Hi!  This Q3 representing Coast With Spencer Q.  Life is good.  I'm getting an understanding of how things work on eBay and some excellent advice from other friendly eBay members, one of whom saved me from a possible financial disaster.  Honesty is still out there. . . .

I put 4 poker manuals up for bid.  I have these because I was a Blackjack dealer, I do not, however, know how to deal Roulette and Craps.  But I'll getcha at Blackjack!  Nah, just kidding, I was a player's dealer.  Of course people think you are smack talking for tips, but I truly wanted my players to win, have fun and seek my tables, which I call that repeat business on a very small scale.  I was always polite to my players; pleases and thank yous, change out ash trays, collect garbage off my table and neaten it(more for my own benefit cuz I'm a neat freak) things up a bit to give people elbow room.  The very first thing I would do is tap into a game and say "Hi!" to my table, and treat my regulars with a little extra, ya know, "How's the family?" sort of thing.  But no matter the table and if they heard me or not, I did greet every table.  What it all boils down to is that as a dealer I want you to share the wealth, so I do all these extras and maintain a polite easygoing manner, all to get stiffed in the end.  And frankly, dealers don't care how much you are up or down, just share the wealth.  If I had one of  those sharers on my table, I worked for them and put all my good karma into them winning, cuz I want some to. 

My attitude was to approach the table in a friendly manner, maintain my composure and pretend to not hear people talking about me as if I don't exist.  Whether they returned my greetings or used their manners or most of the time not, I kept it up for them the whole time.  Why?  What if they were going to tip upon coloring up and leaving and from that point decide you are an unfriendly dealer and stiff you.  Usually it is the player in a snit, so it is they're problem.  The dealer who makes it their problem also, should not.  When a simple problem escalates, that is what the pit boss is for.  In an ever-pleasant tone of voice, when calling and explaining the situation to the boss and then letting them handle it from there.  Before the boss would get there, I would let them know that it is "No big deal and the problem will be solved to their advantage, after all, it's probably my bad and I appreciate you catching the error right away so I can provide better customer service."  No eye rolling, no grunting, or arguing with the boss.  It's the casinos's money, people make mistakes on both sides of the table and nobody should feel bad or apologetic about that.  It was never an issue with me to resolve a customer problem.

The dealers get tired and bored--an 8 hour day is a long day dealing with sour attitudes and standing.  I realize this is not the player's problem, but you may get a friendlier dealer simply by being nice to them, finding a way to relate as we do our customers.  No matter what you toke the dealer, it is appreciated, cuz every little bit counts.  If the table is serious and quiet, high stakes, then that's how I play, but keep the personal touch there, manners, clean table, tones of voice, etc.  Some dealers go the extra mile cuz they want to make that toke.  Other dealers could care less, so those of us who do, pull their weight in toking.  They get discouraged, all that time and energy wasted on a table and not even earn a $1 on a 1 hour table. 

Feel free to approach a game and ask for a rules brochure.  Watch the game a little a follow the other player's leads.  Friendly dealers will see you lingering and ask you if you want to jump in and then are more than happy to show you how to play the game, and usually the other players don't mind either.  Feel free to ask questions.  No question on a high security card game is stupid.  If you aren't sure, ask.  You'll find that if you use a pleasant tone of voice and treat them with the same respect with which you want to be treated, you will get a nice response and a full feel for the dealer once they have warmed up to you.  Tip them on the first hand you win and do it frequently.  When that dealer sees you working for them, they will try to return the favor with good karma on the cards, and I saw some bizarre coincidences in the way of both saving a player or destroying someone.  Rude and uptight must leave or they break the positive fun energy that comes with card playing, so we want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Tip your dealer!!!!!!  Even if you didn't win a lot, at least tip the dealer for their time and energy and friendliness.  If that didn't come with the deal, stiff  'em.

When approaching a table where the player is playing one on one with the dealer and it is going well or if it is a table of four and it is going well, ask if they mind if you jump in, if not, you will be glad to wait it out until the next shoe or to help straighten out a cruddy shoe.  Just courtesy and respect.

Asians are not Orientals.  They are Asian, but there are many different nationalities.  Oriental describes an object. 

Don't ask the dealer the impossible or make stupid little comments, cuz we've heard them all day in and day out, 40 hrs/ week.  They are old and lame.  Think of something new and not directed at the dealer.  Also, quit your gripin'!!!!  You know darn good and well who's putting their money on the table an losing it, not having it taken, losing it.  If you don't want to lose it, then you probably shouldn't be gambling and jonesers are obnoxious.  Tip the dealer!

Start a good working relationship with your dealer and luck will be with you, but the only way to do that is to TIP you dealer!!!!  And you are only a winner if you leave with your winnings.  Oh, and getting more and more angry and upset, the more you lose.  When it gets to that point, go home, cuz the dealers could care less if you win, lose or draw, as long as you are tipping!!!!!

Give it a try.  You'll see what I mean.  The dealer is the casino's worst enemy, cuz we are working for tips and none of counts to any department but the dealers. 

Thanks for reading this.  I hope this clarifies some things about dealers and approaching a table and then grabbing onto genuine good karma and takin' the free ride!  Just you and your dealer. . . .

Thoughtfully,

Q3