Like every other activity with millions of fans worldwide, casino gambling has also developed its sub-culture, complete with slang, habits, and rules. It is inevitable that when a group of people continuously engages in something, they will eventually create a code that binds their behavior to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. That holds in gaming circles too, and many unwritten yet virtually unanimously agreed-upon casino ordinances remain valid across the globe, stretching from learning hand signals to how to tip dealers.
Without question, knowing basic gaming etiquette guarantees that an individual will not stand out on a floor in gambling hot spots like Reno, Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau, or Monte Carlo, as all of these places, and hundreds or more like them, have silently adopted the ten unofficial decrees listed below.
Table of Contents
1. Dress Adequately
As a rule of thumb, most casinos do not have a specified dress code. That said, at mid to higher-end venues, there is an expectation that patrons will dress respectably. What does that mean? It means no flip-flops, shorts, shirts, etc. Note that only a few elite ones will ask for formal attire. And if gambling is one’s only goal at a premium property, then it is not a bad idea for men to show up in dress shoes and a smart outfit, while women can choose between modern pants or a sophisticated skirt paired with a blazer or a cocktail dress.
2. Turn the Phone Off
Phones distract other players, and since they are technical aids, their use gets considered forbidden at most casinos. They can take videos, do complicated calculations, serve as communication devices, etc. All these purposes make them a potential instrument for cheating. So, players should forego showing their smartphones at gambling tables.
3. Know the Signals
Tapping the table informs the dealer that a player wants another hand. An open palm wave parallel to the tables tells him a gambler wishes to stand. These are only two widely accepted hand signals. There are various more that help accelerate the pace in not only blackjack games but in baccarat and casino poker variants.
4. Don’t Ask or Give Advice
This may be acceptable chat room behavior when enjoying fast-paying online casinos for US players and betting in live dealer rounds. Nevertheless, at brick-and-mortar locales, it is a big no-no. No one wants to get strategy tips when stressing out and wagering substantial amounts of dough. Conversely, no one wishes to help others when focusing on their gameplay, despite casino gambling not being a competition among fellow gamblers
5. Do Not Touch Anyone’s Cards/Chips
It is not allowed per the house rules. Players can only interact with their cards and chips.
6. Tip the Dealers & Waitresses
Yes, drinks inside gaming properties are free for active gamblers. That is accurate, and so is the fact that most servers working in these establishments usually get paid minimum wage, and they live off player tips. So, there is a gratuity expectation here. The same goes for dealers. These casino employees are often paid more than the lowest wager legally possible, but they still need to make better money. Therefore, it is customary to throw them some chips after landing a decent win. Or before leaving the table, as a thank you for the service provided.
7. Don’t Put Anything on Gaming Tables
They are for chips and game elements only. No one should rest a notepad, jewelry, or tech gizmo on the green felt. If they do, they are likely to get quickly reprimanded.
8. Be Mindful of Your Cashout Manners
There is an order to cash out. Gamblers must only exit a table after all their counterparts finish their hands. After that happens, they can bid everyone farewell. That is a sign of common courtesy, a notice that a respectful player has just left.
9. Don’t Over Drink
People make bad choices when intoxicated. Everyone knows that. But they can also grow to become super-obnoxious when drunk since their inhibitions get dramatically lowered. Intolerable behavior in a casino can lead to a ban. Given that most gaming properties in tourist destinations share databases or unruly patrons and cheaters, such a restriction added to one venue can have wider-reaching consequences.
10. Moving Chips Properly
It is paramount that there is a time to move chips and periods to let them be. Changing their position during a roulette wheel spin or while a hand gets dealt in blackjack is traditionally not allowed. And it is a signal to everyone that the player in question is a newbie still determining how things transpire in establishments of this type. So, if a gambler does not want to be – that person, he should learn how chips get handled appropriately.
