Tipping in Pai Gow Tiles?

I got to thinking the other day after reading the Wiz's Venetian review - Do you toke the dealer when playing Pai Gow Tiles?

By my observations, the majority of the players are Asian, and I just realized that I've never seen anyone make bets for the dealers, or even tip at the end of a session. I know Japanese culture discourages tipping since it emphasizes the individual. Is this a common trait for all Asian countries?

I've usually tipped at the end of a session, since I've been on a successful run of tiles these days, but wanted input from others who play.

-B

tiles and pai gow poker are the two worst tipping games in our casino.

I agree that Asian players tend to be lousy tippers. A black chip player for 2 hours might tip $5 when he leaves the table. Personally I usually make a $10 direct tip when they change dealers, so I get credit from two of them.

Quote: Wizard

I agree that Asian players tend to be lousy tippers. A black chip player for 2 hours might tip $5 when he leaves the table. Personally I usually make a $10 direct tip when they change dealers, so I get credit from two of them.

Never thought of tipping at shift change. I'll have to remember that next time.

-B

I should have added also, that the asian players are much more likely to tip an asian dealer than a non-asian dealer.

Quote: toastcmu

I know Japanese culture discourages tipping since it emphasizes the individual.

Which you would think would encourage tipping in this environment, since dealer tips are shared.

not sure what japanese has to do with tiles????????

Quote: Wizard

I agree that Asian players tend to be lousy tippers. .

They don't tip at bac either, never. Yet their hand is always out for comps, they are constantly bugging the pit about it and holding up the game.

I always tip no matter what game, I generally give the BJ dealers the extra my BJ bet pays, and always toss my average bet before I leave, sometimes I will play an extra hand for the dealer as long as double the minimum isnt too high... in PI Gow Tiles I usually toss one bet since I cant play two $50 hands as Pai Gow is usually $25

Quote: toastcmu

I know Japanese culture discourages tipping since it emphasizes the individual. Is this a common trait for all Asian countries?

I've heard a different explanation: that, since tipping is a reward for doing one's job well and an incentive to keep doing it well, it is seen in Japanese culture as implying the person tipped could possibly do any less than their best, and as such in many cases offensive. Not sure which is closer to the real reasons.
However, the practice of tipping is overall a Western phenomenon, so it's not surprising that other cultures aren't rushing to adopt it even when in Western environments, it just isn't natural to them.

If I play for a few hours, I will always play some hands for the dealer. I usually wait for a win streak and then place a bet for the dealer. They are usually very appreciative. I bet for the dealers in craps too. In both, makes us feel like we are working together.

I don't play tiles, don't know how. But I tip all the dealers in all the games, unless they're particularly bad or nasty. I've never had the occasion not to tip a dealer, though, but that's my policy. I've had occasion not to tip a waitress once, long ago.

I prefer straight up tips to placing bets for them. To me placing a bet for the dealer sort of feels like I'm playing with their money. If I were to bet, say, $5 on pair+ for the dealer and lost, I'd feel the obligation to tip him $5 anyway. Still, next time I play craps, I will place a $1 bet for the boys on the fire bet if I make the fire bet for $5 myself. Can't hurt, and I would tip them $5 or $10 if we lost.

Point is I tip my way regardless of what other players are doing.

Assuming pai gow (tiles and cards) and black jack are roughly 50/50 propositions - in fact, when you bet for the dealer in pai gow, the house does not charge the vig, so it is a 50/50 bet (ignoring the very small chance of a push on one hand). If I would tip $20, I can bet $20 and the expected return for the dealer is the same. Over the course of hours at the table I may bet a few hundred dollars for the dealer - $25 at a time. Chances are the dealer will end up with the same amount and I think it's more fun for both of us.