Tipping CONTAINMENT thread.

[_binglebug_]

I am going to stick my neck out there and post a reply, with the caveats that (a) I am new to twoplustwo and (b) I only read about 50% of the thread.

People may tip (or may not tip) for many reasons, but one very likely reason TO tip for many people is because it is customary. Society is made up of many customs and guidelines, etiquette, whathaveyou that dictates interactions between people. It's not at all a bad thing to do things simply because it's customary nor is it bad to question those norms. Different strokes for different folks, as they say and differing opinions, to me, makes life more interesting.

I play either 2/2 or 2/5 NL. I normally tip at least $1 per hand, even if there is no flop. I guess I've probably tipped up to $25 in a single hand. A dealer's conduct/performance would have to be really awful for me to consider not tipping or reducing their tip. I suppose I probably tip on the higher end in eating establishments, for cab fares, spa services, etc, as well.

Yes, I do these things because it's customary but because I truly appreciate the service I'm being given. I agree that in a perfect world their employer would be 100% responsible for paying them a reasonable rate. But that's not the case at this time.

I will also say that I often increase the tips I give by $1 or so based on the thinking that that $1 would mean a great deal more to them than it does to me. Imagine if everyone did that! And it's not that I'm independently weathly (not even close!). But I believe in doing my part in helping people. I also believe in good karma

Here's what I don't understand: I do not understand all the vitirol for and by people on either side of the issue. But I really, REALLY do not understand the posts by people who say tipping MORE than a certain amount is stupid or ridiculous or [insert insult here]. As long as the person doing it isn't insulting people who don't or calling attention to other people's tipping habits or being rude about it, why does it matter?

~Jen

[2OutsNoProb]

The above is an excellent post.

[_binglebug_]

Thanks, 2OutsNoProb. But I apologize for beating a dead horse. I didn't notice that this was an old thread.

~Jen

[2OutsNoProb]

I was rather surprised you stated that you'd read "50%" of the thread, since it's 2200 posts deep. Also, you're fine posting here, it's not an old thread, it's continuous, has been going for awhile.

[Shwetty Bawlz]

That post by _binglebug_ is so good that it could probably CLOSE this thread!!! One of the best posts IN this thread!

[_binglebug_]

Wow, thanks, Shwetty Bawlz (hee, funny nic ). I appreciate that. And I also appreciate those who think I'm just a silly, naive, GIRL (said with that derogatory tone people can sometimes get lol) who likes to give money away for no reason for not saying so!

Maybe saying I read 50% is kind of a stretch but I did read a whole bunch of it. Sometimes I'm really, really bored at work. And, like I said, I'm interested in people's point of view about this. I actually chopped a tournament a couple of weeks ago and was worried about my tip so that's why I read this thread. I wanted to hear what the dealers thought about tipping.

~Jen

[NYCNative]

Originally Posted by _binglebug_

I wanted to hear what the dealers thought about tipping.

Generally, we like it.

Seriously though, as for a tournament tip, first you want to find out whether the room holds out some of the prize pool for staff and then how much the dealers actually recieve from that.

Don't be afraid to ask this. You should get an honest reply from the tournament director.

Tipping up to 5% is "standard"... Doing so less whatever percentage the dealers already made is also fine... Doing so less your entry fee is fine as well.

Again, these are "standard" as much as they can be. Tipping is a personal thing. If you want to tip more, we appreciate it. If you want to tip less, nobody will stop you.

Congrats on your tournament cash!

[Barbiaux]

So out of the 2200 posts I have read 4 pages so I may repeat things.

1. I hate when someone whines and the dealer responds by saying, "All I do is deal, I don't dictate how the cards come." If they don't dictate how the cards come then why am I tipping them?

2. If I am in the small blind and are deal 2-9 off suit and at the river I am playing the board. If I can bluff my opponent into a fold why is the dealer getting tipped. I understand its for the service but didnt they provide me a ****ty service when they gave me a ****ty hand. I don't think they deserve a tip when I had to make a great move to get paid.

otoh, I am dealt KK and the board reads AK588 and my opp. has A8 I am shipping the dealer and least 3 bucks all day long.

[bolt2112]

Originally Posted by Barbiaux

So out of the 2200 posts I have read 4 pages so I may repeat things.

1. I hate when someone whines and the dealer responds by saying, "All I do is deal, I don't dictate how the cards come." If they don't dictate how the cards come then why am I tipping them?

Players who suggest that I can dictate how the cards come get the same stock answer from me the majority of the time. "If I could control the cards like that, don't you think I'd have all of my relatives and close friends positioned around the room?"

Here are some reasons why you might consider tipping a dealer:

1. It's customary to do so (at least in the US). So much, in fact, that dealers make minimum wage or less in most states.

2. Dealers provide customer service.

3. Dealers keep the game running smoothly.

4. Dealers keep the problem players in line.

5. Dealers make sure that it's a fair game.

6. Dealers entertain you.

I don't guarantee that you'll feel that way about every dealer every time, but those are some possible reasons that you might consider tossing a buck to the dealer the next time you win a pot.

2. If I am in the small blind and are deal 2-9 off suit and at the river I am playing the board. If I can bluff my opponent into a fold why is the dealer getting tipped. I understand its for the service but didnt they provide me a ****ty service when they gave me a ****ty hand. I don't think they deserve a tip when I had to make a great move to get paid.

You can only bluff your opponent if your opponent has a ***ty hand too the majority of the time. The dealer could have given your opponent the nuts, but didn't. Maybe throw the dealer a buck for the assist.

otoh, I am dealt KK and the board reads AK588 and my opp. has A8 I am shipping the dealer and least 3 bucks all day long.

I'm sure the dealer will appreciate the 3 bucks. Just as you appreciate the randomness of being dealt the winning side of a cooler.

[_binglebug_]

Originally Posted by Barbiaux

So out of the 2200 posts I have read 4 pages so I may repeat things.

1. I hate when someone whines and the dealer responds by saying, "All I do is deal, I don't dictate how the cards come." If they don't dictate how the cards come then why am I tipping them?

2. If I am in the small blind and are deal 2-9 off suit and at the river I am playing the board. If I can bluff my opponent into a fold why is the dealer getting tipped. I understand its for the service but didnt they provide me a ****ty service when they gave me a ****ty hand. I don't think they deserve a tip when I had to make a great move to get paid.

otoh, I am dealt KK and the board reads AK588 and my opp. has A8 I am shipping the dealer and least 3 bucks all day long.

I am trying to decide if this post is real. Just in case it is, I have to say that I do not understand this AT ALL. Keep in mind, I am not a dealer. I don't even play one on TV I just believe in logic and fairness. So, how on earth can dealers (mere mortal men/women like you and me) have anything at all to do with what cards are dealt to you, your opponent, or on the board? Huh??? If they had that much power, I truly believe they would be doing something much, much more lucrative with their lives. But also, if you believed they held that much power, wouldn't it be more intelligent by far to encourage them to use it in your favor instead of insulting them, alienating them, and affecting their livelihoods?

You are not tipping for specific cards. You're tipping for the service of getting the cards and the other services bolt2112 mentioned. Seems to me that if tipping has to be, the convention that the winner of the hand tips seems to be the best way to go (if that makes sense).

I mean no disrespect, I just don't get it!

~Jen

[_binglebug_]

Originally Posted by NYCNative

... Congrats on your tournament cash!

Thanks, NYCNative I have cashed in that tournament several times and always tip about 4-5%. This time, they were training a new hold'em dealer and it was the slowest, most painful experience ever! Blinds were 20 minutes and we didn't ever get more than 6 hands a level. He didn't know what a legal raise was, it took an inordinate amount of time for him to figure out the winning hand, and creating side pots was beyond him. Poor guy. I felt bad for him. And, since I know that all the dealers (poker & pit) pool their tips, I wasn't about to penalize the others for his learning curve. Luckily, I'm a well-known regular there and no one minded me helping out

It didn't occur to me to ask if part of the prize pool went to the dealers. I hope it did. They're good guys!

[IHeartEmoKids]

Originally Posted by _binglebug_

I am trying to decide if this post is real.

This is the same guy who came up with a foolproof virtual roulette system. It involved a groundbreaking new strategy known as "always leaving when you're ahead." So yes, his views on tipping are very real and very unsurprising.

[Neil S]

The thing to know when reading this thread is that it's a troll magnet. Some of the angry posting is intentional or intentionally drawn.

[_binglebug_]

Originally Posted by IHeartEmoKids

This is the same guy who came up with a foolproof virtual roulette system. It involved a groundbreaking new strategy known as "always leaving when you're ahead." So yes, his views on tipping are very real and very unsurprising.

hehe awesome! Why didn't I think of that?!?

[vaultuser21]

I'd put a bullet in my brain if I was a poker dealer and had to deal with half the people at the poker room I go to so I usually tip anywhere from $50-$500 for a few hours and $50-$100 for the waitress if they're quick and I have a tab open.

What I really don't like is to hear poker pros talk about how much money they make, then see them tip a dollar.

Maybe that's why I never win at the poker room