We got new toke boxes yesterday!
The old ones were falling apart. They had a pair of holes drilled into them, and each table had a pair of bolts to mount the boxes...but the holes eroded into shapeless, bigger holes, and boxes would occasionally crash to the floor. On a few of the tables, the BOLTS were stripped, as well. I would routinely place my toke box on the floor next to me at certain tables, and work with it there, rather than risk a broken foot for the player in the 10-seat. Not ideal procedure, but I've always been a "safety first" guy. I figured someone would complain eventually, but no one ever did.
We had a few boxes with "wings" attached to them, that could hook onto the rail. These would never fall--but you couldn't put them where those bolts were in the way (on your right), you had to mount them on the other side (on your left). These boxes were far superior, but we didn't have many of them, and it was tough to get one--and even if you could, many dealers were scared of disrupting their routines by switching sides. I put off switching for years, certain I'd embarrass myself by mindlessly dropping a toke where there was no box to catch it--but since I switched, I was delighted to learn that this is simply not a concern (I'll occasionally start to bring a toke to my right hip, but usually don't get very far with that; and I've never dropped one into a box that wasn't there).
Yesterday I arrived to find an ample supply of new boxes with those wings/hooks. Awsome! Maybe they'll pull those ancient bolts out, and it will be Wings For All, left OR right! The new wings are solid steel, not flimsy sheet metal. These babies will last FOREVER! They're even
lined with felt to protect the wooden rail! Good job by YOU, Management!
I grabbed one of these things and headed for my first table. While waiting to push in, I tried hanging in on a nearby empty table.
It didn't fit.
The rail was thicker than the opening.
I tore out the felt that was glued in there (sorry, Boss). Still didn't fit. I mean, it grabbed the rail, but it didn't seat fully. Felt like it was a perilous dangle.
Aw, man.
But it never fell. I guess it's grabbing ENOUGH of the rail to be effective.
At my second or third table, shortly after I pushed in, the lock holding the bottom of the box closed gave way, and all my tokes spilled onto the floor in the middle of a hand.
YTF: Floor!
SEAT 1: I'll get it.
YTF: Please don't!
SEAT 1: (sits uncomfortably, fighting urge to help, keeps reaching down and stopping himself) I feel like I should do something.
YTF: Best thing you can do, is keep your hands above the rail.
SEAT 1: (relaxes, now that he has a task assigned)
FLOOR: What's up?
YTF: I hate my new toke box.
The floor scooped up what he could, and after the hand, I was able to sweep the last few under the center of the table with my feet towards him for retrieval. He gathered them, then took the box and the money to Box Pile. He returned with a sealed box. I noticed the felt was gone on this one.
YTF: That the same box?
FLOOR: Yes.
YTF: You don't think this is going to happen again?
FLOOR: Highly unlikely. (leaves)
Players expressed surprise that we're going with the same box. "I don't care," I comforted them. "If it blows again, HE has to get down on the floor, not me!"
Later in the down, Seat 1 left me a toke, and placed near the slot for the jackpot drop. "Oh, I'd better not put it *there*, huh?"
"Feel free to use Direct Deposit, if you like," I urged. He did not get the reference, so I invited him to drop the toke into the box himself, since he's right next to it. He did, and enjoyed the experience (again, this guy likes having something to do and being involved, I guess).
"Just don't drop 'em THERE," I pleaded, pointing to the jackpot drop. "There's nothing more heart-breaking than seeing a nice big tip going down The Black Hole." The players chuckled. "yeah, I imagine that WOULD be heart-breaking," allowed one. Another noted, "Yeah, it would be nice if you could use something like that for your toke box."
"Yeah," I pondered. "You never see THAT box break open, do ya? We dealers get the flimsy sheet metal, the house's money is in a box made out of
Space Age Steel!"
(huge LOL from the table. sometimes this job is fun.)