Drunk in the Casino Part Two | Las Vegas Advisor

Drunk in the Casino Part 2

Yesterday, we covered the broad legal parameters of the casinos' responsibilities, and the realities thereof, in terms of dealing with intoxicated players. Today, we examine the policies and processes that are implemented up close and personal.

Waitresses, bartenders, and their supervisors, along with pit bosses and their managers, all are required to have a Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM) card, a four-year certification that trains them on the signs of intoxication and how to deal with such customers responsibly.

The general rule is that it's up to the manager of the area in which the person is drinking and/or gambling whether to cut him or her off. If it's a table player, for example, the cocktail waitress will consult the floor supervisor, who will advise the manager, who'll make the decision.

The problem is that the other part of the general rule is that if a player is cut off from drinking, he or she also needs to be cut off from gambling. So unless the player is causing problems, this usually doesn't happen.

Problems? Those don't just encompass loud and obnoxious, and sometimes even violent, behavior. They also include causing problems at the tables, such as slowing down the game, spilling drinks on the table, dropping chips on the floor, and the like. These are all signs staff are taught to recognize and address.

The secret, however, is that players usually don't make it to the point of being cut off. Waitresses in their discretion, though sometimes with the agreement of the area supervisors, will slow down the player's drinking without him/her even knowing.

"Jack and Coke, please."

"Yes, sir," the waitress agrees, then instructs the bartender to pour the tiniest splash of whiskey into the soda, just for the aroma and slight favor. Players that far gone never know the difference. This happens every day. Every. Single. Day.

Believe it or not (ahem), not everyone can responsibly pace themselves when given the opportunity to order free drinks all night. Service staff take it on themselves to pace their players, based on their training to spot the signs of serious intoxication.

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Diamonddog2801 Oct-17-2022

Drink measures

I'm from the UK so please pardon my ignorance but..... is there not a 'regulation' measure of a 'Jack Daniels' (or any other similar drink)? Or, if there is, is the get around (for the 'short' measure) because it's a comped/free drink?

rokgpsman Oct-17-2022

Bartender's choice

I'm neither a lawyer or a bartender, but I don't think there's a legal requirement specifying the amount of alcohol that must be in a cocktail, doesn't matter if it's a free drink or one you pay for.  As far as I know it's up to the whim of the bartender how to make the drink, he can make it strong or weak. Some places you can call/request a particular brand of alcohol, but that's not always honored.

Jxs Oct-17-2022

Drink pours

Diamonddog- there isn’t a regulation on sizes, however just about every place in the US pours 1.5 oz shots. That is everywhere except Caesars Ent. When they decided to go cheap on every single square inch of the company they started pouring .75 ounce shots and still do. I get it, it’s free, but keep in mind you’re only getting half a drink.

Jackie Oct-17-2022

I had an incident

I sat down at the #7 seat at a blackjack table.
I noticed the dealer was out of sorts.
The #1 seat was harassing and abusing the dealer throwing cards he didn't like at her demanding a redeal.
The dealer was trying her best to handle the situation, even looking for the pit boss for help.

Of course this was slowing down the game and making all the other seats at the table very uncomfortable.
I looked around for the pit boss and noticed he was in a BS conversation and not paying any attention to what was going on.

I got the pit bosses attention, called him over and commenced to chewing him out for letting that crap go on.
I said I wasn't going to play in any pit that the boss was that stupid.
He asked if I knew the dealer or was a friend of hers, I said i didn't know her and that I'm a local who knows the pit rules for handling drunken assholes that disturb and slow down games and walked away.  

I got chased down and stopped by the dealer. She thanked me for saving her job.

AL Oct-17-2022

I ALSO had an incident

One day, I decided to play a little craps.  My favorite place to stand is next to the stickman.  On this one table, I was standing to the left of the stickman, with my chips in the curved cutout rack, like usual.  So this drunk 35-ish female (she wasn't a lady and probably not really a woman either) decided that SHE wanted to stand to the left of the stickman.  She came up from behind me, wedged her body between me and the stickman, and then pushed me out of the way, sending me tumbling to the ground.  None of the employees working the table said or did anything, so I was left to handle things myself.  My #1 thought was that I didn't want her to steal my chips, so I got up and grabbed them.  Of course, I left the table.

Diamonddog2801 Oct-18-2022

Thank you

To rokgpsman and Jxs for the answers (and to Jxs for the Caesars half measure tip).

Question of the Day - 17 October 2022

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