Casino manners for newcomers: a calm introduction to the table

You need not be a regular to take a seat at a private gaming table. You do need to understand five modest points about how the room operates.

Hold back until the dealer beckons you in

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

Buy chips with cash laid on the table, never handed over

Place the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them in front of the camera and slide chips to you. Money is never passed hand to hand. This is not rudeness; it is process.

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 forget.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A small chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is standard; tipping after a loss reads as showy. If in doubt, watch the table for a few minutes — the regulars will tell you everything.

Depart when you are ready, not when you are losing

The discipline of stopping is more valuable than any system. We have seen guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and lose three months of careful play trying to do it again on a Friday. Pick a number, and respect it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Jadecovelife. Last updated 2026-07-20.