This lady and her husband nearly got into an altercation when they tried to play at a slot machine, which was apparently “claimed” by another person at a casino.
Casino rules on “saving” seats at machines
So exactly what the title says, what “rules” are there for saving a machine. I’ve been going to casinos for years and recently have noticed an influx of “saved” seats at machines. For example, this past weekend my husband and I are at our local casino and we see the new Lantern version of the Hot Flaming Pots game we’ve not played yet. We see a seat open so we head that way. Mind you the entire section is taken but this one machine. There is no money on the machine, no person in the vicinity, and the chair that was at the machine is facing backwards (the chairs swivel anyway so could have been left that way purposely or not). So we put in some money and start spinning. We sat there for 5 minutes at least and then some guy comes over and starts yelling at me that I’m stealing his machine and how he had the chair turned back backwards to “save” his machine. My husband tells the guy that there’s no such thing as saving seats which I’ve never heard of either. This guy gets so worked up, screaming, threatens to get security so we tell him to go ahead. The lady next to us also starts in about how she didn’t notice he got up yet we’ve been sitting next to her for 10 minutes at this point. We sat at the same machine spinning for another 15-20 minutes at least and the guy never came back with his security guy lol. But we’ve noticed this before at this same casino and another one that is local to us. Never heard of this before now. Is this a new thing?! That can’t be a rule, right?!
There are no universal, official casino rules that explicitly allow or enforce “saving” or reserving slot machines for players who temporarily leave. However, the situation you described is a common point of contention in casinos, and the handling of such disputes varies by casino and situation. Here’s a breakdown based on general casino practices and insights from available information:
- No Official “Saving” Rule in Most Casinos:
- Most casinos, including major ones in places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, do not have formal policies that permit players to reserve or “save” a slot machine when they leave it. If a machine is unoccupied, has no credits, and no personal items are clearly marking it (like a jacket or player’s card), it’s generally considered available for anyone to play.
- Casino staff typically operate on a “first come, first served” basis for slot machines. If a player leaves a machine, they risk losing their spot unless they’re gone for a very short time (e.g., a quick restroom break) and have left clear indicators like credits on the machine or personal items.
- Common Practices and Etiquette:
- Player Etiquette: Some players believe in an informal “etiquette” where they mark a machine as “saved” by leaving a personal item (e.g., a jacket, bag, or player’s card) or turning the chair backward, as in your case. However, this is not an official rule and is not enforceable. It’s more of a social expectation among some frequent gamblers, but not all players respect or recognize it.
- Casino Perspective: Casinos generally don’t intervene in disputes over “saved” machines unless there’s a clear issue (e.g., personal items were left, or the machine has credits). If a machine appears abandoned, staff will likely side with the new player, as you experienced when security didn’t intervene.
- Your Specific Situation:
- In your case, the machine had no credits, no personal items, and no player nearby. The backward-facing chair is a vague and unreliable indicator of “saving” a machine, as chairs can be moved unintentionally. You were within your rights to play the machine, especially since you were actively using it for 10-20 minutes without any immediate challenge.
- The other player’s reaction and the neighbor’s comment suggest a misunderstanding of casino norms or an attempt to enforce an informal “rule” that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The fact that the player didn’t return with security further supports that they likely had no legitimate claim.
- Is This a New Trend?:
- The practice of “saving” machines isn’t necessarily new; it’s been a point of contention in casinos for years, especially in busy or crowded environments where desirable machines (like new games such as the Lantern version of Hot Flaming Pots) are in high demand.
- However, you might be noticing it more due to increased casino traffic, new players unfamiliar with unwritten etiquette, or specific local casino cultures where this behavior is more common. Social media discussions on platforms like X suggest this issue flares up periodically, with players complaining about others “stealing” machines they tried to reserve.
- Casino-Specific Policies:
- Some casinos may have informal practices or staff who tolerate short-term “saving” (e.g., for a quick break), but this is not standardized. For example, in some smaller or local casinos, staff might know regular players and unofficially honor their “saved” spots, but this isn’t a formal rule.
- If you’re at a specific casino (e.g., your local one), you could check their posted rules or ask a floor manager for clarification. Most casinos prioritize active players over those who’ve left a machine unattended.
- What to Do in the Future:
- If a machine appears free (no credits, no personal items, no player nearby), you’re generally safe to play it. If someone claims it was “saved,” calmly explain that it appeared available and suggest they speak to casino staff if they disagree.
- If personal items are present, it’s courteous to wait a few minutes or notify staff before playing, as the player may have stepped away briefly.
- If confronted aggressively, as in your case, stay calm and involve casino security or staff to mediate. Most casinos will prioritize the person actively playing the machine.
Why This Happens
The behavior you encountered likely stems from:
- High Demand: Popular or new machines (like the one you played) attract competition, leading some players to try “saving” their spot.
- Misunderstood Etiquette: Some players believe turning a chair or leaving a small marker reserves their machine, but this isn’t universally accepted or enforced.
- Entitlement: Regular players or those emotionally invested in a specific machine may feel entitled to it, leading to confrontations.
Summing up
There’s no official casino rule allowing players to “save” slot machines, and the practice is largely an informal, player-driven custom that varies by casino and crowd. In your situation, you did nothing wrong by playing an apparently unoccupied machine. The other player’s reaction was likely based on frustration or a misunderstanding of casino norms. If this happens again, involve staff early to avoid escalation, and rest assured that casinos generally prioritize active players over vague claims of “saving” a machine.