1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Rubberneckers

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by sapphirevegas, Apr 3, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. sapphirevegas

    sapphirevegas High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2012
    Messages:
    547
    Location:
    Northeast, Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Just curious about something. How do you all feel about rubberneckers when you are playing a machine? There are many varieties of these people.

    First are the ones who walk by you 20 times and always look over your shoulder to see what money you have in there. They either played that machine earlier and are mad if you are winning, or are staking it out for later. Mildly irritating.

    Next are the ones that stand over your shoulder and watch you play. This is a more aggressive variety, and I find more irritating. Sometimes they even decide to give you unsolicited advice on your play. I once had to call security at a local casino on a lady and her mother for doing this. They stood over me for 45 minutes at a machine, with a constant commentary to each other on my play, and the play of the poor 65 year old sweet little asian lady next to me. The juju was horrible. I went from $500 up to almost nothing. The more they talked the worse I did. I am the LEAST confrontational person in the world. I finally turned to them and very nicely asked them to please take a few steps back. (they were so close their breathing was moving my hair) The daughter crossed her arms and told me "This is a free fu*@#ng country and she can stand wherever she wants. The standoff began. I couldn't take it anymore after a few more spins of her running her mouth, I stopped playing. My knees were shaking I was so upset. I lit up a cigarette, spun my chair around and blew the smoke in her face as I smoked the whole thing, with my arms crossed. (I know, not my finest moment.) She then made me loose my mind. She said, "Ya dun playin now?" I told her no. I then grabbed a slot attendant and asked for security and a manager. It took 20 minutes to get one there. But the little old lady backed me up with the manager and they made them move on. My worst experience with another customer ever. Within 5 minutes, I had a big hit and was back up $600.

    Next is the quiet lurker, but you know they are there. They sit behind and across the aisle from you and watch you play. You can see them out of the corner of your eye, and know they are there.

    The one that bothers me the most is the total stranger who plunks down next to you at a machine and does not play. Does not even put money in the machine. They just literally sit and watch you play. And again, gives you commentary. One guy once said, "You know you have spun 87 times since you got a bonus?" GRRRRRR.
     
  2. gpenguins67

    gpenguins67 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    723
    Location:
    RI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    I completely agree with you. I can't stand it at all. At least with the ones that are playing nearby that are just looking to take the machine once you move on, you know what they are up to.
    I just get bothered more at the people who stand their and watch or make the comments and aren't playing. Its like a game trying to figure out what their agenda is. Are you planning on robbing me ... or asking me for money when I walk away from the machine with a ticket? I just always assume the worst in people, especially when it comes to money. Like seriously you can't really be having that much fun watching me win money and I sure as hell know you don't feel that bad for me when the machine is taking my cash, unless you have some vested interest such as stealing my money or asking me for money.
    I know at a local slot parlor some of the older people would hang out and if you hit a hand pay they would claim the ticket for you for exchange for some cash, since they didn't have enough income to claim it on taxes(or however they were doing it). So you knew what they were up to. Hey old man you wanna make 20% of my jackpot.... I'll give it to you instead of giving uncle sam 35%.
     
  3. tatterdema

    tatterdema VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2001
    Messages:
    1,642
    Location:
    Seattle WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    I have to say I am kind of guilty of this. When I am walking through the casino and see someone has hit a bonus round on a game I have never played, I like to stop and watch.
     
  4. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2008
    Messages:
    9,151
    Location:
    Chicago & Scottsdale, AZ
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Hate it!!!!
     
  5. BreakEven

    BreakEven High-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    905
    Location:
    SEA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    I will too. It's just a matter of giving people a little personal space.

    And if I think I'm giving them my bad juju, or I get the impression that THEY think I'm giving them my bad juju, I get the heck out of there.
     
  6. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I don't mind so much the people who just stop to watch a bonus round, but there are people who, especially for me -will park their ass by me and decide they are going to wait until I leave the machine so they can have it - once they've seen how much money I've lost it in :).

    I had one mother and daughter at our local casino. Nothing I could do about it. They sat there and blatantly watched us play - just waiting for us to leave because we had a lot of money in the machine. I had another woman - same casino - different day, who "yakked" at us repeatedly. She was playing 2 Life of Luxury machines, we were playing the third, which I figured she wanted and quite frankly, she didn't shut up the whole time we were there - commenting on everything she hit - commenting on everything we hit. If I'd had a piece of duct tape on me - it wouldn't have been pretty! We finally left in frustration and just gave the machine to her - just so we didn't have to listen to her anymore. Mission accomplished.

    I will say I don't encounter this in Vegas as much - mostly at my local casinos.
     
  7. HOUtoLAS

    HOUtoLAS High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Messages:
    852
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Playing VP, if I see someone behind me in the reflection of the machine, I just stop playing and sit back. They usually get the hint and move on. I do the same for those that sit next to you and watch. It might be innocent on their part, but I hate it.
     
  8. mdee

    mdee VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Messages:
    2,491
    Location:
    Orlando
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    41
    I've sat at a bank of machines behind my friend waiting for her to finish playing but if I felt it was bothering her or someone else I'd leave. So, I agree 100% with you guys! People standing behind me is just plain creepy!
    I'll even stop and give them a glance as to say Back The Eff Off! Some get the hint. I don't like people trying to talk to me or staring at my bonus/spins either. And cigar and cigarette smokers drive me crazy! Stinky!
    The worst is going up to a high demon machine or one of those super big ones. They always seem to draw a crowd. So I feel like I'm on display playing them. And people sitting and taking up space and not playing irk me
    just as much as the lady playing three machines at the same time! And it's always women! I think they must be more degenerate than us men haha! Oh and don't tell me how much money you pulled out the machine I'm
    sitting at the day before! Arrrgh!
     
  9. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2011
    Messages:
    2,142
    Location:
    Cincinnatti, OH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    45
    I hate the agressive lurkers. The people standing by waiting for you to get up and leave so they can pounce on your machine. When I see those people, typically on a penny slot. Even if I was planning on getting up I start betting once credit , one line. If I can't bet one credit, I bet minimal amount, take a sip of my drink, check my cell phone, and push the min button. This will usually make each spin take a minute.

    I love to do this after putting in a benny, and watching them bounce off the wall. :grrr: I will then usually turn to them to say "Gonna be here awhile, you may want to look for another machine." and smile.:cheers:
     
  10. Ezzy711

    Ezzy711 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    Messages:
    2,372
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    21
    I'm a bit guilty. If I played a machine earlier and want to play it again I get bummed out if it is occupied. I will play a machine close to it and just check once in a while. I don't stalk it and figure if it's not open after I've put through a few bucks in the my machine I just move along.

    I will watch a bonus round, especially if it is on the same machine type I'm playing. The fun part to me is when someone hits a top dollar bonus anywhere near me (even in the next row) I stop playing my machine so I can hear the offers. I am always curious if they take the offer I would.

    I would never stand close enough for someone to feel my breath, that's assault in my book.

    I get irritated at the multiple machine players - you aren't losing enough in one?
     
  11. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    The easiest solution is to just stop playing and wait them out. If you are just sitting there looking at the machine then they will usually get quickly bored. Good time to catch up on some texts or to check your email on your phone.
     
  12. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    2,739
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    So how does this all work with the Lion's Share where there is only one machine? I've never played it...but am planning to. If someone is already playing it what is the proper protocol?
     
  13. LA2VegasTrekkers

    LA2VegasTrekkers High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2010
    Messages:
    670
    Location:
    Hollywood
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I'm surprised to hear all the annimosity toward people who might want to wait to see if you'll be done soon so they can play the machine your on. We do this all the time. We don't stand right behind anyone, but close by where we can see if they might be finishing up soon. Especially on the themed games, which we play exclusively, when there are only one or two of them, and they are generally always full, I don't see the harm in waiting our turn. We would never make comments and if by some stretch of the imagination we were making the person uncomfortable, we would of course move if asked politely. Intentionally stopping play or slowing down just to be spiteful seems really rude. Sorry if I've misunderstood.
     
  14. Jersey_Bill

    Jersey_Bill High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    644
    Location:
    Exit 8, New Jersey Turnpike
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I have played it every trip for the past several years. I would say maybe more than half the time its empty - and I haven't yet seen the kind of "waiting line" that others mention - although I am sure that happens. I guess I would deal with that like I do any line - find out who is "last" and tell them that you are behind them.

    Frequently, I see someone settled in with a large coin balance - and I will just come back later rather than hang out and wait my turn. They locate it near the high limit slots but in a field of other $1.00 and $5.00 slots - so I have to decide if I want to play at that level nearby while waiting. I won't just sit there lurking and waiting my turn - I may take a walk or go play VP and come back later. Seldom will you be shut out for hours on that machine...

    JZB
     
  15. AnAmericanTexanInVegas

    AnAmericanTexanInVegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2012
    Messages:
    77
    Location:
    Texas, USA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Same here. I try to always be mindful in keeping enough distance while doing so. But I love watching anyone's bonus round.
     
  16. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    2,224
    Location:
    Mass
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    If someone is on MY machine :wink2: I head to the other side of the casino, I don't want to cry when they win on it. Twice I have had an obnoxious guy hang out when I am playing. Watching my game and commentating, I make an excuse and get out when that happens...both times they have been creepy. I get the stop and watch during bonus games, I have had many people congratulate me on small wins. Often times they don't understand the game and just want to learn or watch to pass the time. If someone is sitting next to me and being obnoxious...I will slow play just to tic her off (it's ALWAYS a her).
     
  17. sunsetgirl

    sunsetgirl Tourist

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    37
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    I used to be guilty of standing behind my aunt when she was playing, but she quickly set me straight on not violating the slot bubble!
    I don't really notice lurkers. It might be all the beer I drink when I am playing or I am just oblivious.
    I do get slightly annoyed when people playing the same themed machine as the one I am on get mad and make comments if I've hit a bonus and they haven't. This happened when I was playing Grease at Harrah's last year.
     
  18. sapphirevegas

    sapphirevegas High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2012
    Messages:
    547
    Location:
    Northeast, Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    For the most part, it is the aggressive lurkers that are a problem. Commenters and such. There are enough machines in the casinos that I find it silly for people to stand and make others uncomfortable, or uncomfortable enough to get up and move if they were not ready. To stand for a few seconds and make a decision if they are getting up is one thing. To stand for more than 5 or 10 minutes and lurk over someones shoulder can feel aggressive for people and I think rude. Some people do get very pushy about it, and that is no fun for anyone. I never mind people out of curiosity stopping and watching a bonus. You can always tell the difference between them and machine stalkers.
    :poke:
     
  19. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2010
    Messages:
    6,477
    Location:
    Chicago South Suburbs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    The problem with people waiting for your game is that it feels as if they are rooting for you to lose or worse, as if they feel as if they have more right to play a slot than you do. At the end of the day, if you are there first, you should feel perfectly comfortable playing a slot as long as you want and not feel as if you need to hurry up so someone else can play it. Personally I add more money but I can completely understand why others may slow down or stop. It's kinda of funny to hear that being called rude when other people are invading your space and privacy.
     
  20. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2011
    Messages:
    2,142
    Location:
    Cincinnatti, OH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    45
    That's why I said aggressive lurkers. I had people politely com up and ask if they could have that machine when I am done playing especially when the casino floor is crowded. I don't mind notifying them when I am ready to get up. Unfortunately I meet more of the angry pacers, the can't mind their own business, and the constant lurkers. Basically people who feel because your in a casino good social behaviour is waived.
     
Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.