I do believe that most open mic nights are to get some live entertainment at no cost. Same as the bar that says you should play to get some exposure, but no money. There are plenty of bands out there looking for jobs and these open mic deals take some of them away in my opinion. Now would that bar hire a band if nobody would play the open mic? I have no idea. But Free is not the best price. Now if you like to jam and learn etc. Get together with some like-minded people and do just that. If you want to sit in with a jazz combo for the experience of it, that is ok too, they are getting paid and you are learning most likely. But You are either a professional or an amateur. There is no in between.

Just my opinion of course and no remarks are directed at anyone but the topic.

My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.