Procedure for getting free drinks at casino bars?

[brian]

hi...can someone explain the proceedure for getting free drinks at bar whilst playing slot machines.Have always paid in past but last year I handed the money over to the barman and he gave me change for the machines on the bar top.

When he gave me the drinks he didnt take any money but left the till receipt in a glass beside my machine with a pen. Should I have just signed and walked away or do I pay after finishing the drink/ Thanks

[Tim Rider]

It depends on what State you are in but if you are talking about Las Vegas you do not pay for your drinks when you are gaming at the bar.

The glass is for the bartender's tip. You can sign the paper or not as the bartender really does not care. Be sure to tip before you leave however. It is hard to believe that you always paid in the past and the bartender took your money.

[iam4jacks]

Well you still do have to buy-in and play the bartop machine for awhile. Most bartops are IGT Game Kings that have options to play VP, Keno, Slots or Blackjack at various denominations.

A normal buy-in is $20 and play 5 quarters (max coin) on VP to get comped. A buck or two in the tip jar right away will grease the cocktail wheel.

Bartenders tend to pay more attention than cocktailers on the floor.

[mike]

In my experience playing at bars(mostly in Nevada), as soon as I sit down and pop a twenty into the game the free drinks start coming right away, whether I'm playing 1 credit or 5.

If the bar is not busy, especially, the bartenders are just chomping at the bit for tips and they don't care how long you've been there or how much you're betting.....they're just happy to have a customer who's gonna give them a couple of tips.

[Polly Ester]

' as I sit down and pop a twenty into the game the free drinks start coming right away, whether I'm playing 1 credit or 5. If the bar is not busy, especially, the bartenders are just chomping at the bit for tips and they don't care how long you've been there or how much you're betting.....they're just happy to have a customer who's gonna give them a couple of tips.

AGREED. I've played in Vegas & in Tunica & got free drinks by just putting in a buck & playing 1 coin on a quarter machine!! Leave a reasonable tip like $1.00, and you'l drink all night (and play those credits).

I don't think bartenders check your amount IN...just that you put money in & you're playing.
Whoever posted about $20 IN--maybe that's all they had.

[iam4jacks]

Well you all must be cuter than me. I have seen alot of bartop players reprimanded if they don't do the minimum buy-in and play the minimum amount of coinage. You might get that first drink comped...but after that?

Sometimes the bar will have signage. Harrahs and Colorado Belle in Laughlin state a $10 buy-in and 3 coins minimum play. Tipping right away will help no mater what.

There are bartenders out there knowing that someone is watching overhead and insist on proper play.

[Denny]

Perhaps the high dollar casinos on the strip, like Wynn or Bellagio, will require $20 and 5 coin, but most others don't.

I usually put in $10 and play 2 quarters. On the strip I have gotten free drinks at Flamingo, Bills (Barbary Coast), Imperial Palace, & Tropicana with that play.

Downtown that is not a problem with most casinos. In fact a bartender at the Plaza said they only require 1 quarter a pop. The exceptions were at the Golden Nugget where one bartender said they required 3 quarters and Main St Station gives you the 1st drink, then wants 5 coins played to be comped a 2nd drink or more. No $20 buy-in required.

Off strip I've never been questioned playing 1-2 quarters. Perhaps the time may come when all the casinos will want more coins played at the bar to get a drink. I agree with those who said to tip the bartender well. $1 a drink, or close to it, is recommended. Service will often be better, and it could possibly cause a bartender to overlook your play.

[Polly Ester]

There's another solution---sit in front of a slot & a CW will take care of you.

And you don't have to be playing.

[mike]

That works too Polly. Another way is to put a dollar into a penny machine and play casually at 1 credit per bet. No waitresses will ever question you, and another customer won't ask if they can play your game.....and the free drinks will keep on coming as long as you tip at least 75 cents per drink.

[Polly Ester]

Since TITO came into vogue, it's tough to have a bunch of quarters to tip with...but a buck tip will do. Don't listen to any goofs who think drink tips should be more than $1.