Rant: Harrah's policy regarding comp drinks at video poker bars

I was recently at Harrah's in the Toby Keith video poker bar playing full coin VP and was told I would have to pay $11.50 for my drink, (gin and soda). The night before I had played at the same VP bar and received comped drinks while playing. I have been in that VP bar multiple times over the past few years and received comped drinks with VP play without any problems.

When I asked why I was being charged for my drink, the bartender said that he could comp only Seven Star members for their drinks. When I said that I had been comped drinks there the night before (for VP play), he repeated that their policy was to comp drinks only for seven star members. No excuses or apologies. The bartender was not rude, but was very matter-of-fact in his response. I refused the drink, cashed out my ticket and left.

I called a food and beverage manager who told me I should have been comped the drink. She apologized and offered me a comped drink at the show I was seeing at Harrah's that evening. When I went to the bar, the F and B manager was there with her supervisor who told me that it WAS their policy to only comp Seven Star members while playing VP.

I am not sure if this policy applies at only at the Toby Keith Video Poker or all their VP bars. They really did not answer that question for me. I still don't know. I was so embarrassed by the situation that I just told them thanks for their time and left.

Does anyone have any insight to this policy? BTW, I was not oppositional or argumentative in any way. I did not have any interaction with this bartender prior to ordering my drink. I just don't understand why this happened!

 

I don't know what their policy is, but, you're drinking and gambling! I thought that's what these places wanted! Ugh, such a shame to see these places nickle and dime, when they are almost certainly making a profit after 10 minutes of play. Sorry that happened to you, but good to know....

 

Seems like alot to go through for free booze.

 

I was at Harrah's a few weeks back, got charged an 'upcharge' of $2 at Toby Keith (front bar) for a Maker's and coke, same drink a half hour later was a $3 'upcharge' at center bar (new one towards carnival court) and half hour later at sports book bar the same drink was fully comped. They did mention their was no 'upcharge' for seven start members. I mentioned something to it to bartender at Mirage the next day and he was speculating that the bartenders were adding charges on their own and keeping the 'upcharge' for themselves. Not sure what the real story was but made me not want to play VP at bar at Harrah's anymore. Definitely noticed this year that Harrah's seemed to nickle and dime for everything. Guess they are trying to pay for the new High Roller still

 

So 150,000 tier credits needed to get a complimentary upgraded cocktail at the luxurious Harrah's Las Vegas. At $5 per 1 tier point in slot play alone - you technically need to play through $750,000 in slot machines to earn this (not counting tier bonuses). Sounds like a great deal. I got nothing better to do than to lose money! :wave2:

 

Geeze, at that rate, just hire a bartender to follow you around with a full bar in tow.

 

Man, this kind of treatment makes me shy away from playing bar VP. It's embarrassing. There are so many different policies that I've read on this board, why can't it be standardized or at least made clear somehow before one steps up to play? Where was it that I've read that one property doesn't even comp drinks at bar VP play? Ridiculous!

But the worst is what happened to the OP. Comped one night and the next night, no dice. What's up with that? Couldn't the bartenders explain nicely the policy for comped drinks as soon as they see a customer step up to play? This would save the embarrassment and irritable feelings when discovering you have to pay for the drink.

What a bullshit operation and casino.

 

This is why I started just asking the bartender what drink they were allowed to comp after I put in my 20 but before I hit spin. I am surprised how different the answer can be at the same bars depending on time of day and bartender

 

Silly stuff. If the casinos don't make enough money on VP (factoring in slot club benefits) throw the games out. The entire thing gets silly when policy seems to chance whenever you talk to a different server/bartender. I can understand the casino's point of view since VP is a game where optimal strategy and small HA makes that there's little money to be made. Harcore VP players have to play ALOT (based on the math) to get a free room, freeplay and free booze to make it profitable for the casino. They should have bartop slot machines like Wheel of Fortune and there wouldn't be any problems with comping drinks...

 

Caesars is in talks, again, with its creditors about resstructuring over $18 Billion dollars of their $24 Billion dollar debt. The financial markets are anticipating a January bankruptcy. They are borrowing on credit cards to pay interest and minimum payments in simple terms. Sooner or later you run out of other people's money.

Loveman is surrounded by clever people and they broke off some of the positive cash flow properties from the dogs and they reportedly have about $1 Billion in cash. However, the net result is they can't pay their bills and the bill collectors are calling 24/7.

The anecdotes about the tight machines I assume to be true. I don't play at CET properties. The only money they got from me this year was for a ride on the high roller, which I think is a great addition but in the wrong place.

Charging for drinks at the bar will become more common I bet. If you think it's a scam, charge it to your room, then find someone in authority to see if the bartender was supposed to do it. They are under the cameras too so pocketing cash isn't likely.

Or do what I do. I make a huge Manhattan or Belvedere Martini and put it in a sports bottle. Clip that to my belt and I'm good for hours! Better, cheaper and I don't have to deal with the CW's or bartenders.

 

I can report that last week, I was drinking plenty (including Woodford's Reserve one day, Tanqueray 10 martini's another, Wild Turkey 101 another, my pal was drinking lagunitas) at the sports book bar playing VP all comp'd...
in fact they removed 2 VP machines one early morning while I was there and the following day still comping drinks...
and TAG was still comping any Craft beer under $9

Unless Caesar's changed their policy in the last 5 days since I have been home....

 

It's because it was Toby Keith's and not a casino bar. Before they never comped anyone anything at the Toby Keith's VP bar.

 

...poor management, period....when policies are different/unknown from one line staffer to the next...so many options around that would be happy to keep your glass full while you play...we, the consumer, must be willing to say "screw you" and relocate to another casino that treats their customers properly...

 

It's a Toby Keith bar thing, I've never been charged for a drink at any other VP bar at Harrahs (stayed there last month). I've heard of this happening before at TK's.

 

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I figured it was a Toby Keith Bar thing. Just wish they would post notification at the VP machines to alleviate embarrassing situations. It's always nice to know the rules up front rather than be blindsided! "LIVE AND LEARN" lesson….always ask before and never assume anything!

 

Paris told us if you don't bet max, no comp.

 

that's consistent everywhere, I know of no where on the strip you can play a quarter at a time and get comp drinks...

 

The only people upset by this are the people sitting at the video poker bar for free drinks and not the video poker.

Once CET finishes renovating their rooms, you can bet the free room offers are going to dry up like the desert they're surrounded by.

 

At the Flamingo they have a sign telling you this. I do not understand it. While I guess the extra $2 or $3 dollars per drink will help the bottom line, I think they will be driving more people away when this does not exist at other casinos. Do they think I will gamble more there to achieve a higher level so I do not have to pay this fee? Or do they think high rollers will come in knowing they will get their Maker's free while the serfs must pay $2?

It is a money grab and really in the end I has soured me on gaming at CET properties.

 

My first visit to the MSS bar didn't find me questioned by the barkeep as to my play but only my choice of beer.....I understand the discomfort but vote with your feet...you lose if you expect them to meet YOUR expectations....whether the bartenders personal policy or company policy...take it or leave it AND let them know of your disenchantment.....and go with the flow.....