You'll get a wide range of answers. Some players have been known to tip just about everyone in sight with their hand out if they hit a big jackpot and they feel like the employees have been nice to them, and moreso if they know them and play at the particular site a lot; others feel like they're just doing their job and deserve nothing. Most do something in between. I haven't heard of anyone tipping more than $100 on a $4000 royal or less than $10, but I'm sure there are players that are in fact above and below those figures.
I personally tip $20-40 on $4,000 royals, and when I used to play higher, tipped $100 on a $20,000 royal the two times I got it.
Personally, I've had experience doing "service" jobs, and I do think that certain employees that depend on tips for their income, such as blackjack and poker dealers, deserve reasonably generous tips (as defined by your own conscience) if they've provided reasonable service. I feel the same way about someone who takes my bags up to my room for me, or about cocktail waitresses. I don't think those who give you a hand-pay fall into that category, but I do think they should get something, as they're usually eating up 15-20 minutes of their time to do everything involved.
I also consider my expected win rate, and try not to tip it away. For example, I know people who play blackjack and tip $5 every time they hit a $25 blackjack. I've forgotten the frequency of getting blackjack, but I do remember that when I knew it, and did the math, that tip will eat up almost all of a 0.5% edge that you might have against the house, so if you're playing for profit, you have to keep that in mind, or your tipping will turn you into a negative expectation player (much as taxes will, anyway, so whatever...) .
I don't have experience with bartenders and video poker (I've played at bars, but have never hit), but I'd consider the level of service provided. If calling the casino personnel to tell them the machine's been hit is all he / she does, and it takes about the same time and effort as mixing or serving me a drink, I'd use that to guide me on my tip.
And I would not take up a seat at a bar if I didn't intend to have a drink at reasonable intervals, and to tip for that - any more than I'd expect to go into a restaurant and have a meeting with a friend, but not order any food or beverage and not leave a tip.
-BG
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