It goes without saying that etiquette is an important part of any visit to a casino. You should be respectful to all the staff working there, and also mindful of the other people in the casino. It you show the staff respect, they will, most of the time, show you respect in return, which leads to your experience being that little bit better. However, while there are common courtesies you should extend generally while in a casino, there are also certain pieces of etiquette you should adhere to when playing roulette.
Again, it’s important that you show the staff respect when you are playing at the roulette table. Take your loses just as well as your wins. Yes, it might not be the nicest feeling in the world when you go on a losing streak, but showing petulance by insulting the croupier, throwing chips around, or just being a jackass is not going to endear you to anyone, let alone the security staff, who will probably make your night that little bit shorter. By the same token, take your wins well. Do not go celebrating like an idiot of you get a big win. Sure, a little, “Yes,” or a fist pump is fine, but a full circuit of the table with your shirt over your head is another way you’re going to make far more enemies than friends. Remember, while you may have won, there are going to be several players who have lost. Yes, it’s not your problem they lost, but show a little decorum, because everyone hates a bad winner just as much as a bad loser.
While on the topic of other players, you should remember that space is at a premium around the table, so try not to hog too much space. There will be players wanting to get in to put bets on, watch the wheel and play the game, so give each player a fair amount of space so that they can play the game in the same way you are. Respect other people’s personal space, and they should hopefully respect yours.
Perhaps the most important piece of roulette etiquette you need to remember is to place your bets in a timely fashion. Roulette is a fast paced game, and there’s very little time between spins, so you should be ready to place your bets as soon as the croupier announces, “Place your bets,” or when they remove the marker from the winning square of the previous spin. Placing your bets in time endears you to the croupier, but most importantly you’ll get your bets on in plenty of time, so if your number or numbers do come up, you will never have a chance of losing out. And remember, don’t try and place any more chips on the table once the croupier announces, “No more bets,” or if you decide to play in a more upmarket casino, especially in Monte Carlo, they may call out, “Rien ne va plus,” which will be your notice that you can’t place any more bets. Don’t try and argue with the dealer about trying to get bets on after they have announced, “No more bets,” because it’s not their rule, it’s the rule of the game. All that arguing with the croupier about this is going to get you is an early end to your night.
The second most important part of etiquette involves the chips you play the game of roulette with. When you buy into the game, you will receive your own colour of chips, which are individual to you, and only you. Do not start swapping chips with other players, even if they are with you. You can’t pool them all to form one bet. Also, remember what colour of chips you’re using, because if you try and claim someone else’s chips, it’s going to end badly.
Similarly, do not touch anyone else’s chips, even if they are on the number you want to bet on. Stack them on top of the other chips, you can share the square! Touching another player’s chips is a cardinal sin of every casino game, but in roulette it is incredibly rude, because they might end up being moved to another bet, such as a split or a corner bet, and again, you cost someone some winnings, you are going to be in a world of trouble. Just imagine if it happened to you – do not be THAT guy.
Another big no-no is putting drinks on the table. Most roulette tables will have a section away from the main table where you can put your drinks, or even just a table at the side of the main game. The main reason is obvious – if you spill the drink on the table, you are going to ruin the game for everyone else, and feel the wrath of the casino management. Keep your drinks away from the game. The same rule also applies to any food you might be eating. And, on the subject of drinks, don’t get too drunk when playing the game. No only do people not like annoying drunks at the roulette table with them, but playing drunk will start to impair your judgement. If your judgement is impaired, you might start betting more, chasing some loses and again the night is going to end badly. Plus, get too drunk and you might get asked to leave before you’re ready to leave, or if you’re on a winning streak.
So there are lots of different etiquette rules to remember when playing roulette. Most of them are simply common sense, and trying to ensure the game is enjoyable for everyone around the table. Sure, some people are not going to be as respectful as you are, but that does not mean that you have to lower yourself to their level. Go to the casino with these etiquette tips in mind, and although it is not going to guarantee you a winning session, it should make your session more enjoyable.