Wynn Las Vegas has a new policy to not comp drinks for video poker players. I "think" that this policy is for the bar only, but it might include the casino floor. Video poker players must pay full price for their drinks, no matter what denomination or investment they have in the machine.

I think Mandalay Bay tried something like this at their bars a while back and it was a big flop.

JMT, I think your wrong....it was Treasure Island and Mirage....I think! I don't think it went over big then, and I expect it to not work now either.
No Drinkie....No Playie

Thanks Lee, I've been wrong before. I do remember that some stunt like this was tried and failed, and I "think" the casino(s) went back to standard policy.

And I don't want to sound like I am from California, but I almost see where Uncle Steve is coming from. The target customer for the WynnDot probably doesn't see that type of comp as a big deal. The WynnDot has a respectable reputation for good drinks. It is possible that Stevie has gotten complaints from some of his high rollers that they can't find a spot at the bar because it is full of people playing VP. I don't agree and I think there are other solutions.

I also saw that the Wynn was going to stop serving bartop vp players free drinks. I think that is kind of a crazy play, but he's made crazy plays work before.

Maybe this is why the last time I played VP at the Wynn, there wasn't a cocktail server in sight. Not that I care - I usually just drink water.

Even if this is true, this is a stupid policy and I would hope the patrons would protest with their feet. Stop playing, walk out, and go somewhere else where you can be treated like a human being. I stayed at the Wynn last March and it was a pretty lousy experience - I thought their customer service was awful. From hotel staff to dealers to waiters in restaurants, none of them were friendly or helpful. I doubt I'd ever stay there again. In fact, I have no desire to even go there again.

I've had some really odd service at Wynn dot. At times it has been amazing, others, non-existant. Last visit, no service was offered untill about 2 min . before we where ready to leave.
Then in past times, I couldn't drink them fast enough....gosh, I hate when that happens. They do mix a decent tasteing drink at Wynn, if you can get one.
I've ordered a Mojito at a bar while playing dollar vp, and they had to call a superviser over to approve it, because it was over the $12 comp limit per drink. What's in a mojito? sugar water, sour mix, mint leaves, and one shot of white rum (bacardi normally) (a quart under 10 bucks).
To avoid the problem, maybe wynn should think about just pulling out the bartop VP. That basicly solves the problem without upsetting the players. I play, I expect the drinks to be comped, wether I'm drinking a cocktail or like Mike water. I look at this as a slap in the face to a player, an insult.

Maybe Steve just wants video poker players to stay sober so they can play better? The policy seems awfully dumb to me, but I still like the service at Wynn. I think there was one time drinks were slow, but I've got nothing but nice comments about every employee I've dealt with in either the casino or hotel.

LOL, I did run into one snooty cashier in one of the sundry shops - she was kinda looking down her nose at me like she was wondering if I "belonged" there. It was one of those times I wanted to say something like "Hon, you're working here, and I'm shopping here - does that suggest anything to you?" It was also a time I'm glad I kept my mouth shut because she did get a lot more personable when she realized I really did want to buy something<g>.

Just read this on the Clark Howard newsletter:

"Wynn Las Vegas Hotel & Casino might be discouraging non-staying guests from its casino with a bold move to charge machine players for cocktails. A long standing Vegas tradition comps drinks to players spending about $10 at video gambling machines, including slots. But the mega-resort will no longer offer the free cocktails to any player, hotel guest or not, and at full price. Two other hotels, the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay recently tried this new policy but the move was reversed when casino business fell off dramatically."

I wonder if machine players will choose not to stay there any longer.............maybe they just want to have one giant pit and no machines!!!

Was just making plans for a dinner for eight at the SW Steak House to entertain some major slot players from Japan, but the above has changed my mind. How is the situation at the Venetian?

Delmonico is an excellent steakhouse in the Venetian. There comps are more in line with Vegas standards.

like I said....no drink....no play.

Wynndot is serving free comp'd cocktails at the machines, just not at the bar. I was frequently served, to the point of having to refuse free drinks, because I couldn't keep up and still play my dueces machine.

You know, my reason for playing at the bar is usually because I'm thirsty. And that is a direct result because floor service is so slow, or non-existant. I understand the problem. We all (bartop players) have seen the "swoop and leave" "Players", You know the person who swoops in & puts a twenty into a machine, orders a drink and then, cashs out and leaves with his cocktail. With ticket in, ticket out, it has made this operation even easier for the swooper. Now there is less chance of getting tied up with a hopper fill, or getting a bucket and having to wait till the machine spits out the coins. Getting dirty from the coins, and that ticket, he can actually use at the next bar as his buy-in.
So, I think Mr Wynn-Dot should remove the machines at his bars and just sell drinks. His clients should not mind.

At least as of July, my experience was the same as Lee's. There were a good number of servers out on the casino floor and service was good. The drinks were decent strength and you could get anything you wanted.

I've noticed that more often than not, the people playing VP at bars seem to be locals. I suppose this could result in them getting to know the bartenders and drinking way more than they're playing, not what the casinos are looking for.

I disagree with the locals statement. Only because, normally the poorer pay machines are at the bar, locals generally know better, where me, I'm just thirsty! LOL
Want to get to be friends with any bartender in this town....just tip well! Your new best friend, He'll pour what he's allowed to pour, as often as you ask! IMHO

Lee,

That's my point...they're NOT 'playing'. They drop $10-$20 in the machine, play a hand every half hour and drink all night while watching the game etc.

I never thought of them as locals, just cons working the system...LOL. I've always felt in general, Locals don't do the strip, except when friends are in town.