Roulette etiquette: 7 tips and advice for the roulette table

We all know the basic rules of decorum and etiquette at the roulette table. But what about etiquette when you visit a brick-and-mortar casino? Even if it’s gambling, don’t think that everyone can behave as they please. Even at the roulette table, there are clearly defined rules that ensure a pleasant and friendly atmosphere and a smooth game. We’ll take a look at the most basic ones.

1. Familiarize yourself with the rules of roulette

If you’re new to roulette and still learning how to play, it’s a good idea to try it out for free online first. This way you will learn all the rules and the different bets in the game. You can also test your strategies here and come to the land-based casino prepared.

But if you find yourself in a pinch right at the table, don’t worry. The dealer will be happy to help you if you ask politely.

However, if you don’t show any interest in learning the game, it will hold up the entire game, the other players and the dealer, and in the worst case you will be asked to leave the table.

2. Place your bets on time

In online roulette, you play alone and therefore have virtually unlimited time to place your bets. In a land-based casino, however, this is not the case and you only have a few dozen seconds to think about how you’re going to bet and place your chips on the table to get the game moving.

Once the dealer calls out “No more bets!” or waves his hands across the table, you may not place or change your bets.

Failure to comply will only earn you unpleasant looks from your teammates or a warning from the dealer. Repeated violations may result in you being ejected from the table.

Polite bet

If you’d like to bet on 0 and 00 (American Roulette only), or a two-number bet, and you’re sitting at the other end and don’t want to stretch across the table, a ‘courtesy bet’ is used. You place your chips between the 2nd and 3rd dozen. The dealer automatically knows that this is a courtesy bet between two zeros.

3. Hold on to your chips and don’t flip them

There are usually 7 people at the roulette table. Even so, it can happen that several players will gather for one bet. Try to keep your chips nicely lined up so they don’t interfere with other players’ chips. If more than one of you is betting on the same number, it’s no problem stacking your chips. After all, that’s what everyone has their chip color for. If they were stacked next to each other, the chips could shift to another bet and another player could lose a win.

If you accidentally manage to drop a stack of chips, correct your mistake or let the dealer do it for you. In general, however, do not touch other players’ chips at all. Passing chips or money from hand to hand is also frowned upon.

4. Don’t linger at the table if you’re not playing

Roulette is one of the most popular games in the casino, so it’s no wonder that there are a lot of players at one table. However, it’s important to maintain a certain amount of personal space and distance between others. Nobody likes crowds, especially not when you’re playing a game that requires full concentration. In addition, the dealer needs more space around him, so it’s not appropriate to squeeze next to him.

If you haven’t come to the table to play, don’t linger at the table. You could unknowingly take up space that another player could occupy. If you like to watch your friends play, you can stand behind them, for example.

The exception is quiet hours, when the casino is empty and there is almost no one at the table. Even so, try to be more of an observer and not interfere in the game of others.

5. Keep the table clean and tidy

This mainly concerns food, drink and personal belongings. The only things that belong on the table are your chips (also neatly arranged in a pile, not scattered around the table). You can put any food or drink on the side table, for example, and keep your personal belongings with you. Not only does this take up a lot of space unnecessarily, it makes it difficult to move around the table and the game, but you also risk getting the table dirty. Neither your teammates nor the dealer will appreciate this. You are talking about being kicked out of the table, the casino or even compensation for damages.

6. Accept losses and wins with humility

Roulette is a game of chance, so every round is full of expectations about whether you will be lucky or not. Sometimes you will not succeed, and sometimes you will feel at the peak of your luck. In both cases, it is important to keep your emotions in check.

You are not alone in the casino, so be considerate of the players around you. If you are losing, save yourself unnecessary outbursts or, at worst, aggressive behavior. This could cost you your place in the casino. On the other hand, if you win the biggest sum of your life, rejoice in peace and rather to yourself. There may be players sitting next to you who had a bad day at the casino today and left their entire bankroll there. A little humility never hurts.

7. If you want to leave, do it properly

Leaving the table has its own rules and proper procedure. In general, do not leave before the betting round is over. Stand up calmly, so as not to disturb the other players, and take your chips to the dealer and inform him that you are leaving the game. The dealer will check your winnings or remaining chips, count them and exchange them back for money. Thank him for playing and leave the table area. This will make your exit calm and smooth.