self-serve stations?
I've only seen it at one place in Las Vegas: at M, and I read it's gone.
I'll add it to "resort fees" as a Las Vegas peeve.
Quote: MrVOne thing I appreciate about gambling at the tribal casinos is that they offer free self-serve coffee, soft drinks, juice and water.
I've only seen it at one place in Las Vegas: at M, and I read it's gone.
There is sort of one in a major strip casino but it's hidden. It's with a small food joint, so you have to kind of sneak your cup to it if not buying food. Not going to say where it is either :-X
Are you soda AP's the reason why they had to put up those "Free Refills on Same Visit Only" signs? ;)Quote: IbeatyouracesThere is sort of one in a major strip casino but it's hidden. It's with a small food joint, so you have to kind of sneak your cup to it if not buying food. Not going to say where it is either :-X
Quote: JoemanAre you soda AP's the reason why they had to put up those "Free Refills on Same Visit Only" signs? ;)
Lemonade
Quote: DJTeddyBearIn a place like Vegas, self serve would get abused by street people.
Downtown, yeah, but not at the stand alone locals joints and some of the strip properties.
I think it's to induce patrons to get loaded on free alcohol and thus throw common sense to the wind while gambling.
It frosts my chaps to have to ask a cw to get me some bottled water, as I fell compelled to then tip her for something that should be readily available for free, e.g. at a water fountain.
Oh yeah: and about there being no water fountains in casinos located in the desert: huh?
Highest bidder gets the info people... Don't PM me unless it's at least $1,000! =PQuote: RSI know one (may exist more) LV casino with self-serve-like drink amenimities. Maybe you're not supposed to take any of the drinks there, maybe you are. Don't know, don't care, I do it anyway. If you know where it is, don't say it publicly. It's one of my strongest guarded AP secrets. I think I told Romes about it.
I agree I think it's for customers to take. Why else would it be there and have nothing alcoholic? If not... then we got away with it!
Quote: MrVDowntown, yeah, but not at the stand alone locals joints and some of the strip properties.
I think it's to induce patrons to get loaded on free alcohol and thus throw common sense to the wind while gambling.
I agree with you completely, there's really no reason a casino such as Cannery, just for one example, shouldn't have that. I couldn't imagine anyone coming in just to welch the free beverages, there's almost nothing around there.
While the ratio of street people to customers is higher downtown than on the strip, it's high enough on the strip to matter. I wasn't thinking about the locals places when I made my comment.Quote: MrVDowntown, yeah, but not at the stand alone locals joints and some of the strip properties.
I think it's to induce patrons to get loaded on free alcohol and thus throw common sense to the wind while gambling.
But your comment to induce patrons to get drunk? I doubt it.
Very convenient free soda isn't going to cause a drinker to decline a relatively mild delay and low cost for his booze.
Quote: DJTeddyBearIn a place like Vegas, self serve would get abused by street people.
Yeah, that's probably true, AC would have the same problem (maybe even worse). I am pretty sure, especially in the winter close to half of the people in AC casinos are just loiters and people heckling gamblers for money. If they had open stations of drinks and snacks, this problem would get even worse. Maybe it makes sense to have these amenities in players clubs where only people who play a certain amount can get it. But for most casinos in cities, having this stuff on the floor, would make the homeless and loiterer magnet exponentially worse.
But street people were an issue too in that mid-Strip room. A panhandler & notorious tourist-scammer guy who "lives" behind the resorts between Audrie St. & Koval Ln. (not indoors - outdoors between the streets located a block east of the Strip casinos) regularly came in when he knew someone was working the floor who usually wouldn't be paying attention to anything, and stole the plate of cookies. So regular customers of that poker room knew that on some shifts they needed to snag their cookie before the cookie monster made the whole plate disappear.
Are we talking about IP?
I wrote the official WoO IP review, and mentioned the cookies...
https://wizardofvegas.com/hotels/imperial-palace/
Yes.Quote: DJTeddyBearPoker room Cookie Monster?
Are we talking about IP?
I wrote the official WoO IP review, and mentioned the cookies...
https://wizardofvegas.com/hotels/imperial-palace/
Mr. C. Monster was quite nimble and rather good at his job of filching stuff. Probably should've tried out as a backup utility infielder for the Padres or Rockies. Scouting report: "No hit, good glove, takes bases like a cheetah." Good review, IMO. That is "good" in the sense of conveying an accurate mental picture & feel of the place at the time it was written, before they ripped out the neo-fascist architecture and spiffed it up. I kind of miss the slightly creepy dumpiness vibe it had.
The other place, where the working class was heroically saved from the evil class oppression of an unapproved coffee urn, was not IP. It was a larger and higher end sort of joint on the opposite side of the Blvd. I won't name it or get very detailed about it because I don't want to cause any small bit of trouble for a fellow who still works as a poker manager in another Strip casino for informally sharing his little internal tussles.
I didn't know they had unionized strip poker rooms in Vegas. I haven't played strip poker since I was a teenager, the cards were carved out of slabs of rock, and yes, I cheated ;-!Quote: DrawingDeadA few years ago I was told by the manager of one Strip poker room that the Culinary Union would not allow them to continue to let people serve themselves from a pot of coffee, and a few years before that another had to negotiate with Culinary to be allowed to continue putting out a plate of cookies. Solidarity forever.
But street people were an issue too in that mid-Strip room. A panhandler & notorious tourist-scammer guy who "lives" behind the resorts between Audrie St. & Koval Ln. (not indoors - outdoors between the streets located a block east of the Strip casinos) regularly came in when he knew someone was working the floor who usually wouldn't be paying attention to anything, and stole the plate of cookies. So regular customers of that poker room knew that on some shifts they needed to snag their cookie before the cookie monster made the whole plate disappear.
Some dem girls cheated too. It is not fair to wear 4 pairs of panties at the same time, too much game protection.
They don't. The union has a contract controlling many things other than dealing and running games throughout the whole property in most casinos, who is allowed to do them, how, and when. Things like food & beverage service, hotel housekeeping, bartending, c;leaning & maintenance, and on and on covering most of the people doing most of the things that are done. The poker room happens to be inside a larger casino-resort-hotel. It is not a "unionized poker room." But the coffee or water or cookies all over the place are unionized.Quote: TwoFeathersATLI didn't know they had unionized strip poker rooms in Vegas.
Oh, you meant Poker Rooms ON the Strip with unions involved. Somehow I read Strip Poker rooms and got to feeling all young again, my bad ;-)Quote: DrawingDeadThey don't. The union has a contract controlling many things other than dealing and running games throughout the whole property in most casinos, who is allowed to do them, how, and when. Things like food & beverage service, hotel housekeeping, bartending, c;leaning & maintenance, and on and on covering most of the people doing most of the things that are done. The poker room happens to be inside a casino resort. It is not a "unionized poker room." But the coffee or water or cookies all over the place are unionized.
Similar to North Carolina, apparently there's bastards in charge in Ohio too. And to think I considered Kasich as a possible alternative to the train wreak a comin'.Quote: iamnomadHere in OH, both Hollywood casinos and I think all racinos in have self serve soft drinks. Unfortunately, state law prohibits free alcoholic drinks for gamblers...
I hear the train (wreck) a comin', it's coming 'round the bend....
Sorry, sometimes I just burst into song.......,-)
Quote: RomesHighest bidder gets the info people... Don't PM me unless it's at least $1,000! =PQuote: RSI know one (may exist more) LV casino with self-serve-like drink amenimities. Maybe you're not supposed to take any of the drinks there, maybe you are. Don't know, don't care, I do it anyway. If you know where it is, don't say it publicly. It's one of my strongest guarded AP secrets. I think I told Romes about it.
I agree I think it's for customers to take. Why else would it be there and have nothing alcoholic? If not... then we got away with it!
I was there today, it no longer exists....but I suppose I'm guessing/hoping it's a temporary removal, given the extraordinary circumstances.
Not all as far as I know.Quote: iamnomadHere in OH, both Hollywood casinos and I think all racinos in have self serve soft drinks.
So why couldn't dem casinos only charge for drinks at cost, ie pennies on the dollar ?Quote: iamnomadUnfortunately, state law prohibits free alcoholic drinks for gamblers...
Venetian had coffee and tea in their poker room for a long time, up until about a year ago. They made a bunch of changes, seemingly with the aim of driving away local players. I'd bet that is why they were removed, rather than a union thing.
It was easy to grab a cup even if you weren't playing.
Yes. Station Casinos & the Venetian are the two most prominent examples of completely non-union casino companies, with no Culinary contract involved in what they decide they want to do about food & drink. Is the Boulder room still in that partially walled-off area behind glass? I think their locals, who outside of a few exceptions like NASCAR weekend are usually something like 99% of Boulder Station's business, would riot & burn the joint down if they took away the coffee machine in the back of the room. And would pounce and beat The IP Cookie Monster into submission the 2nd time he showed up if the same situation existed there.Quote: Rigondeaux...<SNIP>... ...I'd bet that is why they were removed, rather than a union thing.
Quote: Mission146I agree with you completely, there's really no reason a casino such as Cannery, just for one example, shouldn't have that. I couldn't imagine anyone coming in just to welch the free beverages, there's almost nothing around there.
Wouldn't the cocktail waitresses be against it? It would be less work for them, so fewer CW jobs, and fewer tips.
Quote: DrawingDeadYes. Station Casinos & the Venetian are the two most prominent examples of completely non-union casino companies, with no Culinary contract involved in what they decide they want to do about food & drink. Is the Boulder room still in that partially walled-off area behind glass? I think their locals, who outside of a few exceptions like NASCAR weekend are usually something like 99% of Boulder Station's business, would riot & burn the joint down if they took away the coffee machine in the back of the room. And would pounce and beat The IP Cookie Monster into submission the 2nd time he showed up if the same situation existed there.
Yeah. It's way back there, so it would be pretty conspicuous if you were trying to filch free caffeine. They also give away hard candy. It's a bounty!
I tried to imagine what a nightmare it would be if Stations had something like a diamond lounge. 2 hour lines. People going leaving with bulging raincoats.
*snicker*Quote: RigondeauxYeah. It's way back there, so it would be pretty conspicuous if you were trying to filch free caffeine. They also give away hard candy. It's a bounty!
I tried to imagine what a nightmare it would be if Stations had something like a diamond lounge. 2 hour lines. People going leaving with bulging raincoats.
You're not only preaching to the choir on that point, but probably an assistant choir director. I have a bit of an "attitude" about some of those things, especially when the chum gets tossed into the shallow end of the Station pond. And probably my 'tude about these things is one that will not exactly be universally shared on this site. But to each his own, and all that. I'll quote myself from an online conversation a bunch of us had on another (now moribund) local poker discussion site about 7 or 8 years ago (December 20th, 2008):
Quote: Local RockQuote: bonuspokergod
That's all the "advantage players"
I think B.P. God is prolly right about that.
Last time I had to navigate around the mob for one of those Grand Station Crapola Extravaganzas it looked like the line had to be at least an hour long. I eventually got to see what the bait was for this feeding frenzy. Three seats at the poker table were occupied by people hoarding frozen pumkin pies that looked like they might retail for about three bucks. Hell, I'm not above eating a "free" pie now and then, but not at the cost of queing up for an hour. I assume others are the best judge of what their own time is worth.
...<SNIP>...
And then just about a week later, a related festively opinionated observation (December 25th, 2008):
Quote: Local RockStation Crapolafest update bulletin:
This past Sunday I passed another giveaway of valuable prizes for honored patrons of a Station property in progress. The recipients were clutching their precious cargo of...a boxed cleaning cloth. Yes, they were giving away rags. Yellow rags, in a box. Yes, there was a line to get them. Yes, it was long. I wonder how many of them got wrapped, tied with a bow, and given as a thoughtful gift to someone who'd just done the same.
I don't get the calendars announcing these spectacular events. Apparently you have to be at a certain level of slot machine play on your comp card to get an invite, and if you are at a high enough level of regular suckerdom you get two of whatever they are passing out, but I've never put a nickel into any of the machines, only used it to log in at the poker tables, so I'm not invited. Sniff.
I feel like such a sucker paying a garbage company to come pick-up my trash.
I probably will not be getting an invitation to become promotions & marketing director for Station Casinos anytime real soon.
Quote: DrawingDeadAnd then just about a week later, a related festively opinionated observation (December 25th, 2008):
Quote: Local Rock
Station Crapolafest update bulletin:
This past Sunday I passed another giveaway of valuable prizes for honored patrons of a Station property in progress. The recipients were clutching their precious cargo of...a boxed cleaning cloth. Yes, they were giving away rags. Yellow rags, in a box. Yes, there was a line to get them. Yes, it was long. I wonder how many of them got wrapped, tied with a bow, and given as a thoughtful gift to someone who'd just done the same.
I don't get the calendars announcing these spectacular events. Apparently you have to be at a certain level of slot machine play on your comp card to get an invite, and if you are at a high enough level of regular suckerdom you get two of whatever they are passing out, but I've never put a nickel into any of the machines, only used it to log in at the poker tables, so I'm not invited. Sniff.
I feel like such a sucker paying a garbage company to come pick-up my trash.
Sounds like they were giving away ShamWows?!!??!
Given that, why not expand casino largess to include small, readily consumable snacks such as candy bars, snack cakes, and small packs of nuts / granola?
Give me Snickers,....and Scotch.Quote: MrVThe casino comp both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, although they require a CW deliver them to you.
Given that, why not expand casino largess to include small, readily consumable snacks such as candy bars, snack cakes, and small packs of nuts / granola?
I'll love you long time.
Quote: MrVThe casino comp both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, although they require a CW deliver them to you.
Given that, why not expand casino largess to include small, readily consumable snacks such as candy bars, snack cakes, and small packs of nuts / granola?
Many of the slot parlors do that in West Virginia, and the Dotty's parlors in Vegas also do that, I believe. I think that would be difficult/undesirable to do in a casino for a few reasons:
1.) It would be a headache to keep all of that stuff full.
2.) In addition to giving away the product, you'd be paying extra staff to do #1.
3.) Unlike a Dotty's or a parlor, casinos have ($$$) legitimate dining options that they would not want to compete with by way of offering free food.
4.) For someone that has food/beverage as a part of their comps package offered by a casino, the food seems like an even more exclusive offer if there isn't food there for everyone to have for free.
5.) It would make a big mess.
Long pre-story (kinda interesting but don't feel like telling it).....the High Limit room at Fiesta Henderson offered snacks and whatnot. Lady at the booth would ask every now and then if any of the players wanted candy. It was good candy, too. Like full size snickers and normal bags of M&M's....not like them little mini-sized bars. I asked if they had cigarettes or some kind of drink (maybe gatorade or a red bull? was a while ago). They said why yes of course -- walked me to the gift shop around the corner, and comped it to me. Didn't have to show or swipe my player's card or nothing. Just went over there, picked out a few items I wanted, they rang it up, I never paid nothing, and out I went. Checked my points at the end of the day, and sure enough - they didn't take away any of my comp points or w/e they're called there.
I recall one time at M-Resort (in the poker room that no longer exists there) a server kind of forgot that it isn't exactly a restaurant and sometimes people (and her employers) do have other priorities. She suddenly plopped a big sumptuous hot mess of a plate of something down on the table and on the cards in front of her customer who was in the middle of a hand contemplating a call, raise, or fold in a big pot. And at Boulder once (that place again) I can recall there were constant problems one night with someone who mixed their poker play with an order of chicken wings. "Munch, munch, lick, smack....I call....and player tables his hand of: King of Clubs, and, um, er, eh, ah, some kind of Face of Barbeque." But most people had enough sense about it that it was usually a good thing to have available when they really didn't want to have to leave the game for a meal break.
I do indulge in MMJ on occasion, and plan to buy some "medicine" at one of the Las Vegas MMJ dispensaries that honor out of state MMJ paperwork: hello, munchies!
Water fountains are allowed to be run for three minutes before being tested and the standards are rather low for those tests. You want water, tell the Tray Lizard... I've been brought three bottles at a time plus a coffee. The tip works out to 25 cents per beverage.
Self serve soda vending is great... but require more maintenance than the casinos ever planned and will always have the type of person who uses the ice machine in the hotel to fill up his giant cooler rather than just one bucket of ice for his room.
Coffee in the early morning is great in a casino and they won't charge you, even if its for salein nearby restaurants. It keeps them from having a high demand for waitresses that early.
Ask... they often say "sure". An extra buck goes a long way sometimes too.
But the remaining 2% is when I occasionally get my specialty of "a salad bar in a glass" in a pinch. Except I don't call it that when I ask Bambi the cocktail server for it. I call it one of those insipid fou-fou drinks that has a whole bunch of fruit and/or vegetable type stuff, but hold the booze. Don't care about the paper umbrella one way or the other, TYVM. Works fine for me to shoo away a case of a growling stomach for a while when I'm in the middle of something more pressing, like the 9th race at Aqueduct going to post in 15 minutes. Maybe there's a Doritos or Oreo themed cocktail for Mr. V?
Butter pecan / vanilla caramel swirl in a cup, please.
I'm pretty sure I could go prolly 48 hours straight with nothing else.
Not really, I drink alot of those little bottles of water too, I get 'em 2 at a time frequently.
Pour them over the ice in the cup that had scotch in it a minute ago.
Rinse and repeat. You gotta stay hydrated ;-)
Quote: MrVI raised the question about snacks in part because I don't drink alcohol.
I do indulge in MMJ on occasion, and plan to buy some "medicine" at one of the Las Vegas MMJ dispensaries that honor out of state MMJ paperwork: hello, munchies!
MrV,
The next time we both make it to a WoV meetup (which I do hope happens again in the future), let's have a toke together.
Hopefully it's recreationally legal by then, as I do not have medical paperwork.
Quote: AcesAndEightsMrV,
The next time we both make it to a WoV meetup (which I do hope happens again in the future), let's have a toke together.
Hopefully it's recreationally legal by then, as I do not have medical paperwork.
+1
I could be wrong, but I think she asked if she could come too ;-)Quote: beachbumbabs+1
Quote: AcesAndEightsMrV,
The next time we both make it to a WoV meetup (which I do hope happens again in the future), let's have a toke together.
Hopefully it's recreationally legal by then, as I do not have medical paperwork.
There are companies in Vegas that will get you a California card by video chat with a doctor for about $110.
Vegas has about ten dispensaries now. It is actually one of the loosest jurisdictions because they take medical certifications from EVERY state. (Ironically, Nevada is one of the hardest certifications to get).
Quote: teddysThere are companies in Vegas that will get you a California card by video chat with a doctor for about $110.
My hippy friend from high school got a medical card via Skype in about 10 minutes.
In the UK most casinos operate like a members club so can offer free [soft] drinks. Some have machines in the poker area and others via waitresses. My local used to offer free sandwiches as well. I remember one in Aberdeen, gone now and was essentially a large shed, that had free drinks and sandwiches sitting at one end and you helped yourself. For a small casino I thought this was a great idea as there were other casinos in town.
