Understanding Slots Etiquette

When you play in a land-based casino, you share the space and games with other players. Although the casino might not mention any of these rules directly, there are several etiquette you should follow to ensure you remain considerate of your fellow players and help keep things peaceful and fun.

Besides minding your behavior on land-based establishments, there are also mannerisms you should follow when interacting with other players online. For example, you'll play alongside others in a live casino section. So, what are they? Here are some dos and don'ts you should know when playing slots and table games.

Use One Machine at a Time

If you frequently visit land-based casinos, you might have encountered some players using multiple slot machines simultaneously. They'll place a bet on one machine, then move to another to let them all run together. This is acceptable when the casino isn't crowded.

If it's high season and the casino is bustling with players, lines are probably forming. Everyone is eager to have their turn, and if you horde all the machines and activate them together, the other visitors won't be able to have their turn playing. You must be considerate of your fellow players and focus on one machine only so you can let other players use the other machines.

Only Sit When You’re Playing

You might want to play for a long time when visiting a land-based casino, so it's understandable if you want to sit down to take a break before continuing playing. However, you should know that most games in a casino only have one seat per machine. If you choose to occupy a chair solely to take a break and not play, especially when it's crowded, you're taking away someone's chance of playing.

If you want to take a break for a short while before continuing, you can visit the casino's lounge or other areas meant for taking a break. This rule applies if you're tagging a friend and planning only to watch them play. It's a bad manner to drag playing seats away from their assigned place. Therefore, if you're going with friends or family who aren't going to play, they should wait in the non-player areas.

Tip The Dealer When Applicable

Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's good etiquette to do so when possible. Being a dealer isn't an easy job. Some might have to face emotional players and stay focused to ensure all players' results are taken in accurately all day. If your dealer has been doing a great job, giving tips can be a great way to show appreciation.

Tipping dealers aren't only applicable in land-based casinos. Some online live dealer games allow players to tip the dealers as well. Make sure to do so when you enjoyed your overall experience playing so you can also make the dealer's day.

Notice ‘Saved’ Machines

If you suddenly feel the urge to go to the bathroom or want to get a drink mid-game, you're allowed to 'save' your game and tag it so other players won't snatch your seat while you're away. It's also better to know how casino players usually tag their seats to ensure you can notice 'saved' machines.

One of the most common ways to save a machine is to leave a coin cup on top of the machine. Some players also put it over the handle on an upright game. Some players usually tip their chairs forward to lean on machines in casinos that use tickets instead of coins.

Some machines have a waiting mode that allows players to deactivate the game for up to 20 minutes. However, this mode isn't commonly found in US casinos.

There are other ways to mark a played machine. You can leave inexpensive personal belongings, such as your drink or a pack of cigarettes. One of the most common items players often leave on an occupied machine is their player's club card. So, if you notice a player's club card on the machine's screen, it's likely the machine is occupied and the player is taking a short break.

You must know that leaving a player's club card on the machine to save your game doesn't mean you can leave it on the machine's reader. There are many occasions when players forget to take back their club cards, and they're not very noticeable. So, if you're leaving your club card, place it on the screen and quickly come back after you're done taking a break.