Getting Broken Machines Fixed

This is an important one, but only under the right circumstances.

If I’m zipping through a big casino (or really any casino) and I see an advantage play machine that is out of order, I won’t say anything. Maybe there’s some sort of tilt issue, maybe it needs more vouchers loaded in…who cares? I don’t run the casino or even work there, so what do I care if a machine or two isn’t working?

But what if I’m on a cruise ship? There are only so many AP games, and I need them all fully operational. What if I’m at a smaller resort that I plan on being at for five days in a row? A place like Atlantis in the Bahamas comes to mind, but there are places all over that would qualify.

You need all of the traps in working order!

Sometimes you’ll even find broken machines harboring great plays, either directly on the screen or on a different bet. If I did see a grand-slam play on a malfunctioning machine, I’d put the seat up and sometimes even put an article of clothing on the machine to make it abundantly clear to everyone that it is occupied.

Why doesn’t everyone do it?

Some people don’t want to bring any extra attention to what they’re doing. After all, if there are four Rich Little Piggies machines with no one sitting down and one that is malfunctioning, why would someone go through the trouble of alerting a slot attendant and waiting around for them to fix it when they could play the same game on a neighboring slot?

First off, I’ve never had anyone ask me this question. They might be thinking it, sure, but who cares? As long as you’re polite, it’s no big deal for the slot attendants, especially if it’s not busy out there. Hell, if you end up making money on the play, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to find the attendant and give them a tip.

Why else might someone not get a machine showing good numbers fixed? Other than not wanting to invest the time, some folks who do this professionally don’t speak English. Or if they do, they’re not comfortable with it as their first language. I’ve seen this happen firsthand, where a non-English speaker will notice a good machine, have a quick internal debate about what to do, and then move on.

Now, it also depends on how “good” that play is. If it’s a min bet on Cash Falls with an average return of a few dollars, I’m not wasting my time unless it’s a tiny casino I plan on being in for a while (cruise). If it’s a max bet on Buffalo Ascension showing a big play? I’m finding the nearest slot attendant ASAP and waiting it out.

Get these machines fixed in these circumstances. It could end up mattering more than you might think.