A Little Knowledge Of Casino Etiquette Can Go A Long Way To Making Your Visit A Pleasant One
Etiquette refers to the correct way to behave at the casino. Some of these ‘rules’ are unwritten, and are more a code of conduct that people instinctively follow to make everyone’s experience easier. Other rules are formal and concern card, cash and chip handling. If you get these wrong you could slow down the game or even get yourself thrown out of the venue. This article outlines the key points of casino etiquette in easy categories, so you’ll feel comfortable right from the start.
First you’ll see some general guidelines for behaving on the casino floor. Next, is a combined section on handling cash, chips and cards. After that the importance of clear signaling during games, followed by some background on knowing the rules and not offering others advice unless this is asked for. Finally some specific etiquette tips for slow and video poker machine players.
General Behavior On The Floor
A diverse selection of people enjoy casino gaming. The general rule is to give people the opportunity to enjoy the games without disturbing them. Loud groups of drunks who are constantly drawing attention to themselves can ruin the atmosphere for a large number of people. Casino Etiquette – Handling Cash, Cards And Chips
Cash transactions at the tables need to be in full view of the security cameras. The dealer will not accept bills that are handed to them. Instead these should be placed on the table in front of you, where they can be spread out for the cameras and openly exchanged for chips. Make sure you do this between hands where possible, that way you will not be holding up other players while you get chips ready for the next game.
You should avoid counting your cash at the tables or anywhere in the open in a casino. This is not only considered bad etiquette, but may attract the attention of undesirables like pickpockets.
Cards can be touched in some games and not in others. In general, when cards are dealt face-up, you are prohibited from touching them at all. When cards are dealt face-down, requiring you to look at them, then you should use one hand to do this. The golden rule when it comes to cards is that you should never remove them from the table, even taking them slightly towards you over the edge of the felt will get you a reprimand and if you repeat this you’ll be asked to leave the venue.
Chip-handling also requires caution while playing the games. You should never touch your chips after making a bet when the games are in progress. The reason for this is that a favorite ‘cheat’ of shady types is to add a chip when winning or remove one when behind. If you need to add a bet, for example doubling-down in a blackjack game, then you simply place a new chip by the side of your initial bet. Again, chip touching will get you removed from the casino if you do not heed the likely warnings.
Clear Signals
In games like blackjack, a verbal signal is not enough. The reason is that this could be disputed by the player (for example, claiming he did not say ‘hit’ after busting), and cause problems for the game. So that the security cameras can see what is going on, you need to signal with your hand in Blackjack. Simple gestures like a tap on the table or ‘come here’ movement towards you for a hit and sideways movement for stay will suffice. If you want to split then place another bet by your first one.
Rules And Advice
It really helps the flow of the games if players know the rules before sitting down. These are available to look up online and you’ll also find guides in the casino. While there is nothing to stop you asking factual questions to the dealer, this will disrupt things and may not impress the other players at your table, which could create a bad atmosphere.
You might also want to ask the other players advice if you are stuck for the correct move in-game. Some tables are friendly and you’ll find people helpful. The big caveat to this is that you should never criticize another’s play or offer unsolicited advice at the tables as this is a sure way to spoil the fun for everyone involved.
Slots And Video Poker
Some people enjoy playing more than one slot, and auto-play makes this reasonably easy to do. Playing several slots in different positions makes it difficult for others to enjoy their games and even playing machines next to each other can be considered rude when there are people waiting to play. The same applies to video poker games. This is not just for etiquette purposes – there are people in casinos that are waiting to take advantage of credits in apparently abandoned slots. Finding someone playing with your money can create a very unpleasant situation.
Tipping
I saved the most important casino etiquette rule until last – tipping. The dealers are not paid big money for the tough job they do and make up for this with tips from players. It is considered good form to tip the dealers after you win. This does not have to be a fortune, a $1 here and $5 there depending on your stakes can go a long way to improving the overall hourly rate of the dealers.
Counting your chips
You’re not supposed to count your chickens before they hatch and at land-based casinos, counting your chips too soon and too often is frowned upon. The good news is that at home, you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you.
Online casinos actually do one better and count up your stacks for you, then clearly mark your balance on the screen. That saves you the hassle and you’ll always know where you’re at.
While it might not be a big deal for casino veterans, newbies will appreciate having a clear idea of how much their playing with each and every hand.
Taking breaks
In a land-based casino, taking breaks is often frowned upon. It’s viewed as potentially disrupting the natural flow of things.
For example, if you’re at the blackjack table and everyone is winning, you might catch a crooked look from someone if you feel like taking a 10-minute breather or are constantly skipping hands to stretch, yawn and lean around in your chair.
In the online world, this isn’t a concern. You can login and logout as you please, and you can sit or move around whenever you so desire.
Understanding the rules
In a land-based casino, new players are sometimes given a hard time. The regulars at the table are trying to make some money and then some new guy comes in, slows down the pace and starts asking a ton of questions.
Online, this isn’t as big of a concern. For starters, most games have time limits that keep the decisions moving. The bigger positive for new players who play online might be that they can keep all the rules and strategy handy with them.
Since you’re playing the games on the internet, it’s easy to have a little cheat sheet handy. If you need to have Bovada’s Casino School open to double-check the rules or a strategy article, that’s fully acceptable.
In the real world, you’d garner plenty of laughs if you sat down at the table and flipped through a how-to book before making every decision.