Question of the Day - 13 July 2005

Contributing expert Max Rubin writes:

Hosts don’t expect tips, but they respond to them with vigor. Most casino employees can’t take gifts with a value of more than $25, so anything under that is fine. Even a measly $10 bill is a great investment with the proper greedy host. Jean Scott has mastered the art of the discount bribe and nicely spells out all of the techniques and benefits in The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the former:

"A valuable tip I can give you about promotions is to be really friendly to the staff that's handling the details, with an eye toward getting more than you might ordinarily. Perhaps a pit boss has to lay a token on you or a change person has to stamp a card or a host has to give you drawing entries. If you're nice, and if you tip generously, you stand a much better chance of getting some extra consideration. In a casino, more than anything else tips make the wheels spin and the cogs turn and the free stuff flow, and a little judicious greasing of the skids works more wonders than you can imagine ...

"You have to use your own judgment to determine when a tip actually becomes a bribe. Truth is, the whole casino comp system is ripe for abuse. Almost all casinos are set up to reward players for the amount of money they put at risk, not whether they win or lose. However, since many of the comps are distributed by fallible humans, it becomes a very subjective process. Many people will tell any made-up sad story about their losses in order to get sympathy from their slot hosts, which often leads to more comps. Table players will pocket chips; video poker players will pull their slot cards when dealt winning hands. I've heard of many people who have their most generous pit bosses and slot hosts on their Christmas gift lists. I'm not putting a judgment on any of this. I'm merely pointing out that everyone will have to draw his own line in the sand."

Editor's Note: Max is being modest. While his quoting of Jean Scott is appropriate, his own book, Comp City (Second Edition) is still the last word on all things comps, including the proper way to handle tips. Following is a bonus excerpt from Comp City regarding the tipping of pit bosses (as opposed to hosts):

"Although I've told you to lay something on the bosses if they're especially nice to you or you need a favor, you really shouldn't give them anything unless you're reasonably sure to get something in return. Once you find a boss or two willing to go in the tank, use these handy hints when forking over the graft:

• Never ever offer a boss cash. Virtually all casinos will terminate a boss for taking currency from a player and you could put someone in a bind if he thinks no one is watching.
• Give them something cheap. It's the thought, etc.
• Almost every male floorman in the country has to wear a suit five days a week. They all need ties. Make it conservative, or the other bosses will hooray him when he wears it to work.
• Women like flowers. Too bad. They're too conspicuous.
• A $10 three-team parlay bet is a favorite among bosses. It makes them think of you for the whole weekend and it gives you both a common enemy -- the house.
• Even big bosses get golf balls. No one seems to care if a player lays a dozen or two around the pit. Even if your favorite boss doesn't play the game, he'll probably give them to his boss, so no one gets hurt when you hand them out.
• Off-premises coffee shop or restaurant comps are a major motivator for bosses to nudge rating slips. If you can, get the comp with an open date so the boss can go on his day off.