Comments on: Sports Pool Etiquette: Do You Have To Tip The Person Running The Pool?

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:02:09 +0000

Absolutely you should tip. Should you tip enough where you think to yourself, geeze, thats a good chunk of what I won? No. I run a bracket pool every year. The last few years there have been over 100 people in it from all over the place. My work, back home, my neighborhood, a friends work, friends friends, my wife’s work etc. Does anyone think it is easy to manage, track and get these people to pay, cash their checks, then pay it all back out right away? I don’t take any cut and I pay my own way in just like everybody else. I handed a guy $1200 cash in an envelope and expected at least a $20 for my time but nothing. I did not expect to get mad but I’ll admit I was a little annoyed. What is $20 out of $1200? Like 2 other people have said, a little something to say thank you for your time. I can tell you that all the people who posted in here that you shouldn’t tip have never run a pool.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:38:18 +0000

Of course you should tip. Some of the comments here are truly sad.
Example: A bartender unscrews a bottle cap and the average tip is a buck. To unscrew a bottle!
Someone running a pool does more than just put numbers in a program (Roxi-moron – prior comment). They have to collect $$, organize, follow up, track, and pay out the funds. They are doing all of this work to potentially make someone (you) money. If they screw up, they have to pay up. There is a big responsibility. Most of the typical office pools are for fun. The person organizing it isn’t looking to “cash in” off you. They are taking the time and effort to organize a fun pool for all to participate in. I don’t think a 5% tip is absurd. Maybe buy them lunch or coffees for a couple of days. But the attitudes to the responses on here are ridiculous. To quote Adrianna on the previous comment “It’s just common courtesy to say thanks for your time.”

By: Adrianna

Adrianna — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:58:03 +0000

Heck yeah you should tip. My fiance has been running the pools at his work for years and he puts his time and effort into setting up the boards, collecting the $ and paying out. He didn’t get tipped the past couple years and says he’s not organizing it anymore. Let someone else put out the effort. It’s just common courtesy to say thanks for your time.

By: Roxi

Roxi — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:02:30 +0000

What kind of pools are you all in? I am currently in two hockey pools and have entered in Super Bowl Pools in the past and have never tipped or was expected to tip the person who set the pool up when myself or my hubby has won (and the hubby has won a few times). What does that person do other than enter it in a program? Seriously – the program does the work for them! My advise is don’t waste your money or next time ask up front what they expect. IF they expect a tip should you win – don’t enter.

By: Manny

Manny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:29:06 +0000

I normally do, and do appreciate a little something something when I run a pool. But I don’t expect it. I find that people who play in a lot of pools or bet often on different things are more likely to tip than the office worker that just plays only the SB pool. It shows that you appreciate the time it takes for the person running the pool to setup organize, manage and collect $$$ and payout in a timely fashion.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:40:44 +0000

I have never heard of this rule before. Nobody tells these people they have to start up these pools, if you win the money is yours!

By: joe

joe — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:52:44 +0000

won my first pool yesterday and struggling whether to tip or not tip the guy running the pool. wanna do the right thing and not be a cheap bastard, but also do not wanna give away $$$ if i don’t have to. all the pools i have lost, i am still way in the red. i was told 10% is adequate.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:08:03 +0000

Screw that man.. You won the money.. I have never heard of this rule. Gahh people think you should tip for everything.. Its damn annoying.. I am not made of money.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:11:57 +0000

Never should you have to tip the person I never have

By: Corinne

Corinne — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:07:24 +0000

When we win we always tip the person running the pool. It’s considered to be a big no-no if you don’t.