Last updated on March 10th, 2025 at 01:29 pm
Casino etiquette is a code of conduct outlining the standards of decorum everyone is expected to follow when playing. It lays down the environment for a safe and enjoyable experience for patrons. Avoid looking like a fish in a tree at the casino and act like you know with this primer.
General Casino Etiquette
The best way to ease yourself in the proper decorum is to go beyond game rules and understand the rules and customs of the felt. Here are the basics of general casino etiquette.
Dress Code
Casinos enforce a smart casual dress code. Think of it as attire you’d wear on a date or a night out in town. Want to dress up to the nines? That’s fine too. But save the sportswear and leisurewear for home—you wouldn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb by wearing shorts and flip-flops at the casino.
Tipping Protocols
Tipping is a common practice in most casinos except where explicitly prohibited. In most casinos, croupiers, parking attendants, and wait staff typically make less than the minimum wage. It’s customary to tip dealers around 5% to 10% of your winnings at the end of a profitable session.
Tip hustling is discouraged among customer service professionals. But a well-timed gratuity can go a long way to express your appreciation for all the hard work they put in so you can have a great time.
Cell Phone Usage
Mobile device use in the middle of a game is considered poor form. Politely excuse yourself from the table and take calls from a distance if you must. Likewise, don’t sit at a table noodling on your phone if you have no plans to play.
Resist the temptation to take photos of the gaming area. Taking the odd selfie in the casino’s surrounding areas is fine. However, casinos strictly prohibit photography in gaming and restricted areas for security reasons. You could get an unwelcome visit from security—at worst, you might be asked to leave.
Handling Chips and Money
Never hand cash or chips directly to a croupier. Whenever buying chips, put the money on the felt and tell the dealer the denominations you want them in. Place the chips on the table and wait for the dealer to make the necessary change.
Another important unwritten rule is to never touch chips in the middle of a game. Once your bet is accepted and play begins, the betting areas are no-go zones. Once the game is over, wait for the dealer to pay out your winning bets before promptly retrieving your winnings.
Game-Specific Etiquette
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, it’s time to explore the unwritten rules of game-specific etiquette. Don’t get caught at the tables without knowing these fundamentals—they’re key to your and everyone else’s enjoyment.
Blackjack
One important rule of casino etiquette is to never touch the cards unless the game allows it. In games like blackjack, handling the cards is strictly prohibited. Blackjack games are turn-based, so be patient until your cards are dealt and act only when it’s your turn. Touching the cards out of turn can lead to suspicions of tampering.
It’s also considered bad form to provide unsolicited advice to other players, as is making side or snide comments about how they play. The last thing you want to do is to be adversarial with other players.
Finally, learn the fine art of non-verbal casino cues. In blackjack, to signal that you want a hit, tap the felt with your finger twice. To signal that you wish to stand and don’t want any further cards, wave your hand horizontally as though you were chopping the air above your cards.
Poker
Poker is a game of turns, so never act out of turn. That’s a surefire way to make enemies at the table. Only act when the dealer says it’s time for you to act. Acting out of turn can give other players “tells” as to what you could be holding and is extremely disrespectful to the player currently acting.
Avoid making “string bets,” where you change your bet multiple times before committing to a pot. This can confuse players and disrupt the game’s rhythm. Don’t reveal your hand unless the dealer tells you to do so in situations where a winner needs to be determined.
Finally, don’t try to show other players up and impress them with your knowledge either—it’s considered bad form to talk strategy and past hands while in the middle of a poker session.
Roulette
The most important piece of roulette gambling etiquette is to get your bets in on time. Betting or moving chips after the dealer says “No more bets” is bad form, and the pit bosses don’t offer too many second chances when you ruin the game flow for everyone.
Don’t lean on the table or the barrier that protects the wheel. And never, ever interfere with the roulette wheel or mess with the ball. That’s one surefire way to get yourself kicked out of the casino.
Finally, don’t hog the limited table space. Keep your chips stacked neatly and give other players space to place theirs. Be nimble, careful, and quick when placing your chips—and don’t rudely scatter them around. Don’t touch chips that aren’t yours, and don’t be afraid to ask the dealer for help.
Behavioral Dos and Don’ts
Casino etiquette applies to all players regardless of the game—and it extends to your behavior. Let’s take a look at the do’s and don’ts of casino behavior.
Dos
- Respect the dealer and your fellow players. Casino environments are social, but it’s important to toe the line between enjoying yourself and respecting others. Excessive talking, yelling, or being mean to the dealer ruins the experience for everyone else.
- Keep an eye on your alcohol intake. It’s tempting to cash in on the free drinks—but too much can be detrimental to your focus. Too much can cause bad playing decisions or embarrassing behavior.
- Learn the rules before playing. Casinos are fast-paced—and you wouldn’t want to be the guy holding up the action for everyone else by asking too many questions. Before hitting the tables, learn the game mechanics by visiting online gambling resources, watching tutorials, or practicing in demo games.
Don’ts
- Don’t blame the dealer or other players for a loss. Losing is frustrating. But that’s just the nature of gambling. It’s important to accept losses as part of the game and not blame others for your misfortune. The primary goal of gambling is entertainment, not winning.
- Don’t give unsolicited advice. Giving unsolicited advice is bad form. Resist the temptation to tell other players how to play their hands. Don’t criticize players for how they have played their hands.
- Don’t use offensive language and gestures at the table. The casino isn’t a place for offensive language or rude gestures. Offensive language creates a toxic and hostile environment and won’t endear you to anyone.
Casino Floor Etiquette
Let’s round it up with a couple of crucial casino floor etiquette guidelines you should keep in mind.
Moving Between Games
If you wish to move to a different table, do so in between game rounds and do it quietly without disrupting the game. Lingering seated on the table without playing is a no-no for all games. It’s okay to mill about roulette or baccarat tables since you don’t need to take up a seat to place bets.
Likewise, it’s acceptable to play neighboring slot machines simultaneously during off-peak hours. However, if there are other players or if the floor becomes more crowded, it’s good gambling etiquette to stick to just one slot machine.
It can be frustrating to wait for a slot machine to become available, especially at peak hours. However, it’s rude to be in the periphery of a player or near their personal space while waiting. Respect their space and play on a different machine until they finish.
Saving Seats
The seats at a table or a slot machine are exclusively for players only. If you’re just there to watch, stand at a respectable distance behind players. Always make space for individuals who wish to play at tables or machines if you have no intention of doing so. Never sit at a table you don’t intend to play at.
It’s acceptable to reserve seats at slot machines or tables for quick 15-minute bathroom or bar breaks. However, reserving a seat for lengthy breaks is the height of selfishness. Don’t leave your coat on a slot machine for hours on end if you don’t plan to play it anytime soon.
Conclusion
Yes, there are plenty of written and unwritten rules surrounding proper casino behavior. Ultimately, good casino etiquette ensures a fun, pleasant experience for everyone involved.
However, one thing you have to remember is that casinos want you to have fun. While the dos and don’ts may seem like a laundry list, it really all boils down to common sense. You’ll never go wrong so long as you treat the institution and everyone in it with respect and decency.
So, keep these casino etiquette tips in mind, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is casino etiquette, and why is it important?
Casino etiquette is a set of guidelines for proper decorum in a casino encompassing respect for players, dealers, and staff members. Adhering to these rules ensures a safe, enjoyable, and positive experience at the casino.
What should I wear to a casino? Are there dress codes?
Casinos set strict dress codes. Shorts, sportswear, sandals, and flip-flops are prohibited in casinos. Dress as you would when going for a typical night out.
Is tipping required in a casino? How much should I tip?
Well-timed gratuities of $1 to $2 are appreciated by casino staff, such as porters and wait staff. Dealers also appreciate tips from players who win big at the end of a session. This could range from anywhere between 5% to 10% of their winnings.
Can I use my phone while at a gaming table?
It is considered bad form to use your phone while in the middle of a game. Taking photos of gaming surfaces and restricted areas is prohibited and can get you banned from a casino.
What is the proper way to handle chips and money at a casino?
When exchanging your money for chips at a table, set it on the felt surface and indicate the denomination you want your chips in. Avoid buying into a table when it’s hot, and buy in only during periods in between games.
What are the key behaviors to follow for respectful casino conduct?
Respect and courtesy underpin casino etiquette. Avoid talking loudly, don’t be confrontational, respect personal space, and be patient in between game rounds. Treat the staff, dealers, and fellow players with respect.
How should I behave when moving between games or tables?
If you wish to stand up from a table and move to another one, do so in between game rounds and do so quietly and quickly. Likewise, if you’re joining a table, do so during lulls in the action. This ensures the least amount of disruption.
Is it okay to save a seat at a table or slot machine? If so, how?
Leaving personal belongings on a seat or a slot machine for long breaks is considered bad form. However, it is acceptable to reserve your spot for no more than 15 minutes for quick bathroom or rest breaks by leaving a coat or jacket on a chair or small chip denominations while stepping away briefly.