Gambling Etiquette at Real Casinos

Contributor | May 7th, 2012

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For those of you who have developed a taste for online-poker and casino games through gambling sites like 888 Casino, the idea of playing face to face in a real life casino can be quite daunting, especially when you are unaware of the proper gambling etiquette that is often unnecessary online.

If you’re looking to make your mark in a real casino and show that online gambling can produce true professionals, take note of our top tips for gambling etiquette to make sure you have the right moves to go with your game.

Game Rules

Before we get into specific gambling etiquette, let’s look at some general casino rules. First, make sure you know the rules of your chosen game before you sit down – it can be quite embarrassing to place a bet and find you’re playing Omaha Poker rather than Texas Hold’em Poker. Tables might be discreetly named with subtle differences, so pay attention.

Cashing In

If you’ve been playing for a while and you’d like to cash in, dealers will appreciate it if you trade smaller chips for larger ones – this makes sure they have enough to keep games running smoothly. Wait until the end of a hand and then indicate you’d like to trade up.

Know Your Next Move

You should also try to decide on your next move quickly, especially with games like Blackjack or Roulette – dealers and other players won’t appreciate lengthy deliberations over hitting or standing, and late bets on Roulette won’t be counted. If you’re playing poker, you will have more time to make your decision, but don’t take it too far.

Tipping

In terms of tipping your dealer, consider the service they provide as the same you would get in a restaurant. They too will work for generally low wages, and you should always consider a modest tip for good service.

Poker Focus

It’s important to get the gambling etiquette right in poker, as you can make friends – and enemies – very quickly at the felt. Unlike with online gambling, you’ll have up to nine other players watching your every move, so pay attention to our poker tips.

First off, don’t reveal your cards to anyone at the table if you have folded – it could directly affect the outcome of a hand. Next, do not engage with anyone left in a hand if you have folded unless they engage with you; this is considered the equivalent of trying to put them off.

When placing a bet, stack your chips neatly in front of you, and don’t toss them into the pot – you don’t want to give other players any reason to think you may have short-changed them. Order your chips before you place them over the line; once they’re over, they’re no longer yours.

Attention is everything; stay alert (even if pretending not to), never play out of turn and try to play at a reasonable speed. Always be gracious in defeat – even when you don’t want to be – and equally gracious in victory. More important than anything, if any player disrespects you or falls foul of any of the above, never rise to the challenge; they will be dealt with by the casino accordingly.

Blackjack Focus

Blackjack also has its own distinct rules, depending on the casino you play in. Unlike with online gambling, every other player will get to see your cards – if you’re playing in a casino that deals the cards face up, you’re generally not allowed to touch them.

Remember, there’s no need to shout: tap the table if you’re twisting, wave your hand over your cards if sticking.

Roulette Focus

Roulette gambling etiquette is much more simple than other games. Each player will be given colour coded chips and it’s considered rude if you let other people spread them out for you – the dealer likes to know exactly who is placing the bets.

The final rule you should follow is to always adhere to the “no more bets” call – failure to do so will lead to the casino voiding your bet.