Slot Machine hogs

[BOOPSAHOY]

This weekend we were in AC at the Taj Mahal. We play in the Sultans Palace where they have the $1 denom video slots. They have maybe 30 machines. We play maybe 15-20 of them-the rest are either too expensive (stinkin rich 50-100 a spin, I think not) or they dont have bonus rounds (boring). So we get there at 730 and we are supposed to go to a comped dinner but we arent feeling hungry so we go to play and 4 of our favorite machines are closed down. I find out 2 people closed all 4 machines.

After around 3 hrs the people finally show up-but they have their cards in all 4 machines and wont let anyone play. VERY annoyed. The next morning we get there and the machines are closed again. We are starting to lose now and we really need some fresh machines (I hate to keep putting money in machines that are just not playing) The people show up again and we are going to play behind them when the guy says Im playing that machine, my card is in it. I look and theres no credits in the machine. NOW they are holding 6 machines!

I complained to the floor person and she said she would go check it out. Of course nothing was done. At this point we lost all we won the night before and we were losing our whole bankroll. Its getting really boring now playing the few machines that are left available.Im so angry about this we go to the room. After we eat and watch a movie we decide to go to Showboat and see what they have there as we are feeling really unhappy.

They dont have very many $1 video slots but we did get to play kitty glitter and we did well on it. We had the most fun of the weekend in the 2 hrs we were there. Im calling my host today to complain-Im going to say just let me know when those 2 people are coming I will STAY HOME or GO TO ANOTHER casino.

Is this fair?

[BillyJoe]

I had a running battle about 'capping' machines with Caesars a while back. There was one slot in High Limit that had triple the progressive bonus of the other identical machine in the bank. I went two days that trip without being able to play it, because a particular lady would keep it capped during her entire stay, whether she played it or not. I finally resolved it by talking with the Slot Manager about what the capping policy was. He said 4 hours, so I said "Fine, I will be here at 6AM tomorrow morning, and unless it is being played, I expect to be able to play it." When I arrived, it was still capped from the night before, so the Slot Manager had it uncapped for me.
I am a 7Star with Caesars, but that notwithstanding, I would talk to the SLOT MANAGER (not a floor person), Boops, and ask them SPECIFICALLY what their "capping" policy is. Also, I would ask the manager what the casino policy is regarding players playing multiple machines during busy hours.  I have no problem with someone taking a break from  favorite machine, but it hurts the casino for machines to sit idle.  

[BOOPSAHOY]

billyjoe-I did speak to a "suit" she said she would go over and see what was going on and she never came back to me. It was already getting late so I didnt wait that long for her but today I called my host. By the way Im signature which is the same as 7stars. Im more pissed at the fact that when they got back they were "playing" 6 machines where as ony 1 or 2 had any actual money in them just their cards.

[damule]

I think capping (holding) machines is complete BS unless someone is taking a bathroom/meal break. I think whether you're Seven Stars (which I used to be, never to be again), Signature, Chairman, whatever 2-4 hours is more than a reasonable period of time to have a machine held. I would play for hours at a single machine and would only ask it to be reserved for meals or bathroom breaks. Harrah's Ak-chin here outside Phoenix used to have a policy if you were Seven Stars or Diamond where you could call ahead and have your favorite machine held. It would get so bad that all the decent video poker games would be vacant most of the night because the people would never show up. I'm pretty sure they changed that policy now. And, no matter what the circumstances, a player should never be able to hold more than 1 machine.

[BOOPSAHOY]

damule-Ia gree. But if the casino offers to cap them I cant fight it but when its been "uncapped" can you play 1 machine and have cards in 3 others? Can you play one machine and have cards in 4 others? Thats ridiculous. I found out they are VERY big players-eg for signature you need 80,000 points by the end of the year-these people have 600,000-is that even possible??? LOL

[Lucky Larry]

Money has it power.

I understand how you feel Boops. The party may have had the money but certainly didn't have the manners or care about common courtesy - but that's not surprising.

We didn't even know you could "hold" a machine for a long time. With limited machines with "high VP returns" at our favorite casino, we have since learned to hold a machine for dinner. I like the policy: "you can hold only one machine per person in the party for one hour to go eat." It is possible that up in VIP High Limits there is another policy but the "floor" rules are reasonable. If we see the policy being abused or a machine still on hold after 2 hours the slot coordinator generally pulls the hold.

[BOOPSAHOY]

The machines were closed down already when we got there fri night and when we got there saturday morning. Both times they were on hold for at least 3 or 4 hours while we were there. Who knows how long they were closed down before we got there! Then like I said they proceeded to play ONE machine and have cards in 5 others-a total of 6 machines! My host said that they will try to rein them in a little and she told me she would let me know if they booked a date I want so I can change my date if I dont want toplay when they are there. Lets see how that works!


 
We did leave and go to Showboat but we could only find one small area that had $1 denimination video slots. Anyone know if theres more than one area with those types of machines?

[marie meijer]

I had never heard of machines being capped before and understand your dismay at not being able to play an empty machine. I have, however, been in packed casinos where all the seats are occupied at a bank where I wish to play. Then I spot a spouse NOT playing but watching the other half, yet taking up a seat that I want. "Excuse me, are you playing that machine?" I ask as sweetly as I can fake it. They moved and it was easier to ask the next time and the time after that, since nothing bad happened to me so far.  However, once I did feel really badly as I had not realized how disabled the individual was who was not playing a machine. With great effort he moved on. I would have preferred to walk instead of making him leave.

[Lucky Larry]

Boops,
I don't think you should have to reschedule your play to accommodate someone else's having a card in 4-5 machines and not playing. Next time I'd ask them about playing the machines and put the "refusal" on their plate. This may also give you more leverage with the slot director.

marie,
Your experience is much like ours. Most people seated at the bank not playing have moved when we asked if they were playing. We've even suggested they are welcome to pull up a chair next to us to watch their spouse, etc. play. Occasionally, someone balks, says their playing even though no money is in the machine. Sometimes we've stood or checked back waiting to see if they are really playing. At times we have mentioned the situation to a slot supervisor who has generally assisted.

We do know of one guy who had his card in 4-5 machines at the same time-but he was playing all of them. He was putting on a "show". He was playing lotto ball machines. He would start at one end and play each one in a row $5 a spin able to move down the row as the ping pong balls were circulating. Back and forth for over thirty minutes. A great show.

[BillyJoe]

billyjoe-I did speak to a "suit" she said she would go over and see what was going on and she never came back to me. It was already getting late so I didnt wait that long for her but today I called my host. By the way Im signature which is the same as 7stars. Im more pissed at the fact that when they got back they were "playing" 6 machines where as ony 1 or 2 had any actual money in them just their cards.
Casino Manager time, Boops. If you have a high tier status with that property, they will listen. Tell the CM that you spoke with a floor supervisor, and got no action.  I would ask them to check the revenue, or "coin-in", that they have seen at those machines during those hours when you observed that someone had them all tied up, but were not actually playing. That may get their attention, since they are losing revenue with just a card in, and no play.