I'd question why you are even going back, let alone tipping.
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Cash Game Tipping strategy for cash games (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter bg26892
- Start date
This.
It’s one of many why I would avoid casino poker rooms entirely if I could find enough action. There used to be plenty of social hall/home/private games, but in the past few years we’ve had two casinos open within an hour of my home, and these have been slowly drying up. Casino poker I consider a necessary evil... If find well-run unrated, self-dealt private games far more comfortable, fun not to mention generally more profitable. The quality of play may be higher—you don’t get tourists/desperate short stackers—but that is more than compensated by the lack of rake/tipping. In a casino I have to beat the rake and tip rates, not just my opponents.
Jimulacrum
Full House
Full disclosure, I stopped going there a while ago, mostly due to the blatant soft-playing and high rake, but the poor management and lousy dealers were factors too. Mostly asking out of curiosity about how these things might factor into people's tipping decisions. (If it's anything like tipping attitudes in general, I'd bet people would still tip like normal, because not tipping is such a faux pas.)
Last time I went there was during the auction of the property and everything in it. Went from the busiest poker room in the state to a demolition site pretty quickly. A new place that's not a shithole opened up a year or so later, right up the block, and business is booming.
Same here. I prefer decently run home games to casino games by a long shot, for all the reasons you state. And actually, some home games are far softer than casino games. You just gotta hunt 'em down.
As soon as I notice anyone in a cardroom getting away with "reg behavior" (in a nutshell, acting like rules don't apply to them because they rub elbows with floorpeople), my hand is on the doorknob. The rake and tip expenses are bad enough on their own, but it becomes unacceptable to me when you can't even glean the benefits a public cardroom is supposed to offer. At the very least, protect your players against cheating, and make sure your damn employees aren't giving them ebola at the table. FFS.
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I had a situation earlier this year in a casino tournament where one of the venue’s 5/10 regs (someone who previously ran a notoriously dirty private room, now defunct) was commenting on the action of multi-way hands he wasn’t even in. (ex: “Why would you bet that much?” or “You know he has it,” etc.)
After giving him dirty looks and also looking pointedly at the dealer, I finally asked the dealer to remind people about the rules for talking about hands. The dealer looked terrified of crossing the reg and did nothing. The next time it happened, I called the floor, who issued a very tepid reminder “to everyone” about the rules.
The reg stopped until the next dealer came in, then resumed his diarrhea of the mouth. Luckily he busted soon thereafter so I didn’t have to make more of a scene; but I shouldn’t have had to say anything to begin with. That’s the dealer’s job.
Jimulacrum
Full House
I would've been pissed. I can shrug off a guy who makes a remark about a hand in progress once or twice, but doing it habitually—even after being told to STFU—is a whole other league.
I know it's the dealer's job, and secondarily the floor's, and tertiarily the cardroom manager's (plus whoever's in between), but with something that egregious, I wouldn't shy away from running my mouth at the dude. He's obviously not just making an honest mistake or misunderstanding the rules. He knows he is not supposed to be doing it, but he keeps going because he knows he'll get away with it. I hope your cardroom doesn't have a rule against swearing.
Depending on how bad it is, I might even start writing down dates, times, and names so I can send a report to the gaming commission. In retrospect, I kinda wish I had been more aggressive about this kind of thing in the past. I can think of a few instances where a reg ignored a dealer or floorperson who called him out for brazenly breaking clearly stated rules, but he fully got away with it because no one had the balls to enforce the rules beyond a whimper.
JustinInMN
4 of a Kind
As a reg myself, I feel a lot more emboldened to stick up for the rules myself. If someone is talking about hands I will just flatly say "you can't do that, the hand his live."
I wasn't as bold about that stuff as a noob.
Just saying regs can be the solution as much as the problem. Depends on who it is.
(I did dress the guy down at one point, but he just made a shrug and a face like some bratty kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and doesn’t care.)
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I’ve dealt poker and pit games for 10+ years. I trained in some form for 8 of those years. Tips feed the family, and I am thankful for every tip I’ve received over the years.
Dealers build a reputation with players and learn to change based on what table needs. Maybe it’s entertaining today or more serious “head down and deal”. These things can change on a dime, midhand sometimes.
I remember dealing my first BBJ. It was 20k total.
Player A- Winning hand 5k
Player B- Losing hand 10k
6 others- Table shares split 5k
Player A tip $500 didn’t flinch
6 others ave $40-$60
Player B... “how much should I tip”
Players in seat 5 “start at $1,000 and let your conscience be your guide”
After a lot of consideration and advice from his friend in seat 3. He tipped $200
At the time it was a huge let down. I had been dealing about 8 months and had my hopes up. Very quickly I realized that I don’t know this guy and I don’t know his “situation”. I had just made over $1,000 from 1 hand. That’s was pretty freakin awesome. I didn’t judge or treat that guy differently. Some regulars gave him shit for it but I stood up for him. He played pretty regular after that and I was his favorite dealer. Redbirds-o-plenty after that day.
The real point of the story is dealers are human too. They get excited and have high hopes to be part of a jackpot just for the chance at a “good” tip. The good dealers learn quickly and focus on efficiency first. Then the personality can come out a little more. Recognize these things as a player and tip whatever you see fit, even if it’s nothing. But if a dealer is working hard, doing all they can and you still stiff... they’ll thank everyone at the table when they get tapped out but trust when I say they won’t be rooting for you.
Dealers build a reputation with players and learn to change based on what table needs. Maybe it’s entertaining today or more serious “head down and deal”. These things can change on a dime, midhand sometimes.
I remember dealing my first BBJ. It was 20k total.
Player A- Winning hand 5k
Player B- Losing hand 10k
6 others- Table shares split 5k
Player A tip $500 didn’t flinch
6 others ave $40-$60
Player B... “how much should I tip”
Players in seat 5 “start at $1,000 and let your conscience be your guide”
After a lot of consideration and advice from his friend in seat 3. He tipped $200
At the time it was a huge let down. I had been dealing about 8 months and had my hopes up. Very quickly I realized that I don’t know this guy and I don’t know his “situation”. I had just made over $1,000 from 1 hand. That’s was pretty freakin awesome. I didn’t judge or treat that guy differently. Some regulars gave him shit for it but I stood up for him. He played pretty regular after that and I was his favorite dealer. Redbirds-o-plenty after that day.
The real point of the story is dealers are human too. They get excited and have high hopes to be part of a jackpot just for the chance at a “good” tip. The good dealers learn quickly and focus on efficiency first. Then the personality can come out a little more. Recognize these things as a player and tip whatever you see fit, even if it’s nothing. But if a dealer is working hard, doing all they can and you still stiff... they’ll thank everyone at the table when they get tapped out but trust when I say they won’t be rooting for you.
LordFalsate
Pair
I definitely do not tip. If a dealer was to inform me of fish playing I'd consider it.
Even if you were the fish? All kidding aside I am curious why some players choose not to tip.
Disclaimer* I don’t ask to judge its just a curiousity.
Play machines.
LordFalsate
Pair
Do you tip your mail man/women or paper boy for constantly delivering you mail or the weekly paper. Tipping in general for anything is ridiculous. It why most countries simply don't tip for a service where the employee is already being paid.
If im at a home game and the dealer isn't being paid, I tip.
I do take care of my fedex guy. He delivered a lot of packages to my home this holiday season. He always takes care to put my packages in a safe place. He knows I work nights and is extra quite on my front porch. He’s a great delivery guy and he makes an extra effort to do a good job.
In casinos where tipping is not allowed the employees are generally paid more. Who’s pocket do you think that comes from? Contrary to what Daniel Negreanu says... more rake is not better.
In casinos where tipping is not allowed the employees are generally paid more. Who’s pocket do you think that comes from? Contrary to what Daniel Negreanu says... more rake is not better.
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
I wish you all the worst of luck.
Back when I had a paper delivered, I tipped the delivery boy. I have left gift certificates for my postman at Christmas, and have considered doing it for my Amazon driver (though they change rather frequently). We tip the pizza delivery guy... well let's say it's more than generous.
But I get it. You're Donald Trump or some other buffoon that thinks other people were created so they can prostrate themselves for your pleasure.
Seriously, I hope your pocket aces always get cracked.
LordFalsate
Pair
I don't tip dealers for a few reasons honestly.
1. They're already being paid (if you're not making enough as a dealer well it's time to find another job)
2. The first time I heard about tipping a dealer I was 16 years old playing underage at a casino and somebody said to me " you dont tip?" And I asked them "why should i tip?" They responded with well most people tip and i replied with "well I'm not most people and i don't need society telling me what I should and shouldn't do". Most people tip not because its generous, a majority do it because certain societies have set the standard and they simply don't have the courage to not tip. They'll feel embarrassed, or don't want to make someone else uncomfortable. Honestly their is a plethra of reasons. The rich used to tip, now everyone with a wallet likes to tip. Well that's great, I guess that explains the large amount of irresponsible debt per household in north America and I simply choose to not be one of those people.
At the end of the day it's actually quite redundant if people tip dealers as the subject itself isn't objective but subjective. Do what YOU want to do and don't let anyone tell you different.
1. They're already being paid (if you're not making enough as a dealer well it's time to find another job)
2. The first time I heard about tipping a dealer I was 16 years old playing underage at a casino and somebody said to me " you dont tip?" And I asked them "why should i tip?" They responded with well most people tip and i replied with "well I'm not most people and i don't need society telling me what I should and shouldn't do". Most people tip not because its generous, a majority do it because certain societies have set the standard and they simply don't have the courage to not tip. They'll feel embarrassed, or don't want to make someone else uncomfortable. Honestly their is a plethra of reasons. The rich used to tip, now everyone with a wallet likes to tip. Well that's great, I guess that explains the large amount of irresponsible debt per household in north America and I simply choose to not be one of those people.
At the end of the day it's actually quite redundant if people tip dealers as the subject itself isn't objective but subjective. Do what YOU want to do and don't let anyone tell you different.
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
What do you think a dealer's wage is?
LordFalsate
Pair
That would depend on the location
It’s an interesting conversation. I can tell you that most dealers are paid a base wage + tips and the base wage is generally the state or federal minimum wage. We could get into all kinds of debates about that subject but I digress.
Are far as debit in house I have 1 and that’s my home. Besides that I am debit free. I have been for several years. I’m also a very generous topper when the service is great.
You are correct and you should do as you please with your money. I would suggest that not doing it because everyone else does is the same as doing it because everyone else does. You’re letting what other choose influence your choices. If you were willing to think for yourself you might see an opportunity to reward someone for making an effort to provide you exceptional guest service. Similar to a bonus maybe (without knowing your career this may not apply).
Respectfully
Are far as debit in house I have 1 and that’s my home. Besides that I am debit free. I have been for several years. I’m also a very generous topper when the service is great.
You are correct and you should do as you please with your money. I would suggest that not doing it because everyone else does is the same as doing it because everyone else does. You’re letting what other choose influence your choices. If you were willing to think for yourself you might see an opportunity to reward someone for making an effort to provide you exceptional guest service. Similar to a bonus maybe (without knowing your career this may not apply).
Respectfully
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JustinInMN
4 of a Kind
I mean it seems to me if players stopped tipping the house would just raise rake to compensate dealers.
At least with tipping you have a built in motivation to keep games moving. The dealers that get 30 hands and hour will do 20% better than the dealers that do 25. Also we get our say as players as to which dealers deserve extra and which ones don't.
Bottom line we pay either way, with tipping we players get a little more control.
At least with tipping you have a built in motivation to keep games moving. The dealers that get 30 hands and hour will do 20% better than the dealers that do 25. Also we get our say as players as to which dealers deserve extra and which ones don't.
Bottom line we pay either way, with tipping we players get a little more control.
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Alex Lundstrum
Two Pair
Another facet of this is imagine at your job if you worked alone and weren't allowed to talk to anyone. While part of the chit chat is to please guests / earn tips, its also to keep the dealer sane at work. I never dealt poker, but dealt a large amount of blackjack and other carnival games and would have gone insane if I couldn't talk to guests.
I don’t know where anyone said dealers should *never* talk to players.
The real question is, should dealers try too hard to be the life of the party, or focus on keeping the game moving along smoothly?
There are many jobs where this is the case.
The real question is, should dealers try too hard to be the life of the party, or focus on keeping the game moving along smoothly?
There are many jobs where this is the case.
RainmanTrail
Straight Flush
Thanks. I'll be sure to place you on my "do not sell to list".
LordFalsate
Pair
You should try and not be so judgy.
Both. A good dealer should be able to do whatever the table requires. But at the end of the day game protection and efficiency is king. That’s what’s best for the players, the integrity of the game, and opportunities to earn a tip.
Señor Tony
3 of a Kind
Tipping casino dealers is illegal in Australia.
Pay your employees a living wage and no one needs to worry about tips or pay your employees peanuts and have to tip? I know which system I prefer.
Pay your employees a living wage and no one needs to worry about tips or pay your employees peanuts and have to tip? I know which system I prefer.
JustinInMN
4 of a Kind
I really don't think it makes a ton of difference either way. I would probably play either place and I bet about the same amount comes out of my stack either way.
It costs 7-8 bucks to win a max rake pot where I play. Rake is 5, jackpot is 1, plus 1-2 in tip. If the equation were 6 in rake, one in jackpot it wouldn't change a ton.
I don't play in casinos often, and up to this point I've only played tourneys. The first time I cashed, I tipped the final table dealer $20, because I was happy to win and I like to share the happiness.
While I understand peoples issues with the tipping system in general, I don't see why being generous to people serving you is an issue, no matter how much their base wage is. I have a friend who complains about it all the time. I tell him to eat at home, go pick up your pizza, make your own coffee, etc. I'm a generous tipper unless someone is rude, and even then, I often error on the side of being generous (well, my wife makes me
).
While I understand peoples issues with the tipping system in general, I don't see why being generous to people serving you is an issue, no matter how much their base wage is. I have a friend who complains about it all the time. I tell him to eat at home, go pick up your pizza, make your own coffee, etc. I'm a generous tipper unless someone is rude, and even then, I often error on the side of being generous (well, my wife makes me
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