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

Purchase chips with cash on the table, never in hand

Lay the bills on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and slide chips across. Money is never exchanged hand to hand. This is not discourtesy; it is procedure.

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 when you win, not when you lose

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

Depart when you are ready, not when you are losing

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

Prepared by the editorial team at Imperial Summit Resort. Last updated 2026-07-27.