Nobody is born knowing how a casino works. Every croupier on our floor has watched a hundred first-timers hover at a table's edge, unsure whether they can sit down. They can — and here's everything else that makes the first visit feel like the tenth.
The first thing to know is that the floor is friendlier than it looks. Dealers are trained to welcome questions — 'Is this seat open?' and 'What's the minimum?' are heard a hundred times a night and never once resented. The VIP salon operates the same courtesies at a quieter volume.
Joining and leaving a table
Any open seat is yours — just wait for the current hand or spin to finish, then place your cash on the felt (never hand it to the dealer; rules require it to be laid on the table). The dealer converts it to chips in full view. Leaving is the same in reverse: colour up, collect, go whenever you like.
Signals matter more than words at the tables. Blackjack uses taps and waves — tap the felt for a card, wave horizontally to stand. Roulette has no signals; just place your chips before 'no more bets'. When in doubt, say what you want — the dealer will guide the gesture.
The courtesies that matter
Phones stay off the felt — a quick photo of your chips is fine; a video of the table isn't. Other players' space is respected; drinks go in the rail holders, not beside your chips. And the dealer is never the enemy — they're bound by the shoe, not invested in it.
- Lay cash on the felt, never hand it over
- Learn the two blackjack signals — tap and wave
- Keep phones and drinks off the playing surface
- Tip the croupier on a good run — it's customary, never required
- Ask questions — dealers would rather explain than correct
Tipping is the grey area. In Australian casinos it's appreciated rather than expected — a chip for the dealer after a good session is the usual form. In the salon, your host handles the courtesies invisibly.
Dress, drink and decorum
The main floor is smart casual; the salon asks for evening attire after 6pm. Drinks are complimentary while you play on the main floor — order from the roving service or the rail bars, and pace yourself; the house edge is bad enough without assistance.
Above all: it's entertainment, priced accordingly. Set the budget before you sit down, keep the evening light, and the floor becomes exactly what it should be — a very good night out. Our responsible gaming guide covers the tools if you want them.
