If I’m playing craps in a Las Vegas casino, how do I tip “the boys?” Do I place a bet for them, maybe on the Line, or just throw a chip or two at them?
There are a few ways to tip crap dealers. Any way you choose will be fine with them. (Though if you want to know exactly what they prefer, you can always ask.) We say that whatever you do, it's appreciated. You don't have to think too hard about it.
The simplest way is to toss them a chip or chips. This is especially effective if they've just paid off a big bet or bets and it's better, in our humble opinion, than toking at the end of your sessions when you leave the table. During the play, it gets the good karma rolling, unmathematical though that may be. And you might not have any chips left at the end -- and the dealers see that scenario many times a shift.
A more inclusive way is to place a bet for them directly on the table. You can announce something like, "Two-way yo-eleven" or "Pass line bet for the boys/crew" (or as we heard one stickman call it once, "the machine"). This aligns their interests with yours, giving them a fun reason to root for your rolls while you play.
Some players seem to feel that they have to make a bet for the dealers every time. That's not necessary. Dealers know the ups and downs of the game for the players. But tipping from time to time throughout the game keeps the dealers on your side. Some players have a ritual, like tossing out a toke every time they roll the dice.
At some casinos, you don't have to put anything on the pass line to make the odds wager for the crew. You can simply place the odds-wager chips meant for them slightly offset on top or to the side of your own odds stack (letting them know that's what you're doing, of course).
Various strategies can be applied. For example, if you bet for the dealers and a roll gets hot, you can let the tip ride. Or you can tip, say, $50 and tell them to bet it as they wish. It can be fun to see how crap dealers bet their own money.
So you can see that like the game itself, tipping strategies are numerous and varied. One thing's for sure: If you play repeatedly at the same table, the dealers will remember you as George. And if they're on your side, they can help you out without crossing the line into collusion. They can provide high-quality service, alert the cocktail waitress when your glass is empty, correct bet placements, remind you of bets you have riding you might've forgotten about, hold your place if you have to leave for a bit, and perhaps best of all, help your comp rating.
