If you like a drink and you like a gamble, you’ll love Las Vegas. There are all sorts of myths and legends surrounding Sin City, and one of the best-known is the apparent generosity of waitresses and bartenders in the casinos. You’ll be pleased to know the rumors are true and Las Vegas casinos are not shy about handing out the comps if the circumstances are right.
If that last proviso set alarm bells ringing, it’s fair to say that the old adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch also holds true for dry Martinis and whiskey sours on the Vegas strip.
Keep on gambling
It would be a beautiful thing to think the casinos shower you with free drinks because they love you and want you to be happy. The truth is the comps flow when it makes business sense for them to do so. Casinos are operating in a highly competitive environment. Not only do they compete with one another, but there are also numerous casinos online for USA players.
In short, once you are stationed at a slot machine or gaming table and gambling your money, the casino wants you to stay right there and continue to do so. And what better way to encourage you to hang around than with a complimentary gin and tonic or two.
Rules and tips for keeping the comps flowing
There are no hard and fast rules, but experience and common sense allow us to outline some tips for ensuring the bartender or waitress keeps you topped up. The first is to keep playing. Lurkers don’t make the casino money, so just loitering by the machines won’t cut it. That doesn’t mean you have to feed hundreds of dollars into the slots, however.
Video poker is a great choice, and if you choose a terminal at the bar, the bartender will see when your glass is running low. Feed a $20 bill into the game, play minimum wagers and take a little time over each hand. You’ll be amazed how long that $20 can last if you have at least a basic idea of video poker strategy.
The second important rule is to look after your server. Bartenders and waitresses in Vegas depend on their tips to survive. If you don’t tip, you’ll become invisible, so make sure you hand over a dollar or two every time. A smile and a friendly word never go amiss either.
Know your limits
A golden rule of keeping things fun at the casino is to know when to stop. That applies to the alcoholic drinks too. Everyone knows that drinking affects your decision making, and when you step back and really think about it, having too much to drink in a casino is a terrible idea that can easily lead to disaster.
Set yourself limits at the start of the evening and stick to them. Also, note that there is no obligation to drink alcohol. The casinos offer all the soft drinks, mocktails, teas and coffees you can think of, too.
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