Tip #1 - Check the dress code
The dress code of a casino dictates the kind of clothes that are viewed as being acceptable in the venue. Dress codes vary in their strictness. Some might be fine with you turning up in shorts and a t-shirt, especially in places like Las Vegas. Other venues will ask you to dress smart-casual or even formally.
You can check the dress code by visiting the website of the venue you intend to visit or by calling to ask ahead of time. By doing this, you’ll be able to dress appropriately, and you won’t run the risk of being turned away because you’re wearing training shoes or track pants.
Walk into any casino on the Las Vegas Strip with confidence with these 9 tips!
Tip #2 - Always take ID
It is best to make sure that you always have some form of identity on you when you visit a casino. This is especially important for a first visit because you may need to prove that you’re old enough to gamble or have proof of your ID in order to become a casino member. Again, check with the venue in advance to find out what kind of ID is required.
Tip #3 - Don’t try to bet with cash
One common mistake that new casino players make is expecting to be able to place bets with cash. You can’t. All betting is conducted using casino chips, and those chips will usually need to be issued by the venue you are visiting.
Although some table game dealers will be able to exchange cash for chips on the spot, it is better to assume that they can’t. Instead, head straight to the cashier’s desk and buy the chips that you need before even thinking about sitting down to a game.
Tip #4 - Watch your manners
A land-based casino is definitely a place where you can feel free to have fun, but don’t embarrass yourself or spoil things for other players by forgetting your manners. Being rude to other players or casino staff, being excessively loud or using too much bad language are all very much frowned upon and could result in you being asked - or eventually even being forced - to leave the venue.
Tip #5 - Don’t ask for comps
Comps are complimentary gifts to players that some casinos offer, and some don’t. They could include free drinks while playing, free snacks or even the odd casino chip or two. You should never ask for these things but wait to be offered or made aware of them by a member of staff. If no comps are offered, then they probably aren’t available at the venue, so asking for them would only risk embarrassment. The only exception here is if the casino has told you that certain comps - such as free soft drinks - are available on request.
Tip #6 - Ask, don’t guess
Before you sit down to play a game such as
Blackjack/a> for the first time, spend a little time watching others play. Pay attention to how they place their bets, make their choices known to the dealer, and so on. Then, if you are still unsure about anything, ask the dealer, who will be more than happy to help you. All of this is far better than merely guessing how to proceed, and it will prevent you from making big etiquette mistakes, such as touching the chips of another player.
Tip #7 - Don’t ask for play advice
Whilst it’s perfectly acceptable to ask the dealer about the rules of a game or how to play, it is never acceptable to ask him or her about what gaming decisions you should make. Dealers aren’t allowed to give gaming advice (such as whether you should Hit or Stand on a particular hand at the Blackjack table), and they could be fired for doing so. Make your own decisions and leave the dealer out of them.
Tip #8 - Don’t boast and don’t grumble
Casino games have both winners and losers, and you should be able to sit on either side of that fence with grace. Feel free to celebrate, but don’t boast when you win because others at the table might not have fared so well. Similarly, don’t grumble when you lose; otherwise, you’ll just spoil the mood for everyone else.
Tip #9 - Tip the staff
Our final tip on casino etiquette is simply to tip the staff. All casino employees rely on tips from players to supplement their salaries, and it is expected that you will show your appreciation for good service by tipping the dealer, the waitress and anyone else who helps you have a good time.
Also, remember that the dealer’s job is simply to operate the game. He or she isn’t responsible for how lucky you are, so don’t withhold a tip even if you have a bad gaming session. If the dealer did their job well, they deserve to be appropriately acknowledged.
Practice Makes Perfect
Casino etiquette isn’t rocket science, and after two or three trips to your favourite land-based venue, you’ll know exactly how to conduct yourself. That’s good because when you feel confident and comfortable, you will be able to focus on what casinos are there for in the first place - the games!
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