Bar top gaming etiquette?

Question

My recent trip I noticed a lot of people at bartops that were not playing the machines. Have you ever asked the bartender to boot someone from a bar stool so you could play? I’ve seen bartenders do this in the past and bar machines used to say “reserved for players” or similar. Just wondering how common that is as sometimes the best pay-tables are at the bars - or is it not worth a fuss?

Answer

In Las Vegas, bartop gaming etiquette can sometimes be a bit tricky. It’s not uncommon to see people sitting at bartop machines who aren’t actually playing. These seats are often the most coveted spots in the casino, especially if they offer good pay-tables or have a free drink service. However, the general expectation is that these stools are for people actively playing, so if someone is sitting there and not using the machine, it can cause frustration for others who want to play.

In terms of asking the bartender to ask someone to leave, it is somewhat common but it depends on the casino and the bartender. Some casinos are more lenient, while others enforce stricter rules. You might find a few scenarios:

Some bartenders will politely ask people to leave if they’re not playing, especially if the bar is busy and there are people waiting for a seat to play.
Others might be more lenient, especially if the person is ordering drinks or not taking up too much space.
In some cases, a bartender might only ask someone to leave if they are taking up a seat during busy hours or when others are actively waiting to play.

Historically, some casinos had signs on machines that said "Reserved for Players," which helped establish the expectation that only players should be sitting at the machines. While this is less common now, it’s still good to be aware of the unspoken rule that if you’re sitting at a bartop machine, you should be actively playing.

Is it worth asking the bartender to intervene? That depends on the situation. If you're really eager to play and the seat is in a prime location, it might be worth asking. However, it’s always best to approach the situation with courtesy and respect. The bartender might ask the person to vacate the seat, or they might simply suggest you wait for a spot to open up.

Ultimately, while it’s not unheard of to request a seat, it’s often better to let the situation unfold naturally and avoid confrontation unless absolutely necessary.

Bar top gaming etiquette?

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