Tipping the craps dealers

Dear Frank,

First, thanks for all your books and articles on gambling – especially craps! I've enjoyed them all immensely and as a recreational gambler have learned much that has helped improve my personal odds.

I blew into Atlantic City this weekend. While playing craps at Caesars on Friday evening, I placed the 6 and 8 and told the dealer to piggy-back an extra dollar on each bet for the dealers. I managed to hit a few of each before sevening out.

The very next afternoon in the same casino when I asked to set up the same bets, it caused quite a stir. Both the boxman and pit boss stepped in and said that bets could "only be placed for the dealers" and could not ride on top of my bet. One of them made some allusion to it being against the Casino Control Commission's rules. I said that I'd been allowed to make such a bet in their casino the night before — but it was no go.

When the boxman added the comment that he wasn't about to risk his job for a dollar tip, I decided not to push it. Of course it soured the feeling at the table and I left shortly thereafter.

So what's the story? I know that you often suggest this very arrangement and I've not had it questioned when using it at the Borgata. I look forward to your reply.

Neil

Dear Neil:

It's your bet when you put it on top and you can decide what you want to do with that dollar when it wins. You can keep it or give it to the dealers. You could have just said to the pit boss: "Fine, that dollar is my bet now." The Caesars' boxman and the pit boss are completely wrong and there is no Casino Control Commission ruling on this. These guys were either ploppies or deliberately lying to you. (Why? I have no idea!)

You could have taken the tip down and said, "I like to tip the dealers all the time but I like to tip them the way I like to tip them. Take the tip down."

The boxman who said he wouldn't risk his job for a one-dollar tip should be suspended for being an idiot for not knowing these bets are perfectly legitimate. He should also have his mouth duct-taped for uttering such an imbecility to a player who tips!

Such behavior by these people might signal to you to head for a better casino.

For your excellent letter I am giving you a free 10-day subscription to my private website at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members on this site and the conversations are lively, interesting and fun. Enjoy!

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete