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Want to learn some useful casino etiquette? Let's discuss tipping in casinos. Read on.
Gambling is one of the most fun and exciting forms of entertainment in the world. That’s why many people go to casinos and try their luck in winning some games. While inside a casino, you will meet many kinds of people, from fellow gamblers, spectators, and those who operate the casino. Just like in any other place, people should observe some basic rules of gambling etiquette. These rules apply to everyone inside the casino to give respect to others and maintain a harmonious environment.
It is also important that you know the rules of the game before you join the table, as well as knowing the tipping protocols for dealers of the casino you are visiting. Read on to know the guidelines in tipping dealers.
What is Tipping?
Most people in the United States recognize “tips” as an acronym for “ to insure prompt service”. People provide tips for individuals giving prompt service, where you should increase the amount every time to encourage them to render good services even more.
Tipping a dealer will also help them get motivated to do their work in the form of entertainment rather than a chore. You can also choose not to tip the dealer if you are not happy with their services.
Tipping is also part of a casino’s etiquette and also how employees treat their guests. Remember that tipping is always voluntary, and you are not obligated to tip every time, especially if the service is poor. However, be prepared to give tips to casino personnel for a better casino experience.
Tipping by Location
In some countries, tipping an employee of a casino may or may not be accepted. In the United States, you need to tip the dealers, cashiers, Keno runners who assist you, and slot machine attendants, whether you win a penny or not. But in Barcelona, Spain, it is completely the opposite. You should not tip the persons who run your bets or those who deal cards to you. You need to be careful not to attempt tipping their dealers because you might receive negative attention from them.
In Macau, they would accept a client’s tip, but in most parts of Europe, they will not accept your tip except for Monaco and England. Less than a decade ago, tipping casino personnel in England became legal, but you shouldn’t give a considerable amount. You should offer a tip five to ten percent less than you can give in Las Vegas when you are in Britain.
Who Can Receive Tips in a Casino?
It is important that you know the persons who can receive your tip, and how to do it is also as important in understanding a casino’s protocols. Casino goers may assume that casino employees who are allowed to receive tips are probably the collective of their pay that can reach up to 65 percent.
Most people would agree that their employer probably pays some casino employees who accept tips from clients below minimum hourly rates. It is okay to consistently tip card dealers, especially if you realize that they receive just above minimum wage.
Playing video poker or slots does not need dealers, but you can tip the cashier who helps you with your money transactions. Tipping a cashier with a minimum of $1.00 every time you ask them for a change. Don’t also forget to tip the slot machine attendant once you win, which you can give five percent of your total winnings. You should also tip at least $1.00 when you ask an attendant for assistance with your machine.
Tipping on a Table Game
If you are the type of gambler that loves to play poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, or any other casino table game that needs a live dealer, you need to know that you must tip the dealer off your table. In tipping the dealer, you need to consider the amount that you will give. You also need to factor in the length of time you are playing on a particular table and how many times you win a pot. In the United States, you can give 15 to 20 percent of the chips that you buy as your tip during your playtime. It’s a different story in Britain, where you should prepare 10 to 15 percent of your gambling finances just for tipping.
Ways to Tip Your Dealer
There are many ways on how you can tip a live dealer in a casino. Basically, you can tip a live dealer for a minimum of $5.00 per game. You can give your tip to the dealer every after a session or you can wait until the dealer is about to leave the table and provide the full amount of your tip. You should also increase the amount you tip if you plan to play at a high-stakes table.
As a gambler, you should avoid giving the chips directly to the dealer as your tip. Many casino operators do not like seeing their dealers receiving chips, as casinos use those chips for the operations. You can simply leave the chips outside of your betting area of the table and declare that those are for the dealer.
You can share your winnings with the dealer by tipping them. Your tips must be at least one to five percent of every pot that you win. If you win subsequent pots, you need to increase your tips also. It’s okay not to give a tip if you only manage to get the blinds.
Other Tipping Methods
There are other methods for tipping the dealer. One method would be to place bets for your dealer. In a blackjack game, you can do this by placing a chip for the dealer on top of your own bet or putting a chip ahead of your own located about half in-and-out of the betting circle. This way, the dealer can collect both the bet and the winnings associated with it.
In roulette and craps tables, you can also place your bets for the dealers. You may place your bets anywhere on the table layout, but you have to make sure that they would know that the bet is for them. Place the chip for betting for the dealer on top and slightly offset your own bet.
You can bet two-way in craps. This means that you and the dealer will have split winnings associated with your bet. Gamblers may also bet the hard way and pass line for the dealer, but they will get all the money won on these types of betting.
In Keno, you need to tip your runner and writer with either of these two ways. First, give your runner and writer a tip for a minimum of $1.00 for every ticket. Sharing jackpots is not an option because the game doesn't have higher winning odds. If you have the winning ticket, tip your runner and writer around five percent of your total winnings.
It is usual for a gambler to give tips to live dealers, runners, waiters, cashiers, and slots attendants seeking extra cash from their clients.
For the Non-Dealer Employees
Casinos have a variety of employees that help the operation of the business run smoothly. Many gamblers enjoy the casino’s valet services, which gives enough reason for players to tip personnel to make sure their services remain consistent.
Bellhops typically receive a minimum tip of $2.00 for rendering their services for every client, even if they only have one bag. If you carry more bags, you should tip at least $1.00 per bag. You should also tip a waiter or waitress $1.00 for every drink that they deliver to you. You should also consider preparing some cash for the housekeepers that rotate shifts and floors regularly. It is a way of saying you’re thankful for cleaning your room.
What are your thoughts about tipping in casinos? Do you think they should receive more tips like delivery riders?
Do you have any additional tipping tips that you can share? Let us know in the comments!
