Telling others to tip? Cliff notes & 2 Polls

KAknight · #1 06-01-2006, 01:37 AM

I am a low-limit player. I play 3/6 in my local B&M. I tip the dealer $1 for small pots and $2 or $3 for larger pots.

Last time I was at the casino, as soon as I added my name to they 3/6 list they decided to open a new table. I went and grabbed my seat while I waited for them to bring the dealer's chip tray and call the other players on the list to take their seats. Two 18 year old guys that were friends with each other sat down next to me. They both bought in for the table minimum and were amazed that I was going to buy in for so much. (25 BB) While we were waiting for the others, they asked what the auto shuffler and rake drop were. It was pretty apparent that this was their first time in a poker room.

As we are playing, everyone at the table tips the dealer for every pot they win, but I noticed that neither one of the young guys ever tipped. I suspect that they are not tipping because they do not know that is is appropriate to do so. After a while one of the guys wins a $90 pot that I was not involved in. As he is stacking his chips, I said "You're not going to tip the dealer after winning a pot that big?" He immediately tips the dealer and then both guys started tipping the dealer after winning pots.

I only said it because I didn't think he knew I was appropriate to tip.

Question 1. Was I out of line to tell the someone (who probably didn't know about tipping the dealer) to tip after winning a pot?

After I said this, the dealer immediately looks at me with a smile and asks my name. He proceeded to deal me 3 pocket Aces in one rotation of the button. I was only literally dealt only top 10 hands for the next hour after that. This casino uses auto shufflers and cut cards, and there were dealer changes.

Question 2 Was my incredibly hot streak of cards just variance, or was it good karma/pleasing the poker gods for telling someone to tip the dealer?

Cliff Notes - I told a B&M newbie (who probably didn't know to) to tip the dealer after winning a pot. Was this wrong on my part? After I did this, I got great cards nonstop. Just variance, or was it good karma/pleasing the poker gods for telling someone to tip the dealer?

PhatCasino · #2 06-01-2006, 02:50 AM

i think the way you phrased it was outta line. you should say "hey - dont forget to tip the dealer a buck"...

bav · #3 06-01-2006, 04:47 AM

It's never ok to complain about the size of someone's toke...if they give $1 for a $500 pot, that's fine. But it is ok to discuss toking etiquette with newbies who know no better. The dealers are not allowed to do this, so the only way a new player can learn (other than by noticing others doing it) is if a player tells 'em.

cwes · #4 06-01-2006, 07:54 AM

If someone obviously does not know a generally accepted social norm (tipping), why not tell them about it?

Most likely you increased the dealer's utility AND the guys' utility as they will not be ashamed later on now, for being nits. I was a good thing to tell them especially as it seems you did it in a very friendly way and in the right spot, well done!

Obfuscation · #5 06-01-2006, 09:38 AM

If these guys truly seemed to not have any idea then I guess it's fine but come on, how can you not notice tokes when you sit at a table for more than an orbit, even if it is your first time?

Personally, when I see someone sitting at the table who keeps bugging other people to tip I think that's crass. You always see annoying people say something when someone is taking a while to stack a dragged pot. "Don't forget to tip!" Shut the hell up and mind your own. It's usually an off duty dealer, to boot.

Of course, not tipping a competent dealer is pretty low class imo, but it's not anyone's place to goad others into doing so because at the end of the day, it's optional.

My $.02

cwes · #6 06-01-2006, 09:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If these guys truly seemed to not have any idea then I guess it's fine but come on, how can you not notice tokes when you sit at a table for more than an orbit, even if it is your first time?

[/ QUOTE ]

People are usually pretty unobservant. Mix in ther nervouseness of real money at stakes, first time live play, trying to do everything alright, chips moving around everywhere.

I could miss that tipping the dealer is the norm. Even if i saw that he gets chips over and over again, I might not realize these are for won pots.

AKQJ10 · #7 06-01-2006, 11:12 AM

I would probably start engaging them in conversation to make sure they're really new and not just cheap (unless they had revealed that already). However, I like your approach, especially the "for a pot that big" part -- keeps it from sounding like you're calling them a n00b. You handled it well.

Howard Beale · #8 06-01-2006, 11:27 AM

[ QUOTE ]

After I said this, the dealer immediately looks at me with a smile and asks my name. He proceeded to deal me 3 pocket Aces in one rotation of the button.

[/ QUOTE ]

If only things were that easy!

[ QUOTE ]
was it good karma/pleasing the poker gods

[/ QUOTE ]

If only things were that easy!

tom10167 · #9 06-01-2006, 11:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If these guys truly seemed to not have any idea then I guess it's fine but come on, how can you not notice tokes when you sit at a table for more than an orbit, even if it is your first time?

[/ QUOTE ]

heh, I'm a dealer and I've only played B&M a few times and I STILL forget to tip for like the first 45 minutes. I always hook em up though.

KenProspero · #10 06-01-2006, 11:55 AM

Question 1 -- "It Takes a Village", you know. If we fail in our obligation to teach our young, what are we? Seriously, if you thought they were noobs and were helping out, it's probably ok, so long as you don't make a big deal of it. You run the risk of being told off if they know what they're doing but deliberately aren't tipping, but that's life.

Question 2. Normal Variance vs. Karma. That's way too philosophical for me before imbibing several beers.