Tipping Inside Casinos (always an interesting subject).

Quote: Doc

The whole time, I was wondering whether tokes they got from me (probably in the range of $30 or so total including winnings) really meant that much to them or perhaps their gushing appreciation was an attempt to get others to contribute likewise. If others had matched my dollar amount, I guess the dealers would have been OK; if they had matched my percentage, the dealers would have had good reason to be elated. So, was this hustling or just appropriately showing appreciation?

Absolutely they are trying to get other people to give, but I don't look at that as overt hustling. Usually they are also happy to be "in the game". I've noticed sometimes you get just as profuse a thanks when you lose and they are picking the loser up. Another reason why Craps is such a fun game: When you are playing Blackjack and you tip, you can get anything from silence or a grunt of thanks to profuse appreciation. But since there are multiple dealers in Craps, it's fun to see how the various dealers react, and even get mad at each other when the thanks isn't enough. "Hey...you've got shoes over there, Charlie...call that out!!"

I was only betting $1 chips for the dealers. On some come out rolls when I didn't have any, I had to give a red and ask for "pennies" change so I could place the dealer bet. On the second or maybe third time I did that, the box man turned to the base man and very pointedly said, "Don't make him ask again." After that, he made payouts that kept me stocked with $1 chips.

I bet $1 on the pass line and $5 odds on most of my rolls this weekend in Biloxi. I also did a couple of two-way hardways but I usually skip them. The dealers were very appreciative for both the bets and the opportunity to SAY they were "on the line" as that "soft hustle" brought them a couple of more bets various types. I did win the best several times so I know they dropped >$50 in the box on bets for them during my session. They also "rooted" for me on the rolls...that made it more fun, too.

The reason I was happy to tip is that they consistently tracked the way I played and made sure I knew when bets were not placed in a timely manner. I sometimes get distracted by my lovely wife getting money for slot play and they helped me keep from missing bets. They also allowed the play at a reasonable rate--getting the dice out but not pushing the 100 mph game that gets annoying to me. I want to roll but I also want the time to enjoy it when it is going well!

Others get smaller tips...or none...based on the service they provide.

I am a good tipper in restaurants also but they lose me when they had a 15% or 18% tip automatically. This happened last week at a fave place in the keys--they added 18%. I usually tip 25% at that place and the 18% was on less than the amount I was tipping on due to the owner "buying" us a round or two. She had the choice to include it or not (it is on the menu for 5+ guests but the other waitresses NEVER add it based on knowing us + they give us the "locals" 10% discount because we are frequent customers based on the owner's call...all of that adds to their tip...).

Anyway, I tip people who provide a service fairly well as a rule...those who don't get jack...

Quote: Doc

I made a couple of comments that I wished I could win real money for them (and myself) and they said not to be concerned about that at all.

That sounds genuine.

Even if it's only a buck, any time a chip goes into the bucket rather than the rack, they're appreciative. After all, a buck might be no big deal, but they do add up.

Quote: JerryLogan

I won't. In fact, as a vp player to the $5 limit, being educated on this just made me go cut up my 2 player's cards from Wynn & Encore. I just called Wynn and they confirmed no drink comps to vp players at their bars either. My business will be going elsewhere. That policy just doesn't make any sense to me when everywhere else is just the opposite. I wonder, is it worth it for Wynn to lose a player such as myself, and who knows how many others refuse to play there because of it, over that? LV & free drinks to gamblers go hand-in-hand. Bye bye Stevie!

just got back from vegas and thought of the thread while i was there. At the Flamingo you have to pay for drinks at the bar even if you are playing vp.

not sure what casinos you go to or if this has been discussed since wed of last week.

btw, i tipped a bj dealer a check because she was super nice and i was winning

So I think we are all agreed, don't play video poker at the bars in Vegas. I can say for a fact, at Cal Neva ( I think the one bar, or if not the one by the Virginia St. Entrance) and Silver Legacy (bar by the sports book), they have never charged me for a drink while playing video poker. Some places wait for you to play for awhile, when they see me stick $ (yes a $) into the video poker machine my drink is always gratis and they are generous with their refills. Part of me thinks since I always go midweek midday the bartender is probably really bored. I have noticed that people in Reno seem to be happier when they get tipped than people in Vegas.

I just had a long talk about this topic with a former dealer. She said she appreciated friendly and fun players above being tipped. In her opinion, tipping was truly optional and not expected. The only time she felt annoyed at a player over tipping was when a player turned $100 into $17,000, and left a very small tip. Not to say all dealers have the same opinion, but due to tip pooling, I think a lot of dealers would more or less agree.

That former dealer you talked to is crazy and not telling you the truth. Dealer's make their money on tips, just like food servers. The $5.00 or so an hour dealers make is insanely low (below minimum wage) because they are in a tip position. Friendly and fun players don't pay the bills. It is the dealers job to be the friendly and fun one and provide a nice playing atmosphere. For that service, just like just about any other service provided, a tip should be provided.

When eating out, you are getting a dining experience and you tip for the service you receive. When playing in a casino, you are getting an entertainment experience and should tip for the experience you receive. I'm not saying you have to tip hundreds of dollars. Dealers are happy with .50 added to your bet here and there or a few bucks when you finish playing. It is a slap in the face to dealers to play for an hour or two and never tip a dime, unless the dealer was unpleasent, rude or gives you some other reason not to tip.

In my opinion, as a former dealer, current table games manager and long time gambler, a tip of $1 on a normal poker pot is good, a few dollars on a huge pot. On table games, a few dollars an hour bet for the dealer is fair, with a little more if you choose to if things are going well. This is for a nice friendly dealer who is working hard and wants you to win.

Quote: Wizard

I just had a long talk about this topic with a former dealer. She said she appreciated friendly and fun players above being tipped. In her opinion, tipping was truly optional and not expected. The only time she felt annoyed at a player over tipping was when a player turned $100 into $17,000, and left a very small tip. Not to say all dealers have the same opinion, but due to tip pooling, I think a lot of dealers would more or less agree.

Wizard, I am not really shocked by this answer, dealing looks like a terribly boring job (I am an accountant, so I know all about terribly boring jobs).......and just having a little fun at work would seem like a nice upgrade over some grump tossing you $5 at the end of his miserable gambling session.

Quote: Peeig

Wizard, I am not really shocked by this answer, ...

Thanks. I didn't want to get into another debate about the merits of tipping. I had a long response to the post above yours, but decided not to post it, lest it rehash the whole tipping in the first place argument. Personally, I've noticed dealers are nicer to me when I'm nice to them and don't tip, than when I do tip but ignore them. This does NOT hold true at "keep your own" casinos like Pechanga. This behavior does make sense at tip pooling casinos. If I had to split my tips with 100 other dealers then I would not be financially incentivized to hustle tips. I would still try to deal a fun game, but I would because it was my job, and hopefully the players would reciprocate and be in a better mood.