Tipping the tournament director?

5

5aheadforpinks

Nit Picker
Silver Member
Just wondering what the standard etiquette is for tipping the tournament director after winning a tournament?

Does it change based on the prize? $50, $100, $500, $5000?

Do you always, sometimes or never tip?

Thanks for the advice.
 
I had not given it a thought. I have run some small tournaments for a local location and the owner paid my entry fee and provided a couple of meals and beverages. I was happy to do it.

I would think that any compensation for directing a tournament would be the responsibility of the establishment owners.

If I was a player and the TD needed a tip replaced, I would probably help them out.
 
I would like to know for the small bar tournaments. I've never seen anyone it. I use to buy them a beer or two but the new director doesn't drink.
 
Just a guess, but I would think the TD gets very little, if anything from the winner.




We're talking pool players...... not high rollers at the casino.


Where's Jay....? I'd like to know what he has to say.
 
Drink or two sounds good if you know them.
Tipping? If it's not a custom let's not start it.
I will probably be -$5,000 min. Before I ever win a tournament!!:D
 
You always tip your dealer, tournament director, etc. It pleases the gambling gods.

Yes, if I win $100 bucks at the bar tournament, I'm tipping the TD 10-15%. I sometimes throw the bar $10-20 also. If I ever win a bigger tourney, I'll do the same thing. It's just good karma and it's only money...about the easiest thing in this world to replace...unlike a lot of other things.
 
Tipping the TD should not be allowed. If he/she feels they are not paid enough...don't do the job. There is enough crap going on in pool W/O worrying about, "Did I give the TD enough last tournament to get a bye and some calls my way?" I know many TD that a tip wouldn't buy them, and few it would. Johnnyt
 
If I win a tourney I always tip out the guy running it. I know it isn't mandatory but I appreciate the work that goes into running it, planning it, and having to listen to all the whiners about other players handicaps, etc. Let us remember, if no one wants to run a tournament, there won't be one for us to play in. I also believe it pleases the gambling gods.

Small amount, I usually tip about 10%. Most I have won was 1000 and I gave 50. I am also curious what other players that tip consider the right amount.
 
5aheadforpinks said:
Just wondering what the standard etiquette is for tipping the tournament director after winning a tournament?

Does it change based on the prize? $50, $100, $500, $5000?

Do you always, sometimes or never tip?

Thanks for the advice.
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As a small time tournament director, I have never had the experience of being tipped for hosting an event, nor do I expect one.

I cannot speak for larger venues.

I have tipped for my ticket being drawn during a Break & Run raffle if I potted a few balls. I have also seen other players do the same. For this instance, it does vary based on how much was earned. However, that is a different scenario.
 
The bar's I play tournaments in I usually put an extra $5-10 in the waitress tip jar. I occasionally run a small tournament and don't want anything in return but it is nice when the winner puts a couple bucks in the tip jar.
 
Oh My!!

Never entered my mind. :sorry: But, not too bad of a faux pas as I have not won any serious money in a tournament. Tournaments are probably a money loser for most.

Al
 
When I used to play the local NYC tournaments during the 90s, if I won, I always tipped the TD, usually about 10% unless it was a fairly large purse, then less.

I imagine that's still the protocol.

J
 
I could see tipping for a tournament that is run by a single director but how about at a big regional type tournament where there's a complete staff of people running things?

That just seems a little odd to me. But it didn't prevent the director at a recent tournament I won from mentioning the fact that he never gets tipped. It hadn't even dawned on me at the time to do so and after the comment there was pretty much no way I was going to. Now had the amount won been very significant I may have felt differently.
 
Thank you all for the different viewpoints. I can see this is not a standard practice by any means.
Some tournaments I play in, the director stays until almost 2am.
Others, the TD gives the payouts to the bar and leaves when its down to the last 4 players by 11pm.
Sometimes the TD will also play in the tournament.

It's a tough call for me. If the TD plays in the tournament and gets 3rd place money, he has to be there anyway and probably shouldn't need a tip.
But in one place it was brought to my attention that the winner tips the TD no matter what, and I felt bad because I hadn't tipped anything after several wins.

I do always tip the bar/staff when ordering a drink, even water. But that is different imo.

Thanks for the responses.
 
NitPicker said:
You always tip your dealer, tournament director, etc. It pleases the gambling gods.

Yes, if I win $100 bucks at the bar tournament, I'm tipping the TD 10-15%. I sometimes throw the bar $10-20 also. If I ever win a bigger tourney, I'll do the same thing. It's just good karma and it's only money...about the easiest thing in this world to replace...unlike a lot of other things.
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I can't agree with you more! Well said! BUT,,,,, only at the small bar tournaments! It's usually amongst friends and its always good to show everyone it's not about the money:)

If I go to tourney and break even between my entry fee and food&drink, I'm a winner;) it's a free night out in my opinion and when you take care of people around you,(those that deserve it, ie.waitress/bartender) your well thought of;) and that my friends has made me more $$$! Between side work and gambling!

Again spot on with tips;) that extra couple bucks goes a long way!!
 
I tip the TD %10 if I win. Sometimes I'll tip if I get 2nd or 3rd. Not always. weekly tournaments is when I tip. The bigger tournaments I dont. The TDS get paid here and more for the monthlys.
 
Past tips from particular players, or the prospect of future tips, has the potential for creating real or perceived bias in TDs in making rules' calls.
 
AtLarge said:
Past tips from particular players, or the prospect of future tips, has the potential for creating real or perceived bias in TDs in making rules' calls.
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Not if everyone did it. Potential for real or especially perceived bias can be created by simply showing up.

Gratuities...whether we're talking TD's in pool or servers at a restaurant, some people just don't get it. Mostly because they've never had to rely on giving more than what's asked of them, they only do just enough, and therefore can't appreciate when someone else goes above and beyond...hell, they sometimes even resent it.
 
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