Do craps dealers have respect for the "tight" players who stick to Basic Strategy of making Line Bets and always making full odds bets right away or do craps dealer tend to respect those who take a little more risk than grinding away at the shallow end of the pool all the time?Quote: appistappishi guys, I'm a craps dealer if you have specific questions, I'll be glad to help.
I am relatively new to Craps, and have a couple questions....
1. My casinos charge the vig up front, but you can go $1 up to $25. Say I buy the 4 for $25, and hand my dealer $26. Then, the 4 hits. I am due $50, and tell him to press me to $50 by keeping a green chip. Do I hand over another $1 or is it $2?
2. If my casino charges $1 for a $25 buy bet purchase, may I assume that they would go $4 for a $100 buy bet?
3. If you ever handle the Crapless Craps version, what successful betting strategies do you see employed on the Crapless table that differ from the regular version?
Quote: midwestgbCraps question for Appi...
I am relatively new to Craps, and have a couple questions....
1. My casinos charge the vig up front, but you can go $1 up to $25. Say I buy the 4 for $25, and hand my dealer $26. Then, the 4 hits. I am due $50, and tell him to press me to $50 by keeping a green chip. Do I hand over another $1 or is it $2?
2. If my casino charges $1 for a $25 buy bet purchase, may I assume that they would go $4 for a $100 buy bet?
3. If you ever handle the Crapless Craps version, what successful betting strategies do you see employed on the Crapless table that differ from the regular version?
1. You have to hand him $2. (Because you'd have to hand $1 if you keep the same bet)
2. It's usually $5 for $100 which is counter-intuitive, but true.
3. The house is s much higher on this game, so it's not normally played by traditional players. Best strategy would be to go to the regular table if you want to play dice.
2 - Your casino doesn't "charge $1 for $25". They charge 5%, but round down. So, yeah, it's $5 for $100.
Funny story: I was next to a guy who bought the 4 & 10 for 25+1 each. Plus he had a lot of other bets. He kept pressing them 25+1 until they got to $100 - and he had only paid $4!
He did this for a couple shooters when I finally said to him, "I see what you're doing. You figured out how to beat the casino for a buck. You're my hero!" He got embarrassed, but laughed. The dealers, who were not stupid and also knew what he was doing, also laughed.
3 - Avoid Crapless Craps. It screws with your head.
The one time I tried it, I had a roll that went like this: $5 pass. I roll 7, 12, 11, 3, 7, and the dice move to the next shooter. What the?.... It took me a while to realize what happened. I swore I'd never play it again. On the upside, I also had a C/E working, and pressing, so I didn't complain much...
Ofcourse they do! They also overpay! And they often mis-pay. The dealer is human. Fatigue, distractions, etc. all play a role. Rarely is any mistake intentional. Mistakes often take place at a start or the end of a shift when attention can be focused elsewhere.Quote: likeplayingcrapsandbjDo dealers short players with payouts?
Quote: likeplayingcrapsandbjThanks for replying. I guess I am noticing this more and more. Last week I counted 7 "mistakes" in the house favor by different dealers in 2 hours. I would like to chalk it up to distractons but it happen too much. I won't be playing there again.
Just curious, what sort of casino was this? A local place, downtown Vegas, the Strip...? If it's one of the smaller downtown joints, or a regional casino that has just opened recently (in the last 2 years or so), it's very likely that the dealers are still learning their games ("break-ins") and just make a lot of mistakes. I can't speak for everyone, of course, but I know that I never WANT to make mistakes against the player...but like everyone else, I do from time to time.
Quote: CroupierI am a dealer in England. anyone wanting to ask anything about working in a casino, or anything at all, ask away, and ill be more than happy to help in any way I can.
I think the Wizards sites are fantastic, so this is my attempt to try and contribute to the further success of the site.
I readily admit that I haven't read the entire thread, so please forgive me if this has already been asked and answered.
I am visiting London next week. Is there a good place to play craps there? If so, are there any big differences (rules, odds, etiquette, etc) between a British and typical US craps table?
Quote: cappoI readily admit that I haven't read the entire thread, so please forgive me if this has already been asked and answered.
I am visiting London next week. Is there a good place to play craps there? If so, are there any big differences (rules, odds, etiquette, etc) between a British and typical US craps table?
I can't speak about London, but I've seen craps in Australia and Macau, where the basics are exactly the same. In Australia they pay more on the sucker bets, like the hard ways and hop bets than they do in the U.S. However, you should avoid those bets anyway.
The gaming board controls the odds casinos are allowed to offer and the place and centre bets play better than US tables. But good luck finding one.
Now, if a dealer gets $100 in tokes, who pays that? The casino could be nice and take the hit (cynical folks will say "yeah, right!); the government can ignore it-yeah, right! Or the poor dealer can pay it.
Anyone know how it works?
Quote: AZDuffmanNew "ask the dealer" question, although since Croupier is not in the USA this might need more input. The question is on tokes and taxes. When you pay a person a wage in the USA you have to pay taxes over and above that wage. In simple terms, if someone pays me $100 that person also must pay $7.51 in FICA; plus a few % in oher taxes. The $100 might cost them $110.
Now, if a dealer gets $100 in tokes, who pays that? The casino could be nice and take the hit (cynical folks will say "yeah, right!); the government can ignore it-yeah, right! Or the poor dealer can pay it.
Anyone know how it works?
I worked doing payrolls for several years. This was in mexico, so maybe things are different elsewhere, but then government is government pretty much everywhere. So:
1) Most taxes and fees are witheld by employers, not paid by them. Therefore your salary is $110, of which your employer witholds $10 which he then submits to the government.
Since you're never paid $110 and then pay $10 of that to the government, you may treat your salary as being only $100, but that doesn't make a difference as far as accounting is concerned.
2) We had employees who were paid a base salary plus commissions. The latter varied widely from one month to the next, naturally. Their witheld taxes depended on their earnings for a given month. Since monthly taxes are calculated in an annualized basis (ie, what you made in May multiplied by 12, input that to the tax table, divide the result by 12), and since there were massive variations, the net yearly tax was lower than the witheld tax. therefore we ahd to file tax returns on their behalf to get the excedent refunded.
3) There are some fees, but no taxes, paid by employers in mexico. These concerned mostly a matching contribution for rettirement accounts. In the case of commissions, these didn't count in the calculus of such fees.
Hope that helps. if not, I hope you're confused ;)
Quote: NareedI worked doing payrolls for several years. This was in mexico, so maybe things are different elsewhere, but then government is government pretty much everywhere. So:
1) Most taxes and fees are witheld by employers, not paid by them. Therefore your salary is $110, of which your employer witholds $10 which he then submits to the government.
Since you're never paid $110 and then pay $10 of that to the government, you may treat your salary as being only $100, but that doesn't make a difference as far as accounting is concerned.
2) We had employees who were paid a base salary plus commissions. The latter varied widely from one month to the next, naturally. Their witheld taxes depended on their earnings for a given month. Since monthly taxes are calculated in an annualized basis (ie, what you made in May multiplied by 12, input that to the tax table, divide the result by 12), and since there were massive variations, the net yearly tax was lower than the witheld tax. therefore we ahd to file tax returns on their behalf to get the excedent refunded.
3) There are some fees, but no taxes, paid by employers in mexico. These concerned mostly a matching contribution for rettirement accounts. In the case of commissions, these didn't count in the calculus of such fees.
Hope that helps. if not, I hope you're confused ;)
#3 sounds like FICA here in the USA, but my question is still unanswered. Who pays the tax inb income that is generated by tokes? It isn't like commission as the casino never really has "posession" of the money, it is a pass-thru.
Quote: AZDuffmanNow, if a dealer gets $100 in tokes, who pays that?
I understand that many years ago, it was estimated based on self reported numbers. Later the IRS realized that there were (no suprise) a tendency to underreport the actual amount in made in tips. The rules were changed to force employers to withold on an estimated minimum percentage (8% comes to mind)of additional tips, but it seems that most joints pool tips and count it all as income now to avoid the hassle of estimating.
The IRS has graciously posted rules here.
Quote: AZDuffman#3 sounds like FICA here in the USA, but my question is still unanswered. Who pays the tax inb income that is generated by tokes? It isn't like commission as the casino never really has "posession" of the money, it is a pass-thru.
I'm not sure if there is an exception for the gaming industry, but generally after the employee reports the tips to the employer, the employer witholds taxes from the base salary (the hourly wage, usually). That way, the employer knows the total income to figure the FICA amount. From irs.gov (note the "you" refers to the employer):
When you receive the tip report from your employee, use it to figure the amount of social security, Medicare, and income taxes to withhold for the pay period on both wages and reported tips. You are responsible for paying the employer's portion of the social security and Medicare taxes. You must collect the employee's portion of the social security and Medicare taxes and the income taxes. You can collect these taxes from the employee's wages or from other funds the employee gives you up to the close of the calendar year. If you don't have enough money from the employee's wages and other funds, apply the amounts available in the following order. First, withhold all taxes due on regular wages. Second, withhold social security and Medicare taxes due on reported tips. Finally withhold any federal, state or local income taxes on reported tips. You can withhold any remaining unpaid taxes from the employee's next paycheck. If you cannot collect all of the employee's social security and Medicare taxes on tips, show the uncollected amount in the appropriate box on the employee's Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Also, show the uncollected amount as an adjustment on your employment tax return
The same type of situation arises for wait staff. They are required to report their tips to their employer, who will withhold the correct amount of taxes and misc. Naturally, wait staff don't always want to report all of their tips to their employer, as this allows them to get something under the table. My understanding is that dealers in casinos are not able to get away with this due to the security cameras.
Quote: AZDuffman#3 sounds like FICA here in the USA, but my question is still unanswered. Who pays the tax inb income that is generated by tokes? It isn't like commission as the casino never really has "posession" of the money, it is a pass-thru.
This may not be the same thing, but when I waited tables way-back-when, we had to report tips as taxable income. But instead of counting our tips and reporting the actual amount, we just tacked on 8% to gross sales and reported that.
I don't know why 8%, maybe it was some sort of federal minimum or something. Anyway, since we would make about 15% - 20% of gross, the spread just went unreported.
This is just wild ass speculation but ... I would think that, if casinos do something similar, then dealers would just throw some percentage of the play at their table on their reporting form, say, 2%-3%. But then again, the camera actually sees the tokes. But wouldn't it be a colossal pain in the ass to audit the actual amount of the tokes put in the tip box?
Croupier hasn't posted here in a while.Quote: DipsyIs the OP still around? I'll try that anyway. I'm looking to becoming a trainee dealer. What does a casino look for in their dealers? Apart from good arithmetic skills and good looking? is extended knowledge about their games going to help me get the job?
You should read AZ Duffman's Blogs. He talks about his P/T job dealing Monte Carlo nights, as well as his experiences as a dealer trainee prior to the recent Pensylvania table games opening.
It's VERY interesting reading with the perspective you're looking for.
Quote: DipsyIs the OP still around? I'll try that anyway. I'm looking to becoming a trainee dealer. What does a casino look for in their dealers? Apart from good arithmetic skills and good looking? is extended knowledge about their games going to help me get the job?
First a big TY to DJTB for his comment before. To be told your writing is enjoyable and at the same time technically good makes your day. More so after the day I had today,
Anyways, most places you will go to will not train you themselves, it will be thru a dealing school or a community college. If you are at an Indian Casino in the middle of who-knows-where and there is not enough business for a school to survive they may do their own training and have some kind of selection process.
(As DJTB said, read the blog for more details.) When I interviewed I told them I dealt Monte Carlo Nights. Their attitude was that it was nice, but at best a tiebreaker. They gave a math test on BJ level math. A third grader could easily pass it. I asked my instructor how many students were "players" and his guess was 10% at best.
In other words, game knowlege will help but not get you thru the gatekeeper door. Not knowing games will not keep you out. They stressed I forget how many times, "You were selected based in P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L-I-T-Y." Heck, the night I got cut I got a speech on it and was told to not be afraid to try again.
If you interview, treat everyone nice. From the person who hands you the application to the person who interviews to the other people waiting to be interviewed. Don't have a bad attitude about being asked to add 7+5+9. We had people cut because they were jagoffs to the HR people asking for background info-this after 5 weeks of class. No idea what someone would do to justify that, but they said "people" plaural, not "person" who was asked to leave.
I don't buy the "good looking" one. I got hired and am no stud. Now, if you show up unkept and hit-and-miss personal hygeine, etc don't expect to be selected no matter if you can tell how to pay off a $1000 horn bet is a split second.
Finally, this advice is for a locals casino. If you want to deal at The Mirage, then you will need years of experience.
Quote: appistappisazduff, as an example...a couple of years ago there were 40 openings for full time dealers where i work, from some 250 applicants who already worked there part time.....there were dealers like me with tons of experience and good records......who got picked.....a really hot chinese girl who only had 2 months experience and just blackjack.....a guy who had earlier been fired but got hired back cuz his mom was frineds with the casino manager...a vietnamese chick who blew three pit managers......another pretty girl who was banging a floor who in turn gave her tremendous write ups......etc etc etc.
Ignoring that I am only getting one side I have to say the following. First, favoritism always has been and always will be there. But lets take the "hot" thing. Does a hot woman drive more business to the tables? If so that makes the hot woman a more valuable employee. However, not every player wants a hot chick dealing. Even as a Red-Blooded American Male I want a dealer who deals a clean game. I want a friendly delaer. A hottie who is full of herself and keeps making mistakes will not get my play let alone tokes. And female players are not likely to be swayed by the hottie.
My advice stands. You need a good personality to get a dealer job. Even the pit-boss who is getting action from some girl who should otherwise not be dealing needs competent dealers in tbe pit.
Did I say 'enjoyable' ?Quote: AZDuffmanFirst a big TY to DJTB for his comment before. To be told your writing is enjoyable and at the same time technically good makes your day. More so after the day I had today,
Just yankin ya.
Yeah, add 'enjoyable' to my list of adjectives about your blog. It certainly was that and more.
And keep us informed when you go for a second try!
Quote: CroupierI am a dealer in England. anyone wanting to ask anything about working in a casino, or anything at all, ask away, and ill be more than happy to help in any way I can.
I think the Wizards sites are fantastic, so this is my attempt to try and contribute to the further success of the site.
Hello Mr Croupier.
1. Do you hear the sound of the ball and know how many turnarounds it has left to smack one of the deflectors ?
2. What do you use to key the norm before you call out NMB ?
3. Do you know that your release of the ball is not random ?
4. Can you spin the ball +1 0 -1 turnarounds - assume 19 20 21 turnarounds ?
5. Do you have lazy days with sloppy spins with constant rotor speeds around average - not slow or fast ?
6. Do you see players starring into the wheel and make late bets before you call NMB ?
7. Do you change ball between 20 to 18 mm made of different materials or do you only use Nylon balls ?
8. What is the most wierd experience you have as croupier ?
Just some quick question ...
O_O
10. If you see any defect can you call me so i can take the first flight :-)))
11. Do you have any fun things i could test with my huxley at home wish i not alredy thought about ?
12. For how long have you work as cropier ?
O_o
Good dealers do know from the sound of the ball when its running out of steam and when to call no more bets. I cant tell you exactly how many spins are left in it.
2. What do you use to key the norm before you call out NMB ?
I dont understand the wording of your question, if you mean how do I decide when to call no more bets, I wait until the ball sound changes, count to 3 and call it. If you mean something else, you need to change the wording of your question. Sorry.
3. Do you know that your release of the ball is not random ?
Again, I do not quite understand the question. If you are asking if its random, we are trained to try and spin the ball from the number it landed in, but in the opposite direction.
4. Can you spin the ball +1 0 -1 turnarounds - assume 19 20 21 turnarounds ?
We are trained to let the ball spin around 10 times. I personally can spin more or less spins than this, but not to the precise level you ask.
5. Do you have lazy days with sloppy spins with constant rotor speeds around average - not slow or fast?
Yes.
6. Do you see players starring into the wheel and make late bets before you call NMB ?
Yes
7. Do you change ball between 20 to 18 mm made of different materials or do you only use Nylon balls ?
No we generally use only Mylon balls of a consistent size (but I am not sure of the exact dimensions)
8. What is the most wierd experience you have as croupier ?
That depends what you mean by weird, if you ask a slightly more specific question, I might be answer better, but the question is too open for 6am.
Hope that answers at least a few of your questions.
10would do but the wheels are balanced every day after cleaning.
11.Not that I could think of off the top of my head.
12. about 3 years.
You answer all my questions.
Have a nice day.
O_o
Bumped this thread for any welcome back/ where you been comments so we don't gum up the works. Or for any questions you might have.
AS for the joke for a bump, its more of a terrible one liner.
Rick Astley, I bet he really struggles with lent.
Quote: chickenmanI don't get it - is this British humour?
Terrible British Humour, Yes
Lent is the 40 days before Easter when Christians typically give up some kind of vice.