[masraum]

Generally whomever you tip is the person that gets the cash. They may then later give a portion of their tips to busboys, bar staff, etc... I asked a waitress recently at IHOP about this. Since I didn't have any cash and would be tipping on the credit card if she would get the cash. She said that she would definitely get the cash since it would come from the ticket that she was our waitress. She also said that here in Texas she had to get the tip and then she could distribute portions, but the restaurant couldn't pool the tips and distribute them evenly.

Some places may do that but they shouldn't.

I think the only time that may make sense is when there's a bar with tip jars being serviced by multiple people.