How To Behave in a Live Casino

Playing Live

Playing live is a great way to experience the excitement of a brick and mortar casino from the comfort of your own home. You can play any casino game while a live dealer or croupier is there in front of you dealing your cards, spinning the wheel, or rolling the dice. You can even chat with the dealer or other players at the table. Before you get ready to gamble live, however, it helps to know a few things about behaviour and general etiquette.

Be Sociable at the Table

Chat rooms play a big role in the live experience of online casinos. They allow you to communicate with other players at the table and, most importantly, the casino dealer with live dealer games. When joining the game it’s polite to say hi to the dealer. Remember that the dealer is the face of the casino and has to ensure all rules and regulations are followed. Listening to their instructions and following the rules of the game will ensure everyone can enjoy the experience.

The same goes for your fellow players. Keep things polite and respectful. If you lose a hand in poker then a simple “well played” is an appropriate thing to say. Taking your anger out on them is not appropriate.

Always avoid swearing or any phrases that can come off as aggressive. If you’re using the chat room to display your anger when losing, or you’re overly acting cocky when winning, then you’re going to be very unpopular and risk being removed from the game (or casino).

Know the Rules

If you’re a fan of online gambling, there’s nothing more frustrating than playing at a table someone has no clue of what’s happening. Their constant stalling, hesitation and asking simple questions can make gameplay a nightmare for other players. It’s therefore important that you understand the rules before playing.

If you want to play blackjack or any other table games on offer then you can review the rules, watch videos of gameplay or play the non-live, automated tables to get the hang of things before you hit the live tables. Demo games are also a great way of getting to know a game before betting real money. Of course, some people will be less experienced and slower in their decision-making process than others, but everyone should at least understand the general flow of the game being played.

When it comes to tipping at a casino, the rules of whether to tip or not are similar to those of a restaurant. Even though you’re under no obligation to tip, it’s usually expected (and appreciated). If you sit at the table to play roulette in a physical casino and win some money, then it’s good casino etiquette to toss a couple of chips in the dealer’s direction. The same goes for online games that feature a live dealer. Unless you’ve suffered a loss then it’s also good etiquette to give the dealer a little tip when you leave the table.

Which Table to Join?

Provided you understand the rules, you’re ready to take a seat at a table. However, to sit at the right table, it helps to know your budget. How much can you afford to lose? In a brick and mortar casino, the dealer and other players won’t appreciate anyone taking a seat who can’t afford to play. This is especially true if the casino is busy and you’re occupying a seat that would be better used by another gambler.

With live casinos, there are clear maximum and minimum bets that are defined before you join any table. If you’re in doubt about which table to play at, a good piece of advice is to start playing at a lower stakes table and work your way up to a higher stakes table if needed. Beginning with a high stakes table could lead to a heavy loss that you hadn’t planned for.

When it comes to playing at a physical casino table, there are certain no-nos that don’t apply to online gameplay. Reaching over other people, touching your cards after the dealer has declared “no more bets” and distracting gameplay may get you cautioned at your local casino. However, modern technology and the nature of playing online means you can’t place bets (or tamper with other players) during gameplay.

Casino Etiquette

There are many brick and mortar casinos, particularly for high rollers, that have a strict dress code. Obviously, the same doesn’t apply to the live casino. So, unless you really enjoy putting on your tuxedo, you can dress as casual as you want.

For many people, enjoying a drink or two goes hand in hand with gambling. Most physical casinos have waiting staff coming back and forth, bringing you your favourite cocktail to keep you happy while at the table. While this may seem great, it can be easy to eventually find yourself losing your inhibitions, betting erratically and annoying staff and other customers. While you don’t have the same service when playing live, you should still keep tabs on how much you’re drinking to ensure you keep your dignity at the table.

Summary

With their heightened security measures, brick and mortar casinos can sometimes seem intimidating for some. Online casinos, on the other hand, can provide a much more easy-going alternative. And, even though you don’t have the same social pressures you get from a physical casino, understanding the expected etiquette will ensure you and the other players can maximise enjoyment at the table. By respecting everyone in the chat room, limiting your alcohol, knowing what stakes table you can afford to play at and understanding the rules of the game, you should be well-prepared to make the most out of your live gambling experience.