Casino etiquette for newcomers: a gentle introduction to the table

You need not be a regular to join a private gaming table. You do need to understand five small conventions about how the room operates.

Wait for the dealer to invite you in

A dealer mid-shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand a respectful metre back, catch their eye, and wait for the nod. It will arrive.

Purchase chips with cash on the table, never in hand

Place the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips toward you. Money is never exchanged hand to hand. This is not discourtesy; it is procedure.

Handle your cards with one hand only

At baccarat and blackjack, if cards are dealt face down, lift them with one hand only and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest rule in the room and the easiest to overlook.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A modest chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss appears theatrical. If uncertain, observe the table for a few minutes — the regulars will teach you everything.

Depart when you are ready, not when you are losing

The discipline of stopping matters more than any system. We have seen guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and lose three months of careful play attempting to repeat it on a Friday. Choose a number, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Amberplazatropic. Last revised 2026-07-13.