Tipping

Clarkmeister · #1 01-08-2003, 02:31 PM

Anyone else feel like a real jerko if they don't tip on a hand, regardless of how small the pot? Other than hands where I steal the blinds, I feel pressure to tip on every hand.

How to solve this?

pudley4 · #2 01-08-2003, 02:49 PM

Recently I decided to change how I tip. I used to tip a buck from most pots I won. Now, I only tip at the end of a dealer's 30 minutes at my table. I'll only tip if the dealer has done a good job. If they expose cards, miscall hands, are distracted and don't keep the game moving, then I don't think they deserve a tip.

I still feel weird when I win a big pot and don't tip, but as long as I'm consistent, I think it's ok.

Yes, I will tip even if I haven't won a hand during the time a dealer is at my table.

Ed Miller · #3 01-08-2003, 06:57 PM

Hrmm... that's an interesting idea. $2 per down seems like a fair tip to me...

Sooga · #4 01-08-2003, 05:22 PM

Yea, when the pot is super small (blind-steal or something like that), I usually just actively convince myself that I forgot to tip the dealer. Takes some practice, but it's well worth it!

oddjob · #5 01-08-2003, 08:24 PM

you don't have to pretend you didn't tip. i tip pretty well, cause i'm there for fun. the dealers at teh casino are super cool and keep things moving well. a lot of the dealers don't expect a tip if there's no action. in fact a lot of times i'll throw a dealer a tip on a super small pot i didn't expect to win, and they'll throw it back telling me to wait for a bigger pot.

Ed Miller · #6 01-08-2003, 06:53 PM

I feel the same way... I tip on every hand I win as long as there was a flop. I generally play 4-8 as well... where a $1 tip can be a sizable portion of the pot. Then again, I'm not playing to win money (at least not yet)... I'm just playing to get better... and maybe win money in the future.

Having said that... I have to admit that I was a little shocked by the Vegas practice of tipping a half instead of a buck. This does not provide dealers with a very good living...

bernie · #7 01-08-2003, 09:20 PM

"Having said that... I have to admit that I was a little shocked by the Vegas practice of tipping a half instead of a buck. "

i was suprised when i saw that too...in fact the dealer would make $1 change during the hand...it was a 2-6 spread game...

but MK, ask the dealers at mucks if theyd rather deal in nevada? the unanimous reponse i got, from experienced dealers, was 'hell no!" it's well said up here among the staff that nevada/vegas dealers put up with alot more crap for less pay than up here....it was kind of interesting

b

Bob T. · #8 01-09-2003, 05:46 AM

If a dealer gets 40 hands per hour out, and they get $.50 a hand, add in minimum wage, give them three half hour breaks, and I think it all adds up to about 45K a year. That isn't an incredible amount of money, but it also is a reasonable living wage. If you make an occasional buck or two, you are up to 60K. I think that that is at least a fair trade for dealing.

Good Luck,
Play Well,

Bob T.

polarbear · #9 01-10-2003, 05:22 AM

The logic sounds great, but I've figured out it doesn't exactly work that way. I play at the Taj, and here's what happens.

First of all, dealers don't get paid minimum wage, only about $4 an hour. Second, there's no way a dealer's going to get 40 hands per hour out. Maybe at holdem, but more than half of the tables are stud, and there's no way to get 40 hands per hour out at stud. Furthermore, many of the stud tables are 1-3 and 1-5 spread limit, where the games are slower and dealers are lucky to get any tips at all. Add in the few omaha games, where there's no way to get close to 40 hands per hour, and 50 cent tips with $4 an hour will add up to much less than 45K a year.

Glenn · #10 01-10-2003, 05:58 PM

"...will add up to much less than 45K a year. "

Ok, now I tip pretty well in general and am always nice to dealers but how much do you think they deserve to make exactly? The job is easier than most other jobs. 45K a year is more than many policemen, teachers, firemen, etc... make. The fact is that you can become a dealer with a few months training, and all you have to do is deal cards, push pots, and read the board. Yes, it can be stressful at times, but what job isn't exactly? I mean city bus drivers get paid less and also have stressful jobs while probably contributing more utility to society. With current tipping/salary standards, dealers do very well for their level of education. At a decent casino dealers will average $15/hr or much more. Not bad for 2 months of training! With 4 years of good college most graduates will be lucky to start at 45K.