Tipping the dealer

[stan wood]

When I dealt, we were given a manual to read and we had to sign a paper stating we had read and understood the manual. One of the things in CAPS stated that you would be fired for hustling tips. I would be naive to think it did not happen-but I wasn't willing to take a chance of losing my job for a couple of bucks.

 

I also learned quickly that if you were friendly and provided good service, you were usually rewarded. I was always surprised to see players that had lost everything and yet they would throw me their last $5 instead of betting it. One of the toughest things dealing is learning to read player's moods-some players love to joke around while others would rather that you didn't say a word.

[Yo Eleven]

Well I can say when I was at that craps table and they were hustling table that they probably weren't allowed to do it and it was an inside job between the dealers at the table. They were all looking around the casino floor as if they were trying to spot someone and they had on their faces that they were up to no good. It was entertaining though and then all of the sudden the hustling stopped never to be discussed again. Only happened one time ever since I have been playing craps and that is been quite some time.

[unklez]

Well hustling can be subtle also. eg dealer can mention that they look forward to tips.

[jetwet1]

Well hustling can be subtle also. eg dealer can mention that they look forward to tips.

 

That is called a hard hustle, it's really a stupid thing to do, the day's of a dealer keeping their own tips are gone, so why try and hustle a $5 tip from someone, it's going to get split many ways, meaning the dealer may well only see a couple of cents from it.

 

When I was dealing I used the soft hustle, what today is called customer service, no mention of tip was ever used, instead winning or losing I made sure my players were having a good time, I was polite, I tried to help my players and I always made sure that I had made a good impression on them.

 

As Stan points out, a rude dealer or a dealer that uses the hard hustle is just bad for everyone dealers, players and the casino.

 

To the craps point, if a boxman says that to a dealer, chances are they are working on a game where the dealers work table for table (tips are split between the 4 man crew) or a pit for pit job where the craps pit is kept separate. Back when the table for table job was common the boxman would also get a percentage, however that is rare to find nowadays, heck the boxman is an endangered spieces as upper mangment tries to cut pay roll they have been cutting the boxpersons postion, I rather short sighted money saving move IMHO.

[Blackjack956]

British?

 

It is interesting that unklez asked donaldsc if he was British in regards to tipping casino dealers.

 

Do American players think that we British are mean and tight when it comes to tipping in a casino?

 

The simple answer is no (we are just like everyone else) and the following may explain why British players do not tip casino dealers like other nationalities because it is alien to them.

 

In Britain tipping in a casino has only been permitted in the last few years by a change of law in the Gaming Act (2005) that was implemented in the U.K. around 2008. Prior to that, it was strictly illegal to tip any casino dealer and any attempt to do so would have got you banned immediately.

 

So if you are playing with a Brit on your table on the cruise, he or she may think that they may be thrown out of the casino for attempting to tip the dealer. Once they see other players at the table tipping, you will find that the British are as generous as everyone else.

 

Andy

[cb at sea]

You tip if you're winning...if you're losing, even the dealer doesn't expect a tip. All dealers on a shift will SHARE the tip...they do NOT get to keep what you gamble or give on their behalf...it's divided by ALL of the dealers on that shift.

 

It's nice to do, if the dealer is giving you winning cards. I see NO reason to tip someone if you're losing.

[cruisin4fun323]

Tips come out of your winnings. Does the dealer tip you if you are loosing? Does he change his game because you are loosing.

 

I live in Las Vegas and I have never been able to figure out why anyone tips the dealer.

 

DON

 

I travel to Vegas a lot and have a brother there. Seriously? you can't figure out why we tip? SUPERSTITIOUS MINDS silly. LOL It's a gamblers lucky draw I guess. Hope I can make it to your area after our February cruise as I have a few free nights at the Flamingo in March booked for the hubbies B day surprise.

[donaldsc]

Why would anyone tip their cabin steward or waiter either? Do you? If so why?

 

I certainly tip both of them because they do things for me that are above the minimum required. A dealer is basically just a dealing robot that bets his hand as required by the ship rules. Considering what they add to the game, they could and should be replaced by a robot or a computer. This would make the costs for the casino lower and would let the casino increase the payout to me.

 

Any expenses incurred by the casino are overhead and come out of winnings.

 

DON

[donaldsc]

 

It's nice to do, if the dealer is giving you winning cards. I see NO reason to tip someone if you're losing.

 

The dealer has no part or influence in what cards I get. He or more likely a machine shuffles the cards and I get whatever come out. By your logic, since it is the shuffle machine that determines what cards I get, I should tip the shuffle machine, not the dealer.

 

DON

[MrCo9]

One of the best ways to tip at the craps table is to cover the inside numbers for the dealers. Place $4.00 on the table and tell the dealer inside numbers for the dealers. He or (or she) will put $1. on the 5, 6, 8, and 9. When any of these numbers hit the dealer will be paid $2.00 for the hit and your bet will be taken down. The dealers are rooting for these inside numbers to hit, and so are you. You are covering four numbers for $4.00 for the dealers with a possible $12.00 tip for the working people. Lots of action for dealers with a minimum outlay from the player. This is a great tip with some longevity of play. It is greatly appreciated by the dealers.

Only use this method if you are playing right (betting with the dice- not the dark side).

Remember: MONEY MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY TO WINNING !

If you REALLY want to make friends with the dealers, announce that these bets are under your control and press them until they look like a REAL bet. The dealers are not going to root for a $1 6, once it's $6 or $12, maybe.

 

Any recommendation for the dark side?

 

Lay on the inside for the dealers? LOL!

No, but you can add a buck or two to your Don't Come or Don't Pass bet for them.

 

The dealer has no part or influence in what cards I get. He or more likely a machine shuffles the cards and I get whatever come out. By your logic, since it is the shuffle machine that determines what cards I get, I should tip the shuffle machine, not the dealer.

 

DON

You don't get how Las Vegas works. Obviously you never had a job where you got tipped. Then again, you sound like a lot of the bitter locals I run into when I go play on the Boulder Strip casinos.

[donaldsc]

[quote name=MrCo9;27516712

 

You don't get how Las Vegas works. Obviously you never had a job where you got tipped. Then again' date=' you sound like a lot of the bitter locals I run into when I go play on the Boulder Strip casinos.[/quote]

 

I know exactly how Las Vegas works - I live here.

 

The way Las Vegas works is that everybody has his hand out and expects to be tipped, regardless of the service or lack of service that they provide. This is the reason that dealers who are high school dropouts with no qualifications for anything else but dealing and who are basically dealing robots can make huge salaries (partly untaxed) if they are lucky enough to get jobs in one of the upscale casinos. It is also the reason that the same dealers can make twice the salary of a teacher.

 

I am surprised that they have not tried to put some sort of type mechanism in the video machines. But then again, they have. I am expected to give the cocktail waitress a tip for my "free" drink.

 

DON

[MrCo9]

I know exactly how Las Vegas works - I live here.

 

The way Las Vegas works is that everybody has his hand out and expects to be tipped, regardless of the service or lack of service that they provide. This is the reason that dealers who are high school dropouts with no qualifications for anything else but dealing and who are basically dealing robots can make huge salaries (partly untaxed) if they are lucky enough to get jobs in one of the upscale casinos. It is also the reason that the same dealers can make twice the salary of a teacher.

 

I am surprised that they have not tried to put some sort of type mechanism in the video machines. But then again, they have. I am expected to give the cocktail waitress a tip for my "free" drink.

 

DON

You may live here, as have for the past 13 years, but, you are CLUELESS as to how things work. I have not met a single high school dropout in the 13 years I have been a dealer and supervisor in the casinos here, at least not on the working side of the tables.

 

I have worked with former teachers and people who hold Masters and PHD's in various fields that were either able to make a better living as a dealer or needed to put food on the table for their familes as there was no work in their educational field.

 

Tipping is for the service they perform, don't want to tip for a drink, bring your own. Don't want to tip the dealers, play the machines and hang a "Do not disturb" sign on your head, that or a "I'm not going to tip you for bringing me my 'Free' drink, no matter how pleasant or good looking you are" sign.

 

Is your wife's name Harriet? If so, I know who you are and you two are very BITTER people.

[donaldsc]

 

I have worked with former teachers and people who hold Masters and PHD's in various fields that were either able to make a better living as a dealer or needed to put food on the table for their familes as there was no work in their educational field.

 

 

Is your wife's name Harriet? If so, I know who you are and you two are very BITTER people.

 

I guess the fact that people have to quit jobs teaching the kids in our community (including your kids) and instead become dealers in order to earn a decent living defines what our town considers important. We have a 3d rate school system and a 4th rate university system because of attitudes such as this. No wonder our future is dismal.

 

BTW - my wife's name is not Harriet.

 

DON

[Casino Player]

I guess the fact that people have to quit jobs teaching the kids in our community (including your kids) and instead become dealers in order to earn a decent living defines what our town considers important. We have a 3d rate school system and a 4th rate university system because of attitudes such as this. No wonder our future is dismal.

 

BTW - my wife's name is not Harriet.

 

DON

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO donaldsc: The Las Vegas school system pioneered some things that today some schools across the country use. What works in one locality may not work in another. UNLV is considered a very good University.

Nevada has no state income tax, the sales taxes are fairly low compared to other states, I am not sure about real estate taxes, but, it used to be low.

By the way, I lived there for over a year during the height of the building boom. It wasn't a bad place to live and was becoming the #1 destination to live at in the country. More people were moving there than anyplace else in the country.

People leave jobs and take others all the time. And it has nothing to do with people's attitude. The future of Las Vegas is pretty good not dismal. Just ask Sheldon Adelson (owner of the Venetian).

[Rockfan2]

Tips come out of your winnings. Does the dealer tip you if you are loosing? Does he change his game because you are loosing.

 

I live in Las Vegas and I have never been able to figure out why anyone tips the dealer.

 

DON

 

Lots of reasons to tip the dealer.

 

They will give you advice if you ask.

If they are pleasant (After all they are in the service industry)

It keeps the JuJu going.

If I'm wiining, they're winning. (I like having someone on my corner) :)

 

Rockfan2

[Rockfan2]

Are you Canadian? :D

 

Hey! I resemble that remark!

 

My spouse was in hospitality for many years so we probably tip much more generously than most people.

 

We frequent Vegas regularly and always take care of our dealers (and other service staff as well)

 

Rockfan2

[evergladesgator]

As i stated before, there is one in every crowd.:( In this case it's donaldsc.

[grod19]

don,

 

just curious, would you have tipped the waitress if you had to pay for the drink?

[MrCo9]

don,

 

just curious, would you have tipped the waitress if you had to pay for the drink?

 

He kind of already answered that....

 

I also do not see why I am expected to tip a bartender for pouring a drink from a bottle or for giving me a bottle of coke or water. Complex drinks yes - drinks my 7 year old granddaughter could do - no.

 

DON

So, he might have tipped if it was a "complex drink", nothing from a bottle or tap.