Page 6 - September 2006 • Southern California Gaming Guide

The Frugal GamblerTM: Jean Scott
Tipping: Finding the Balance at the Casino
his subject of tipping is especially problematic for me, because I’m so frugal. All my life I’ve saved money by paying the lowest possible price for anything and everything. So you can understand my problem with tipping. And who says you have to tip? So never to tip would
seem like the frugal thing to do.
On the other hand, being frugal isn’t the same thing as being cheap or stingy. erefore, I do
tip when I feel it’s customary, useful, and appropriate.
from 0.5% to 2%, but most commonly 1%. ey tip $10 for a $1,000 jackpot; $40 for $4,000, etc. Brad and I tend to tip on a graduated percentage system, starting at 1% for $1,000, but decreasing the percentage as the jackpot climbs, with $20 (0.5%) for a $4,000 payout and a maximum of $100 for higher ones.
As for tipping on mini-jackpots and hand-pay amounts, there seems to be no real consensus. Some stick to their percentage schedule. Others give a token dollar or two on any service. Many do not tip at all for these.
Many people tip higher when they’re winning and lower when they’re losing. I don’t feel particularly benevolent when I’m losing heavily—you’d have to be a saint to feel generous when you’re down a couple thousand.
Some say they tip less (or not at all) if service is extremely slow. But often the employees in charge of hand-pays are not at fault; it’s management’s problem for understa ng. And I de nitely will not tip anyone who treats me rudely or has a bad attitude. Conversely, we often tip extra for special service or particularly friendly attention.
Amount of time spent in casinos is also a factor. A person who gambles infrequently may tip more generously. The frequent casino player may decide to tip on a more restricted schedule. A video poker player whose main purpose in a casino is to achieve a profit will figure tips into the total return of
any play.
Finally, remember there’s something you can give
casino employees who serve you—something that’s valuable to them and doesn’t cost you any money. You can treat them with respect and honor their dignity, no matter what their job level. A cheerful “thank you” and a genuine smile makes any tip seem bigger!
If you want to learn more about getting comps and how to get more of them, you might want to read two books by Jean Scott: The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling. Go to her Web site (www.FrugalGambler.biz) for other products, including Tax Help for the Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott and Marissa Chien, E.A.
I know a few people who never tip, inside or outside of a casino. I also know people who tip away all their winnings in a
casino—perhaps because
tipping makes them feel important or loved.
is brings up my rst point. Everyone has a personal opinion about tipping and there is no right or wrong. We’re all in uenced by how we were raised and what we were taught about money. Ultimately, each of us makes a decision about tipping, in uenced by many factors.
“Plan your tipping strategy in advance. Many people use a
People’s tipping patterns
also depend on external
factors. People who have worked in tipping positions, no matter how long ago, are apt not only to be generous, but also empathetic with service people.
Tipping in a casino is more complicated and unfamiliar than in restaurants, valet parking, and taxis.
People often ask me to give them some guidelines. ey say they have no idea
what to tip in a casino when they hit a $1,000
percentage system for tipping jackpot on a slot machine. So here are my tipping
on large jackpots, from 0.5% ideas. First, always voluntary. It’s your decision
to 2%, but most commonly remember tipping is
1%. They tip $10 for a $1,000 jackpot; $40 for $4,000, etc. Brad and I tend to tip on a graduated percentage system,
starting at 1% for $1,000, but decreasing the percentage as the jackpot climbs, with
One factor is basic
personality. My husband,
for example, is a naturally
generous person, while my
generosity is sometimes
tempered by my frugal
nature. I probably don’t tip
enough at times and Brad
sometimes tips too much. $20 (5%) for a $4,000 payout In that way, and many
others, we balance each other.
andamaximumof$100 for higher ones.”
what to tip. Employee hints, blatant or subtle, should be rmly ignored along with profuse congratulations on small hand-pays, the sudden appearance of many employees when a big jackpot is being paid, and the particularly irritating practice of being paid the last $100 of any payo in $20 bills. However, you should always keep in mind that employees always hope for big tips; after all, they are human. Don’t judge them too harshly—but also, don’t feel pressured by them. You’re a gambler,
not a participant in a popularity contest.
Plan your tipping strategy in advance. Many people
use a percentage system for tipping on large jackpots,
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Page 6
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
September 2006
Jean Scott, The Frugal GamblerTM