Live cash game question

H

Ham101

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 15, 2017
Total posts
5
Chips
0
Have played many tournament poker games, but I'm looking to start getting into live cash games, but I've got a couple questions that might be kind of dumb to most of you. But if I don't ask I will never know.

1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?

2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.

Again, sorry for the dumb questions, just never played live cash and not sure on the etiquette here. Thanks
 
Jillychemung

Jillychemung

Stacks & Stacks
Loyaler
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Total posts
8,250
Awards
1
Chips
124
1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?

There is no standard. My tips depend on the situtation, is it a casino or card room where the dealer has a salary+tips and you pay rake or is it a club where you pay time and dealer only works for tips?

For the former I tip $1 on pots 10x the BB (ie $20 for a $1/$2 game) and maybe $5 on a pot >$200.

For the latter, I tip $1 for almost all won pots and $5 - $25 for big pots.

2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.

Yes tell the dealer you're done and to deal you out. No need to give any advance notice to the other players.

In a more social game, I will give notice that I'm playing my last hour (time based rake) or playing my last orbit.
 
jsnake716

jsnake716

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Dec 6, 2016
Total posts
1,007
Awards
4
Chips
0
Have played many tournament poker games, but I'm looking to start getting into live cash games, but I've got a couple questions that might be kind of dumb to most of you. But if I don't ask I will never know.

1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?

2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.

Again, sorry for the dumb questions, just never played live cash and not sure on the etiquette here. Thanks
Well, I am definitely not an expert but this is what I have been doing, For most of my "live" poker sessions more than 6 months ago, I was strictly a "rec" player, I had other income so I tipped the dealer every pot I won and the amount changed alot, probably was too much most of the time. Now, I am starting to try and grind out a good winrate and I am starting to rely on a small income from "live" poker. I generally tip every hand I win, that goes to a flop. I only tip a dollar or two on small pots. If I win at least 30 BBs, I will tip $5. I am starting to know the dealers at my local casino, so I am thinking of maybe tipping them around the holidays, an envelope with money depending on how good my year has been. I wonder if anyone else does this?? (I do not tip the dealer if I win a pot preflop with a 3 bet or 4 bet fold because I do not want the player to feel offended if I made him fold and then throw chips at the dealer?? it feels wrong to me??
 
N

nittany182

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Total posts
89
Chips
0
For me...

Tips... Blinds and checks only $0, small pot with a little action $1, heavy pot with lots of action $2-3... Most tables I play guys tip this way to, not to bad if you deal 20-30 hands an hour and make $20-$30 an hour in tips...

Leaving table... Never mid blinds, and I'll sit and fold or play monsters but never speculative hands until BB is back next to me then go. I'm partly afraid I may miss a nice hand if I leave that 10 minutes earlier.
 
Sheepodog

Sheepodog

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Total posts
1,313
Awards
42
US
Chips
15
Playing a cash table, I tip the dealer 2-5 on any hand I win...Trnys with 40 to 120 players which is what I generally play, I take what I've won, subtract whatever the buy in was, and tip the dealers 10%...everyone goes home happy!
 
Tillersizuniversal

Tillersizuniversal

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Total posts
138
Chips
0
I tip a 1$ every 25$ I win in a pot at cash tables..... The way you leave shouldn't be over thought.... When you feel the time is right let the deal know or the table sitter if he's near they will get you chip trays
 
J

JackRabbitSlim

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 21, 2017
Total posts
5
Chips
0
Have played many tournament poker games, but I'm looking to start getting into live cash games, but I've got a couple questions that might be kind of dumb to most of you. But if I don't ask I will never know.

1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?

2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.

Again, sorry for the dumb questions, just never played live cash and not sure on the etiquette here. Thanks

I play $200NL with $1/$2 blinds and the general tip is a buck. If you win a larger hand, 2 or 3 dollars.
 
A

atyagi

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 21, 2017
Total posts
25
Chips
0
in 1-2 game $1 is a good tip on winning. If you win aa HUGE pot, you can tip more.
 
O

omgdontcall

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Total posts
39
Chips
0
Have played many tournament poker games, but I'm looking to start getting into live cash games, but I've got a couple questions that might be kind of dumb to most of you. But if I don't ask I will never know.

1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?

I typically tip a dollar for the most part and I wouldn't tip more unless it's relatively decent size pot or I happen to like a certain dealer over the long term.

2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.

No proper procedure, just grab some racks and leave. You can tell the dealer to deal you out if you don't want to play anymore too.
 
M

Marginal

Junior Member
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Total posts
10,426
Awards
3
Chips
2
Have played many tournament poker games, but I'm looking to start getting into live cash games, but I've got a couple questions that might be kind of dumb to most of you. But if I don't ask I will never know.

1. What is the standard tip to the dealer? How much, and how often? % of the pot? Every winning pot?
when i play 1/1 or 1/2 the proper tip size is probably £1 once it sees a flop. when you get into bigger games and pots run into 4/5 figures it starts pushing into 5£ a hand, smaller pots obv still 1 to 2£
2. When your ready to quit, that's the proper procedure? Tell the dealer I'm out? Or what.
usually our games just break up naturally but if you are leaving, its probably best, just to be courteous and say a few minutes before that you plan on heading off. Its not really necessary but i find it to be a good gesture to show your not just running away
Again, sorry for the dumb questions, just never played live cash and not sure on the etiquette here. Thanks
bold
 
Jacki Burkhart

Jacki Burkhart

long winded rambler...
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 12, 2013
Total posts
2,960
Awards
6
Chips
0
I'm popping in here with similar questions. after 8+ years of almost exclusively tournaments I'm interested in playing a little bit of cash. But the etiquette and norms give me more anxiety than the actual game play.


I think dealers deserve to be tipped, but I'd like to know the MINIMUM to tip without being rude/cheap that way when I really feel like I'm getting great service I can tip more. I think for myself in a 1/2 game I won't tip on any pot I win preflop and postflop I'll probably tip about $1 on pots that are close to 10bb or more. if it's a really small heads up pot and a CB wins, I might not tip...is this OK?

But, when a dealer is really great, friendly, fast etc I want to be able to afford to tip more.

Other questions:

1) seat changes and table changes. what is the right way to go about this. I don't want to seem rude or needy

2) topping up (buying more chips) how often should I do this and what is the protocol?

3) straddles. I don't really understand this. I've done the mississippi straddle (button straddle with last action) and it's obvious to me that I should always take that option but other straddles I don't get.

4) run it once or twice etc. I don't really understand what's going on with this. (I understand the mechanics, but who proposes it and why and should I say yes, does it even matter?)

5) etiquette for taking a break....if I'm just going to the restroom I'm not too worried but what if I want to take a little longer break...should I give up my seat? Is it safe to leave my chips?

6) chopping the blinds, should I do this? What's the rationale?

7) how do I evaluate the rake? the only games I've ever played in were private games (no rake) so I'm not sure about the bad beat jackpots and rake etc. I don't want to get too ripped off.

8) are there other rules I should know about that are different than tourneys? ex I don't think you have to table your hand when you're all in, is this correct? anything else like this?
 
M

Marginal

Junior Member
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Total posts
10,426
Awards
3
Chips
2
I'm popping in here with similar questions. after 8+ years of almost exclusively tournaments I'm interested in playing a little bit of cash. But the etiquette and norms give me more anxiety than the actual game play.


I think dealers deserve to be tipped, but I'd like to know the MINIMUM to tip without being rude/cheap that way when I really feel like I'm getting great service I can tip more. I think for myself in a 1/2 game I won't tip on any pot I win preflop and postflop I'll probably tip about $1 on pots that are close to 10bb or more. if it's a really small heads up pot and a CB wins, I might not tip...is this OK?

This seems about right to me. I also always find it more difficult to tip in terms of figuring out the norms and whats right in the smaller games. In the bigger games its easy you just do it ever hand etc but in smaller games you do need to factor in seeing a flop for like a 5$ pot and you just got raked 1$ etc, i never could justify tipping in those spots.

But, when a dealer is really great, friendly, fast etc I want to be able to afford to tip more.

Other questions:

1) seat changes and table changes. what is the right way to go about this. I don't want to seem rude or needy

Generally seat changes look bad, and it looks like you are just trying to bum hunt someone, it gets awkward when they notice as well. Obvious exception if you want to sit next to a friend etc. Im fine with seat changes but it can be frowned upon. Table changes, there really is no problem with this in any of the spots ive played at, so you should be fine

2) topping up (buying more chips) how often should I do this and what is the protocol?

Usually i just buy in for the max and top up when my stack has it hit a dip, its hard to do if you drop like 2$, you arent going to rebuy 2$ right, so its just a matter of finding that zone where its worthwhile to actually dip, for some its for 25$, some its 100$, just really depends. No one is ever gonna frown on it since your adding money to the table

3) straddles. I don't really understand this. I've done the mississippi straddle (button straddle with last action) and it's obvious to me that I should always take that option but other straddles I don't get.

This is a weird one cause the mississippi or rock are usually universal and you can get those, but some places just do some really random straddling and its really just house rules at that point, if in doubt just ask, i dont think its ever a problem to do this

4) run it once or twice etc. I don't really understand what's going on with this. (I understand the mechanics, but who proposes it and why and should I say yes, does it even matter?)

So anyone can propose it once all in, i tend to ask the question of my opponent, if they want once or twice. It just speeds it up to take the innitative since sometimes you end up waiting for someone to decide and it becomes a stare down. In our game, generally we run it twice everytime but thats mainly cause our all ins are generally in the deep 4 figures and into 5 figures but its just a common courtesy to extend. But i will warn, you are going to want to have a consistent decision, reason being if people see you going once in some situations and twice in others then you have a problem. So just be consistent in what you do.

5) etiquette for taking a break....if I'm just going to the restroom I'm not too worried but what if I want to take a little longer break...should I give up my seat? Is it safe to leave my chips?

Yea should be safe to leave chips, most places will have a time limit for how long you can be gone, so just make sure you dont overstay your leave, but in any event your chips are safe

6) chopping the blinds, should I do this? What's the rationale?

This one is more for courtesy than anything else, plus BvB pots end up being small so it just saves time, again its just to be courtesy but you want to be consistent in your decision, all lot of times you need to just stick to whatever you do, either always chop or never chop etc.

7) how do I evaluate the rake? the only games I've ever played in were private games (no rake) so I'm not sure about the bad beat jackpots and rake etc. I don't want to get too ripped off.

Depends on how often you play at the place, you wont be able to avoid it if they have promotions etc like High hand/ BBV or like a monthly comp for regulars. If its the last one, and there is a loyalty comp, then it really only benefits you if you play it very regularly. The rake as expected is going to be high, In a lot of places its 10% capped at like 5$/10$. When you move into the 2/5 and above bracket however, there are table charges so rake is not a factor.

8) are there other rules I should know about that are different than tourneys? ex I don't think you have to table your hand when you're all in, is this correct? anything else like this?

that is correct. When it comes to cash, i wouldnt say there are rules per say but just etiquette points. Once your not angling anyone you should be fine.

in bold. GL and enjoy
 
O

omgdontcall

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Total posts
39
Chips
0
I'm popping in here with similar questions. after 8+ years of almost exclusively tournaments I'm interested in playing a little bit of cash. But the etiquette and norms give me more anxiety than the actual game play.


I think dealers deserve to be tipped, but I'd like to know the MINIMUM to tip without being rude/cheap that way when I really feel like I'm getting great service I can tip more. I think for myself in a 1/2 game I won't tip on any pot I win preflop and postflop I'll probably tip about $1 on pots that are close to 10bb or more. if it's a really small heads up pot and a CB wins, I might not tip...is this OK?

But, when a dealer is really great, friendly, fast etc I want to be able to afford to tip more.

If you feel the pot is too small to tip, then don't.

To answer your other questions:

1) seat changes and table changes. what is the right way to go about this. I don't want to seem rude or needy

-For a seat change I would just tell the dealer in between hands. Some casinos the dealer will give you a "1st, 2nd... seat change" button. If a new dealer comes into the game and the previous dealer didn't tell the new dealer of your request be sure to remind him/her. As for a table change just flag a floor person and they should be able to accommodate your request if there's a vacant seat at another table, if not they'll usually add you to their list.

2) topping up (buying more chips) how often should I do this and what is the protocol?

-Top up as you need, preferably I like to top up when it falls under 50% or more of my original buy in. Protocol, just request for chips to the dealer before the next hand is dealt so the topped money is in play.


3) straddles. I don't really understand this. I've done the mississippi straddle (button straddle with last action) and it's obvious to me that I should always take that option but other straddles I don't get.

Same concept preflop in both cases, it creates actions and you get to act last. Mississippi straddle of course is always better since you get position.


4) run it once or twice etc. I don't really understand what's going on with this. (I understand the mechanics, but who proposes it and why and should I say yes, does it even matter?)

- I never was given the opportunity to run it more than once, mainly because my cardroom doesn't allow it unless its 5/10 NL+ and the pot is relatively big. As for who proposes it...it varies but I would assume it would be the one who's at risk and both players would have to agree. As for why you should agree to run it twice is it reduces variance (protect your bankroll perhaps).


5) etiquette for taking a break....if I'm just going to the restroom I'm not too worried but what if I want to take a little longer break...should I give up my seat? Is it safe to leave my chips?

-I think it's fine to take a 5-10 min break, anything past 20+ some players might tell the dealer or floor person to call the person back to the game or they'll pick up their chips and open the seat up for another person. I would say it's safe to leave your chips at the poker table, but if you're concerned just make a mental note of how many you had before leaving.



6) chopping the blinds, should I do this? What's the rationale?

-Chopping in the blinds saves you from the post-flop rake. Usually I ask the person next to me in the blind if they chop...and by chop I mean ALWAYS chop regardless of my holdings. Of course you might play with people who say they chop but when they get AA in the blinds all of the sudden they don't want to chop (and who would? but it's all etiquette to me, i stick to my word)

7) how do I evaluate the rake? the only games I've ever played in were private games (no rake) so I'm not sure about the bad beat jackpots and rake etc. I don't want to get too ripped off.

-Rake varies from casino/cardroom and sometimes table stakes. For example at my casino a typical full ring 1/2 NL holdem game (9 players) the rake is $5, if there's only six players being dealt in the game the rake is dropped to $3, 5 or less players dealt in the game the rake is $1. In my experience of casinos that offer a bad beat jackpot they may take an additional $1.

Low limit games like 3/6 holdem are considered hard to beat in the long run because so much is taken out for the drop/rake.


8) are there other rules I should know about that are different than tourneys? ex I don't think you have to table your hand when you're all in, is this correct? anything else like this?

-You still have to table your hand at the end of the hand eventually, but to answer your question, you don't have to table your hand right away like in tournaments. I only table my hand if either I have to show my hand first or I have the winning hand. If my opponent goes all in and I call and he shows me the unbeatable nuts then I don't table my hand and throw it in the muck.

Hope this clarifies some of your questions!
 
tbdbitl

tbdbitl

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Total posts
1,048
Awards
1
Chips
0
$1 if I have > $15 - 100 profit
Additional $1 for every $100 after

High Hands and Promotions:
I see people tip way too much for these! I’m usually tipping about 2x my normal tip to start. This comes out to about 2%. Depending on the dealer and the size of the promo winnings I may tip 3%

1. Seat changes —dealer controlled. Most rooms have seat change buttons—ask the dealer for the 1st seat change button.
Table changes—ask the floor.

2. Your preference. After I’m down almost $100, I’ll pull out another $100. If you constantly want to keep your stack at a certain level. Get extra chips and put in your pocket to add to your stack (1/2 game $25 chips)
4) most 1/2 games don’t offer this—usually higher stakes
5) take em when you want. If you are going to be a while ask the dealer how long you have before your chips are picked up.
6) your option. Some people never chop. Current promos may persuade you to play.
 
Real Money Poker - Real Money Casinos Organize a Home Poker Game Top 10 Games
Top