Code of Casino Etiquette
A front line employee of a casino is forced to obey two rules when
it comes to casino customers. One: the player is always right, and
two: if the player is wrong, see rule number one... Not easy when
a percentage of players are running on high octane drinks and losing
money... But that doesn't mean that the casino patron shouldn't at
least know some table civilities. These social graces will go a long
way in making both your stay and the employee's job more enjoyable.
Where there are crowds, there will be conflicts. Casinos are no exception.
In crowded periods, the customer who wants to play two machines at
a time is at odds with others just looking for a place to play...
Some blackjack players snap at others over playing decisions... And
we have
the same smokers vs. non-smokers conflict we see in other social
situations.
Players can defuse potentially difficult situations by remembering
that while casinos are there for your entertainment, they're not
there solely for you. Follow a few simple rules of etiquette so
all can enjoy their trips to the casinos:
- Dress for success...
- If you are dressed in a t-shirt and shorts you will look like
a tourist, staying for a few days with a limited budget put aside
for gambling when you planned your trip and in most cases, when
that money is lost you will be gone.
If, however, you are dressed sharply, you will come across correctly
as a person in to have a good time and the money is of secondary
importance. They will treat you accordingly and every effort
will be made to make your stay as long and comfortable as they
can. So, when you go to the casino dress up like it's a special
occasion... Actually, it is!.. Just keep a cool profile, be confident
and act like a success.
Slot machines or video poker games- Limit yourself to one machine at a time during busy periods.
Even when it's not busy overall, limit yourself to one machine
when a bank of popular machines fills up. It does not improve
your odds to play more than one machine at a time. Give someone
else a chance to play.
Whether at the tables or at the slots - If you are taking a break, make it short or give up your spot.
Taking a bathroom break or taking a walk to stretch your legs
for a few minutes is fine... Signal that you'll be returning
by turning a coin cup upside down on the machine or chair, leaning
the chair up against the machine or leaving your coat or sweater
draped over the chair. Heed these signs, separating a player
from her favourite slot is like messing with the cubs of a mother
bear... But if you're going to lunch or to play another game,
free up your
spot.
If
you're
going
to
be
gone
for
more than a few minutes, it's not fair to other players or to
the casino to tie up the game.
If you're smoking while playing video
poker or the slots...- Use an ashtray... If there's not one at the machine, ask an
attendant to bring one to you. Do not use the coin well to drop
your ashes
or butts.
Players who follow you have a right to reach in for their coins
without getting your ashes all over their hands.
Do not smoke in non-smoking areas. - You have a perfect right to smoke where permitted, but non-smokers
also have a right to expect the designated areas to be smoke
free. This is not a difficult concept to understand, but smokers
on occasion become quite belligerent when asked to put out their
cigarettes in no-smoking rooms.
At blackjack...- Here is a table game where a manners referee (pit boss) is
called into play most often.
-
- Know the hit/ stand signals for the blackjack game you're playing.
- Once you have played your wager, do not touch your bet until
you get paid.
- Expect with abusive language an early departure from the
casino.
- Don't ask the dealer what her hole card is. Dealers will
not risk their job over your wager. There is nothing wrong
with asking for advice, but not after the dealer looks under
her face/ ace.
- If you're using a basic strategy card (recommended), don't
refer to it each and every hand. You should have a basic understanding
on how to play most of your hands well before you sit down
on a game.
- Don't walk up to a dealer and tell him he looks bored, make
him shuffle an eight-deck shoe just to make one $5 bet, lose,
then walk.
- Once the hand has been completed, don't turn your cards over
to help the dealer. Dealers have a routine on the pick-up and
you're just slowing them down. Besides, dealers need to spread
the cards a certain way so the cameras can read them.
- If you're
playing a game in which your cards are dealt face up, do
not touch them. In games dealt
face down, the situation is different. In those games,
you pick up your cards.
When you join a blackjack game...- especially at higher-denomination tables, ask if the other
players want you to wait until the shuffle to start playing...
It makes no real difference in the long run, but sometimes
players who have been on a roll will want to finish out the
shoe before
changing anything... Don't expect the same courtesy at low
denomination tables. Space is at such a premium that it's
a bit much to expect
someone to wait at a $5 table.
At any table game, when betting chips of mixed
denomination...- stack them with the highest denomination on the bottom and
the lowest on top. It makes it easier for the dealer to read
your bet size, and also is a casino safeguard against casino
cheats who attempt to cap a bet with a large-denomination chip
after they know the result.
In roulette...
- All seats in casinos are for players only. Most dealers are instructed to
ask non-players to move.
- Roulette is a game where you exchange money for chips. The colour coded chips
are not allowed to be bet or intermingled by your friend's or family. If both
you and your spouse are playing together, you will need to get separate
chips.
- Dealers will leave the winning bet on the layout. Your payoff on the inside
wagers (numbers) will be slid to you. It is your responsibility to remove the
winning bet if you don't want to play it the following spin. Outside wagers
(red/ black, odd/ even, columns, etc) will be left alongside your original
winning wager.
- Wait until the dealer lifts the marker off the previous winning
number before starting to make bets on the next spin. Until
that marker comes off the layout, the dealer is paying off bets from
the previous spin and wants no confusion over what is an
unpaid bet and what is a fresh wager.
In craps...
- Do not try to hand cash to the dealer to make change.
The dealer is not allowed to take any cash or chips directly
from the customer. You need to place your money on the
layout, before the shooter gets the dice, and ask the dealer
for "change only."
- Some wagers like Pass/ Don't Pass bets, odds, come bets,
the Big 6/8 or field bets can be made by you. On the other
wagers, place your money on the layout and ask the dealer
to make those wagers for you.
- Keep your hands off the table and out of the way of the
dice being thrown. You do not want to disrupt the game
by altering the toss with your hands.
- Tables have rails all around the game to store your gaming
chips. Use them. Also, underneath there is shelving for
your drinks.
- Never try to slide dice across the layout thinking you
can control the outcome. The first time the boxman will
call out "No roll" The second time, possibly
a slap on the wrist. The third - adios amigo.
- If you are a Don't Pass bettor, don't scream out, "Come
on, seven!" Betting against the majority of players is
bad enough, but rooting against them and gloating after
a win is awful form.
- When you are the shooter, roll so that the dice hit the
back wall of the table. That's required to assure random
rolls.
At any table game, when betting chips
of mixed denomination...- stack them with the highest denomination on the bottom
and the lowest on top. It makes it easier for the dealer
to read your bet size, and also is a casino safeguard against
casino cheats who attempt to cap a bet with a large-denomination
chip after they know the result.
At any game...- resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Blackjack players
are particularly bad about this. Some players get angry over
plays that wind up costing them money, but never notice the unorthodox
plays that help them. Both happen, and in the long run, bad play
by other players neither hurts nor helps your overall results.
And whether it's blackjack or any other game, players have the
right to make their own decisions, play their own way and make
their own fun.
Tipping- As in most service industry jobs, most front line casino
employees get paid minimum wage. Never should you expect
the employee to bend the rules if you decide to tip. However,
if you are winning, and the dealer is being courteous and
helpful, it is customary to show your appreciation. Naturally
you are under no obligation to tip, but an occasional
gratuity is always in good form and helps keep up the morale
at the table. Look at tipping as a donation to "Lady
Luck."
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