Should I Tip Casino Dealers
A flatmate was a dealer at a casino, comes home and tells me the story, her last gambler left her table so she was about to close out. Guy comes and sits down and wants to play all the hands at the table. 100 a hand does that few abut half an hour, asks for the table limit to be raised to 1k a hand. We tip dealers by placing a bet in front of our bet at blackjack, roulette or on a number or proposition at craps. I once saw a lady tip a blackjack dealer $5 each hand she played regardless whether she won or lost. After about 15 minutes the dealer had more chips than the lady. That’s no way to tip dealers. I suggest you only tip periodically.
When it comes to tipping, there’s pretty much no place else in the world where tipping is so engrained in the culture of everything you’ll do. This is a city that lives and dies on tips, and because of this you can and should expect a very high level of service no matter what you’re doing while in town. That being said, most people really don’t know what’s appropriate to tip for different services, so I wanted to compile a list that helps you figure out when and what to give as a gratuity. Keep in mind these are just general recommendations based on my experiences and you are free to tip as little or as much as your Vegas budget allows.
Bartenders – If you’re just ordering 1 or 2 drinks, leave around $1 – $3, otherwise I usually do 10-15% for a larger bill of drinks only.
Bellmen – I never use these guys but I know a lot of people do, I think $5 is appropriate if they do a good job (meaning they are friendly, show you into your room and explain any features).
Bottle Service Girls – If you have a table in the club, you’ll probably be subject to an auto gratuity of 18%, some people leave more on top but I think that’s more than enough.
Cigarette Girls – These are the girls that walk around the casino selling smokes, I usually give them a few dollars.
Cocktail Waitresses – Specifically the ones that work inside the casino and bring you “free” drinks while you gamble, I usually give $2-$5 (if I’m winning) but $1 per drink is acceptable.
Should I Tip Casino Dealers Online
Dealers – This is super subjective and depends on your limits, luck and generosity – throwing a bet for the dealers every so often is very appreciated however.
Front Desk Agents – You definitely don’t need to tip them, however using the 20 dollar trick is a good idea if you are looking for an upgrade.
Go Go Dancers – Some hotels have Go Go Dancers in the casino pit that provide additional entertainment – seems a bit creepy to tip them but I’m sure they’ll accept it, I suggest $5.
Maids – The rule of thumb is $3-$5 per day, but I prefer to just leave around $20 at the end of my trip if the room is clean and well serviced.
Nightclub Bouncers – You don’t have to tip these guys, but you do if you want to skip the line and they usually want $50-$100 per person.
Restaurant Servers – If they are friendly, attentive and provide good service I usually give them 15%-20% of the total bill.
Room Service – There will usually always be an auto gratuity of 10%-15% but I still give a few bucks when they deliver the food.
Slot Attendants – These are the people that pay you when you win a slots jackpot, there is no fixed % and it depends on what you win, but I wouldn’t tip too much.
Taxi Drivers – The standard tip for taxi drivers is around 10% to 20% of the fare, but only do this if they are nice and entertaining (which many in Vegas are).
Taxi Line Guy – At all hotels there is a “taxi line guy” that manages the flow of cabs and opens the door for you, $1-$2 is totally fine.
Valet Attendant – Never have used this service before but the recommendation seems to be $2 for drop-off and $2 for pick-up.
VIP Host – If you have a VIP casino host it’s nice to tip them if they do a good job, most can’t accept cash so gift cards are a good idea.
Tipping Dealers
There exists a handful of different types of people that should receive tips at your typical casino, however few are more important than the dealer. As was briefly touched upon above, the dealer is a critical part of the equation when it comes to you winning or losing money. Though tipping the dealer is not going to see he or she cheat for you, it is generally considered a standard practice, and it is wise that you adhere to it.
Throughout the years many people have come up with many different methods or formulas for how they tip, but there is no single correct way to go about it. A popular way to tip is to simply base the quantity of money given on the quality of service you are receiving. If the dealer is helpful, cheerful, and generally contributing to your good time, I think it’s safe to say that he or she deserves a better tip than someone who doesn’t speak and rarely makes eye contact.
In addition to this, people tend to tip based upon how they are playing at the given moment in time. If they are playing well they are going to tip extremely well, if not, then they may be a bit more frugal. At the end of the day, there are few people who would offer an argument against the belief that dealers are the most important people to tip well.
Tipping Waiters/Waitresses
There must be a disclaimer made that how well or poorly you tip waiters and waitresses depends solely upon how much drinking you plan on doing at the casino. If you are on vacation and looking to gamble for fun while sipping on a few cocktails, then it would behoove you to tip the waiters and waitresses quite well.
If you are inexperienced as far as time on the casino floor is concerned, it may come as a surprise to you that many casinos offer your beer and liquor drinks free of charge so long as you are playing a game. Because the drinks are free, many new casino-goers assume that as soon as the beverage is handed over to them the transaction is complete. While this may technically be true, it is terrible casino etiquette and is frowned upon no matter who you are or where you are. When it comes to drinks and snacks, tipping is as close to an expectation as can be for something that is officially optional.
Tipping isn’t just good manners, it is something that will ensure prompt service in the future. If you avoid tipping, word will spread quickly amongst the service staff, and before you know it you will be waiting long periods of time for a single drink.
Tipping, at its core, is nothing more than something you do out of the kindness of your heart. Something that Is also very important to remember is that it is optional. If you are receiving extremely poor service from a waitress who is also rude, very few people would be upset at your for avoiding a tip in that scenario. If, to the contrary, the waiter or waitress is making your experience more enjoyable in any capacity, he or she should be compensated accordingly. It really is that simple.
Tipping at Casinos FAQ
Will I be kicked out of a casino for not tipping?
This is not likely, but that should not serve as a deterrent to tipping.
How much should I tip for a drink?
This all depends on what the drink is, but a few dollars per drink is more than acceptable. If you are feeling more generous than that, then give more.
Should I tip more at nicer casinos?
Tipping is all experience-based. You may find a great dealer at a poor casino just like you may find a poor dealer at a top-class casino. Tip based on how enjoyable your experience was and how instrumental your dealer/waiter/waitress was in making your time enjoyable.
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How gratuities work in the casino, and why a little generosity can go a long way
By Rob Wiser
To tip, or not to tip? It’s a question you’ve probably wondered about at times in the casino. I certainly hope it has at least crossed your mind; after all, you wouldn’t stiff the valet or the guy who lugged your bags up to your room, would you? So why should it be any different with the person who’s been dealing your cards for the past hour?
Nevertheless, there’s quite a bit of confusion over when, and how much, it’s appropriate to tip dealers and other casino personnel. Tipping is a very personal choice; there’s really no “correct” percentage, as there is with a restaurant bill. There are, however, some general rules of thumb—and some misconceptions that deserve to be cleared up.
Tipping Your Dealer
A lot of players fail to understand that dealers are part of the service industry and rely on tips to make a living. The base salary for dealers is usually minimum wage, or close to it.
A good dealer, like a good waiter, is going to serve you in a professional and courteous manner. The big difference between the two professions is that part of the dealer’s job is to take your money when you lose. This is where it can start to feel personal. A player on a losing streak tends to think, “the casino’s gotten enough of money. Why should I tip, on top of it?”
This attitude is understandable, and dealers are used to it. It’s also why contrary to popular belief, they actually want to see you win. The dealers don’t get a cut of your losses, nor do they get penalized if you win a bunch of the casino’s money. Their job is simply to deal the game and keep things moving along.
Once in a blue moon, you will come across an unprofessional dealer. I remember playing blackjack one time at a Strip casino and getting crushed by a terrible run of cards. Every time I lost a big bet, the dealer would grin and say “ouch!” or “that’s gotta hurt!” as he swiped my chips away. Talk about adding insult to injury. Needless to say, I didn’t fork over a gratuity, and he didn’t deserve one.
Otherwise, as long as the game is being dealt in a professional, pleasant manner, it is appropriate to tip your dealer periodically regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. There are several ways to do this. You can give it to the dealer directly, usually before you get up to leave the table. Just slide the chip (or chips) towards them. The other method, which dealers prefer, is to place a bet for them. Their job can get tedious, and by making a bet for them you’re injecting some excitement into their routine.
To do this at a blackjack table, place a chip on the layout next to your bet. It doesn’t need to be the same amount as your main bet; it can be any amount you want. Then, if you win your hand, the dealers wins, too. The $5 bet you placed for them is now a sweet $10 tip. (I usually tip this way, once or twice per hour. The size of the bet I place for the dealer depends on how well I’ve been doing.)
Craps, a more complicated game than blackjack, involves a crew of dealers who can help you out in various situations. For example, if you’ve been making the same bets and forget to make one, or forget to take odds on your pass line bet, they can remind you. Therefore, it never hurts—and can actually help—if you make a bet for the dealers soon after you start playing. Get them on your side. (It’s best to place your bet for the dealers on the pass line, since it has better odds than the various proposition bets.)
Dividing the Pie
In most casinos, dealers pool their tips and split them. If you want to know whether your dealer gets to keep tips, or has to pool them, just ask. Some players will tip a bit more generously knowing that the money is going directly into their dealer’s pockets.
Pooling tips is a policy that makes sense for casinos. Otherwise, the dealers working at the high-limit tables would rake in huge bucks—some high rollers are known to tip thousands of dollars—while the dealers at the low-limit tables would barely make a living. Pooling tips encourages all of the dealers, no matter what area of the casino they’re stationed in, to be courteous and professional.
This can, however, create friction among the dealers. I remember a friend of mine, a gorgeous blonde with a vivacious personality, used to deal roulette in the high-roller area of a Strip casino. The players loved her and would toss her $100 chips left and right, yet she had to share it with all the other dealers—including a few surly curmudgeons who worked the low-limit tables and couldn’t care less about customer relations.
There’s a legendary story about Kerry Packer, the late Australian mogul and one of Vegas’ highest rollers, offering his cocktail server the greatest tip of all time. He asked her what her largest debt was, and when she told him she’d just purchased a home, he told her to bring him the mortgage paperwork so he could pay it off. According to legend, she quit on the spot so that she wouldn’t have to share it with her shift mates. (Hey, wouldn’t you?)
Whatever the casino’s tip-sharing policy is, your generosity will be appreciated.
Most people simply tip out of courtesy; others think tipping big will help them win. If you want to spread the wealth, go right ahead. Everyone loves a “George” (casino-speak for a generous tipper). However, it won’t influence the outcome of the game at all.
Do You Tip Casino Dealers
Tips for Slots
When you win a slot jackpot over $1,200, the machine will lock up and an attendant will come to verify the win, have you fill out a W2G form for tax purposes, and “hand pay” you. (Some casinos set their machines to lock up at lower amounts.) A lot of players feel one percent of the jackpot, or in that neighborhood, is an appropriate tip for the attendant. For a $1,000 jackpot, this would mean a $10 tip.
Some players give tips to slot attendants in the hopes of gleaning some “inside information”: which machines are hot, and which ones are due to hit. The attendants appreciate the extra cash and might point you towards a “lucky” bank of machines, but as we’ve explained many times in Strictly Slots, no machine is ever “due to hit.” Each spin is a random, independent event. For some players, chatting with the attendants and trying to get a scoop is part of the fun; just don’t take their advice too seriously.
The Truth About “Free” Drinks
The one person you should always tip every time—without fail—is your beverage server. “Complimentary” means the drinks are free, but it doesn’t mean the service is. Most players aren’t aware that when you stiff a cocktail waitress—or get up and leave before she can bring your order—she technically has to pay for that drink. To put it simply (the actual formula is rather complicated), each time a waitress orders a drink from the bartender to serve to a customer, the drink is recorded in the computer, and she is responsible for paying the IRS tax on that drink.
When the drinks are “free,” a dollar per drink is a good tip. Whether it’s a glass of champagne or a bottled water, every beverage counts as one. This is why you should tip regardless of the type of drink, and tip for each one. If you request a glass of ice with your Diet Coke, $2 would be an appropriate tip, since it’s technically two drinks and they’re taking up that much space on her cocktail tray.
Tipping beforehand can be a smart move with cocktail service. You’re letting the waitress know right off the bat that you’re an appreciative customer, and she’ll likely give you the fastest service possible. Even if it takes a long time for the waitress to come around to take your first drink order, just assume she’s got her hands full and tip her as you normally would. It might mean better service on the second round.
Members of the service industry have a saying: the word “Tips” stands for To Insure Proper Service. In other words, they don’t think tips should be viewed as a reward; they believe the purpose of a tip is to make sure you get the best possible service. If you’re settling in for an afternoon at the blackjack table, or at the slots, you might as well tip early and set the right tone.
Should I Tip Casino Dealers Near Me
Of course, you don’t ever have to tip if you don’t want to. Casino employees are used to stiffs; you’ll never hear them complain about it (not publicly, anyway). But a little consideration can go a long way, and why not spread some good karma around? After all, if there’s anyone in the casino you want rooting for you, it’s the people handling the cards and paying out the jackpots.