Casino etiquette for newcomers: a calm introduction to the table

You need not be a regular to take a seat at a private gaming table. You do need five modest points about how the room operates.

Wait until the dealer waves you in

A dealer midway through a shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand a polite metre back, meet their eye, and wait for the nod. It will arrive.

Buy chips with cash on the table, never handed

Set the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them in view of the camera and slide chips across. Cash is never passed hand to hand. This is not coldness; it is procedure.

Touch your cards only with one hand

At baccarat and blackjack, when cards arrive face down, lift them with one hand only and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest rule in the room and the simplest to overlook.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A small chip pushed to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss can look theatrical. If unsure, watch the table for a few minutes — the regulars will show you everything.

Leave when you are ready, not when you are losing

Knowing when to stop matters more than any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and lose three months of careful play chasing it again on a Friday. Choose a number, and honour it.

Prepared by the editorial team at Whitetideresort. Last updated 2026-07-27.