Tipping

I'm sure this has been debated ad nauseum - but tipping is a subject that I know all about in food service - but in a casino, this leaves me mystified.

My understanding has always been that dealers are making a fair wage without tips. Why tip them for doing their job?

When Mississippi opened up to casinos, I'd heard dealers were going to be making $15 an hour. Seems like a pretty good payday to me.


I can see tipping a cocktail waitress - but a dealer? Only if they are teaching me the rules or are making my gaming session particularly fun.

But - the thing is - I usually play video poker. It never occurred to me to tip anybody if I wasn't getting any drinks. When I play at the bar, I tip the bartender a buck for the water I get. I got a progressive hand pay last month while sitting at the bar. It never occurred to me to tip the bartender based on my jackpot until I read something about Gaming Etiquette at Wizard of Odds website.

Why tip the bartender 1% of a handpay after I've already tipped? That doesn't compute for me. If I run out of bankroll, they're not going to subsidize. It's not a partnership.

Am I just that cheap? to have my attitude? Or am I missing something?

The national average base pay for a casino dealer is $14,700 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but that figure does not include company benefits and tips. More and more casino are working dealers part-time so they don't have to pay benefits and tips are very variable. So dealers get fast food worker pay, before the $15/hr. movement, but with a lot more restrictions and responsibilities.

Yes you are cheap and some people would think you are rude to use up one of the precious VP bar seats just to drink water. However, one man's cheapness is another man's frugalness and if you are happy with your spending habits, then be happy and don't ask for other peoples approval.
http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/629/default.aspx

Quote: zoobrew

The national average base pay for a casino dealer is $14,700 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but that figure does not include company benefits and tips. More and more casino are working dealers part-time so they don't have to pay benefits and tips are very variable. So dealers get fast food worker pay, before the $15/hr. movement, but with a lot more restrictions and responsibilities.

Yes you are cheap and some people would think you are rude to use up one of the precious VP bar seats just to drink water. However, one man's cheapness is another man's frugalness and if you are happy with your spending habits, then be happy and don't ask for other peoples approval.
http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/629/default.aspx

Very good read.

Quote: ukaserex

When Mississippi opened up to casinos, I'd heard dealers were going to be making $15 an hour. Seems like a pretty good payday to me.

That $15 figure was probably the estimated amount, including tips.

I worked as a driver for Dominos about 20 years ago. I got a similar "About $12 per hour" speech. Yeah, that was the estimate with tips. The base pay was $5/hr, plus $1/hr if you put one of their signs on top of your car, plus $1/hr if you worked/helped close. So the max was $7 per hour. Add the tips and I typically ended up with about $12 per hour, just like they said.

Quote: ukaserex

I'm sure this has been debated ad nauseum - but tipping is a subject that I know all about in food service - but in a casino, this leaves me mystified.

My understanding has always been that dealers are making a fair wage without tips. Why tip them for doing their job?

When Mississippi opened up to casinos, I'd heard dealers were going to be making $15 an hour. Seems like a pretty good payday to me.


I can see tipping a cocktail waitress - but a dealer? Only if they are teaching me the rules or are making my gaming session particularly fun.

But - the thing is - I usually play video poker. It never occurred to me to tip anybody if I wasn't getting any drinks. When I play at the bar, I tip the bartender a buck for the water I get. I got a progressive hand pay last month while sitting at the bar. It never occurred to me to tip the bartender based on my jackpot until I read something about Gaming Etiquette at Wizard of Odds website.

Why tip the bartender 1% of a handpay after I've already tipped? That doesn't compute for me. If I run out of bankroll, they're not going to subsidize. It's not a partnership.

Am I just that cheap? to have my attitude? Or am I missing something?

My Dealers make anywhere from $5.15 to $6.50 per hour, depending on how long they've been dealing. I don't know of any dealers, except maybe party pit girls, that make a "fair wage" without tips.




ZCore13

Quote: Zcore13

My Dealers make anywhere from $5.15 to $6.50 per hour, depending on how long they've been dealing. I don't know of any dealers, except maybe party pit girls, that make a "fair wage" without tips.




ZCore13

Minimum wage is currently almost $8 an hour.

I have never been a dealer, nor do I know any well enough to trust what they would tell me as truth, but they got to make at least minimum wage.

Dealers are not considered in the same class as a server/waitress (at least here in Ohio.)

Tip or don't tip. I don't care. As the great Mr. Pink has said (through youtube) on this site and many others, "If she don't make enough money, she can F-ing quit."

A dealers life choices have nothing to do with mine.

When I play, dealers get exactly what they deserve.

$0

Quote: Deucekies

Yep, this again.
Been beat to death several times,
but like Lazarus, will not simply go away.
Saw some quantified numbers this time, made me sad.
Standing for hours, dealing BJ at least, got to be 'worth'
earning a 'decent' wage. Yes, including tips, even though generally pooled and variable.
I depend on these people to allow me a chance at having some fun.
Their proficiency at their task, their demeanor, attitude, friendliness all make a BIG difference in my experience.
Pause and raise eyebrows because they know my play, and realize I just did, or started to do, something that does not fit my 'pattern', because I'm distracted, or overly lubricated, or asleep at the table, all comes into play.
I think a good dealer should make a 'decent' livable wage.
Not ready to have the gubment mandate this, I prefer free market economics, mostly.
So I am always the biggest tipper at my table, red tables of course.
I sit down and throw a green at the dealer. And say something along the lines of "we need to make a deal here".
I throw a couple greens an hour, always, win or lose, But that's just me.
Throw a green, then win a table max bet, I might say "see the dealer will work with you if you work with them", or a dozen similar phrases that really just remind the players that tips are acceptable, even encouraged.
Now the dealers seem to (pretend to at least) like the way I play, and tip, and occasionally suggest 'tipping' in conversation. If I can get the smallest teeny tiny bit of positive energy flowing from the dealer in my direction, I'll take it. I revel in it. I don't have any ill will toward other players that don't tip, none, zero, they have their own life, I have mine.
I know there are at least a couple of people that participate in these forums, that for obvious reasons, choose to be, choose to act, in a way that brings no attention to themselves. Not me, I stick out like a sore thumb. Got nuttin to hide, drop my pants and show my butt regularly. Smile a lot, tip as generously as I think I can afford. Just me.
Everyone has to come to their own terms as to what they think is correct when tipping. All fine with me.

Now tipping at the cage when you cash in, I'm still working on that. I'm conflicted, but I tipped a little the last couple times. Cashier noticed, and said thanks last Sunday, actually Monday morning. It wasn't a lot, think probably cashier saw the denomination. Wasn't sure if cashier really meant "thanks" or was being sarcastic. I'm choosing to believe the thanks was sincere, at least for now.

FWIW since I wasn't there, I suspect the cashier thanks was sincere. Despite them having a jar out most places, I have rarely seen anyone use it.

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

Now tipping at the cage when you cash in, I'm still working on that. I'm conflicted,

I don't tip at the cage.

I don't tip at the bank, either.

Thanks all for your input.

I wasn't looking for anyone's approval - just their opinion.

I suppose some people really do go to a casino for fun. Me, I try to have fun, but when I lose, it bugs me. When I win, then it's fun.

Now that I've been educated on the matter - I'll tip accordingly.

Thanks again.

Quote: ukaserex

I'm sure this has been debated ad nauseum - but tipping is a subject that I know all about in food service - but in a casino, this leaves me mystified.

My understanding has always been that dealers are making a fair wage without tips. Why tip them for doing their job?

When Mississippi opened up to casinos, I'd heard dealers were going to be making $15 an hour. Seems like a pretty good payday to me.


I can see tipping a cocktail waitress - but a dealer? Only if they are teaching me the rules or are making my gaming session particularly fun.

But - the thing is - I usually play video poker. It never occurred to me to tip anybody if I wasn't getting any drinks. When I play at the bar, I tip the bartender a buck for the water I get. I got a progressive hand pay last month while sitting at the bar. It never occurred to me to tip the bartender based on my jackpot until I read something about Gaming Etiquette at Wizard of Odds website.

Why tip the bartender 1% of a handpay after I've already tipped? That doesn't compute for me. If I run out of bankroll, they're not going to subsidize. It's not a partnership.

Am I just that cheap? to have my attitude? Or am I missing something?

No, I think you are summing up that it's getting harder to find people who don't expect a tip for just being part of a business where they interact in some minor way. Truthfully though, it's just as much the customer's fault if we start tipping people for the most minor of activities. People start doing something, and other people start to expect it. Then it's a custom.

I'm at the casinos most everyday. I have come to realize that tipping really adds up even at minimal levels. 1 in and 1 out for the FREE valet. 1+1+1 for a couple of miniature bottles of water and coke that is 75% ice and contains 3 FREE sips. The dealers where do I start. At $2 per hour × 4 hrs. it is not noticed nor appreciated as the dealer looks at it as a few cents due to the pooling effect. That right there is 13 per day or $3900 per year over 300 playing days.
I now more and more am looking for that something extra in the experience or service before tipping. Personally, lately I gain more pleasure in tallying the times I stiff an incompetent service provider and use that money to give to a truly down on their luck street person.

Quote: MaxPen

I'm at the casinos most everyday. I have come to realize that tipping really adds up even at minimal levels. 1 in and 1 out for the FREE valet. 1+1+1 for a couple of miniature bottles of water and coke that is 75% ice and contains 3 FREE sips. The dealers where do I start. At $2 per hour × 4 hrs. it is not noticed nor appreciated as the dealer looks at it as a few cents due to the pooling effect. That right there is 13 per day or $3900 per year over 300 playing days.
I now more and more am looking for that something extra in the experience or service before tipping. Personally, lately I gain more pleasure in tallying the times I stiff an incompetent service provider and use that money to give to a truly down on their luck street person.

Outstanding post, MaxPen. Mirrors my own thoughts and experiences, especially concerning the dealers not appreciating small tokes.

What is this, the 5th thread on tipping? What
can possibly be said that hasn't been said
before.

Let's cut to the chase. People who tip 'get it'.
Those who don't are cheapskates. That's all
you really need to know.

Do we really need to do this all over again?

Quote: EvenBob

What is this, the 5th thread on tipping?

I thought it was an old thread.

Oh well.

Quote: MaxPen

I'm at the casinos most everyday. I have come to realize that tipping really adds up even at minimal levels. 1 in and 1 out for the FREE valet. 1+1+1 for a couple of miniature bottles of water and coke that is 75% ice and contains 3 FREE sips. The dealers where do I start. At $2 per hour × 4 hrs. it is not noticed nor appreciated as the dealer looks at it as a few cents due to the pooling effect. That right there is 13 per day or $3900 per year over 300 playing days.
I now more and more am looking for that something extra in the experience or service before tipping. Personally, lately I gain more pleasure in tallying the times I stiff an incompetent service provider and use that money to give to a truly down on their luck street person.

Great post! Tipping will always be a hot button issue and I find your common sense take on it quite refreshing, Electing not to tip a dealer hardly makes one cheap. Many simply don't deserve a tip. If you tip only those who deserve you are smart not cheap.

The smart dealer doesn't sweat tips. The smart dealer doesn't hustle, berate non tippers or otherwise attempt to intimidate players into tipping. The smart dealer lets the tips take of themselves and they always do.

Many say that, no matter your action, $5 an hour is the expected tip. That would more than double your $3900 yearly estimate. Speaking of that, there's someone here who says he tips two green chips or more every hour whether he wins or loses while betting red chips. I wonder how many hours a year he plays.

Quote: 1BB

Great post! Tipping will always be a hot button issue and I find your common sense take on it quite refreshing, Electing not to tip a dealer hardly makes one cheap. Many simply don't deserve a tip. If you tip only those who deserve you are smart not cheap.

The smart dealer doesn't sweat tips. The smart dealer doesn't hustle, berate non tippers or otherwise attempt to intimidate players into tipping. The smart dealer lets the tips take of themselves and they always do.

Many say that, no matter your action, $5 an hour is the expected tip. That would more than double your $3900 yearly estimate. Speaking of that, there's someone here who says he tips two green chips or more every hour whether he wins or loses while betting red chips. I wonder how many hours a year he plays.

That green chip tipper, me 2F.
It currently is 1or 2 per hour, in advance. I tip when I buy in, says to Dealer I'm a tipper. I often tip as the dealer changes, so they both see, double bang for my buck.
Play red chip tables only but avg wager is at about black.
And only play 100 or so hours a year, she keeps me on a short leash, definitely no more than 200 a year, so far ;-)
I tip dealers more, that I like more, several things go into that perception.
This is not advice to anyone, my advice would be to listen carefully to the other, more experienced, players here.
But I do have fun playing......I may have to scale back some based on opinions read here.

Quote: MaxPen

I'm at the casinos most everyday. I have come to realize that tipping really adds up even at minimal levels. 1 in and 1 out for the FREE valet. 1+1+1 for a couple of miniature bottles of water and coke that is 75% ice and contains 3 FREE sips. The dealers where do I start. At $2 per hour × 4 hrs. it is not noticed nor appreciated as the dealer looks at it as a few cents due to the pooling effect. That right there is 13 per day or $3900 per year over 300 playing days.
I now more and more am looking for that something extra in the experience or service before tipping. Personally, lately I gain more pleasure in tallying the times I stiff an incompetent service provider and use that money to give to a truly down on their luck street person.

IMO, $2/hour is hardly tipping. Unless your EV is very little, I can't imagine $13 for 4 hours of play would be a significant amount.

If you really wanna cut down on tipping, don't valet. Drink water before going to the casino. After some time, order 2 waters and tip $1 for them. That should reduce your expenses from $5/trip to $1/trip, or $1200/year.

If you're playing a game worth $100/hour, I'd tip ~$5/hour to the dealers. $20/session for dealers, $1/session for water, or $21/session. That's $6,300 a year. If you're playing a game for $100/hour in EV, that'd mean you're tipping 5.25% of your EV.

A great way to tip is by getting others to tip. Perhaps before a round say, "Alright everyone, let's put a bet out there for the dealer!" or if someone is coloring up [and about to stiff the dealer], make a comment, "Don't forget to tip the dealer." If it works and players start betting for the dealer, it's almost always an instant thank-you recognition from the dealer, whether they thank you verbally or give you a "Hey, thanks for helping me" kind of look/gesture. A good while ago (playing craps to kill some time), I got my entire side of the table to put $1 on the pass line for the dealers. No one else knew about tipping or anything. It cost me probably $4-5 in tips, but after playing a short while I colored up and left. Few days later I was walking through the pit, dealer called me over, and apparently those players continued making bets for the dealers for the next hour or so.

More recently, playing blackjack, I'd put out $1 every now and then for the dealer. After winning a good percentage of my hands, with some BJ's mixed in, another player made the usual ploppy comments as to why I kept winning and he kept losing. Tried to get him to bet for the dealer and he wouldn't. He eventually went bust and left, so it was just me and dealer, heads up. Dealer seemed to appreciate me trying to get the other player to tip more than he appreciated the $10 I had tipped in the last hour or so. And of course (well not of course, but..), I never once got a checks-play or black-action call on me. I figure the dealer knew what I was doing since he seemed somewhat intelligent.

Dealer selection: In my opinion, you don't want the old fat grumpy looking dealer (he probably deals really slowly, anyway), or the old Asian lady (probably can't understand her). I'd look for a younger and happy looking dealer, likely will be more appreciative of your tips. You don't want the grumpy guy to not like you because you're under-tipping -- word spreads pretty fast in the employee break-room as to who's tipping and who's not. The unnapreciative dealer is more likely to mention you're a stiff....while the more appreciative dealer probably thinks you're just a lousy tipper, but since you're at least tipping, isn't going to make comments about you under-tipping.

Dealers don't like stiffs -- and bosses don't like stiffs either. Someone who tips at least a small amount (more than $2/hour -__- ) is more likely to get the benefit of the doubt when something weird happens, whether it's up to the dealer's discretion or boss's discretion. If the boss at least sort of thinks you might be a half-way decent person (ie: he likes you), lower chance he's going to think you're up to something and get your play reviewed.


Of course, YMMV: It's going to be a different scenario if you're playing at a station casino versus a strip casino.

You see, the post RS just made (above), things like that were what I wanted everyone to read.
My advice still stands, read carefully the words of the other, the more experienced, players who post here, meaning not mine.
Great stuff!

Why wouldn't $2/hr be a good tip? A full table has 7 spots. All 7 people do that at it's $14/hr in tips alone. $14/hr over the course of a full year is pushing 30K in tips

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

That green chip tipper, me 2F.
It currently is 1or 2 per hour, in advance. I tip when I buy in, says to Dealer I'm a tipper. I often tip as the dealer changes, so they both see, double bang for my buck.
Play red chip tables only but avg wager is at about black.
And only play 100 or so hours a year, she keeps me on a short leash, definitely no more than 200 a year, so far ;-)
I tip dealers more, that I like more, several things go into that perception.
This is not advice to anyone, my advice would be to listen carefully to the other, more experienced, players here.
But I do have fun playing......I may have to scale back some based on opinions read here.

We're all different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. All I need is for the cards to be dealt. I'm not looking for a buddy or a date or any type of schmoozing. Just deal the cards. If the dealer wants to talk that's fine but I'll be darned if I'll pay him to do so.

I don't need any bang for the buck that costs me 5K a year in tips. I pay attention, play by the rules and am always aware. I'm not going to attempt to hit my 16 against the dealer's five so I don't need him to save me. Questionable decisions just don't occur that often. Whenever I hear 'benefit of the doubt' I sincerely hope that it is not a euphemism for cheating. I will never play with a dealer who cheats for me so I will tip and there have been more than a few.

I do have a little experience. I have been playing blackjack very successfully all over the world for over 40 years, 15 of them as a full time professional.

Quote: 1BB

We're all different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. All I need is for the cards to be dealt. I'm not looking for a buddy or a date or any type of schmoozing. Just deal the cards. If the dealer wants to talk that's fine but I'll be darned if I'll pay him to do so.

I don't need any bang for the buck that costs me 5K a year in tips. I pay attention, play by the rules and am always aware. I'm not going to attempt to hit my 16 against the dealer's five so I don't need him to save me. Questionable decisions just don't occur that often. Whenever I hear 'benefit of the doubt' I sincerely hope that it is not a euphemism for cheating. I will never play with a dealer who cheats for me so I will tip and there have been more than a few.

I do have a little experience. I have been playing blackjack very successfully all over the world for over 40 years, 15 of them as a full time professional.

Wise words, thx.
Do you still have fun when you play?
I always thought my work should be fun, tried to always make it fun, with some (very) limited success.
I think Jacque Cousteau had fun while working, not always, but frequently.
I wanted to be Jacque Cousteau once.
I settled for what I could find.

Quote: 1BB

I do have a little experience. I have been playing blackjack very successfully all over the world for over 40 years, 15 of them as a full time professional.

The reason you ended up here?

I'm just more into saying, "I did this here, it's a formula/idea with my name on it. It has meaning in the real world. My life added up to something."

Reminds me of The Outer Limits episode, "The Sandkings".

Quote: DoubleOrNothing

The reason you ended up here?

I'm just more into saying, "I did this here, it's a formula/idea with my name on it. It has meaning in the real world. My life added up to something."

Reminds me of The Outer Limits episode, "The Sandkings".

Do you mean ended up on this forum? I'm not familiar with the Sandkings.

Here doesn't necessarily mean "somewhere".

Can't delete duplicate posts on this site?

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

Wise words, thx.
Do you still have fun when you play?
I always thought my work should be fun, tried to always make it fun, with some (very) limited success.
I think Jacque Cousteau had fun while working, not always, but frequently.
I wanted to be Jacque Cousteau once.
I settled for what I could find.

Yes, it's fun and always a challenge. It's much more fun when you don't have to depend on it though. I've met a lot of interesting people and forged some lifelong friendships.

I still don't like casinos and don't hang around them as a rule. I go from the car to the table and back to the car. If my wife accompanies me, I'll sit with her while she plays her favorite slot and maybe get a bite to eat.

I won't go so far as to say that I share Grosjeans opinion of casinos but I can certainly sympathize with him.

Quote: 1BB

Yes, it's fun and always a challenge. It's much more fun when you don't have to depend on it though. I've met a lot of interesting people and forged some lifelong friendships.

I still don't like casinos and don't hang around them as a rule. I go from the car to the table and back to the car. If my wife accompanies me, I'll sit with her while she plays her favorite slot and maybe get a bite to eat.

I won't go so far as to say that I share Grosjeans opinion of casinos but I can certainly sympathize with him.

Fair enough.
I think I like to read your words here, not always - just usually.
Don't confuse that with a man crush or anything (bad joke).
That's probably much better than the members say about my 'words',
And rightfully so.

You have a nice day.
If this one's already shot all to hell, then wishing you good tomorrows.
Salute..... 2F

Quote: RS

A great way to tip is by getting others to tip. Perhaps before a round say, "Alright everyone, let's put a bet out there for the dealer!" or if someone is coloring up [and about to stiff the dealer], make a comment, "Don't forget to tip the dealer."

TOTALLY inappropriate.

If I remember correctly, you are a former dealer or something, so I am not surprised at your position on this subject, but it is totally inappropriate for another player to be toke hustling just as many dealers are. If you want to tip fine, but don't tell other players what to do, just as you better not attempt to tell me how to play my hand.

When you go to a restaurant, do you take it upon yourself to tell other patrons what they should tip the waiter/waitress?

Quote: kewlj

Quote: RS

A great way to tip is by getting others to tip. Perhaps before a round say, "Alright everyone, let's put a bet out there for the dealer!" or if someone is coloring up [and about to stiff the dealer], make a comment, "Don't forget to tip the dealer."

TOTALLY inappropriate.

If I remember correctly, you are a former dealer or something, so I am not surprised at your position on this subject, but it is totally inappropriate for another player to be toke hustling just as many dealers are. If you want to tip fine, but don't tell other players what to do, just as you better not attempt to tell me how to play my hand.

When you go to a restaurant, do you take it upon yourself to tell other patrons what they should tip the dealer?

I'm going to venture that the last word of your post was meant to be waitress?

Quote: Greasyjohn

I'm going to venture that the last word of your post was meant to be waitress?

Yes. Fixed. Thanx.

Quote: Greasyjohn

Quote: kewlj

Quote: RS

A great way to tip is by getting others to tip. Perhaps before a round say, "Alright everyone, let's put a bet out there for the dealer!" or if someone is coloring up [and about to stiff the dealer], make a comment, "Don't forget to tip the dealer."

TOTALLY inappropriate.

If I remember correctly, you are a former dealer or something, so I am not surprised at your position on this subject, but it is totally inappropriate for another player to be toke hustling just as many dealers are. If you want to tip fine, but don't tell other players what to do, just as you better not attempt to tell me how to play my hand.

When you go to a restaurant, do you take it upon yourself to tell other patrons what they should tip the dealer?

I'm going to venture that the last word of your post was meant to be waitress?

Going out on a limb here, never know when to keep my big mouth shut.
There are lot's of different opinions here. Sometimes those opinions are purely based on the position of the opinionator.
That is to say, an AP player might have one viewpoint, and a casino employee might have a very different viewpoint, both on the same subject, and they might BOTH be correct. The correctness depends on the viewpoint. One size rarely fits all in the real world. Both sides of a debate can 'actually' be right, in some instances. So debate continues. Why would you stop if you're right, and you know you're right. The same goes for the other side....

Tipping is for suckers. I tip nobody! Plain and simple.

Quote: kewlj

it is totally inappropriate for another player to be toke hustling just as many dealers are. If you want to tip fine, but don't tell other players what to do

It only works on civilians, anyway.

Some of those civilians seem to be under the impression that all the dealers have gotten their mortgages paid off as tips from whales, not realizing that there are still one or two new dealers that are struggling, and a few extra dollars an hour into the pool would help a fair amount.

Quote: RS

A great way to tip is by getting others to tip. Perhaps before a round say, "Alright everyone, let's put a bet out there for the dealer!"

At my local place, the way I usually see this is one guy will change red for dollars, and place $1 out in front for everyone playing (plus recyclers on top of his own bet).

I object to that a lot less, and it seems to get things flowing better when the dealer thanks the whole table for the tips.

Quote: Dieter

It only works on civilians, anyway.

Some of those civilians seem to be under the impression that all the dealers have gotten their mortgages paid off as tips from whales, not realizing that there are still one or two new dealers that are struggling, and a few extra dollars an hour into the pool would help a fair amount.

+1

Quote: Dieter

It only works on civilians, anyway.

Some of those civilians seem to be under the impression that all the dealers have gotten their mortgages paid off as tips from whales, not realizing that there are still one or two new dealers that are struggling, and a few extra dollars an hour into the pool would help a fair amount.

The dealer having trouble paying his mortgage is free to go find another higher paying job or take a part-time job or even buy a house that he can actually afford off his salary.

I don't mean to be harsh, but dealer is a low paying, low skill job. The dealer knows this going in, but then wants to cry that they are not making enough money and 'expect' a handout from patrons. (the word 'expect' is key to this discussion). I really don't see it as any different than anyone else asking for handouts.

Now we have McDonalds employees, unskilled, and frankly not worth much, crying that they need a raise in minimum wage to $15 and hour, which will effect us all in higher prices. Give me a break. People and that includes dealers need to take responsibility for their own actions and that includes career choices along with educational choices that put limits on their career choices and earning potential.

If you are not happy with what a dealer makes or what a McDonalds worker makes, find a better job. Don't just stick out a tin cup for me to support you.

I am actually a very compassionate person and I believe I give generously both financially and donating my time and effort to those less fortunate. But I do so on MY terms. I am not going to have dealer toke hustling me at the tables and that has been my experience.

Quote: kewlj

I don't mean to be harsh, but dealer is a low paying, low skill job. The dealer knows this going in, but then wants to cry that they are not making enough money and 'expect' a handout from patrons. (the word 'expect' is key to this discussion). I really don't see it as any different than anyone else asking for handouts.

... and just like anyone else asking for a handout, you're free to say "yes" or "no" according to whatever criteria you like. And if that's "You know, I would have toked a few bucks, but since you tried to hustle me for a toke, NO", so be it.

And the dealer tipping debate continues, again, for forever perhaps.
Maybe we should ask all form into 3 lines:
Tip more
Tip less
Tip? What is that?

Or:

One of the more respected members should start a poll, maybe.
Include Lot's of options.
One should be 'to each his/her own" IMO....yep you do it, then you own it.
Just my $0.01 worth ( on a budget ).

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

Sometimes those opinions are purely based on the position of the opinionator.

"You tell me whar a man gits his corn pone, en I'll tell you what his 'pinions is."
- Not exactly a Mark Twain quote. It was Mr Twain quoting a country philosopher of his youth.

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

And the dealer tipping debate continues, again, for forever perhaps.
Maybe we should ask all form into 3 lines:
Tip more
Tip less
Tip? What is that?

Put it above "Favorite Monopoly Piece" in the profile settings.

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

And the dealer tipping debate continues, again, for forever perhaps.
Maybe we should ask all form into 3 lines:
Tip more
Tip less
Tip? What is that?

Or:

One of the more respected members should start a poll, maybe.
Include Lot's of options.
One should be 'to each his/her own" IMO....yep you do it, then you own it.
Just my $0.01 worth ( on a budget ).

I'm not sure everyone realizes how many tipping threads we have here. It looks to be several dozen. If it hasn't been said by now, it probably isn't worth saying.

Tip whatever you like. As I said, it all works out. Guys like you make up for guys like me and Ibeatyouraces. Anyone who hasn't read the other threads can look them up and be entertained for hours.

Quote: 1BB

I'm not sure everyone realizes how many tipping threads we have here. It looks to be several dozen. If it hasn't been said by now, it probably isn't worth saying.

Tip whatever you like. As I said, it all works out. Guys like you make up for guys like me and Ibeatyouraces. Anyone who hasn't read the other threads can look them up and be entertained for hours.

I doubt anyone will connect the fact that I'm playing like a possessed madman, tipping same, while you and that other guy are robbing the bank, it's a great concept, not sure how to turn it into a functional plan. I'm thinking, I'm slow....

Quote: EvenBob

What is this, the 5th thread on tipping? What
can possibly be said that hasn't been said
before.

Let's cut to the chase. People who tip 'get it'.
Those who don't are cheapskates. That's all
you really need to know.

Do we really need to do this all over again?

In this thread your post stands out. Succinct and true. And for all of you that think I should have included an "IMHO" I can only say that it is already obvious.

Dealers from East Coast getting paid 5.15/hour + tips (pool)
Dealers from Vegas getting paid anywhere from 7.00 to 9.50/hour + tips (pool)

So to make it short, dealers depend on tips to make a living otherwise they'd starve.

I always tip when I play, 2 ways wager is always a good bet even when I'm losing. I tip a whole lot more when I win. But in the end, it's not always about tip when winning it's about the service. They work for tips for a living and I don't feel right to have them bend over hundred times an hour for nothing. Everybody gotta eat, you go to a restaurant and you tip 15% of your meal or more if you like the service. Same as gaming, you should tip for their dealing service. Just my 2 cents.

Quote: Gabes22

Why wouldn't $2/hr be a good tip? A full table has 7 spots. All 7 people do that at it's $14/hr in tips alone. $14/hr over the course of a full year is pushing 30K in tips

Yes, you're right in this example, but think of all the times the dealers stand at an empty table or a table with only a couple players. Taking that into account the dealer would make much less than $30,000 a year.

An orangutan could deal blackjack if it could be trained to say "insurance?"