Blackjack Etiquette – How to Behave at the Blackjack Table

Whether online or at your local casino, blackjack has always been one of the top choices for any type of player. While seasoned players love to show off their skills, newbies may also be invited to these tables due to the simplicity of the gameplay and betting strategy. However, there is more to know about blackjack than just the rules of the game, and blackjack table manners are one of them. If you can learn a move or two on all three, you should be fine for the first few days until you get the hang of it.

Table Behavior

Starting from the blackjack history and the way players treat the blackjack tables they join can tell you a lot about their casino personality. Starting close to the table, players are advised to pay attention to the chairs available as well as the betting circle – some players play multiple hands.

Another thing to consider is whether the casino’s policy allows players to include an actual game of blackjack in the middle deck, or whether they have to wait for a shuffle to follow. When you’re playing, check the casino’s buy-in policy so you know if you need to change money at the table, or saying “money is playing” is enough.

Once you’re in the game action, make sure you don’t disrespect other players by touching your cards when you open the game. A game of blackjack played face-down allows you to touch them, but is best done with one hand and always above the table.

Player Relations

When it comes to player relations, most blackjack etiquette corresponds to normal social etiquette. This is because at any given blackjack table, it is natural for players to chat among themselves, although you should not force it if players continue to avoid it. It can even be seen as sabotage, as some gamers prefer to concentrate on the game so as not to delay the game.

With this in mind, delaying action at a blackjack table is totally unacceptable, and beginners should pay special attention to this. Lastly, many casinos provide strategic maps for those wishing to consult, but this act should not take anyone’s time.

Dealer relationship

Just as players can interact with each other, there can also be some level of interaction between the dealer and the players. Again, it’s a good idea to consider their talk preferences – if the dealer is chatty, the players may start talking, otherwise it’s considered rude regardless of whether they’re a clerk.

Tipping the dealer at blackjack is another form of blackjack etiquette – there is no rule that players should do it, and they should not feel obligated to do so. Still, depending on personal preference, the streak might get better when shared.