Let's talk about tipping the dealers in cash games...

[CallmeFloppy]

I always tip the dealer at least dollar when I pull in a pot (more than just the blinds) and will add more based on the size of the pot.

There have a been a few poor dealers that I made a point of not tipping because they were messing up the game to the annoyance of a few people at the table. That would be my only reason to not tip a dealer.

Being that live poker is my preferred way of playing, I want a good knowledgeable staff of dealers running the games. Tipping is one way to ensure that we keep good dealers at the tables. If they are not good, they will either learn or lose their job when the casino sees they are not generating enough rake.

I find it to be a lack respect for the game and the other players to "not do your part" in taking care of your dealer. I have played with a few others who would never tip and would make it a point to clearly announce I was tipping for a hand I had no part in.

Please don't be the poker version of Mr. Pink.

 

[Blintzblyck]

Your choice if you wanna subsidize dealers. I'm there to make money.

 

[agriggy]

Dealers have to keep track of the bets, make sure they have made min raises and on multiple raises amounts to call. only tip at the end of your session if you are up, 15% is good.

 

[Smokewood]

I'm the thread's OP

I played live over the weekend in a tournament and I have slightly changed my mind on this topic.
You guys are right in a way, some dealers deserve tips because they supply MUCH better service than others do.
If you are a really mean spirited, bossy dealer... you still will not get a penny from me. However, if you are friendly, have a sense of humor, and "call" the action as it is going... i'll probably drop you a few bucks if I'm on a winning night.

 

[Wilfram]

I will always tip a dealer at the end of a session, normally with some of my $1 chips left over (if I have any, lol). If the dealing was exceptional, was kind/friendly, kept the game moving fast, etc. I will tip a $5 chip. During the game, I tip $1 for regular pots, and $2 for a big one. I think this is a fine system, and I'll probably continue to tip this way. Doesn't seem to get in the way of my overall profit, and in my opinion, its a suitable amount to tip per session.

 

[JustSoPro]

I generally tip $1 per pot I win at showdown in 1-2, if I was a big blind. When I double up on players, I will tip $2-$3. And I am not gonna lie, their is this one dealer I hella vibe with, so I'll tend to tip them an extra $2-$3 when they leave(due to the entertainment value, it makes grinding poker much easier) and the players around me seem to fold much more often when they can tell I am having fun which means more stolen pots anyways.

 

[Peter Jankowski]

I follow this same rule. I give them $1 for most pots. $2 if the pot is big. No tip if I just win the blinds. And if we did not have dealers, you would not be able to play the game but on-line.​

 

[lsbenn]

I always tip the dealers if I win the pot, showdown or not. Dealers make a wage like a waiter or waitress (and I hope you tip them). The size of tip depends on size of pot and also on the dealers attitude at the table. If a dealer has a I gotta be here attitude I do not tip that dealer as well as a dealer that a good attitude.

 

[Blintzblyck]

Dealers have to keep track of the bets, make sure they have made min raises and on multiple raises amounts to call. only tip at the end of your session if you are up, 15% is good.

Hogwash. Why pay for what dealer is supposed to do? That's their job and if they aren't efficient at it, they can be reolaced because the players will bitch.

 

[Blintzblyck]

Dealers have to keep track of the bets, make sure they have made min raises and on multiple raises amounts to call. only tip at the end of your session if you are up, 15% is good.

15％ of your win? Seriously? You'll be in the red every year with that tactic.

 

[palatinae]

The comparison of a 15 percent auto charge based on your party of 10 isn't even remotely the same since you playing poker by yourself is the scenario at hand. If you walked into a diner and ate by yourself and were given proper service, would you not tip the server? If you wouldn't, well then, you are a cheap ass and have never worked in or around the service industry. If you cannot afford to tip, you cannot afford to be served.

 

[icandonkyou]

I know a lot of the Pro players that play for a living do not usually tip. This is because it cuts into what they use to pay bills. However, for me I tip when I when a big pot sometimes I tip $5 sometimes $1 or $2. But I am a recreational player, and am not playing to pay for rent.

 

[darthdimsky]

Was immediately reminded about this thread when I saw this vid in my recommended list. A really good watch based on the objective content posted regularly by this channel (thoughty2).

 

[alexgrin]

Oh guys, as you are mistaken))))
You probably do not understand that there are dealers in Macao - who really appreciate their work !! Watching what game you serve .....
There are dealers - where there is a realy BIG game in 12 hours it can get 5000-7000 $

 

[eggtart]

Tipping the small blind or big blind after a you win pot is usually the standard.
Unless you feel otherwise..poker dealers count on tips for the wages....

 

[Ragequit]

Tipping the dealer is -EV and eats into your winrate. I personally don't do it. The winning player's edge is already very small. We can't afford it.


“Greed is Good..Greed is Right, Greed Works!! Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; Greed for Life, for Money, for Love, Knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind.” - Gordon Gekko from the film 'Wall Street' (1987)

 

[CallmeFloppy]

Let me try to set out an argument this way.

One major argument of non tippers is that it is not their job to supplement the income of a dealer. If the dealer wants more money, then they either need to get a new job or have their employer pay them more.

So if the casinos were to raise their compensation, they would in turn have to raise the rake. The casinos will only have a poker room if they are making what they determine to be an acceptable amount of profit. So raising their cost by paying dealers more, will require that they raise the rake to balance that cost.

Does anyone here want to pay more rake?

Plus, if the dealer does not have the incentive to earn tips, what level of service do you think you will be provided. Sure, they can still be replaced if they really suck, but they can still do the minimum effort required to keep their boss from having to go through the pain of having to terminate and replace them.

Do you want to pay for a lesser experience?

I would prefer to have a lower rake and tip dealers who run a game efficiently than paying a higher rake without any incentive for the dealers to be better at their trade. The tip is an incentive for the dealer to go beyond their specified job duty to provide a clean, well run game for YOU, the player. This in turn will provide a more profitable game if you are skilled enough to take advantage of it. It is in the player's best interest to have a dealer want to provide you with the best game possible in order to earn your tips.

I am not saying you have to tip every dealer. Some flat out don't deserve it. But I think it is proper and expected to tip dealers who provide you with a quick, clean and efficient playing experience. I do tip for this very reason.

And this is why I am offended by players who do not tip. You are essentially free loading on the investment (tips) that everyone else is putting into having a well run game.

 

[Shrops]

Wow

Wow, I am not sure that is the right attitude to have. I always tip the dealers anytime I win a pot. I think it brings good will and good luck.

 

[Ragequit]

Well of course, if rakes go up as a result of non-tipping then that's an issue. But how big can they really make the rake? Most Casinos know that if they get too greedy with raking pots that their regs will jump ship, so I'm not sure if the risk of that is as extreme as you've proposed. Perhaps there's middle ground to be explored between always and never tipping. I will be limiting mine to small amounts or not at all.

 

[FoBreeze]

A lot of words that say exactly what I said. Their boss needs to pay them more or they need to find a new job.

Question, Why do you think dealers are entitled to a tip. Why is it okay to try and steal my money to give it to them?

Thanks

I'm glad you are writing your thoughts on here so other people can see. The fact is if you don't tip, you have some personality issues. Some form of narcissism and the people that don't see you tip will see that too. They will judge you for it.

By not tipping, you are directly screwing the dealers and not the casino. This is a horrible justification for being a cheap ass and only thinking about yourself.

If the casino's have to pay the dealers more, then the rake goes up. If all the dealers are paid the same, guess what happens? All the good dealers will quit. They have to split their profits with the bad dealers?

You're thoughts really help people understand the thoughts of people that don't tip though. It doesn't make sense at all that you are doing it out of some cause by screwing the dealer. This is just some excuse you have to cover up your narcissism or whatever issue you have.

 

[FoBreeze]

I know a lot of the Pro players that play for a living do not usually tip. This is because it cuts into what they use to pay bills. However, for me I tip when I when a big pot sometimes I tip $5 sometimes $1 or $2. But I am a recreational player, and am not playing to pay for rent.

They have issues whether they are successful or not. I know a ton of pros and some of them are cheap and some are the best tippers in the room. Everyone loves the ones that tip and everyone hates the ones that don't.

 

[Tuan]

Poker give me a lot, so I like to give it back to our dealers for their hard work. Small pot 15-200 tip $1; Medium 200-400 tip $4; 400-1000 tip $5-$10 or more.

 

[gwj63]

I don't tip either
or play the bonus
they don't like that at casinos
and most of the time it shows in their actions and comments

 

[shanest]

Played my 1st live games in the past month in the Venetian. I didn't even notice other players tipping the 1st 30mins or so of my session as I was laser focused on players and not making mistakes. Once I got comfortable I was genuinely tipping $1 any hand I raked in save for hands where I just picked up the blinds.If I won a big pot I would tip $2 . This was at $1/2.

 

[Smokewood]

I'm glad you are writing your thoughts on here so other people can see. The fact is if you don't tip, you have some personality issues. Some form of narcissism and the people that don't see you tip will see that too. They will judge you for it.

By not tipping, you are directly screwing the dealers and not the casino. This is a horrible justification for being a cheap ass and only thinking about yourself.

If the casino's have to pay the dealers more, then the rake goes up. If all the dealers are paid the same, guess what happens? All the good dealers will quit. They have to split their profits with the bad dealers?

You're thoughts really help people understand the thoughts of people that don't tip though. It doesn't make sense at all that you are doing it out of some cause by screwing the dealer. This is just some excuse you have to cover up your narcissism or whatever issue you have.

Says who? You? When did you get your degree in Psychology?
All of what you type is just "your opinion". I don't share it.
I never tip and I never will.