Offering a table that opens up

Someone cancelled and you have a waiting list. The skill here is timing, not the system.

Call, do not email

For a table tonight, calling works. Email is read too late on average, and you want to know within ten minutes whether you can refill the table or should offer it to the next on the list.

Who to call first

Not necessarily whoever was first on the list, but whoever fits best. A table for two that comes free goes to the party of two, not the four at the top — otherwise you make two calls for nothing.

Set a cut-off

You are doing a waiting-list guest no favour by calling at 18:45 for 19:00. Agree with your team until what time you still call; after that the table is for walk-ins.