Las Vegas Casino Dealers
I don't like to stereotype. I believe that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. I like diversity, and I enjoy folks who are different from me. After all, wouldn't it be boring if everyone was just like you?
That being said, I do think there are different types of dealers that I've come across in Las Vegas casinos. First, before I go any further, I have to say that most of them are top-notch professionals. I've encountered very few poor dealers, and when I do find one that is not making my gaming experience enjoyable, I just move on to another table. Unless of course I'm winning.
If you don't like your dealer, move on. It's not worth getting upset while you are spending your entertainment dollars. If you have a good experience, remember to tip, especially if you're winning. They all share tips, but it's a nice gesture and very appreciated. Most Las Vegans live on tips, and they work hard for them.
Here are the basic types of dealers and what I like about them:
Friendly Fred/Freda: This dealer is your pal. He or she will root hard for you to hit your point at craps or get a blackjack when that first card is an ace. They'll even pound the table for good luck. These are my favorite dealers because you can tell they love their job. I tip them big, especially if I'm winning.
Talking Tom/Tina: These folks are cousins to Friendly Fred and Friendly Freda, but they are a little chatty. While I like having conversations with dealers, I like them to deal while they are telling me their life story or listening to mine. They sometimes stop the action and I'll keep trying to get them going again. For example, at the blackjack table, I'll keep pointing to get a hit while Talking Tina is telling me that her stepdaughter just had her wisdom teeth pulled. What I like about these dealers, though, is that they are engaged with the players and will usually say something funny to take our minds off of losing money.
Strong, Silent Sam/Sally: These characters have probably been dealing a long time. They are either on their way to becoming a Pit Boss or getting close to retirement. For some, the fun of this job went out with disco. But, I love to try to get them to laugh or smile. Once you open the door and let them know that you don't blame them for what's happening at the table, they will usually let you in.
Speedy Spencer/Sparkle (hey... it's hard coming up with a lady's name that starts with "sp"): They have bought into the casino's theory that the more action dealers can dish out in an hour, the better. I am always amazed at the pace of some dealers, especially in blackjack. It's not so much that they can flip those cards so quickly, it's that they count their own hands like it was nothing. When they are paying out or taking my money, I'm still trying to figure out what happened. But hey, I love a fast dealer if I'm winning.
That's my basic list. If you have thoughts on dealers, please e-mail me and I'll post them here.
Viva,
Mike