In Vegas Now - Not Sure Why I Keep Seeing This

Question

All,

Normally I wouldn’t ask about this if I thought it was just a one-off situation, but since I keep seeing this happen, I thought maybe someone else could shed some light on what I keep seeing. My wife and I are currently in Vegas and have been for a few days. Each day while we’ve been playing slots, we see random people walk up to a slot, hit it once without putting any money in it, then walk away. Why are people doing this? Are they hoping someone left some money/credit in the machine? I can’t imagine people are walking away from playing a machine and leaving any significant amount of $$ behind. As I said, if I’d just seen this once, I wouldn’t have mentioned it, but I’ve been seeing it over and over. Anyone else seen this as well?

Answer

This is actually a fairly common sight in casinos, and there are a few reasons why people may be doing this, even if it seems odd. Here's what's likely going on:

Claiming Free Play or Comps: In some casinos, people may be walking up to machines to “claim” any free play or credit that's been left behind by the previous player. Even if there's no significant money left, some players do this in the hopes of finding small leftover credits that they can use. It's also possible that they are using a casino’s loyalty program card, which could trigger the machine’s bonus or rewards.
Machine's "Ready to Play" Signal: Sometimes players approach a machine and tap it just to see if it’s "ready" to play—if the machine is indicating a payout or bonus is due. If a machine shows a credit balance left over from the previous player, some people will play those credits, even if it’s just a small amount.
Habit or Superstition: Some players are simply superstitious or have a habit of "testing" machines. They might tap a few buttons on a machine to see if it will respond or give them a feeling that it might be "lucky" for their next game. It's a psychological tactic based on belief rather than strategy.
Scammers or Opportunists: Unfortunately, there are always a few people who try to take advantage of others. While it’s not super common, some individuals might try to swipe any leftover credits or money from an unattended machine. However, this is rare because most casinos have strict surveillance and anti-theft measures in place.
Just Testing the Waters: In some cases, it’s simply a matter of curiosity. Someone might approach a machine, press a button to check if it has credits, and then walk away if it doesn't seem worth their time. It’s not a widespread practice, but it does happen occasionally.

While it can seem strange, most of the time, these actions are harmless and simply due to habits, superstitions, or attempts to find unused credits. If you see this often at a particular casino, it might just be that the slot machines are more frequently left with small amounts of credit, making it more tempting for others to try their luck.

If you're noticing it more frequently, it’s worth remembering that casinos are designed to encourage players to return to their machines and try again, whether it's out of habit or the hope of hitting a jackpot. So, don’t let it distract you too much from your own gameplay! Enjoy the experience, and have fun!

In Vegas Now - Not Sure Why I Keep Seeing This

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