You’ve just stepped into the most swish and swanky casino you’ve ever laid eyes on, dressed to the nines, with your pockets bulky with cash. You’ve got a great night planned and you’re banking on some epic wins – but there’s a few things you should know before you cross that threshold and start your evening in style. “Etiquette” is one of the most important phrases when you want to blend with the folk at a high-end casino, especially if you’re playing with the creme-de-la-creme of society.

We all like to think of ourselves as exemplary when it comes to politeness, but when you enter a casino, you’re playing by different rules and it’s very easy to commit faux pas simply because you’re not familiar with the space!  For example, tipping at casinos is almost an art form; you’ve got to somehow sus out who to tip, when to tip them, and how much money should be passing hands. You risk looking like a fool if you don’t tap into the high-end rules of a luxury casino, and you could even get yourself kicked straight back out of the door.

From your duds to your manner, everything matters when you’re playing this kind of game, so don’t skip over learning the rules just because you’re keen to get to the cards. You’ve got to know what you’re doing, and you’ve got to do it well even under pressure – so let’s roll the dice and begin.

Understand The Dress Code

The idea of a dress code for a casino might have you scoffing, but it’s no laughing matter; if you don’t meet their standards, you’re not coming in, no matter how full your wallet is. Luxury casinos implement some stunningly strict dress codes, with many demanding austere, sophisticated, and elegant clothing from their patrons. You should perform a wardrobe audit before going out, and while it’s fine in most casinos to add a few personalizations’, keep it simple.

The dress code is going to vary depending on where you go, so make sure you’ve checked out the local area’s rules: a London casino is going to expect different clothes from a casino in LA, or Argentina. Arm yourself with the rules in advance or you could literally find yourself being turned away at the door, which is pretty embarrassing.

Some good rules of thumb include no flip-flops, no torn clothes, nothing super revealing, and no bright or busy prints. Avoid tacky or low-end clothing, ditch the shorts, and absolutely no swimwear! Save your beach gear for the beach or for the low-end casinos and go classy if you want to be welcome at the luxury spots.

Tip Like A Millionaire

Ever heard the expression that “tipping is an art”? If you’re feeling a little nervous about how much to tip and when, you aren’t alone; it’s a pretty complicated calculation, and you’ll have to research the specific place you’re staying because it changes so much in different contexts. The location, the game you’re playing, the amount you’re betting, and the general mood of the table all make a difference.

Tipping well massively boosts the atmosphere of a game, but you don’t just tip your dealer. The waiter/waitress, the drivers, and any other staff members who are helping you have a great night out should get something. If your dealer’s shift is about to end, make sure you tip them if you haven’t already, and if you get a big win, don’t get so lost in the excitement that you forget to share! Tips often range between 3% and 10% of a jackpot. The staff in charge of your drinks should get around $1 per drink, and the cashier should get at least $1 whenever they give you change.

Exemplify Respect

A huge portion of getting the etiquette right is really simple and lies in treating everybody around you with respect. That makes the atmosphere great for everyone, and it’s really the key whether you’re in a basic casino in the middle of nowhere, or the poshest place on the planet. That means you shouldn’t be spewing obscenities around if you lose, and you never insult or get aggressive with members of staff – even if you really disagree with something they’ve done!

You also don’t want to drink or eat too much; it’s fine to take advantage of the free drinks and enjoy the great food, but only if you’re not bugging anybody else. Don’t eat or drink at the actual gaming tables, and stop before you hit your alcohol limits, or you might find yourself ejected. The more charming and fun you can be, the better you’ll fit in with the etiquette of a luxury casino!