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.

Hold back until the dealer invites you

A dealer mid-shoe will not pause to seat a new player. Stand about a metre away, meet their glance, and wait for the nod. It arrives.

Buy chips with cash laid on the table, never handed over

Set the notes on the felt; the dealer will count them before the camera and push chips across to you. Currency is never exchanged hand to hand. This is procedure, not discourtesy.

Handle your cards with one hand only

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

Tip after a win, never after a loss

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

Depart when you choose, not when you are down

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

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