What Are Slot Machine Vultures?
There are two types of Slot Vultures. The first Slot Vulture takes advantage of careless mistakes by players. Casino guests look to steal TITO tickets. They play with money left on a machine. They even play your machine when you are distracted. Like vultures, these people are trying to get richer from the scraps left by other players.
The other Slot Vulture is more of an Advantage Player. They watch for machines in an advantageous state, possible thanks to “true persistence” features a slot might have. They also look for progressives that are high or close to the “must hit by” threshold. That topic, however, will be for another day.
This article will focus on the former example, drawing on three personal experiences.
Story #1 – It Can Happen To The Best Of Us
Once, being away from a local casino for a while, I was excited to return to Twin River. It’s now Bally’s Twin River in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, I was too excited at first. I was ready to play my free slot play as soon as I got there.
At Twin River, at the time, you had to download all your free slot play to one machine first.
I sat down and only played part of my $75. I was not very lucky, so I cashed out. I took my TITO ticket and started walking when I realized I had left around $20 on that machine. So I returned to that slot machine to find some schmuck already playing the rest of my free slot play. After calling Security, the man quickly gave me my $20 and left before they arrived.
Moral Of the Story #1
Know how the casino pays out its free slot play. The temptation of money not cashing out the rest of my free slot play, was my mistake. So, before you leave that slot machine, take your ticket, and THEN check if any more credits are STILL THERE!
Story #2 – The Poker Thief
We love to stay at Red Rock Resort in Summerlin, NV. – about 20 minutes from the Strip. This particular morning, I played full-pay Bonus Poker for almost four hours.
I usually ask a floor staff member to watch my machine when nature calls. But I couldn’t find a staff member to help me. There was only one solution – cash out and run, then return. So, I did.
I passed eight machines and realized I had left the ticket hanging out of the machine when I cashed out. The incessant beeping reminder to take your ticket told everyone in earshot that my TITO ticket was just hanging there.
I was obviously tired after a three-hour session. Remember, intermittent breaks are essential to keep your focus
My $400 ticket was gone. To Red Rock Resort’s credit, their security staff went into hyper mode. And, in one hour, they had him tracked, guilty, and allowed him to return the money, but stay. Thankfully for me, he wasn’t a very smart thief. He had returned to the Poker Room to play what he had just stolen!
Moral Of the Story #2
Be in the moment before your next play. Always make sure the TITO ticket is IN YOUR HAND before leaving the machine. After this incident, I started pushing “cash out” with my right hand. Meanwhile, I held my left hand at the ticket dispenser. I don’t move until that TITO is in MY HAND!
Story #3 – Can’t Count on Proximity
The Place: Southern Las Vegas Strip. Casino: South Point Casino Resort, a prominent local place and a family resort known for its equestrian events.
My wife and I were playing slots next to each other. She was on one end, and I was at the next slot around the corner. Close enough that we have played each other’s machines.
My wife got a bonus, and I leaned to my left to watch her. Within seconds, a local patron had put $20 in my machine and was playing it. He claimed he had been playing it all this time. My right foot was still in front of MY machine! Security quickly arrived, and after the whole family engaged in insistent but futile arguing, the situation was resolved. The security staff told me this happens a lot. The less fortunate bring their family to the casino, and mom-and-pop work together to snatch tourists’ money.
Moral Of the Story #3
Never think you are completely secure on your slot machine. Slot vultures are watching, waiting to make their move. For some, this type of activity IS their job.
Summary
Consider these habits to safeguard your money.
- Understand how the casino dispenses free slot play.
- Be mindful when cashing out.
- push the cash-out button
- with one hand, take your rewards card
- put the other hand where TITO is dispensed
- Take short breaks to keep your mind from getting drowsy.
- Be aware of those who sit close, not playing or watching you.
- Use stall tactics if being watched – check email, fake call someone, etc.
- If a vulture is still watching your machine,
- 1) put on the service light,
- 2) ask any staff member to see security,
- 3) point the vulture out. Give a good description of him/her. The Casino doesn’t care for these people either.
Be careful out there. This post is intended to remind everyone to take care of their money at the casino and be mindful.
