I was playing in a tournament at the Orleans in Las Vegas. When I signed up for the tournament I was given the option to get an additional ten percent in tournament chips by contributing $3.00 that would go directly to the dealers tip pool. I thought this was an excellent idea and was surprised that I did not see more tournaments doing this.

I checked around and found that some tournament directors feel that the extra chips would extend the length of the tournament. I don’t agree and neither do others I have spoken with. If players in a tournament start with $500 in chips, a ten percent bonus is only $50. Many times this is the amount of two bets at the starting level. I don’t think two extra bets will have much effect on the time constraints of a tournament.

Good dealers are an important part of any tournament. Adopting the tipping bonus makes practical sense in making sure the dealers are taken care of for their hard work. It distributes the burden of tipping from a handful of winners to all the players opting for the bonus. Most importantly it will assure dealers a fair tip that will probably amount to more than they would receive by relying only on the winners for tips.

I think more poker tournament directors should try this system of “chips for tips”. It actually presents a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.

The players win because they are getting it little something extra for their tip in the way of added chips.

The dealers win because there are more players contributing to the tip pool.

The poker room wins because the players are happy and the employees are happy. And when you can please both your customers and your employees you are running your business correctly and your business will grow.

Until next time, remember:
"Luck comes and goes...Knowledge stays forever."