I've noticed that local folks are usually generous tippers. This observation has been supported by the many dealers, waitresses, maids and others I've spoken with. "Hawaii people are great... always happy and good tippers" is a familiar refrain. Generosity is part of our nature our mana, our Aloha spirit. We do it without thinking and without expectations it's as innate to us as breathing.

I've done my share of over tipping for the right and wrong reasons but what I've always wanted to know was... what the baseline should be. Then you can be generous or tight as warranted.

We all know that the usual and customary tip for nice sit down meal is 18%. But how much should you tip the dealer? When should you tip the dealer? What about the change person in the slot area? What about the maid, the bell captain and the valet?

Most people in Las Vegas do not earn great salaries but they don't pay State income tax this coupled with a low cost of living makes for a good lifestyle if you can take the heat. Because most of the jobs are in the service industry just about everyone supplements their income with tips.

Tipping is a personal choice and the following guidelines should be a good starting point. Give a little less if the dealer is no fun and more if they are watching out for you.

One of the least understood tipping protocols involves tipping (or toke-ing in the casino vernacular) the dealer. Who better to answer the question than Nick Kallos Owner of the Casino Gaming School of Las Vegas. They have taught more Vegas dealers than anyone else.

Nick Kallos demonstrating the shuffling machine to students

So when should we tip a dealer? Nick says "a good rule of thumb is when you double your buy in. If your initial buy in is $20 you should toke the dealer when you are ahead $20. If you buy in for a $100 and you've got $200 in front of you that's a good time to toke the dealer".

Tipping or toke-ing the dealer is a very personal thing and gamblers can be superstitious preferring only to toke when they are leaving the table. Other players chose to tip as they play.

How do you toke the dealer? Again this is as individual as the player. One thing to remember is the dealer can never take anything from your hands. All exchanges must be placed on the table.

Some like to just give the dealer the tip... put the chip(s) down and say "this is for you" or "thank you".

Another way to toke the dealer and most dealers prefer this is to place a bet for the dealer. You can put this wager on the felt in front of your wager or to the right of your bet (depending on the layout). Some players may even place a dealer bet on top of their own wager. When you put the dealers toke on your wager you are under no obligation to give it to the dealer.

Dealers are not allowed to press bets made on their behalf (let the bet ride for double the wager).

How much should you tip? Nick advises that if you buy in for $20 a buck or two after you double-up is appropriate and $5 is a fair amount after you've doubled your $100 buy-in.

What if you've doubled your buy-in but are still down for your trip? Well now that's a personal choice.

Remember a tip for the dealer is really a tip for ALL the dealers as most casinos split the tip money between all the dealers. Sometimes this is done by shift or game but it's almost always split.

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