I like Hold Points and they can be used to create a flow in and out of the ramp. Since we do not control the ramp it allows the aircraft to move about a necessary to get to the assigned point of where they would start their taxi.  We use Hold points at CVG but fortunately ours are published on the airport diagram. The major problem at IAH is getting the information to the pilots about the hold points. I flew out of IAH once and was given a hold point to call for taxi and a URL was in the ATIS to locate the hold point which worked well but i can see how it could be confusing to other members. Hopefully one day they can publish them on the diagram which would drastically help. Below is a clip of CVG airport Diagram with the hold points boxed in red.

[img]http://www.vzidartcc.org/training/file.php/10/CVG.JPG\\\" border=\\\"0\\\" class=\\\"linked-image\\\" /]

At ZID we are able to post them into our Information Display System (IDS) where all online controllers are able to view and report them. It comes in handy many times to inform pilots of what pilots prior to them experienced while passing through a particular airspace. Very neat and adds another since of realism for both the controller and pilot.

Credits to Michael Hodge for the Great Site.