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This section is
for those who have never played a table game before. It will benefit
everybody if you know the basics of gambling protocol before you
sit down for the first time.
Before your first time at a table game ask if your casino offers
gaming instructions. Many will give a tour of all the major games,
explaining the rules and how to play, at specific times of the day.
Some casinos offer a designated table where people can play with
play chips to get their feet wet. If none of these options are available
I would suggest watching a game from behind for a few minutes before
sitting down. Notice the procedure and when you sit down try not
to disrupt it. Following are some pointers which you can learn now
or learn the hard way:
Understand the rules before you sit down.
Only buy or cash in chips between hands. If you sit down while a
hand is in progress then wait patiently for the conclusion of the
hand to buy in. Use this time to get your money ready. Put your
money on the table - in many countries you are not allowed to pass
the money to the dealer - they must take it from the table.
When you buy in the dealer may ask what denomination of chips you
prefer. You should know that red chips are $5, greens are $25, and
blacks are $100. Some high limit tables have additional colors.
If you buy in for $100 or less take all red chips. If you buy in
for $100-$500 ask for $100 in red chips and the rest in green. It
is also a good idea to ask for $10 in "silver" or $1 tokens.
This shows you are willing to tip (where allowed) and will help
establish a good rapport with the dealer quickly. You can always
get change for large chips later. You are usually not allowed to
trade up in denomination except when you leave the table. If you
have too many red chips and are betting over $25 then bet only red
chips until you get your stack down through attrition. The dealers
will pay you off in the largest denominations possible. If you bet
$20 and win they often will take one of your red chips and give
you a green. This is a subtle way the casinos get you to bet more.
While you should have no compunction about asking to make change
for large chips don't keep breaking one green chip at a time, it
wastes everybody's time.
When you cash out the dealers prefer for you to trade in smaller
denominations of chips for large ones. Between hands give the dealer
neat stacks of chips and let him/her count them and change them
in.
In some games the cards are dealt face up. If this is the case then
never touch your cards.
If the cards are dealt face down then only touch your cards with
one hand! If you break this rule you will almost always get a sharp
rebuke. Be gentle with the cards, don't bend them or put drinks
on them. Some players have tried to cheat by bending specific cards
slightly, for example the aces, and the dealers have to guard against
this. In some games, like Caribbean Stud Poker, you may not even
touch your cards until the dealer signifies that you may by turning
on a light.
Never touch your bet once the first card has been dealt until after
the hand is over.
In blackjack do not rebuke another player for the way they play
their hand. There is a mistaken belief that unnecessary hitting
causes everyone to lose at blackjack.
Do not ask the dealer for advice. Dealers do not want to be blamed
if you follow their advice and you lose so they will usually give
a vague answer if you ask.
Do not ask for pity if you have a bad hand, it happens to everyone.
Numerous times I have seen a player hit a stiff hand in blackjack
and get an additional small card but still be in the 12-16 point
range. When this happens some players will often show their cards
to the dealer, make a big sigh, and expect some sympathy for having
to make another decision. Nobody cares about your hand but you,
make a decision quickly and do not hold up the game.
Tipping is more open to your judgement than the other rules of etiquette.
In my opinion you should tip 2/3 based on how friendly and helpful
the dealer is and 1/3 on how much you are winning/losing. Even if
you are losing you should still tip if the dealer has been trying
to make the experience more fun. I used to say a player does not
have to tip if they are losing but dealers viewing the page wrote
in and rebuked me.
*In certain countries,
including the United Kingdom tipping of the dealer is NOT allowed.
Some games, especially blackjack, involve hand signals to signify
how you want to play your cards. You must use hand signals, verbal
instructions are not enough. Please know them before you sit down,
it is very annoying when a new player has to be instructed over
and over. Here are the hand signals in blackjack when the cards
are dealt face up:
- Hit: Tap the
table
- Stand: Wave
your hand, palm open and parallel to the table
- Double/Split:
Place your matching bet next to, never on top of, your original
bet. If you have two fours or two fives you should hold up one
finger for doubling and two for splitting.
Here are the hand signals in blackjack when the cards are dealt
face down:
- Hit: Lightly
scrape the corner of the cards against the felt.
- Stand: Slide
your cards under your bet. Do not lift your chips in the process.
- Double/Split:
Place your cards face up on the table, just above your bet. Then
place your matching bet next to, never on top of, your original
bet. If you have two fours or two fives you should hold up one
finger for doubling and two for splitting.
If you bust then lay down your cards face up by your bet. Do not
throw them in disgust, it is very rude. If you can't handle losing
then don't play at all
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