The psychology of tipping

[zuluking]

I'm having a REAL GOOD night playing 4-8. After 3 1/2 hours, I'm up $564 and cash out. As I leave, I toss the dealer the extra $4 in chips. This is in addition to my regular tipping pattern.

No tip for a small pot.
$1 tip for a medium pot.
$2 tip for a larger pot.

This is the way I've always tipped since the day I started playing.

Back to the good night. This isn't a casino game, its a game in a card room in the back of a bar. There is no rake, which adds to my bottom line over time.

I run into a dealer friend of mine 2 days later (she wasn't there on that good night) and she mentions that the other dealer was grumbling that I didn't tip enough since I won so much and there is no rake. I did quick math in my head and figured that in 3 1/2 hours, I problably tipped him $20-$25, plus the extra $4 at the end.

I'm kinda pissed-off now. I'm thinking I've got 4 choices.

1. Never mention it and continue with my regular tipping ways.
2. Mention it and continue with my regular tipping ways.
3. Never tip him again and tell him why.
4. Never tip him again and don't tell him why.

What would you do in this situation?

Finding another game is not an option. There are plenty of other games around, but this is the softest in town.

[blackaces13]

I wouldn't mention it and I'd stop tipping him $2 for large pots and DEFINITELY never give him any "extra" money at the end. Then again I'm non confrontational and can be passive aggressive.

[Homer]

Well, he didn't complain directly to you, he did so to another dealer thinking that you would probably never hear about it. So, I wouldn't stiff him altogether, which is what I would do if a dealer complained to my face. What I would do in the future is give $0 for a small pot and $1 for a large pot, since he doesn't seem to appreciate your generosity. As long as he is an efficient dealer, he doesn't deserve to be stiffed, but at the same time he doesn't deserve extra if he isn't going to be grateful.

[Ed Miller]

Do what you want, but I suggest that you don't burn bridges. This isn't a big cardroom where there are hundreds of dealers, and they tend to put up with you even if they don't like you (and even then, you'll see repercussions of being disliked occasionally). This is a no-rake game in the back of a bar... if they don't like you, your future in the game WILL be affected.

Is it worth risking your future in the game on the "dealers should be grateful for everything they get" principle? If continuing to play in the game meant something to me, I'd just pretend I never heard nothing.

[MRBAA]

As a recreational player, I'm amazed at how much players hate to tip. I play 4-8 or 5-1O, most often in a club where tips are the dealers only wage, and always tip $1, except when the pot is under $15.

On a monster pot, $1OO or more, I'll tip $2.

So I'm not a big tipper. But I am consistent, and I expect to tip even if the dealer isn't great. Tips are an important part of the pay for dealers and we all know this when we sit down. Stiffing them is not withholding a "perk", it's withholding a portion of their expected compensation. In poker, patrons are expected to pay part of the dealer's wages. It's similar to tipping a waiter or waitress.

Withholding a tip is an extreme action, one I take only when the dealer is awful/unpleasant or hostile.

I think it's seriously misguided to think you have a "right" not to tip as a general practice. If a significant number of people did this, some form of mandatory service charge would probably be imposed to pay the dealers.

That said, in the situation you describe, I think your behavior was fine. The dealer shouldn't be expecting a percentage of your action, just a decent service fee. After all, when you lose, all he loses are your tips, not a portion of your losses.

[SossMan]

How much do you think he would have tipped you if you lost $587 in a 4-8 no rake game?

[mike l.]

seeing as there's no rake you really should tip a little more. id say keep an eye on what other players tip and blend right in.

[Clarkmeister]

Correct. I expect no less from a Noted Poker Authority.

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

I would never tip that dealer again.

[Clarkmeister]

[ QUOTE ]
I would never tip that dealer again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you miss the part where he said "Finding another game is not an option."?

Given that, not tipping this dealer anymore is the biggest -EV play possible.