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 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 by placing cash on the felt, never hand to hand

Lay the bills on the table; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips across. Money is never passed between hands. 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 after a win, not after a loss

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

Leave when you choose, 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 trying to repeat it on a Friday. Set a number, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Staysunsetlife. Last updated 2026-07-13.