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Taking care of your host?

Discussion in 'Comps' started by Kdconn12, Jan 6, 2022.

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  1. Brandt

    Brandt VIP Whale

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    There are certain professions where tipping is considered part of the compensation. Waitresses are not going to make it on $2 an hour. I don't believe a host to be in that category. So I think one should not feel obligated to tip. It never hurts to to be a nice person and tip if you feel like it is appropriate. But I think what some in this thread are trying to say, is that a host may not be going above and beyond. There are giving you the perks you have earned by losing a crap ton of money at their casino.
     
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  2. pilot4300

    pilot4300 Low-Roller

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    I don't tip hosts. If I appreciate their assistance, I continue using their services and playing in their place of employment. My requests, if any, are reasonable, in line with my level of play, and done with plenty of advance notice. They aren't my friends. They are salespeople for the casino. Their compensation is at least partly based on the profitability/play of the players in their book. I don't tip the salesperson at the car dealer if he is a nice guy and throws in free floor mats and some oil changes that most other buyers don't get, just because I happened to asked for them and the dealership was making enough profit on the deal to throw me some freebies.
     
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  3. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    It also seems like some of the criteria to define "above and beyond" is simply giving you more perks than you deserve. In my opinion that's not above and beyond and some degree of discretion is built into the profession and it's likely salesmanship that makes you think they're doing you a huge favour getting you tickets to an event your play-level has already earned.

    I'd be more inclined to tip when a great degree of effort is involved - planning transportation for a large party or arranging an entire outing etc. When they're doing the work of a concierge rather than a gatekeeper. Simply taking a lot of money off your bill is not a tip unless it's some kind of bribe, which is different.
     
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  4. robswins

    robswins Low-Roller

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    This thread reminds me of the old 4chan memes about Americans going abroad and trying to tip the customs agent, the train conductor, the other passangers on a train, etc.

    I work in personal finance and retirement planning. I have close personal relationships with many of my clients, and consider some of them close as working friendships. There are situations where I have to go "above and beyond" for a client who I don't even make much money from, but it's worth it for the goodwill, possible referrals, and just generally feeling satisfied in my work. If one of my clients tried to give me a cash tip for my work, I'd look at them like they have 3 heads and suggest they donate it to charity or something. I get some treats during the holidays, but anything other than that is weird. Tipping salespeople/white collar employees is weird.
     
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  5. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    Was reading all the posts and I did say that I treat my host well and many say it's their job. I just texted my host 5 minutes ago that I was planning on coming to Vegas in April and that I would have two friends and I need two comped roomswill it be an issue. One minute later she responds:
    "Oh no I will get you all set!" . That's why I tip my host.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2022
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  6. Richard Boone

    Richard Boone Tourist

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    Yes I tip my host

    image.jpg
     
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  7. FABismonte

    FABismonte Tell my wife I am "about even."

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    Nice. I don't remember the last time my CET hosts gave me a decent welcome basket. Nothing since COVID and for years before then, only a paltry small box of nuts and such.
     
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  8. Vegas28m

    Vegas28m Medium Roller, Chicago

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    i have tipped my host and I do get very nice rooms but would have i gotten them if I didn’t? last time I stayed at caesar’s and needed 2 rooms for my 7 stars trip, I had to pay resort fees on the 2nd room. probably won’t tip again. At paris i have gotten 2 rooms and did not have to pay resort fee on 2nd room.
     
  9. robswins

    robswins Low-Roller

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    If you ask for stuff and you're a meaningful player to the host, they'll get it for you either way if they can. I've had Vegas hosts at 2 different casinos in Vegas bring me a pack of ping pong balls and red Solo cups, obviously something they don't even have on property. When I was a Vegas regular, my guy at Bellagio would have a bunch of bottles of me and my friend's preferred liquor ready in a mini fridge in my room when I got there. If you are a big player, you've earned white glove service with your play. It's not a favor they are doing for you, it's their job. If a host doesn't respond quickly to my requests for a reservation, or get me tickets when I ask, or whatever, I get a new host.
     
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  10. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    Hey I work in retirement planning too! (I'm a portfolio manager for one of Canada's big banks).

    Over the holidays I give out a lot of gifts but I also get a few back from clients I'm really close with. I'd like to think if I retired there's a dozen or so really good clients I'd still keep in touch with. And yes, obviously anything other than a bottle of wine or some chocolates would be weird.
     
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  11. Funkyboer

    Funkyboer Tourist

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    My host cannot accept cash, but gift cards are fine. Usually $200-300 per visit, depending on how hard she worked for us. I also include a thank you card. I like to think she appreciates that.
     
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  12. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    I guess it depends what BIG Player means to a particular casino. How do YOU(Robswins) define that?
     
  13. Funkyboer

    Funkyboer Tourist

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    I find the "hosts are there to suck you dry" true to some degree BUT your Host have the ability to ask their manager for more comps in certain instances. Being polite and tipping is the difference between your host telling you they asked their manager and actually asking.
    I also don't generally agree with hating someone for making a living, especially if it's completely your choice to gamble or tip. Gambling is something fun to do, not make money with.
     
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  14. Legion

    Legion High-Roller

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    I hear ya. I don’t hate anything or anyone for anything. Life is too short for that. A host is drawn to anyone who plays X amount or loses X amount. A previous poster nailed it already. If you think tipping a host pushed you over the top for that extra room or strip view keep doing it. The fact still remains the same.The game you play* your average bet* and house advantage are why your host gives you anything.. If you think that extra bottle of 2 dollar Fiji water or 6 dollar cracker and cheese platter are worth a couple hundred dollar tip it’s your money. And your perceived value.. who I’m I to argue with that
     
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  15. Legion

    Legion High-Roller

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    What’s the total value of that fruit, nuts and water? Your host probably grab all that at Walgreens for less 25.. You tipped them 200.. You feel good you got a freebie and they feel good they treated you right.. top it off you tipped them. Your both winners in my book keep it up!
     
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  16. LB9

    LB9 PH Blackjack Degen

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    I’ve been saying this for years and always find it a bit amusing when a cheese plate or tantamount snacks/beverages are perceived as objectively close to an even trade for blowing thousands in the casino lol.

    I get that the principle of it is nice and ostensibly thoughtful, but hosts know what they’re doing insofar as making some gamblers feel like a big shot with a financially small gesture which, in turn, really does implicitly ensure people blow even more money in many cases. I can’t begin to count how many times in Vegas I’ve heard “my host expects..”. One time I asked a player who said that if gambling was a job as it didn’t sound fun, he became offended but had no retort and proceeded to blow 2 grand in about five minutes at a $25 min blackjack table before storming off. I hope there was a nice cheese plate back in his room waiting.
     
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  17. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Don't they say it's the thought that counts? :D
     
  18. LB9

    LB9 PH Blackjack Degen

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    Lol, albeit with the caveat that the hosts are also getting a nice laugh when checking metrics of most guests post-stay.
     
  19. 3OfDiamonds

    3OfDiamonds Waiting For “Very Good” Video Poker @ Rio…

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    I sent my 4Q, D/GG, and PlayStudios hosts gift cards for Xmas; I am not sure if it helps in a purely transactional sense, but they are all nice people and I think cultivating the relationship, even if it is a business one, is worthwhile at least in the sense of people wanting to help (and feeling good doing so) as opposed to being obligated to do so because it is their job :)
     
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  20. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Very much this. I do gift cards around the holidays to people that I know and take good care of me, even if I tip them throughout the year, because they're great folks, they go above and beyond, and most importantly, they make me feel like it's a two-way relationship rather than me just paying $X for them to do Y.
     
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