambler. They can use this meet-and-greet tactic as a means of learning what the person values most in terms of comps.
Of course, the host has limits to what they can do. They’re not going to break any laws just to give players special treatment.
Generally speaking, though, these employees can make just about anything happen within reason. They do the grunt work behind setting up unforgettable experiences and save gamblers time in the process.
As for their hierarchy within the casino, hosts are essentially midlevel management that deal directly with players. They report to the casino marketing manager(s).
Most casinos employ more than one host. Therefore, these employees compete with other hosts at their own casino and beyond.
Assuming a player is unhappy with their experience, they may switch to a different host within the casino or simply go to a new gambling establishment altogether.
Why Should Gamblers Care About Having a Casino Host?
Three great reasons to seek out a casino host include:
- Avoid the work/time associated with setting up experiences
- Gain access to the host’s connections and knowledge
- Feel like a VIP
The first two points are connected in many ways. Most gamblers don’t want to spend time worrying about where the best bars, restaurants, and spas are. They want to gamble.
Meanwhile, the host can quickly fill them in on some great Vegas hotspots. They have knowledge of the town and where the best places are for each interest.
A host’s job is to make the gamblers happy. They’re not going to send somebody who’s seeking a vibrant club experience to a dive bar.
As for the third point, many players just appreciate being catered to. They like having an employee discuss comp options with them and hook them up with a great meal or limo ride.
Tips for Getting a Casino Host
Unfortunately, not every gambler can expect to be hosted. Those who put $20 into a penny slot machine and expect a lobster dinner will be severely disappointed.
However, these same players can work towards being hosted by following a few simple tips. That said, here are some important steps that’ll help one raise their VIP status.
1 – Sign up for the Player’s Club
The first step towards getting rewarded at the casino involves joining the player’s club. If one isn’t gambling with a player’s club card, then they won’t rack up comps and get noticed.
Gambling venues feature signups for the loyalty club both in their land-based establishment and online. Once a player is eligible for VIP rewards, they simply need to start gambling on machines and table games.
Regarding the latter, a gambler needs to hand their card to the dealer and ask to be rated. The dealer will pass the card along to the pit boss, who’ll briefly monitor the player’s betting patterns.
Each bet will count toward loyalty rewards. Enough play will convince the casino that a gambler is worthy of being hosted.
2 – Forget VIP Tiers
Casinos often group players into different loyalty clubs based on various factors. For example, they might offer the following VIP levels:
- Bronze player’s club
- Silver player’s club
- Gold player’s club
- Platinum player’s club
Looking at these tiers, platinum gamblers seem like they’d automatically earn the most rewards. However, the levels have less to do with comps than everybody thinks.
Players can achieve a higher tier based on their previous play. But they won’t necessarily earn more rewards on a consistent basis than the person next to them.
3 – It’s All About ATL
Continuing off the point above, casinos use average theoretical loss (ATL) to determine how many comps players deserve.
Hosts look at ATL to determine how valuable a gambler is to the casino. They then decide how much to comp the player based on their theoretical losses.
Here’s an example:
- A gambler plays blackjack at $50 per hand for eight hours
- Approximately 60 hands are dealt per hour
- 50 x 8 x 60 = $24,000 total wagered
- Based on their skills and the table rules, the player is facing a 1.5% house edge
- 24,000 x 0.015 = $360 in losses
- The host comps the player on 10% of their losses
- 360 x 0.1 = $36
- The player receives a free meal for two at a low-end restaurant
This gambler isn’t a major high roller but has still proven themselves worthy of receiving a decent comp. The host will likely work to retain their future play as well.
The higher a player’s ATL, the more attention they’ll receive from the casino. Assuming they don’t have a very large ATL, though, then they may not even get to speak with a host.
4 – Gamble at Nearby Casinos
Gambling venues are much more intrigued with the person who plays two to three times per week versus the typical vacationer who gambles for one week.
Sure, the vacationer may bet a lot during their stay. But unless they’re a high roller, they’re probably not going to play more than the local.
Hosts are often interested in somebody who lives nearby. They can look forward to a higher playing volume from such gamblers.
5 – Play at Lower Class Casinos
People who gamble in Vegas for the first time are often shocked at their miniscule rewards. They’re especially disappointed when playing in popular Strip casinos.
The most-popular gambling venues don’t care as much about smaller players. They’ll still offer comps, but they don’t want hosts bending over backwards for such gamblers.
Meanwhile, downtown casinos are more accommodating of small players. Hosts at these venues still won’t roll out the red carpet, but they’ll at least give low rollers more rewards.
Getting the Most Out of a Casino Host
Casino hosts and gambling establishments in general were much more generous with comps in the past. These days, though, they’re stingier and need to better watch their bottom line.
Nevertheless, players should still speak with or email hosts to see what kind of rewards to expect. The host can give them a good idea on what type of play they’ll need to offer for certain rewards.
Gamblers can also inquire about extras as well. Maybe somebody just lost $2,000 and wants to see if they can get another free night in the hotel. Or perhaps a $50 blackjack player wants to know if they qualify for a spa visit.
A casino host’s duty is to make sure that gamblers enjoy their stay and get what they’re looking forward to. They’re flexible in many cases and willing to do what it takes to keep players happy.
However, gamblers also need to be realistic about what they qualify for. Just because one is betting $50 to $100 per hand doesn’t mean they’ll receive a penthouse suite and 24/7 limo transportation.
Casinos factor in how much gamblers are betting and theoretically losing. It’s especially important to a gambling venue’s bottom line. It’s also crucial to hosts, because they work to meet quotas in terms of the money they bring into casinos.
Conclusion
Gamblers don’t have to wager thousands of dollars per hand or sit at $25 slot machines just to get hosted. They merely need to play enough to be worthwhile to casinos.
A $25 blackjack player is the perfect example a cut-off point for many casinos. They don’t bring in lots of money to the house, but they may lose around $200 over the course of a session.
Host Las Vegas
Gambling establishments rely on a large quantity of players like this. The host wants to keep these gamblers happy and coming back frequently.
In order to make this happen, the host establishes a relationship with gamblers and finds out what they’re looking for. They can then suggest comps and make arrangements that’ll satisfy the players.
Every gambler is looking for something different. Some want fine dining, while others are interested in strip clubs.
The host tries their best to accommodate any reasonable demand. Assuming a request is unreasonable, then the employee politely explains this to the gambler and risks them going elsewhere.
Luckily, though, hosts and players are usually able to see eye to eye. In this way, they’re both able to win out in the end.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Gamble enough in Las Vegas or other casino destinations and you’ll get a casino host. This person helps you with travel arrangements. She also offers perks like free rooms and meals.
If you have a host, take advantage of the situation. Use their services for whatever you need.
But a casino host won’t tell you everything.
1- Which Games Offer the Highest Comps
The core of a casino host’s job is to get you to gamble as much money as possible. As long as they can get you to put as much money as possible into play, the casino advantage will eventually take the correct amount of it.
Good casino hosts know which games have the highest house edge and highest hold percentage. They also know which ones have the lowest. This information is usually directly tied to the level of comps you can get.
A casino determines a player’s comp level by how much the player is expected to lose. This is determined by the expected house edge on the game being played multiplied by the total amount wagered.
Here’s an example:
A player bets $100 per hand on blackjack. He plays 500 hands. His total amount wagered is $50,000.
With an expected win rate of 2%, the casino expects to win $1,000 ($50,000 X 2%).
Vegas Vip Hosts
The more money the player is expected to lose, the better for the casino host.
2- Which Games Offer the Lowest House Edge
The casino host doesn’t want you playing the games with the lowest house edge. So they probably won’t tell you which ones have it.
It doesn’t matter which games have a low house edge if you don’t play them with the best possible strategy. But your host still wants you to lose as much as possible. They won’t steer you to better games.
3- They Don’t Have Your Best Interests in Mind
Your casino host doesn’t have your best interests in mind. Sure, they want you to have a good time, but only because people gamble more when they’re having fun.
Your casino host wants you to gamble as much as possible during your stay. Everything they do is directly related to this goal.
4- They Don’t Like You
Not every casino host dislikes every one of their customers. But the host isn’t your friend, and she doesn’t like you. Depending on your behavior, she might not dislike you, but don’t make the mistake of thinking she likes you – no matter how she acts.
The casino host’s job is to get you to gamble as much as possible.
Thinking your casino host is your friend? Try this little test:
Call your casino host – tell her you need to come to town on business but won’t have any time to gamble at all. Ask them what they can do for you or recommend for your stay.
If you drop thousands of dollars a year, you might still get a room. The casino doesn’t want to risk losing your future play. But even this has limits.
And if they do comp your stay in this situation, expect them to encourage you to gamble.
5- They Don’t Care About Your Stories or Your Family or Your Business
Casino hosts listen to your stories and look at the pictures of your kids or pets. But they don’t really care.
Their job is to make you think they care enough to get you to start gambling.
6- Nothing in the Casino is Free
The free drinks, meals, rooms, and flights aren’t really free. They’re paid for out of your expected losses. The casino tells you all of these things are free. They want you to be grateful that they’re taking care of you.
Take the blackjack player who’s expected to lose $1,000 per 500 hands played. He comes to the casino and plays 5,000 hands four times a year. His expected loss for every trip is $10,000. He will have a winning trip every now and then. But on average the casino will have their percentages figured correctly.
The casino knows the player is going to lose an average of $10,000 every time he comes. They also know they can afford to give him thousands in “free” things and still make lots of money.
How much does a round trip flight, hotel room for a week, five buffet comps, and four or five nice meals cost?
Nowhere close to $10,000.
7- Everything You Get is Directly Tied to How Much You Play
Your casino host might hint at this if you aren’t playing enough. But they don’t like to come straight out and say you have to play a certain amount up front.
If you want more comps you probably need to play more. You’ll see exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, what you get from your casino host is directly tied to how much you gamble.
8- If You Don’t Ask You Won’t Get
Many players don’t ask their casino hosts enough questions. Your host will probably take care of your meals and room if you play enough. But you really have no idea how much more you may be able to get. If you don’t ask you’ll never know what you might get.
Want to see the Grand Canyon or the Blue Man Group? Ask if your host can help.
What about a trip to the spa for your spouse?
You don’t even have to ask for monetary value things. Sometimes information can be valuable. Your host should either have a great deal of information or be able to access it.
9 – You Can Get a Better Deal at Other Casinos
Your casino host doesn’t want you to consider another casino. She doesn’t even want you to start thinking about talking to another host.
Are you a big player?
You should shop your play as much as possible. Get as much in return for your play as you can.
10- You Can Get an Upgrade for $20
$20 is an arbitrary amount. But often you can get a room upgrade for a small amount of extra money. Has your casino host arranged for a room?
Ask her how much you would have to pay to get an upgrade.
How To Get A Casino Host In Vegas
11- When You’re Just Short of a Big Upgrade or Perk
Unless you track your play (which you should do) and know how the casino determines the amount of your comps (almost impossible to find out), you won’t know where you are on the scale of players at the casino. The bigger the player, the more you can get, but there’s always a line separating one level of play from another.
If you’re just a few thousand short of the next level of player it would be nice to know so you could play a little more.
A smart casino host may let you know when you’re close, but most of them won’t. If they do tell you, make sure you know exactly how much more you need to play and what you will get in return. You don’t want to lose twice what it would cost you to buy the same perks.
12- When You’ve Had Too Much to Drink
Why do you think casinos offer free drinks to players?
The more you drink, the more you gamble.
Because your casino host wants you to play as much as possible, she’s more likely to order you another drink than tell you it’s time to stop.
13- Where to Find a New Casino Host
The casino host business is competitive. Hosts protect their clients fiercely. If you start thinking about finding another host, don’t tell your current host.
Conclusion
Playing enough to have a casino host and getting perks from the casino feels great. But you still need to make sure you’re watching out for your best interests.
The casino host wants you to play as much as possible. Everything she does is done with this ultimate goal in mind. Remember this. You should be able to take advantage of their services and have a good time along the way.