Table manners for first-timers: a calm introduction to the salon

You need not be a seasoned player to take a seat at a private gaming table. You do need five modest habits that keep the room running smoothly.

Wait until the dealer waves you in

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

Buy chips with cash on the table, never handed

Set the notes on the felt; the dealer counts them before the camera and slides chips across. Cash never moves hand to hand. That is procedure, not coldness.

Touch your cards only with one hand

At baccarat and blackjack, when cards arrive face down, lift them with a single hand and keep them above the felt. It is the oldest rule on the floor and the simplest to overlook.

Tip when you win, never when you lose

A modest chip slid to the dealer after a winning hand is customary; tipping after a loss looks forced. If unsure, watch the table for a few minutes — regulars reveal everything.

Leave when you are ready, not when you are losing

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

Prepared by the editorial team at Azoresprings. Last updated 2026-07-20.