Casino etiquette for newcomers: a gentle 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 new player. Stand a respectful metre back, catch their eye, and wait for the nod. It will arrive.

Buy chips with cash on the table, never hand-to-hand

Place bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips across. Money is never passed between hands. This is procedure, not discourtesy.

Handle your cards with one hand only

At baccarat and blackjack, if cards are dealt face down, lift them with one 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 slid to the dealer following a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss reads as performance. If uncertain, observe the table for a few minutes — the regulars will teach you everything.

Leave when you choose, not when you are chasing losses

The discipline of stopping matters 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. Set a number, and honour it.

Written by the editorial team at Marblesummitpavilion. Last revised 2026-07-20.