If you’re an avid gambler and have a particular liking for casino table games, then perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering whether you should tip your dealer. More importantly, you’ve probably questioned how to go about it and how much you should set aside as a tip for your dealer.
While tipping your dealer isn’t mandatory, it’s frowned upon if you just get up from your table after a lengthy game or tournament without so much as giving your dealer a second thought. In fact, you can liken it to dining out. Although you don’t have to tip your waiter, it’s a good habit to do so, especially if the service is great.
This is true for casinos, too, especially if you’re playing at a land-based casino. The role of a dealer can be a bit layered and involves more than just dealing cards. A dealer is key in making the casino experience enjoyable for players, and if they do a good job at it, gratuity is always welcome. This is why dealers with personality and charm may be more successful. They have a way of engaging with players that offers a level of entertainment value, be it through captivating gestures or phrases. In turn, players feel obliged to thank them. Playing at a live or online casino for real money can be lucrative, and your dealer may be deserving of a share of your winnings.
Reasons Why People Tip Casino Dealers
There are several reasons why people tip casino dealers, ranging from an appreciation of good service to boosting morale and acknowledging their presence. In some cases, players who frequent certain games and have the same dealer repeatedly may opt to tip them as a nice gesture and to build rapport.
Another reason why people tip players is excitement. If a player has won a big game or tournament, chances are they’re in a celebratory mood and want to share some of their winnings with their dealer. Considering that some dealers rely heavily on their tips to boost their salaries, casino tips are a good way to provide financial assistance to top-performing dealers — especially if you’ve just had a big win.
It’s common practice to offer your dealer a tip of $5 per hour in the U.S., but of course, there’s no limit to how much you can give your dealer to show appreciation for their work.
Casino Policies for Tipping Casino Dealers
There’s no standard casino policy for tipping dealers, which is why it’s best to familiarize yourself with what’s permitted before sitting down to enjoy a game. Depending on the game you’re playing, you may be encouraged to tip your dealer in cash or in chips so they can redeem the cash value. Some players wager on the dealer’s behalf, which means that their win will be the dealer’s win.
A question that pops up in a lot of people’s minds is whether dealers keep all the tips to themselves. The short answer to this is that it depends on the casino’s policies. There are two casino policies when it comes to tipping: Keep Your Own and Tip Pooling. These policies dictate that dealers either keep their own tips that they’ve earned or all dealers pool their tips so that they can be distributed evenly thereafter.
When dealers keep their own tips, it means that the amount of effort that they put into their work will be reflected in gratuity. Dealers are motivated to do their job well if they know that all the tips they make will be theirs to keep.
The pooling of tips can be a good way to incentivize dealers working at lower-paying tables. By pooling tips from all tables, all dealers can enjoy a decent share of the tips, regardless of which table they’re facilitating. That alone can also be motivation enough to boost morale and encourage all dealers to perform and go above and beyond the call of duty.
Tipping at Online Casinos
Tipping at online casinos is somewhat less complicated and confusing than at physical casinos. This is because online casinos that permit and encourage tipping will make that function available to players, which makes it pretty straightforward. If your online blackjack live dealer was exceptional, it’s unfortunate that you can’t take your tip and give it to them physically. However, developers of reputable online casinos, like Borgata Online, have integrated smart and safe payment methods to ensure that your funds and details aren’t compromised. However much you’ve set aside as a tip for your dealer will be allocated accordingly.
Play Your Favorite Casino Table Game at Borgata Online
When it comes to online casino games, Borgata Online has got you covered. Take your pick from a wide range of themed online slots, live dealer casino games, as well as your favorite table games. Now that you have a better understanding of casino tipping etiquette, you can approach your next games with a bit more confidence on how to show appreciation to your dealer. If you’re ready to put your best foot forward and play, register now to gain unlimited access to variety games and more.