A: Casino hosts are paid a competitive salary along with possible bonuses and occasional tips from their guests. Casinos use mathematical calculations to determine each gambler’s average daily theoretical (ADT), which is how much money a guest cycles through the system. The casino assigns hosts to guests who meet minimum ADT qualifications, and the casino assigns a benchmark for how much.
Say you have a pretty high Theo, how do you know what is reasonable to ask for and receive in comps (in addition to the room)? For instance, should every meal be comped, how about money for the gift shop, other things?
That depends on the casino and depending on which casino it is, it may depend to a lesser or greater degree on the host.As was also stated in another post, 'it never hurts to ask.'
- May 22, 2019 How much money slot machine makes? If you play slots, you have a pretty good idea of what they earn from you on an average day. But you're not the only player at any given machine in one day. There can be dozens. Where does that leave the casino i.
- The casino gives you back 500 points, which is $100. (If the machine is holding five percent of all money played, your theoretical loss is $500.) Now, the casino has to decide how to give you back your $100. Rarely does the casino slot executive walk up to you and hand you the $100. (“Here you go, Sally, thanks for playing.”).
Many casinos are tied to the amount that you've earned on your player's card and the hosts (or pit supervisors whom you can also talk to about a comp) will only give you a comp up to that amount on the player's card. This system removes any discretion that hosts used to have in comping their players. [The 'bean counters' in management don't like it when a hosts or pit supervisor overcomps a player. The hosts and pit supervisors don't like it that they are unable to handle things as they previously did.]
Other casinos still allow the hosts to make decisions based on your play and what you request regardless as to what may be currently on your card.
I was at the Wynn last year and discovered that they allow the hosts to make the decisions on the comps. However--since it is the Wynn--the amount of the comps may be quite small compared to a different casino based on the exact same level of play.
You are correct to recognize that the amount of your comps will be based, to a great extent, on your Theo. That is why it is a good idea to ask--while you are playing at the tables as well--about your ratings including average bet and Theo. You will likely discover that not all casinos rate in the same way and, indeed, even different pit personnel within the same casino will rate your play differently. This lack of consistency for determining your average bet within the same casino is a continuing problem for casinos and for the player.
If you think you've not be fairly rated, then talk about it with the proper personnel--which would not necessarily be a host or anyone from the player service department, but rather a table games supervisor.
In addition and separate from your Theo is the fact that the casino and/or host can increase your comps based on your losses. In other words, you may have earned a certain level of comps based only on your Theo, but if you've had a large loss (or several large losses!), the casino/host will typically add a percentage of those losses (perhaps 20%) to the amount which they may comp you. This additional consideration based on your losses will not necessarily show up on what you've earned on your player's card.
If you do have a pretty high Theo, then you should try to get a host assigned to you or at least routinely call the same host for all of your needs. You should find that you may be treated a little better as the result of that one-on-one relationship with a particular host. Again, it will depend on the casino as to whether your play justifies the decision that you will be assigned a specific host.
This arrangement of having an individual host assigned to you is more likely accomplished if you do most of your play at the same casino. Guess what? That is what the casino wants. So in assigning a host to you, the casino will be better able to attract and retain all of your play.
Another thing to note is, obviously, not all comps are valued (by the casino and/or host) in the same way that you may value them. For example, the cabana by the pool at Caesar's for the day may have a larger comp value assigned to it than a suite for the weekend.
Also keep in mind the offers and coupons that you may have received. Even if your play justifies a specific host being assigned to you, that host may want to apply a coupon offer to your comp. Depending on the casino, the 'payment' of your comps could come out of two different budgets. For example, a particular casino may have a 'player development budget' and this is the budget that the hosts have available by which they can comp. In addition, the same casino may have a 'marketing budget' and it is from this budget that the coupons (for rooms, cash, meals, etc.) are paid for. Your host may prefer to handle your needs out of this 'marketing budget' and keep his/her 'player development budget' available for additional things.
Not only do different casinos handle the whole matter of comps in various ways, these ways often change from time to time. So what I say here may not apply to your own individual experience at your own casino.
Let me qualify the above remarks by saying that I have not worked in a casino, nor have I worked for player development. I've started this thread in response to the question in hopes that other people may be able to shed more light on this subject.
I've never tried gift shop comps, I never thought to. I think meals are always easier, because they seem more like hospitality than gift shop items.
This is an often rehashed topic, but you have added some fresh topics with the discussion of the different budgets available to the host. It does pay to learn as much as you can about your casino's comp guidelines. Once you know what they look for, you can be sure to maximize the potential comps you receive.
One word of caution. Don't get so focused on comps, that you lose sight of how much you are spending to get those comps.
It is pretty easy to get used to the nice treatment, the quick check-in lines, the free rooms and spa treatments, etc. But it is also easy to start playing with higher amounts than you should be, which seems okay when you are breaking close to even. But getting slaughtered is always a possibility, and then those free comps become VERY VERY EXPENSIVE.
Casinos will often comp somewhere between 15-35% of your theo loss in comps, so playing the machine with the best ratio of house-calculated theo loss to actual theo loss can yield a big advantage. At most casinos, I would guess there is something that if played with correct strategy, on the right days, will yield significantly over 100%. The best things I have seen have yielded somewhere between 105-110%, after mail, for a large amount of money.
Finding the best machine at a casino that can give huge mail is not an easy task, however, and when you do find it your account may have enough visits that it's not really feasible to play it to a huge theo loss. Oddly enough, many of the people I've seen who are very methodical in managing their play and picking the best machines still seem to blast their money away on dumb things at the casino.
Sure there are sweeteners for major wins or major losses and some sweeteners for 'player investment' purposes if they think you have long term potential. Places like Tuscany have very good deals in their gift shop, other places usually have crap in their gift shop and just how many sun-caps with a casino logo would you want anyway?
Best thing to do is decide what you really and truly value and go only for straight comps that don't involve items of little real interest to you. I've heard people ask for free travel miles on their airline cards... as if some host could tap into the airline's computer and get those miles for them!
There is one thing that I learned: one computer system bills 'handicapped' or ' assisted-device ' rooms not to the player's comp account but to some ADA Compliance Account.... so its now easier to get a comped room if you ask for one that is wheel chair accessible or has a seated shower or something like that.
How Much Money Does The Government Have
Do you think one hour $25 ante Mississippi Stud is worth a buffet comp?
No, but 3 hours might be. Remember that you are asking for something over and above what is getting put on your account for that play.
Contents
- 3 Benefits of Having a Host
What is a Casino Host?
A casino host is a personal casino representative. Instead of calling reservations to book a room, or calling restaurants to book a reservation, your host will be able to take care of everything for you. If you are in a casino, there will usually be a designated host on duty that can help you at any hour, even if you don’t have one assigned to you.
Hosts are not usually on the casino floor like dealers or floor people. They will greet you and stop by if you are playing, but they do not have any other job beyond making sure their players are taken care of. At some casino properties, there will be different tiers of hosts, where higher value players are assigned to more experienced hosts.
Have a Host Assigned
If you only play low limit blackjack or slots a few times per year, the odds are that you won’t have a host assigned. If you ask for one, the casino may find a host for you, but it will largely defeat the purpose as they won’t have a lot to offer you. Look at it this way, the host if your own butler when you are planning a trip to, or are currently at a casino. If your play is valuable enough to the casino, they will assign you said butler. If you are an infrequent, low limit player, this is not an expense they are looking to spare.
Casinos handle their host programs differently depending on the property. Some will meet you face to face while you are playing. Others will give you a call or email to establish a line of contact. If you have put in a decent amount of gambling volume at a casino but still don’t have a host (or one that you know of), the next step is to reach out.
If you are at a casino, visiting the host office is your best play for obtaining a host. Sometimes you will already have on your account, but they simply didn’t contact you. Other times a host will need to be located for you. Most casinos have dozens of hosts (depending on their size), so one should be available for your immediate assistance. Once you finally have a casino host, the next step is understanding what benefits you will now be able to realize.
Benefits of Having a Host
The tricky part about having a host is that there is a lot of give and take. Do the hosts want to see you play a lot at their casino? Yes, of course. Do they want to see you lose? No, though some incorrectly believe this to be the case. The ultimate goal of any host is to ensure that you are kept happy during your visit.
Try to be reasonable about what you should expect as a player. If you are playing $100/spin high limit slots for hours on end, your host will likely offer you unlimited room charges, but if you are playing smaller games, they will draw the line at a lower limit.
Convenience
Convenience is what a host is all about. They will arrange a ride for you, book show tickets, book your rooms, arrange restaurant reservations, and cater to just about every need you have. Within reason, a host will do anything (non monetary) that improves your stay, even if you aren’t a high limit player. This measure of convenience is why players of almost any limit will benefit from having their own host
Casino Offers
If you have a host, they will generally be able to cater specific offers to your play. For example, they can make sure you are the first to know about a gift card and free play giveaway. Perhaps the casino you are playing at is going to be sold out for New Years. If you are a consistent player, your host will reach out to make sure you have a room available if you are looking for one. Offers come in the mail all the time, but a good host will make sure you are always able to book the ones that you want before they fill up.
Comped Rooms
Who Makes How Much Money
Comped rooms are much, much easier to obtain if you have a host. Calling the reservations line will not usually net you a free room, especially without an explicit offer. A host, however, can bypass this and book a room on your behalf. Plus, this is less likely to impact your future offers than if you book via the marketing department. The host should be your friend, so always try to book a room with them first before you call the hotel itself.
Comped Meals
As is the case with rooms, a host will be able to offer you more in the way of free food than the casino will give you by default. Sure, the casino may allow you to use your comps to pay for any room or dining charges, but a host can comp an amount above and beyond this. Ask ahead and your host should be able to tell you how much comp money they can allocate for meals.
How Do You Become A Casino Host
Extra Benefits
How Do Casinos Make Money
A quality host will get to know you personally. As a result, they will have the ability to give you some extra perks where they see fit. For example, you may receive a free play offer or a bottle of wine on your birthday. They may even surprise you with a gift on Christmas. These are the sort of added benefits that only a host can deliver.