Casino etiquette for newcomers: a gentle introduction to the table

You need not be a habitué to join a private gaming table. You should know five modest details 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 with cash on the felt, never hand-to-hand

Lay the bills on the table; the dealer will count them before the camera and push chips toward you. Cash is never exchanged directly. This is protocol, 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 simplest to overlook.

Tip after a win, never after a loss

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

Leave when you choose, not when you are chasing losses

The discipline of stopping outweighs any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and surrender three months of careful play trying to repeat it on a Friday. Set a limit, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Royalmeadowlife. Last revised 2026-07-13.