Casino etiquette for the curious: a calm welcome to the table

You do not need to be a regular to sit at a private gaming table. You do need to know five small details about how the room works.

Wait until the dealer waves you in

A dealer in the middle of a shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand a polite metre back, catch their eye, and wait for the nod. It will come.

Buy chips with cash on the table, never by hand

Place the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them in view of the camera and slide chips toward you. Money is never passed hand to hand. This is not rudeness; it is procedure.

Touch your cards with one hand only

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 easiest one to forget.

Tip when you win, not when you lose

A small chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is standard; tipping after a loss can read as showy. If in doubt, watch the table for a few minutes. The regulars will teach you everything.

Leave when you are ready, not when you are behind

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

Written by the editorial team at Marbleharbourlife. Last updated 2026-07-20.