Blackjack Etiquette

The game of blackjack has a number of basic etiquette rules that should be observed at all times when playing. Although the majority of these rules apply only to land-based casinos, some will be equally applicable to online casinos as well so it is important to be familiar wherever you play.

Observing these guidelines will make you seem like a more experienced/ professional blackjack player and you will avoid annoying the dealer or other players at the table.

• Understand the rules before you sit down. As well as saving you money this will also save annoying other players at the table. If you are playing for the first time and want to practice, find a table with no other players and explain to the dealer that you are still learning.
• Only buy chips between hands. If you sit at a table in the middle of a hand just wait until the game is over. It is also important to have your money ready for the dealer and to know what denomination chips you want. Silver are $1, red chips are $5, greens are $25 and blacks are $100. High limit tables may have additional colours.
• If you want to observe the game, do so from a reasonable distance and don’t disturb the players or the dealer.
• If cards are dealt face-up (London deal) you are not allowed to touch them at all.
• If cards are dealt face-down (Vegas deal) you may touch them with one hand only.
• Never touch your bet once the first card has been dealt.
• If doubling your bet place the additional chips next to your original bet (not on top). Similarly if you buy insurance there is usually a circle on the table in which to do this.
• Do not drink or smoke excessively at the table.
• Don’t ask the dealer for strategy advice. This slows down the game for other players, plus the dealer will not want to be blamed for ‘losing advice’.
• Try not to talk excessively; this may put off other players at the table. Similarly do not tell other players how they should play or that you feel they made a mistake.
• It is courteous to ‘toke’ (tip) the dealer from time to time. Even if you have been losing it is not the dealers fault. If however you have busted out and lost your entire bankroll, the dealer would be unlikely to expect a tip. The correct way to do this is to place the chip outside your betting circle near the dealer. Similarly, cocktail waitresses should be tipped per drink. $1 per drink is considered the norm but higher tips may make for speedier service next time.

Hand signals

Because casinos can be notoriously noisy, hand gestures are commonly used in blackjack to signal your play to the dealer. This means the dealer does not have to strain to hear you and cannot be accused of giving you the incorrect play. You will be expected to know and use these hand signals in every land-based casino so please learn the following signals:

• Hit – tap the table next to the cards. In face-down games gently scratch your cards on the felt.
• Stand – wave your hand over the cards (palm open and downward). In a face-down game you could carefully slide your cards under your bet instead.
• Double or split – If your cards are face down, turn them over. Place your additional bet next to your original. In a split also separate the two cards. In face up, place the additional chips in the same way but raise your index finger to signal a double-down, raise your index and middle fingers to signal a split (do not touch the cards).