Tipping Jackpots

[Lucky Larry]

I know we've discussed this topic before but this past weekend the topic came up at the casino. I know most of the staff at IOC - Lake Charles including the pay attendants. The IOC has begun announcing big jackpot winners. After an announcement that one lucky VP player had hit a $10K jackpot followed by a $20K Royal, I asked one of the pay attendants if she had made the hand pay. Her response was no. But, she was present when the Slot Director confirmed the payout. She stated she was astounded that the big winner had not offered even $5.00 to the pay attendant for her time (over 20 minutes) and effort which included cutting a check along with the cash.

Just got me to thinking. Did the big winner not care/appreciate the extra effort or not understand a common protocol?

[Vman96]

Hard to say, but if it wasn't for the internet, I'm not sure I would have known it was "standard" to tip a little bit. Since I play often play non-progressive quarters or less I have barely seen any hand pays. I have only seen a few and each time, I don't remember seeing the "tipping portion" because I feel that it's rude to gawk, stare, etc., so either I missed that part, or they didn't tip.

If it was a player than normally did not play this high, I definitely could believe they were not aware of the protocol.

[mws813]

i am a very good tipper for waiters and such that make less money and are tipped based, but we have became a society where tips are expected for everything. Tip jars by check out registers etc.. I have tipped on jackpots when the service was very fast or the person was very friendly, but I have not tipped on jackpots when it took over 30 minutes or the person was not friendly. Although, I have never made any special requests. Then when you do tip how much do you tip? I was hand payed a thousand dollar jackpot ( normally not hand pay required) at a casino near hoover dam a couple of years back and I gave the lady $10 and she acted as if I stabbed her in the heart. Made me not want to tip anymore really...I understand both sides of this debate, but I think this should be a personal thing and it is unprofessional for workers to complain to other customers about it.

[DaBurglar]

In the last four years, I have had exactly three handpays ---  One at Resorts AC for a $1,245 progressive,  One at Mohegan sun where I "accidentally" started playing 9/5 DDB at $1 level instead of my usual 25 cents (a mistake they make EASY to do) and i hit  a Royal for 4K, and then back at the Trop in AC in 2010 I hit the 8/5 JOB progressive for 1520 bucks. I tipped 25 bucks for the 1245 dollar royal, 60 bucks for the 4K and 30 bucks for the 1500 dollar royal, and all three times they smiled and said thanks very sincerely. A big hint is how they pay you, usually that last 100 and change is paid in small bills and not c-notes, so HINT HINT HINT

[luckylad]

Being a foreigner, but loving the game, being lucky enough to draw for $400 and then $1000 on my first night. (mirage bar) and not conducive to the idea of tipping as much as you guys i dropped a $20 plus $2 a drink (water and alcohol (more alcohol than water!! oh yes!!) ) thats above 1%....which my wages rarely do!!                                      

I win 30k.......i give a minimum of 300 bucks

1 percent of a hand pay IMO is enough (or more depending on drink....consumed!)

Whilst I appreciate wages are not on the thick edge a tip is a tip for waiters/ very sexy vegas ladies /grumpy old bar stewards!

(a question for the regs if you wouldnt mind....after my win of $400 and then $1000 at the mirage (sort of oval/horseshoe bar...with a progressive....adjoining sportsbook....why did they turn the progressive off every time I sat down after my wins?)


(being english...I didn't complain or say anything...but the WHOLE bank of people playing looked at me I did my $20 or $100 and left...( even got my holiday pal to look to see if Prog was running...it was...I sat down AND boom!!!! went off...does VP go on looks??

May I also point out....a considerable sum deserves consinderable attention!!!

Will be in vegas again in June videopoker angels....here's hoping....(quitting the day job would be nice....my first dealt royal on a $25 STP 10X 100 play would be good....first 100 plays free mind!!! (where is the I wish smiley emoticon?




).

[EDC1977]

  Luckylad, most experts will advise 1% tip if you receive a handpay. I've only experienced a few since I began playing and it's usually closer to 5-10%. Use your own judgement as it directly affects your return %. Congratulations on your good fortune.

[Thatluckydog]

Just curious because maybe I am misinformed. How much is common for pay attendants to be paid for their hourly wage? I thought they were being paid min wage or more and not just tipped min wage.

[mendon]

Well I can tell you that a dealer is paid $5.00 an hour and all tips are pooled. My daughter was a dealer at Firekeepers in Michigan.

[Lucky Larry]

There is an old saying, "Treat other people the way you want to be treated."

Most casino workers don't get paid much so a smile, a friendly conversation and a few bucks as tips cost very little but are appreciated by most casino workers. The pay attendants also shut down machines for "dinner breaks", add TITO paper when the machine runs out, fix jams, and numerous other services. A $ or two for shutting down/bringing up a machine for a dinner break is appreciated and certainly improves the service we get.   Additionally, since we play so much at IOC, we generally know most of the staff on a first name basis.

[Vman96]

Well I can tell you that a dealer is paid $5.00 an hour and all tips are pooled. My daughter was a dealer at Firekeepers in Michigan.

This varies by casino/state. But this is roughly what I think St. Louis dealers are paid as well. Nevada gets full minimum wage + tips, if I recall correctly.