LEGENDARY: The Night Wayne Gretzky Schooled Michael Jordan on How to Tip in Las Vegas
Sports fans love to debate who the greatest athlete of all time is — but when it comes to tipping etiquette in Las Vegas, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky apparently has the upper hand over basketball icon Michael Jordan.
According to a story that’s been making the rounds for years, the two GOATs were together at a casino table in Las Vegas when a waitress brought Jordan a drink. In what might have seemed like a small but polite gesture, Jordan tipped her with a $5 chip. The waitress thanked him and began to walk away — but that’s when Gretzky decided to step in.
Witnesses say Gretzky stopped the waitress mid-step, took the $5 chip from her hand, and casually reached over to Jordan’s side of the table, where there were stacks of high-value chips. Without hesitation, “The Great One” picked up one of the many $100 chips sitting in front of MJ, handed it to the waitress, and said:
“That’s how we tip in Las Vegas, Michael.”
The move reportedly left Jordan laughing — but also a little embarrassed. For many, the story has become a hilarious example of the two legends’ contrasting personalities. Jordan, famously competitive and calculating with his money (especially in gambling), versus Gretzky’s smooth, big-tip charisma that fit perfectly with Vegas high-roller culture.
Fans online have been split between defending Jordan’s $5 gesture — noting that tipping customs can vary — and praising Gretzky for making the moment memorable for the waitress. Some have even jokingly called it “the greatest assist of Gretzky’s career.”
While neither athlete has publicly confirmed or denied the tale in detail, those who claim to have been there swear it happened exactly as described. Whether entirely true or slightly embellished, it’s the kind of crossover sports story that feels straight out of a movie: two of the most dominant athletes in history, a Vegas casino, and one waitress who definitely went home happier than expected.
If nothing else, it’s a reminder that in the City of Lights, the game isn’t always about who wins at the tables — sometimes, it’s about how you play the little moments.
