Tip Randomizing

It is normal for players to make a bet for the dealers rather than tip them directly. Most dealers correctly thank the player whether the tip wins or loses.

Keeping that in mind, sometimes when I'm playing slots and the cocktail waitress delivers me a drink I won't have proper change to tip her. Let's say my smallest bill is a 20. What I often do in these situations is make the following offer to the waitress, "I don't have any small bills, but if you can guess the last digit in this $20 bill you can have the whole thing."

They will always tender a guess, and be wrong 90% of the time. In these cases I say "Sorry, it was a ___. We'll try again with another one next time." In response I often get the sarcastic thank you, that I'm sure cocktail waitresses have finely honed for when they get stiffed. Other times they suggest where I can go get change, toned in such a way that they will be expecting some of it later.

This isn't just cocktail waitresses. When In was in New Orleans I was watching an outdoor juggling act. When it was clear the act was almost over everyone else made their escape, to avoid tipping. However, I stuck around, offered compliments on the show, and then proceeded to look for a few bucks. I didn't have anything small, so proceeded to make a similar offer. The guy made his guess and lost. After I said "sorry" he proceeded to follow me around, suggesting places I could make change. When it became clear I wasn't going to said places I could hear him insulting me in hushed tones.

So, the question for the forum is if I offer a 10% chance to win $20, and the recipient loses, how much credit in thanks should I get?

I think you should be thanked UNLESS you turn down an immediate offer for change from the waitress. Then you are just cheap. In my experience the waitresses usually have a big pile of bills/chips on their trays and will make change if asked.

I also think there is a difference between doing this in a casino and the juggling act situation because the casino is a gambling environment. However, the juggler was definitely out of line by hounding you after accepting your offer and losing.

They don't offer options for getting change before guessing? If they guess first, then I think you should get the $2 in thanks.

Other:

Most waitresses or entertainers that are expecting tips, will also be able to break large bills.

Although you might hate to admit this, some people are NOT gamblers.

If you want to have fun with those people, you can offer a tip, and then a double or nothing wager. Or in the case of the serial number digit, the option of a $2 tip, or the $0 or $20 challenge.

If you don't have the small bills for the tip, then they should get the option of waiting while you find somewhere to break the bill, OR the all or nothing challenge.

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Regarding dealer toke bets:

These are a different story since you have made the wager, and have lost the money. Had the bet won, it is not you that has to pay the higher price, but the house.

In either case, you paid.

While some dealers aren't gamblers, and would prefer to just get the tip directly, there are plenty that have no love for their employer, and love to have the chance to stick it to the man, even if it's just for a couple bucks.

Don't the waitresses usually have a cup full of change/chips on their tray?
I've never worked in a tipped position but I'd imagine I wouldn't give you $2 worth of "thanks credit" either.

I often have that problem tipping the children (yes, children) who pack bags at the supermarket. The usual tip is two pesos per bag. What I do is ask for change, when I have nothing smaller than a 20 peso bill.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Although you might hate to admit this, some people are NOT gamblers.

Most people are NOT gamblers, they just want to make a simple living: providing good services and getting paid / thanks for it. $1 or $2 each can pile up.

Quote: UCivan

Most people are NOT gamblers, they just want to make a simple living: providing good services and getting paid / thanks for it. $1 or $2 each can pile up.

A one shot 10% chance at $20 is not the same as 100% of $2, even if the EV is the same.

Quote: Wizard

Let's say my smallest bill is a 20. What I often do in these situations is make the following offer to the waitress, "I don't have any small bills, but if you can guess the last digit in this $20 bill you can have the whole thing."

So, the question for the forum is if I offer a 10% chance to win $20, and the recipient loses, how much credit in thanks should I get?

You should get credit for wasting her time if she loses, and credit for $20 and some George points if she wins.
A bet for the dealer is different, as dealers get enough bets for them for the outcomes to average out.

I'm not in the service industry, but that's the credit I would give you if I helped you in a way that warranted more than a thanks (say, tweaked your car's ECU for an extra 50 bhp) and that was the payment.

On the other hand, if I offered you to compete for it, in a way that I preferred (and I can see myself making such an offer), whether it is a game of skill or chance, then I would give you credit for the entire expected value.

The difference is that with you and the waitress, you are gambling, and in the hypothetical situation with you and me, I am gambling.

Agreed that some people are not gamblers, but for a cocktail waitress, the Wizard's offer is an excellent deal. If everyone made this offer they would be collecting an average of $2 per drink and the 10% payoff rate is large enough that the variance would be very low over a week of tips. I am guessing the typical waitress delivers at least 30 drinks per hour which would average $480 in tips over an 8 hour shift if everyone tipped by the Wizard's gambling method. If there any any cocktail waitresses reading they can correct me but my guess is the real life average tip is much less than $1. There are occasional big tippers, but there are also a lot of stiffs.

My point being, any waitress that accepted this offer should be VERY appreciative, win or lose, because she should be encouraging everyone to do it.