How to get preferred treatment in a poker room?

tommy2 · #1 07-09-2007, 11:43 AM

After reading numerous posts over the last few months on "regulars" receiving preferential treatment in a room, I am starting to rethink my approach, which has always been low-key.

Here is what I would imagine one needs to do to become a regular who has the floorman and most dealers giving them small but significant edges (such as quietly putting them in a game when there is a long wait, siding with them on grey area table decisions, etc.) :

1. Tip well. But (besides the dealers, obv.) who, how often and how much? I tip the cage a couple of bucks on the way in and out and give the dealers $1-2 per winning hand even on blind steals. I barely get thanked usually.

2. Play often. I'm a 2-3 times per month player, but move around so I'm only in the same place once a month or so. How often do you need to be there to be recognized?

3. Have good manners/call floor men and dealers by their name a bunch. Although, frankly, some of the regulars have the worst manners in the place.

4. Have a player card.

What am I missing? Being a regular seems +EV in other words and I am rethinking my under the radar technique.

Photoc · #2 07-09-2007, 10:59 PM

Being polite to the staff when chatting with them at any time is 100% always +EV. Politeness will go a long way to being "remembered" in the future, trust me. Also, willingness to start games and even bring friends in to start or play in currently running games is another great way. They see you putting effort into having good games going and they'll remember it.

Quadstriker · #3 07-09-2007, 11:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I tip the cage a couple of bucks on the way in and out and give the dealers $1-2 per winning hand even on blind steals. I barely get thanked usually.

[/ QUOTE ]

This surprises me. "barely" meaning rarely, or "barely" meaning all they say is "Thank you, sir." If it's the former, save your money.

If you mean "Bearly" as in, they give you a huge bear hug, you might want to think about frequenting a different poker room. Unless you like that sort of thing.

vhawk01 · #4 07-09-2007, 11:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I tip the cage a couple of bucks on the way in and out and give the dealers $1-2 per winning hand even on blind steals. I barely get thanked usually.

[/ QUOTE ]

This surprises me. "barely" meaning rarely, or "barely" meaning all they say is "Thank you, sir." If it's the former, save your money.

If you mean "Bearly" as in, they give you a huge bear hug, you might want to think about frequenting a different poker room. Unless you like that sort of thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just spent the last weekend playing at Caesar's AC and not only did I rarely get thanked for tokes, I had dealers glare at me and throw cards at me (seriously, not exaggerating, cards off the table into my hands/lap) when I neglected to tip on every single pot I won. We were playing a horribly tight 5 handed 1/2 NL game, and most pots were me stealing the blinds. There is just no way I'm tipping every time I steal blinds. I probably gave her 3 bucks in her down, which I think is reasonable. As soon as she started making a huge production out of it and pouting like a child, I made some loud comments and laughed and thanked her for reminding me to never tip her again for the rest of my life.

The behavior I saw from other dealers was not this bad but close, and directed at numerous other players (the only time it was directed at me was this one dealer, in case I'm coming off as some stingy prick).

All in all it was a fun experience though! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

NickMPK · #5 07-09-2007, 11:17 PM

From a purely EV standpoint, I can't see how tipping the cage is going to be any benefit whatsoever. How would you get preferred treatment from them, except for the possibility of outright stealing?

Milo · #6 07-10-2007, 12:08 AM

Be friendly with the staff. Smile and be pleasant. Thank them for their service with kind words (and sometimes with chips). Poker players can be a surly and unpleasant lot, so you can stand out in a positive way just by showing "normal" social graces.

Milo · #7 07-10-2007, 12:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]

From a purely EV standpoint, I can't see how tipping the cage is going to be any benefit whatsoever. How would you get preferred treatment from them, except for the possibility of outright stealing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to turn this into a tipping thread (ew!) but I've never tipped at the cage. I will also say that the folks at the cage generally recognize me, and are always pleasant, even though I've never tipped them.

Rootabager · #8 07-10-2007, 01:21 AM

tipping adds around 1 dollar an hour to the cage ppl's salary. So they like it alot. Esp since the ones I know make like 9 bucks an hour.

icemankazanski · #9 07-10-2007, 01:31 AM

Don't forget about the security guards!!! They are very neglected and an intregal part of casino function. I tend to run my mouth...I'm the king at putting people on tilt. I always make sure that the big guys in the house are watching my back because I am sure that there are more than a few people at my local casino who would like to kick my butt.

Some casinos don't allow you to tip security.

redfisher · #10 07-10-2007, 01:36 AM

I tip the cage, but that's just to be nice. I don't think you get squat from that. Nobody who matters even knows.

Generally, I find that if you you're an acceptable member of the poker community and treat the staff like they're worthy of respect, they'll take care of you. I don't get super special treatment, but I'm definitely not getting shafted by dealers or rulings. Generally, being nice works better and is cheaper than tipping out for being a jackass.