Casino Etiquette – Acceptable Behavior in Casinos

Just because you know the rules of a certain game doesn’t mean that you’re ready to go to a casino. There’s a difference between knowing how to play chess and just knowing how the pieces are allowed to move.

You see, a casino is more than just a place that hosts luck-based games. It’s a venue that provides a full gambling experience. You might have seen this in your favorite movie or a TV show but experiencing this for yourself is something else entirely.

By understanding acceptable behaviors in casinos, you’ll feel more comfortable going there for the first time. For those who never had the privilege to experience this, here’s a brief rundown of casino etiquette.

Drinking in a Casino

In a lot of casinos, drinks are on the house. You see, people who drink tend to enjoy gambling far more. They also tend to be more likely to risk and more likely to gamble for a lot longer. However, you still need to tip the staff. First of all, this will ensure that you have a drink in your hand at all times. Second, it’s just a matter of manners.

Even without it impairing your ability to make a judgment of the situation, it’s extremely important that you limit your drinking in a casino. It’s easy to get carried away while playing, which means that the results can soon be less than flattering for everyone. Just take it easy and, while you are there to unwind, remember to keep all things in moderation.

Understand that the Casino Doesn’t Have to Cheat You

People often rage, curse, and even get physical when losing money. The problem is not necessarily that they’ve lost but the fact that they’re shifting blame from their own bad luck or poor judgment to the “rigged” casino games. First of all, this is not true.

You see, the way casinos are making money is by generating huge revenue from a huge volume of players. They don’t have to make all their daily profit on you. The odds are already in their favor and if you still believe that the casino has to do something malicious in order to make money, you should look up some basic gambling terminology like house edge.

While to an individual player, odds may not seem as reliable enough, when you compare the number of games that an average person plays in the casino against the total number of games played, things become a lot clearer. By just understanding how these things work, you’re a lot less likely to play the blame game.

Dial Down on Phone Use

People are at the casino to have fun and spend some quality time gambling. One of the most interesting things you’ll notice while at the casino is that not a lot of people are staring at their phones. You need to follow their lead.

Does this mean that mobile phones are not allowed at the casino? Of course not. It’s all about how you use them. If you use your phone to check if you’ve got an important message or email, this is more than fine. On the other hand, if you’re talking loudly, taking suspicious photos, or concealing your phone while using it, this can be quite distracting, and even outright annoying, for a lot of players.

Remember why you’re there. The casino experience is something that requires an immersion. Of course, you can always gamble online via your phone or your desktop, provided that you find this rule to be too restrictive.

Dress Code

This depends on the casino but, in general, there aren’t many strict rules. Some casinos have a policy that will allow their players to dress more casually. After all, luck-based games fall under the entertainment industry. However, more casual doesn’t mean wearing whatever you want.

If the dress code is stricter, you might have to change casinos or change your clothes. It’s not just about your shirt and pants either. Running shoes are also frowned upon in some establishments. Still, there are so many casinos out there, which means that you can easily find a place with a less strict dress code. It’s all up to your own preference and your own willingness to move to a different establishment.

Respect Other People’s Privacy

Not looking at other people’s cards is quite an intuitive and straightforward rule. However, it goes even further than that. You need to respect everyone’s privacy for several reasons. First, it’s a polite thing to do.

Second, people are sensitive while playing, especially while losing. Don’t touch the chips of other players (even if it’s to just push them an inch away due to your OCD). Don’t look over their shoulder to see who they’re texting and definitely don’t eavesdrop on their conversations.

Keep in mind that there are some behaviors that will invade their personal space, like moving your chair too close to them, or speaking too loudly while they’re trying to have a conversation. We’ve already discussed this in the part about phones. You don’t want to sit behind the blackjack table and talk loudly on your phone while other people are trying to play.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be friendly. Just keep in mind that there’s a fine line between being friendly and being chatty. While they are a sort of a social establishment, people are not going to casinos to socialize but play. Just keep this in mind and everything will be fine.

Wrap Up

After all, the rules of behavior in a casino are not unlike the rules of conduct in any hospitality industry venue. Be respectful, don’t get too drunk, and check the dress code before heading out there. Sure, there are a couple of context-specific differences that you need to pay attention to. Learn about the odds in order to know what to expect and try to keep yourself composed. Also, keep in mind that the majority of people are going to be a bit edgy, so make sure to respect their boundaries.