Oh behave! Everything you need to know about live online casino etiquette
What’s the difference between live online casino play and land-based online casino play? Other than the fact that one is virtual, and one is real-life, of course. Well, the answer is not much really – that’s because live online casino play has been designed to be as close to the real thing as possible, with the added convenience of being available from a location of your choice, obviously. And with that in mind, the same etiquette applies when it comes to your gaming behaviour.
1. Know when to hold ’em
We’re not specifically talking about Poker here (or Kenny Rogers either, sorry about the earworm) but what we are talking about is knowing the rules of the game before you sit down. You may be full of enthusiasm and ready to hit the tables, and we love that kind of energy, but if you sit down and start asking a thousand questions either to the dealer or the other players, you’re going to get some serious (virtual) side-eye.
That’s because knowing the rules is just plain good manners and common sense. We’re not talking about walking in as an expert, but having a decent grounding in your game/s of choice will help you go further with your game play, and will give you a good reputation within the online casino environment as well. If you’re unsure as to how to play Roulette, Blackjack or any other game, try playing for free first to get a feel for them, and then upgrade to actual live casino play once you feel confident in your gaming ability. Your fellow players, and your bankroll will thank you!
2. Find the right seat
If you’re new to live online casino play you might think a table is just a table – but you’d be wrong. That’s because different tables have different stakes, and if you sit down at a high limit table shoulder-to-shoulder with the high rollers, you could blow through your bankroll in a matter of minutes.
Good live casino etiquette means knowing which table is which, and taking a seat at one that’s best suited to your bank balance. Make sure you can afford to stay and play for more than a few hands, and that you’re aware of the minimum and maximum bets. There’s nothing more embarrassing than being asked to leave a table (which could happen if you don’t choose wisely) so make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you take your seat.
3. Put that glass down
Unless it’s filled with water or soda of course – that’s fine. But if you’re playing with one hand and drinking alcohol with the other, you could soon find yourself in hot water. Sure gaming is all about having fun, but it’s all about making informed decisions too, and the more you drink, the more difficult this could turn out to be. We always recommend staying sober when playing at land-based or online casinos, and we’re going to recommend it here too. But we’re not complete party poopers – we fully support having a drink once you’re done with your gaming session. And who knows, if you play your cards right, and with a clear head, you could soon have a lot more to celebrate!
4. Show some respect
You’re not gambling online where it’s you against the computer and you can say and do what you like behind the screen. Yes, it’s still virtual play, but now you’re within a live casino environment with an actual dealer and other players too, and that means respecting your croupier, your competitors, and the integrity of the game.
So what does that mean for your behaviour? Try these top tips:
Say hello when you sit down, both to the dealer and the other players. It costs nothing to be nice, and it’ll say a lot for your character. Similarly, always say goodbye when you leave the table, and thank everyone for their participation.
Don’t take your bad day with you to the tables. It doesn’t matter what you’ve been going through, there’s never an excuse for being angry, rude or aggressive.
Don’t EVER flirt with the dealer. You can be friendly, you can enjoy some harmless banter, but anything more than that is completely inappropriate.
Don’t blame your losing streak on the dealer. Sometimes luck just won’t go your way, and it’s no one’s fault, that’s just life. The dealer is doing their job – they don’t need to be hassled by you for circumstances beyond their control.
In the same way, resist the temptation to show any irritation or annoyance should the dealer happen to make a mistake. There’s no computer controlling your game play now – you’re dealing with real live humans, and on occasion, this means dealing with human error too. That’s what the whole live experience is about!
Always remember that the dealer is a casino employee, and while they might be friendly with you, they’re not your friend. This means that they won’t bend any rules for you, they won’t give you extra time, and they won’t go faster or slower for you. They have rules they need to follow, so don’t ask for special attention because you just won’t get it.
Never ever ask for personal details from either the dealer or any other players, and never share any personal details of your own. You never know if or when your information could be compromised.
Don’t talk about sex, religion or politics, and don’t ask for help from other players or comment on their gaming decisions – this is considered to be extremely bad form.
Finally, remember this is supposed to be fun! Chat with players, interact with the dealer, keep the energy light and cheerful. Positive attracts positive, and a good attitude and healthy dose of respect could soon pay off!
Now that you have a better idea of the dos and don’ts of live casino play, it’s time to put them into practice. Log onto your chosen live casino, play your games, build a rapport, and enjoy the best that real-life and online casino play have to offer!
Happy Spinning 🙂