Among those playing video poker: Hookers.

[Alan Mendelson]

I guess I don't get out much, but I certainly had an interesting conversation playing video poker at Caesars Palace over the weekend.

I know there are hookers (prostitutes, professionals, ladies and men for hire) in casinos but I thought that for the most part they were in bars, or clubs or were available via a phone call.

I didn't know that you could also find them sitting at a video poker machine playing... and as a way to scout for customers. This weekend I found that is one technique they use.

So, here I am late on a Saturday night playing video poker, and a nice looking lady -- well dressed, mid 40's, holding a handbag and looking like a typical lady gambler at Caesars Palace -- takes a set at the video poker machine next to me. She put in some money to start playing, and to be honest I don't know how much but it could have been just a five dollar bill.

She wasn't there to play video poker, I later found out. She sat there because I was the only guy playing video poker in this particular row of machines and I was her "mark."

Why did she pick me? Well, it's not because I look like I'm rich and I certainly don't dress up when I play in a casino. It was sneakers and blue jeans and a long sleeve pullover for me. But she could see the credits (dollars) on my meter. And at the time my meter was showing a bit more than a thousand dollars on it. And she easily could have seen that standing behind me -- so she could have checked it.

Next, the conversation. After a couple of plays she asks how's it going? Machines hot or cold? Anyone winning?

Before long... she asks, is your wife playing?
No, I'm here on a business trip.

What kind of business are you in?
I'm in the TV business.

Oh, I'm in entertainment too.
Are you on stage, do you work in one of the shows here? I asked.

I'm in "sensual entertainment," she says.
What's that? I asked her. She told me. And I said I wasn't interested.

Now, why video poker? Well, it would be hard to have a conversation like that at a craps table, or a poker table. Unless, of course, she had business cards to hand out to everyone else at the table.

And that got me thinking about credit meters on slot and video poker games. Perhaps there should be a way to "hide" the meter reading similar to the way you can "hide" your name on some of the display screens for slot club cards.

[arcimede$]

"sensual entertainment" ... I'll have to remember that one.

[bigfoot66]

Yes, I have many times met, ahem, women, playing VP, especially on Fremont St.

[redietz]

That's happened a few times to me over the years -- usually late, late night (after 2 AM) when they've wrapped most business for the evening. It must be clear when I'm sitting alone playing vp at 2 AM or 3 AM that I'm solo, so they sit down and ask how the gambling is going, then I usually get the "Am I on business?" question.


I found it interesting that the last time I was propositioned late night was at the Wynn, and the woman didn't even bother to sit down. She was making her rounds like a cocktail waitress. The Wynn may have some working relationship with some of the girls.

[AngryRant]

... she asks, is your wife playing?

After this it was kinda clear where all of this was going

[Alan Mendelson]

After this it was kinda clear where all of this was going

You're right, I should have known better. Thank you for joining us!!

[Rob.Singer]

"sensual entertainment" ... I'll have to remember that one.

Yeah, like that's going to do YOU any good! That exciting routine of yours ought to stimulate them no end.

[slingshot]

Ha! Being 60 years of age at the time, one got insulted when I told her I wasn't interested. I guess she figured an old fogey like me should be thankful!