That part would be the most worrisome part. Landlords aren't stupid. They know what you are doing in there. In most games you can hear the chips shuffling from the other end of the hallway.

Sure, I get that. But my point in all of this is that, even if they're now "only" stealing $1,500 a night and dumping it back, you can't trust them. For all you know, a guy like that could hire cheats into his own game or even skate with the whole purse after a really bad night.

Like I said, dishonest is dishonest. With the casino, at least all the information is in front of you.

They'd take off if they were getting complaints from neighbors or the landlord started fishing around. But these were mostly apartments in big buildings in Manhattan, owned by larger real-estate trusts with multiple holdings, not small-time independent landlords. They got away with it a lot.

i think the "no white chips" move is more concerning than the rake. thats probably a deliberate move by the house to up tipping. dealers likely run the club too.

These are all interesting insights and have been very helpful. Thanks to everyone except albedoa.

One dollar bills seems like the simplest solution

The house is likely getting a % of the dealers tips in this game. Probably 10- 20%.

This did cross my mind, but:

• I would be the only one
• I would need a stripclub wad in my pocket for long sessions
• It would slow down the game
• It would ruin my table image
• I would be embarrassed
• It would put unwanted attention on me

I would actually rather not go than do that.

1. So?
2. You tip too much.
3. Uh no?
4. How so?
5. Why?
6. Not in the least.

Seriously, not trolling but you're over thinking it. One dollar bills would be the easiest solution. Who cares what others think? It's appropriate.

If you are not bothered by the stigma of being that guy ......

then the solution is to get rolls of $1 coins.

I would just pay "time" for tips as someone suggested earlier. If you are anticipating 30 hands and hour, 10 ways, then you should win about 3 hands an hour at $1-$2 each. I would give the dealer a $5 up-front for that half hour. If there is a nice pot ($2k+), then I would throw him another $5. If you use bills or coins to give $1 tips, you will be kicked out of the game. That is not an acceptable solution. Paying every 2-3 pots is not a real long-term solution either.

The easiest solution of all is to just look at this as rake and base your willingness to continue in this game on those parameters. If the game is profitable enough for you, then the $5 pot-win "rake" should not be a problem.

Just wanted to clarify that a stripclub wad is all singles, so I don't tip a lot. (thus the problem!) Respectfully, I don't get how you don't see the obvious problems with what I listed or why what you suggest is not appropriate in the game I described. In a casino, sure, who cares what others think? But this is an invite-only and intimate situation full of people who will happily toss multiple redbirds on a 3-digit pot.

After reading everyone's input, which I appreciate very much, I think the solution for me is either to play somewhere else, or tip $5 per pot. I have decided to play somewhere else.

Actually, I think you do care what others think in the casino, which is why you tip a certain amount that is considered to be the norm; the difference being, very few players in the casino environment (aside from some of your novices at a $1/2 game) are tipping $4 and $5+ on every pot so you feel ok with it; it's an amount that you could still rise above and be profitable with.

LS, I can't say that I blame you or even question your choice as to not play in that home game again. Sounds like a bunch of dealers running this game if you ask me. Bottom line, there are +'s and -'s to both home poker games and casino poker games and this one had a minus that might be too big to overcome. It would be better if they had a flat fee that everyone pays before they sit down(I played in a NY club that did it this way...no rake/no tipping/).

Anyone consider tipping at the TOP of a down?

What if you get felted the first hand? Or the game breaks for whatever reason?

Would not matter, since then I would have lost $5 (or whatever I tipped) less in the pot. The winner of the pot will be the one that was short-changed, not me nor the dealer
You often knows when a game are about to break, dont tip then, but when the game is doing well, one can tip "in advance".

It is hard for me to imagine that this game is very profitable or sustainable with that rake and a five dollar tip expected every pot... jeez! Seems very short sighted by the host not to allow white chips so players can tip what they want, I can't imagine he would have a hard time finding a dealer willing to work for less than a red bird a pot.

Unless these are people whose opinions or friendships really matter to you outside of this poker game I would try and make it work by being creative with the tipping, and if it doesn't work, oh well. I think a reasonable compromise is to tip upfront every hour or half hour and if they give you grief or ask you not to come back, so be it. Given the rake they are earning off of you, I doubt you will get much push back.