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.

Slots Locking out a machine to go and eat

Discussion in 'Slots' started by 3cats, Aug 9, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. 3cats

    3cats High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2002
    Messages:
    617
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    This is a very common practice in the casinos. when it is done, the slot attendant who locks it out takes your name and player card number and puts it on a note pad inside the machine. So that when it comes time to put the machine back in service, a possibly different attendant knows who to do that for. This is done on machines that have their own progressives.

    Well yesterday from 2:15pm till 9:00 pm Jim and I played a progressive machine at Red Rock. During the course of those 7 hours we built the major JP up to $460. and it has to hit by $500. Finally at 9:00 pm I couldn't take it any more so we had it locked out so we could go eat in the cafe'. The girl took down all the information and locked it down.
    We come back in 1 hour 20 min. and the machine is in service and somebody else is playing it. WE were livid, and still are.
    I asked the young kids...... this machine was "out of service" what happened? their response "we just asked a slot tech and he turned it on"

    Well the rest is pretty explanatory in the following Facebook posting I did on both RR web site as well as stations,
    So my question is:
    Has this happened to anyone else, and if so, what did you do to handle it?
    ***************************************************************************

    Wed. Aug 8, 10:30pm
    Just got home from RR. We will NEVER, EVER go back.
    I will be cashing in all of our points on my card account, and canceling all reservations I currently have, with the way this place operates, I don't know if my room will still be there when I get back from the pool.
    We are chairman members, we were playing on a progressive machine that must hit by $500. for over 7 hours as it was getting high. We had a slot attendant lock it out for us to go and eat, we were gone for 1 hour 18 min and come back to the machine to find 2 young red card players playing it. When I asked why is this machine back in play the young couple said that a slot tech came over and put it into service for them, evidently without checking the reason why it was out of service and who's players card it should be unlocked for, . I spoke to the MOD and told him he should remove those people from that machine. as WE had it locked out. And the response was "we can't kick somebody off a machine" Well I ask what did they do to us.......? kicked us off. So somebody at RR owes me $460.00 jackpot they just screwed me out of. I will continue to post this on every web site and social media site I can find until I get the $460. and a formal apology. In the mean time I gave my player card to the MOD and told him to keep it. As for the slot tech who put the machine back in service without checking the notes inside the machine,,,,,,,,,, he/she should be fired right now.

    WE ARE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    SO MUCH FOR WE LOVE LOCALS, AND WE LOVE OUR CHAIRMAN MEMBERS. FAT CHANCE,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 9, 2012
  2. discostu

    discostu Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    98
    Location:
    Up in here
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    Sorry that happened.

    Maybe somebody just made an honest mistake? To you have problems there a lot or was this a rare occurrence?
     
  3. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    Messages:
    2,521
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    I don't like hearing bad words about Red Rock when I'm supposed be there in a few weeks, but then again I don't play slots much at all. I hope the pool area is great!

    They can lock a machine so nobody else can use it? Any slot machine? I never heard of this in my life...guess i'm not aware :confused2:
     
  4. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2009
    Messages:
    16,023
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    175
    We are regulars at MSS and when we have a hot VP machine, we have had the bartender cover it/them with a bar towel while we go the 777 for some food.

    One time we get back and somebody else is playing our machine. Ask the bartender WTF and he says the barback gave it away.:grrr: The thing that pissed me off was the bar wasn't full and there were other machines open.

    But in the end, we started playing on different machines and my wife hit a Royal:thumbsup:

    I don't play any slots, so I admit I never heard of locking out a machine.
     
  5. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2011
    Messages:
    3,282
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Sucks that happened to you, but it kind of defies logic, there are so many different employees on a slot floor, shift change, rotation, human error, I would have been more shocked if it was there waiting for you rather than if it was taken.

    Thats a tough break, but I would never rely on someone to "lock out' a hot machine that was $40 from hitting.

    I too have never heard of the "lock out' term.
     
  6. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Never heard of someone locking a machine to prevent others from using it.

    If it were my business I would not allow it to happen.

    Casinos are in business to make money and the slot machines is how they do it.

    Of course people have to use the restroom and all but that is different.

    To just get up and walk away and go eat seems to me to just be asking a bit much.

    Now they have to notify all the floor workers and other patrons so the whole place is put out just because of one person.

    Does not seem cost effective to me..

    Does it makes sense that they would fire that person then have to interview, hire and retrain someone to replace him. How much do you suppose that would cost?

    Now if we did the math and added up all the losses to the casino they would actually be better served by not having you as a guest because it seems to me from this post that they lose money by having you there.
     
  7. 3cats

    3cats High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2002
    Messages:
    617
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Locking out a machine is a courtesy given to regulars at a casino, or their "high rollers". We played that machine nonstop for over 7 hours. and we would have continued to play it until we hit it. We have seen machines locked out many times at various casinos and never questioned it. as we knew the reason why. We have locked out machines before this particular instance at RR and didn't have an issue, that is why this slot tech who interfered in the process should loose his/her job.
    Eddie, believe me when I tell you, that RR makes money off of me on a weekly basis. I would not be a chairman member if I didn't play on a regular basis there.

    Part of the perks for being a chairman is getting a machine locked out for up to 2 hours while you go and eat. Do they or do they not make money from my dining in their rest. and tipping their servers? It is this reason that chairman members get to the head of all the rest. lines because we may have a machine locked out and the casino wants us to get back to it asap. so we get head of the line, first seating privalege as well.
     
  8. discostu

    discostu Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    98
    Location:
    Up in here
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    It looks like you have made up your mind. I sure hope you never make a mistake since you don't seem tolerant if others do.
     
  9. mdee

    mdee VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Messages:
    2,491
    Location:
    Orlando
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    41
    Sorry

    I've never had a machine locked before. Curious how much longer would it have taken to get to that extra $40? I mean if it was that important why did you leave?
     
  10. gmunole

    gmunole Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    62
    Location:
    Ashburn, VA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    34
    Sorry this happened to you but thanks for sharing your experience. I have never had a machine or seen a machine locked out for a person.
    What I dont understand is are you more upset over the principle of the event or the amount that you could have won? It just seems that from your facebook quote that you are upset over such a little amount of money but if they give you the money then everything would be resolved. "Little" being relative to being a "High Roller".

    I hope things work out for you, if not I am sure that another casino would welcome your play.

    BTW what was the name of the game you were playing? Are there more games that promise to payout the progressive before it reaches a certain amount? This is also new to me.
     
  11. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    This is done at our local casino if you are at a certain level. I can totally understand your anger. If they aren't going to take responsibility for doing it right, then they shouldn't be doing it. And as a regular customer, it would be far easier for them to just give you the money.
     
  12. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    Interesting. I have never heard or seen a lock out situation on slot machines. I do know of attendants holding machines while a customer went for a restroom or smoke break though. I also have seen people at the el cortez who order food and have a tray with a meal brought to them while they continue to play.

    I think many of us aren't the "hard core" players like 3cats and so never notice this kind of thing.

    But lately my $$ hasn't lasted very long on the machines. I remember 10 years ago $100 could last for hours on the machines (quarter or dollar machines) but lately I would be lucky to get an hour off that amount.
     
  13. seviay

    seviay High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2011
    Messages:
    814
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Based on the precedent they set, I can understand your vitriol. On principal alone, I would keep pressing through PR channels until I got someone fairly high up in the company to pay attention. Perhaps with a little time to simmer down slightly, you can craft a more constructive letter to them, expressing your disappointment as a loyal customer of theirs...and leave the ball in their court as to what they feel the proper type/amount of redress should be.

    Good managers know the value of loyal customers, as well as the power of the internet to spread positive and negative things. They have to balance that against all the claims from grimy/slimy people looking for handouts, but I think if you persist, you'll either get something you feel "makes it right," or you can officially write them off as poorly managed. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion or threat that you'll never go there again, unless/until you take your issue up the chain of command.

    Good luck with it
     
  14. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2009
    Messages:
    1,145
    Location:
    Midwest - Sister Bay, WI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    62
    While I feel sorry for you for what happened, it is surprising that it did at a stations casino property. Obviously, someone didn't follow proper procedures when locking or unlocking the machine.

    CET has a policy & procedure for diamond & 7 stars players for this, and the way they do this it is impossible for what happened to you to happen.

    When you call a slot attendant they place a card in the window/glass of the machine that contains your players card number, when the machine was locked and when it will be re-opened.
     
  15. y2mulder

    y2mulder Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2011
    Messages:
    485
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    +1

    God forbid, there might have been 1 slot tech out of 100 who didnt get the word, and opened the machine. Whatever. I dont care how much money I blow through a casino, I will never think I am big enough to lock down my own slot machine in Las Vegas.

    Being a high roller is great. Staying humble is another.
     
  16. DaveP

    DaveP VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2004
    Messages:
    2,907
    Location:
    At work
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    This is the part I don't think I'll ever understand, mostly because I'm not a slot player. I can't imagine sitting at a machine for 7 hours. How much does it cost to do that??

    Can someone explain how these machines work? How much coin in does it take to pay out a $500 jackpot? I wouldn't think any machine is going to guarantee a $500 payout if it's not taking in at least that much.
     
  17. y2mulder

    y2mulder Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2011
    Messages:
    485
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    WMS and Konami have a lot of progressives with a "minor" and a "major" jackpot. Using rough numbers here, each meter goes up a penny on every $1-$2 bet. One usually is guaranteed to hit at $50, the other at $500. Usually people will hawk the machines, and when the "major" gets in the $450 range, the chase is on.

    I have gotten slaughtered on those machines. And thats because a machine at $480 will "hit" in the next $20, but in reality, it could take another $2000 in coin-in to get the meter to $500, and the guaranteed win.

    So this guy chased it to $460, and lost the machine. And I guess now everybody should die.
     
  18. AbFab

    AbFab Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
    Messages:
    470
    Location:
    New York
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I'm sorry, but the last sentence....:nworthy:

    gave me major giggles.:thumbsup:
     
  19. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2011
    Messages:
    3,282
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    That made me chuckle as well, first thing I thought when I read this was someone put a whole lot of $$$ in to try and win $500. I hope there were a lot if hits during the seven hours.
     
  20. Smo

    Smo Mr. Las Vegas

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,069
    Location:
    6 Hours from Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    42
    OMG, I laughed sooo hard as well. :cry:
     
Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.