Casino etiquette for newcomers: a discreet introduction to the table

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

Wait for the dealer to invite 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 by placing cash on the table, never in hand

Lay the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips across. Cash is never exchanged hand to hand. This is procedure, not discourtesy.

Handle your cards with one hand only

At baccarat and blackjack, when 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, not after a loss

A modest chip passed to the dealer following a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss appears theatrical. When uncertain, observe the table for a few minutes — the regulars will teach you everything.

Leave on your own terms, not because you are losing

The discipline of stopping outweighs any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and squander months of careful play chasing the same result on a Friday. Set a limit, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Silver Oasis Coast. Last updated 2026-07-13.