Casino manners for newcomers: a gentle introduction to the table

You need not be a habitué to join a private gaming table. You do need to understand five small conventions about how the room operates.

Wait until the dealer signals 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 hand to hand

Place bills on the felt; 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, if 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, never after a loss

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

Depart when you are ready, not when you are losing

The discipline of stopping outweighs 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 figure, and honour it.

Written by the editorial team at Stay Coast Stay. Last revised 2026-07-13.