One of the most asked questions in tournaments have been "What should I tip the dealers?" I've seen from nothing to 10%, depending on the size of the prize won. So I've made a poll to see what the majority thinks is fair. Keep in mind this is how the dealers make their living and think about what you would want if you were a dealer. Think about how many dealers are splitting the money and how long they are dealing. And another important fact is we want the best possible dealers, dealing the tournaments so we need to compensate them so they will keep dealing the events. Please answer the following poll questions. This feedback will help me determine how to design the dealer’s tips and or appreciation fees.
Tip Fib I think a Fibonacci string could be used for a chip buy up from $500 to $600. For example. A mini tourney 4 rounds $1, $2, $3, and final open no buy up. A $50 tourney 4 rounds $2, $3, $5, and final open no buy up A $100 tourney 4 rounds $3, $5, $8 and final open no buy up The examples show a regression of house vigs first round % wise, but the $100 game does carry a 3% first round increase over house. Instead of a 10% house charge taking entry to $110 it goes to $113 with toke tax. Each advance carrying a tax as your value increases. Of course as a chip buy up so its a choise thing. The final round left up to the players.
TIP or a TAX I see tipping for anyone in the gambling part of the casino as a TAX and not a TIP. Actually, T.I.P. means "TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE". What does the dealer do to improve THEIR performance as it affects me? Such as a waitress or other service personnel do to make your outing more pleasant. In tournament play, everyone should pay a FEE to the dealers as they work very hard and deserve a decent wage. The winners of the tournament should not be the ones responsible for paying the wages of the dealers for the non winners. All particapants should pay the same fee or tax. If you get a 1099 it is based on how much you won, which means you also have 1099 wages for the tip that you are given. That seems fair!!! When I play a cash game, I never TIP the dealer until I have completed my session. If I had a winning session AND the dealers were pleasant, entertaining and ran a good game, I will usually play some hands, just for the dealers, depending on how much I won. 10% is a maximum that I will allocate. I play runs so the dealers have the chance of getting some hefty tips when I have been lucky. Tipping is a tax that the owners have put on you so they do not have to pay a FAIR wage. Tipping is not expected in Europe so why here? This is just 1 man's opinion and should not be controversial but rather the facts as I see them.
Flat rate 3% for tips VS. $5 Appreciation fee Flat rate 3% for tips or $5 appreciation fee? I'll compare both ways to compensate the dealers on 5 different prize pools and breakdown what the dealers would be receiving hourly for each. Situation: 108 players, 5 dealers, dealing 8 hours in each of the following examples. 1) Prize pool = $5,000 a) 3% = $150 - divide 5 dealers = $30 over 8 hours = $3.75 per hour. b) $5 X 108 players = $540 - divide 5 dealers = $108 over 8 hours = $13.50 per hour. 2) Prize pool = $10,000 a) 3% = $300 - divide 5 dealers = $60 over 8 hours = $7.50 per hour. b) $5 X 108 players = $540 - divide 5 dealers = $108 over 8 hours = $13.50 per hour. 3) Prize pool = $20,000 a) 3% = $600 - divide 5 dealers = $120 over 8 hours = $15.00 per hour. b) $5 X 108 players = $540 - divide 5 dealers = $108 over 8 hours = $13.50 per hour. 4) Prize pool = $50,000 a) 3% = $1,500 - divide 5 dealers = $300 over 8 hours = $37.50 per hour. b) $5 X 108 players = $540 - divide 5 dealers = $108 over 8 hours = $13.50 per hour. 5) Prize pool = $100,000 a) 3% = $3,000 - divide 5 dealers = $600 over 8 hours = $75.00 per hour. b) $5 X 108 players = $540 - divide 5 dealers = $108 over 8 hours = $13.50 per hour. As you can see the flat 3% rate varies based on the size each event from way to low to way to high for dealer compebsation. While the dealers $5 appreciation fee never varies. Some players may believe that on a small prize pool the dealers are making to much, but I feel they should be compensated theh same every time. The size of the prize pool should effect the dealers compensation, if they deal the same number of table over the same 8 hours why should they make any less or more based on the prize money? If the prize pool is big enough I'm sure that the dealers will get exrta tips from the winners as well. But I think the appreciation fee is the way to go and be fair to the dealers. This would standardize the compensation for the dealers assuring fair wages and not have them hating the tournament players (as lots of them do and with just cause). It would also eliminate players trying to figure out what a fair tip should be along with the players that don't know they should tip or those who just don't tip.
I do tip 5-10%, usually closer to 10% when I win at BJT. I did 5% last night on a small ($500 final table) Poker tourney. I know I'm one of the heavier tippers for tourneys around, and my dealers thank me for it during regular play...a bit deeper PEN, help on the hands that I just can't remember BS for...or how a shoe's running (get in/out) if I walk up cold. I don't think of that as collusion, just gratitude back. So, even if I know there's a slice or add-on for the Dealers, I still tip something as well.
tipping I think every winning player should tip something. I think there should be a minimum established say 2-3% but tip more based on amount won and on the dealers skill, personality, friendliness, etc. tgun The last tournament that collected in, I tipped $5 out of my $30 win(entry cost $30) while my buudy Lou tipped $25 out of his $70 win.
Wow Tgun, I applaude the generosity of you and Lou but unless I missed something, you both paid $30 entry (total $60), won $100 total combined and tipped $30, net win $10 after tip. Was this a topless pole dancer dealer pit?
"just a couple a crazy guys" Rookie, you got it right. After the tip I won -$5 while Lou won +$15, but we got a combined comp of $50 for a late night snack for us our wives and Dan D. we left another $10 tip. You've probably guessed that the tournament was extremely top heavy(1st or bust). Wish you would have been with us, we had a great time. No money but a lot of laughs. I guess its what tournament bj is all about for us. Having a good time with good people. We need another bj mafia reunion! tgun PS: the pole dancer wasn't hungry!
I replied privately: When I win money at my local tourney, I tend to tip 5-10% depending on prize size and # of winners in the pool. This can be as high as $50 of a $500 take. Yes, I know that's a large slice, but I also know that in one case, there are two dealers dealing the whole tourney for 3.5 hours. And they are missing out on the Floor. If the others in the money don't tip, they are splitting what I just toked, and that's not much for their time.
Treating the dealers fair After putting pencil to paper and breaking down what dealers make from tips, my opinion is to have a $5 appreciation fee from every entry in the 1st round and if re-buys are offered $2 per re-buy. Why should re-buys have to pay an additional fee? Easy, this is an extra chance for all the players who didn't advance from the 1st round. This means extra work for the dealers so if we want the extra re-buy option $2 per player I feel is fair compensation. As long as the appreciation fee is paid and the dealers are taken care of I think tip's should be left up to each player. If you want to tip for each table you advance or only if you make the final table it should be up to the individual player. This way if you don't know to tip or just refuse a tip at least the dealers have been taken care of. Why do I feel so strongly about taking care of the dealers? Because I want the best possible dealers dealing the tournaments, avoiding mistakes and if they are not being taken care of why deal the tournaments if they can make more dealing the regular tables. I see players getting PISSED at dealers for mistakes or not knowing or understanding the tournament rules or why betting, insurance in orders is so important. Why you should not count out another players bet, not understanding dealing rotation (missing 1st base is a biggie). These are problems that can be avoided if we have regular tournament dealers (for the most part) and we can have them if we take care of them. We need to want them to deal, not have to deal. Just my opinion and why, if you disagree post your feedback and please explain your reasons why.
