Do you tip the Tournament Director after winning the cash?

JustinHayes

JustinHayes

I'll need an Orange Crush
Silver Member
We have a small $5 entry tournament around here (ranges from 16-32 entrys) every Thrusday at a local bar. (The bar provides the TD with free drinks)

I used to play in this about 6-months ago and my buddy (who was a weak A-player) was the TD. He also played in it and he won it about 25% of the time... I had a lot of fun and when I won, I just took the cash and was out.

.... since I quit the APA league, I started playing this tourny again and my buddy has since moved away. The new TD is a lady who is about a D-player but does a good job running it and she also plays in it (basicly she donates).

So, last night was the second week back at this tourny and I won again (actually the first week Cody003 and I split the pot - so I guess I tied last week)..... and my son got 3rd. .... So, we're collecting our winnings and the TD has this sad look on her face as she hands over the cash. ...

... and I briefly think .. "Should I tip her?"

(I didn't, we just left and went home).... but during the NFL season, there's an office pool and it's customary (for that one) that the winner tips the guy that runs the pool.

Has anyone ever tipped the TD in a cash pool tourny? Since she's getting free drinks should I not feel bad that she donated her $5 to me?
 
It's common practice in my part of the country to tip the TD. Most TD's make very little, and have to do a lot. If good TD's aren't helped out by the players, they usually won't be around very long. :(

Roger
 
JustinHayes said:
We have a small $5 entry tournament around here (ranges from 16-32 entrys) every Thrusday at a local bar. (The bar provides the TD with free drinks)

I used to play in this about 6-months ago and my buddy (who was a weak A-player) was the TD. He also played in it and he won it about 25% of the time... I had a lot of fun and when I won, I just took the cash and was out.

.... since I quit the APA league, I started playing this tourny again and my buddy has since moved away. The new TD is a lady who is about a D-player but does a good job running it and she also plays in it (basicly she donates).

So, last night was the second week back at this tourny and I won again (actually the first week Cody003 and I split the pot - so I guess I tied last week)..... and my son got 3rd. .... So, we're collecting our winnings and the TD has this sad look on her face as she hands over the cash. ...

... and I briefly think .. "Should I tip her?"

(I didn't, we just left and went home).... but during the NFL season, there's an office pool and it's customary (for that one) that the winner tips the guy that runs the pool.

Has anyone ever tipped the TD in a cash pool tourny? Since she's getting free drinks should I not feel bad that she donated her $5 to me?
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Go and watch the movie Schindlers List. Tips, Jelly, Grease....Schindler was the best. He made things happen that no one else could and in turn saved many lives.

Our local $5 tournament is actually $6. They add one dollar for the TD. It's not much but it is something. Has worked for many years.

No one should ever solicit a tip or even a thanks IMO. If they deserve a tip, a thanks or pat on the back.....you will know it. We (as a society) are too slow to show our appreciation. Let people know how much you appreciate them, it goes a long way.

Ray
 
The Th. night local tournament I play is is 15 entry (5 to the house for all night of pool, 10 in the pot), sometimes we put in 20 for an extra 5 in the pot. The top prize is usually 50,60,70, and about half the people throw the manager/orginizer a 10 or a 5 if they win or come in 2nd. I usually tip him, especially if the finals finish late.

It's pretty much like gambling winnings or a transaction you make in the room. I have sold/traded some of my computers in there to players and a few sticks here and there, and set aside about 10% for the manager as he's providing a place for me to get more business at.

If I earn something like 20$ from a set, probably no tip. 50-60, he'd get at least a 5 or a 10.

I guess the short answer with a long discription is "yes I do tip, most of the time, and so do about half the other players".
 
hang-the-9 said:
The Th. night local tournament I play is is 15 entry (5 to the house for all night of pool, 10 in the pot), sometimes we put in 20 for an extra 5 in the pot. The top prize is usually 50,60,70, and about half the people throw the manager/orginizer a 10 or a 5 if they win or come in 2nd. I usually tip him, especially if the finals finish late.

It's pretty much like gambling winnings or a transaction you make in the room. I have sold/traded some of my computers in there to players and a few sticks here and there, and set aside about 10% for the manager as he's providing a place for me to get more business at.

If I earn something like 20$ from a set, probably no tip. 50-60, he'd get at least a 5 or a 10.

I guess the short answer with a long discription is "yes I do tip, most of the time, and so do about half the other players".
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Here's a man with red carpet everywhere he goes. ;)

Ray


(hopefully not on the table though) :shocked:
 
I had run a weekly tournament for about two years for free before the bar owner decided it would be a good idea to replace the most of the green felt with Crown Royal felt. I told him to give me a call when he went back to green. After about 6 months of having someone else running the tournament into the ground, I got a call from the manager telling me that the green was back and that I would be compensated as well if I came back. That next Sat I came back and brought 20 or so people with me and filled out the bracket at 32. Two locals to the bar went 2 and 3 and tried to tip me and thanking me for coming back. I didn't accept it, but the consideration is always a nice thing to have. One thing that I always like to before leaving any tournament big or small is to thank the Director for having one in the first place.
 
Yeah, In Phoenix, as Roger Long said above, it's pretty common to tip out something like 10%. I've run a ton of tourneys and people are usually pretty good about tipping. 2nd and 3rd place also tip if the pot is up there.

Typical situation (From stats of my last big tourney)

1st won $585 and tipped $40
2nd won $260 and tipped $20
3rd won $140 and tipped $10

For Weekly's usually first place is $100-$140 or so and usually get tipped $10 - $20 depending on the person. These are $5 entry tourneys and start at 7:30 and end after 1 a.m. usually.

I won a weekly tourney (26 players) in the Midwest not long ago winning $220 (I think) and I tipped the guy $30. He was a little caught off guard by this as was the 2nd place guy.

I know a lot of people do NOT tip if the TD happens to be the owner of the room or something because they are already getting theirs.

It seems like the right thing to do IMO. TD's deal with Late Players, Complaints, Handicapping Issues and Complaints, Table assignments, Tracking down people for their matches, Dealing with the Money (both in and out), and are accountable if things go wrong. Tipping 10% is nothing for you!

Also, as a TD, it's always nice to know that players respect you and the job you're doing. I always remember those players that do tip and those that tip well. If Joe Blow tipped me out once and is running late and calls to have me put him in, I'm more likely to do it than some guy that didn't tip before.
 
I run a local tournament and about half the time I get tipped. I have no expectation for a tip and the bar does pay me $25 to run it. If I do get a tip its a added bonus.
 
Actually Justin I have wondered the same as I go to the sunday tourney as well and usually win(full of D players). Considering you have to start in the losers side the following week and she gets free drinks all night and a chance of winning I believe is good enough but I always thank her and help her if needed.
 
A TD's job sucks.....yes, tip 10%......granted, I confess I may have forgotten to do this a couple of times, but I rarely finish in the money anyway :D
 
Cody003 said:
Actually Justin I have wondered the same as I go to the sunday tourney as well and usually win(full of D players). Considering you have to start in the losers side the following week and she gets free drinks all night and a chance of winning I believe is good enough but I always thank her and help her if needed.
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Yeah, considering you help her, then you're doing your share Cody. Hunter helped her last night, so maybe that counts for something. Maybe she seemed sad because she probably doesn't want the same people winning everytime.... kind of runs off the other people. (Corey used to obviously lay-down sometimes and he would tell me that if he won too much, people wouldn't play in his tourny)

I think if/when I win again, ... I'll give her a tip. (Like we said before..."I wish I was getting free drinks like she is")
 
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Tipping is like giving a gift... it makes two people happy, the giver and the receiver.

Tips are never expected and always appreciated.

I never expect a tip from any of the players. I always appreciate the gesture.

How much is a good tip?... a 'thank you' is more than enough.
 
Yes definately ! If everything is on the up and up.

But would you give him a tip if your first place prize was 400 in a 600 added event with 60 players and purse of 3500 ?

The OP question remains in a very grey area i think !
 
What tourneys?

Where are the tournament location for your Thursday and Sunday events? I know some D players who would like to donate.

Also what are the sign-up times, start times, handicapped, races to what, 8-ball or 9-ball?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Buh-bye
 
stuckart said:
Yeah, In Phoenix, as Roger Long said above, it's pretty common to tip out something like 10%. I've run a ton of tourneys and people are usually pretty good about tipping. 2nd and 3rd place also tip if the pot is up there.

Typical situation (From stats of my last big tourney)

1st won $585 and tipped $40
2nd won $260 and tipped $20
3rd won $140 and tipped $10

For Weekly's usually first place is $100-$140 or so and usually get tipped $10 - $20 depending on the person. These are $5 entry tourneys and start at 7:30 and end after 1 a.m. usually.

I won a weekly tourney (26 players) in the Midwest not long ago winning $220 (I think) and I tipped the guy $30. He was a little caught off guard by this as was the 2nd place guy.

I know a lot of people do NOT tip if the TD happens to be the owner of the room or something because they are already getting theirs.

It seems like the right thing to do IMO. TD's deal with Late Players, Complaints, Handicapping Issues and Complaints, Table assignments, Tracking down people for their matches, Dealing with the Money (both in and out), and are accountable if things go wrong. Tipping 10% is nothing for you!

Also, as a TD, it's always nice to know that players respect you and the job you're doing. I always remember those players that do tip and those that tip well. If Joe Blow tipped me out once and is running late and calls to have me put him in, I'm more likely to do it than some guy that didn't tip before.
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I'm only partially quoting your post.

Also, as a TD, it's always nice to know that players respect you and the job you're doing. I always remember those players that do tip and those that tip well. If Joe Blow tipped me out once and is running late and calls to have me put him in, I'm more likely to do it than some guy that didn't tip before.

This in my opinion will get you a lot of grief, by the appearance of playing favorites with people that may be late. When people see this happening, the same is expected when they are late.
 
mandersotx said:
I know some D players who would like to donate.
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..... Hmmm... "D Players" like the BCA women's national champions? :thumbup:

Haha.

These are way out in Farmersville at Celebration Location at 78 and 380. Thursday starts at 8pm... I think Sunday is at 3pm but I'll check on that (haven't been to that one)

It would be great to see more players, but it's a bit of a drive from Dallas.
 
I have been TD for lots of events, most of them working for free, and I have never received a tip, and I wouldn't accept it if someone tried to give it to me.

Possible situation.

Player A wins the tournament, but give no tip. Player B gives me $ 40 tip. I work for free.

Next event. Player A and Player B is having a situation at a table, and as a TD you need to make a call. What will you do? Will you favour the player that gives you tip? What will people think if you happen to make a bad call, and in favour of Player B? Bad calls happen every now and then, so it could be an honest mistake from you, but will they believe it?

To accept tip from players opens up a can of worms - better stay away from it.

Let the TD take % of the money or some of the green fee etc., but don't tip him/her.
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I have been TD for lots of events, most of them working for free, and I have never received a tip, and I wouldn't accept it if someone tried to give it to me.

Possible situation.

Player A wins the tournament, but give no tip. Player B gives me $ 40 tip. I work for free.

Next event. Player A and Player B is having a situation at a table, and as a TD you need to make a call. What will you do? Will you favour the player that gives you tip? What will people think if you happen to make a bad call, and in favour of Player B? Bad calls happen every now and then, so it could be an honest mistake from you, but will they believe it?

To accept tip from players opens up a can of worms - better stay away from it.

Let the TD take % of the money or some of the green fee etc., but don't tip him/her.
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Exactly why I wouldn't take one. I run the tournament for a whopping $25 and entry. I don't do it for the money, I do it to have a good tournament to play in on a weekly basis. And as long as the other players think that it is a good tournament thats good enough for me!
 
if he is a local tournament director, i ussually throw him a Gapper.

But if he is a part of a major tour i ussually dont since he is being paid by the room owner to be there and is ussually taking a cut of the action as well.

-Steve
 
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