Casino Etiquette
People tend to become a bit more relaxed at casinos that are not the most prominent, but the fact of the matter is that casino etiquette is a fancy way of saying you should have nice manners, and this is. In casino poker, you play for table stakes. This means that you play with the chips that you have on the table. You’re not allowed to go into your pocket for more money in the middle of a hand. If you run out of chips you announce that you are “All IN” and you will only be eligible for the money in that pot up to that point.
“Caesars Palace Las Vegas.” (Public Domain) by Bernard Spragg
Here at Be Stylish, we cover a wide range of topics from fashion to tech and travel to dating tips. One topic that we’ve discussed in a mixture of ways is casinos, of both the online and brick-and-mortar varieties. Should you play online or visit your local casino? Will internet-based operators take over the traditional venues? What the heck are you actually supposed to wear to a fancy casino? We’ve discussed all of it, but one thing we’ve never covered is casino etiquette. Considering a quick Google search reveals that plenty of people break the rules by doing everything from stealing chips to literally attempting to beat up slot machines, we thought it was about time we did.
1. Turn Your Mobile OFF
“Planet Hollywood Casino Entrance” (CC BY 2.0) by Roger Schultz
It’s true that these days more entertainment venues are allowing you to enter with your mobiles on, but there are still some where talking or playing on your phone is frowned upon. These include cinemas, theatres and, you guessed it, casinos. Not all casinos ban mobile phones or even ask you to turn them off, but it is expected that you will at least put them on silent and avoid sitting at a poker table while on your phone.
One related issue that many of the world’s top casinos do ask you not to do is take selfies, or any photographs of the gambling floor for that matter. Casinos are incredibly secure establishments, which makes sense as there’s usually a lot of money onsite and they don’t want potential baddies to have the upper hand due to photos or videos. So, if you’re visiting a casino maybe leave the selfie stick outside.
2. Don’t Turn Up In Your Pyjamas
One of the most celebrated positives of playing at online casinos is that you can wear anything you like while you play. Pyjamas, tracksuits and slippers are all appropriate for playing at sites which offer free spins on slot machines like Rizk, Thrills and Casumo, heck click here for more places where you could literally be wearing your birthday suit and still continue to play. However, when visiting a brick-and-mortar venue, things are a little different.
Before visiting your casino of choice, do a little research into whether the establishments has a strict dress code. If it does, make an effort to adhere to it or else you could risk being thrown out. If it doesn’t though, simply go for casual-formal; that means a shirt with smart trousers combo, an appropriate dress or a nice top and skirt are sure to be sufficient. As for footwear, the golden rule is to avoid wearing trainers to most high-class places, so bear that in mind.
3. Respect the Staff and Your Fellow Players
“Suncoast Casino & Resort” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by J.R.Ramos
There’s no denying that visiting any gaming venue can be frustrating, especially if you are not winning. Anyone who grew up in the 1970s and 80s will know how rage-inducing arcade games could be and anyone with a console has probably been close to chucking their remote through the TV more than once. That said, keeping your composure and respecting staff as well as other players is perhaps the number one rule at all casinos.
Ultimately, when you’re playing a table game at any casino the dealer is always in charge, regardless of how much you wager. When waiting staff bring you your drink and deliver great service as well as your beverage, they deserve to be tipped. Your fellow players expect you to remain composed and polite throughout all of your games, as they are here to have a good time even if you are not.
We know that chances are you already knew all these, in which case this article is more of a reminder than anything, but for anyone who is visiting a casino for the first time it is essential to know these three handy dos and don’ts. Of course, we’re sure we’ve missed some out so if you can think of any please let us know in the comments below.
General Casino Etiquette
Imagine this: you’re finally about to make that big trip to a land-based casino, but you’re a newbie. Before you can even begin to think about sitting down at a table and putting in your chips, there are some things you must learn first. The most important part of how you conduct yourself while at brick-and-mortar casinos is hands down the casino etiquette you choose to follow. This can be for specific games, like poker and blackjack, or it can be for more general settings, like for people who are simply roaming around the casino floor, looking to enjoy the highs and lows of someone else’s gambling experience. If you’re hoping to make your casino trip run as smoothly as possible, then live and breathe by these casino etiquette rules. After reading this guide, you’ll look like a natural in any gambling establishment!
1. Know the rules
It may seem like common sense, but we can’t emphasize enough just how important it is to know the rules before so much as even entering a casino. Storming in totally clueless about how to play or where to go can hold up games and frustrate your fellow gamblers. Learn the rules of your favorite games beforehand to ensure that you get the most out of your time, and to help other players have more fun around you. If you happen to be a newbie, there are a few resources at your disposal. Often, casinos will lend a helping hand, either offering gambling floor tours where they explain each game to you, or sometimes designating a newbie table that uses practice chips.
If you’re hoping to get some practice in a low-pressure environment, check out Planet 7 online casino. With instant play mode, you can play your favorite games with “big money bets” for no risk. It’s a great way to learn the ropes without putting your bankroll in the red. And after a few rounds, you’ll feel ready to take on the real thing!
2. Leave the phone at home
It may feel like your life is ending if your mobile phone isn’t cradled in your palm, but when you’re going through the trouble of dragging yourself out of your house and all the way to a land-based casino, put the mobile device down. There are a couple of good reasons for this. First and foremost, if you’re a little trigger-happy with your phone’s camera shutter then there’s a good chance you’ll get in trouble with the casino. It’s common knowledge that casinos don’t like guests to take pictures on the gambling floor – a breach of this could result in the confiscation of your precious phone or possibly getting ejected from the casino altogether.
Another reason you should leave your phone in your pocket or purse is out of consideration for your fellow gamblers at the casino. As much as they would love to hear the crazy things Aunt Margie said yesterday, your loud gab can be quite distracting to players who are trying to concentrate on winning the big bucks. And hey, maybe if you put down your mobile, you can start winning too!
3. Keep your head on straight
This tip is super important when trying to maintain the light and fun social ambiance of any gambling floor. Don’t let your anger get the best of you. If you feel like you’re getting fired up for a fight, step away from the table or take a breather outside. It may seem like fate or like the croupier is out to get you, but try to remember that the games you choose to play are usually based on a mixture of luck and house edge. The only person responsible for your losing streak is you, so if you feel the tables turning against you, take a break. Take a short walk around the gambling floor or enjoy a drink. When you return, you will feel refreshed and luckier than before!
That being said, watch the liquor. Getting too drunk during a night out will not only ruin your own fun (and potentially drain your bankroll), it can also put a damper on the moods of people around you. If you’re acting crazy in a game of poker and betting all over the place when your opponent is trying to work his strategy skills, he will feel like the game is a waste of time. Repeat this mantra to keep yourself in check: “Everything in moderation!”
4. Chips & money
It’s true, you’ll eventually learn how to exchange cash for chips without reading this, but not without a blunder or two. The first rule of casino etiquette when exchanging your money for casino chips is to lay your cash down on the table. Don’t hand it directly to the dealer because they won’t accept it. To make sure there are no shady dealings, casinos will often have security cameras pointed towards every nook and cranny of the building, so you can bet that security is watching money exchanges. If you want to look like a casino regular, wait until the table is between hands and put your money down on the table.
Another common-sense tip applies to exchanging money to or from cash: don’t count your big bills in the public eye, like at tables or anywhere on the floor. The first reason for this is because it gives off the impression of you being a little too cocky, as well as rubbing it in the faces of people who have lost money throughout the night. It also may catch the eye of unsavory characters who would be willing to do unpleasant things to get their hands on your cash. Leave your billfold with your phone: safe and sound in your pocket.
Tipping At A Casino
5. Tipping is classy
Casino Etiquette
Casino Etiquette
If you have ever worked in the world of customer service, then you know that a server’s hourly pay doesn’t feel like much. Dealing is no different; they’re on their feet all day and they work hard to make sure that you’re enjoying your casino experience. You don’t have to give them all your money, of course. If you don’t have much to spare, a simple $1 will do. If you’ve had a great winning streak, show them a little love and amp the tip up to $5. A little goes a long way when it comes to tipping your dealers.