Bartop VP drink etiquette/protocol

So despite having quite a handful of trips to Vegas under my belt, I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit that I've never played video poker at a bartop. From reading some of the posts and trip reports on this website, I get the sense that I am missing out on some fancier drinks and a better atmosphere. However, I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Is the general concept that, if you buy in for $20, you'll get the first drink free at all of these bars (Wynncore excluded)? Or do you have to be sitting there betting for a while before they offer you your first drink? I'm not normally a max bet player, but I wouldn't mind a slightly lower pay table if I'm getting a fancier drink in a nicer atmosphere than what I'm used to out on the main casino floor. What's the etiquette for ordering your first drink and knowing that it's comped? Is there anything else I should keep in mind?

I'm not there to mooch a free drink, so it's not like I'll immediately cash out of the machine as soon as I get served. But I'm also not wanting to play above and beyond my means just to get a second or third free drink.

 

buy in for 20$ and must bet max bet , and then u can order. they will let u know if its not comped if he wont comp it just dont pay for it.its that simple . and tip

 

It will depend on the casino and bar to a certain extent. I've found that it's generally easier to get a drink immediately at off Strip properties. At many bars (certainly Boyd properties), often I'm asked what I would like before I even get money in the machine. But then, I seem to fit the demographic profile .... older male .... lol.

I'm not really able to comment on the Strip properties much, as I tend to avoid their poor paytables. One exception is the Lobby bar at Excalibur - it seems generally fairly easy.

Btw, if the bartender asks you what you would like and places a glass (with a receipt in it), that's the 'tip jar' ($1/drink minimum seems to be ok). Otherwise, he'll ask you to pay, at which point you can have a conversation about the fact that you are 'playing'. Generally, though, it's the former.

Good luck!

BB

 

i assume he ment the machines with the lights for drinks now

but yes the old way was just put money in , play max bet order tip repeat

 

The main reason I'll play at the bar is because the service is quicker - there's no fancier drinks and the atmosphere really depends on where you're at; a lot of the bars are basically on the casino floor. I mainly play at MGM properties so there's not any lights yet - the bartenders have been lecturing everyone about "$20 minimum, must play max bet, maintain rate of play, blah blah blah..." I just throw $100 in and they keep my drinks coming.

The good thing about the bar is you (generally) get your drinks faster because the bartenders don't have that many people to watch - but they are watching now (MGM) so you do need to bet max and keep playing. On the floor the cocktail waitresses really don't care what denom and how much you're playing per hand, but you might wait a while. But don't think you're missing anything "special" by not playing at the bar - we're not getting larger drinks in fine crystal with little umbrellas...

 

I'll say this again. If you are sitting at the bar hoping to score free drinks, you probably will be disappointed. If you plan on playing poker while you enjoy some libations, you will not have an issue at all.

 

Not a 'fancy drink' by any means but I tend to drink cider at home and could not get this comped anywhere on the casino floor last trip, all the CWs said no. I was up early one morning waiting for a UK soccer game to start and decided to try the centre bar at NYNY, as I knew they sold Strongbow (UK cider). Played one hand of VP, barman asked what I wanted, got a Strongbow comped with no issues. Got a 4OAK, took some winnings and then carried on with another $20 at quarters max bet. I had 3 drinks in about 20 minutes, 2 4OAKS and a flush and took a drink and some winnings with me to watch the game. Had 2 more at half time from the same bar - still couldn't get them from CWs, even though all bars in there carry Strongbow and Angry Orchard - not sure why the VP bar can comp it but a CW can't bring the same bottle?

 

Waitresses are probably getting it from separate, more limited, service areas hidden from public view. I think I have yet to order an IPA from the floor. I know it can be done at some places though.

 

The only place that comes to mind for this is the bars at the Cosmo, especially the bottom level of the Chandelier Bar. My last trip there, I was asked as soon as I sat down if I wanted a drink, then about ever 20 minutes after that a voucher would print from the machine for another free drink (up to $15) as long as I was playing max bet ($1.25 per hand) and played at a reasonable pace. They do serve and comp "fancier" drinks off their menu, but those are typically wasted on me.

 

go

correct they have a back section the get it from with limited availabity that the head ups set and monitor. if u want really good stuff u need to play in the hl room and even then sometime now( mlife) u need host approval... cheap bastards

correct on cosmo at the clique or bond or chandelier u will higher end or nicer drinks and tipping them goes a long way same with some off the higher end vp bar/lounges

 

Generally speaking you'll sit down and the bartender will ask what you want, they will either ask if you are playing or perhaps watch to see if you feed money in while they get your drink, They can easily see if you have credits on the machine and if you put in enough($20), they will give you the drink and put the receipt in a glass in front of you, you do not have to pay for it just because they put the receipt there(its just for accounting and if you read it, it will say comp on it). You should then at least play a few hands and put a buck in the glass for a tip. At most places they will not watch you like a hawk to see if you are playing consistently.

I would not recommend playing bartop poker just to get free drinks, what will happen is you will lose a few hands and then think "I got to get that money back" and you will keep playing and lose the whole 20 or $40, then you will walk away and think "gees, I just paid $40 for two $3 drinks". However if you do play VP normally, bar top is a great way to go.

 

1. Hop on the bar stool.
2. $100 in the machine.
3. Pay for your first drink
4. Let him bring the change (don't pick up the change)
5. watch the drinks come and service improve.
6. Cheers !!
7. Stay classy !

 

a great topic to post! I have learned a few things already. I don't play VP, but sometimes I will play a little bartop keno.

 

Why pay for the first drink if you're going to play?

 

What is the a rough # of hands per minute you are expected to play?

 

My rule of thumb is tip very well and you will be taken care of.

 

With the new systems, it sounds like 5 max bet quarter hands per minute should keep them happy. That should keep the light green at CET, and will earn you 20 points in 20 minutes at cosmo, which is the initial time and coin-in thresholds for a drink ticket.

I haven't done very detailed testing on this personally though. This estimate comes from other ppl reporting their findings.

 

You just play. Play a hand, sip your drink, play again, and so on.

I think too many people envision this scenario in order to get a drink:


"

 

How stupid do I feel! Do not play a great deal of Video Poker but when I want to watch a soccer game I will play. Always thought that when receipt came it meant it was not comped so always paid full price.

I'm a fecking idiot, cost me hundreds

 

I found no issue getting drink comps for my regular play since CET instituted the new bar-top policy. It's made things slightly better in the sense that I found more seating at the bar tops with VP machines the past trip.
The only negative I had was when requesting certain brands and mixers I was told there was an up charge. Once I identified myself as a Diamond player the up charge miraculously disappeared.