The flashing lights and ringing bells of a casino can be incredibly distracting, making it easy to forget the human element of the floor.

Understanding the unwritten rules of the 'toke' (casino slang for a tip) will ensure you are treated like a VIP by the staff.

How and When to Tip Casino Dealers

When you are winning, it is universally expected that you share a small percentage of your good fortune with the person dealing the cards.

To hand them a chip, simply slide it toward them and clearly say, 'This is for the dealer,' ensuring the security cameras see it.

• Never hand cash directly to a dealer's hand; the strict security rules require you to place the money flat on the table first
• In most modern casinos, all dealer tips are 'pooled' and split evenly among everyone on the shift, ensuring fair pay for dealers stuck on slow tables
• If you hit a massive slot machine hand-pay jackpot, it is customary to tip the slot attendant who brings you the cash roughly 1% to 2% of the total

Navigating Tipping Beyond the Tables

While the drinks are usually 'free' while you are actively gambling, the physical labor of carrying heavy trays through a crowded casino is not.

Finally, when you take your massive pile of chips to the cashier's cage to cash out, it is not strictly necessary to tip the cashier, but leaving $1 or $2 from the odd change is appreciated.

A few extra dollars given to the staff will exponentially improve the quality of your entire casino experience.