To read Part I of this article, click here.
The issue of tournament tipping recently came to the forefront at the 2008 World Poker Tour Bay 101 Shooting Stars event when World Series of Poker bracelet winner Brandon Cantu won his first WPT title, along with more than $1 million. After the event, allegations arose that Cantu did not leave a tip for the dealers.
It turns out that at this year's event, coordinators were prohibited from taking a percentage out of the prize pool for tournament staff because they did not submit an application in time for the city of San Jose, California to approve. The problem is, however, that dealer-withholding percentages are not always readily available, and, in a case such as this, a lack of conformity among poker tournaments concerning dealer tips causes headaches for the players and casino staff alike.
Cantu, along with many of the top pros who are regulars on the major tournament circuit, feels that withholding information should be made crystal clear in advance of every event, rather than hidden in small font on a structure sheet.
Not only does Cantu have an issue with the lack of consistency, but he also says that tipping is a personal choice and should remain confidential. “It shouldn’t be anyone’s business if a player, for whatever reason, decides not to give extra monies. This should neither be something commented on by people directly involved in the tournament, nor something discussed on open poker forums 
by people not at all included in the tournament,” said Cantu.
Matt Savage, the tournament director for the Shooting Stars event and widely respected in the poker industry for overseeing many of the most prestigious events in the world, agrees that there should be some degree of confidentiality in what players decide to give. “It is unfortunate the way this issue came out publicly. I feel really bad, and I think he is a great player. I am happy he won, and I believe that tipping is a personal choice,” said Savage. “I do, however, want to make sure that my staff is taken care of, because they are all so deserving. Nobody has been paid yet, because the club is trying to find a way to make it right.”
This situation further illustrates a need for an industry standard. As a solution, Cantu said that the World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker, and any other large-scale tournament-hosting entities should suggest a tipping percentage.
“I've heard 1 percent is appropriate just as many times as I've heard 8 percent is suitable,” Cantu said. “This argument will continue as long as there isn't an agreed upon customary number. This would also help to ease inexperienced and/or new players’ concerns and unawareness on this issue.”
Savage concludes that taking a percentage out of the prize pool is the best way to make sure all parties are happy. “If two or three percent is taken out of the prize pool, the winners won’t feel as though it affects them so much. I would never ask for players to give anything more if money has been withheld for dealers, but obviously if they leave something on top, it is very generous and appreciated,” said Savage.
While the dealer withholding percentages and suggested tip amounts vary, it remains that it is the sole discretion of the player to give any or additional gratuity. As of now, there is no clear answer as to what is a standard tip in tournaments, but the gray area is becoming further defined as players are more informed.
“This is a work in progress,” said WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla. “Eventually, there will be sense of what is right, and there will be a so-called industry standard.”
[Correction: The story has been updated to remove the inaccurate statement that San Jose, California, prohibits tournaments to withhold a percentage of the prize pool for dealer tips. The city does allow that practice, but it must be approved ahead of time. Coordinators for Bay 101 simply did not submit an application in time to withhold tips for the Shooting Star event.]
POSTED ON: Apr 01, 2008
Every player should assume that nothing is being withheld unless it is posted in advance. The winners should always ask the dealers if they have indeed been compensated (because they will always know) and if not, then a percentage is appropriate. If they have been, then any additional tip is up to the winner. Personally, I have asked the dealer after a win what the customary tip is in that casino. I have found that they are more than honest in letting me know, especially when the pit boss and other players are still standing around. As with almost any other custom - when in doubt - ask!
POSTED ON: Mar 28, 2008
Another millionare stiff who thinks it shouldn't have been leaked out that he left a big fat goose egg for the dealers who served him faithfully I am sure as he won this tournament. The fact now that he knows the dealers got nothing and he still hasn't stepped up tells the story. These players need to decide if they want busboys dealing the cards or trained professionals. The suits like Nolan Dalla only care about the bottom line and there own pockets. Stifftu can wipe his crocodile tears away with hundred dollar bills how about the people who raise families and put kids through school on his tip? The hope he never cashes another event should be shared by ALL in the industry.
POSTED ON: Mar 28, 2008
seamarfan269 ,i get it i am suppossed to entertain you while you deal to me. okay lets talk sports, strip joints. and the fact you are not getting any.
POSTED ON: Mar 28, 2008
San Jose has a law/rule prohibiting witholding gratuities for tourney staff (see Part 1 of this article), therefore it's up to the players to tip the staff (if desired), of course Brandon Cantu can't be responsible for knowing this information, nor should he be singled out. Take it from me, i'm a dealer and getting "stiffed" is the gamble we take everyday. That does not stop the majority of us from giving 100% each and every day. Unlike the Food/Beverage dept. in my casino, we (dealers) get taxed on 100% of our tips and base salary, so a "1099" wouldn't be necessary here. And a special message for BMPEK, i have read your posts, and man, you've got issues. SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY. I've dealt to thousands just like you; do us all a favor, take up chess, dude. thanx.
POSTED ON: Mar 28, 2008
"...a tip for the dealers." If the author is referring to some kind of collective tip, the player has no way of knowing how the tip will be divided. Why single Cantu out only because he won the event? In the course of the tournament, how many dealers were at his table? In the case of individual tipping, at which point is a player expected to begin the unending stream of tipping? Once he makes the money? What about the dealers of the key earlier hands that got him to that point? Why should any dealer be rewarded or acknowledged for their part in the randomization and distribution of cards that happened to fall a player's way? Someone has to win a hand and a tournament. What's to stop casinos from parading dealer after dealer after dealer to tables of players who've reached the money every 15-20 minutes? Players should neither be burdened by the expectation of tipping the dealer on every dealer change nor stigmatized for not doing it, especially given that no one knows what's going on in the life of a player who doesn't tip. Some players might need the money more than the dealers! When Savage says, "Nobody has been paid yet because the club is trying to find a way to make it right," is he referring to the players or the dealers or both? If he's referring to the dealers, then the casino always has the ability, even in San Jose, to distribute spring bonuses or religious observance bonuses to their employees. If the players haven't been paid yet, then Bay 101 should be avoided like the plague.
POSTED ON: Mar 28, 2008
My opinion is that this is a simple matter - cash games, tip what you like; tournaments, a house percentage deducted. Don't wrongfully place the emotional burden to further tip on the winner / final table of a tournament; the casinos should already be compensating their dealers appropiately. By the way, do you really believe the dealers are claiming their full cash tips? The tournament players have to; their winnings are a matter of record. I say the winners who tip should also hand out a Form 1099 to each dealer. That should even things out.
POSTED ON: Mar 27, 2008
when are the casinos going to have fully trained and compenent dealers. we have been waiting twenty years
POSTED ON: Mar 27, 2008
As with all major sports it is time for tournament poker to compensate the personnel required to produce the tournament. Shot clock keepers, referees, etc. in other sports are paid for their services. Tournament poker should be the same. If it requires a standard of 3% of the prize pool to meet dealer and floor people salary needs, then this is what should happen. Just because dealers primarily earn their living in cash games through tips does not mean it should be the same way in tournaments. No player should be expected or required to tip after a cash in a tournament. Let's pay the dealers and floor what they are due and have a standard of 3% of the prize pool. This is one more area of many where tournament standards are needed. Jesse Jones WPA Chairman Emeritus