When you are in a casino, whether it is a brick-and-mortar establishment or online, there is some common etiquette and behaviour and a few unspoken rules that you should be aware of. We have put together a list of some of the most important rules to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your next visit.
Land-based Casino Rules and Etiquette
Land-based establishments offer an experience like no place else and can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming and intimidating to newcomers. Your first time in a casino will likely be a bit uncomfortable and you’ll be faced with a world of rules and systems that you are unfamiliar with. In order to seem like you belong and instil a bit of confidence in yourself at the tables, you might want to brush up on your etiquette. There are some rules that you can learn over time such as appropriate dress code which you will pick up as you visit more casinos or return to your favourite one again and again. But there are some rules that are vital to know before you’ve even set foot in the hall.
Don’t ask the dealer for advice
Dealers are there to assist players and to keep the games running smoothly and efficiently and are always open to a bit of a chat – after all, they want to earn tips and ignoring you is a great way to avoid tips entirely. With that in mind, you should never ask the croupier, for example, what to do on the table – and there are a number of reasons for this.
Firstly, the dealer is there to run the game and to keep you gambling, not to help you win money. Dealers are doing their jobs at a casino, and therefore it is unwise for them to give out advice that could cost their employers money.
Another reason why you would be putting the dealer in a tough spot, is because if he gives you advice and you lose then there is a chance that you might get upset with him. It might even seem like the dealer purposely mislead you which could cause a heated and unpleasant argument. This slows the game down for everyone involved and can be quite an awkward situation – other players might leave the table to avoid getting involved and that means the business is losing money.
Knowing a few basics about how to play each game can save you, and your dealer, a lot of time. Having an understanding of the game and the way it is played keeps the other players at the table happy and the game going smoothly. We have how-to guides for most games in our blog that can help you with a few tips and things to keep in mind. A bit of practice beforehand makes all the difference to your game too.
Don’t tell other players what to do
We have all found ourselves in a situation where a player at the table is seemingly just throwing money away game after game. He just keeps losing and keeps making the same plays, and you could help him out by simply leaning in and teaching him a thing or two. Well, the rule here is not to, and it might take some serious willpower unless the player has specifically asked you for advice. By simply walking up to people that you can see need a bit of help, you risk upsetting the player and causing a bit of a scene – particularly if they don’t like being told what to do with their money by a stranger.
Everybody has the right to spend their money in exactly the way they want to, even if you don’t agree with it, so just try to refrain from being too helpful unless you are asked to – in most cases, giving players who play like this a tip or two is not likely to help anyway.
Personal Space
Do not stand and look over another player’s shoulder and watch them play, this will likely make that person uncomfortable and potentially quite angry. Nobody wants a stranger watching their every decision and then bothering them with questions or conversation while they are not a part of the game they are playing. Try to remember to give everyone a good amount of space to play their game and enjoy their gambling experience.
Most players at the slots also enjoy a bit of solitude and sometimes that is why those players are at the slots – to get away from everyone for a while.
Online Casino Rules and Etiquette
Playing games online is much like playing at a land-based establishment, only it is experienced from the comfort of your own home. There are still rules and some basic etiquette that one needs to know though, as you are still playing these games with other players and sometimes with a live dealer. While you don’t have to worry about dress code and you’re not handing cash directly to a croupier, there are still some very important do’s and don’ts that can cause some trouble at your online poker table.
Mind Your Manners
Really, this rule should come down to common sense, but there are those who think that just because you are playing online it gives you the right to be rude to the other players, or the dealer, without any consideration for their feelings. Obviously, a bit of banter and ribbing comes as part of the territory for competitive play of any kind, but there is a line that one simply shouldn’t cross. If you are having issues with the way another player is behaving at the table, or if you simply don’t like the way they play, then the best thing that you can do is just leave the table.
The worst thing that you can do, for your experience and the other players’ experience at the table, is start a shouting match with that player. We understand that you are completely right, and that you need to ‘educate’ that other player, but chances are if they have already proven themselves to be belligerent that they simply won’t listen anyway. Be the bigger person, keep your composure and simply leave the table.
Don’t Take Too Long
This can be one of the most frustrating things you can do in a game. Online poker players hate the ‘slow player’ and might get upset if they feel you are taking too long. This can be a bit of an issue for new players who are figuring the game out and if the other players at the table say something it might even hurt your confidence. You are allowed to consider your moves and take a bit of time in making your decisions at the table (particularly when the stakes are high) but even if you are new and still learning the game, it is a good idea to at least try and keep up to speed with the rest of the game.
If you are impatient and don’t like to wait on other players, then just remember that sometimes people are trying to learn — and complaining about it can often cause them to take longer. Some online games have automated time limits that make sure the game keeps moving on without anybody taking too long, which is good news for anyone who folded early on into the hand.
Some Etiquette to Keep in Mind
While counting cards is hugely frowned upon, the same goes for working together with another player at a table. This is generally frowned upon and gives the players working together an advantage over the other players at the table. In a game of online poker, for example, sharing hole cards reduces the odds and makes it easier for the players to manipulate play in their favour. It is incredibly bad sportsmanship, and you simply shouldn’t do it.
Speaking of online poker, another good unspoken rule to know is that you shouldn’t ever discuss the hand you just folded. By letting the other players at the table know what cards are no longer in play, you create a potentially unfair game. You can talk about it after that hand has been played out but keep it secret until then.
Offering advice is treated the same way at an online casino as it is at in land-based one – don’t do it unless you are asked to by another player. Helping another player at the table is unfair for the rest of the players in the game and could make them feel like you’re working together.
If you want to try out some of these tips and tricks for better etiquette at your favourite land-based or online establishment, then why not start out by taking a seat at one of our live casino games?
We’re here to help you keep it fun – remember to set your deposit limit. Click here for more details on the safer gambling tools available including reality checks and the ability to take a break from your gaming.
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