Millions of gamers all over the world frequent online casinos exclusively, though have never made a trip to the real thing. While there’s nothing to say that virtual casinos cannot be fantastic, there is really nothing quite like the buzz and atmosphere of a real-life casino. That being said, you need to know how to conduct yourself if you plan to head out to a real casino – unless you want it to be a visit you’ll remember for all the wrong reasons.
Of course, there’s nothing to say that you have to treat the trip so seriously that you can’t have an incredible time. Instead, it’s simply a case of following a few rules of basic etiquette – the most important of which we’ve outlined below:
1 – Leave the Selfie Stick At Home
First and foremost, the vast majority of casinos worldwide have relatively strict rules when it comes to taking photographs. Specifically, most do not particularly appreciate photographs being taken at all on the gaming floor. Which is why you might want to think about leaving that irritating selfie stick at home, while at the same time being wary of getting your phone out and taking shots of the action. If you want to take any pictures, it is a good idea to first ask for permission.
2 – Silence Your Mobile
Still on the same subject, there is no better way of annoying those around you who are trying to focus on their game than to have your mobile blurting out ringtones and message beeps at all times. The simple fact of the matter is that if your phone goes off in a casino, you will definitely be in for a telling-off and be told to silence it. As such, you might as well save yourself the embarrassment and shut it off anyway.
3 – Dress Properly
Exactly what determines dressing properly is something that will be determined by the specific casino you wish to go to. Just as some casinos are quite happy for you to turn up looking as if you have just come from the beach, others won’t let you through the door unless you are dressed smartly. As such, it is in your best interests to find out exactly what your chosen casino does and does not allow by way of dress codes, before setting foot out of the door. Make assumptions and you might not even get in.
4 – Don’t Drink Too Much
Contrary to popular belief, the fact that many casinos give away alcohol free of charge or have plenty of offers on at all times does not mean you have a free ticket to get as drunk as you like. Instead, it’s simply a case of them looking to loosen you up a little, in order to increase the likelihood that you will spend more than you otherwise might. Make no mistake about it though – cross the line by becoming even remotely drunk and you might find that you are ejected and barred re-entry permanently.
5 – Check Minimum Bets
Something that never fails to annoy dealers is when amateurs sit down at a table, hand over a $10 chip and have to be told that the minimum bet is actually $50 at this table. This does nothing other than create an awkward situation for absolutely everyone at the table, with the player having to get up and walk away to a more affordable area of the casino. The minimum bet will always be clearly stated at the table, so there’s really no excuse for not taking note of it.
6 – Learn the Rules
While dealers in quality casinos can always be relied upon when you have a few questions, they are nonetheless not there to teach you the basic rules of how the games work. You cannot expect to sit down at a table with a group of experienced players and them to sit by patiently while the dealer tells you and shows you exactly what to do. As such, it is a good idea to first familiarise yourself with the basic rules of any games you intend to play at the casino, before you head out. Given the fact that you can access absolutely every casino game in the world online these days 100% free of charge, there’s really no reason not to.
7 – Win and Lose Well
Whether you win or lose, you need to conduct yourself in a manner that isn’t going to irritate those around you. For example, if you are lucky enough to strike a decent win, don’t go screaming and shouting in a manner that will do little other than rub it in the faces of those around you who haven’t been so lucky. You never know whether those in the immediate vicinity may have recently lost a pretty hefty amount of money – the last thing they need is to see you gloating about a win. Learn how to be a considerate winner and loser, regardless of the outcome.
8 – Get into Tipping
Last but not least, you absolutely must remember that if you intend to get into the world of real-life casino gaming, tipping is all part and parcel of the package. Exactly how much you choose to tip comes down to you, but you really need to make sure you’re giving at least something to those looking after you. The waiting staff bringing you your drinks, the dealer at the table and so on – gratuities are a big part of this game the world over. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just something. Unless of course you strike it rich, in which case you might want to think about upping the generosity a little!
9 – Keep Your Outbursts To Yourself
Casino games should be friendly and entertaining, both for you and the other players at the table. Don’t fly into a rage when you lose and start blaming the dealer or arguing with other players. Handling a gambling downswing should be handled outside the casino, not at the table.
10 – Learn To Tip
Unless you’re in a country where dealers can’t be tipped, it’s expected that you leave a small gratuity for the dealer when you get up to leave a table. It needn’t be big and don’t feel pressured to donate a big portion of your stack if you’ve had a good win. $1 on every small win or $5/10 when you leave the table is usually sufficient.