1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Tipping bartender while playing VP?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by VPDana, Jun 14, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. VPDana

    VPDana High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2006
    Messages:
    645
    Location:
    I live in the Midwest, St. Louis, MO to be exact.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    70
    I play video poker, but never at a bar. I know that these machines can sometimes be better. I've read comments about tipping the bartender for drinks while playing ~ comped, tab put in glass, tip when finished, etc. I usually don't drink alcohol, only soda. My question is: Will the bartender give me a dirty look if I play at the bar and don't drink, or just have a soda, thus affecting his tip.
     
  2. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    Very often I'm drinking things other than alcohol. I don't generally alter my tip because they are serving me comp water instead of comp whiskey. Just tip based upon how friendly they are and how well they are serving you and you will be fine.
     
  3. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I am torn on how to do this. i like to tip every drink so they know that I appreciate them but thats a hassle sometimes if I am there for a while.

    it would be easier to tip a big tip at the end but i dont want them to think i am stiffing them the whole time prior to that.

    I wish a bartender would post the proper procedures.
     
  4. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2008
    Messages:
    6,550
    Location:
    Flusherville, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    If you play at the bar and don't drink, it isn't an issue. Barkeep will come over, you just tell him, "I'm fine thanks, nothing for me." He'll put a napkin down to show you've been served and that's that.

    If you order a soda or coffee or something, put a buck in the glass that he'll put out. Tip on a refill if you feel like it.

    Tip a buck or two a drink for alcohol.

    If you want to keep them coming, start off with a $5 bill. I usually wait until the barkeep can see me put it in. Leave it sticking up tall and proud like it once belonged to a big spender like you.

    Next drink throw a couple more bucks in there, and you will be well taken care of.

    Waiting until the end to tip is IMHO dumb - you're not going to get very good service that way, and then when the barkeep finds out you aren't actually a stiff, it's too late, you just left. Besides, you might be there over a shift change.

    The only time I tip at the end is if I'm leaving a $20. That's because I hit a Royal. :)
     
  5. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2011
    Messages:
    6,600
    Location:
    everywhere
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    anytime u order a drink , water soda or alchol tip a buck , that all u have to do, its a service industry , if ur not drinking just say thanks but im not drinking but ordering soda or water and tipping is wrong , thats how they make a living

    u would be surprised how many friends u make that after a while u dont even have to play and they will comp out ur drink becuase u take care of them.

    there plenty of places i can go i just have a drink or 2 dont have to gamble just tip out and there cool
     
  6. merlin

    merlin MIA

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,755
    Location:
    mn
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    A buck or 2 tip should be plenty for a couple sodas. Just put it in the glass.
     
  7. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2012
    Messages:
    2,129
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    In Vegas you can find good paytables at the bars. In AC is total different story. Usually JOB 6/5 at the bars but there's 8/6 a few steps away in the casino. You tip the CW every drink, no reason to not do the same for the bartender. Or at least let the bartender know you're tipping so they don't feel put out.
     
  8. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    Gig Harbor, WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    66
    I tip a buck a drink, unless it's something complicated. If they give me good service i'll leave a little extra when I get up to leave. I'm not really into trying to bribe someone into giving me good service. I would rather save my tipping budget for the bartenders who give everyone good service. They deserve to make more than the crummy bartenders/waitresses.
     
  9. guitarguy

    guitarguy Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2014
    Messages:
    88
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    My wife and I like to have a night where we stay the entire late night at the hotel bar playing VP. We sit there and slowly play and make friends with the bartender. We had an awesome guy at MGM Grand last year. Wish I woudlve got his name. We gave him $2 for every trip he made to us. He came often and made them stronger as the night went on. That's how I discovered a drink called Rum Punch. :)
     
  10. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,892
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    You'll have no issues with the bartender at all... more and more people proudly are abstaining from alcohol. I'm not one of them, but it's no big deal.
     
  11. Ty

    Ty ?

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    8,796
    Location:
    Mid Ga
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    I thought bar-top VP usually has the worst payout.
     
  12. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,225
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    111
    I don't think bartenders care as long as you tip them a few bucks. Personally, I don't tip bartenders for pouring me a soda or handing me a bottle of water. It's not hard to grab a cup, put ice in it, then grab the soda gun and press the button so soda goes into the glass. I only tip bartenders when I get a beer ($1 for each) or mixed drink ($2 for each). If it's a really special cocktail that takes more time, then I will tip $3-$5, depending on the drink.

    Even though it wasn't at a casino, I had a bartender at a restaurant make me custom drinks throughout the night. One of the drinks needed fresh watermelon that she had to get from the kitchen and she poured it into a copper cup which she grabbed from the back as well. The drink was amazing and she put a lot of work into it, so I tipped her a $5.
     
  13. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Messages:
    6,341
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    75
    Obviously tipping is a personal thing. We're all welcome to tip whatever, however and whomever we choose. But, the fact that you make a point of saying you don't tip for soda because it takes such a small amount of effort, then say you do tip for beer...which takes far less effort leaves me scratching my head. Care to explain?
     
  14. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,225
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    111
    That's what I always tip for beer. Maybe it became natural to me since my college years.
     
  15. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Typically it does, but on my last Vegas trip it was my 2nd and 4th best payouts. Generally though, bars suck, especially on the strip.
     
  16. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28

    I feel like you should tip the same for beer and soda...it's the same amount of effort.
     
  17. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2011
    Messages:
    6,600
    Location:
    everywhere
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    i guesss thats why i skipped college:peace:

    you should always tip if its a beer soda or water or hooker , its a service industry if they do a good job
     
  18. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2011
    Messages:
    6,600
    Location:
    everywhere
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    beer or mixed drink 7-10 $ soda or water 3-4 $ tip a 1$ no brainer , treat them right they treat u right
     
  19. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Messages:
    3,414
    I agree and have wondered the same thing. Usually when I'm at a bar I start a tab and tip at the end. I don't feel like it hurts service, in fact I feel it's the opposite. Maybe because the bartender knows the tip will be much bigger as 20% of the total versus $1-$2 per drink since drinks average $15 or so. Or maybe they feel like they should try for a big tip. I don't know.

    But at VP bars that doesn't really work since drinks are comped. I don't usually remember to get a bunch of singles or even fives for that matter. So I still tend to tip at the end. But it's probably more than I'd tip if I was doing $1-$2 a drink. If I'm there for a while and have a few I'll leave $10 min and maybe $20. But I can see how the bartender thinks I might be stiffing them before that. Though I've never felt that from them.
     
  20. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,921
    Location:
    NYC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I'll put $2 down to show the bartender that I will be tipping and then add more for the rest of the drinks when I leave.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.