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 five small points about how the room operates.

Hold until the dealer signals you in

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

Buy chips with cash on the felt, never handed over

Set the bills on the felt; the dealer counts them in view of the camera and slides chips across. Cash never passes hand to hand. That is procedure, not coolness.

Handle your cards with one hand only

At baccarat and blackjack, when cards arrive face down, lift them with one hand only and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest custom in the room and the one people forget most easily.

Tip after a win, never after a loss

A modest chip to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss can look theatrical. If unsure, watch the table for a few minutes — regulars will show you the pattern.

Depart when you are ready, not when you are down

Knowing when to stop matters more than any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and then lose three months of careful play chasing the same result on a Friday. Choose a number, and honour it.

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