How to Drink Like a High Roller in Vegas Without Going Broke

Being born and raised in southern California has its benefits. I can be at some of the most beautiful beaches in the country in less than an hour by car. I can also (during winter) spend a couple of hours on the road and be in just the right spot for some pretty respectable skiing. Hell, I live in a county that had it’s own teeny bopper television show, for Pete’s sake.

But all this pales in comparison (in my humble opinion, anyway) to the fact that I live only a scant 3.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. And while I’m not a “Vegas kind of guy” per se, they do have several things to offer that are somewhat hard to come by around where I live - legal gambling being the most obvious. And coupled almost inextricably with Vegas-style gambling is drinking.

For those of you who have never been, drinking in Vegas can work one of two ways. You either buy your drinks from the bar like you would pretty much anywhere else, or you play the games (either slots or table games) and you get the drinks for free (though, a gratuity is customary and good practice). If you go the latter route - and you should - there is a rule you need to be aware of:

The frequency with which the cocktail server visits you is directly proportional to the stakes of the game you’re playing.

In other words, the guy playing Black Jack for $50 per hand is going to get drinks much more frequently than the grandma playing the nickel slot machine (which is typically located near the outer rim of the gaming area). If you’re like me and don’t have a sack of 20’s lying around that’s earmarked especially for gambling, you’ll probably find yourself in the second group more often than the first. But, fair gamblers, don’t lose heart - there is a way to get the service enjoyed by the rich folk…

The first time the cocktail waitress returns with your first round of drinks, give her an obscene tip. I’m talking $20 or more (especially if there are several drinks). This, coupled with a healthy dose of gratitude will put you on her A-list for as long as you’re sitting there. Not only that, but once you’re in her good graces, you can get away with things like ordering multiple drinks for a single person. And as long as you still tip her each time she comes around with beverages ($1 per drink is a good rule), they’ll carry you out of that place, completely ‘faced, and you’ll still have cash in your pocket (unless you went bust at the low-limit tables).

I’m telling you, this works. I’ve done it many, many times. But I can still smell your skepticism, so let’s do a little number crunching:

Let’s say that your “comfortable” amount of alcohol is 4-5 drinks (one shot, one cocktail, one beer, one glass of wine) over the course of a night. The average well drink (meaning you don’t order a specific type of alcohol - i.e., “Vodka Tonic” as opposed to “Grey Goose and Tonic”) in a Vegas bar will run you anywhere from $6 to $10, depending on the drinking establishment. For round numbers, let’s say that you’d pay $8 for a well drink, including the standard $1 per drink tip. Continuing this way, your nightly drink cost will end up looking something like this:

5 Drinks @ $7 per drink = $35 + $1 tip x 5 Drinks = $40

Now, using my method:

$20 one-time tip + 5 x $1 tip per drink = $25

Not rocket science, obviously. So, the next time you’re in Vegas, give this a try.

Special Bonus Vegas Tip:

I have it on good authority that tipping 100% of your tab at the Kahunaville bar in the Treasure Island hotel will earn you free drinks for the entire night (or day, depending on your level of commitment). Your mileage may vary.

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November 28, 2007 | Filed Under Cool, Hacking Life, Practical 

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6 Responses to “How to Drink Like a High Roller in Vegas Without Going Broke”

  1. Snowboard News Wire » How to Drink Like a High Roller in Vegas Without Going Broke on November 28th, 2007

    [...] I’m not quite sure on what to say about this post made by GTD, Productivity and Lifehacks at The Cranking Widgets Blog. [...]

  2. Greg on November 28th, 2007

    What if you the waitress you give the $20 to gets of work 15 minutes after you tip her?

  3. brett on November 28th, 2007

    @Greg

    Obviously, that’s a chance you’ll have to take.

  4. Mike on November 29th, 2007

    I’ve lived in Vegas for 20 years now, and $7-$8 dollars for a well drink at a bar isn’t right. You’re looking at spending around $3-$4 bucks at most.

    Also, your:
    5 Drinks @ $7 per drink = $35 $1 tip x 5 Drinks = $40
    Is that sitting at a bar or out gambling? Because if you are gambling, you will never pay $7 per drink, never. And if you are, then you are doing things wrong to begin with … and there is no need to give them a first tip of $20!

    Also, you forgot to add, if you are playing games (slots/blackjack) as opposed to sitting at a bar, you will be spending (loosing, since everyone looses in Vegas) money on the game you are playing versus just sitting at a bar and spending no money on a game. By the time you are sitting at the slot machines and drink 5 drinks, you will probably have put in about $40 bucks in a quarter machine.

    I think your suggestion is a bad idea. If you are playing a game, the drink girl will not charge you for a drink (it’s called a comp) but you should give her a $1 tip.

  5. Ta2yerface on November 30th, 2007

    @mike

    $3 for a well drink in Vegas? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Your telling me I can get 5 well drinks in a bar in Vegas for $15-$20??? …. Idiocy. Not to mention it can be easier winning at Caribbean Stud than getting that waitress back to your table as often as desired.

    And as far as “no need” for the first big tip, the thought of greasing the wheels is by no means out of the question. I’ve done it. It works. Sounds like you never have.

    Lastly, I’m sure most readers are aware of the “it’s called a comp” free drinks with games. It was mentioned in the first part of the post. Your self imposed “Vegas Veteran” status has been denied.

  6. petrero skinano on December 14th, 2007

    I’m with you… i think that philosophy works in most service oriented industries - and this one in particular. Plus you never know how positively the waitress might respond to your generosity - her getting off in 15 minutes isnt always a bad thing. Sure you can find well cocktails for $3, but hanging out at circus circus is really just not that fun.

    Nice post.
    Boozing Tees

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