Tipping Guide

Tips on Tipping

Ok, ladies, like-it-or-not, Las Vegas runs on tips. Tipping for just about every service here is not only customary- it’s expected since tips make up the majority of many people’s take home pay. We know that in some countries tipping is not traditional, but you might want to adjust your habits when coming here. Just to be clear, one would never get reprimanded or even slighted for not tipping because folks working in this town pride themselves on giving superior service. However, if you would like to “do as the Romans do” so-to-speak, help keep the locals paying their bills please!

If you are looking for some doors opening up to you in LV, remember that tipping can do miracles! Tables can appear stage side, rooms with a view can materialize when none were available a couple of minutes ago, and premium liquors can be served by discretion. Don’t expect that slipping a ten or a twenty will work every time though. We have had our tips turned away from time to time, but for the most part; it’s definitely worth a try to get what you want. In this tipping guide we will outline what is customary and also give advice on what has worked for us in the past.

Bag Handlers/Bell Men: The general rule here is $1 per bag upon delivery. We usually tip $5 for 4 bags. Do not tip when you leave bags with a bell captain for storage. The tipping here is on the delivery end. If the guy offers to get you ice and/or give a tour of the room and its features you may want to throw in an extra buck or two.

Cab Drivers: This is pretty much an emotional issue for us. Some of the cab drivers here are awful and some are excellent. If they listen to you and get you to your destination quickly give a $2 to $5 tip on a small fare from $10 to $20.

Valet Parkers: Only tip on the delivery of the car. If you get your car quickly (in 5 to 10 minutes) give at least $2. If the service is slow (we have waited up to a half an hour in busy times) give only a dollar. If you must bring shopping bags or luggage to your valet parked car you will have to leave an extra tip for them getting your car out of the garage. If you want to park your car in the valet area to pick something up quickly (like show tickets from the box office) from the hotel a $5 tip will keep your car at the curb for 10 to 15 minutes. This tip is to be presented upon leaving your vehicle.

Hint: On weekend evenings many times the valets will have signs out that say VALET FULL. This we have found to be totally untrue as long as you present a five dollar bill at the beginning of your stay. Just drive up to the valet line pretending that you did not see that FULL sign, flash your $5 and politely say: “Can you squeeze in one more?” We have never been turned away yet –although it could happen. It never hurts to ask! The Mandalay Bay always seems to have its full sign on at the front of the hotel. This happens a lot at the Rio too. Also, our buddy Cheryl told us that if you are a regular valet parker at a hotel/casino don’t be afraid to pull up to a full valet as she found out that, as a regular. they “always” had room for her.

Waiters: 15% to 20% of the bill is customary.

Buffet Servers: Traditionally buffet servers will bring you your beverages and condiments. Most people leave $1 to $2 per person.
Bartenders and Cocktail Servers: Tip $1 per drink every time. If you are playing on the floor and neglect to tip your server, good luck ever getting a second drink or plan on waiting a very long time for one. If you are looking for exceptional service tip $5 per drink/round.

Dealers: Many players don’t tip dealers and many do. What we have seen the most is that when someone hits something good they will flip the dealer a chip. This is done sometimes over and over. Others tip the dealer once upon leaving the table or when the dealer changes shifts.

Slot attendants: We usually give the slot attendant a small tip when we hit a jackpot but from what we have observed most people don’t. If you have a place where you are known it is a good idea to give a small tip now and then to insure fast service in the future.

Cashiers: Probably 95% of customers don’t tip cashiers. If you are well known at a casino it would be a nice courtesy to leave a couple of bucks when you have a big win. In our past experience the cashiers are even happy with a 50 cent tip.

Keno Runners: Most people give a $1 or $2 tip depending on the amount of the win. If it’s a million dollars for instance, maybe you might adjust for that!

Hotel Maids: $1 to $3 per day unless you have asked for extras.

Coat Check: $1 or $2 per item

Bathroom Attendant: $1 to $2 unless you use every product in their arsenal—then give more.

Maitre Ds or Captains: In a restaurant if you see a lovely table with a wonderful view conspicuously empty it is probably reserved for either a VIP or a tipper. You can ask if the seat is available and you will probably get a negative but polite response. If you press a $20 bill (or more for the fanciest restaurants) into his hand the table may suddenly become available or at least another one just as good. This doesn’t always work though. At Prime, the steakhouse at the Bellagio, we were told politely that they were not allowed to take tips. The same thing happened at Olives.

A Maitre D in a Showroom: will definitely take a tip to give you a good table. A good table is usually a spacious booth close to the stage. Tipping the captain or maitre d to get the best table seems to work best if you get there early or late. We usually offer a $20 for our group of 2 to 4. If it’s a busy night or you have a large group you may have to pay more. Have your tip money ready and visible but be somewhat discreet at the same time. If he takes you to a seat that you don’t like ask for another one or point to an area that you would be interested in. This is definitely not a game for the shy—be aggressive but friendly and back it up with money!

Slot Hosts: This is a tricky one. If playing by the house rules a slot host is not supposed to take a tip but we know they do anyway. If you have an efficient, attentive host it is a good idea to do something for them from time to time. Some give something every visit if they only come a few times a year. We have given a Christmas gift but it has to be something nice. If you want to give your host money make sure it’s in a card enclosed in an envelope. Don’t start waving around bills in the casino. We’ve heard rumors of customers that give their host $50 per visit and they get a suite every time. It is true that hosts have some discretion and will do “extra” for you if they like you. In all the years we have been playing we have only run into a handful of great hosts. A good one is hard to find so do reward them in some manner if you want to be treated well when you come into town.