Casino Rules And Practices

Are gaming rules the same in every casino?

The interesting thing about casinos is, while they tend to have the same games, but they will also have subtle variations in the rules. In Blackjack, for example, some casinos will stand on a Soft 17, which is an Ace 6 whereas in other casinos they will hit a Soft 17. While the game is essentially identical, there are subtle changes from place to place which you may need to be aware of.

What is a "table minimum"?

Casinos have certain rules for betting. They'll put on a table a sign that says the table minimum is ten dollars. That table minimum means you can't bet less than ten dollars. So when you go to a table and it says the minimum is twenty-five, and you only want to bet ten, you can't. You have to go to a table that says that the table minimum is ten dollars, then you can play.

Do table minimums change at various times of day?

When you pass a table, you're going to see a sign and it will say, table minimum $10. That means you can't bet less than $10. Now, during the course of a game, some casinos will raise the table minimum, $10 to $15, $15. to $25. Now in Vegas and some other casinos, they will grandfather a player in. So if you've been betting $10. and they raise it to $15, you can continue to bet the $10. In other states, for example in New Jersey, if they raise it to $15, they'll usually give you a half hour notice, but then everybody at the table has to go to $15..

What are "table maximums"?

When you approach a table in a casino, you will often see a sign stating the "table minimum" and the "table maximum". The minimum could be 1 bucks, but the table maximum could be 5, 1, 2. The "table maximum" is the maximum bet you can make at that table.

Can I ever make a bet that exceeds the table maximum?

A lot of players don't realize that they can make bets that exceed the table maximum if they get permission from the pit boss. They can ask permission to increase the table maximum for themselves, and many high rollers will do this.

What does "check change" mean?

When you first come up to a table, you have to buy in. So when you put your money on the table (and remember that you have to put the money on the table; you can't hand it to the dealer) the dealer will go "check change." And what they will do when they say "check change" is bring out the chips to give to you. They say "check change" so that the floor person can come over and look. In addition, sometimes when you're cashing a chip, the dealer will also say "check change", the floor person will come over, check it to make sure everything is done properly.

What does "coloring out" mean?

"Coloring up" occurs when you have chips that you want to cash. When you have finished playing, it's simply a matter or pushing your chips toward to dealer. The dealer will then "color them up," replacing them with chips of higher denominations so that they can be taken to the cage and cashed.

What is a "pit boss"?

A "pit boss" is someone in charge of an entire group of tables. A casino floor breaks down into several personnel. You have dealers, dealing the game and you have a floor person, observing both the dealers and the game. The "pit boss" is responsible for both of these groups and is also charged with taking responsibility for a number of casino tables, which is called a pit.

What does "card counting" mean?

In the game of blackjack, you can play something called "basic strategy", which is the proper way of handling your hands against every dealer up card. A player who plays "basic strategy" will probably face a half percent house edge. However, there are very astute players, who are able to follow which cards are coming out of the deck, and they keep a count; these people are card counters and their technique allows them a slight edge over the house. Now, a lot of people think that card counting is hard, but there is a new method called speed-count, which is the easiest counting method. Any blackjack player could learn this in about 10 minutes. So, if you want to play with an edge, I recommend speed-count.

What will happen to me if I'm caught card counting?

A casino is a business and, as a business, they are trying to make a profit. Anything that stops them from making a steady profit is going to upset them. Some states, like Mississippi or Nevada, have authority to remove you from the casino, if they suspect you of card-counting. In New Jersey, however, they don't have that power, and the best they can do is reduce you level of gambling. So, some casinos are able to tell you, "We don't want you here anymore," and others tell you, "You can play, but we're going to make it difficult for you."

How does casino security know what I am doing?

Every casino has a security department, and if you look at the ceiling, then you will see dark globes that house cameras. These images from these cameras are monitored by security guards for two reasons; the first reason is to make sure there are no criminals operating in the casino, and the second reason is to keep an eye for people using methods to gain an edge on the house. Casino security know what you're up to because they are filming you.

What is a "marker"?

Players have two choices when they go to the casino; they can go in with a pocket full of money or they can get credit with the casino. You can use this credit to gamble, with a view to paying it back in a certain time limit, this credit is a "marker". To get a "marker," you should approach the table, ask for one, sign some papers, write-out a cheque and then you will be in possession of short-term loan, of sorts.

What does it mean to "get rated" in a casino?

When you're in a casino you're playing the games, and hopefully you're playing the games to make money. However, the casino has certain perks for you. They do something called rating. They look at your play, and they rate you as a player. And what do you get for that rating? You get free rooms or discounted rooms, you get free meals or discounted meals, you get free shows or discounted shows based on your rating, which reflects your level of play.

What are "comps"?

When you play in a casino, you are given a "players card". Your "players card" will have details about your name and your level of "action". "Action" is defined by the rate and level of betting you partake in. If your "action" is good enough, the casino will give you something called "comps", which are complimentaries. "Comps" can range from free food, free rooms to access to sporting events.

When is the best time to find the lowest stakes tables in a casino?

If you want to gamble, but you don't want to indulge in the high stakes, picking your time is crucial. Saturday night, from 8 till midnight, is not a good time because the stakes are going to be high, but Sunday morning, 4am - 7am, is when you'll find the tables operating on "minimum stakes". Early mornings are good for low stakes because the tables will be quieter.

How does the casino make money with poker games?

Casinos don't typically make money from poker, because you are gambling against other players. In order to get some profit from poker, casino take a share of the pot in each game.

What is the "vig"?

In the casino, we all have heard of something called the house edge. Well, there's another term for that. It's called vig -- V-I-G. And that stands for vigorish. Well, chances are you don't know vig, and you don't know vigorish. All that the vig is, is the house edge. The casino charges you a certain percentage of your win. For example, in roulette you should be paid 37 to 1 if you win. But that's the real odds. The casino pays you 35 to 1, and they've kept the other two. The other two, that's called the vig.

When should I tip the dealer and does he get the tip?

A lot of players think if I go to the barber I should tip them. If I got to a restaurant I should tip the waiter. These are careers where tips are important, some players don't realize that dealers too need tips, many dealers only make the minimum wage or maybe a little bit more so tipping the dealer is a part of the game, I would recommend that you tip a small amount of your total bet, every 15 to 20 minutes. Do dealers keep the tips? No, dealers share the tips with all the other dealers on their shift; there are one or two casino in the country where an individual dealer keeps his individual tips but in almost all casinos today dealers share your tips with everyone else working, during their shift