Why Did Vegas Get Rid of Money Plays?

Why did Vegas get rid of money plays?

And your link to the new poll on visiting Las Vegas during the pandemic is at the bottom of this page.

[Editor's Note: This answer is supplied by Andrew Uyal, floor supervisor at the Cromwell (currently furloughed and author of our book The Blackjack Insiders.]

It's no secret that Las Vegas casinos were once far more cavalier than they are today. Comps used to be given out to basically anyone who was playing. There were no player tracking systems, just a few pit bosses using their subjective judgment on whom to comp and how much. The casino was fine with honoring any kind of bet on the table (chips, cash, and a story goes around about a drug dealer tossing out a bag of cocaine onto a crap table). Back in the day, it was all about the action.

Things are quite different these days. Countless laws and regulations are now placed on the casinos, considered financial institutions, and their patrons. When these regulations started to roll in and be strictly enforced, "money plays" (when a player steps up to a blackjack table and generally plays one hand with cash instead of chips) was a casualty.

For some players, it's a fun way to feel like they're actually betting with their own money. A few subscribed to the superstition that it was better luck to play that way. And there was a time the casinos loved it too; cash in action attracted attention.

Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to track.

With the arrival of all these monetary regulations, it was decided that cash was counted only when it was dropped into the cash box on the table. If patrons are placing cash bets, there's no way for the casino to track that action. It would be possible to show large losses without seeing drop (money in the box) to indicate where it went.

The regulations on patrons are different these days too. A lot of us know there are certain monetary thresholds that casinos are required to report for tax purposes for individual patrons. If players are placing cash bets all over the casino, it's impossible to abide by these regulations.

So every bet on the tables now must be done so with chips. Whether purchased at the tables or from the cage, every dollar is accounted for.

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Comments

Allen Emory Sep-17-2020

I didn't know

Wow, you can't do this anymore, I didn't know.  It was always exciting when someone would walk up while you are playing and make a cash play.  

I got to say, though, the end of this sounds more like accounting departments worrying about crap they don't understand rather then the government swooping in and demanding the fun stop. I understand the regulation issue, but, did the government really say stop or did accounting pencil neck geeks just make it stop?

Finally, I always assumed a that many cash plays at least a 21 games, might be amateur card counters waiting for a favorable deck and then make a play. Elimination sounds more like an attempt by bean counters keep it in their favor. It really corporate casino crap, like parking fees, resort fees....

O2bnVegas Sep-17-2020

cash = embezzlement

Theft is the problem: too easy for cashiers, clerks, dealers probably, etc.

Dave in Seattle. Sep-17-2020

Cash-money.

I read somewhere that the casinos used to SOAP the bills so they would make more noise when they counted the bills.

jay Sep-17-2020

a difference - really ?

Is there a difference really ?? Whenever someone would cash play - if they lost the money went to the drop box, if they won then the money was exchanged for chips + winning chips and the money went to the drop box. 

Assuming mid shoe entry this is in the casino favor as it keeps the speed of play up xx/hands per hr.  With Cameras all over the place the notion of having to count the money and exchange for chips at the tables before play should be no different than post hand counting the money for the drop.

In Mexico money is exchanged for chips at the cage, which is comprised of two doors (man trap) to ensure privacy and safety - and absolutely no cash at the tables or machines - this is absolute control of the cash and for safety of the casino. This is completely different than money exchange at the table in vegas.

Dave Sep-17-2020

PAIN IN THE ARSE

As a former dealer, this was one of the most irritating things possible. for big bets, you would have to stop the game completely, lay the bills in the appropriate way on the table, get approval, etc. usually the person doing it was just trying to act like a big shot. When i am playing and somebody comes up and does this, it is even worse. good riddance.

rokgpsman Sep-17-2020

Superstition might cause some Money Plays

I was next to the stickman at a Golden Gate dice table one afternoon, it was a $3 min bet table. A guy walked up and put a $100 bill on the Field bet. The dealer asked him if he wanted change and he said "No, Money Play on the Field". The table supervisor said ok, the shooter rolled and the guy won his bet. They paid him with four $25 chips and he quickly scooped up his money and walked to the nearby cashier (that place is small) to exchange the chips. Then he walked back to the table, waited until the dice were at center table and again put $100 on the Field bet and said "Money Play". The dealer looked at the supervisor who waved "ok". This time the bet lost and they took his $100 bill. The man walked away and I thought he was done. But in a few minutes he came back with a drink in his hand and another $100 bill, put it on the Field bet and said "Money Play". The stickman chuckled as he told me quietly the man came in now and then, always played the same way. Craps player can be odd!

Question of the Day - 17 September 2020

Comments