Casino Etiquette | What to Expect From Your Experience

While online casinos are great for those who love to gamble but prefer home comforts, live casinos offer up a truly immersive experience.

At a Grosvenor Casino you control the drama on the casino floor. Whether you are watching out for your opponent’s poker face, or pulling the reel-stop arm on your favourite slot machine, Grosvenor Casinos don’t disappoint.

If you’re visiting your local casino for the first time and want to be prepared, you’re in luck! Here are 10 casino etiquette tips you need to know.

1.  No mobile phones

While mobile phones are allowed in the casino, you should avoid using them on the casino floor. This means no taking pictures, no texting and no calling.

The dealer will likely ask you to turn your phone off while you are playing, or to step away from the table if you need to take a call. If you do use your phone at the table, you can expect a sharp word from casino security. Play it safe by turning your phone off, or putting it on silent, when in the casino.

2.  Be gentle

Cards are not coasters, nor should they be bent or tampered with in any way. This is partly housekeeping, but mainly because players in the past have cheated by bending cards in a specific way.

Dealers are wise to any tampering and it’s taken extremely seriously, so avoid over handling the cards. In many games you won’t be allowed to touch the cards, as that’s the dealers’ job.

3.   Listen to the dealer

The dealer isn’t there to ruin your fun; they are there to make sure the games run as smoothly as possible, so it is in your best interest to listen to what they say.

For instance, when they call “no more bets” they absolutely mean it: no more bets can be placed and all betting at the table is paused. If you choose to place your bet after “no bets” has been called, you could be removed from the table, and you might have to forfeit your chips.

If you are ever unsure what to do, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer; they will ease you into the casino experience and will help to answer any questions.

4.  Wait your turn

Naturally, not all games start at the same time, and some hands will likely be in play when you sit down at your chosen table.

When you do find a table, you should wait patiently for the hand/action to finish before you buy-in. You want other players to be happy to have you at their table, and this means allowing them to bet without any distractions.

5.  Pay attention to table bets

Before sitting down, it is worth noting the minimum and maximum bets, as these are likely to differ from table to table.

These are usually clearly displayed on nearby boards, so you should know in advance what you can and can’t bet. If in doubt, check with the dealer.

6.  Dress the part

At Grosvenor Casinos, we’re not too strict with our dress code.

However, we don’t accept sportswear, scruffy clothes, trainers, etc. None of these are allowed in the casino and you will be turned away if you dress inappropriately. Smart or smart-casual is the typical dress style at our casinos.

7.  Never hand cash to the dealer

When buying chips, you and the dealer need to behave like acquaintances, not buddies. The dealer is there to serve a purpose, and with that comes rules. For instance, players cannot hand cash directly to the dealer, and dealers cannot handle cash given to them by a player. Instead, the player must put their money out on the table in front of them, and the dealer must take the money from the table and exchange it into chips.

. Although it might seem laborious, it is one of the most engrained parts of casino etiquette and should never be forgotten. If you do hand the dealer cash, they will not accept it and will tell you to place it on the table.

8.  Pay attention to dealings

In games where cards are dealt face up, you shouldn’t touch the cards. In games where you are allowed to touch the cards, it is up to the dealer to signify when you are allowed. Like we said in number 3: you need to listen to the dealer carefully, especially if it’s your first time.

9.  Timing is everything

Timing is key when playing casino games. It is a way of showing you respect the casino, the players, and that you understand basic casino etiquette. Some of the scenarios you are likely to encounter are below:

Starting a game: Once the first hand has been dealt, do not touch your bet. You can only touch your bet after the hand is over. If you don’t plan to play, then simply don’t sit down; chairs are reserved for players only.

Cashing out: If you want to cash out and leave a table, you need to wait for the hand to finish or the croupier to remove the dolly from the roulette table. After this, you can indicate to the dealer that you’re done and they will change your chips for you.

10. Be courteous

When playing casino games, you are expected to respect your fellow players. This includes refraining from swearing or abusive language, and never touching other players’ chips or cards.

Have we missed any casino etiquette tips out? Let us know in the comments section, or chat to us on our Facebook and Twitter!

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