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Roulette Table Etiquette Guide | LeoVegas Casino

Roulette Table Etiquette Guide

Roulette is known as one of the easiest table games to master, but ask most players about proper roulette etiquette and table etiquette and they will likely draw a blank. Not to worry if you’re one of these players, LeoVegas is here to help!

Table of Content:

Below we have outlined everything there is to know about good roulette table etiquette. This includes everything from how to join the table, to how you place winning bets, to how you cash out, and so on. We are leaving nothing to chance, essentially!

Now, let’s get rolling.

PLAY ROULETTE

Basic Do’s and Don'ts in Brick and Mortar Roulette

Easily the best way to understand basic roulette table etiquette is to study the do’s and dont’s of the roulette game. Studying both will ensure that your time at the table goes as smoothly as possible, not only for yourself but for everyone else around you!

Do this at the Roulette Table

  • Do convert your cash into chips before approaching the table to play.
  • Do consider how much money you’re playing with before each session.
  • Do think of roulette as a game of chance and not predetermined.
  • Do take advantage of any roulette-based Welcome Offers (online only).
  • Do play as smart as possible based on how you are performing.
  • Do take your time to learn the rules of the game or refresh your memory.
  • Do tip your dealers (they deserve it for their hard work).
  • Do stop playing once you have reached your limit or have reached a goal.

Don’t do this at the Roulette Table

  • Don’t hand your money straight to the dealer (this is a chips-only table game).
  • Don’t fall for the Monte Carlo Fallacy when playing roulette.
  • Don’t attempt to place a bet after the dealer says “no more bets”.
  • Don’t take up too much room at the table if you are not playing.
  • Don’t think that your run of good luck will go on forever (it won’t).
  • Don’t argue with the dealer or any other player at the table.
  • Don’t leave food or drinks on the felt (keep them well away).
  • Don’t place big bets from the offset, start small to get a better read of the session.
  • Don’t think that every casino offers the same type of roulette.
  • Don’t touch chips that belong to other players (you will likely be asked to leave).
  • Don’t continue playing once you are out of chips or have reached your limit.

How to Join the Roulette Table

To join a roulette table, you must wait until the previous round has finished. You will know the round has finished when the ball has landed and the croupier (another name given to the dealer) has finished paying off winning roulette bets from the previous round.

Most casinos allow up to 7 players to participate at any given time. You will need to wait for a spot to open up before you can play. Try to use this time to get a better feel for the table. Studying the bets of other players, especially if you’re new to the game of roulette, is a great way to learn the ins and outs before taking that next step and playing!

Also, do keep an eye out for something known as a ‘dolly’ (a clear plastic piece on the table). If the dolly is in play, then it usually means that you are unable to join the table just yet.

How to Buy Roulette Chips in Land-Based Casino

You buy your roulette chips from the croupier in roulette by placing your cash on the table. They will then swap the cash for a stack of chips based on the denomination given at the start.

How many chips you are handed will depend on the amount of cash you placed on the table and the denomination cash chips itself. In other words, it is not guaranteed that you will receive a large stack of chips for a large bet.

It’s good roulette table etiquette to keep track of the denomination as these chips have nothing printed on them – other than the colour they are assigned. You can keep track of this by looking at the chip atop the rail near the roulette wheel, a marker is often placed there to determine the values assigned to every colour.

How to Place Bets at Roulette Table

You will have around 60 seconds between one game starting and the next to place your bets. To place bets, simply assign chips at various points on the table – be it directly on the squares or in between them to signify certain bets (such as something known as a Split bet).

There are many different bets to pick and choose from in the game of roulette. Here are but a few examples:

  • Red/Black (Outside Bet)
  • Straight Up (Inside Bet)
  • Odd/Even (Outside Bet)
  • Split (Inside Bet)
  • Columns (Outside Bet
  • Street (Inside Bet)

How to Signal Actions at Roulette Table

The majority of the actions involved in roulette revolve around the chips you play roulette with. As mentioned in the previous section, where you place your chips will determine the type of bet you are looking to make, and there are many bets to choose from.

It is very important that you place your chips in the exact position of the next bet that you’re intending to make. We say that as chips can sometimes sit in positions that signify a different bet entirely.

For example, chips on the edges of certain spaces – especially on the 1-36 grid – could imply a completely different bet than what you intended. The lesson to remember here is:

Always place your chips at the exact point on the table, as intended.

Another important signal action to be aware of involves the dealer. When the dealer waves their hand over the table it means that no more bets can be placed. This gesture is accompanied by verbal confirmation, with the dealer announcing “no more bets” to the table.

How to Cash Out at Roulette Table

When ready to leave the table, place all remaining chips on the layout and ask the dealer to cash you out. They will then exchange your chips for the equivalent amount of standard casino chips.

Taking these standard casino chips to a pay window will allow you to transfer these chips into cash. Again, remember that the chips given to you at the roulette table are exclusive to the roulette table and can’t be used elsewhere or exchanged other players chips.

Here is an easy to follow step by step guide how to cash out your chips at roulette table:

Cashing Out at Roulette

  1. Gather your chips
    • Collect all the chips you have on the table, including any winnings from your last bet.
  2. Approach the table
    • Wait for a break in the action or when the dealer is not busy.
    • Politely get the dealer's attention by saying "Excuse me" or raising your hand slightly.
  3. Inform the dealer
    • Tell the dealer you would like to cash out your chips.
    • Place your chips in front of you on the table.
  4. Chip count
    • The dealer will count your chips to verify the amount.
    • They may also ask you to separate the chips by denomination to make counting easier.
  5. Receive cash
    • Once the dealer has counted your chips, they will exchange them for cash.
    • The dealer will hand you the cash, and you can count it to ensure the correct amount.
  6. Tip the dealer (optional)
    • It is customary to tip the dealer, especially if you have had a good experience or won a significant amount.
    • You can tip a small percentage of your winnings or a fixed amount, such as $1 per $100 in chips.
  7. Leave the table
    • Once you have your cash, you can leave the table and the casino.

How to Interact with Casino Dealers

You will notice straight away just how approachable the casino staff and dealers are at the roulette table, not to mention, friendly. In other words, you can engage with them in a variety of ways, either by asking them questions or signalling certain actions.

An important tip for good roulette table etiquette is not to throw/hand your chips directly to the croupier. This is the rule of 99.9% of casinos. Instead, you should place your chips on the table, the dealer will then handle the rest at the end of every round, either by adding more chips to your pile or removing them via rake.

We would highly recommend keeping your stacks as neat and tidy as possible, especially when placing multiple stacks across the table. The neater the pile, the easier it is for the croupier to do their job.

Enjoy Live Casino Games at LeoVegas

At LeoVegas Online Casino you can enjoy the thrills of Vegas without having to visit the place in person. We have a line of Live Casino Games for every occasion, including Live Roulette, which gives you every opportunity to practice good table etiquette in real time!

Roulette Etiquette FAQ

Below we have highlighted some frequently asked questions on roulette table etiquette.

What is the etiquette for sitting at a roulette table?

When gambling and sitting at the roulette table, it is important that you don’t take up too much space, giving enough room for all players to participate without worry. You should also avoid leaning too far over the table and placing food/drink on the felt.

Can you leave a roulette table whenever you want?

You should only leave the roulette table at the end of a spin and after you have cashed your chips in with the croupier. While you can leave whenever you want, leaving prematurely could result in you losing any chips you still have on the table.

What should you not do at a roulette table?

Touching the chips of other players, handing your chips to the dealer, and continuing to play on a losing streak are all examples of what not to do at a roulette table. Be sure to check out our list of don’ts above for more information on what not to do.

Can you drink while playing roulette?

You are more than welcome to drink while playing roulette, just as long as the drink is not on the table. Alcohol is permitted in most casinos, but that is not a free pass to drink in excess. Pit boss will not accept this type of behaviour.

What should I wear to a roulette table?

The dress code for a roulette table may vary depending on the casino, but there are some general guidelines to follow when choosing an outfit. Here are some tips for both men and women:

For Men:

A classic and appropriate choice is a collared shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes. Most casinos have a dress code by which, the later in the day it is, the more formal your attire.If you're opting for a morning/afternoon spin, casual wear is acceptable.

For Women:

Women can wear a cocktail dress or a dressy skirt and blouse. A little black dress with gold or silver embellishments is a great option

Can I use my phone at the table?

The use of cell phones at a roulette table may be restricted depending on the casino's policy.

Some casinos may allow the use of cell phones at the table as long as it does not disrupt the game. Other casinos may prohibit the use of cell phones at the table entirely.

In some cases, players may be asked to step away from the table to take a call or use their phone

How much should I tip the croupier?

A good rule of thumb is to tip $5 for every hour that you are at a roulette table regardless of your earnings.

If you made a profit, it's customary to tip 2-5% of your winnings. if you lose money, tipping is not expected.

Is there a specific way to handle chips?

When you approach a roulette table, you will see a ton of odd colored chips stacked high off to the side of the dealer. These are the players' chips.

Each player gets a different colour of chips so the dealer can keep track of which chips belong to which player.

When you buy in, let the dealer know what value you want the chips to be that you're getting. For example, if you walk up and plop down a $100 bill, you can ask for dollars, nickels ($5.00 chips), or quarters ($25.00 chips).

Once the designation has been made, the dealer will place a chip atop a rail near the wheel, then place a marker atop it to indicate the value of that colour chip for that session

How do I deal with rude players?

Using humour, distracting the player, and notifying them that their behaviour is not acceptable are all strategies that can help diffuse the situation. If the situation becomes too difficult to handle, seeking assistance from security or a supervisor is always an option.

When is the best time to leave the table?

End a betting session if you experience consecutive losses on the first four or five spins.

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