Tipping in Poker Tournaments -- Part II

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.

"In this specific situation, I simply assumed that a percentage of fees were withheld for all appropriate staff, as this practice is common amongst most major tour tournament events," said Cantu in a statement concerning the issue.

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.]

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