Casino Host Questions

[kjohn]

I need some information on Casino Hosts...Here's my deal...For many years I
have played at the Station Casinos in Vegas.  I started at the Palace and worked
my way up with each new casino...When GVR opened I was making a trip with a girl
friend, we were in our 50's,  and we were arriving at night and didn't want to
take a cab, so I called the hotel about a ride.  They turned me over to a Casino
Host and he was gracious enough to send a limo for us.  I'm not a big player, or
at least I don't consider myself to be in that category, never dropping more
than a couple grand in several days and sometimes I win as much in the same
time frame.  Well, to show my appreciation to the host on our next trip I took
him some very nice cigars after finding out that he liked them...From that pt.
on I've been given the royal treatment, from free rooms and an occasional
suite,  fruit in our room, free food etc...I usually get a two night stay offer
at GVR  in the mail but don't even use it and if we need a third or forth night
he just comps it...  I just email my host and he gets us whatever we want.

 
...So Red Rock opened and of course I wanted to try that out.  I usually
travel with my hubby who doesn't gamble so I'm
the comp getter...At  RR, since I have a Station Players card, I did get two
nights free and could use my pt's for food.  Not a bad deal.  Then on one trip I
needed 3 nights and requested a Host.  I was assigned this snippy gal who
offered me nothing that I didn't already have via the mail offers.  She'd give
me the casino rate for the extra night  and then evaluate my play. Other than
that she was not friendly or helpful.  I did take her a gift and got no thank
you...On the other hand my GVR host seemed to have the clout to do whatever he
wanted.  I even asked him once why he gave us such good deals and he said, he
liked nice people and because I played for so many hours I was a good risk.  
He's probably right as in the long run I often play back what I win...I take him
nice gifts about ever other trip, average cost right under $100.
 
So, my great GVR host  moved to the new "M" and sure enough even after only
playing there one afternoon after it first opened, when we decided to stay there
I get the same treatment...The last time we checked in we had a lovely room, a
fruit platter and a $1000 food or spa credit.  I didn't even have to use my
pt.'s....He's an executive host and pretty far up on the ladder but so is the
snotty gal at RR...
 
We're getting ready to travel again for a three night stay and I'd actually
like to stay at RR but why should I pay for the extra night?  My mail offer is
two free nights and $150 in slot play....My offer at "M" is "come on out,
it's all taken care of you"  Am I missing something here?  The games and
machines are comparable.  RR has a few more full play but frankly I NEVER have
any luck on them and like the triple play machines...
 
My question is this,   What is the protocol for tipping Hosts or in the
case of the gal I don't like at RR, requesting another host...I'd really like to
return to RR at some pt. as we like the area, but I'll be darned if I'll pay the casino rate and use all my pts
for food when I can get the fantastic deal at the "M"...Is the RR hostess just
being a jerk or is the M host just a great guy????  Do you guys/gals bring
gifts, or tip your host?    What is the proper procedure....and what is the pt.
of even having a casino host if they only give you the same deal that you get in
the mail..
 
We went to Vegas last month and I decided to just throw caution to the wind
and play as much as I wanted.  We stayed two nights at RR free and Two at the M
free....I dropped two grand at RR and won most of it back at the M and still the
RR hostess offered me NADA above the mail offer.  How the heck does the system
work?????

[JIMDUECE`SWILD]

I don`t know about Las Vegas but sometimes trying to change a host can be difficult to do in A.C. Find out who the host are and how many Exec. Host they have at RR. Ask other players if they have a host, do they like him/her, how good are they. I was assign a host at a casino who had off on weekends. Who ever heard of a casino host havig off on a weekend. Fortunately a friend of ours son was a host and we change to him. The reason we gave to change host was that she won`t be available to us on weekends if we have a problem.
Your host at M or GVR ( let`s call him Mr. M ) keep him he`s sounds great. get to know him book everything thru him. They get credit for having  customers.  Remember him on his birthday and at Christmas time. Gift certificates at a nice mens clothing store is nice. Gift certificates are easy to hand to him without being to obvious.  BUT, Csaino host are not allow to except gifts, but they do.
If RR is going to give you NADA. Them give them NADA.
Good Luck in changing host.
 

[damule]

Just like in many businesses, service wins the customer. The host you had at GVR and now at M Resort is just better at providing customer service. Although you like the RR, don't use a host there, just use your offers. We've had similar experiences as you at different casinos owned by the same company, it's the host that gives us the best personal service that gets our play and stay.

[Casino Knight]

Kjohn,Some of my personal thoughts on dealing with hosts are as follows:1.  I would never offer cash as a gift, and doubt any would accept it.2.  Although gift cards seem impersonal, they are readily accepted by all hosts that I've met, along with a "Thank You" note or card.3.  If you've dealt with a special host for a long period of time, then more personal gifts are appropriate.  4.  Over the years I've run into a few that didn't appreciate or took my business for granted.  Sooooooo, I took my business elsewhere.  5.  In this economy, cash is king, and its good to be the king no matter the bankroll.   6.  If you really want to stay and play at RR I'd pick a time when my assigned host was off duty.   A frank conversation about "your play" with a "hungry" host may  change your experience.  I learned long ago that if you want something extra, ask, the worst they can say is no.7.  How does the "comp" system work?  Most are based on the "Theoretical" of how much you play vs the house edge.  I good host that likes you can fudge that in many cases.  Proven by your experience at GVR.CK

[kjohn]

Thanks for in input...I really had not thought of gift cards and that's a great idea..  I usually take my good host "M" golf shirts as we get a huge discount from a relative on the very expensive shirts.  As for the snotty hostess I'll check her hours and dates and on some visit when she is not in I'll look up someone else...Very good idea....Our deals at RR aren't that bad and we can certainly afford a casino rate night, just the principal.. I did know that they are not supposed to accept cash so never do that....I'll have to say that so far my experience at the M has been wonderful..They must train the employees to be extra nice and frankly I rather like that...

[JIMDUECE`SWILD]

When did M Casino opened? If it is very recent they might be very easy with comps to lure in more business.
I went on there website and it looks like a very nice place.

[EDC1977]

When did M Casino opened? JDW, it opened this past March. Much success and one of the few casinos in LV to actually hire more workers.

[BOOPSAHOY]

After many years of being a little fish in a big pond I guess the pond got smaller and we started getting treated really really well. I sent my host a gift card for xmas and she ws very uncomfortable with it. Whispering and stuff how I shouldnt etc. So now i send nothing and she still gives me everything I need! Maybe they really cant accept gifts-Im thinking I should ask for her home address but that seems out of line...

[kjohn]

Perhaps some of the newer younger hosts don't accept gifts but mine sure does and yes I have sent things to his home.  Not to hard to find the address if you use the white pages on line.....Below some thought from sites on line....Casino/Slot Hosts: NO TIP!!! This is a biggie. No cash
money tips can be accepted by any slot or casino host. It's too much like a
bribe as they are the ones who determine whether or not you get that free room
or comped meal. However, you can give them gifts. I highly recommend you bringing
a gift with "local flair" to a casino host who has gone the extra
mile for you. I like food items from my local area like an assortment of jams,
or a nice bottle of wine. Also acceptable are things like scarves, ties, lapel
pins, tie clips, candy, etc. Gift certificates are a grey area. Some casinos
are okay with them, others frown upon it. Another nice thing to do is to send
flowers or a plant, but the best thing you can do according to the slot hosts
I spoke with is to write a very nice letter to their boss letting them know
how well you were treated and how much the assistance of your host contributed
to the wonderful time you had in their casino.