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What’s a fair tip to give a blackjack dealer?

By Ashton_Grewal | View all Posts
Posted Tuesday, August 02, 2011 12:44 PM   40 comments
Movie star Vince Vaughn seems like a likeable guy. He’s funny, kind of chunky and likes sports. He’s even going to be in a movie about sports betting (Lay The Favorite).

Vince Vaughn.So it’s easy for an average Joe like me to get duped into seeing a movie like Couples Retreat. Fail.

Well, I’ve got some ammunition next time the Mrs. Grewal wants to take me to some Vaughn-led, rom-com disaster.

The Las Vegas Review Journal’s Norm Clarke reports that Vaughn won $30,000 at the Mandalay Bay on blackjack this past weekend, and tipped the dealer…wait for it.... $25.

Yikes. For those of you breaking out the calculator app on your phones, I’ll save you the trouble. That’s 0.08 percent of his $30,000 winnings.   

Is that insulating or do we need to know more facts? Like did Vaughn just put down $10,000 and tripled it in two hands? Does that warrant a big tip for the dealer… two hands?

I’m not a big tipper. I’m a cheap guy, but I don’t want people to spit in my food or piss in my drinks so I succumb to the social norm and tip 15 percent whether my service was good or bad. I shouldn’t say that, sometimes I’ll tip 20 percent but that’s only if someone gets me a couple refills without me asking.

But 15 percent of $30,000… that’s $4,500. It might be hard for me to part with that many chips but then again, my net worth isn’t $35,000,000 like Vaughn’s is, according to Ben Maller.

Not knowing all the circumstances, I think I’d tip the dealer $500 or $1000.

What do you think guys? What’s the right number to tip in the scenario if you were Vince Vaughn and what’s the right number to tip if it happened to well, you. Regular old, no $35,000,000 net worth you?
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UrdaddyinAZ says:
08/02/11 12:52PM

Don't expect many replies, as this is a redundant thread to two others going on right now.

You tip what you want and what you are comfortable with, no more - no less. They are entitled to shit, it's a courtesy.

Ashton_Grewal says:
08/02/11 01:00PM
Oh wow. See that now. Thanks for the heads up UrdaddyinAZ. I'm a little late getting this news obviously.
UrdaddyinAZ says:
08/02/11 01:02PM

PS - based on how I play if I would have won $30,000 in a session, I'd be hard pressed to believe the dealer wouldn't have made at least $2-5K because I don't tip - I put wagers out for them based on how I'm running.

Theone324 says:
08/02/11 01:11PM


this.  90% of the dealers prefer to play rather then get a tip
Getty3 says:
08/02/11 01:41PM

Letting the dealer play along on a bet about every 15 minutes or so, is customary. A $2.50 chip on a $10 - $25  table is sufficient. Essentially, he gets the opportunity to make up to $10 an hour off your hand alone.

 

 

Covers-Team says:
08/02/11 02:09PM
$25 off $30,000. LMFAO. Vince Vaughn, CT are disappointed in you!
PrimeTimeBoys says:
08/02/11 02:53PM
I dont play casino games anymore but when I did 7 years ago, I would only tip after I was done at that table. I never followed a percentage, depends on how many winners the dealer was giving me.

Years ago I use to drive my cousin & his dad down to A.C. like once a month. His dad would give me $300 & get us a free room comped & free meals. Anyway, my cousins dad was considered a high roller & they would always comp him, even a Limo ride if he wanted it.

He would play roulette & take about $20,000 with him when he went down but one thing he would never ever do is tip, he considered it bad luck.
666LES says:
08/02/11 03:17PM
If you don't tip a BJ dealer whats he going to do ? Spit in your drink if you hit the bathroom. I use to know a bunch of dealers in Vegas and the way they look at their table players are either they don't tip or if they do tip it isn't enough. Secretly that dealer for Vince thinks he's the reason Vince won and $15,000 would be about right.
easypics says:
08/02/11 04:30PM
25 $ ? What do you expect from a comedian ? If Dealer is hard on computerized Attitude A hole , he gets 0 ...He / she deals with positive energy / sharp wit , I tip 10 % win or lose...Zen tip...Always stay cool n' positive.
SashimiKid says:
08/02/11 04:39PM
When I play I tip according to the dealers attitude, if they are pricks they get almost nothing if they smile and make my experience a pleasant one i tip win or lose
dj_destroyer says:
08/02/11 04:40PM
I tip in every aspect of life except the casino... The odds are already stacked against me heavily, I'm going to keep every dollar I win.
jeffmcle says:
08/02/11 06:08PM
Think you people should learn a little facts. dealers get minimum wage $7.75 a hour. When your cocktail waitress comes by you tip here $1 - $5.00 a drink. They go table to table and almost double or triple what a dealer makes in tips a night. What do they give you a drink. who gives you the money to give them a tip. The dealers We work hard for our money just like them and you do. We stand on our feet put up with being sworn at smoke blew in our faces. Tip should not be done at the end of your gambling as the dealer that was dealing to you may not be the same as the one that gave you the money plus you tip $5.00 at the end we spilt that with more than 200 plus dealers so the $5 bucks you gave is really 2 cents. Thanks but if everyone thinks like that go play a slot machine then you dont have to worry about tipping
jeffmcle says:
08/02/11 06:09PM
and daddy in az with attitude like that you probably need them money more than we do
BIGfnPOO says:
08/02/11 08:38PM
3 hands , +35k a 500 chip wouldve been very nice and made him a ok...not a george like affleck was ,damon & barkley....but now i lose all respect and vince wouldve been better off stiffing the dealer then throw him 25$ the cheap prick who was eatin reboud pussty f em
oilgu01 says:
08/02/11 08:55PM
jffmcle is the one to listen to obviously, he's "in the bizz"! Only thing is maybe he should be coctailing instead of dealing. Only thing is standing there an walking 15/20 miles a night, listening to crap, dodging drunks, slot players. I mean someone else talking about "dad high roller" slot player. He never had any money left to tip, I mean hello when they'll fly you, limo you, room you, feed you. DUUUUUUUH You're right on Grewal with nickel or dime tip.
mr_bollox says:
08/02/11 10:54PM
this is idiotic in my book, the dealer never really helps you, if youre lucky at this table, you'll be unlucky at another one,
ilsp2003 says:
08/02/11 10:58PM




dealer would not tip you if you lost


TheGoldenGoose says:
08/02/11 11:49PM
Alright, he's a scenario we haven't discussed...

You are in the middle of a very special blackjack shoe.  On a $15 table, you are up $800 halfway through this miraculous shoe.  The cards have been running your way and the chips are flying out of the dealers rack to every player on the table.  You've got your bet pressed up on a $15 table to a $200 wager.  On a whim, you throw up a $15 dealer action bet.

Dealer sends you 8-8 and is showing a 5.  Obviously you are splitting the 8's, do you also throw up the extra $15 for the dealer to "play along" on the split?

How about the dealer paints your first 8 with a 3?  You are obviously doubling down, are you also throwing another $15 down for the dealer's double?


Amp says:
08/03/11 12:25AM

No way I'd be tipping that much in the first place, and I sure as fuck wouldnt put more for his split and double, if he wins all 3 you're tipping $90 in one hand, fuck that.  If I had bet $5 for him that hand, I'd probably put the extra $5 up for him though

MrPredictor says:
08/03/11 01:23AM
Ok, here is the rule - assume a $10.00 table for ease of calculation - Whenever you get a BJ, tip 20% of the BJ bet, i.e: $10.00*20%=$2.00. That's it - don't split the bet double down on the bet, just 20% of the BJ bet - no BJ no tip...
The8ofCups says:
08/03/11 03:44AM
It doesn't bother me in the least.  Maybe the dealer was a dick/bitch.  Good chance they are a foreigner taking away a good job from a natural-born American too.

He should have tipped nothing.
kodiak says:
08/03/11 06:34AM
After reading the threads on this subject the last couple of days, and as a dealer, I feel compelled to comment and say a few things.

Some of the things said here and in the other threads are ridiculous, funny, absurd. And a couple things that were said are true though.

Being a dealer is a thankless job. Frequently the dealers are cussed out, smoke purposefully being blown in their face, called names, threatened, family members threatened, even being spit on, when some players lose. (Keep in mind I realize this is our choice to have this job. However, it doesn't give ANYBODY the right to do those aforementioned things). Coming from drunk or sober players.

The dealer makes a small hourly rate, with the majority of their earnings coming from tokes, or tips from the players. For those of you who think the dealer wants you to lose, that is ridiculous. I never want anybody to lose, unless they start getting ignorant with me and calling me names, etc. Why would the dealer want the player to lose if they make their money from them? It's like people get all caught up in the media that exposes that to them, like the movie Vegas Vacation.

A lot of times the dealer will help you if you throw them a tip here and there; as to when to double down or split, or when to stay or hit on certain hands. That is what the dealers do. They see everything. Wouldn't it behoove you to help the dealer out and let them help you out? It's good for everybody. But so many times, there are the "experts" out there, who think that they know everything, and make stupid plays. It's like they are too proud to told what to do on certain plays. Like I said, that's what the dealers do. They know the game. 
kodiak says:
08/03/11 07:08AM
The dealer will help you indirectly as well. The dealer can get people who don't play correctly by getting them to stay and hit when they should. And it helps the other players out. If someone has $100 bet, and they win because I helped where they otherwise would've lost, it's a $200 swing. That's huge. The decent thing to do is for the player to then tip the dealer. I will try and help the player who is wanting to split their 10's, by encouraging them to not do it for the good of the table. And personally speaking, I do it if I'm getting tipped. It doesn't have to be a lot, but it's a win win situation for the players and the dealer. But I won't do anything like that for anybody who isn't going to return the favor.

Then there is the flip side of that. When the player(s) are getting their butts kicked and can't do anything right, most dealers understand that they aren't going to be tipped, or very little. Most dealers have played the game, so they know what it is like.




kodiak says:
08/03/11 07:32AM
There are some players out there who find it hard to play with or even tip dealers who aren't very outgoing or engaging. In many respects, I agree with those players. Here's why:

For myself, I have learned that being outgoing and getting to know the players and inquiring about them, I make more money and it allows the players to be more relaxed. It also shows the players I care about my job and have interest in them. It additionally works for me, because where I work at, the dealers work for their own tokes. So, in many respects, I create my own fate..

There are other dealers who are there to just pass time and they don't care if they make money or not. Some know that they are going to get their per cap check from the indian tribe they represent, so it's not important to them. Others are just robots and mutes who just pass the time. I don't agree with all of this, but thankful I don't have to pool my tips with their's.


nc1capper says:
08/03/11 07:38AM
quite certain that was not the first time somwething like that happened in vegas--non issue if you ask me
kodiak says:
08/03/11 07:52AM
In regard to how much is appropriate to tip....This can be debated for eternity. That depends on the amount of money you are playing on your hands, and how it's going for you.

It doesn't take a lot to make the dealers happy. If you get a blackjack on an odd bet, say $25, which pays $37.50, throw the dealer the $2.50. Or better yet, which most dealers prefer, play the $2.50 for the dealer at the top of the betting circle the next hand. This way, the dealer can double that $2.50 if you win the next hand.

Say you bought in for $200, and your average bet is $15-$25, and you are winning..Get change for $10 to $1 chips. Play a buck or two here and there at the top of the betting circle for the dealer. Or even give them $5 once in a while if they help you out directly, by giving you advice if you need it, or indirectly, by getting the other players to stay or hit, for the benefit of the table.

Some people tip the dealers at the end of the dealer's turn at the table. If you're doing well and the dealer was good to you and were personable, throw them 10% of what you are ahead.
kodiak says:
08/03/11 08:09AM
As for what Vince Vaughn did, that can be debated as well. He could've thrown 10% to the dealer, which would've been $3000. Or he could've thrown the dealer less off of what he will have to pay in taxes for that amount. Even a $1000 would've been respectable.

But $25??? Come on..That is an absolute insult. I would rather have gotten NOTHING from him. That is a true slap in the face. We're talking about $30k, not $300. The guy has a net worth of $35,000,000. He made $17.5 million from that debacle The Dilemma. And I'm not suggesting he should have been throwing money around like crazy. I understand that, that's not some loathing remark coming from a dealer, but show some class. He was there representing Mandalay Bay(where he won the money), hosting some kind of reward show at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. Then he gambles there and does that?? He could've played a few $100 chips for the dealer to allow them to make some money. Or even left 10%, or even a little less after taxes. And maybe the dealer(s) were giving him some good advice too; which, if that's the case, makes him more of a douchebag..
kodiak says:
08/03/11 08:17AM
Oh, you are absolutely right, nc1...Especially from the likes of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods and many other sports people, namely NBA players....  

kodiak says:
08/03/11 08:23AM
One more thought before I close the curtain on this...

Gaming, esp. blackjack, is about streaks and trends. Many times people don't do well is because they don't press their bets when they are winning. They play the chips/money and not the cards. When a run comes along, they don't take advantage of it.

How well one does on a blackjack table is contingent on the PLAY ON THE TABLE and MONEY MANAGEMENT, and, of course, a little LUCK.


UrdaddyinAZ says:
08/03/11 10:52AM

Believe it or not, yes I would back the dealers wagers up for all the action. Win or lose, he probably wouldn't see another toke for awhile though.

BillyO says:
08/03/11 08:40AM
Vince is a Cubs fan so what do you expect from him:)............being worth $35M he should have left $1K at least.
chisy22 says:
08/03/11 11:05AM


Why would anyone care what another player does at a blackjack table, are you stupid? There playing does not affect your chances...
TheGoldenGoose says:
08/03/11 11:30AM


Oh, shit, don't even open up THAT can of worms.

Statistically it makes no difference if another player makes a bonehead play.  Half the time it hurts you, half the time it helps you.  I've learned to just ignore these idiots that will hit a 13 against a dealer's 6.  They are insignificant.

Some players are going to scream bloody murder, "the idiot fucked up the rest of the shoe", and other such nonsense.

I will say that I prefer playing on first base and playing MY hand first, before these weak players.
TheGoldenGoose says:
08/03/11 07:47PM
kodiak:  Good comments and great insight from the dealer's point of view.  I always appreciate a good dealer who will hesitate on bad PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPplays by weak players.  It gives another strong player at the table a chance to say, "yeah, listen to the dealer, that's not the way to play your hand "by the book".  Of course the person who wrote the book never plays the game,LOL. 

One other thing about tipping dealers...
Since I go to the same casin at least twice a week.  I know the deaers and hey know me. 
 SometimE SDQW
easypics says:
08/03/11 05:14PM
Telling it like it is....Cheers Kodiak ! As European circuit player ,dealers get Royal shaft compared to States : All tips go to the house !
UHQB says:
08/03/11 07:41PM
After reading through these comments , you can pretty tell who's a BIG STIFF from a SUPER GEORGE. So I'll rank the STIFFS in this order :

#1 Vince Vaughn - I would have thrown the quarter back at his face !

#2 Tiger Woods - Watched him give a waitress a $1 tip and Charles Brakley jumped

in his face and called him a cheap stiff.

#3 UrdaddyinAZ - Got to be one BIG STIFF TURD ! I'd find a way to 86 ur anus out.

#4 PrimetimeBoys-You and your cousin are Bad Luck to a good hunting dog. AC boys ?

DanTos8715 says:
08/08/11 04:28PM
Jeffmcle "Tip should not be done at the end of your gambling as the dealer that was dealing to you may not be the same as the one that gave you the money plus you tip $5.00 at the end we spilt that with more than 200 plus dealers so the $5 bucks you gave is really 2 cents."

If when I tip, it goes into a giant tip pool that is shared by all the dealers, why does it matter when I tip? It's not like if I give it to the good dealer who deserves it, he can keep it. It will get thrown into the pool and split by a dealer I do not prefer. Makes no difference.

I only tip if I win, and it's not 15%. I don't treat this the same as a restaurant, and I'm tired of all the new employers creating jobs that thrive on tips. It's up to them to pay their employees and make sure each employee is striving to provide good customer service, not mine. I'm having a hard time tipping the pizza guy anymore, because his company is already charging me $3 delivery fee. How much he gets of that, who knows. My girlfriend wanted to tip the drive thru lady at Starbucks. For what? For making your $4 over priced coffee and handing it through a window? Do you tip the Taco Bell lady at the drive thru? I'm not a cheap person, and I like to reward people for doing a good job, but not every job deserves a tip.

BURG2VEGAS says:
08/04/11 04:29PM
ahhh when it comes to BJ tipping varies for me usually when i cashout winnings ill tip but not a whole lot.. if i win some of those make you or break you hands i will tip as well...but in a game that is so up and down depending on bank roll i wont tip at all.....and truthfully that is unusual for me..as i am a good tipper when i go places
The8ofCups says:
08/03/11 09:18PM
No one ever points out the obvious - for every small tip like this, there's another fat cat out there who tips way too much.  In the end it will all even out.  No need to worry here.
WileySmiley says:
08/03/11 11:33AM
I've met vince vaughn at a blackhawks game, lets just say this isn't surprising
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