Casino manners 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 mid-shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand roughly a metre back, meet their eye, and wait for the nod. It arrives.

Buy chips with cash on the table, never handed

Lay the notes on the felt; the dealer counts them before the camera and pushes chips across. Cash never moves from hand to hand. That is procedure, not coolness.

Touch your cards only with one hand

At baccarat and blackjack, when cards arrive face down, lift them with a single hand and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest custom in the room and the one most often forgotten.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A modest chip edged to the dealer after a winning hand is expected; tipping after a loss can look theatrical. If unsure, watch the table for a few minutes — the regulars reveal everything.

Leave when you are ready, not when you are losing

Knowing when to stop outweighs any system. We have watched guests double a bankroll on a Tuesday and then squander three months of careful play trying to repeat it on a Friday. Choose a number, and honour it.

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