Tipping for drinks

[shooter]

I read that drink servers must pay for the drinks they dispense. I would like to know how much this is. I feel that I should tip them an amount that will pay for the drink plus an amount that would actually be a tip. Does anyone know how much they have to pay for the drinks?

[neonmama]

I usually tip $1.00

[Lorie]

I tip $1 also. Check out this link: http://www.cocktaildoll.com/home.html
It's really interesting.

[Greg]

I tip $1 also. I read that the cocktail waitresses made more than the dealers. I am not knocking them as they work hard and put up with alot; but, should put it into perspective.

[dead money]

My rule of thumb is..a buck a drink. I play poker most of the time. My wife plays nickle slots; which are usually hard to get a waitress at. Keeping in mind that when I play nickle slots with my wife it's just a throw away thing to spend time with my wife and have a good time.........what I do is, as soon as a waitress shows up I give her a $10 and ask her to keep an eye on us. Now in the smaller money slot area it's not uncommen to not see a waitress for 15-20 minutes. The $10 up front assures prompt and continuious service :cool:

[GREGRIO]

...and that rule (a buck a drink) is exactly the way I do it.
If I order a Coke and a Water...I tip two bucks.

[Kathi856]

I am a dealer....I have never been a waitress, but I know a few of them. They DO make more than us...by about threefold. Waitresses, in most cases, are union employees. Union....that explains how that rude waitress is still a waitress too. They start at somewhere around 14.00 an hour, depending on the place. Now, they get roughly 1.00 for every drink they bring, sometimes more, sometimes nothing....but I'd say that 1.00 is a pretty fair average. Imagine that on every round she is allowed to carry about 18 drinks....yes they have a rule on how many she can bring. A shitty waitress can make 400-500 a night around the tables, and probably half that in the slots because more often than not, those slot waitresses, get to break a table waitress, or a nickle waitress will break a dollar area waitress sometime through out the shift. Even a newby, or someone that is at the bottom of the totem pole, and has to work nickles all night, will make in the neighborhood of 200 night. Even nickle players feel like they need to give a dollar a drink. Now, out of the money she makes, she does have to pay for the drinks....usually something like 7 or 8 cents a drink. Still not too shabby. The most I ever heard of was something like 11 cents on one strip property. When I worked at the Boardwalk on the strip....3 dollar tables, nickle and quarter machines...I used to watch the waitresses cash out 400-500 a night. Imagine what they get in places like the Bellagio? Now....haveing said all that....I have been dealing for 15 years, and not unlike most long time dealers I have worked in about 12 different places....sometimes 2 at a time. Almost EVERY hotel/casino starts dealers out at 5.15 an hour. We dont have unions, and every time a union has attempted to get at one of the hotels I was at, it was shot down fast. Not only that, but our tips are POOLED. There is only a couple places that go shift for shift anymore, most often that is all the dealers that worked in a given 24 hour period. Not only that....but we dont get our tips every day, they are counted, and taken through the cage, and deposited in an account to be paid with our paycheck. Why? So the casino can make us report EVERY dime, and we can get taxed on every dime. Waitresses, they cash out the chips, tokens, etc. But the cash? In the pocket. Dont get me wrong....I like pooling our tips. It really comes in handy for those of us who get stuck dealing carnival games or roulette or craps all the time....you just dont make money on those games. It just urks me when I see that rude waitress, and her attitude, collecting 1.00 for every drink she brings you when Im the one that gives you the money and makes you stay there to get those drinks. I realize that maybe you lost 4000.00 earlier today...Im sorry...I wasnt there to witness that carnage. The way I see it, I just gave you 500.00 you DIDNT have a few minutes ago. Sometimes people say "thank you" for the money, but its amazing how many dont even do that. Or sometimes I laugh when I hear "when I get even Ill tip you.". Do you tell the waitress "when I get drunk Ill tip you." What amazes me even more is that you guys will even tip a rude waitress in the hopes that she will be back quicker...HELLO...she will be back no matter what, there are about 40 people all around you that are going to give her a dollar too...of course she will throw your drink on her tray too, even if she doesnt like you, because you are waving a dollar at her every round. Do you think she would come back if you were the only one around? Dont get me wrong....I LIKE dealing...even with the shortcomings....but Ill tell ya now, IF they made waitress uniforms to fit my big ass, Id be a waitress in a second.

[zoomer]

That was interesting reading Kathi856. I have friends that are employed at Sports books in the Caribbean. Tokes there are almost non existent unless you happen to be the writer CASHING someone's large parlay, and even then it's rare.

But they both have stated numerous times that the dealer's job is a much more difficult one, especially with the extra shift involved.

[kestral]

To respond to something the original poster mentioned.

I have never heard of the cocktail waitresses having to pay for the drinks. It doesn't make sense. The casino is comping you those drinks, so you keep gambling.

I would love to know where you read that - and I would take anything else you read there with a grain of salt.

[Kathi856]

Some casinos DO charge the waitresses for your drinks. Why do you think she gets a little huffy if you keep ordering and then changing tables? If its water, she can unload that, or maybe a coke, but if you are that one person in a hundred that has to have your drink a certain way and its not something she can unload, chances are she may become a little scarce when she sees you. Granted, its only a few cents, but a few cents is a few cents when someone keeps doing it. Ive been inside the waitress stations....they even ring up the orders and she keeps the reciepts.

[shooter]

I'm sorry, but I don't remember where I read that cocktail waitresses must pay for their drinks.

It should interest you read the "cocktaildoll" website referred to by Lorie's reply to my post. Also, the two replies by Kathie856.

Me? I know nothing first hand and must defer to the better informed.

[Lou Salvino]

I can't remember if I read this or a casino emplyee told me. In either case, the bartenders do keep a running tab of the waitress' drink orders so the casino can
write off the comp drinks on their taxes. Always gotta have that paper trail!

[vegasluvr]

I read that drink servers must pay for the drinks they dispense. I would like to know how much this is. I feel that I should tip them an amount that will pay for the drink plus an amount that would actually be a tip. Does anyone know how much they have to pay for the drinks?

I have hever heard that at all about servers having to pay for the drinks they dispense, I'm not sure it's true. We tip a buck a drink - or more if we've played a long time at the bar and have had some good fun with the bartenders.

[sonntex]

I asked a waitress one time, don't remember where, if she had to pay for the drinks and she said "no". (Think it was the Paris.) I play slots mostly and drink mostly cokes, so I usually tip a couple of quarters. But if I'm winning and/or ask for a special drink I'll tip $1.00. Harrahs comps cigarettes and I give the girl $1.00 for that. :cool:

[CeeJayRocker]

$1 a drink will keep the waitress coming back, but if you're in it for the long haul, like an afternoon of racing at the Hilton sports book, $2 tossed her way every so often, especially after a quick turn around, will get to just bring a drink without being flagged . . .. .

[GlazRhino]

I have also read that waitresses have to pay for thieir drinks, and if I'm not mistaken, it was in a much earlier edition of this newsletter. I believe it was from the dealer that gives gambling tips but I can't be sure. My understanding is that if it is bottled water or something with a cap that hasn't been opened they can then give it to some one else if you decide to split before she comes back. My usual tip is a $1 per drink as well. As for tipping the dealers. I make it a point to do so as long as I'm having a good time and they have even half a personallity. I usually do this by making a bet for them. If I win great, if not then they still appreciate the action, I think. On our last trip out I did this while playing 3-card poker and hit trips with a $5 bet made for the dealer. Even if tips are pooled, that $150 was appreciated. Too bad it didn't go to a great dealer alone.

[deemaxx95]

I play only slot machines. I can tell you this the waitstaff does not bring drinks in a timely manner. One time I waited 45 minutes, and she looked at me like $1.00 tip was not enough. I know they make more money at table games, but that is no reason to be rude or make slot players wait forever. :( I figure that they can make $400 + a night. Doesn't everyone wish they could do that well?

[kestral]

Try this, Dee. Tip $2 or $5 when you place your order. Or, after getting that first drink if you know you want more tip $2 for the first round. You will get much faster service, unless the place is understaffed.

I have gotten very fast service at machines. I have gotten very slow initial service if the place was short a CW, or if it was unusually busy on the floor.

[Maidie1]

I live here and I tip everyone. That's how everyone makes their living. The casinos really don't pay well in Vegas.

If I only order one drink I tip $2.00 .. If I order more than 1 drink , I tip $1.00 a drink.

I give valet $2-20 depending if Valet is closed on weekends and I need to get my car in..also, if you want them to hold your car up front $20 will do it! (compared to parking fees I used to pay in NY, the tips are relatively inexpensive)

[Vegas Vic]

Comped drinks while gambling: Usually the waitres does not pay anything for these. She does often share some of her tips with the bartender which is where the paying thing comes from.

Drinks from a bar not comped: In many bars, the waitress buys the drinks from the bartender and then collects from the customer. If the drink is returned, so is the money. Sometimes the bartender just rings up the drink and collects when the waitress returns with a credit card or cash. This proceedure is part of a bar's cash control proceedues to make sure no one is selling drinks and pocketing the money. Tips are often shared with the bartender as well.

The travel channel once reported that top cocktail waitresses on the best shifts, in the top casinos and best areas can make as much as $250,000 per year. $60,000 to $100,000 is more common for the top waitresses. New hires on poor shifts or those who work at lessor casinos and who are working their way up make far less of course since everything works on seniority.

[tryon4]

Please remember that they are tipped employees and like any other service if the service is good then so should the tip. If you are way ahead tip a little more.
I did take exception to the comment from the hotel employee about how they keep the slips so they can report the income "So that we have to pay taxes on everything we make" Isn't that to bad. Like the rest of us don't have to pay taxes on what we make. It should only be so good. If your making it be glad to pay taxes like everyone else.

[slugr]

Interesting topic. I tip for service 1.00 to start 2.00 or more if there is a smile good feelings etc. Then the tip goes up when she comes back. That can be for a old or younger sever entry level or better casino
I'm not proud I hit all kinds of casinos.

[NMJETT]

First off, love the new format. As far as tipping the waitress, I play exclusively nickels and I have found that the first time the waitress comes around I give her $5.00. For a nicke area I feel that is a pretty good way to ensure the waitress returning on a regular basis. Since I drink a pretty common rum and coke, the tip also seems to insure that she remembers my drink. It also helps that I love to play in the wee hours of the morning so it really is not very crowded at the machines either. Just one opinion.

[Kathi856]

Please remember that they are tipped employees and like any other service if the service is good then so should the tip. If you are way ahead tip a little more.
I did take exception to the comment from the hotel employee about how they keep the slips so they can report the income "So that we have to pay taxes on everything we make" Isn't that to bad. Like the rest of us don't have to pay taxes on what we make. It should only be so good. If your making it be glad to pay taxes like everyone else.



BUT I worked as a waitress in places like Pizza Hut, and Country Buffet restaurant....one of them about 5 years ago for a couple months....and in those places you DO NOT pay taxes on EVERYTHING you make. A friend serves cocktails in a bar in Colorado. Those places, and most other restaurants and bars like them pay you way less than minimum wage. Most everyone I know that serves in those places claim just enough to make minimum wage and pocket the rest. So, NOT EVERYONE pays taxes on whatever they make.

[Vegas Lady]

I also have read about the waitressess paying for the drinks, but I read that it could be as high as 13 cents a drink. And I also know for a fact that they do like to unload a drink if they can't find the customer who ordered it. It happened to me as I had ordered a drink a drink and she said, "Oh I have one right here." You wouldn't believe how fast she pulled that drink off her tray. Water and soft drinks they don't worry about getting stuck with because they can always unload those. I also read in one the Vegas magazines that $1.00 for a round of two was sufficient.

[Boston_Bill]

Hate to admit but i'm a sucker for a pretty face and nice smile. If she has a decent personality I almost always over-tip, will give $5 on occasion for a drink I know they work their a**es off and it cant be easy dealing with us men all the time, haha.

[andrea]

first of all, i would never "stiff" any service person. but get real. for a coke that consists of a glass of ice with maybe three swallows of soda, is $1 or $2 worth it? that's not a "free" beverage--and it barely qualifies as a beverage. for soft drinks and black coffee or tea, i tip 50 cents. for basic cocktails (hi-ball type) then i go $1 because these all have some kind of special garnish the waitress must add. if i order a real cocktail (specialty martini or manhattan) i'll go $2, especially if it isi served in a stemmed glass.

there are cocktail waitresses here living in houses that are on the marked for $1.5 million. can you afford that lifestyle? if so, then tip BIG.

enjoy. andrea from las vegas

[andrea]

those of you who have seen receipts being handed to waitresses should not confuse those with paying. perhaps these are the "tax" receipts used to calculate a server's income tax due for the day. so, if your drink, say a 7/7, costs $5 if purchased, the wait person only has to claim 10% of the "sale" as a tip. so your $2 tips mean he/she has $1.50 or 75% tax free.

if it means anything, i have friends here who are cocktail waitresses. so maybe i am right? maybe . . .

[PoohRN1962]

[QUOTE=Kathi856]I am a dealer....I have never been a waitress, but I know a few of them.


Kathi...thanks so much for the interesting post! :)

[Hoss_Lass]

This has been a very informative thread! I too, tip cocktail waitresses $1/drink, even for sodas, water or club sodas. I figure they put up with enough yahoo's that if they can still come at me with a smile and friendly attitude it's worth it.

For those of you who "pre-tipped", like $5-10 initially, do you continue to tip that waitress every time she brings a drink after you've given the $5-10?

And for those of you who are dealers, what would you consider decent tipping?

Although sometimes it does drive me crazy how "everyone" has their hand out for tipping in Vegas, I like to try to be decent to people who are serving me drinks, helping me gamble, and bringing me food!!!!!!!!!:D

[gamalicious]

So here's the big question. If you stiff a cocktail waitress all night, what are the odds she comes back? I doubt it's much.

[wiley]

I play slots, and sometimes I stay at a machine I'm ready to leave so the waitress can deliver my drink (it sometimes takes a while). I think it would be extremely rude (short of an emergency) to stick the waitress with the drink whether she pays for it or not. $1.00 seems the right tip for a drink and I'm happy to tip someone working hard and serving my drinks while I'm enjoying a day off or a vacation at a casino.

[Boston_Bill]

This has been a very informative thread! I too, tip cocktail waitresses $1/drink, even for sodas, water or club sodas. I figure they put up with enough yahoo's that if they can still come at me with a smile and friendly attitude it's worth it.

For those of you who "pre-tipped", like $5-10 initially, do you continue to tip that waitress every time she brings a drink after you've given the $5-10?

And for those of you who are dealers, what would you consider decent tipping?

Although sometimes it does drive me crazy how "everyone" has their hand out for tipping in Vegas, I like to try to be decent to people who are serving me drinks, helping me gamble, and bringing me food!!!!!!!!!:D

I don't pre-tip if it's been a good experience I'll seek her out and give her an extra tip and say thank you.

[LJG0722]

I give one to two dollars to the waitress. I find when sitting in the sports book betting the ponies or watching the games at the Venetian that you give two dollars and you are amazed how attentive they will be and that they are always ensuring that you are all set. They seem to work hard and the two dollar tip is well worth it as they get to know you and will take care of you while you are enjoying the Sports Book.

LJG0722

[Boston_Bill]

When I was at the Nugget last summer, I didnt have any singles to tip so I asked the waitress to break a $20. The guy sitting next to me did the same thing except after she came back, he didnt tip. Thought that was incredibly rude so I gave her an extra couple of bucks the, smile was well worth it. She was most attentive after that.

People just dont get it sometimes.

[GNH2000]

A $1.00 a drink at the Bellagio for their Long Island Iced Teas is well, well worth it!

http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/16.gif

[danandrobin0308]

We always make sure that we tip at least $1 per drink,those waitresses work very hard to let us have a good time while playing in their casino's.

[gerrybl]

I play a lot of slots of all denominations and I find that the cocktails will keep coming as long as I want them and the girls are very friendly. I tip $1.00 per drink.

[gcw]

Wonderful, informing post by Kathi. Could I ask, if the dealers all pool their tips and divide them evenly, is there no way to reward the dealer that's been standing in front of you? That doesn't seem right to me. If I've enjoyed my stay at your table, I should be able to put a few bucks into your pocket. Why am I rewarding someone who isn't even in the casino?

As far as drinks go, I tip a dollar a drink for water and soft drinks and usually a bit more for an alcoholic beverage. One thing I don't care for is when I ask whether they serve Irish Mist, being told they do and then having them bring me a glass of scotch! That's not what I asked for, so why bring it?

[Pops904]

I too tip a minimum of $1.00 per drink, more if the waitress is friendly or attentive.Most of the time when a server knows she's going to get an automatic buck for each refill, my glass never gets empty! I've also found that
bartenders tend to pour a bit stronger if they recognize you as a tipper. The guys that try to make a free drink really free by not tipping don't get as many drinks as the rest of us. As for pocketing cash tips without reporting every dime and paying taxes on it, the term is called TAX EVASION and is frowned on highly by the I.R.S. who would just love to catch you and make an example of you by making you pay back taxes, penalties, and interest, then auditing you every year for the rest of your miserable life...Nobody LIKES paying taxes, but the penalties for failing to do so are a too steep for my blood...guess I'm not all that big a gambler after all!