Tipping Inside Casinos (always an interesting subject).
I just play machines, and while I receive numerous hand pays each year and am constantly cashing in TITO's, I've reversed my tipping philosophy 100% 2 years ago after reading and seriously pondering what someone else in the gaming community had to say. Boy was I stupid for the previous 18 years! I used to tip a $4000 royal a hundred bucks, a $1000 royal $40, and always hand over a ten or a twenty to anybody who hand paid anything at the machine. On top of that, I always gave a five or ten or more to the cashier whenever they cashed out a ticket or in the old days, cashed out my bucket of coins. I must have given away several thousand of my own money to these people.
That all came to a screeching halt a little over 2 years ago. Since then, I've re-evaluated why I'm just handing this cash out so freely, and for what. I no longer tip for any hand pays, even when I hit a $5 royal (which has only been once unfortunately). I no longer tip the cashiers or any of the crew that appears out of nowhere when handpays occur. It no longer makes sense to, that's for sure. Why do these people deserve my money anyway? Were they ever going to hand me anything whenever I walked out a loser? All they're doing is their jobs, and if anyone says the usual rant about how they are poorly paid and they "rely on tips" then I say too bad, get a job you can live on. Their only service is paying me after risking my money and winning something, and I may or may not even be ahead at that point. Man have I been misled and intimidated for so many years. These days they pay me, I say thank you, and they walk away grumbling. Tough. I can use that money to buy groceries or medicine for my family.
I don't think you should over tip... but its a way of life in Vegas to tip. You give a tip for the free drink, the free valet parking, the free luggage service, the free this and the free that. You don't have to over tip though.
Its good sometimes when a valet guy is taking bags for one room and he has the initiative to step across the hallway and ask me if I want my bags attended to as well. He makes that trip back down the elevator anyway and he might as well earn a few bucks doing it. I was happy to tip him since he showed some initiative.
I tip waitresses even if they interrupt me when I'm shooting. I tip dealers even if I'm losing. Dealers have helped me and have reminded me of bets on the table that I've lost track of. Dealers usually earn their tips. Waitresses walk miles for them and probably are cold most of the time due to their skimpy outfits.
But tip a slot machine guy? Nah. I wouldn't. Others do, I understand, but I wouldn't.
Quote: JerryLoganWhat's your take on tipping, at the tables and for machine players?
...I used to tip a $4000 royal a hundred bucks, a $1000 royal $40, and always hand over a ten or a twenty to anybody who hand paid anything at the machine. On top of that, I always gave a five or ten or more to the cashier whenever they cashed out a ticket or in the old days, cashed out my bucket of coins. I must have given away several thousand of my own money to these people. ...
Tough. I can use that money to buy groceries or medicine for my family.
My take is that you used to overtip and now if you are using tip money to buy "groceries or medicine" then you shouldn't be playing slot machines.
I remember a pit of dealers making fun of players at a craps table. Instead of coloring up, I just walked with my chips. No tips. Insulting players I feel is a big "NO NO".
Quote: JerryLoganFlea, I always tip for drinks, food, and parking too. But I've never left a tip for the housekeeping grunts.
I never used to tip the housekeeping, but my wife flipped me on that. If you tip a few bucks each night, like $5, you get better service, the room gets cared for better. Not that it isn't cleaned anyhow, but there's more care.
You don't have to do it; like I said, I didn't do it for years. But now I think I get better value by tipping housekeeping.
Tipping the hand-pay stuff, eh. I have to agree with you. I got a $4k pay last year, my first big one, and I tipped $100. I've had a couple hand pays since, I tipped $20 and the attendant was happy. After seeing that, I know I tipped too much on the first one. But really, if it wasn't a local casino, and I have a medium profile in the community, I'd be grumbling about what value was added by standing there smiling with the hand out.
I've never tipped at the cash-out window. That's their job, IMO, changing my money and chips.
Quote: JustJoseI totally agree that dealers should not be tipped.
You should never antagonize people who handle your money or your food.
Front Desk - I'm pretty good at schmoozing the front desk to get free stuff. If they get me something good for free, like an upgrade or a fridge, I'll tip based on the value of the freebie(s), $10 or $20.
Guy who brings the fridge to the room - $5 (I dunno why, it's usually the first tip of the trip, so I'm flush, lol).
Dealers - I basically only play craps, usually make a $5 or table minimum pass line bet each time I shoot and a green chip at the end of a session. Undoubtedly the bulk of my tips go here, probably two or three hundred or more during a 7 day trip.
Cashier cage - usually $10 or $25 when I pay off markers at the end of a trip.
CWs, bartenders - $5 for the first one (I ask for a "strong" one), $2 after that.
Housekeeping - I leave the DND sign out the whole time I'm there; I'll grab towels and whatever off a cart in the hallway and tip $2 on the spot. And I usually leave $10 - $20 at the end of the stay depending on how many bags of trash I've accumulated.
Restaurants - 15% - 20%, the bigger the bill, the lower the %. I don't eat in restaurants much.
Guy at the taxi stand - $1
Taxi - 10% - 20%, again the higher the fare, the lower the %
Valet - N/A
Bell Boy - N/A
Room Service - usually N/A
Quote: BigRoss71I usually tip the dealers a buck or two every half hour, which is ok i suppose. They usually thank me. Housekeeping gets 5 bucks the end of my stay. If i exchange over 200 in cash, maybe a dollar for the counter. CWs get a dollar a drink, maybe 2 if im feeling generous.
I'm surprised at how many people say they tip the cashier for mere money transactions. That's one I gave up on several years ago because to me it makes no sense. I don't tip the bank teller, do you?
Quote: JerryLoganI'm surprised at how many people say they tip the cashier for mere money transactions. That's one I gave up on several years ago because to me it makes no sense. I don't tip the bank teller, do you?
That's exactly my rationale as well. They're casino tellers.
Quote: JerryLoganI'm surprised at how many people say they tip the cashier for mere money transactions. That's one I gave up on several years ago because to me it makes no sense. I don't tip the bank teller, do you?
I do tip the cashier if I am doing something unusual, like markers. If I am placing front money or paying off a marker, it may take a while. For this extra service, I tip.
Quote: gamblerI do tip the cashier if I am doing something unusual, like markers. If I am placing front money or paying off a marker, it may take a while. For this extra service, I tip.
Think of how many times the bank teller is required to go through hoops for a customer who wants an advance on their credit card, has a problem with their checking account, or just has a time-consuming issue to resolve. It's not just withdrawals and deposits. Yet as poorly paid as these mostly young people are, no one tips them and they don't expect any tips. So why should some low-rent casino cashier be given any tips?
Quote: JerryLoganThink of how many times the bank teller is required to go through hoops for a customer who wants an advance on their credit card, has a problem with their checking account, or just has a time-consuming issue to resolve. It's not just withdrawals and deposits. Yet as poorly paid as these mostly young people are, no one tips them and they don't expect any tips. So why should some low-rent casino cashier be given any tips?
Because it's Las Vegas, not fuckin' Papaya King or some Citibank branch in fuckin' LoHo.
Wow. This is the one area where you DO get a benefit. Its the one area to tip in for sure. They handle my bets, they remind me of things, they resolve disputes, they stay alert when I get fatigued and sloshed. You bet I tip them! Guy who told me I was jet lagged and should leave the dice table got a really good tip. Guy who says "shooter's our friend" to the dealer who is tapping him out is saying that for the benefit of the dealers but it works to my benefit too ... I don't want them to be enemies when they are calculating payouts.Quote: JustJoseI totally agree that dealers should not be tipped.
I hate tipping that twenty dollars to the desk clerk at check in... but my companion insists on it. It would utterly ruin her entire trip if I did not do it. No... I don't know why its so darn important to her.
I know someone who tips housekeeping in Biloxi so as to get three packets of coffee each morning... sometimes four! Drinks them all though. Coffee for breakfast every day for almost forty years.
I tip housekeeping in Vegas on general principles, companion insists on that one too but she wants it done by leaving the tip near the ashtray on final morning.
I don't tip the cashier... I actually consider that improper and was surprised to learn quite a while ago that it takes place.
I don't take limousines or go to strip clubs or anything like that and I sure am too old for these nocturnal hotspots where doormen get tipped outrageous amounts and bottle-service costs 300.00.
Quote: ChuckBecause it's Las Vegas, not fuckin' Papaya King.
All the more reason not to hand over your cash to someone who can't speak much English and hangs out at bus stops and WalMart parking lots....like a great majority of Las Vegans do.
Quote: JerryLoganThink of how many times the bank teller is required to go through hoops for a customer who wants an advance on their credit card, has a problem with their checking account, or just has a time-consuming issue to resolve. It's not just withdrawals and deposits. Yet as poorly paid as these mostly young people are, no one tips them and they don't expect any tips. So why should some low-rent casino cashier be given any tips?
This argument can be used for a lot of things related to tipping though!
"The dealer's just pulling cards outta the shoe / machine..." That's neither time consuming nor difficult and is a basic function of their job. Why does that deserve a tip?
Personally I tip for mispays (in my favor of course)
Quote: f2dThis argument can be used for a lot of things related to tipping though!
"The dealer's just pulling cards outta the shoe / machine..." That's neither time consuming nor difficult and is a basic function of their job. Why does that deserve a tip?
Personally I tip for mispays (in my favor of course)
If I were to play tables one thing I'd never do is tip a dealer, regardless if he or she smiled, ordered drinks for me, helped me with my cards, or was dealing a red hot shoe. Part of their job. Just like the slot people and their bosses do with vp players, the dealers want you to lose a crapload to help solidify their jobs. Nothing more/nothing less.
Quote: JerryLoganIf I were to play tables one thing I'd never do is tip a dealer, regardless if he or she smiled, ordered drinks for me, helped me with my cards, or was dealing a red hot shoe. Part of their job. Just like the slot people and their bosses do with vp players, the dealers want you to lose a crapload to help solidify their jobs. Nothing more/nothing less.
If you played them, you might feel differently. Table games have a social dimension. A good dealer makes the game more fun. They don't want you to lose; they want you to win. It's more fun for them that way, too. They're just regular people. If you sat at one, you'd see that.
If you get a bad dealer, no smiling, no interaction, or sometimes downright surly, the game is horrible.* In that case, screw 'em; no tip. But you get a good one, someone who's fun... well, there's no harm in winning a couple hundred on a straight in 3 Card, and tossing a nickel for the dealer on the Pairs Plus bet, and having everyone rooting, "205 and down! $205 and down!" Because of course, if it's $205 and down, that means it's like $1200 or so for you. It's worth the $5 to pull that karma, even if there is no such thing as karma.**
* There is a Let it Ride dealer at the Tropicana in AC... Narc is his name. He is by far the most obnoxious dealer I've ever come across. They only let him deal Let it Ride, and only the 2nd or 3rd table, he chases everyone else away. I came across him when I started playing tables, starting out with LiR. It was the first time I ever left a table because of the dealer (I've done it lots since then). He's just a nasty guy.
**Ray and Jennifer at Caesar's in AC. Jennifer was a pit boss, she retired about 6 months ago. Beautiful woman, late 40s, into snakes and reptiles. Ray always remembers my name, and a couple times he's gotten me dinner comps. These people, I look for them, I play their tables, and I tip. IMO, it is "value added", which is my standard for tipping. I never did a 205 and down for Ray, but I did a 155 once. Ray moved from cards to craps, and he's at the higher stakes tables now, so I just wave and say hey.
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I understand the social dimension and fun factor that can be experienced at the tables. If you're there to just have fun while trying make someone other than yourself happy, sounds good to be throwing your money around as tips. But if you're there to win then there's no reason to be tipping anyone for any reason.
No casino employee wants anyone to win unless it's their money that's being bet. If I were a casino manager and I found out one of my subordinates felt the way you're saying, the next words out of my mouth would be "You're Fired!"
Quote: JerryLoganPart of their job....hanging out in parking lots...etc etc
There are lots of very persuasive "non-tipping" arguments for a variety of jobs that either "depend on" or "expect" tips.
But Jerry...you just sound PISSED OFF at service people.
So don't tip. On principle. Because you're right!
You sound like a load of fun to hang out with...
Quote: JerryLoganNo casino employee wants anyone to win unless it's their money that's being bet.
I've never met a dealer who didn't want me to win. Winners tip better.
Quote:If I were a casino manager and I found out one of my subordinates felt the way you're saying, the next words out of my mouth would be "You're Fired!"
That's stupid. You do realize the house edge is the same whether the dealer wants the player to win or not, right? All you'd do is fire the better dealers first, then turn the rest into the surly type hated by everyone. You'd lose customers in droves.
Quote: JerryLogan
I understand the social dimension and fun factor that can be experienced at the tables. If you're there to just have fun while trying make someone other than yourself happy, sounds good to be throwing your money around as tips. But if you're there to win then there's no reason to be tipping anyone for any reason.
No casino employee wants anyone to win unless it's their money that's being bet. If I were a casino manager and I found out one of my subordinates felt the way you're saying, the next words out of my mouth would be "You're Fired!"
Of course I want to have fun, it's why I gamble. If I wanted to make money, I'd have gone to work that day instead. If I wanted to make money, I'd figure out something where I have an edge, and grind it 8-12 hours a day... Oh, wait. I do that already, it's my job.
You play how you want to, it makes no difference to me, I suppose. Mine's just a data point in the original question. Sorry I tried to offer a way to brighten your time in the casino, a lot more fun for a little investment. But if it makes you feel like a chump for brightening a small corner of the casino, don't do it. If I'm at the same table, I'll do it for you, and you can look on from the outside and think about what a sucker I am.
Quote: JerryLogan
No casino employee wants anyone to win unless it's their money that's being bet. If I were a casino manager and I found out one of my subordinates felt the way you're saying, the next words out of my mouth would be "You're Fired!"
Actually, If I was a casino manager, the only thing I'd do is watch that dealer to make sure he's not mispaying or doing something not allowed to give the players an advantage.
The dealer rooting for the players doesn't change my mathematical advantage AND creates a more positive environment for the players. As long as he's dealing by the rules, that's fine by me! I could care less even if the guy hates the casino. If he makes the customers happy and keeps them coming back HE IS DOING HIS JOB!
Quote: JerryLoganIf you played them, you might feel differently. Table games have a social dimension. A good dealer makes the game more fun. They don't want you to lose; they want you to win. It's more fun for them that way, too. They're just regular people. If you sat at one, you'd see that.
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I understand the social dimension and fun factor that can be experienced at the tables. If you're there to just have fun while trying make someone other than yourself happy, sounds good to be throwing your money around as tips. But if you're there to win then there's no reason to be tipping anyone for any reason.
No casino employee wants anyone to win unless it's their money that's being bet. If I were a casino manager and I found out one of my subordinates felt the way you're saying, the next words out of my mouth would be "You're Fired!"
Wow. What exactly do you think is tip-worthy? Appearantly nothing. Servers in restaurants are just "doing their job" right? Why tip them? Or the bell-boy, or the valet guy?
I've never once met a dealer who didn't want me to win. And the great thing about table games you can make the bet for the dealer along-side theirs. Then you can be assured they want you to win, as they either get $10 or $0 (on a $5 bet).
I assume you go gambling by yourself, because you don't sound like a hell of a lot of fun to be around.
Dealers are the biggest pretenders in the world because, well, they're looking for your TIPS! They play the same kind of game the floor people do when they congratulate jackpot winners, because all they want is, yes.... your TIPS! Jackpots and socializing at tables build confidence and are things the casino employees count on. What better way to take your money from right under your nose than to make you feel good about it?
Smart players don't care how casino employees "feel" or how friendly they are. They also don't hand out those type of tips. These are not service people like cocktail waitresses, bartenders and valet parkers. The people who want your money while you're gambling or winning are your biggest enemies while you are playing in their place of employment.
I usually bring 4 to 5 K to play when on one of these trips. After listening to most of you whinners, I think that you can't afford to gamble and have a good time.
Quote: JerryLoganI don't think some here get it. Casinos are not your friends. They want to destroy you by taking as much money from you as they can (and more if you see how many ATM's they have) and you go in to take their money, thereby putting some kind of hurt on them and their livelihoods. And part of their game is to put you all in a make-believe world for the time you're there, making it easier to take your money because now for some reason you'll feel good about it.
Dealers are the biggest pretenders in the world because, well, they're looking for your TIPS! They play the same kind of game the floor people do when they congratulate jackpot winners, because all they want is, yes.... your TIPS! Jackpots and socializing at tables build confidence and are things the casino employees count on. What better way to take your money from right under your nose than to make you feel good about it?
Smart players don't care how casino employees "feel" or how friendly they are. They also don't hand out those type of tips. These are not service people like cocktail waitresses, bartenders and valet parkers. The people who want your money while you're gambling or winning are your biggest enemies while you are playing in their place of employment.
Wrong. We get it entirely. No one here thinks that casinos want to "be our friends", any more than the local bartender wants to be my friend. We are the customer, they are the business. They provide us a source of entertainment, we pay for that entertainment in the form of HA.
Is my local NFL team "my friend"? No, of course not. But they offer me an entertainment option that I really enjoy, so I chuck out big dollars to go watch the games and drink $8 beers. As mosca said, if you want a place to make money, go find a flipping job, or start a business, or do any of a zillion other things that easier than trying to make money from gambling in a casino.
I don't go to the casino to "put some kind of hurt on them". Thats ridiculous. I go to hang out with friends, have some drinks, chat with the dealers and maybe I win some money, maybe I won't. Any other entertaiment option I'm GUARANTEED to walk out a loser, if how you count winning/losing by the amount of dollars your started/ended with. At least at the casino I can go have fun and MAYBE get a free (or even positive) night of fun out of it.
Quote: luckyjackgWill you people learn how to spell ridiculous already.
11 posts in 8 months and this is one of them? I fixed it since it was obviously bothering you.
Quote: MoscaI'm just wondering, are all Republicans as much fun as you are?
Oh, you had to go there..... :-)
Quote: luckyjackgI am not a Republican, I just can't stand incorrect spelling. If you don't know how to spell it use a different word.
You might as well be, you're as uptight as the stereotype.
Quote: luckyjackgYou guys are a trip!
BTW, I think the republican comment was towards Jerry, as he got off on a political rant on another thread a couple of days ago.
Also, I totally get where you are coming from with the spelling... typos and grammer mistakes bother the crap out of me at work and such....but on a casual forum?? Eh....
I never re-read anything I write before posting on here, so I'm sure my posts are full of mistakes, but as long as you get your point made, what does it really matter in this environment?
Quote: luckyjackgI am not a Republican, I just can't stand incorrect spelling. If you don't know how to spell it use a different word.
Not you, lucky; our non-tipping avowed Republican friend JerryLogan. Because I'm gonna sign on to that program, those guys seem like they're a barrel of laffs. Good times, good times.
Me personally, I'm a grammar, punctuation, and spelling nut. How (and of course what) you write says a lot about who you are. Clear writing means accurate communication.
"When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
Quote: JerryLoganI don't think some here get it. Casinos are not your friends. They want to destroy you by taking as much money from you as they can (and more if you see how many ATM's they have) and you go in to take their money, thereby putting some kind of hurt on them and their livelihoods.
You're the one who doesn't get it. What you're describing is a con of some sort, not a rational business practice. You might as well say the same thing about Walmart or a movie theater or any other business that <gasp!> takes your money in exchange for goods or services. Some of them even have ATM machines in their premises!
Have you ever returned anything at a retailer? 99% of them will take the item back, within reason, and either give you money or credit in return, even if you're "putting some kind of hurt on them and their livelihoods." Why? Because they don't live stuck on the immediate moment, tey want you to keep coming back.
Quote:Dealers are the biggest pretenders in the world because, well, they're looking for your TIPS!
Tips are their primary source of income, so yes, quite rationally they're looking for tip. What do you expect them to do? Decrease their standard of living, or quit, just to spare your sensitivities?
For that matter, I only work for the benefit I get from work. Be it money, experience or anything else. What else do you expect anyone to do?
Quote:The people who want your money while you're gambling or winning are your biggest enemies while you are playing in their place of employment.
The people who don't want your money when you're gambling have no money of their own to gamble with you.
If I were you I'd quit gambling altogether.
Quote: JerryLoganI don't think some here get it. Casinos are not your friends. They want to destroy you by taking as much money from you as they can (and more if you see how many ATM's they have) and you go in to take their money, thereby putting some kind of hurt on them and their livelihoods. And part of their game is to put you all in a make-believe world for the time you're there, making it easier to take your money because now for some reason you'll feel good about it.
Dealers are the biggest pretenders in the world because, well, they're looking for your TIPS! They play the same kind of game the floor people do when they congratulate jackpot winners, because all they want is, yes.... your TIPS! Jackpots and socializing at tables build confidence and are things the casino employees count on. What better way to take your money from right under your nose than to make you feel good about it?
Smart players don't care how casino employees "feel" or how friendly they are. They also don't hand out those type of tips. These are not service people like cocktail waitresses, bartenders and valet parkers. The people who want your money while you're gambling or winning are your biggest enemies while you are playing in their place of employment.
Dude, if you don't want to tip, just be honest about it.
Personally I tip very little in a casino. Why? Because I'm a cheap bastard when it comes to tips. I'm not gonna make up pages of reasons why I don't tip well. I don't because it's my money and I want to keep it, that's the bottom line.
If you want to be cheap that's fine, there's no need to lie about it.
</rant>
Quote: AussieAs an Australian, I find the whole concept of tippig absolutely ridiculous. Why not pay the worker a proper wage and be done with it?
That would be the easy way. Why raise costs for the company when you can rely on the customers to make up the shortfall?
The argument about tipping floor people & dealers because they "depend on it for their income" is irrelevant. They couldn't care less how I earn my money and I don't care one bit how they earn theirs. It's a free society and other job opportunities are there. Aussie's partially correct (and it does make you think about why we tip so freely here) in that the wage should be an appropriate wage. However, if it isn't and you're not happy with the wage then you're the loser who took the job.
There's nothing cheap about me. I tip for many services and I tip well. Dealers and people who bring me jackpot money with W2G's are not doing me any service and I'm not buying anything from them. I also didn't order the money or ask them to hold onto it for a while for me. I don't recall anyone ever tipping the CVS or Rite Aid clerks, and their services are far more important than what a dealer does. And of course, the bank clerk example sort of puts all the tipping casino cashier questions to rest very nicely.
People always seem afraid or reluctant to admit it, but inside casinos we're intimidated into tipping. The employees so much expect it that if we don't do it, there's instant animosity with uneasiness all around. How do you eliminate that discomfort? By TIPPING! Ever get a hand-pay where the last hundred is broken down into twenties?
Quote: CroupierThat would be the easy way. Why raise costs for the company when you can rely on the customers to make up the shortfall?
When a company raises its costs, or has them raised by taxes, fees and such, invariably these are passed to the customers.
The reason why some service jobs have low wages plus tips is the same reason why other jobs have performance bonuses: as an incentive to the employee to do his job better.
The difference is that bonuses offered are reliable, while tips are erratic.
