Casino etiquette for newcomers: a gentle 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 small details about how the room operates.

Wait for the dealer to invite you in

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

Buy chips with cash on the table, never in hand

Lay the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and push 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, when cards are dealt face down, lift them with a single hand and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest rule in the room and the easiest to overlook.

Tip when you win, not when you lose

A modest chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss comes across as ostentatious. When uncertain, observe the table for a few minutes — the regulars will teach you everything.

Leave when you are ready, not when you are losing

The discipline of knowing when to stop is worth more than any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and squander three months of careful play trying to repeat it on a Friday. Set a limit, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Coralwillowview. Last updated 2026-07-27.