Basic Casino Etiquette and Bad Behavior

Today’s post – Basic Casino Etiquette and Bad Behavior – reflects upon the behavior of some of my fellow casino gamblers. Following a few simple rules of etiquette will help us all enjoy our casino visits. It’s based on one basic premise – be kind, polite, and respectful to the staff and players around you.

Basic Casino Gambling Etiquette

Stop Playing Two and Three Slot Machines at a Time. Really! Unless the casino is empty, or even half-empty, don’t occupy than one slot machine. Now is especially a time to remember this. Even though the pandemic protocols are ending, only half or two-thirds of the machines on the casino floor are turned on. Don’t be that “Slot Machine Hoarder.”

Casino etiquette expects that your fun would stay within your own group. You are not the only one trying to have a good time. Screaming profanity just because you’re at a casino doesn’t make many friends and impresses few guests around you. Respect other players’ space. Have consideration for other players.

Good manners require you to be courteous to casino attendants, employees, and dealers. A podcast called Two Morons Tacking About Casino and Stuff provides the staff perspective. Don’t let the profanity hinder your listening to Spike and T-Bag, who double as dealers & pit staff on the Vegas Strip. It’s an entertaining podcast that often explains how players exhibit bad etiquette and behavior in the casino.

Related Post – Are Casinos Public or Private Property?

More Basic Etiquette in the Casino

Understand the rules before you sit down, regardless of its slots, VP, or table games.
If you are unfamiliar with a particular game, observe quietly until you can figure it out, or play one
you are familiar with. Try visiting the Wizard of Odds to learn and practice various games.

Always respect the queue line in all places that require a line, such as money cages, slot machines, table games, and other stations. If you want to take a look at something, or take a picture, try to ensure that you are off to the side and out of the main aisles. Observe pass lines. If you don’t have the rewards card to match the pass line, go to the regular line.

Smoking Etiquette – Remember to read and follow the signs. Both smokers and non-smokers should respect the signs about smoking areas.

Related Post – Smoke-Free Casinos Here To Stay

Refrain from giving unsolicited advice and commenting on other patron’s play. Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. (Blackjack players are awful about this.) Their money, their game! Whatever the game, players have the right to make their own decisions, play their way, and make their fun.

Players With Bad Behavior To Watch Out For

People With Huge Egos – Those players who think they are most important, knowledgable, or have the richest bankroll. When they feel they are being mistreated, you might hear them say, “Do you know who I am?” Unless you are a whale, don’t be that guy. Even if you ARE a whale, don’t be that guy.

People Who Rush Up On Others. These are the people that are walking on your heels. These people are usually in the cashier lines. Again, personal space. Didn’t that 6-feet pandemic thing teach us anything?

People Who Sit And Observe Someone Else. This person plops next to someone at a slot (or video poker) machine but doesn’t play it. If you’re going to sit down at a machine, play it! Especially when the casino is crowded! How many times have you seen a funny-looking machine, initially thinking that it was currently being played, but upon closer inspection, you realized the person was a “ploppy!”

Scooters are essential for many casino guests; that is not the question. But SLOW DOWN! KEEP TO THE RIGHT! It;’s time for casinos to put speed-limiting devices on these things. Many guests go as fast as they can – it doesn’t matter if the casino is full; IT’S NOT DAYTONA!

More Basic Etiquette and Bad Behavior Examples

No Sense Of Awareness. Have you ever tried to walk through a casino only to have people walk right in front of you, stop walking right in front of you, or otherwise act like they are the only person in the casino? OH MY GOD, THESE PEOPLE ARE THE WORST!!! Once, someone stopped dead in their tracks – right in front of me – to check out the casino floor carpeting. When you want to gaze about the casino floor or stop right where you are for some reason, quickly glance around before you decide to set up camp.

Smart Phones – OK, we all get it. Your life includes addiction to media of all types. When you are checking out something on your phone, step aside. Get out of the way. Lord knows you are not in the moment and aware of the traffic around you.

Players Who Beat Up The Machine. STOP HITTING THE MACHINE – WHAT DID IT DO TO YOU? I often see slot players slapping the crap out of the machine more than video poker players, but there are still incredibly brutal VP slappers. This bad etiquette and behavior in the casino annoy everyone in earshot. Go home and get a punching bag or maybe some counseling!

Players Who Complain About Other’s Good Luck. Bad losers. If you weren’t supposed to lose eventually, the casinos would be out of business. If you frequent a casino and you can’t take losing your money, go shopping. You’ll have something for your money after you spend it.