Casino manners for the curious: a quiet introduction to the table

You need not be a regular to take a seat at a private gaming table. You do need to understand five small points about how the room operates.

Wait until the dealer beckons you in

A dealer mid-shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand a polite metre back, catch their eye, and wait for the nod. It will arrive.

Buy chips with cash on the table, never handed over

Lay the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips toward you. Money is never passed hand to hand. This is not discourtesy; it is procedure.

Handle your cards with one hand alone

At baccarat and blackjack, if cards are dealt face down, lift them with one hand only and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest rule in the room and the simplest to overlook.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A small chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss comes across as showy. If unsure, watch the table for a few minutes — the regulars will reveal everything.

Depart when you are ready, not when you are losing

The discipline of stopping is worth more than any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and lose three months of careful play trying to repeat it on a Friday. Choose a number, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Evergreenterrace. Last updated 2026-07-27.