David Mikowski certainly brings the right attitude and personality to the tables of Paris Las Vegas. He’s friendly, outgoing, personable and pleasant—all traits that a dealer must possess to be successful. But he also has gained some insight into what makes a customer happy in the 12 years he has been dealing. After three years of dealing at a tribal casino in Michigan he came to Las Vegas and opened Paris in September 1999. Over the years he has learned that there is so much more to dealing than flipping cards, calling numbers off the roulette wheel and keeping track of the money in play. Mikowski can identify his customers, and knows that with some players the best course of action is to “dummy up and deal,” as they say. But with others, he realizes he is part of the entertainment the customers are seeking. When it comes to the casual gambler who might make only one or two trips to Las Vegas a year, it’s show time. “It’s not as cold of an industry as some people think,” he said. “Most people are here for entertainment and that is where the dealer can make a big difference in bringing people back to the casino.” Encouraging words when a player is having a tough run and sharing in the celebration when a player is winning really make a big difference. “They appreciate it when you are part of the experience and doing more than just dealing cards,” he said. That attitude is what keeps customers looking to play at his tables, and it keeps them loyal to the property. So long as people who possess the same outlook on the industry and the same personality as Mikowski are on the front lines of the city’s casinos, there is no reason to believe the Wall Street worriers who fear that the public will grow tired of Las Vegas.

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.

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