I am planning a trip to LV in the next month. I play $100-200 baccarat per hand with a total bankroll of $5000. I want to stay at Aria. Do you think I should get a host or would it be a waste of the host's time?
From what I've gleaned from this board you should just go and play normally and if your play warrants it a host will contact you and comp you accordingly. That seems to be the least hassle in establishing a host unless you're a whale looking for upfront concessions.
I agree with that at some places. But with that play level at Aria, they aren't likely to contact you. So the question is, do you want a host?
Will my play be a "waste" of a host's time? Would there be any additional benefits from having a host?
It depends who you ask. Personally, I have a host and play just a bit smaller than you, and I get a lot out of it. But I'm also at a lower tier property. The biggest benefit to me is the continuity between trips. This last trip my host offered me a better offer than I had anywhere else, and he knows how I play on average, so an individual trip isn't as big a deal.
I go to LV about 4 - 6 times per year. If you don't mind, which property do you have a host at? I was considering playing at Mirage or Mandalay Bay since my play would be consider better at these properties.
Are you a Mlife member? If not, I recommend no host. If so do you have any mlife offers, specifically to Aria or the place you want to stay? If so, a host can match that offer at the very least. The problem is that there is a big difference between $100 a hand and $200 a hand. $100 a hand for 4 hours a day gets you nothing except some comps to spend on food at Aria. $200 a hand for 4 hours a day should get you a regular room at every strip property I've been in. Your bet needs to be closer to $200 than $100 and you have to put in 4 hours a day. Otherwise, a host really can't do much for you. If you average closer to $200 a hand and you regularly put in 4 hours a day and you want to establish a relationship with a host then trying to hook up with a host won't hurt, but booking everything yourself and then seeing a host at the end will probably end up being the same. If you choose to contact a host now without having significant play at Aria, just don't expect much. For example, I wanted to try out Aria. I went in and played an hour of two of baccarat averaging what must have been $200-300. I went into the host office and got a host's card. Few months later, I emailed him and asked him to bring me in and all he offered me was casino rate for a regular room (seriously?). I took the offer, got everything comped at the end, and had another host bring me in the next time. For your play, I think Mirage is a good choice.
