Hey there! Let‘s dig into what "86" means in casinos

If you enjoy hitting the local casino now and then for some entertainment, you may have heard staff or security utter the phrase "86" about a rowdy guest, broken slot machine, or menu item the kitchen just ran out of. Seems like odd casino jargon right? Well friend, as a fellow gaming enthusiast I was also puzzled at first. But after some digging, I got the inside scoop on what "86" means in gambling dens and how the term evolved over time. Let me walk you through it!

Possible origins of this quirky casino code

The specific roots of "86" are hazy, but these are some top theories on how it became a thing:

• In the 1920s Prohibition era, 86 proof alcohol could still be served "for medical purposes". So crafty bartenders supposedly used "86" to cut off wasted customers from boozing on anything stronger.
• Early 1900s restaurants numbered tables, with #86 being farthest from the kitchen. Slow service there led waiters to say a table was "86‘d" if too inconvenient.
• Some 1920s restaurants capped tabs at $6 per customer to prevent overdrinking. Those who exceeded $6 limits got the boot or were "86‘d".
• It might tie to Article 86 in the military‘s Uniform Code of Military Justice about being AWOL from duty, which could get a soldier barred or "86‘d".

Researchers can‘t confirm any single origin story. But it seems plausible "86" evolved as lingo used by service folks to discreetly axe something without proper patrons knowing. Once Prohibition ended, restaurants and bars kept saying "86" to knock things off the menu or kick out unruly customers. And from there it spread to casino culture in Las Vegas and beyond!

Okay, so what does it actually mean in casinos?

When you hear casino staff utter "86", it signals something is being nixed or cut off, including:

Banning a disruptive or cheating gambler: If a patron is overly tipsy, belligerent, caught card counting, etc. security will "86" them from the premises for hours, days, weeks, or life.

Taking a malfunctioning game or machine out of service: Broken blackjack tables or faulty slot machines get "86‘d" by managers until repairs are done.

Running out of a food or drink item: When the kitchen or bar depletes something, servers and bartenders will say it‘s "86‘d" so patrons know to order something else.

So in a nutshell, think of "86" as meaning "out of stock" or "not available". It‘s casino-speak for immediately halting access to protect staff, patrons, and the venue‘s operational integrity.

Who can officially drop the 86 bomb in a casino?

Only senior staff can declare something 86‘d, including:

Pit bosses: Rule the casino floor and issue 86 bans to unruly or shady gamblers. Their bans often cover the whole property.

Security officers: Also authorized to temporarily or permanently 86 problematic patrons for safety reasons. They‘ll firmly yet politely escort you out.

Shift managers: Oversee casino operations and announce games/machines 86‘d due to technical malfunctions.

Restaurant managers: Managers can 86 depleted food and drinks off menus so servers don‘t disappoint patrons.

Slot floor supervisors: Monitor banks of slots and coordinate repairs for 86‘d machines with technicians.

Lower-level employees can‘t pronounce something 86‘d on their own. But they can report issues to higher-ups who make the call. 86 bans are implemented judiciously by seasoned staffers.

How casinos carefully enforce 86 bans

Once someone is 86‘d, casinos don‘t mess around in removing them and keeping them out:

• A banned person‘s photo and details go into the casino‘s trespass notification system so all staff are aware.

• Security officers and surveillance staff look out for banned visitors trying to sneak in and promptly remove them.

• Patrons issued temporary 86 bans who try entering the casino during the ban face criminal trespass charges.

• Individuals 86‘d permanently may be listed in databases shared by multiple affiliated casinos to prevent access across the board.

• Advanced tech like facial recognition, ID scanning, and security cameras help spot people violating 86 bans in real time.

• Anyone 86‘d who threatens violence against the casino or staff may also be criminally charged.

This rigorous enforcement is vital to deter troublemakers and help law-abiding patrons feel safe. Casinos also face legal liability if they don‘t apply 86 orders consistently.

How long do 86 bans last?

The duration depends on the situation‘s severity:

24 hours: To sober up mildly buzzed patrons. Casinos want to be responsible.

72 hours: For disruptive shenanigans of moderate impact. Gives folks time to reflect.

30 days: Typical for regulatory violations like underage gambling. Punishment fits crime.

6 months: Repeated offenses, minor cheating, or dangerous behavior. Provides extended deterrence.

1 year – Minimum for caught card counters, theft, cons, etc. Lets seriousness sink in.

Permanent: Reserved for violence, felonies, organized cheating rings. Preserves casino integrity.

Only management can modify or revoke an 86 status early based on the case‘s details. But bans are not lifted lightly. Additional violations can extend bans or make temporary bans permanent.

Do 86 bans also apply to the casino‘s online betting platforms?

This is a bit of a legal gray area casinos are still navigating. Traditionally, an 86 ban only prevents you from physically being on the casino‘s real property. But some major chains are now extending bans to block badly behaved patrons from accessing affiliated online betting sites too.

Caesars Entertainment, for example, shares an 86 list across all its brick-and-mortar casinos and online sportsbooks. So if you get permanently banned from Caesars Palace Las Vegas for violence, you‘re also shut out of using their app to bet on games from home.

Critics argue this unduly limits where problem gamblers can bet online if they‘re not directly causing issues at in-person casinos. But companies argue broad bans help curb severe problem patrons across all platforms.

I‘d expect ongoing lawsuits to eventually standardize regulations on whether 86 bans can cross over into online and mobile betting or must be limited to physical casinos. It‘s still the digital Wild West!

Some notable figures 86‘d from casinos

Over the decades, celebrity tantrums and cheating scandals have gotten many famous folks permanently 86‘d from casino premises:

MIT blackjack teams – Groups of math students using card counting systems to beat the house at blackjack. Casinos despise it!

Slot cheats – People who‘ve manipulated slots with tricks or devices have been arrested and lifetime banned. Don‘t try it!

Charlie Sheen – The hot-headed actor once damaged a Vegas hotel room in a rage and is now barred from the Strip.

Michael Jordan – The NBA legend has been 86‘d from casinos for excessive gambling and failure to pay debts.

Whale gamblers – Billionaire "whales" from Asia have been banned for lending other patrons money for gambling, which is prohibited.

Even the rich and famous get barred if they break the rules!

Beyond casinos – other "86" slang meanings

While born in the casino realm, dropping "86" has now expanded as general slang:

• "Let‘s 86 the office party this year and do a virtual one instead." (Cancel/nix plans)

• "If he won‘t follow our posting rules, we‘ll have to 86 him from the Facebook group." (Ban/remove someone)

• "I decided to 86 the idea of skydiving since I‘m scared of heights!" (Stop considering an idea)

• "After so many lies, I had to 86 the relationship for my own sanity." (End a relationship)

• "I can‘t serve you any more margaritas tonight sir, you‘re officially 86‘d from the bar." (Refuse service)

So in everyday lingo, declaring something or someone "86" communicates it‘s being kicked to the curb indefinitely!

In summary my friend

I hope this gave you an informative overview of "86" – from its hazy origins to current casino usage to expanding slang meanings. Whether you‘re a newbie table game player, advantage blackjack counter, or casual slot jockey, acquainting yourself with common casino jargon makes you look like a sharp VIP. Just be sure to avoid behavior that gets you temporarily or permanently "86‘d"! Stay in the staff‘s good graces and enjoy your gambling without excess. Thanks for joining me on this dive into casino culture. Let‘s grab drinks soon and put our new "86" knowledge to use!

Your gambling pal,

Terry