MGM Host recommendation?
May 22, 2002, 11:06 pm
#1
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MGM Host recommendation?
Can anyone recommend a host at the MGM? I always like to recommend people like this, so I thought someone might have someone good they'd like to send a new player to.
Also, at what level of play does it make sense to talk to a host?
Any comments, suggestions, etc., appreciated.
Thanks,
d
Also, at what level of play does it make sense to talk to a host?
Any comments, suggestions, etc., appreciated.
Thanks,
d
May 24, 2002, 1:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,960
As far as slots are concerned, casinos rate players based on a point system. Points are earned based on machine denomination and how much money you cycle through the machines, sometimes referred to as coin-in. The rate at which points are accumulated is dependent on whether you are playing slots/video poker. You earn more points playing slots because a skilled video poker player can significantly reduce the odds in the house's favor.
I know a few $1 slot players who have received the full treatment - limos, comp room, food and beverage. In addition to the standard comps, in most if not all casinos, points can be redeemed for cash.
I know a few $1 slot players who have received the full treatment - limos, comp room, food and beverage. In addition to the standard comps, in most if not all casinos, points can be redeemed for cash.
May 27, 2002, 12:51 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
Your ratings are what determines if a host will contact you or not. Your ratings are a series of electronic tables (or spreadsheets) that monitor your play, such as how long you were at a slot machine, how much you played, how much you lost, how you played, etc. For tables, they do it based on your average bet, what you played, how long you played, and so forth.
Normally, you need to LOOSE a lot of money (over $4,000) to get noticed in the ratings system.... or sit in front of a slot w/ your players card for probably 3 days straight playing max bets (9X min. bet) before you get stuff like free rooms, suite upgrades... heck, some casinos make you sit there and loose $1,000 before you get a FREE buffet. Terribles and the Stations casinos actually have a CHART showing you what you need to play and for how long before cashing them in...
And in regards to hosts @ MGM, I'll ask my friend with a competitor who he knows @ that property... but you need to e-mail me and tell me how much you play before I get you in contact with them.. hosts are paid based on how much their players win/loose.
-n
Normally, you need to LOOSE a lot of money (over $4,000) to get noticed in the ratings system.... or sit in front of a slot w/ your players card for probably 3 days straight playing max bets (9X min. bet) before you get stuff like free rooms, suite upgrades... heck, some casinos make you sit there and loose $1,000 before you get a FREE buffet. Terribles and the Stations casinos actually have a CHART showing you what you need to play and for how long before cashing them in...
And in regards to hosts @ MGM, I'll ask my friend with a competitor who he knows @ that property... but you need to e-mail me and tell me how much you play before I get you in contact with them.. hosts are paid based on how much their players win/loose.
-n
May 27, 2002, 4:33 am
#6
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As far as casino comps are concerned, winning and and losing has very little (if anything) to do with it. Sure, if you walk in and lose $50G's on one blackjack bet, a pit boss may feel sorry for you and give you a free room, but you could have just as easily won that $50G bet, and walked out with $100G's (or $125G's if you'd hit a blackjack).
Since every game in the house is rigged in the casino's favor (unless you cheat) the casino is interested in you using that $50G's as a stake and spending the rest of the day/trip betting it. This way over the course of the day/trip they'll have a lower risk chance of getting more (or all) of it.
It all boils down to your minimum bet and your time at the table. Higher bets over more time, and you'll get a lot more.
In Vegas, at most casinos, to get a free room (playing blackjack) you need to bet about $25 a hand and play about 4 hours a day. For The Venetian, you need to accumulate a minimum of 300 players club "Grazie" points on their slots/vp program to get a free room. If memory serves, you'd need to run about $4500 of coin in through a $5 slot to get 300 points. Depending how lucky you are, I think you'd need to "invest" about $1000 in cash to get $4500 of slot play (or the elusive 300 points).
At the end of the day, comps are a by-product of gambling. You should never, ever go into it with the idea that you'll try to "win" a free room.
Here's a rather busy article that does a decent job of explaning it.
http://casinogambling.about.com/gi/d...ps%2Fcomps.htm
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 05-27-2002).]
Since every game in the house is rigged in the casino's favor (unless you cheat) the casino is interested in you using that $50G's as a stake and spending the rest of the day/trip betting it. This way over the course of the day/trip they'll have a lower risk chance of getting more (or all) of it.
It all boils down to your minimum bet and your time at the table. Higher bets over more time, and you'll get a lot more.
In Vegas, at most casinos, to get a free room (playing blackjack) you need to bet about $25 a hand and play about 4 hours a day. For The Venetian, you need to accumulate a minimum of 300 players club "Grazie" points on their slots/vp program to get a free room. If memory serves, you'd need to run about $4500 of coin in through a $5 slot to get 300 points. Depending how lucky you are, I think you'd need to "invest" about $1000 in cash to get $4500 of slot play (or the elusive 300 points).
At the end of the day, comps are a by-product of gambling. You should never, ever go into it with the idea that you'll try to "win" a free room.
Here's a rather busy article that does a decent job of explaning it.
http://casinogambling.about.com/gi/d...ps%2Fcomps.htm
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 05-27-2002).]
May 27, 2002, 11:44 am
#7
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As SKO'farrel states above, comps really have very little to do with whether you win or lose. For table games such as craps( the game I am most familar with) your rating is a product of time spent and average bet. I have told by my Casino Host for the Las Vegas Hilton, an average bet of $100 and 8 hours play per day will get you a room and all meals free (except in their top end restaurants) and consequently an average bet of $200, you need to play only 4 hours etc.
Does seem a bit high but that what I was told.
As a craps player if the table is hot I may have a lot more than that at stake so my required play time is that much less.
But as stated you should not play just to meet the so-called "rating requirements".
One advantage of getting rated at a Park Place casino is that the rating is good for all their properties (Ballys, Paris and even Ceasars) so even if one is full they can comp you at another casino.
Perhaps the best use of a rating is the ability to get a comped room when even HHonors says the hotel is sold out or the room (again using the LV Hilton as an example during Comdex and New Years) is $250.00 plus
A number of LV Hilton casino hosts moved over to the Venetian when that hotel opened and are glad to get to gamble there so they may make an attractive offer to get into the Venetian, my host certainly did so for me, anybody interested e-mail me I can give her name.
Finally the MGM I had a dispute over a bad call on the craps table and I have not played there in years since it was a matter of principle and they were unwilling to rerun the monitoring tape to prove me wrong (or right) will eat a the restaurants, walk through over to New York-New York but not one dime spent gambling.
Assistant casino manager (little pompous Australian) Arnie Cope.
Mike
Does seem a bit high but that what I was told.
As a craps player if the table is hot I may have a lot more than that at stake so my required play time is that much less.
But as stated you should not play just to meet the so-called "rating requirements".
One advantage of getting rated at a Park Place casino is that the rating is good for all their properties (Ballys, Paris and even Ceasars) so even if one is full they can comp you at another casino.
Perhaps the best use of a rating is the ability to get a comped room when even HHonors says the hotel is sold out or the room (again using the LV Hilton as an example during Comdex and New Years) is $250.00 plus
A number of LV Hilton casino hosts moved over to the Venetian when that hotel opened and are glad to get to gamble there so they may make an attractive offer to get into the Venetian, my host certainly did so for me, anybody interested e-mail me I can give her name.
Finally the MGM I had a dispute over a bad call on the craps table and I have not played there in years since it was a matter of principle and they were unwilling to rerun the monitoring tape to prove me wrong (or right) will eat a the restaurants, walk through over to New York-New York but not one dime spent gambling.
Assistant casino manager (little pompous Australian) Arnie Cope.
Mike
May 27, 2002, 12:15 pm
#8
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
Casinos generally comp back 20-40% of your theoretical loss. As has been said, that has nothing to do with your actual loss, although at some properties (particularly Park Place) they are very generous with actual losers.
At table games, the casino assumes you will lose at least half your average bet each hour. Thus, if you play at an average bet of $200 and want a $100 room for free at the MGM, which I think has a 30% comp rate, you will need to play $100/($200*.5*.30) = 3.33 hours/day. If you play more than that you can start getting meal comps and so on.
Some games are more lucrative to the casino and so you will earn comps faster.
Some hosts are better than others but MGM is very consistent about benefits. I can't help you with table hosts but most of the slot hosts there are very good. If you want specific recommendations on slot hosts please email me.
Each slot machine has a different theoretical hold, which is kept secret, but the same principle applies of returning 30% of your expected loss in comps.
Good luck!
QuietLion
At table games, the casino assumes you will lose at least half your average bet each hour. Thus, if you play at an average bet of $200 and want a $100 room for free at the MGM, which I think has a 30% comp rate, you will need to play $100/($200*.5*.30) = 3.33 hours/day. If you play more than that you can start getting meal comps and so on.
Some games are more lucrative to the casino and so you will earn comps faster.
Some hosts are better than others but MGM is very consistent about benefits. I can't help you with table hosts but most of the slot hosts there are very good. If you want specific recommendations on slot hosts please email me.
Each slot machine has a different theoretical hold, which is kept secret, but the same principle applies of returning 30% of your expected loss in comps.
Good luck!
QuietLion
May 27, 2002, 5:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Posts: 3,858
I mention the loss/win as those are what some hosts look for when going over the ratings systems... it's not pure pitty, but if you see someone who is down $5,000 and isn't assigned someone, the host would then contact the person (normally walk up to them) and see what they can do to KEEP their butts in that seat and keep playing, and offer comps.
I didn't mean to come out and say "oh, you need to loose xxxx to get comps" but more of that you need to show some "action" to get noticed, unless there are a few hosts running around the pits, which is rare at some properties.
In regards to PPE, they are generous depending on your host and which property. Right now there is a move to get the high rollers from the LV Hilton over to Paris, and move the moderates from the Flamingo across the street to Caesars.
Fyi-> my friend lost $18,000 a few weeks ago and they upped his comp to cover his *ENTIRE* room bill which came out to over $900 for the entire stay... not bad considering most comps are C4 (room only) at PPE or C2 (room and limited food, no tax or tip).
-n
I didn't mean to come out and say "oh, you need to loose xxxx to get comps" but more of that you need to show some "action" to get noticed, unless there are a few hosts running around the pits, which is rare at some properties.
In regards to PPE, they are generous depending on your host and which property. Right now there is a move to get the high rollers from the LV Hilton over to Paris, and move the moderates from the Flamingo across the street to Caesars.
Fyi-> my friend lost $18,000 a few weeks ago and they upped his comp to cover his *ENTIRE* room bill which came out to over $900 for the entire stay... not bad considering most comps are C4 (room only) at PPE or C2 (room and limited food, no tax or tip).
-n
May 27, 2002, 6:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,960
For the typical player, it's not whether you win or lose that determines the level of your comps, it's how much action you give the casino. The comp is a marketing tool to bring you back. Based on the law of averages, the odds are always in favor of the house. Therefore, the more you return to play at the same casino, odds are the house will eventually beat you in the long run.
May 27, 2002, 7:07 pm
#11
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I agree the comps may be a function of the casino host. Myself I tend to use "front money" when I play, that is I bring in a cashiers check for the amount of money I need, deposit it with the cage and take markers against my deposit. I just dont feel comfortable getting at line of credit to gamble.The front money at least establishes some sort of limit on what i am prepared to lose.
I will say it always surprises me what casinos are prepared to give just to get you to play at their tables. When I go to Vegas I usually stay for about 5 days and I spend say 3 hours in the morning playing the horses and about 4 hours ( usually in 2 or even 3 sessions) at the tables. That is enough to get my room and meals comped.
At the Millenium I deposited $1200 for 3 nights at the Flamingo (I wanted to stay on the strip)which included a room, a great 5 course dinner all the drinks and champagne we could drink, the New years Eve party and a engraved Movado clock, I thought what I got was well worth the money spent considering what was originally being quoted for Vegas 2000. To my great suprise they refunded the entire amount based on my play.
My only explanation is that the Flamingo wanted me to make the first choice over the LV Hilton or Paris.
Mike
I will say it always surprises me what casinos are prepared to give just to get you to play at their tables. When I go to Vegas I usually stay for about 5 days and I spend say 3 hours in the morning playing the horses and about 4 hours ( usually in 2 or even 3 sessions) at the tables. That is enough to get my room and meals comped.
At the Millenium I deposited $1200 for 3 nights at the Flamingo (I wanted to stay on the strip)which included a room, a great 5 course dinner all the drinks and champagne we could drink, the New years Eve party and a engraved Movado clock, I thought what I got was well worth the money spent considering what was originally being quoted for Vegas 2000. To my great suprise they refunded the entire amount based on my play.
My only explanation is that the Flamingo wanted me to make the first choice over the LV Hilton or Paris.
Mike
May 29, 2002, 12:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 50
Thanks for all of the great insight! Does anyone have more specifics on what us low-rollers can do at table games? I don't expect to get a free room, but wouldn't a meal or a little attention every once in a while. I generally play $10 craps for a few hours each day off of a few hundred dollar stake (which means I probably have $30 - $70 in play at any time) and wouldn't mind a little bit of love every once in a while. I will be at MGM this weekend.
Also, seperate question that I'm embarassed to ask, but any recommendations on a good place to "learn" poker? I'd love to find a low stakes place where I can better pick up the nuances and etiquette without getting dirty looks. Thanks!
Also, seperate question that I'm embarassed to ask, but any recommendations on a good place to "learn" poker? I'd love to find a low stakes place where I can better pick up the nuances and etiquette without getting dirty looks. Thanks!
May 29, 2002, 2:55 pm
#15
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Playing tables with the amounts you're wagering, I wouldn't expect a lot of love. But you never know. Give your card religiously, good things happen. Consider playing off the strip or downtown, your bet/comp will go farther than on the strip.
I learned to play Vegas poker at the Mirage. If you're in a low stakes hold 'em game, pretty much everyone there is understanding. Just go into it knowing you're going to lose, don't drink, bet small, and absorb everything. Once you're comfortable with it, get up, take a break, and come back later, ready to win!
Nate has made a good recommendation with the Gold Coast. Another "low roller" place that I'm fond of is Sam's Town, on the Boulder Strip, about a $15 or so cab ride from the MGM. They have a nice small poker room, low stakes table games, and the evil $.01/.02./.05 100 play video poker.
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 05-29-2002).]
I learned to play Vegas poker at the Mirage. If you're in a low stakes hold 'em game, pretty much everyone there is understanding. Just go into it knowing you're going to lose, don't drink, bet small, and absorb everything. Once you're comfortable with it, get up, take a break, and come back later, ready to win!
Nate has made a good recommendation with the Gold Coast. Another "low roller" place that I'm fond of is Sam's Town, on the Boulder Strip, about a $15 or so cab ride from the MGM. They have a nice small poker room, low stakes table games, and the evil $.01/.02./.05 100 play video poker.
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 05-29-2002).]