If you've played mostly in home games before the game will move faster, so be prepared for that. If you're used to online then it'll be slower (particularly if you multi-table):

​

• Tipping the dealer? As far as how it works, you simply throw them a chip. You can do that at any point, but best to do that right after at the end of the hand. If you're in the USA in general the etiquette is that you tip $1 for every pot you win, and maybe $2-$3 if it's a bigger pot. However, if you're in the UK like me, you never really are compelled to tip, just give a little back every now and then to good dealers. For other countries I'm not so sure. There's no shame in having a quiet word with the floor staff, or dealer away from the table to ask what is common/expected. Just be up front that this is your first time and you're learning the ropes.
• I was planning on buying in for the minimum at first and playing very tight to get a feel for the table and casino poker. Sounds like a fine approach to me. As you progress you may with to buy in deeper to be able to play more interesting pots that get to the river, but as a beginner, min-buying is just fine.

​

Some other advice:

• Don't act out of turn.
• Don't say something like "I call your bet...(long pause)... and raise you x!" That's called a string bet. Your bets should be done in one motion to avoid any confusion. Simply say the number of the bet you wish to make, and then put your chips in.
• When you win a hand, wait for the dealer to push you the pot, then toss your cards towards him. This will avoid confusion around situations where you "muck" prematurely. Consider your cards a receipt for the pot :)
• You may need to just join a waiting list for a table when you arrive. Don't be phased by this, you just give them your name and they'll call you when your seat is ready.
• It does vary by casino whether you can buy chips at the table or whether you should have to go to the desk first. Just have enough cash on you when you arrive, and ask the staff what you need to do.
• Whenever you are in doubt/confused, ask! There's no reason to be afraid/anxious. Everyone is just there to have a good time and get you playing.

For the last few weeks a super-crusher has been posting weekly updates about the start of his journey to absolutely dominate the live poker scene. There were a couple entries about his experience in casinos. I’d look that up and follow every step.

put your phone away and take your earphones out, you need to pay attention.

Don't listen to anyone at the table telling you what to do they are all muppets. Just listen to the dealer.

If anyone over the age of 70 raises you then just fold unless you have the nuts.

Enjoy yourself.

Casino cash games are way softer than online microstakes. You just gotta figure out how to adjust to the type of players there. The game will mostly be super fishy. Pretty much play abc poker. Don’t try elaborate bluffs. You can usually go for thinner value than you’d expect. If you get raised they are never bluffing. Also open raise sizes will be much bigger than you’re used to and there will be a lot more limping.

Light $100 on fire and have fun. Tip a dollar or two anytime a pot gets pushed your way

You buy chips at the table You sit down, wait for the dealer to finish the hand then place the money on the table.. you can't hand it to them. Tell them it's your first time. They will explain.

Ah, to be young and innocent again.

The casino floor at any Vegas casino spans pretty much the entire building. You enter any almost of the doors from the outside, BAM. Casino.

You will not be carded upon entry. However, if you look younger than 25, you may be asked for ID if you are gambling or even close to the machines or tables watching. You can only play if you are over 21.

Slot machines take dollar bills. Please do not try to jam chips into a slot machine. The guys who have to repair them will not like it.

Slots pay out in the form of a ticket. There's a big button that says "Cash out". Hit that when you're done playing, and the ticket will print. You can use the ticket in your next machine or change the ticket for cash either at the cashier/cage (a big area on one of the walls with windows, tellers and a big sign) or at one of a number of machines. A slot attendant may also be able to cash you out.

Get cash for your voucher at the casino it's issued at. Some casinos may be able to give you cash for a sister casino, but it's best to do it where the ticket was issued.

Slot machines have two items that factor into how much you spend per spin - number of paylines and bet size. The number of paylines is the ways you can win.

The size of your bet is how much you want to spend PER PAYLINE. So on a 5-line game of penny slots, you spend 5 cents per spin at the minimum. If that same game has 25 lines, you spend a quarter per spin.

Your penny slot game may have a max bet of 5 per line. At 5 lines, you're betting a quarter again. At 25 lines, you're at $1.25 per spin.

There's a button that says "Max bet" at most machines. This will automatically set you at max bet and usually max paylines as well. If you're on a more sophisticated machine, going max bet is often the only way to qualify for all the bonuses.

Start with simple slots to get a feel for it. Then move on to the big machines with the huge surrounds.

Roulette and blackjack are table games. They both use chips, but they usually use two different sets of chips. Roulette often has its own chips. The chips you use in blackjack you can use in any other table game, like craps, poker, pai gow, etc. You can get your blackjack chips swapped for roulette chips at the roulette table. I'm not 100% sure the reverse applies.

IIRC, Luxor does gambling lessons around 10 AM on weekdays. Ask when you check in if they're doing lessons, and try to swing by for them.

If you miss the lessons, no worries. Choose an EMPTY table with a dealer that looks friendly. Sit down and let the dealer know that this is your first time, and you need help. Have cash in hand and lay it on the table. The dealer will collect it and give you the appropriate chips. The dealer will be able to walk you through what you need to know.

Try to do this earlier in the day on Friday. It's harder to find an empty table over the weekend.

When you're done playing, it's nice to thank the dealer, or just take your chips and leave. You can tip the dealer by sliding over some of your chips.

Roulette is a beginner-friendly game. Blackjack is more complicated, and what you do with your hand can theoretically impact someone else, so try to sit on the right hand side of the table instead of the middle to minimize the chance of grumbles.

Bring your chips to the cashier/cage and they will convert them to cash. You may be able to use chips at sister properties, but I'm not 100% sure you can, so best to cash in at the same casino.

Good luck!

Can't say on tipping the dealers as I'm primarily a slots guy but for the waitresses each time they bring you a drink is best if you want to keep it flowing. I've heard start with a $5/10 and then $1/$2 each time they come back.

The entire main floor is the casino. Trust me, you can’t miss it.

It’s vegas - you’re already being far more polite than 90% of the folks you’re likely to encounter. Luxor is cheap gambling compared to a lot of strip casinos so it’s a great place to start.

I always advise starter gamblers to play video poker at the bar. Aurora up front is a good spot at Luxor - the middle bar tends to be slower service. Sit at a machine at the bar, put $20 in, set it to Bonus Poker and 25c, and then play max credits (5 coins). The bartender will give you a drink for no charge and as long as you play they will generally continue to do so. Tip a buck per drink every single time. If you’re rude or play extra slow they will stop. Most video poker has a payback of 98%+ so you have a good chance of not losing your money very fast. Get a buzz on. Thank the bartender and remember their name since you’re staying here. Now that you’re lubricated, go find a $5 blackjack table that’s not busy and place your desired amount to gamble - generally $50-100. They will give you red chips. Bet them at the pace you want. The dealer can explain how to double or split if you like. If someone else at the table dislikes the way you play, ignore them - it’s $5 blackjack and they can fuck off. If you do well enough to hang around they will bring you drinks here too. Tip your dealer $5 at the end or once in a while when you win.

When you’re done, go outside for a bit or wander through the mall tunnel to Mandalay Bay where it’s prettier but expensiver and decide what’s for dinner to soak up the booze. Rinse and repeat for the duration of the trip.

Please tip your bartenders, servers, and dealers as you can and appreciate them when they’re helpful. It’s been a rough year for many.

Most casinos will let you use a "basic strategy" card at the BJ table. If you're new, use it. They cost about $1 at the gift shop, and if you go to one of the instructional classes, they may give you one.

Most casinos have really cheap minimum bets during early day hours/weekdays. They also often offer beginner classes in several different games during the day. If you are staying there, or are close enough to get there at breakfast time, inquire about those. The beginner classes and low-minimum times are a relaxed way to learn about the games without losing much.

Always tip your waitress. Whether you order a pepsi or something fancy and alcoholic, they expect the tips.
They'll take cash or they'll take the $1 chips. Don't use roulette chips, since they aren't easily converted back to cash.

If you tell the dealer at any game you’re new (which they’ll know anyway) they’ll be happy to help you do the right thing

Yup basic stuff like keep your hands behind the rail when the shooter has the dice and never hold a drink over the table.

I'm a craps guy: don't buy in during someones roll, wait until a new point. don't take forever to roll the dice with stupid rituals. don't say "seven".

The vegas showgirls/in-person character costume people can’t demand a tip from you regardless of their threats. Give them what you think the picture you take on your phone is worth to you and walk away. They’ll try to pump you for $50 plus in some cases.

Also three card Monte is a scam.

Talk to people, try to have fun, don’t be a super serious weirdo. Also tip the dealer when they leave if you’ve done well during their shift

Tip the dealer a dollar each pot you win. More at your discretion on bigger pots. Don't wear sunglasses

Keep track of the blinds and put them in when it’s your turn. Don’t wait for the dealer to say it’s your big blind sir. Slows the game down.

If you want to raise with one chip you have to announce it first. Example someone raises to $5 and you want to raise to $25 with one green chip you have to first say raise if not it will just count as a call and they will give you change.

At showdown last aggressor shows first so in your example you are calling the bet so the bettor has to show his hand and if you can beat it you then show your hand if not you muck. This rule is for any street. Example you are heads up and guy bets flop you call. Turn and river go check check. The guy that bet the flop has to show first since he was the last aggressor.

They're gonna know. So relax, don't wear douchy sunglasses, let the dealer move the button, protect your cards.

Avoid string betting.

Do not splash the pot.

Slow rolling is bad etiquette.

Avoid playing slowly. Most decisions at low stakes should be fairly quick.

In no limit, you cannot ask the dealer to count how many chips are in the pot.

You cannot remove chips from the table.

You should keep your chips neatly displayed. Some casinos have a rule that your largest denomination chips must be visible.

Your cards must be visible. (When you look at them you'll obviously cover them but other than that you can't hide your cards.)

Sometimes people will reach for their chips/cards even though they haven't decided on an action yet. This can be done to extract information. Don't react until they've clearly declared an action.

You cannot discuss the hand in progress. It may be bad etiquette to speak when not in a hand, but more so if it's a big hand developing. It's bad etiquette to speak when your opponent has a big decision.

You cannot say how much is in the pot as this may influence action.

Avoid telling bad beat stories.

Do not blame the dealer if you're losing.

Some venues have a forward motion rule. If a player moves any chips toward the center of the table, s/he has committed those chips to the pot. If a venue doesn't have a forward motion rule be mindful of people who may attempt a "pump fake" angle shot, moving their chips forward but not releasing in an attempt to extract information.

At some venues the poker tables have a betting line and any chips moved past this line are committed to the pot. Depending on the venue, what appears to be the betting line is actually a courtesy line, meant to get players to put their chips close enough for the dealer to reach.

Seats at a poker table have numbers assigned to them. Seat 1 is to the dealer's left. Tables are also numbered and that should be indicated somehow.

Some casinos may turn up the AC pretty high.

In some cases the casino is open 24 hours but the poker room may not be.

While the basic rules of poker will be consistent everywhere, some venues may have different rules regarding particular situations.

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DivQGoH-OU

1. Tipping is personal preference. Personally, I see no reason to ever tip more than $1, for any pot, regardless of size. Dealer does not work any harder just because the pot or the stakes are larger. If the pot is too small for even a rake, I usually don't tip at all. I don't consider dealing poker an especially hard job. They're not school teachers or ditch diggers, FFS. If they make $10/hr from the house and $10/hr in tips, they're fairly compensated for their efforts, IMHO. Your average winning min-stakes NL live player makes less, and puts in more hours. If someone tells you they make $100/hr playing 1-2, they probably don't have the sample size. If I drag a $200+ pot, I might tip $2, but never more than 1%.
2. Bring cash with you for as many buy-ins as you're comfortable losing. The rake on the ATM is going to be ridiculous.
3. You check in at the desk and they'll direct you to an available seat. If you don't like your seat, you can request a seat change. Most rooms frown on you seating yourself, as their may be a wait-list, and even without a wait, they are usually trying to balance the tables. Some rooms let you call in and get added to the list, before you actually arrive to the room. If it's a busy room, it's a good idea to call ahead.
4. You'll see some truly disgusting shit. Don't be part of the problem. Wash your hands after using the bathroom. Don't pick your nose or feet at the table. Don't eat buffalo wings at the table (order something you can eat with utensils). You'll see all of the above and worse. Unless you want to catch a cold or worse, do not touch your face or eyes with the same hands you handle chips with. Carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer is a good idea.

Other considerations:

• Don't tank like it's the last hand of the WSOP. Don't slow down the game.
• Don't tap the glass. If a player makes a horrendously bad call and sucks out on the river, just say "Nice hand." and move on. Don't slow down the game.
• Pay attention and know when it's your turn to act. Don't slow down the game.
• Don't hide your chips. Large denominations go out front and on top, so players can count your stack, without asking the dealer what you have, which slows down the game.
• When in doubt, just announce your bet/action. If you say $5 and throw a $100, your bet is $5. If you throw a $100 and say nothing, you could possibly be making a min-bet.
• Don't slow down the game.

EDIT: Adding some more. Mostly personal pet-peeves.

• Don't show your cards to your neighbor, like "Look what I'm folding/holding!" especially when their is still action left in the hand. If you see people doing this, tell the dealer you want to see those cards after the hand ends. It's your right to have the same information they just shared with their neighbor. And if they're doing it with action remaining, the dealer should absolutely be giving them a warning, anyways. Do not feel bad, or let someone convince you you're being a dick for asking to see those cards. This is the same principle involved when a card is accidentally exposed and the dealer is required to announce to the entire table what the card was, even if some of the players missed it, because they weren't paying attention. The only non-community information in the game is your hole cards. "Show one, show all" is the rule, as in show one person, show it to everyone. Hold 'Em is a game of limited information. If the neighbor gets a peak at a monster hand being folded with keen foresight, for instance, and you don't also get this information, that lack of information is a disadvantage to you.
• If you were called to a showdown, don't play the "What you got?" game. You were called. Either muck or show. If you did the calling, don't let people do that stupid shit to you. They're not only slowing down the game, but robbing you of information, if you show first and allow them to muck without revealing their losing hand. Some players do this every damn time they're called down. I like forcing them to show, to cure them of the habit. Some players frown upon that, as the "called hand can be forced to show" rule is more to prevent collusion, rather than to satisfy curiosity, but I'll use it punitively, when warranted.

I almost always tip $1 unless it's some monster pot. Bring cash to buy chips, although yes they will have ATMs. Go to the checkin area and say "I want to play 1/3" and they will send you to a table or put you on the list, in which case you wait for your name to be called. NOTE you usually buy your chips from the dealer at the table (just lay the cash out in front of you and they'll change them for chips) although the person who sits you at the table may grab your cash (they aren't stealing it, don't worry) and bring you chips also. You can play while waiting for chips if that takes a hand or two, just indicate verbally what you want to do.

You may be required to wait for the blind to reach your seat to play, or they may say "Do you want to post" which means you can play the next hand but will be required to post a big blind and also donate a small blind to the pot.

One minor annoying thing people do is not realize when the big blind has gotten to them, although the dealer usually realizes this and starts dealing while saying "big blind" to you.

When they bring you drinks you can/should tip with a $1 chip.

And of course don't say "I call...[wait a beat]...and raise!" The easiest is always to say out loud what you plan to do. So either fold, call, or raise. If you say raise you don't have to say how much, you can take a moment and just put in the chips, or take a moment and then announce the raise (and then put in the chips). Raises are announced as "I raise to X", not "I raise X".

You can check by tapping the table, and fold by pushing your cards over the line. DO NOT make a big production of hurling your cards into the muck, because if they flip over you will annoy people still in the hand.

You need to know that a single chip is a call. If someone bets $10 and you want to raise to $25 with a $25 chip, you have to declare it verbally, or it's just a call.

If the bet is $2 and you put one $5 chip, it's a call. Also, If you have the correct amount to call (i.e bet is $4 and you have the 4 x $1 chips) put in the correct amount ($4) and don't make the dealer make change unnecessarily.

Tip whatever you want.

Of course the game takes cash.

​

• You have to buy chips with cash right? If so, do most casinos have ATMs for this reason?

Yes, and casinos have ATMs but they are notorious for charging you $6 for a withdrawal

• Do you just find a table and sit? Do you have to register beforehand? Whats normal in this regard?

At every casino i've been to, you have to register with a little podium at the front/middle of the room

How much should you tip the dealer after winning a pot? Should you be tipping in percentage of pot size (like tipping at a restaurant) or tipping just a flat amount?

• For small - medium pots, $1 is fine. For bigger ones (over $100), $2-$5 is fine. Everyone tips differently though.

You have to buy chips with cash right? If so, do most casinos have ATMs for this reason?

• Yes, poker rooms usually have chip runners. You sit down at the table, give them the cash, they give you chips.

Do you just find a table and sit? Do you have to register beforehand? Whats normal in this regard?

• Usually there's a desk at the front of poker room. Let them know you want to play 1/3.

Broad question: besides what I've seen on this subreddit about hygiene (obvious), is there anything looked down upon in particular at the table?

• Pay attention and know when it's your turn. Protect your hand. If you're not sure what's happening, ask the dealer.

Sure, NP. One other thing that you wouldn't know about, is the "blind chop". If you're SB or BB and the entire table folds, the blinds can chop, i.e. muck without a pot being formed, and you both get to keep your blinds. One of the blinds will ask the other, "Wanna chop?"

You either always chop or always play it, in these situations. Looking at your cards, seeing a monster and deciding to steel the other blind is considered bad form, if you otherwise chop, every other time. But if you always play it, nobody should give you a hard time about that.

The exception here would be if there is a jackpot (high hand or bad-beat) possibility, where you could say something along the lines of, "How about we play this one?" If the other blind knows the deal, this usually means you both check it down to the river, and give your hands a chance at the bonus. Example is if both blinds are of the "always chop" player variety, but both wake up with paired hole cards. It doesn't hurt to check it down to see if you get a quads-over-quads bad beat.

EDIT: Do not ever discuss, out loud, checking it down, for a jackpot chance. This will void your jackpot in most rooms. If you're subtle about it, i.e. "How 'bout we play this one", the dealers will usually let it slide, even if they know what you're doing, but they need the plausible deniability to keep their jobs.

Can't speak for Amsterdam, can speak for the USA.

Casinos aren't some glamorous romparound. They are full of all walks of life, from degenerate grandma's on oxygen, to prostitutes trying to make a buck.

Don't be intimidated at table games. If you have a question, just ask the dealer! They are there to provide you a good time. I won't know how tipping works in the Amsterdam casinos but the dealers are happy when you win because they are more likely to get tipped.

Bring what you can afford to lose. Whether that's 50 or 5000 dollars. Don't get drunk and take a cash advance on your cc. That is unless you haven't hit big yet. Just remember the longer you play the more likely you are to win!

Like most vices gambling can be enjoyed in moderation. Don't over extend yourself. At the end of the day you want to have fun.

If the casino has a rewards card sign up for it. Do not sign up for a casino credit card.

Have fun, you only get to have your first casino time once! Cheers

Every $ you put in expect to loose if you win 100x your bet or more leave 😆

The cocktail waitresses liked to be grabbed in the ass.

When they smack you that means they like you.

When they call security that means they want to leave with you.

Straight edge going to Amsterdam? I backpacked through Europe when I was younger with friends, we planned on spending two days in Amsterdam. 2 weeks later, we woke one day in some shitty run-down hostel after days of psychedelics, weed, drinking and a couple other things. One of my buddies said "we need to get the fuck outta this city man" and we walked to the train station. Nice place, 10/10.

Leave debit card in car

Don't Hollywood. Make quick decisions. Verbalize your actions. Tip your dealer.

Lots of good advice here so far. Just to add, make sure you put your larger denomination chips up front, or on top of your stack so that they are visible to the table. And if you are ever uncertain about the action, or bet amount just ask the dealer

Those girls who approached you at the blackjack tables aren’t interested in you, they’re hookers.

One chip tossed in with no words just means “call” and not a “raise”

Don’t tank to save face on a bluff/missed draw.

Dude this weekend bet the river and got reraised to an amount that would leave the guy $3 behind. It was about a $130 reraise.

Don’t remember the board but it was filled with broadways.

Dude tanks for like 3 minutes. Counts out his stack to match the bet, leaving the other $3 to the side, ponders as if he’s about to call. Really hollywooding like he’s thinking, “this can’t make sense. What could this guy possibly have?” Then picks up his cards. Picks up his stack. Picks up his cards. On and on. It was so clear that he was going to fold. He finally folds.

A couple hands later I heard him whisper to his neighbor that he had missed his 9 for a gutshot. He had absolute air on a heavy Broadway board and tanked on the river reraise so he didn’t have to admit he was bluffing.

If you’re caught bluffing, just say good call, or nice raise and muck and be done with it. There’s no shame on bluffing.

Never berate your dealers. Never criticize someone else’s action. It’s your first time so make sure you have fun.

Edit: grammar

Former dealer: yes watch and learn! Especially when I was dealing craps so many people are intimidated by that game I had ZERO problem teaching anyone who asked as long as it was not super busy and I had a full side. But we loved to teach basics, and TIP YOUR DEALERS that was 90% of my pay. As far as Blackjack, we couldn’t tell you what to do when, but we CAN tell you what basic strategy recommends in situations.

The best thing to do is play blackjack in the mornings. Mornings are slower and more chill. In the evenings people get aggressive, they bet high amounts and get angry when they lose, and then there are people who want to feel like big shots and ballers. Never sit at the last seat until you really know what you are doing. Blackjack players call the last seat third base (It's the last seat to get dealt cards at the table, which is furthest from the card shoe on the table). Blackjack players have a superstition that the third base person makes or breaks the table, and they can get angry and belligerent if they think you are making bad moves and ruining the table. This is a complete myth, and 100% false, but people believe it is true, and they will get angry at you if you sit in that seat and make what they consider mistakes.

Your best strategy is to find a $10 table, $15 if ten is not available, and go there in the morning. Specifically find a table that is empty with a dealer that looks bored, because they are standing around doing nothing waiting for people to sit and play. Explain to this dealer you are new and want to learn. Find a dealer who looks like they are friendly. A lot of the asian and other immigrant dealers don't like to talk, so avoid them. Usually the dealer will help explain the game and teach you. But you can only do this in the mornings when it is not crowded.

You can watch a table, but make sure you don't look and act like a creep. The best thing to do is go with a friend who knows how to play blackjack, and you can watch them and not look like a creep. If you don't have any friends who gamble, try to make a friend and have them show you how to play.

Get yourself a blackjack strategy card, you’re allowed to have them at the tables. Play at the “theatre gaming” area to get yourself familiarized with the game and strategy at a low entry point ($5 min). When you’re comfortable with it all, jump on a table and you’ll be gtg, the dealer will help you out with hand gestures until you get the hang of it all. It’s really just, hit (tap), stay (palm down wave) and split (make a peace sign palm down).

You can also learn games utilizing that style of machine for minimal investment such as roulette, craps, baccarat.

I don’t mind when people watch me play and I’m happy to oblige based on questions but you’d have to feel out the people at the table. There’s some grumpy people that aren’t there just for fun sometimes.

[ Removed by Reddit ]

be friendly and tip the dealers, bartenders and servers. tip even on free drinks. if you win a lot you especially should tip. don’t smoke near the dealers. don’t get too wasted. don’t lift the cards off the table. some casinos don’t like backpacks on the casino floor.