Player/Dealer Etiquette

FAQs

Can you leave the blackjack table at any time?

You can technically leave the blackjack table after a game has finished. If you only want to play a few hands and depart, casino etiquette prefers players enter a game towards the beginning of the shoe.

Are you supposed to tip blackjack dealers?

Tipping is not formally required. Like any service industry profession though, tipping shows your appreciation for the dealer’s hard work. If your dealer has been courteous and helpful, a tip of 10% of your initial buy-in is the general rule.

Why do dealers tap their tips?

If a player gives the dealer a chip as a tip, the dealer will put it into a toke box. The tap and hand signal alerts the floor manager and video surveillance staff that the chip is a tip. The tapping also encourages other players to tip them.

Is it rude to ask for help?

It’s not impolite to ask the dealer a couple of questions, and other players may offer to help. If you don’t know blackjack rules or ask the dealer to help you win the hand, this is bad etiquette as it slows down the game for other players.

Can you sit at a blackjack table and just watch?

You can stand and watch, but generally the dealer will only let players sit at the table.

Why do dealers clap their hands when leaving the table?

Clapping shows the video surveillance staff they have no chips, cards, or cash in their hands. It also dislodges anything they may have hidden.

Will casinos get mad if you touch your blackjack cards?

Casinos see touching the cards as potential tampering. If you mark a card, it can give you an advantage if the card reappears in another game. Given your cards are dealt face-up by the dealer, there’s no reason to touch them.