You can think of the cashier as a bank teller.
The cashier (commonly referred to as the “cage” because of its security bars) is where you will go to cash out your chips and machine vouchers (TITOs) and get change for your large bills.
Some casinos combine their cashier with their players club, whereas others keep them separate. Either way, if you have chips or vouchers you want to cash out, you’ll want to stop by the cashier (or cage) before leaving.
You’ll quickly get the hang of the cashier, as long as you remember to stand in the long line, wait until you’re called up, set your money on the counter (rather than handing it to the cashier), and wait to collect your money until they’re done re-counting it.
Sergio’s Scoop
Stay in your lane
Most cashiers have multiple lines roped off, with one direct line, and one meandering line. Unfortunately for us low rollers, the short line is reserved for people who have reached a higher tier with their players card, so get comfortable in the rope maze that corresponds with your card level.
When you get to the front of the line, resist the temptation to excitedly run up to the counter and wait until the cashier waves you over; sometimes they will call people over from other lines, and it’s awkward if you try and go prematurely and they have to send you back.
Have your ID ready
If you look young like me, have your ID ready when you get to the counter. The cashiers are supposed to ask for them if you look young, so it makes it easier for them if you don’t have to dig in your wallet for it.
Set your cash on the counter
Since they handle thousands of dollars, the cashier is heavily scrutinized by video surveillance. Because of the possibility of theft, you can’t hand them anything directly. When you go to break a bill or cash out chips, place them on the counter and slide them towards the cashier. They will then pick it up, count out your money in a way where each bill is clearly visible to the cameras, and then slide it back towards you. Wait until they are done counting it out (you’ll know because they will verbally count it and then wave/shake out their hands) to collect your money.
Ask for your preferred denomination
The cashier may ask how you would like your change, especially if you are cashing out an amount that is divisible by lots of amounts. If you request your change “large” they will give you the biggest denominations available. Otherwise, they will usually default to $20 bills or $100 bills.
Many gamblers consider $50 bills to be bad luck, so you have to specifically request them (and sometimes the cashier is out of them).
You can request any combination. For example, if you were cashing out $100, you could request a single $100 bill (large), two $50 bills, four $20 bills and twenty $1 bills, or one $50 bill with one $20 bill and one $10 bill and one $5 bill and five $1 bills. This can be useful for getting change for tips.