My view on this is that tipping is given for getting good service, and should never be if you tip you get better service. For the normal people here, tipping won't open up much in the way of extra comps. Even for those in the $1k+ ADT range. Now for the whales that play at levels where thousands of dollars of comps are being given there is much more flex in what your hosts can do. They have lots more 'discretionary' comps. To me its very misleading to act like these things are normal. If the non whales started all tipping hundreds of dollars thinking they can get $2k-3k more comps from it then well the hosts would all just have a lot more money... I do believe that your relationship with your host does matter, and more so than a tip or gift. There are some hosts that I've had great relationships with and that got me lots of extra comps without and gifts or tipping. The gifts came later as a thank you. I'd give something in the $40-50 range every now and then. I've had many a dinner with my hosts and even been invited to family events. Its become much harder these days to get that kind of relationship with hosts. In the past, they'd introduce themselves and show their face at least once a trip. Many times we'd get a drink(comped of course) at a bar and chat. These days its like they are chatbots just texting you while you're there and giving you generic answers. There is no personal touch anymore.
^ I agree with about 95% of this. The bottom line is that every player is unique, and so are their host relationships. There’s no magical answer here, other than you do you.
Everything for a small group I bring. Multiple spa days for 6 or so people, all F&B, cabanas, golf, sportsbook couches, and yes, we empty the mini bars several times throughout the trip lol.
Any suggestions on what to get a casino host for a year of good to great service? Money of course always is the right size, however curious to hear what others have given their hosts in the past.
I created a small gift basket of snacks, a gift card to a dessert shop in Chinatown, and a tiny lucky cat statue. I know I don't have to give my host anything, but she has gone above and beyond for me since the beginning, which was a year ago. Even if she suddenly stops being my host one day, I don't regret getting her something.
I’ve done a Disney gift card since I knew her family was heading to Disney. Usually it’s just straight cash homie!
If you’re a baller, impress THEIR boss. If you’re Asian; and your host is Asian, then you’d know better than me. If your not a baller and also not Asian; then don’t get them anything.
Tipping makes Vegas (and casinos in general) go ‘round; I generally include hosts (Xmas gifts), especially if they make me feel like I’m not pulling teeth or playing little head games to get what I think is reasonable or maybe a bit extra, and that my play is valued - bonus if they’re personally friendly and easy to get along with (such as my Plaza host ). If I was in the $’000s in ADT category I probably would make a point of personally showing a bit of financial appreciation each trip
The tipping the host etiquette does seem a strange relationship to quantify. I still think my earlier throw-away line of 'they should be tipping you' is close to the mark. In most cases the host should be thanking the player more than the player thanking the host. If cash tips are being issued (because you quite rightly tip everyone else in Vegas) then perhaps we need to know how our play translates to the hosts pay packet - do they get a percentage of our losses, or a percentage of the theo, or a set amount for us just turning up? If the host gets paid on your losses, and you have a winning trip then I can see that giving them a tip would be deserved. Same as if you feel they've over-comped you, or arranged one of those deals where you only pay back 90% of your losses, then that's tip-worthy.
My host makes my arrangements and that’s it. Never have I received anything extra. He does send me info on trips he has but I never go. Do I tip?
I tipped a box of candy bars once. It was kind of a joke. People often associate potatoes with where I am from. We have other things. Or I might put some cash in a little note.
For the upcoming trip, I got a $20 gift card for Kroger/Smiths. And if I can find a DENVER snow globe at the airport, she will get that..as she said she liked snow! haha If not, another gift card for gas.
I currently play on 3 properties at the strip. I plan on giving (2) of my host $100 each along with a Thank You (Holiday) Card. These two host provide excellent service and turn around time with all my needs. There is one host on a specific host I am not gifting, due to the level of service from past bookings/trips.
I am Asian and I give my Asian marketing host in Tahoe a "red envelope" around Christmas/Chinese New Year but only once a year. She is not only good to me, but has the largely unfettered discretion to invite me to the annual Harrahs Chinese banquet in the San Francisco Bay Area each October. My wife notes it is the one time I cannot lose after a comped meal as no gambling allowed in the area. I cannot always attend but not only is the food "The Wedding Banquet" quality, but there are a LOT of generous prize drawings. The last two I attended I won $500 Free Play and then $1000 Free Play. . Many times my red envelope amount. I don't tip my other hosts.
This is awesome. Yeah glad to see host are taken care of. I have a lot of demands, changes, limo request, last minute changes, etc. I expect my host to respond fast and answer questions promptly as well. Host relationship is important as I have also attended F1 with my host.
Tipping hosts seems crazy to me. I'm treated really well and I get comped usually most of what I need but my business is the 'tip'. I work in wealth management and the idea of a client tipping me is just absurd - I'm paid by their assets, much like a host is paid by your play. Again, to each their own but I just don't see myself ever tipping a casino host. Waitresses, nightclub hosts, dealers, front desk, valet etc are a different story entirely. They survive off tips.
