Motivations for Toking

I am devouring Ian Andersen's book "Burning the Tables in Las Vegas." He talks about using tipping as a way to reinforce a dealer to continue to do what you want him/her to continue doing (i.e., good penetration). By the way, I am assuming it is not recommended that a player saunter up to a table and hand the dealer a $100 chip in hopes of gaining a quick ally!

In the Current Blackjack News, casinos that allow dealers to keep their individual tips (as opposed to their tips going into a huge 'tip pool' that all of the dealers eventually split) are so noted. I am assuming Dr. Wong includes this nugget of information because casinos that permit dealers to keep their own tips are more preferred by Advantage Players.

Are there any other reasons why it might be more advantageous to play in casinos where the dealers are permitted to keep their own individual tips? For example, perhaps the morale of the dealers in such a casino is higher because each dealer knows they can control, to a larger degree, the amount of their tips?

Are there any DISadvantages to playing in a casino whereby the dealers keep her/his own tips?

Thank you!

Longevity and friendliness. Offering the opportunity to win $1 on occasion shows good faith that you're a gambler like all the others. Its not like the gamblers that get hot for awhile and flip the dealers a quarter. And although theres little downside to tipping, it doesn't guarantee that the occasional dealer wont blurt out checks play!

If you win a $100 bet and tip the dealer $5.00, the dealer expects you to tip more than that. In fact, the dealer (in most cases) thinks you are a cheapskate if you don't tip at least $20.00.

Years ago, I used to tip a nominal amount for what I thought was "good cover". Apparently, the dealer didn't think it was enough.....he yelled "checks play", "doubling on sft18", and gave me lousy pen, as well.

Needless to say, I left the table. It was a valuable lesson for me, in retrospect. If I can offer you any advice, I will tell you that tipping the dealer is -EV. Just remember that most dealers (even the ones who keep their own tokes) are casino workers first and foremost, and are climbing the Corporate ladder. They will rat you out in a heartbeat.

No matter how much you might be tempted to tip, it will never be enough.

there's little downside to tipping. It costs money!

In today's games and casino environment, there is little reason for tipping unless you are playing at high stakes, and even then in most situations it is pointless. The best tip in most cases: Zero.

Unless there is a very good reason that you are getting something in return. Don't tip and act like you know nothing about it and play dumb when the dealer is hustling you. LVBear and drumz1 are right. No matter what you tip it is never enough. I have seen players that tip a lot when they are winning and a little later they are digging in their pockets for more cash. When that ran out guess who had the money?

I agree! Minimum wage is enough for all those tip hustlers like waiters and waitresses, maids, strippers, and dealers. If that single mom who's working two jobs to make ends meet can't make it without tips, well than she should have thought of that before getting pregnant!

"Casino employee, Degenerate gambler"

Your profile says it all. Sorry about your two terrible situations.

My mom was too drunk!

Love that book! All I can say is this: I've noticed that when I leave the dealer a reasonable toke (while winning of course) I don't hear "Checks Play" much, if at all.