Casino Hosts and your relationships

I was curious what type of players develop relationships with their hosts. Is it only the high rollers or do all types of players develop relationships. I am a small player. I will bring 3-4k for 3-4 days with me to Vegas and every once in awhile a little less like this trip 2k. I have a host at Cosmo, Palms and some random hosts email me from M Resort and station casinos. I asked my host at the Palms a question(3rd host in 1 year) about getting comps when not staying there and she said anyone host could evaluate my same day play. Later She emailed me again and said to text her when I stop by the property. I figure she would like to meet me and see if she can get me back to their property.(she has been sending offers to me via email) I used to stay at the palms quite often. I however feel weird talking to hosts as I don't really know them very well and feel goofy as the only time I talk to them is when I need something. Anyone else feel goofy trying to chat with hosts

 

no, i don't feel weird chatting with them. they're people too and you can be friends with them just as much as anyone else. when you do contact them because you need something, make sure you first ask how they are doing, how the family is, etc before you get down to business. and if you have stuff in common with them, don't just contact them when you need something. if you find out they like some sports team, email them when that team wins or something. just stuff like that where you can develop a real relationship with them that encompasses more than the comps they are giving you.

not only is it more fun to talk to someone you have a relationship with, it only helps your comps when they want to go to bat for you because they know you and like you. hosts have a lot of discretionary ability, but it comes with a price. when they go above and beyond for you, they have to explain that to their bosses and it can be a pain in the ass for them. they are much more willing to do that when they like you.

 

Shifter good advice. I always feel like I may be bothering them or I am wasting their time.(being a small player) I will try and be a bit more social next time when I talk to them. I really don't know much about them and they don't know much about me. I will see if I can change that up. To bad this will be my last trip to vegas for at least a year. First kid on the way and my wife said my 3+ trips a year have to stop. Sad Sad. Now our extra money is going to go for baby stuff. 5-31 the last pre baby trip of my life. I am lucky my wife is letting me take 1750 bucks with me.

 

Agreed with Shifter, it's up to you to develop the relationship. They know, see and meet hundreds to thousands of people regularly, you need to keep in touch on occasion and be pleasant, not just when you want something.
Send them a Christmas (Holiday) card. Drop your host a "hello" note on occasion and maybe send them a little thank you gift after a trip or just on occasion. Even as a low mid roller, you can build a nice relationship and friendship. You may not see your host every trip, or if you do, only briefly, but keep in mind, their job is "player development," they want to make you loyal and make you happy, you need to show some gratitude for their efforts.
My play is not much greater than yours, and my CET host is very nice and generous.
But also stay within your boundaries, don't go crazy charging stuff to your room, keep it simple and low, then work your way up on room charges until you find your boundaries, they'll let you know when you've gone or are getting close to going too far. This is part of the relationship building, trust between both of you. You knowing they'll take care of your needs and them knowing you won't try to take advantage of them.

 

I recently met a new host on a trip to the MGM. I was new to mlife - most of my prior play was at CET properties, so given that was my first stay at an MGM prop, I thought I should try to develop a relationship.

I had played a tiny bit in 2011, so there was a little history, but not enough to merit talking to host. So when I booked, I called VIP reservations, and one of their regular res folks got me a reduced rate - but nothing to write home about.

On my second day of the trip, I stopped by the VIP desk and asked to speak with a host. Someone came out and introduced himself. He had looked at my play from the night before, and was happy to offer me an upfront comp on my room, and told me to call him on my next stay.

At the end of my stay, my room charges were wiped out.

For my upcoming stay, I called him directly, asked if he could book a room for me, and he nonchalantly told me that it's taken care of. Nice.

Long story short, absolutely introduce yourself to a host. Be friendly and respectful. They'll look at your play before they come talk to you anyway, so depending on what level of service your play merits, that's probably the level of attention they'll give you.

On my next stay, I don't necessarily know if I'll play at the same level as I did last time. I want to slow down and teach my girlfriend blackjack and craps, and that will involve being willing to play at lower limits and pay more attention to her enjoyment. I will probably let my host know that - so he doesn't think he overestimated me - and I will definitely keep my food and bev down to a minimum, so he isn't put into the position of regretting comping my stay initially.

My past experience with CET is very similar to this. Know your value to the host. Be courteous and friendly - make the effort to say hello to them, but don't waste their time. If they offer to buy you a drink, accept it. But ultimately - it is a business relationship - one that hinges on your play.

My sincere advice is to play within your regular limits, don't try to impress a host, but make the effort to develop a relationship with one anyway. Having someone to call can make things go smoother and easier. Don't feel awkward about it - have confidence.

 

I have a host at Aria (don't know how that happened , but I have only spoken with her once, and we normally communicate by e-mail. She helped me do quite a bit of switching around with dates etc for my trip last March, so I checked out the website and found a supervisor name. I sent an e-amil to her supervisor complementing the work she did, how professional she was, and how satisfied and happy we were with her service. Her supervisor sent it on to another Level.. and they forwarded it to all of the staff with Kudo's to my host. I believe that people are more than happy to complain about something, but very few will compliment when service is good. I wasn't looking for anything extra, nor was i sucking up.. Just wanted to give credit where credit is due.. Nice to do that once in a while!

 

congrats Ponto! On the flip side I am making my first post-baby trip at the end of June. He's 14 months and will be staying at the wife's parents while she and I enjoy Vegas with some friends. It'll change your world man, that much I can promise.

 

Thanks Veovis. I hope you have a great time in your return to vegas. I am excited about the baby but a bit nervous as everything is gonna change. My plan from now on out is 1 trip a year to Vegas. I don't know how I am going to go with out but I will have to manage.

 

2010 was my only multiple trip year, and last year was interesting not going, but between local college athletics, a new poker room opening up 20 minutes down the road, and of course taking care of the little one, time has flown by. I can't believe he's 14 months already, and that I am only 38 days from being back in my favorite city in the world.

Word of advice, stock up on as many diapers as you can. Don't be afraid to buy sizes above your current need. They will get used.

 

I've known mine since he was a box-man at the crap tables. Long time ago. . .

 

This is as well said as it can be. Shifter is dead on. Well said.

 

so when are you going to take my advice and make the move and drop that deadbeat host at MGM!

 

Hold the phone!!!

We are supposed to go to Vegas LESS after the kids?!?!? Damn it. I knew I got something wrong...

Actually I just want to mention with proper negotiation this can work to your advantage. I was going about once a year during kids #1 and #2. Wife and I had always agreed on 2 kids. Then a few years after the 2nd she starts going on and on about a 3rd.

I told her I wanted to start doing some different things, travel, etc now that all kids out of diapers. In the end I negotiated a very clear and concise deal. I'll go ahead with the third kid (aka provide sperm, pay for everything, lol) IF I have carte blanche for all the Vegas trips I want going forward.

BEST DEAL I EVER MADE.

4 years and 35+ Vegas trips later.....and that 3rd kid is my best buddy ever!

Good luck and congrats!

oh and as for hosts, having gone all the routes, I really prefer just to do everything online or via VIP services. I don't want to deal with a host at all. I've had experiences ranging from great (Bellagio) to horrible (NYNY, Palazzo). Those few times I got scumbagged and many times I dealt with incompetence ruined hosts in general for me. I think for the bigger players on here though its a totally different story.

 

Knowing hosts

I originally contacted my hosts at the M and RIO through a mutual friend. Rio during the most recent trip. I always try to stop by or say hi when I see them on the casino floor. By stopping by the VIP lounge, I've also developed a relationship with one of the guys who work in there. He always contacts my host or someone else to try to get a little more off for me.

Hosts at both places are great guys and do what they can at my level of play. I charge everything to the room knowing there are some items that can't be comped. Also, I am not a real big player so know there is only so much I can get. Both places do some kind of calculation based on my play I guess and take off items near that amount.

This trip, I was at the airport and remembered I did not tell them to check my wife's play. I called the M and they took off an extra $25 based on her play. Not a lot but every bit helps.