That said, we are a country where tipping is customary in many places. And unfortunately, we probably have a large part of the population who is not well-versed in “customary”. My Dad is 78 and still thinks a good tip at a restaurant is a few bucks. That, on an $80 bill. You have no idea how many times myself or the good Dr. have to go behind his back and leave the rest. But that doesn’t mean my dad is a horrible guy or should be villified. He lives on a farm. Goes out to eat like 6 times a year. He doesn’t “live” in society enough to have kept up on tipping guidelines. Doesn’t read the internet (or have internet). Watches local Wisconsin news.

Maybe it should be on the casino to set some expectations, if it is customary, so that the folks who aren’t as educated or come from some other place, casino, etc. at least know the minimum expectations.

After that, its up to the individual to live up to the expectation.

But at the end of the day, it’s still an option. Unless someone makes it mandatory.

But because of this, you shouldn’t have to tip when you win, because you already did. Everyone did.

$50-$60 per dealer is good as well. But this past Summer Open is not going to even reach an extra $5 per hour. Figure they deal for 7 hours, that’s pretty poor, when they could have just requested to stay at the cash tables.

Having said that, the Tunica Casinos are taking out 3% for the dealers. This is from the prize pool part, not the entry part — example, entry is $100 plus $20. That means the casino takes the $20 and the 3% comes out of the players’ share (the $100). Also, when you first sit down, they offer you extra chip$, usually 2000, for a $10 dealer appreciation fee. This is a must buy if you maintain any hope of winning.

If 60 players sign up, that’s $600 + $180. That’s $50 or $60 per dealer if my math is correct.

Guess what? Since they started doing this, when I win, I don’t leave anything more.

The situation the Riggs talked about is different. I’m just commenting on what I see at my local tournaments.

The house does help out in a lot of smaller tournaments. It is often with an addon that benefits the dealers. I like that idea. But, big tournaments are different. But with the house often taking extra percentage for increased time and whatever, I’d think another percent or so for the dealers is just as appropriate. Restaurants have often gone to placing the tip on the check. The house could do the same and that would only affect those cashing.

As to normal ring, it is another mess with some, including major players at higher stakes, acting in a selfish manner. I have read that dealers at the Bellagio try to avoid Bobby’s room.

The overall problem is that there are more applications than jobs to fill when the economy is booming. That gives the house the ability to do what they wish and that is for the house to prosper more. That duel will never be fairly resolved. We all look for the edge whether it is at the tables or in the workplace.

For one, there hasn’t been one person in any tournament I have covered in the last two years that hasn’t played the game before. Some are first timers in tournaments, but they all have sat down at a cash game and understand that each pot won deserves a dealer tip. Whether it be in the form of a buck a pot or a red chip every so often. I don’t demand that tipping be done every time, but it is certainly part of the game.

Also… man do you generalize the background and skill sets of poker dealers. Out of all the ones I know, I would say half have college degrees.

I would also say that they chose to be dealers because they make more money than they could in another field. Maybe one they studied for. They do so understanding that tipping is part of the compensation. They also realize that they have to perform for those tips. When they do and aren’t compensated, it’s a little disheartening.

I gather this is why the Gaming commission has allowed casinos to take it off the top.

I can also tell you that the more experienced players make it clear when talking about a chop (which is every single tournament), that they should take out of the prize pool the dealer toke. And even then, most say they would give a little more as well.

The point I was trying to make was not a general one in standard tipping either. It was more about this specific event, and the fact that it was a $1.2 million prize pool, and the dealers got no more than $3500. From everyone. And the guy who took 5th was responsible for almost half.

Thanks for the reply! And I thought I had you in my blog roll. You’re up there now.