Before you can successfully visit most casinos; getting in and around, there are certain rules put in place as a matter of necessity. You probably might be unable to disregard them. For first timers, who could as well be regarded as visitors, casinos can appear to be confusing places.
Casinos tend to be some large,open rooms packed full of people who are in no doubt as to what they’re into,they know exactly what they are doing. And then there’s you, who is as clueless as the unknown, you wander around in your own world.
In most casinos, cameras hung from the ceiling are stationed to keep track of every of your movements,the same thing all the security guards,pit bosses and dealers seem to be doing. This kind of security that makes you somewhat uncomfortable, to the extent of doubting your own innocence.
Worst of all, nobody cares about the green guys, what this means? There are no signs, announcements, or tour guides to inform newcomers of the rules, guidelines or etiquettes.
This is exactly what we seek to achieve in this article. If you are visiting a casino for the first time; no worries we have got you covered.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Players at the casino must be at least 21 years of age, this is subject to no exceptions whatsoever. In the case where you are playing a slot with a child by your side, a security guard will quickly appear (dispatched by casino surveillance) and ask you to leave. But you can walk through the casino with your youngster in tow; as long as you’re on the move, you are good to go.
GADGETS (ELECTRONICS)
To visit most casinos,entry with your personal electronic items are also not allowed in the casino. No electronics, including cell phones, can be used once you are seated at a casino game. There are thick walls erected at most large casinos, they are basically functional to block cell phone reception anyhow, so you might have to walk outside to get a successful dial tone. In the sports book of the casino, the use of pagers and cell phones are not allowed at all.
NO-PHOTOGRAPHY RULES
Casinos are traditionally camera-shy, but no longer as stringent about no-photography rules that for years protected players; management feared they would get up and leave if a camera was pointed their way. Gambling is now more accepted as a mainstream pastime, and it’s hard to separate the gaming floor from the public right-of-way in many a casino. When in doubt, ask a security guard.
SMOKING
Smokers, on the other side of the coin, find casinos quite soothing, sort of a welcome relief. The others, who get pissed off by cigarette or cigar smoke, will need to find a no-smoking table or slots area. The casinos’ smoke permeates clothing quickly.
PERSONAL SECURITY
Even though the casino attempts to protect its patrons with such security cameras and guards as could best be regarded as omnipresent, myriad of visitors trooping in and out,and distractions of the same sort, overwhelm their vigilance. You are advised never to neglect the security of your person and pocketbook in the bustle of the casino. Probably, you will not actually be mugged inside the casino, but you are most likely susceptible to theft or shortchanging; Anything can happen.
Keep your purse in your lap.Do not leave any Casino chip on the table under the dealer’s protection while you take a quick bathroom break. Recount any chips and cash that casino personnel hand over to you immediately — once you leave the table or cage, you cannot get a mistake corrected. Finally, do not hesitate to request that a security guard escort you to the casino parking lot late at night, especially in downtown Las Vegas.
JOINING THE GAMES
Most of all casinos offer craps, blackjack, slots, video poker, and roulette. The major casinos will, in addition, have live poker, sports betting, baccarat, keno, and an ever-growing list of table games. Stick to video poker, slots, and roulette if you’re nervous about the arcane rules and want a relaxing visit.
Table games, especially blackjack and craps, offer the novice the greatest challenges. However, these games remain two of the most popular in Las Vegas. Free daily lessons at most Strip casinos will warm the tables. The beginner’s course will let you belly up to the tables with confidence. Don’t hesitate to ask any question you like at the table. If a dealer doesn’t answer, or is rude, walk away to another table — or another casino. At some of the smaller and less crowded gambling houses, dealers will take time to orient players to new games. If you’re a newcomer to the tables, avoid the larger houses, especially at peak hours, because the personnel may be too busy to help you.
Before you sit down at a table, look at the little placard that announces the betting minimum and maximum. Most casinos offer a range of betting minimums, but the low minimum tables tend to be packed. For example, blackjack tables have minimums of $1 to $500 and maximums up to $10,000. Minimums in casinos on the Strip are generally higher than those of downtown casinos. Consider also the timing of your casino visit. Las Vegas wakes up around lunchtime, then peaks between 11 PM and midnight. If you arrive at a busy hour, tables may be scarce at the minimums you desire. Weekends are also the busiest time of the week for Vegas as half of California drives in for a quick roll.
TIPPING
Tipping is one very essential element of casino etiquette. Dealers are paid minimum wage at the casinos, and there is also the expectation on their own part to be tipped when you are winning. You know what exactly this means? The dealers wish to get a share of whatever you win. It is actually neither mandatory nor necessary, it also can not be forced. However, it is only up to your own discretion. Some dealers will “suggest” a tip of 10% of your net win, but this is very generous on your part. Slipping a dealer or change person a chip is like any other tip: a small gratuity for services rendered. This small generosity usually relaxes the dealer, and thus the game, considerably. At most casinos, dealers pool their tips and then split them evenly. So be aware that no matter how much you toke a good dealer, he or she will receive only a percentage. Cocktail waitresses expect $1 for each drink brought to you. Valet parkers should receive $2 or $3.
PAYBACK PERCENTAGE
One very important thing to note before gambling in a casino upon visit for the first time is that payback percentage is how you measure the odds for gambling machines.
Perhaps,you might have heard of the house edge. It should also interest you to know that the term is one used to describe how good or bad the odds are for table games. It’s basically a mathematical prediction of how much you’ll lose per bet on average over a tremendous number of trials.The house edge is expressed as a percentage. If a game has a house edge of 1%, the casino expects to win $1 every time you bet $100, over the long run. In the short-term, anything can happen. What most gamblers don’t realize is that they long run is longer than they think.
The payback percentage is the flip side of the house edge. It’s the amount of money the casino expects the player to win back for every bet. It’s also expressed as a percentage. For example, if I tell you a game has a 99% payback percentage, the casino expects you to win 99 cents every time you wager a dollar – again, on average, over time.You can use house edge and payback percentage to compare the odds for different games
You’ll pick up on the most common rules of etiquette in the casino eventually. But a little knowledge in advance can help you be less of a bore.
The most important rules of etiquette, at least from the perspective of the casino’s staff, relate to the handling of cash. You never hand a dealer money. You put your cash on the table, and the dealer exchanges it for tips.
This is for security purposes, but it also protects the dealer from accusations. By putting the money on the table, you make the entire transaction visible to the cameras above the casino floor. (These are called “the eye in the sky”.). Kenny Rogers is right, too – never count your money at the table. It’s crass. It’s also dangerous because casinos attract pickpockets and thieves just like any other den of iniquity.
Specific games have specific rules of etiquette, too. For example, in a single deck blackjack, it’s customary to pick up your cards. But in a game dealt from a shoe, you should never touch your cards.
