If you are new to gambling, and you are excited to hit your local casino or make your way to Las Vegas and play under the bright lights of the big city. Well, that’s all very exciting! Here are the 9 Casino Etiquette tp follow!
However, you need to know some basics about how to act when you are gambling so that you don’t find yourself in an embarrassing situation, or even worse, removed from a property. We can help you. We’ve all been there before, and drawing from the experience of our team, we have compiled a list of etiquette rules that you should read before you set foot in a casino.
General Casino Rules
We’ll be focusing on how to act when you are playing at a live casino. Obviously, if you are playing online, you don’t have to worry about most of this, but you will need to adhere to some self-control basics which we cover on another page.
Now. Let’s have a look at some of the things you should be considering when you are trying to be a respectful gambler.
1. 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. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette.
There is nothing wrong with 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 bet 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.
2. Electronics
These days, everything we do seems to involve our phones. Well, in a casino, they want you to be carefree and phone-free while enjoying your favorite games. When you are seated at a table, you aren’t allowed to use a phone for the most part. In fact, just go ahead and put it in your pocket, as you also aren’t typically allowed to place it on the table itself. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette.
Worried you are going to miss a call or a text? 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. 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.
3. Talking About Someone Else’s Strategy
Casino gambling, despite the tables being open to multiple players, is not a team game. Each player might be having an individual strategy to try to beat the house. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette. Now, while we want 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. Commentary 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 your best bet is to stay cool and go find another table. Ultimately, if the player is playing with horrible strategy, then they will lose their chips soon enough.
4. 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 bettors 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. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette
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 you should be fine. Also, you can ask the dealer to wait a couple extra seconds so that you can let your tablemates get their bets in – the dealers will be appreciative of your patience.
5. Tipping Dealers
Yes, the games are probability-based, and there is nothing a dealer can do to influence the outcome of a hand. However, there are some unwritten 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. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette.
The least you can do is throw them something when you win a big hand or when you 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.
6. Tipping Waitresses
Many casinos offer their players free drinks when at the tables, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tip the waitress bringing them to you. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette. They are having to go back and forth from the bar, making sure your cocktail is topped up. At the very least, a buck or two a drink will keep them coming back more frequently, and these staff member really rely on those tips to make a living. Oh, also, don’t just assume every waitress in a casino is looking to go home with a patron – this isn’t Swingers, and you aren’t Vince Vaughn.
Consider tipping part of the cost of being at the table, and really how much money could you spend on tips?
7. Don’t Be “That” Person at the Table
It means don’t 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. This is one of the 9 Casino Etiquette.
8. 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.
Now, depending on how nice 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.
9. Do Not Touch Your Chips in Play
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 (ask Charles Oakley how that worked out for him). 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?
Synopsis
We think that being in a casino can provide a lot of entertainment, regardless of if you are winning or losing (but we hope you are all winners). If everyone followed some simple rules of conduct, the overall atmosphere in a casino would be much happier.
Stick to the points we outlined on this page, and you will find yourself making a lot of friends at the tables!
