"Jesus" advises Yang to stiff dealers?

[Ramon Scott]

10k entry, $600 of which is deducted for Harrah's administration of the event.

9.4k goes to prize pool

Every player that enters has 1.8 percent out of its contributed prize money given to dealers and floor staff as gratuity.

1.3 percent of the 1.8 percent goes to dealer tip pool.

Every player that enters is giving $122.20 to the dealer tip pool.

Now, maybe Ferguson could've said, "well, Jerry, you have already given $122.20 to the dealers, as did everybody who entered the main event, therefore, I would give ZERO."

It is important to note, that for those that say people who busted out did not contribute to the tipping, I would say, then why didn't they receive their $122.20 back.

Therefore, Mr. Yang contributed exactly the same as every other entrant, except for those that added an additional tip when cashing out.

I would say that I feel that if Mr. Yang knew that he gave $122.20 to the dealers ($174.60 total for the entire staff tip), that he would've given more, if not much more. Even 1-2 percent of 4.5 million (sans tax and 10 percent charity donation) could've meant an additional 50k gratuity).

Another example of this type of small 1.3-1.8 percent toke would be comparable in recreation poker's most famous prize - The Bad Beat Jackpot. While a typical player may give 1-3 dollars per hand in a regular cash game, the same player rarely gives just the same amount when receiving this prize.

A dealer that makes 15-25 dollars per half hour down can often make $200-$2000 dollars depending on the size of the jackpot. A regular player in a room that receives this windfall often likes to be generous with their regular dealers.

How about when the Pizza waitress just like week were waiting on her regular customers with the same grace and kindness that she always presented to her guests, which had befriended her by going to the restaurant each week. When the family learned of the waitresses hardship following family tragedy, they gave her a 10k tip, probably on the same $40 meal.

I have won two B&M tournaments. The first time I won, I tipped 25 percent of my winnings (like many have said in here, that is a personal choice). The second time I won, I gave 22 percent. I tipped this amount because I was playing in my favorite room to play in and felt very good about being generous. I enjoy the reputation I have about my gratuity habits and do so because I can afford to make those that work for my enjoyment have just a little bit better than average lifestyle or income.

My position on dealer tokes is that it is the preferred payment system to dealers to insure the professional standards, as opposed to a more-hourly-wage/no tokes allowed system. I believe that most players that earn a living from playing poker also prefer this method to prevent higher turnover, inexperienced staff, and mistake-filled games.

While the dealer was gracious in praising Jerry, who no doubt is a far better man than I am, I will say that I will think less of Mr. Ferguson, who I have been very impressed with on and off the felt since I have followed his career (even taking pictures in person of him and close female friend who really admires him). I enjoy the professionalism he bring to the game. However, I will refrain from taking the same hard stance against Mr. Yang because I agree that he may have been misinformed about how much he had already tipped.

Again, if Jerry was tipping 1.8 (1.3) percent of his prize to the dealers, then why wasn't everyone who busted out before cashing, having their $122 ($174) returned to them.

That being said, I was not a fan of Yang in watching him play. I just didn't enjoy his god fearing intervention upon calling for cards. And I'm not sure that his play will stand up over the long run if he decides to pursue a professional poker career.

I will compliment him on his relentless aggression that vaulted him from eighth to first in the opening 90 minutes. It was unbelievable that he was able to parlay his table image coming into the final table and that the players bought his raises and reraises before they knew what he was up to and they were afraid to try and stop him.

The QQ laydown will be interesting to see if that was the best hand, and then Hilm having just bottom pair with flush draw resigning to a likely gamble with the relentless Yang. Yang even said in the post-interview that he bluffed alot. I think the hole cards will show what everybody - even the final table players assumed after it was too late - that he was on the steal.

I would like to hear more from OliverT, believe it or not, regarding this issue.

Does Jerry know that he tipped the staff about $175 off his his 4.5 mil take home prize?

If Mr. Yang comes on to twoplustwo and says that he feels that the 1.3 (1.8) percent given by the players prior to the start of the tournament is acceptable to him, then I will have to take exception to his position. That will not change my opinion of his character, it will just make me categorize him as a far-below-average tipper.

I think most veteran poker players agree that 1-2 percent of an awarded prize is the standard (providing the service was worthy). If the winner wanted to subtract all the previous gratuity charges that he paid in other tournaments prior to cashing, that would be understood, as well.

Again, the players that didn't cash, did not receive their $122 ($174) back because they didn't cash.

And from this point, although I have enjoyed watching Mr. Ferguson play televised tournaments, I will probably consider him from this point forward to be a far-below-average tipper, and nothing else, judging from his comments to Mr. Yang. Surprising since, although still never proven and supposedly on the super-down-low, his true financial involvement with Full Tilt, which many have speculated on this board to be substantial to the point of extreme financial success.