Top 10 Casino Etiquette Dos and Don’ts

Casinos are very organised environments. From the General Manager to the parking attendant, there are laid-down rules for everyone to follow to ensure the efficient and daily operations of the establishment. 

That is why in a casino, everyone is always where you expect them to be. You will find the dealer sitting or standing behind the gaming area, the pit manager in the pit and the casino manager overseeing all operations. 

However, the rules in a casino do not apply to the workforce only. There are some spoken and unstated guidelines that players are expected to abide by when they visit the casino.

Here are some dos and don’ts to follow when gambling at a casino in Las Vegas or other parts of the world.

10. Don’t Ask a Dealer for Advice

When playing roulette, blackjack or any other table game at the casino, you will find dealers in the gaming area. They are there to operate the game, pay your winnings, ensure that no one is cheating and handle disputes between players. 

They are also your closest point of contact for any questions you might have regarding the game you are playing. However, do not ever ask them for advice on how you should play or which move to make. 

They may be friendly and professional, but they aren’t your “friend”. They are just doing their jobs and are not permitted to provide any strategic advice that could influence the outcome of the game.

Asking them for gambling advice would put them in an awkward situation or even cost them their jobs. Besides, don’t forget cameras are everywhere, and your conversations are being recorded. Though harmless, asking a dealer to help you play may put you on the “watch-list” of the casino.

9. Don’t Play with Your Phone

Casinos have rules prohibiting you from using your mobile phones or other electronic devices in their establishments. The act is considered rude to other members of the table. It could slow down the game and be a source of distraction. They could also think you are planning to cheat using the device. 

When you visit the casino, operators expect you to play games, have fun, and forget about the outside world. If you are messing with your phone, the aim of the casino is being defeated, and it’s bad for business.

8. Don’t Snap Pictures

If playing with your phone is bad, taking pictures with any device is much worse. Most players go to casinos for a private and confidential gambling experience. They sure wouldn’t want their photos taken and shared without their consent. This is why operators have strict policies to protect the identities of their players.

Shooting images in the casino raises several red flags. Are you trying to cheat or steal their intellectual ideas or designs? Or are you scoping the layout of the casino and its patrons for nefarious purposes? These are the questions that run through the minds of casino security when they see you snapping away. 

There are other designated areas of a casino where you are free to take and share pictures; restaurants, hotel rooms, shopping areas etc. Casinos even appreciate it because it’s free marketing for them. 

If you are in a dilemma about whether to take pictures or not, check for any signature or ask a staff for permission. 

7. Don’t Bring Your Children or Your Pets

Children are sweet, but you do not want to bring them to a casino. For starters, the games casinos offer are adult-oriented. Even in many jurisdictions, one must be 18 or 21 to gamble. 

The last thing anyone wants to worry about is kids bawling for their mama or running around. Casinos are often busy and crowded, and allowing your children to roam around unsupervised can have damning consequences. 

Furthermore, the conversations and scenes at the casinos are not suitable for kids. The alcohol, strippers (yes, some Las Vegas casinos do have them) and even gambling are considered harmful for children.

Bringing your children or pets to the casino can affect other players’ gaming experience and lead to complaints or loss of business for the casino. 

However, some casinos have kids’ play areas or provide child care services where you can drop your kids before proceeding to the casino gaming area. 

6. Don’t Break Card/Table Game Etiquette

There are several things some players do in the casino that instantly put a sign on their heads, screaming, “Hey everyone, I am a novice!” You don’t want to be one of them. Here are some actions to avoid while playing card or table games. 

Don’t touch the chips: When you have placed your chips on the table, you are not expected to touch them again until the round ends and the dealer adds your winnings. You should also never touch another player’s chips.

Don’t sit at a table if you aren’t betting: You are not allowed to sit in a gaming area if you aren’t playing. The limited table seats are usually reserved for people who want to gamble. However, you can watch, but you will need to stand a bit further away from the table. Even while being a spectator, ensure you don’t be a source of distraction to players.

Don’t put your things on the table and put your drinks in the cupholders provided. Don’t bend your cards or put drinks on them.

Never touch your cards if they are dealt face-up, and if you are dealt a face-down card, touch it with one hand only.

5. Do Learn About Your Favourite Game

Before making a trip to a casino to play your favourite game, ensure you learn about their basic rules. This will make you look like a professional and even give you an advantage over other newbies at the casino. 

Well, there are loads of different table games and slot machines at the casino, so you may not be able to understand them all. This is why casinos have dealers. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions about the rules and procedures of a game. 

Some casinos run free lessons for newbies at certain times of the day, where they show them how to play their table games. 

4. Do Tip Your Dealer

Dealers are humans too, and let’s admit, their jobs can be very challenging. A dealer carries out multiple roles and is expected to maintain a professional and courteous demeanour at all times. One of the best ways to appreciate croupiers is by giving them a tip.

What’s more? They will love it if you wager their tip for them. Rather than asking them if you should bet their tip or not, just wager it, and you would win the dealer's heart (though it doesn’t mean that they would compromise the game for you.)

Other people you can tip in the casino include slots attendants, security personnel, waitstaff etc. 

Keep in mind that tipping is not mandatory in the casino, but doing it makes you a great person! 

3. Do Have a Playing Budget

The casino has a lot of attractions, and you can easily get carried away if you are not prepared. In fact, that’s what casinos desire. They want you to be hooked by their offers and keep playing until you empty your pocket or bank account. 

Ensure you plan ahead and make a budget before visiting the casino. Your plan should include the amount of money and time you are willing to spend, bet sizes, and win and loss limits. What’s more important than making a budget is sticking to it. 

Make sure you don’t engage in activities like getting drunk that will make you forget or discard your plan. 

2. Do Learn The Hand Signals

While the dealers are around to guide you, you will save everyone a lot of time by knowing some of these procedures before you sit. There are several games that use hand signals in the casino. They include blackjack, craps, baccarat, pai gow poker, and three-card poker.

Players use specific hand signals to communicate with the dealer or other gamblers while playing these games. They use these gestures to indicate the moves or bets they want to make. For instance, let’s look at Blackjack hand signals.

When you want to ‘hit’ or request another card, you are expected to tap your finger on the table or wave toward yourself. 

To stand or indicate that you want to keep your current hand, wave your hand horizontally over your cards, palm down.

To double down, place an additional bet to your initial stake and hold up one finger or two if you want to split. 

It is worth noting that you can actually tell the dealer you are making these moves but using basic hand signals will make the game faster and easier for all parties. It also gives you the status of a professional.

1. Dress Properly

Dress codes vary across casinos. Some casinos allow you to dress semi-formally in the afternoon, while the evenings are strictly for formal attire. 

Ensure you know the dress code of your particular casino before visiting. You can check via the casino’s website or give them a call. If you aren’t sure about what to wear, dress up! Wear something smart and look good. 

In this situation, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. When you look good, the staff will treat you better. You don’t want to be turned away from having a nice time because of your attire. 

You should also avoid wearing excessive jewellery or too revealing clothes; the goal is not to show off but to look smart.