Valet parking attendants have typically received a buck per delivery since the 1960s. Notice the word "delivery": most people don't tip valets when they park their cars, only when they bring them back. If you toke a valet driver a buck when he takes your car, or $2 when he drops it off, you'll be George (a big tipper).
Bellmen generally get a dollar a bag. If a luggage handler is especially helpful, or goes above and beyond the call of duty, you might consider a five-dollar bill, even if you have nly one or two bags. If you're not going directly to your room and want your luggage waiting for you when you get there, tip the bellman when he takes your bags; otherwise you might have to call for your luggage when you get to your room.
A good tip for a cocktail waitress is a dollar every time she brings you a drink. If you're a heavy drinker, however, and want attentive service throughout your gamblign session, you might consider a couple of bucks per drink. Some sports have been known to hand a cocktail runner a $10 or $20 right off the bat, but that can be dangerous. If she already has your money and she thinks you might not give her any more, her service could be spotty.
Many hotel guests don't consider housekeeping a tip position, so anything you lave a hotel maid is a lot. But a rule of thumb is to tip $1 a night, or more if you're particularly messy or have kids in the room.
Food servers in sit-down restaurants expect the normal 15% of the bill, minus sales tax and expensive bottles of wine. For highly attentive service, 20% is a good tip. If you've got a 2-for-1 coupon, be sure to tip on the pre-discount total. Buffet servers are fortunate to get $1 per person at the table. Some smorgy aficionados will leave more if they sit for a long time at the table or if they've got messy children with them.
