Follow Casino Etiquette
While you play, it can only benefit you to be a positive, kind, and upstanding patron—even if you’re losing big time. Dealers will be nicer to you, cocktail waitresses will come around to your table more, and other players will appreciate it. I’ve had dealers give me advice on every hand to help me win in Casino etiquette, cocktail waitresses bring me doubles instead of single pours, and had a lot of great laughs with other players all because I wasn’t a jerk. If you can’t lose a little money and still be a decent person, don’t play.
Beyond that, there are a few basic casino rules you should follow:
- Never sit at a table unless you’re going to play (no chilling and watching your buddy play).
- And wait until the hand is over before you sit at a table.
- Never take out your phone while sitting at a table. They will yell at you.
- Don’t touch your bet once you’ve placed it and the hand/spin/etc. has been dealt.
- Only touch your cards with one hand.
- Don’t touch your winnings until the dealer has counted them out in front of you and pushed them toward you.
- Never stall the game to act like a hotshot (no blowing on dice, jumping around, or generally acting like you’re doing anything even remotely important).
- Always tip your dealer regularly, either by handing them a chip and clearly saying “This is for you,” or by placing a bet for them. Never try to tip them cash, chips only.
- Always tip your cocktail waitresses. I give them a $1-$5 chip every time they come around.
You still may not win any money if you follow these rules, but you won’t get in trouble and you’ll have a much better time.
With all due respect to the good people of Thackerville, Okla., I am not currently aware of any…
Know When to Stop
Gambling can be addictive, so you need to take precautions and know when it’s time to quit. For example, free cocktails are great, but there’s a reason the casino is giving them to you. Don’t down too many and get reckless with your betting.
Also, never chase your losses. Thinking you can suddenly get lucky again and recoup your lost money is the gambler’s fallacy. You start to believe you are due for a big win, and that you can get all your money back if you just put some more money in. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. As soon you’re starting to have thoughts of “If I just play a little longer…” stop immediately.
Lastly, avoid “gambler’s conceit,” which happens when you’re up, playing with winnings, or on a hot streak. You start to think, “Maybe I should bet more since I’m doing so well,” and “Sure, I could walk away with more than I started with, but maybe I should see this through…” Bad idea. Quit while you’re ahead. My personal rule is once I’m up 50% from what I started with, I take those chips and put them in my pocket not to be played with again.