If you are doing it, you have to know your own personality, eg. I know I'm no good at joke telling, etc. so don't attempt it. I've always gone for short and sweet intros on the occasions I've stood in doing this job (which btw I hate doing).

I think we all have our own policies when we are doing the job too. My own which differed from regular MCs doing the job at those clubs were to

Try and give others an idea of a running order mostly as I know what my nerves are like at hate the random calling where each time the MC gets up, I don't know whether I'll be called up or not.

To go round the tables before the start and during the break and find out if any of the strangers in the room were singers who wanted to give a spot - they don't always come forward and volunteer.

To try to split up the evening with different types of singers/players. Some would move round the tables for example but in my experience similar performers often seem to end up sitting together - more common musical interests I suppose.

Overall though, I think the best plan is to have a few MCs and rotate them. Apart from anything else, that can get rid of some of the feelings regarding favouritism or whatever that can occur.