Roulette Etiquette
Roulette is a social game which attracts multiple gamblers, so roulette
etiquette is expected. A number of the rules of etiquette are good common
sense social graces that apply anytime you visit someone else's home or
place of business. Others have to do with the formalities and protocols of
roulette betting, while still proper behavior has to do with the quirky
superstitions of roulette gaming.
Proper Behavior in Roulette
Read the following roulette tips of decorum and you'll be on your best behavior the next time you go the casino and play roulette. Be nice, follow the common rules of casino protocol, and you'll get along just fine at the roulette table.
Roulette Behavior Tips - Your Own Chips
Good
roulette etiquette begins when you cash in your money for roulette chips.
Everyone has their own specially-colored roulette chips at a given table.
This keeps the dealers from mistaking your bet for someone else's bet. Never
mix your chips with the bet markers belonging to anyone else at your table.
This applies, even if you have friends or family playing at the same roulette table. It's best to show up at the casino with your own bankroll, but even if you don't, you must maintain your own chip stack at the roulette table. If you don't, the croupier is going to find it hard to keep your best separated from the remainder of the table, and all kinds of confusion follows.
Roulette Manners - Treat the Dealer Right
Next, be nice to the roulette dealer, often called the croupier. The worst example of bad manners in roulette is when a player waits to make a bet after the dealer sends the ball spinning. Any bets made after the ball hits the wheel are considered courtesy bets and the dealer is not obligated to take them. Never place your chips on the betting surface after the ball is on the wheel.
Instead, call out your bet to the croupier. The dealer and the inspector dealer need to acknowledge this called wager to make it official. Many times, they'll reply with "no bet", which is their call. If that happens, do not argue this point with the dealer, because if you do, you'll be warned by the dealer or the pit boss and, if you continue to argue, you may lose your betting privileges in the casino. It's the casino's game, and you have to play by their rules.
Never Toss Chips - Roulette Good Behavior
Never toss chips when making a bet, even if you are flipping them a few inches because you can't reach the spot you want to bet on. Instead, call the bet to the dealer and wait for him or her to acknowledge. Tossing chips is considered quite rude, because the chip could roll into a spot you didn't intend it to roll, creating confusion, or it could dislodge someone else's bet, which is bad.
Also, if you want your cash changed to chips, or you want your chips exchanged for cash, ask for the exchange between spins. It's against roulette decorum to ask during a spin.
Never touch another player's bet. This is a big breech of etiquette, because you can be accused of cheating, hurting another player's chances of winning, or simply ruining the game. There's never a reason for you to touch another roulette player's chip stack. There's enough room for you to make your wagers side-by-side, if that's what is required.
Civility at the Roulette Wheel
General civility at the roulette table is to be maintained at all times. There's no reason to talk loudly, to curse, or to get into arguments with other players. If a piece of conversation or controversy would be considered rude around the dinner table, it's rude in a game of roulette.
For instance, never bring food or drink to the roulette table. If you spill that food or drink on the expensive table, you'll be charged a stiff fee for that gaff.
Also, do not lean on the roulette table. In certain venues in the past, this was seen as an attempt to manipulate the game, by shifting the table and therefore wheel. Besides, constant leaning on a table might cause that table to become unbalanced, once again throwing off the game for you and everyone else.
Tipping the Croupier
Finally, when you are leaving the table, it's considered polite to tip the croupier. Roulette etiquette requires that you acknowledge their work maintaining the game and entertaining you and the other gamblers by taking your bets, making good spins, and paying off your wagers in a timely fashion.
Roulette etiquette is easy to follow, if you simply follow the instructions above. Nothing stated is unreasonable, so be a good guest at the casino, exhibit politeness and good manners at the roulette wheel, and enjoy your casino visit.
