Craps Tipping

I usually just put up bets on the hardways for dealers and then I saw how really bad the EV is on those bets. Which got me thinking why not just tip on the same bets I do. Pass/Come

Do casinos allow $1 pass line bets for the dealers? I'd prefer to do $1pass + odds rather than just $5 passline bet.

Quote: soulhunt79

Do casinos allow $1 pass line bets for the dealers?

Yep.

Quote: soulhunt79

I usually just put up bets on the hardways for dealers and then I saw how really bad the EV is on those bets. Which got me thinking why not just tip on the same bets I do. Pass/Come

Do casinos allow $1 pass line bets for the dealers? I'd prefer to do $1pass + odds rather than just $5 passline bet.

Sure, you can do that. The dealers appreciate ANY bets for them. Some actually prefer the longshots like hardways or eleven, because those bets give them a chance of scoring a nice payoff. Others like the pass line (especially +odds), because they have a good chance to win. In my experience, $1 pass line + odds is VERY much appreciated.

A good follow-up question would be do any casinos allow you to make just odds bets for the dealers, for example if you are playing a 10X odds game and not taking max odds, could you put a little extra to the side for them?

Never tried that myself -- always include the pass bet for the dealers first. I don't see any reason why not, so long at the total player+dealer odds do not exceed the max allowed. I think they would just look at it as equivalent to it all being the player's odds, with the player giving a hand-in if the wager was won.

Even better, I tip this way on the Don't, and if the come-out loses keep putting toke bets up until a point is established.

Quote: teddys

A good follow-up question would be do any casinos allow you to make just odds bets for the dealers, for example if you are playing a 10X odds game and not taking max odds, could you put a little extra to the side for them?

I've done that, too--like if the Pass Line bet was $2, and there were 5X odds allowed, I'd put, say, $6 behind the line and $2 off to one side of the $6. The dealers would know what that meant. You could, also, just mentally designate a part of your odds bets for the dealers, but then they would never know it if the shooter sevened out. I feel, you might as well get the goodwill. That has had a tangible benefit many times for me as well, as when the dealer monitors your action and lets you know if you've forgotten to make a bet you usually make, or the boxman gives you the benefit of the doubt on a disputable move or bet.

Another way I like to play a dollar or two for the dealers is to place the 6 or 8 for $6, and when it hits, bet the same hardway for the dealers. If the hardway hits, they win, and if it hits easy, I put them back up. A little goes a long way, I've found, given that 90% of players stiff them altogether.

Quote: teddys

A good follow-up question would be do any casinos allow you to make just odds bets for the dealers, for example if you are playing a 10X odds game and not taking max odds, could you put a little extra to the side for them?

Yes, and this is how I toke all the time. Many casinos will allow you to exceed the max odds if it's a toke, such as point 4, I have my $15 odds + $2 for the dealers. I asked this question specifically to two casino managers the last time I was in town, and the answer was "of course we'll let you toke the dealers." The impression that I got was that the table limits only applied to my money, not to the dealer bets.

I usually make a $1 pass line bet for the dealers when I have the dice. I add $5 odds most of the time. I make sure that I "announce" the bet since I WANT them to know what it is AND I like all three of them (plus the box) to know my intentions for both potential rating purposes (hey, who doesn't want their rating sweetened...even as a low roller!) and so that they rotate to my side of the table knowing I tip them regularly.

I'll add some other bets at other points if I am having a good time...and drop the pass line one if not!! I know I am not going to win all of the time--having a good time is more than just the "win"...it is the attitude of the dealers and other casino personnel, etc.

The other thing I insist on when making a bet is "player control"--this allows me to give them two or three chances at the point or a couple of chances at place bets. I may increase their bet when I press mine...so we all have a shot at a bigger win!

Quote: MathExtremist

The impression that I got was that the table limits only applied to my money, not to the dealer bets.

That is MOSTLY true. I've occasionally put a ten dollar bet in the field on a 15 dollar minimum table. Its a dealer bet and I say so. No problem with that. I've often had a one dollar pass line bet next to my five dollar pass line bet, I don't even bother saying anything. They know its a five dollar table and they know what that one dollar chip is. If I backup my bet, I usually back up the dealer's bet.

The problem is that a very few casinos will not let you exceed the maximum even if its on behalf of the dealers. So if you call out a center bet that happens to be the table maximum, you can't also call out "black on its back" since that 100 dollar dealer bet will take it over the table maximum. Very few casinos seem to have this policy but it definitely has happened a few times.

Ofcourse with my level of play, this exceeding the table maximum is merely an academic question.

If you go into a place who's #1 goal is to take as much of your money as it can without any regard, with the goal of winning money, and you choose to just hand over cash as tips to casino workers out of "it makes me have a good time" or out of intimidation, there is something seriously wrong upstairs.

I think this thread is more about the mechanics of tipping rather than the motivation for it, but I usually tip immediately upon buying in to impress the Floor and to impress the Craps Crew. After a hefty initial tip, the crew is far more likely to remind me of what odds I can have on a bet and far more likely to be attentive. So I tip. In Vegas, its the thing to do. Good or Bad doesn't matter. American or UnAmerican viewpoints about tipping just doesn't matter. In Vegas, you tip!!

Quote: FleaStiff

... In Vegas, you tip!!

Not if you're really smart, like Jerry. Or not if you want to be really smart like him.

I think I interpreted things correctly, didn't I, Jerry?

Quote: JerryLogan

If you go into a place who's #1 goal is to take as much of your money as it can without any regard, with the goal of winning money, and you choose to just hand over cash as tips to casino workers out of "it makes me have a good time" or out of intimidation, there is something seriously wrong upstairs.

Sometimes I feel like we're just going in circles.

To stay on topic: I usually just straight tip the dealers when I'm done at the craps table; I figure if I'm tipping them because they're part of the service industry and they did their job, then betting their tip doesn't seem to be the way to go. Each to his own, though.

Quote: FleaStiff

I think this thread is more about the mechanics of tipping rather than the motivation for it, but I usually tip immediately upon buying in to impress the Floor and to impress the Craps Crew. After a hefty initial tip, the crew is far more likely to remind me of what odds I can have on a bet and far more likely to be attentive. So I tip. In Vegas, its the thing to do. Good or Bad doesn't matter. American or UnAmerican viewpoints about tipping just doesn't matter. In Vegas, you tip!!

Yes, I certainly don't care if other people tip. It is their money, they can do what they wish with it. For me in an hour on a $10 table, I will put in play ~$8000 with an expected loss of about $30. I have no issues at all putting out another $15-30 for the dealers. Why/When/Who I tip doesn't matter. People can make up their own minds if they tip or not. It isn't such a rare occurance on the tables that new players never see anyone tip. If they see X player tip, next time the new player may do the same. It is a lot better if they want to tip rather than feel forced to tip though.




Just adding to my odds is something I didn't think of. 99% of the time I'm betting 3/4/5 odds even if the table allows more, so that would be perfect. I'll have to see if a place like the Mirage will allow me to go over the table maximum odds for the dealers.

The first tip for the dealers is on top of my odds. You can add any amount you like.