Locke Bottle Flip Emote Key Bind & How It Works

The Locke bottle flip emote in League of Legends is triggered by a specific key bind that you can set in the game’s hotkey menu; by default, it is assigned to the T key, but you can rebind it to any key you prefer. The emote plays a short animation of the character Locke flipping a bottle, and it is purely cosmetic, with no gameplay effect. This article explains exactly where to find the bind, how to change it, and why it sometimes doesn’t work as expected.

Background: What Is the Locke Bottle Flip Emote?

The Locke bottle flip emote is a limited-time emote introduced during the Bandle City event in 2021. It features a small, animated character named Locke (a yordle) performing a bottle flip trick. Unlike standard emotes that are tied to the emote wheel, this one is classified as a special emote and uses its own dedicated key bind rather than the emote wheel slots. The emote was obtainable through the event pass or as a random drop from hextech crafting, and it is no longer directly purchasable, making it a collector’s item for many players.

How the Key Bind Works

The key bind for the Locke bottle flip emote is separate from the regular emote wheel (which uses the I key by default to open the wheel, and then 1–4 to select an emote). Instead, the bottle flip is assigned to a single key that, when pressed, immediately plays the animation without needing to open any menu. This makes it a “quick emote” that you can use mid-game without interrupting your controls.

Here is how the binding is structured:

• Default key: T
• Menu location: Settings → Hotkeys → Communication → Quick Emotes
• Binding type: Single key press (not a hold or double-tap)

When you press the bound key, your champion plays the bottle flip animation. The emote has a cooldown of about 5 seconds before you can use it again, similar to other quick emotes. The animation is visible to all players in the game, but it does not affect gameplay, damage, or movement.

How to Change the Key Bind

If you don’t like the default T key, you can rebind it in a few steps:

1. Open the game and go to the Settings menu (gear icon in the top right of the client, or press Esc in-game).
2. Click on the Hotkeys tab.
3. Scroll down to the Communication section.
4. Look for the entry named Quick Emote 1 (or similar, depending on your client language). This is the slot that holds the bottle flip emote.
5. Click the current key (T) and press the new key you want to assign.
6. Click Save or simply close the menu – the change takes effect immediately.

Note that the label might be generic (e.g., “Quick Emote 1”) rather than specifically naming the bottle flip. The bottle flip emote occupies one of the quick emote slots, so if you have other quick emotes, you may need to check which slot is assigned to it. You can see which emote is in which slot by hovering over the entry in the hotkey menu – it will show a tooltip with the emote’s name.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many players report that the emote doesn’t work, or they can’t find the bind. Here are the most common issues and the truth behind them:

• “I don’t see the bind in my hotkey menu.” If you never owned the emote, the slot may not appear. The quick emote slots only show up if you have at least one quick emote unlocked. If you have the emote but the slot is missing, try restarting the client.
• “I pressed T but nothing happened.” The emote has a cooldown of a few seconds. If you just used it, you need to wait. Also, make sure you are not in a game mode that disables emotes (like some tournament modes).
• “It’s not the same as my other emotes.” Correct – the bottle flip is a quick emote, not a regular emote. Regular emotes are on the emote wheel (I key), while quick emotes are on separate keys. They are not interchangeable.
• “Can I use it in champion select?” No, emotes only work in-game, not in champion select or the client.

How to Choose the Right Key for You

If you want to rebind the bottle flip, consider these factors:

• Reachability: Choose a key you can press without moving your fingers far from the QWER abilities. T, Y, G, and H are common choices.
• Avoid conflict: Make sure the key isn’t already used for something important (like summoner spells, items, or pings). The game will warn you if there’s a conflict.
• Muscle memory: If you’re used to using T for something else, pick a different key to avoid accidental presses.

Comparison: Quick Emotes vs. Regular Emotes

League of Legends has two types of emotes, and understanding the difference helps you manage your binds:

Feature	Quick Emotes	Regular Emotes
Activation	Single key press	Open wheel (I) then press 1–4
Number of slots	Up to 4 (default T, Y, G, H)	5 per wheel (up to 5 wheels)
Cooldown	~5 seconds	~5 seconds per emote
Examples	Bottle flip, special event emotes	Standard champion emotes, laugh, etc.

The bottle flip is a quick emote, so it uses the quick emote key bind, not the wheel. This is why you can’t find it in the emote wheel selection screen.

Cost and Availability

The Locke bottle flip emote was originally obtained through the Bandle City event pass (2021) or as a random drop from Hextech crafting. It is not currently available for direct purchase in the store, but it may appear in the Emporium (a rotating shop that offers legacy content) during special events. Prices there vary, but generally legacy emotes cost around 350–750 RP (Riot Points). Since it’s a limited item, you may also get it from a mystery emote shard, but that’s random. If you really want it, your best bet is to wait for the Emporium to open and check if it’s included.

Safety and Etiquette

Using the bottle flip emote is safe – it doesn’t affect gameplay, and it won’t get you banned. However, spamming emotes excessively can be seen as toxic by some players, and Riot’s system may mute you if you use it too often. It’s best to use it sparingly, like after a good play or a kill, rather than spamming it every few seconds. Also, note that emotes are disabled in Clash and other competitive modes, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work there.

Alternatives to the Bottle Flip

If you don’t have the Locke bottle flip, there are other quick emotes you can use instead. Some examples include the Poro emote (from the Poro King event), the Braum’s Poros emote, and various champion-specific quick emotes. These are also bound to the same quick emote slots. You can check your collection in the client under Collection → Emotes to see which quick emotes you own. If you have none, you can buy some from the store – they are usually sold as part of bundles or individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the bottle flip emote in ARAM or other game modes?

Yes, the bottle flip emote works in all standard game modes, including ARAM, Summoner’s Rift, and rotating game modes. It won’t work in Clash or tournament modes where emotes are disabled.

Why is my bottle flip emote not showing up in the emote wheel?

Because it’s a quick emote, not a regular emote. Quick emotes have their own separate slots and are not part of the emote wheel. You can only use it via the quick emote key bind.

Can I bind the bottle flip to a mouse button?

Yes, you can bind it to any key, including mouse buttons. In the hotkey menu, simply click the current bind and then press your mouse button. The game will recognize it.

Does the bottle flip emote have any gameplay effect?

No, it’s purely cosmetic. It does not grant any buffs, damage, or movement speed. It’s just for fun and showing off.

I accidentally deleted the emote from my collection. Can I get it back?

Emotes cannot be deleted permanently – they stay in your collection once unlocked. If you don’t see it, check the filter in your collection (make sure “Unlocked” is selected). If it’s truly missing, contact Riot Support, but this is rare.

Is there a way to make the emote play automatically?

No, there is no setting to auto-play emotes. You must press the key bind each time. Some third-party scripts could do it, but using them violates Riot’s Terms of Service and can lead to a ban.

Related

• Hunty Zombie Tier List for the Phase 2 Meta
• Word Show or Hide Formatting Marks
• Phantom Blade Zero: Is It a Soulslike?