Vegas Free-for-All - Madcat question of the week....

Madcat

Jun 7, 2011
4:34pm

So,
A couple of years ago, Hubby (Liondownnow) and I sat at the RIO bar. We played 25 cent KENO, one quarter. The bartenders served us up whatever we wanted constantly. We tip very well in all instances BTW.

By the 4th day, the bartender "changed out" and said we had to play MAX bet to get a comp drink.
He said he would give us one- but the rest we would have to pay for.

The other bartender, from the nights before, ran over and offered me more wine. I refused and said I would go to the floor from now on where there is no minimum bet requirement. He was upset and mentioned that on certain nights you could get the "right" bartenders and they would hook us up.

So it becomes a big guessing game.

So - people of the forum: Any stories sitting at the bar and expected to pay Max bet?

Thanks.

Roulette Man

Jun 7, 2011
8:31pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: Madcat
So,
A couple of years ago, Hubby (Liondownnow) and I sat at the RIO bar. We played 25 cent KENO, one quarter. The bartenders served us up whatever we wanted constantly. We tip very well in all instances BTW.

By the 4th day, the bartender "changed out" and said we had to play MAX bet to get a comp drink.
He said he would give us one- but the rest we would have to pay for.

The other bartender, from the nights before, ran over and offered me more wine. I refused and said I would go to the floor from now on where there is no minimum bet requirement. He was upset and mentioned that on certain nights you could get the "right" bartenders and they would hook us up.

So it becomes a big guessing game.

So - people of the forum: Any stories sitting at the bar and expected to pay Max bet?

Thanks.

I have been always told you are expected to play max bet in order to be comped drinks, and have always assumed that when playing at bars. I also know that bartenders have some way of looking and seeing very quickly whether or not you are playing max coin.

KarenTN

Jun 7, 2011
8:47pm

Block User

usually is I am playing a bartop game, it's VP, and I am playing max coin anyway. so it's rarely been an issue.

There was one time at the bellagio a friend and I wanted a glass of wine and the bartender was really specific regarding how much money we had to put in the machine and how many hands we had to play at max bet before the comped drinks.

some bartenders will overlook policy if they think you will tip well. but those policies are in place to prevent people drinking up the top shelf liquor for wagering one whole quarter

Janis Meyer

Jun 8, 2011
12:00am

Block User

Two different scenarios:

Once we are in Texas station playing at the bar 2 of us on 1 machine. The bartender tells us he can only comp 1 drink since we are playing together. I understand but it is a locals joint.

Once we are in Bill's playing at the bar 2 of us on 1 machine because that was all we could get with Big Elvis playing. We were tipping and the bartender kept serving both of us comped the whole time. I noticed others around us tipping very little or nothing at all. One guy got 3 drinks and paid for them but they were the cheap drinks, the dollar beer and margerita's. He left the coins from his change as the tip.

bbking

Jun 8, 2011
12:05am

Block User

One day after a long day of losing,I was playing .25 keno at the bar in the atrium at Sam's Town.The lady barmaid refused to comp my Black Russians because Iwas only one quarter at a time.

stripes919

Jun 8, 2011
2:10am

Block User

I play frequently at the bar in the California, when playing Keno I usually dont play max and the bartender always keeps my drinks coming. I always tip for each drink and have noticed the payouts on Keno are a little less than at othe Keno machines in the main casino.

Lisa

Jun 8, 2011
4:00am

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: thlf

Once we are in Texas station playing at the bar 2 of us on 1 machine. The bartender tells us he can only comp 1 drink since we are playing together. I understand but it is a locals joint.

why should a locals joint make a difference?

kevinandbeth

Jun 8, 2011
9:53am

Block User

I've never expected anything less than having to play max bet at the bar. That's premium real-estate. I've had a few $100 cocktails... That was at the bellagio sports book. They were good, but not that good.

Beth

erininsd

Jun 8, 2011
10:11am

Block User

It's expected that you should play max bet and if you're lucky enough to get a bartender that looks the other way, then good for you! But don't be mad at the other bartender who's just following the rules.

Btw, don't play at Wynn bars, they won't comp no matter how much you play!

Janis Meyer

Jun 8, 2011
11:20pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: MissL7777

Quote
Originally posted by: thlf

Once we are in Texas station playing at the bar 2 of us on 1 machine. The bartender tells us he can only comp 1 drink since we are playing together. I understand but it is a locals joint.

why should a locals joint make a difference?

My wife and I are local. Most of the local places we go we are known. In some it doesn't matter how little we play or if we are playing together we still get comped drinks because they know us and they know how much we spend. Doesn't matter at Stations though, they pretty much follow the book.

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