Top 5 Examples of Bad Casino Etiquette - Be a fun player

The casino gambling experience is undoubtedly unique, and it’s easy to get carried away. Just like in everyday life, there are written and unwritten rules in a casino that should be followed while playing.

Even more importantly, there are a few things you should avoid in order to make sure your fellow players remain opponents – not enemies. In this spirit, here are five things that are generally considered bad casino etiquette.

5. Harassing or teasing other players

Although in online casinos there’s no real risk of offending others, which would be unethical behavior, in physical casinos, where money and often alcohol are involved, you have to be very mindful of how you interact with fellow players face-to-face.

During play, it can happen that two players who don’t know each other start teasing or exchanging remarks. This is usually not meant maliciously; the goal isn’t to hurt the other person but to become part of the game’s psychological element and try to throw each other off.

However, if one of the players does not wish to participate in this and simply wants to focus on the game, it’s important to recognize and respect that, because such comments can quickly turn into harassment. Always avoid disturbing others, as it can make the situation uncomfortable for everyone. In some cases, if you go too far, the dealer may ask you to leave the table or even call security.

If you want to ensure a good experience for yourself and others, follow proper casino etiquette and be courteous to your fellow players, the staff, and the dealers.

4. Unnecessarily stalling the game

In games that involve strategy, such as blackjack or especially poker, you often feel that there’s too little time when you need to make an important decision . In such situations, no one will fault you for taking a bit of extra time before acting.

However, if you take too long to think through every single move, it not only becomes annoying for others and makes the game less enjoyable, but it might also violate casino rules. Unfortunately, many players make this mistake regularly, and dealers don’t have many tools to address the situation beyond issuing a warning.

It’s best to try to match the pace of the game – this makes the experience faster and more enjoyable for everyone.

3. Constantly asking the dealer about the rules

Everyone has been a beginner at some point, so there’s nothing wrong with sitting down at a casino table with only basic knowledge of the game and little experience. Your fellow players won’t mind if you occasionally ask the dealer about a specific situation – as long as you can follow the flow of the game and you’re not slowing everyone down with constant questions.

However, it becomes a problem when you rely on the dealer to help you make important decisions, because it’s not their job to teach or guide you. This is considered very poor etiquette and will annoy the other players.

The dealer will always remain polite, but will only offer help on rare occasions. If you’re not confident about how to play, it’s perfectly acceptable to watch the action at the table from a distance for a while before joining the game yourself.

2. Violating alcohol and smoking rules

Having a drink while gambling can be a lot of fun, and in a casino that permits smoking, a cigarette can enhance the experience even more.

But make sure that these habits do not ruin the experience for others.

In other words, if you get so drunk that you can’t control your behavior, or you smoke in an area where it bothers your non-smoking fellow players, that is also considered very poor casino behavior.

Movies may portray it differently, but in reality, it’s important to treat others the way you would like to be treated – just as in everyday life.

1. Excessive use of your phone

The best basic rule for phone use in a casino: don’t use it at all.

Some casinos prohibit mobile phone use throughout the entire building, let alone at the table or slot machine.

Casino rules vary, so the safest approach is to keep your phone in your pocket while playing. This is also the most polite way to behave.

If you do need to take a call, step away from the table or leave the gaming floor.