If you are new to gambling, and you are eager to hit your local casino or make your way to Las Vegas and play under the vibrant lights of the big city, that’s all quite exciting!
However, you must know some basics about how to carry yourself when you are gambling so that you don’t find yourself in an embarrassing situation, or even worse, removed from a property.
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We are here to help you. We have compiled a list of etiquette rules that you should check out before you set foot in a casino.
And even if you are a seasoned gambler, we think you may also wish to have a look at this page. We have witnessed too much bad behaviour to believe it is all coming from newbies.
Casino Etiquettes to Follow
We’ll be focusing this page on how to act when you are playing at a live casino. If you are playing online, you don’t have to worry about most of this, but still, you need to comply with some self-control basics which we cover here.
Let’s have a look at some of the Casino Etiquettes to Follow you should be considering when you are trying to be a respectful gambler.
1. Electronics/ Gadgets
Today everything we do seems to involve our phones. Well, in a casino, they want you to be carefree and phone-free while enjoying your favourite games. When you are seated at a table, you aren’t allowed to use a smartphone for the most part. Just go ahead and put it in your pocket, as you also aren’t typically allowed to place it on the table itself.
Worried that you are going to miss a call or a text? Better, turn the volume up. The good news is that when no one is on their phones, everyone is focused on playing the game, which means fewer distractions and waiting time between hands.
Also, if you do have to step away to take or make a call, actually step away. We have seen players try to stay on calls while playing hands, and trust us no one likes that.
Finally, casinos are loud. If you are on the phone, go find a quiet place to have a conversation. Don’t worry; the dealer will watch your chips for you, and the rest of the players at the table will be pleased to not hear all about what you are picking up for dinner.
2. Know the Rules of the Game
We understand that not all of you know all the rules of the games you will find in the casino, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a few minutes before you sit down to read some of the basics.
Heck, if you are reading this page, then you may already know that we have a full section on strategy for casino games. Here are some of the basics which include understanding the Games and the Rules, learning the best way to play, identifying the sucker bets, etc.
3. Learn More About Gaming Strategy
Don’t worry about asking the dealer a question or two, but they are not your teachers. Other players are trying to gamble, and the friendly ones are going to offer some assistance. However, your best way is to wait and watch a few hands of any table game before you sit down to play.
That way, you can pick up on the basic rules as we have outlined in our strategy guides, and you can ask questions between the hands. This will lead to a much better atmosphere when you are finally ready to sit down and play.
4. Sitting Mid-Shoe in Blackjack
When you are playing blackjack in a live casino, you will likely be playing at a table that uses 6 or 8 decks of cards in each shoe before shuffling. Many players are superstitious about these decks, having cut the cards or taken the time to potentially try to card count (we do not recommend this).
These people can be frustrated when someone sits at the table during the play. You should always look for an empty table or one where the cards are being shuffled when you sit down.
Otherwise, you should ask the players at the table if they mind you sitting down. Being polite in that situation will likely get you a positive response, or at the very least a polite request to wait a few minutes until the shoe is complete.
5. Talking About Other’s Strategy
Casino gambling is not a team game actually, despite the tables being open to multiple players. Every player is using an individual strategy to try to beat the house. Better, everyone to learn at least the basics of a game, one thing you simply must not do is speak about other players’ hands during the play.
Commenting on how people should or should not be playing is not cool, and if a player is losing, it could result in some strong words heading your way.
If you don’t like the way someone is playing a game at your table, then you should stay cool and calm and better find another table. Ultimately, if the player is playing with a horrible strategy, then they will lose their chips soon enough.
6. Reaching Over People in Roulette
Roulette is a fun, social game with everyone sitting around the wheel and watching to see if their number hits. However, there can be many more gamblers than there are seats at the table, and this can cause some commotion when trying to get down bets between spins.
Chaos typically ensues right around the time that the dealer is ready to spin, so we always suggest that you err on the side of patience and courtesy. The dealer is watching everyone and will see if you are waiting to place your bets.
There is no set time for each spin, so if you have to wait a few extra seconds, then it is quite fine. In addition, you can even the dealer to wait a couple of extra seconds so that you can let your tablemates get their bets in – the dealers will be appreciative of your patience.
7. Tipping Dealers
As the games are probability-based, there is nothing a dealer can do to influence the outcome of a hand. However, there are some understood rules about tipping dealers at a casino table. These people don’t get paid a lot, and they stand on their feet for hours and have to deal with drunk, disorderly gamblers.
The least you can do is throw them something when you win a big hand or leave the table. While the dealers cannot impact your hands, they can make your time at the table more enjoyable by getting you a waitress faster, chatting with you, and keeping idiots out of your path.
A few bucks here and there won’t hurt your bottom line and will have a positive impact.
8. Tipping Waitresses
There are plenty of casinos that offer their players free drinks when at the tables, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tip the waitress bringing them to you. They have to go back and forth from the bar, making sure your cocktail is topped up.
At least, a buck or two a drink will keep them coming back more frequently, and these staff members really rely on those tips to make a living.
Oh, also, don’t just assume every staff member in a casino is looking to go home with a patron – this isn’t Swingers, and you aren’t Vince Vaughn.
9. Don’t Be a Drunk Person at the Table
This is one of the basic etiquettes. Never be that drunk person at the table. Yes, you may be having a blast, but your drunkenness will be annoying others playing the game and working at the table.
We have all seen it – a drunk person who can barely see the cards spills their drink on the table, causing commotion and delay.
Trust us on this one – your night will end early and badly if you are drunk and belligerent at the tables. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t have a drink – just act like an adult, please.
10. Don’t Touch the Cards Unless Told You Can
This is a common mistake made by players at the tables. We think it comes from watching players playing single-deck blackjack or Texas hold ’em. For the most part, you can follow this simple rule:
If the cards are face-up on the table, DO NOT TOUCH THEM.
Depending on how good you have been to dealers (see the above rules of etiquette), you may just get a simple request not to touch the cards. However, when you touch the cards, the general rules of the casino dictate that the hand has been fouled and can be removed by the house.
We obviously don’t want to see you lose a winning bet just because you decided to touch the cards. Steer clear, or at the very least, ask the dealer when you are playing if you are allowed to handle the cards.
11. Do Not Touch Your Chips When Playing
Very similar to the previous rule, once you have made a bet, and the play is ongoing, you are not allowed to touch your chips.
Cheating players have in the past tried to remove bets when they were losing a hand. There are cameras everywhere in the casino, and the house is always going to be right in this case.
Even when the hand is over and is being paid out, wait until the dealer gives the signal that it is okay to remove your bets. What’s the big rush, anyway?
12. Poker Etiquette
When you are playing in a poker room, there is an entirely different set of rules of etiquette. Now, it doesn’t mean you can be a drunken person, so at the very least, you should be using your head when thinking about how to act.
Synopsis
We believe that being in a casino can provide a lot of entertainment, regardless of if you are winning or losing.
If everyone followed some simple rules of conduct, the overall atmosphere in a casino would be much happier. Stick to the points we talked bout this page, and you will find yourself making a lot of friends at the tables!
