Tuesday night, 7:30 pm at the Bellagio Poker Room; playing 5-10 NL on Table 36, sitting in seat 9.There’s a dealer change, so I rush off to the restroom. I just lost a biggish hand, so I’m short with about $430 left in front of me (3 bills and $130 in mostly orange chips).As I’m rushing back to the table not to miss a hand, I am startled to see that both the money and the chips are gone!
The player to my right said, “someone walked by and grabbed it all and kept walking . . . ““Dealer,” I said “what’s going on?”The dealer shrugged.One floor guy says: “I think he had a brown jacket, but he disappeared into the crowd.”I go to the executive office at the back of the room near the cage. I tell the “swing” shift manager, Sean McCormack, what happened. He walks up to talk to the floor guy, and then tells me he’s called security and they are on their way.So I wait. And wait. And wait. I should say that I’ve always been a huge fan of the Bellagio. I typically play over 60 hours a month there. Maybe it resonates with my Italian heritage. Maybe I like that I read a story once that said Steve Wynn only allowed Sinatra to be played in the bathrooms. Maybe it’s that I enjoy playing in the same room as the Big Game [Wikipedia].The Bellagio brand has taken a hit recently with a widely reported million dollar heist. It very much benefits the top-end casinos to have a reputation for high security (if not, the affluent wives with thousands in jewelry won’t feel safe).But this is the Bellagio – so that heist had to be a rare exception of a mastermind pulling off a daring plan, right?And I’m still waiting for security. Literally 40 minutes later Jeffrey Gosselin arrives. He takes me into Bobby’s Room to talk. He says he needs my driver’s license to photo copy. He leaves, and doesn’t return for five minutes. I take a picture of Table 1 in Bobby’s Room while I’m waiting.He returns, and I fill out a short form [titled: “Property Loss Report” #11-0000915].And then he’s shaking my hand, leading me out of the room.“Do I get my money returned now,” I ask.“No,” he says “someone will call you.”“But you don’t have my number,” I say.“Oh,” he says, and asks me for it.“What is the typical timeline?” I ask.He shrugs.I go to talk with the manager again, and at this point I’m pretty hot. I can’t believe that not only has this taken over an hour of my time, but they are clearly not holding themselves accountable for their negligence. Sometimes at 5-10 I'll have $3k or $4k on the table! The answers are robotic, with vague references to process; followed by a hushed, conspiratorial tone, urging me to make the effort to talk to the real boss – a man named Doug Dalton.Play in a casino and the house-edge puts your money at risk - that’s a fact players are forced to live with. But the house allowing your money to be stolen under their nose, and not really seeming to care – that fact will go a long way to motivating players to find another place to play.“You are really going to let me leave here without my money, and without any real clear path for me to get it back”, I say.The manager shrugs, and reaches in his jacket and hands me a Bellagio buffet comp.Great – just don’t leave you coat at the table if you go up for seconds!--Read about RJ playing 2-5 NL with Eli Elezra on New Year's Eve (with picture!)
You are correct but I would have not left 3 Bills on the table. Chips sure but these are tough economic times and everyone is looking for a shortcut
Me and Marco were slumming it playing 2-5 NL at the table behind him. Marco leans to me and goes, RJ must have been busted out because his spot is empty and there are no chips.
What a joke the Bellagio is. Literally, after the big heist you think they would be on the ball. Took forever for anyone to come over. They had no clue how to deal with it.
Worst part for is you brag about being the center of the poker world but you charge $5.00 for a FIGI Water?
JP548 - You are not allowed to remove chips or cash from the table unless you give up your seat. Running to the bathroom during a dealer change is no reason to pick up your chips. This is something that every single poker player HAS to deal with (or else hold it for hours) and they are doing nothing about it.
RJ, take your business elsewhere...
RJ read ur email.
RJ, I stand corrected. I play Blackjack and never have a problem. I do not play Poker(at least in the Casino)
Bring the mob back to run Vegas.....
Treated rudely. I've been gettin' reports about Vegas goin' chin-see of late. Paying outrageous drink prices and jacking up charges. Many I know, just don't go anymore.
Could it be the local ID was reason enuff to give cold shoulder? Heard they really like to shit on the locals.
Understand ur anger/frustration. I'd be PO'ed as well.
Maybe gank some of their crap to set things straight - rip up a nice shrub or something??
Hope this story ends well RJ.
JD - I will only pay $5 for FIGI Water if there is Jim Beam in it!
The Bellagio is overrated in all aspects, I have stayed there, played there, did a Beat the Pros there at the Sportsbook about 8 or 9 years ago, and while they provided a room, it was a shit room with no comps for food...kinda cheap bastards on the deal.
Take your time and money elsewhere, tell Marco the Buffet at the Mirage is nice.....awesome Chinese there...lol
Last time I was at the Rio...I ordered a double Jim Beam and Coke and the gal at the Casino Bar where I was stopping off for a few brought me a ticket for $24 for the cocktail...WTF? That whole town used to be cheap to party in and have fun in, all the while giving them cash at the table games...with no complaints..... Hell I was getting free drinks and $5 lap dances at Cheetha's back in the day for Happy hour between 3 and 6.....
I agree with JD, get me some mobsters back in there....they knew how to treat their players and patrons...
Yeah bring back the Godfathers!
that is one crazy story.they should know how much you play there and just give you your money.now that money will cost them more in the long run.that is the worst when youre loyal to a place and they put a bad taste in your mouth.i love going to lake tahoe and playing there.3.5 hour drive and you got a beautiful lake and mountains.mont bleu(formaly ceasars)usually treats me great but when something goes down hit makes you hot.especially if youve dropped alot of coin there.they need to get it together and take care of there regulars!!!hope you get your money.
RJ Im surprised that you guys live in vegas and its taken this long to realize that the staff at the Bellagio (poker room especially) are a bunch of dickhead snobs that all act like they could care less if you come back or not. I havent stepped foot in there for 5 years.
With the Wynn and Venetian across the street, no one needs the Bellagio anymore.
File a suit for negligence and join the boycott.
ouch RJ, I've been meaning to read this blog for a while. I can't believe they didn't take care of you. Please keep us posted on if they ever get back to you!
I can't believe they couldn't get the security tape and ID Marco right off. All kidding aside they should come up with something. I dropped my money clip at Bill's(for gosh sake) and they tried to do something and couldn't do enough for me. At Bellagio they should be all over it
First off, I cannot believe they did not do anything to help, and at lease look at the cameras and try to make it right by you.
So based on what happened.....
This would be the last time I played there, far too many other places in Vegas that are just as good/nice and appreciate their customers.
JW
As of my last night in Vegas Thursday, still not word from Bellagio.