Tipping at the racetrack

[FiveWide]

Was wondering what is proper tipping at the track.

I was at my home track (LS) yesterday and was seated in a carrousel. I ordered some food which the waitress brought and I tipped her when I paid. I also had another separate waitress that brought me water and continued filling it. I got the water before I ever thought about ordering food. Question is would you have tipped the lady handling water/drink duty? I saw one other guy that got some water and it looked like he handed the waitress some kind of tip (water is free). So that got me to thinking.

Also what about tipping the ticket clerks. I also watched one guy go to a clerk to cash out his ticket and he handed the clerk some money.


How do others handle tipping at the track?

thx,
-Five

[mountainman]

Years ago before I became an official, I tipped certain ticket clerks well and had a self-serving reason. When things went bad I could play on credit. Lots of credit.

[the little guy]

Years ago before I became an official, I tipped certain ticket clerks well and had a self-serving reason. When things went bad I could play on credit. Lots of credit.


Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

[proximity]

*generally, if you're in some kind of track/otb restaurant section I would not tip the water server separately unless I was only drinking water and not eating. usually leave a 20% tip at the end, maybe round up to nearest dollar.

*don't think I ever tipped a ticket seller, but have rarely ever used one.

* afterwards in the casino usually tip $1 a pot if it goes to a flop. maybe a redbird ($5 chip) if a pot is unusually huge and you get some help on the river. be sure to toss the redbird high into the air so it flips over several times and lands smack in the middle of the table in front of the dealer.

* on a bad beat jackpot tip 3 or 4 %, unless the whizz deals it.... then keep 3 or 4 percent and tip the rest!!:D

[FantasticDan]

Also what about tipping the ticket clerks. I also watched one guy go to a clerk to cash out his ticket and he handed the clerk some money. How do others handle tipping at the track?There have been some great tipping threads here over the years. Here are some I dug up:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42533

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72122

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43530

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83347

As many said in those threads, whether at the track or the OTB, I always use machines to place my bets - so I resent having to tip a teller anything when I win a decent amount. But I usually do out of guilt.. if I win $200-300, it's usually $10. $300-600, $20. I've only had a few signers in my life, and I think the most I tipped was $40 to a very nice old lady teller at my OTB.

I always feel like they expect something for anything over $100... :ThmbDown:

[ArlJim78]

I never understood the idea of tipping the teller, although I did so a few times on big scores years ago when I went to the track.

Ever notice that some of them have this little pause, they rapidly peel off enough larger bills (20 and above), then they pause a moment as if they are figuring out just where and how to retrieve the remainder of the cash, leaning back, looking at the cash tray, letting out a sigh. This is your cue to say keep the change and dash off. They act like that last counting out of your exact change is some extraordinarily difficult task, in the hope of enlisting your sympathy.

[devilsbag]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

Although any rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of a race without the expressed written consent of the host track is prohibited, I had a video tape of the 1987 Gravesend Handicap and took trip notes, which the Supreme Court ruled in Florio v. Maryland Jockey Club, 693 U.S. 196 (1982), is in fact the creation of an account of the race.

I attempted to send a letter to NYRA asking for permission, but customer service responded with apologies that my tote bag was damaged but the policy was not to send replacements for giveaway items.

[maclr11]

We've got the one ticket seller who was a sunshine girl and a Winnipeg Blue Bomber Cheerleader. She definitely makes a good amount of tips.

[mountainman]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

Sorry, Andy, no sale. You're wide open here for counter-attack , but you and i have acrimonious history, and things always get personal when we square off. So i'm merely going to wish you merry xmas. For real. I've mellowed a lot, so please consider it an olive branch.

Sometime, as gentlemen, let's debate some finer point of handicapping. I'd enjoy that very much.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I usually have, or maybe more accurately, "have had", one or two tellers at the track that I always tip.

I understand why people won't do it, but I have literally almost no patience left and even though I've done the job, most tellers are just horrible to deal with at all.

So, it has always been my policy to have at least one that I take care of. Always the one that does the best job and is actually a pleasure to deal with.

My mainstay for this role at my home track, sadly, just died recently. She was as good as it got. Not only just a nice old lady, but a hard worker and competent. I never really every worried about checking tickets or calling them with some sort of dumbed-down cadence and language. Could take a signer and leave it with her and enjoy the races and wait for her to call me over when she had taken care of it.

I always tipped her because she was a true ray of sunshine in a pretty overcast group of rainclouds running the windows. She always got the job done, done right, and with as little inconvenience or headache as possible.

It may not be necessary and may even be wrong to some, but it was always a pleasure to throw her a piece of the action for being one of the only people worth a shit to deal with in the whole facility.

[FiveWide]

Ever notice that some of them have this little pause, they rapidly peel off enough larger bills (20 and above), then they pause a moment as if they are figuring out just where and how to retrieve the remainder of the cash, leaning back, looking at the cash tray, letting out a sigh. This is your cue to say keep the change and dash off. They act like that last counting out of your exact change is some extraordinarily difficult task, in the hope of enlisting your sympathy.

I almost always use the self service machine for making my bets. But I have noticed this behavior with wait staff. They will bring part of your change and count that out to you and then dig around in their apron looking for the rest of it. Most I'm sure are hoping you'll say "don't worry about the change". This in fact happened to me yesterday when I was paying my waitress.


-Five

[proximity]

Although any rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of a race without the expressed written consent of the host track is prohibited, I had a video tape of the 1987 Gravesend Handicap and took trip notes, which the Supreme Court ruled in Florio v. Maryland Jockey Club, 693 U.S. 196 (1982), is in fact the creation of an account of the race.


:lol: great post.:lol:

personally, I confess that I used to tape Beulah when the twins were there.... but of course I wasn't exactly taking trip notes..... so maybe i'll be ok?:blush:

[Vigorish]

I never understood the idea of tipping the teller, although I did so a few times on big scores years ago when I went to the track.

Ever notice that some of them have this little pause, they rapidly peel off enough larger bills (20 and above), then they pause a moment as if they are figuring out just where and how to retrieve the remainder of the cash, leaning back, looking at the cash tray, letting out a sigh. This is your cue to say keep the change and dash off. They act like that last counting out of your exact change is some extraordinarily difficult task, in the hope of enlisting your sympathy.


I have become much more stingy when it comes to tipping gaming workers. Part of the reason has to do with automation. The service being performed by many workers is less labor intensive, thus I feel less compelled to tip.

Having worked as a mutuel clerk in the 1990's as well as various other positions at race tracks and casinos, I have been able to gauge various norms for tipping. Furthermore, as a current patron of gaming services, I have been able to formulate my own sensible (but not strict) strategy of tipping.

Generally, when I tip, I do so with a selfish motive. Basically, I want to reward good behavior so that a specific worker is more liable to give me preferential treatment in the future. For example, if you bet at the windows you might tip a very efficient teller or the supervisor. This arrangement could make it easier for you to place a sequence of bets in a short time period.

I have some great examples where it pays to tip in card rooms. For example, one of my poker buddies strongly urged me to flip the tournament organizer a $20 or $50 bill out of my $3000 win. I was not sold on this idea until he pointed out that they have ultimate control over how people get seated at the final tables. Furthermore, they can keep an eye out for a table full of fishes and ascertain that you're next in line.

One word of caution I would give all players is not to feel embarrassed by not tipping. I never feel let myself feel guilty for stiffing rude dealers. Furthermore, I actually find it offensive when a casino worker uses verbal on non-verbal language in an attempt to secure a tip. If it happens, I will make a complaint with the casino manager.

Many of my tips are counterintuitive. I often tip the cleaning crew or chip runners more than the dealers. The lowest rung of casino workers are often forgotten. When I worked as a smokeshop clerk at a Native American casino, the tips I received made the difference between $8/hour or $10/hour. I needed every penny to survive. One of the most memorable experiences I had was when a wealthy tribal member gave me a $100 tip after winning 50K on a keno machine. She told me, 'I know you guys are always forgotten and I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your work.' She went on to stiff other workers who would have expected a pay day. The envy was palpable. I loved those Native Americans. They tipped based on service, not one's lofty position.

Ultimately, what I am trying to convey is that there is no 'ultimate guide to tipping' in casino gambling. I think a good strategy is to tip workers who A) work hard to add value to your experience B) are underpaid and forgotten, but otherwise helpful and friendly C) have the ability to impact your ROI, comps, and timely access to services.

[ronsmac]

In the 80s you'd better tip a nyra teller, or you'd risk getting your tickets screwed up thw nexr time you placed a bet Those guys were the worst. On the flip side, they'd let you bet even if you were 14 or 15.

[badcompany]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?


I'm a serial jaywalker.

[Vigorish]

In the 80s you'd better tip a nyra teller, or you'd risk getting your tickets screwed up thw nexr time you placed a bet Those guys were the worst. On the flip side, they'd let you bet even if you were 14 or 15.

Those workers were not doing anybody any favors by letting children bet. What a nice way to cultivate compulsive gamblers. Children are too emotionally immature to understand the negative consequences of gambling, but fully appreciate how rewarding it is to cash a winning ticket.

The lackluster treatment you received is terribly unsurprising. For one thing, racing was a virtual monopoly. The workers were not trained to treat patrons as 'guests,' but as zombie-slaves who would walk over hot coals to place a bet. The first track I worked at was very special in the sense that we were expected to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction. We would never refer to customers as 'bettors.' They were guests of our facility, which happened to be in the business of facilitating parimutuel wagering. Having a tantrum or sabotaging a person's ticket would be a sure-fire way to lose one's job.

[Track Collector]

I do 99% of my wagering on line thru an internet wagering platform, so tipping becomes a moot point.

At the smaller fairs where paper tickets are the only option, I regularly tip throughout the day. Almost every one of these tellers are volunteers, and tips make up most if not all of their compensation for doing the job.

I agree 100% that tips should be rewards for good service, and never made simply because it is expected.

One pet peeve that bothers me is the assumption that a large voucher cashed out at the end of a day is an indication of a successful day. Nothing like getting back $240 when it cost you $400.

In the area of reporting illegal activity, I have been known to exceed the speed limit once and a while. :)

[ScullyDog]

Generally, when I tip, I do so with a selfish motive. Basically, I want to reward good behavior so that a specific worker is more liable to give me preferential treatment in the future.

This guides all of my tipping in any situation. Well put.

[ScullyDog]

Illegal activity? I have never sought out the express, written consent of the NFL for anything I've ever done.

[JustRalph]

It's a restaurant? Just because it's in a racetrack, why treat it any different?

I bet the water person was getting something from the wait staff or the bartenders at the end of the shift. They might be a food runner etc. rest assured there's a protocol.

It never hurts to ask. You could have asked the waiter.

"Hey, is the water guy tipped out by you? " most of the time you'll hear back " I take care of them" or "nope they are separate". Then you'll know. Or maybe even, "they don't take tips because they are full hourly"

It's not a damn secret code. Ask!

[Stillriledup]

I do 99% of my wagering on line thru an internet wagering platform, so tipping becomes a moot point.

At the smaller fairs where paper tickets are the only option, I regularly tip throughout the day. Almost every one of these tellers are volunteers, and tips make up most if not all of their compensation for doing the job.

I agree 100% that tips should be rewards for good service, and never made simply because it is expected.

One pet peeve that bothers me is the assumption that a large voucher cashed out at the end of a day is an indication of a successful day. Nothing like getting back $240 when it cost you $400.

In the area of reporting illegal activity, I have been known to exceed the speed limit once and a while. :)

Security agency reading this, expect your speeding ticket in the mail shortly. :D

[letswastemoney]

I'm not against tipping at the racetrack. I'd be against anyone that expects a tip and was offended if one wasn't offered though. I should always have the freedom to just leave without offering something, even if it's a big payoff.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

That was my reaction, too, but maybe there's something we're missing. In any case, I believe it's Happy (belated) Hanukah.

[pondman]

In the past I'd tip the same CA teller, until I found out she was a state employing making $140k with benefits.

I try to tip the food service people, but when a beer and a dog robs you of $11, it really takes you out of the mood.

When I hit a big one, I'd much rather buy a everyone a round...

[RunForTheRoses]

First off, at the track OTB I'll usually throw a quarter to a dollar in the concession stands cup, usually a quarter.

In regard to Mutuel Tellers, I've done the job in the past. First off, of course you do not have to tip.
Like others I usually bet from home or via voucher. Depending on what I cash out at I'll leave the change or a few bucks. Like someone above wrote, just because my voucher is high doesn't neccesarily tell the whole story. Two KDs ago, the Friday before I dropped $300. Saturday I played $400 and did do good and think I had a voucher for about $1600 and change. i think I left $10 or $20 after the teller jumped up to help me, I was thinking of only levaing $5. I do like TVG where if you win you can get credited to your bank account.

Biggest I ever tipped was when I hit the Pick 6 (3/24/99, a day that lives in infamy at least for now). Was $37K with consos, $25K after witholding. I was going to leave $500. I talked to the tellers and they told me about communal tips so I said I would give the two on staff a $100 each and then leave a communal tip. Now, I like to stay low key but the word had gotten around, someone form the cage took a peak and a fellow patron wanted to know what I hit, I should have expected on an otherwise boring Wednesday but because of that I only left $200 communal.
Note, I bought ticket with voucher, not through teller, this was at an AC casino.
As far as who tips what form my teller years. Many leave change which is nice, it was nice to get enough to pay for lunch. Many times you would get zip. Many times the ones who worked you the most gave you the least or nada. One day, after the races at MP, some guy hit a superfecta at Sam Houston, he had already been winning and tipping good. He gace a $100 to every teller working which was probably around 8 or 9. He had probably already hooked me up with about $80 already.

[the little guy]

That was my reaction, too, but maybe there's something we're missing. In any case, I believe it's Happy (belated) Hanukah.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[cj]

It's a restaurant? Just because it's in a racetrack, why treat it any different?

I bet the water person was getting something from the wait staff or the bartenders at the end of the shift. They might be a food runner etc. rest assured there's a protocol.

It never hurts to ask. You could have asked the waiter.

"Hey, is the water guy tipped out by you? " most of the time you'll hear back " I take care of them" or "nope they are separate". Then you'll know. Or maybe even, "they don't take tips because they are full hourly"

It's not a damn secret code. Ask!

I was going to mention this. You just tip the waitress/waiter...the other people get taken care of by rules that are known to the staff.

[ronsmac]

Those workers were not doing anybody any favors by letting children bet. What a nice way to cultivate compulsive gamblers. Children are too emotionally immature to understand the negative consequences of gambling, but fully appreciate how rewarding it is to cash a winning ticket.

The lackluster treatment you received is terribly unsurprising. For one thing, racing was a virtual monopoly. The workers were not trained to treat patrons as 'guests,' but as zombie-slaves who would walk over hot coals to place a bet. The first track I worked at was very special in the sense that we were expected to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction. We would never refer to customers as 'bettors.' They were guests of our facility, which happened to be in the business of facilitating parimutuel wagering. Having a tantrum or sabotaging a person's ticket would be a sure-fire way to lose one's job.I actually appreciated them letting me bet. My entire free time in the tenth grade was used tinkering with my pace and speed figures and betting oscar off the claim. Oh how I miss Chaldea, my favorite ny bred of all time. She made 3/5 look like a gift.

[FiveWide]

It's a restaurant? Just because it's in a racetrack, why treat it any different?

I bet the water person was getting something from the wait staff or the bartenders at the end of the shift. They might be a food runner etc. rest assured there's a protocol.

It never hurts to ask. You could have asked the waiter.

"Hey, is the water guy tipped out by you? " most of the time you'll hear back " I take care of them" or "nope they are separate". Then you'll know. Or maybe even, "they don't take tips because they are full hourly"

It's not a damn secret code. Ask!


No it's not a restaurant. Just an open area with individual seats but you can order food from the kitchen. It's a really weird setup they have. One person takes care of the drinks and orders and another person takes care of the money. Just so happened the money person took my order.

You're right I could have asked but it didn't dawn on me until I saw the other guy late in the day tip one. By then they had changed shifts as I was there quite awhile.

-Five

[mountainman]

That was my reaction, too, but maybe there's something we're missing. In any case, I believe it's Happy (belated) Hanukah.

Just for the record, long deceased tellers making good for my wagers out of their own pockets 30 years ago hardly constitutes criminality-at least on my part. They had their reasons and were well compensated by the wise guys I handicapped for. I never said that TRACKS extended me credit. In that case, why would I tip the tellers?

And I did worse when I was young, bulletproof and cared only about myself. Far worse. So anybody who's never done anything they regret, please, feel free, jump on THAT admission.

[Bettowin]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

I will admit that I tear the tags off mattresses.

[JustRalph]

No it's not a restaurant. Just an open area with individual seats but you can order food from the kitchen. It's a really weird setup they have. One person takes care of the drinks and orders and another person takes care of the money. Just so happened the money person took my order.

You're right I could have asked but it didn't dawn on me until I saw the other guy late in the day tip one. By then they had changed shifts as I was there quite awhile.

-Five

ok, if you say so. I say if it has a kitchen, and a waitress.......and you can order food.............it's a restaurant...........I guess I will figure it out eventually..... I am thinking about buying a house near there........ :ThmbUp:

[FiveWide]

There have been some great tipping threads here over the years. Here are some I dug up:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42533

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72122

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43530

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83347



Thanks Dan for the links. Good reading! Always forget about searching...

-Five

[Robert Goren]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?I feed the pigeons.
No that ain't right
because I am the pigeon
or at least
I feel like one
when I go to the track.

[rrpic6]

Years ago before I became an official, I tipped certain ticket clerks well and had a self-serving reason. When things went bad I could play on credit. Lots of credit.

I agree MM. Back in the day before ADW's, I did the same thing....but I did have the money in my car or bank account to even it up by the end of the night.

RR

[Robert Goren]

Tipping waitresses keeps the beer coming.
Tipping cashiers is strictly matter of feeling like you want to share. It is Karma. If you believe in Karma, you tip. If you don't, you don't.
Tipping the parking lot attendants is the surest way to get into Heaven. St. Peter moves people who tip parking lot employees to the front of the line.:)

[FiveWide]

ok, if you say so. I say if it has a kitchen, and a waitress.......and you can order food.............it's a restaurant...........I guess I will figure it out eventually..... I am thinking about buying a house near there........ :ThmbUp:


I hear ya. I guess it's the seating that makes me not consider it a restaurant. They also have a lounge area and a bar where food can be had. I don't consider those a restaurant either. Now, the Silks Dining area in the grandstand I consider more of a restaurant. I recommend it btw, if you make it to LS.

What city you considering moving to? Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas?

-Five

[Hoofless_Wonder]

Years ago (late 80s) there was a clubhouse teller at Fairmount who always put change out first when paying off. He was also accurate and fast. His line was always longest but still as fast at the other lines, and he cleaned up on tips.

I never understood why the other tellers didn't try harder to be more like him.... :confused:

[Maximillion]

As far as mutuel clerks and signers.....every single time,without exception,when I cashed one of these the clerks were always super friendly and personable.

I left a tip the first few or more times..it seemed like the right thing to do.

Then one day I had a signer and went to cash at the only available teller,one who (to me) always seemed to be kinda unpleasant.When I approached with the ticket,as soon as he realized it was a signer, he flashed the big old smile and became very chatty.At that point,I stopped tipping mutuel clerks.

[Robert Goren]

Years ago (late 80s) there was a clubhouse teller at Fairmount who always put change out first when paying off. He was also accurate and fast. His line was always longest but still as fast at the other lines, and he cleaned up on tips.

I never understood why the other tellers didn't try harder to be more like him.... :confused:Some do. Good cashiering like everything is a talent. It is like playing drums. With practice you can get to be pretty good, but the great ones are born. Sounds like you found the Buddy Rich of cashiers.

[JustRalph]

I hear ya. I guess it's the seating that makes me not consider it a restaurant. They also have a lounge area and a bar where food can be had. I don't consider those a restaurant either. Now, the Silks Dining area in the grandstand I consider more of a restaurant. I recommend it btw, if you make it to LS.

What city you considering moving to? Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas?

-Five

I'll send you a PM :ThmbUp:

[wiffleball whizz]

I do 99% of my wagering on line thru an internet wagering platform, so tipping becomes a moot point.

At the smaller fairs where paper tickets are the only option, I regularly tip throughout the day. Almost every one of these tellers are volunteers, and tips make up most if not all of their compensation for doing the job.

I agree 100% that tips should be rewards for good service, and never made simply because it is expected.

One pet peeve that bothers me is the assumption that a large voucher cashed out at the end of a day is an indication of a successful day. Nothing like getting back $240 when it cost you $400.

In the area of reporting illegal activity, I have been known to exceed the speed limit once and a while. :)



Wow scary post TC

went to Lrl yesterday was in for $310 and rallied late to cash out for 242.60.....I was happy.....I went into tycoons cashed out 10 min after Lrl 9th and teller says u did good today............I was gonna say something but bit my tongue.......I guess voucher cash outs over $100 is rare with "Sherman kicking everybody's d^%#£ in"


Just like at parx last year had 1400 in front of me.......was in for 2700 playing 15-30.....which was playing like 45-90.....dealer said "your whacking this game"

[Grits]

I've always tipped at the track. This includes tellers, an usher wiping my seat off, in the dining rooms, valet parking, or walking up to get a drink at one of the bars.

I've noticed over the years, though, in restaurants that teachers, in a group, all having dinner together--they're the cheapest of the cheap. I've watched them at tables next to me too many times with a calculator dividing the check, arguing the tip amount, stating, "I don't tip on tax." ... Gimme a break. My niece waited tables all through college. She loathed having them in any section she was working.

I could see one tipping a clerk at the track. :lol:

[wiffleball whizz]

I've always tipped at the track. This includes tellers, an usher wiping my seat off, in the dining rooms, valet parking, or walking up to get a drink at one of the bars.

I've noticed over the years, though, in restaurants that teachers, in a group, all having dinner together--they're the cheapest of the cheap. I've watched them at tables next to me too many times with a calculator dividing the check, arguing the tip amount, stating, "I don't tip on tax." ... Gimme a break. My niece waited tables all through college. She loathed having them in any section she was working.

I could see one tipping a clerk at the track. :lol:


Here's a whizz rule of thumb when going to the track

Take laurel as an example......I pound diet pills in the morning so I don't get a appetite,....needless to say I don't eat(plus who wants to take time to eat while blasting away at 7 different tracks)

There is a older lady who waits the tables....." On paper" I would spend prob 30 on food and drink BUT and there is a BUT

LRL is VERY fair in tycoons room.....u get all the refills you want also when u buy a program u get another $5 off and if u own horses "which they think I do" u get either a another $10 off or 25 percent off bill I just did this the first time 2 weeks ago


So if I just drink some soda and a bowl of soup the bill will be like $2,,,,,,,,should I tip the standard $0.35? Of course not

She at worst gets a $12 and normally $20 tip and if it's me and somebody I work with we leave her 25.........IMO u gotta tip that amount cuz if place was busy your technically costing her money by being "dead wood"

Don't forget if your in a track dining room your there for the card (3-5 hours) there is no turnover at that table like a regular restaurant.....you have to take that into account........



Cjs dad what's your take on the laurel bartender that tends bar by the 2nd wire in the lrl clubhouse.....sAy what u tell me

[Grits]

You're a good man, Whizz. ;-)

[Pensacola Pete]

Anybody else here participate in any illegal activities they would like to share with the board?

I don't know of a single state, except Nebraska, where it was EVER illegal, meaning against state law or racing commission rules, for track employees to lend or give their own money to customers. That doesn't cover the rules of the track or even of the electricians union, but those aren't "illegal."

[iceknight]

I've always tipped at the track. This includes tellers, an usher wiping my seat off, in the dining rooms, valet parking, or walking up to get a drink at one of the bars.

I've noticed over the years, though, in restaurants that teachers, in a group, all having dinner together--they're the cheapest of the cheap. I've watched them at tables next to me too many times with a calculator dividing the check, arguing the tip amount, stating, "I don't tip on tax." ... Gimme a break. My niece waited tables all through college. She loathed having them in any section she was working.

I could see one tipping a clerk at the track. :lol: Still sounds anecdotal to me. Just an excuse to bash some group that you likely do not like due to some reason. I have noticed several actually wealthy people be extremely stingy with tipping over the years. As for "not tipping on tax" . There is no reason to tip on tax. I tip a healthy 20% on the meal (on the non-discounted, non-coupon price even when I use coupons). Also when the meal/snack is under ten, the usual tip is $2 if I sit for more than half hour. But if the bill is large already, especially if it already tip included (when more than 6 people), there is no reason to really tip no tax. Also, lot of people work minimum wage jobs through college, even at 15% tipped servers make a lot of money and they report less on taxable income. (Hope TLG is not reading this... :lol: )
By the way, i think almost anybody who gambles and gets any winnings is doing illegal activity if they do not report all gambling winnings on their Schedule C?

I have no connections to teachers other than being students of many in school and university.

[Vigorish]

I was going to mention this. You just tip the waitress/waiter...the other people get taken care of by rules that are known to the staff.

As somebody who has worked in restaurants (at casinos) as both a bus boy, host, and waiter, I can tell you from personal experience that servers are notorious for shafting the bus boy. When I go out to eat, I always use a credit card. This helps ensure that everybody is properly compensated. Furthermore, the service workers are forced to pay all applicable taxes. Of course, many restaurants have moved to mandatory minimums, which makes it harder to conceal or under-report tips (at least up to the minimum).

[Robert Goren]

I don't know of a single state, except Nebraska, where it was EVER illegal, meaning against state law or racing commission rules, for track employees to lend or give their own money to customers. That doesn't cover the rules of the track or even of the electricians union, but those aren't "illegal."I am racking my brain to remember what I was told when I cashiered at Aksarben in 1968. I don't think it was mentioned which probably means it was legal. We lent to fellow cashiers, I know that. I certain didn't lend any money to a stranger, that's for sure. I doubt if any one else did either.

[Vigorish]

I actually appreciated them letting me bet. My entire free time in the tenth grade was used tinkering with my pace and speed figures and betting oscar off the claim. Oh how I miss Chaldea, my favorite ny bred of all time. She made 3/5 look like a gift.

I started going to casinos when I was 17 years old. My older brother taught me all the tricks and how to identify workers who enforce the rules. My first game was blackjack with a $3 minimum. Of course, I appreciated the lax enforcement at the time. My senior year of high school I had 19 absences. They let me graduate, luckily, when technically I should have been forced into summer school. My saving grace was I maintained good grades and was accepted at the University of Chicago.

It's amusing that you remember the name of a favorite horse from your adolescence. I had a love-hate relationship with a horse named 'Bartlett Kid,' who had uncommon determination but insufficient talent. I kept losing on him but never gave up. He always seemed to hit the board or finish a creditable fourth, but just couldn't muster a win. After a dozen or so tries, he finally broke his maiden at 9/2 odds in a cheap maiden claimer. Although I recaptured all my previous losses on him in one fell swoop, the real payoff was seeing my champion get his just reward.

[Grits]

Still sounds anecdotal to me. Just an excuse to bash some group that you likely do not like due to some reason. I have noticed several actually wealthy people be extremely stingy with tipping over the years. As for "not tipping on tax" . There is no reason to tip on tax. I tip a healthy 20% on the meal (on the non-discounted, non-coupon price even when I use coupons). Also when the meal/snack is under ten, the usual tip is $2 if I sit for more than half hour. But if the bill is large already, especially if it already tip included (when more than 6 people), there is no reason to really tip no tax. Also, lot of people work minimum wage jobs through college, even at 15% tipped servers make a lot of money and they report less on taxable income. (Hope TLG is not reading this... :lol: )
By the way, i think almost anybody who gambles and gets any winnings is doing illegal activity if they do not report all gambling winnings on their Schedule C?

I have no connections to teachers other than being students of many in school and university.

Grits wrote: "I've noticed over the years, though, in restaurants"

This part blew right by you, huh? Like I began the post where you highlighted--completely void of these first words in the paragraph. Great.

I made it clear in the first 8 words my comment was anecdotal. My own experience. So, we're not on the same page, but that's not my problem. So, going forward, please, don't read just the parts that allow you to decide you have the right to bust my chops, and ignore the rest. The outcome is rarely a good one when this happens..

IceKnight wrote:
"Just an excuse to bash some group that you likely do not like due to some reason."

Excuse me, but you've made an unfortunate mistake. I'm sorry, but this doesn't have one single thing in the world to do with any kind of dislike for teachers. NONE, given I know many, and have been friends with them for decades. You're assumption regarding me and what you perceive, which is exactly what this is... is absolutely ludicrous. .... I'll just chalk this up to--its late, you're tired, and obviously all neurons aren't firing. Get some rest. ... EOC.

[TJDave]

As somebody who has worked in restaurants (at casinos) as both a bus boy, host, and waiter, I can tell you from personal experience that servers are notorious for shafting the bus boy.

I can tell you that back when I was an owner or supervisor a server did that and they were gone. Have also fired servers who paid for preferential treatment from bussers or kitchen staff.

[thaskalos]

Still sounds anecdotal to me. Just an excuse to bash some group that you likely do not like due to some reason. I have noticed several actually wealthy people be extremely stingy with tipping over the years. As for "not tipping on tax" . There is no reason to tip on tax. I tip a healthy 20% on the meal (on the non-discounted, non-coupon price even when I use coupons). Also when the meal/snack is under ten, the usual tip is $2 if I sit for more than half hour. But if the bill is large already, especially if it already tip included (when more than 6 people), there is no reason to really tip no tax. Also, lot of people work minimum wage jobs through college, even at 15% tipped servers make a lot of money and they report less on taxable income. (Hope TLG is not reading this... :lol: )
By the way, i think almost anybody who gambles and gets any winnings is doing illegal activity if they do not report all gambling winnings on their Schedule C?

I have no connections to teachers other than being students of many in school and university.

Is this a joke? I honestly can't tell...

[fasteddied]

I use both machines and tellers and I do tip my tellers and know them by name and they me, I do bet strong and when they see me in line 2 back they really do push the tickets out faster to get me in. I like that

[Ocala Mike]

l

By the way, i think almost anybody who gambles and gets any winnings is doing illegal activity if they do not report all gambling winnings on their Schedule C?



Technically, this is correct, but not on a Schedule C if it's incidental income (hobby or recreation), only if you're gambling as a business. You would report all gambling winnings as "other income" on your 1040, but of course practically nobody does it, and it would be (and is) totally unenforceable for the IRS. Imagine hitting for $2 on a scratchoff, and having to report it!

[Ocala Mike]

I don't know of a single state, except Nebraska, where it was EVER illegal, meaning against state law or racing commission rules, for track employees to lend or give their own money to customers.



In New York years ago, tellers would lend money to customers "out of their box" so that they would deliberately "go short," then get to deduct their shortages at the end of the year on their taxes. This, of course, was a totally illegal scheme as viewed by the IRS (the tax deduction part of it), and guys went to jail over it a few years back.

[JohnGalt1]

I always use SAMs to bet but if I get a signer I will tip the teller but not with cash. I will make a bet for them usually a w/p on my most likely winner in a future race. The amount depends on what my win was.

When I play blackjack I will bet for the dealer instead of just giving them a tip.

Dealers and tellers are gamblers and I want them to ride with me.

[iceknight]

Technically, this is correct, but not on a Schedule C if it's incidental income (hobby or recreation), only if you're gambling as a business. You would report all gambling winnings as "other income" on your 1040, but of course practically nobody does it, and it would be (and is) totally unenforceable for the IRS. Imagine hitting for $2 on a scratchoff, and having to report it! You are right. I meant to add the ? mark just for the Schedule C part or S or D.. there are so many things. Should ve used (?).. but yes, it is quite unenforceable and I also disagree with that being counted as income to begin with :lol:

[cj's dad]

Here's a whizz rule of thumb when going to the track

Take laurel as an example......I pound diet pills in the morning so I don't get a appetite,....needless to say I don't eat(plus who wants to take time to eat while blasting away at 7 different tracks)

There is a older lady who waits the tables....." On paper" I would spend prob 30 on food and drink BUT and there is a BUT

LRL is VERY fair in tycoons room.....u get all the refills you want also when u buy a program u get another $5 off and if u own horses "which they think I do" u get either a another $10 off or 25 percent off bill I just did this the first time 2 weeks ago


So if I just drink some soda and a bowl of soup the bill will be like $2,,,,,,,,should I tip the standard $0.35? Of course not

She at worst gets a $12 and normally $20 tip and if it's me and somebody I work with we leave her 25.........IMO u gotta tip that amount cuz if place was busy your technically costing her money by being "dead wood"

Don't forget if your in a track dining room your there for the card (3-5 hours) there is no turnover at that table like a regular restaurant.....you have to take that into account........



Cjs dad what's your take on the laurel bartender that tends bar by the 2nd wire in the lrl clubhouse.....sAy what u tell me

His name is Jim- total a--hole and that's being kind.

[ronsmac]

I started going to casinos when I was 17 years old. My older brother taught me all the tricks and how to identify workers who enforce the rules. My first game was blackjack with a $3 minimum. Of course, I appreciated the lax enforcement at the time. My senior year of high school I had 19 absences. They let me graduate, luckily, when technically I should have been forced into summer school. My saving grace was I maintained good grades and was accepted at the University of Chicago.

It's amusing that you remember the name of a favorite horse from your adolescence. I had a love-hate relationship with a horse named 'Bartlett Kid,' who had uncommon determination but insufficient talent. I kept losing on him but never gave up. He always seemed to hit the board or finish a creditable fourth, but just couldn't muster a win. After a dozen or so tries, he finally broke his maiden at 9/2 odds in a cheap maiden claimer. Although I recaptured all my previous losses on him in one fell swoop, the real payoff was seeing my champion get his just reward.
I remember Chaldea so well, because she had a 7 or 8 length edge in my speed figures off of her maiden win , going into a ny bred nx1. Being only 15 at the time I thought I was a genius to be able to decipher that. Thus I made the largest bet I'd ever made, $75 to win. When she romped home by 11 I didn't even care that she only paid $3.40 and I was hooked for life or so I thought. I'm not as hooked any more.

[proximity]

Here's a whizz rule of thumb when going to the track

Take laurel as an example......I pound diet pills in the morning so I don't get a appetite,....needless to say I don't eat(plus who wants to take time to eat while blasting away at 7 different tracks)

There is a older lady who waits the tables....." On paper" I would spend prob 30 on food and drink BUT and there is a BUT

LRL is VERY fair in tycoons room.....u get all the refills you want also when u buy a program u get another $5 off and if u own horses "which they think I do" u get either a another $10 off or 25 percent off bill I just did this the first time 2 weeks ago


So if I just drink some soda and a bowl of soup the bill will be like $2,,,,,,,,should I tip the standard $0.35? Of course not

She at worst gets a $12 and normally $20 tip and if it's me and somebody I work with we leave her 25.........IMO u gotta tip that amount cuz if place was busy your technically costing her money by being "dead wood"

Don't forget if your in a track dining room your there for the card (3-5 hours) there is no turnover at that table like a regular restaurant.....you have to take that into account........



Cjs dad what's your take on the laurel bartender that tends bar by the 2nd wire in the lrl clubhouse.....sAy what u tell me

whizz, you're like some kind of real life robert de niro super character... playing seven tracks like ace rothstein and tipping $20 for a bowl of soup like jimmy conway.

"whizz would tip the guy $100 for keeping the icecubes cold." :D

[wiffleball whizz]

whizz, you're like some kind of real life robert de niro super character... playing seven tracks like ace rothstein and tipping $20 for a bowl of soup like jimmy conway.

"whizz would tip the guy $100 for keeping the icecubes cold." :D


Nah:......I feel like on a Saturday if I'm taking up a table where somebody else would run up a $80 bill with 3 people I feel obligated whether I eat or not to leave a $12-20 tip

Oh and for the record as a non casino employee as yourself who gambled regularly you are NOT to tip poker dealers more then $1......they either

A. Don't appreciate it

B. take the $ out of the gambling community and don't filter it back in




When I go out and play I always ask the dealers if they are sick like me and gamble.......if they don't gamble they get a $2 max tip......

If they never shut up they get $1,,...****em

If I see them playing cards at casino I work they usually get $5....

So today's lesson is tip $1.....and nothing more!!

[wiffleball whizz]

As for cashing out vouchers with the live teller there must be some clause that doesn't allow a track to have a machine to dispense cash

[Saratoga_Mike]

As for cashing out vouchers with the live teller there must be some clause that doesn't allow a track to have a machine to dispense cash

Interesting point - an ATM-like machine--returns your money to the nearest $10 increment and you receive a voucher for the balance.

[FiveWide]

Interesting point - an ATM-like machine--returns your money to the nearest $10 increment and you receive a voucher for the balance.


LS just got a couple of these put in their simulcast building but I've never used it. Wonder what the max amount is that it will dispense. I typically don't cash out my voucher at the end of the day. I just keep it for next time. If it gets too large I'll split it. I'll cash out whenever I split a few times.

-Five

[wiffleball whizz]

Interesting point - an ATM-like machine--returns your money to the nearest $10 increment and you receive a voucher for the balance.

Actually at casinos the slot voucher self service dispenser will pay out anything up to 1200 to the exact penny......

I gotta believe tellers have fought having these at racetracks as nobody would ever cash out and potentially tip them

There is absolutely zero reason why tracks wouldn't have them

[thespaah]

I'm a serial jaywalker.
I drive 66 in a 65..I am a maniac!

[thespaah]

I almost always use the self service machine for making my bets. But I have noticed this behavior with wait staff. They will bring part of your change and count that out to you and then dig around in their apron looking for the rest of it. Most I'm sure are hoping you'll say "don't worry about the change". This in fact happened to me yesterday when I was paying my waitress.


-Five
That's a trick used by many in the food and beverage business.
It's called mining for tips