In a message dated 4/12/04 4:28:22 PM Central Daylight Time,
jallenday@aol.com writes:
<< I figure that if I tipped them both $5, that ten bucks would
represent 1% of my $1000 Royal payout. On most games, the Royal is
worth about 2% of the return. So a policy of tipping $10 on quarter
denomination Royals would reduce the effective EV of most games by
roughly .02% (e.g. from 100.76 for FPDW to 100.74). I am surprised
that many players who would never dream of ignoring complex penalty
card situations that affect the EV to a lesser extent (yet make the
strategy much more complex and substantially slow the play of all but
the best players) nonetheless are willing to throw away this .02% for
nothing.
>>
My impression is that tips are less standard for slot personnel than they are
for waiters. I think it's an awfully good idea to tip, though, when it's
convenient. If you play in the same place for any amount of time at all, people
know if you tip, and they'll look out for you. Playing alone and want someone
to watch your machine for you while you get up for a while? They'll do it
anyway, but if you tip they'll do it gladly, and it will be easier to find them.
Also, opinions vary but personally I would hesitate to count things like tips
when figuring EV. The overall quality of your experience counts for something
as well, and I think moderate tipping makes things more pleasant. And by
moderate I mean 5 bucks per person at most; that amount would probably do for 2
people.
Bottom line is, I don't think tipping is doing anyone a favor. It's paying
for service and unless you're in a place only very briefly and do not plan to be
there again, tipping buys you better service.