First-time tournament non-gameplay questions

[Ruhr]

I'm going to Vegas next week and I'm considering my first live, multi-table tournament. I'm experienced in limit cash games and know about casino/table etiquette, chip handling and gameplay mechanics etc., but I have some non-gameplay questions specifically about tournament situations.

1. Leaving the table. What if I need to go to the bathroom and can't wait for the break? What if I'm absent when it's time for me to post the big blind--will the dealer take out the appropriate BB from my stack, deal my cards, and I'll be check-folded?

2. Tipping waitresses. I'm so accustomed to giving the cocktail waitress a dollar chip for a tip. Can't do that for a tourney obviously, so I guess everyone just has a wad of one dollar bills and tips cash that way?

3. Tipping dealers. If I were to place in the money, I know I should give a percentage to the dealer(s). Do you tip ALL the dealers who served you that night? How do you tip the first-hour dealer who may not be there anymore, because it's four hours later and you placed in the money late in the tournament (or do they make it a policy to keep the same shift of dealers around?). Say I win US$1000, what do I tip? Do I distribute that amount evenly to all the dealers?

Thanks in advance for your info!

[Slow Play Ray]

1. You'll be blinded/folded (not checked), but try to time your breaks w/ the tournament breaks.

2. Yup, $1 bill does the trick.

3. They generally pool tournament tips. Give your tip to the floor person or the final table dealer, they will take care of it. How much you want to tip is of course at your discretion, but 5-10% should be sufficient.

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1. Leaving the table. What if I need to go to the bathroom and can't wait for the break? What if I'm absent when it's time for me to post the big blind--will the dealer take out the appropriate BB from my stack, deal my cards, and I'll be check-folded?

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Just leave. You will be blinded/folded (there is no check - you cant see a flop if you are not at the table)

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2. Tipping waitresses. I'm so accustomed to giving the cocktail waitress a dollar chip for a tip. Can't do that for a tourney obviously, so I guess everyone just has a wad of one dollar bills and tips cash that way?

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Thats exactly right. OR tip once with a $20 or whatever. Cash is king here.

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3. Tipping dealers. If I were to place in the money, I know I should give a percentage to the dealer(s). Do you tip ALL the dealers who served you that night? How do you tip the first-hour dealer who may not be there anymore, because it's four hours later and you placed in the money late in the tournament (or do they make it a policy to keep the same shift of dealers around?). Say I win US$1000, what do I tip? Do I distribute that amount evenly to all the dealers?

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There should be someone to talk to about this. 5-8% is the recommended tipout. There will be a pool and it will be split between all dealers.

[Ruhr]

Ahh, spot on. Knowing the answers to these miscellaneous questions does lessen the anxiety, going into my very first tournament. Thanks, folks!

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2. Tipping waitresses. I'm so accustomed to giving the cocktail waitress a dollar chip for a tip. Can't do that for a tourney obviously, so I guess everyone just has a wad of one dollar bills and tips cash that way?

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If I am playing a cash game before the tourney I will often keep a bunch of $1 chips to use for tipping during the tourney.

Say you one a major tournament with a million dollar first prize, would you honestly tip 100,000 to the dealers?

[Photoc]

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Say you one a major tournament with a million dollar first prize, would you honestly tip 100,000 to the dealers?

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Say you'pre posting something stupid with bad spelling and got kicked in the nuts...would you say Owwwww?

[midwestkc]

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Say you one a major tournament with a million dollar first prize, would you honestly tip 100,000 to the dealers?

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Say you'pre posting something stupid with bad spelling and got kicked in the nuts...would you say Owwwww?

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nh sir

[swede123]

Unless the tournament is a lengthy one, with deep stacks and long rounds I'd suggest you take it easy on the drinking, which should minimize the need for lengthy restroom breaks.

Swede

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Unless the tournament is a lengthy one, with deep stacks and long rounds I'd suggest you take it easy on the drinking, which should minimize the need for lengthy restroom breaks.

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I can't live without coffee. Holding my breath for the duration of the tournament is more likely.