Issues of player etiquette are less of a factor when spending your time at an online casino, since so many of the traditional conventions and customs of play at real-world casinos simply do not apply in the virtual realm of the Internet. For instance, no-one at your online club is going to bat an eyelid if you are actually playing online while wearing nothing but a sequinned jock-strap and taking regular calls on your mobile with its 'ironic' vintage Crazy Frog ringtone. Try that in a land-based casino and a discrete yet firm invitation to rendez-vous with the exit will swiftly be issued. This said, many online casinos offer chat facilities as part of their multi-player games so there will be occasions where your conduct should follow some common-sense rules when interacting with other players and / or the online casino's human staff.

• Never use indecent, threatening or foul language.
• Never slander, abuse or threaten others.
• Do not use nicknames that could reasonably cause offence.
• Never use sexual or racial slurs.
• Do not impersonate other players.

When playing online just remember this simple rule - good manners will cost you nothing and win you respect, whereas the only thing you'll win through bad behaviour is a ban!

Having fun playing online casinos can often be a springboard to new players venturing out to experience their favourite games at a real, land-based club. Issues of casino etiquette can sometimes make such virgin visits a little intimidating, but below you'll find pointers to some common issues of etiquette for specific games. These aren't exhaustive lists, but should help you grasp some basic customs. Common to playing all the table games, it should go without saying that a working knowledge of the game's rules will save you time, money and embarrassment! Also, as mentioned above for online casinos, politeness towards other players and staff is prudent - a punter with a potty mouth or sharp tongue won't be tolerated we can assure you.

Blackjack

• The only appropriate time to buy or cash chips is between hands. If you join a table, when a game is still in progress, wait until it has finished before you buy in.
• If your cards are dealt to you 'open', i.e. face up, do NOT touch them.
• If your card are dealt to you face down, you should only handle them using one hand, never both.
• If it is permissible to handle your cards do not bend them.
• After you have placed a bet on the table, do not touch that bet once the first card has been dealt.
• Use the customary hand signals to indicate how you want to proceed with your hand. For example, a gentle tap of the table is a request for the dealer to 'hit' you with a further card. An open-palmed wave parallel to the table is an indication that you are choosing to 'stand'.
• You should not ask the casino's dealer for tips or advice. Players at a table are expected to make their own decisions. If you do not know how much you want to bet or how to play your cards, you should not be playing.
• If you feel the deck is not playing favourably for you, consider moving tables rather than obliging the dealer to keep reshuffling the cards for you.
• If a session is not going well for you, do not vent any frustration on the cards, the dealer or other players.

Craps

• Keep your hands well clear of the table when the Shooter is rolling.
• If you are playing as the Shooter, the throw should involve a good bounce on the table. Attempts to 'slide' the dice along the table, rather than rolling them properly will be deemed a 'no throw'. Repeat the offence three times and it'll be game over!
• Some wagers require you to place your bet on the layout after which the Boxman will lay the correct chips on your behalf.
• 'Wrong' betting in Craps is considered slightly obnoxious amongst many traditional players, so be reserved if you're choosing to play a lot of 'wrong' bets, and particularly if you're winning with them.
• The table's Boxman is not permitted to take cash or chips directly from a player. The correct etiquette is for players to place their money on the table in the intervals between rolls and ask the Boxman for 'change only'.
• Craps is not a traditionally chatty game, so discrete social interaction is both favoured and appreciated by many players.

Roulette

• Never try to place or remove bets once the croupier has set the wheel spinning.
• Every player at the table must play as an individual. If you are playing with people you know, do not attempt to pool your chips.
• Taking a seat at a Roulette table is an obligation to play. If you take a seat to 'spectate' on the action, don't be surprised (or offended) if a member of the casino's staff asks you to move.
• If your bet wins, those chips will be left on the table layout. If you don't want those chips to stay on the layout as a repeat bet on the next game, you must remove them yourself before the wheel is spun again.
• Payoffs for successful straight, split, street square and line bets are pushed to the player by the croupier. Payoffs for all other types of Roulette bet are placed alongside the winning chips, and must be retrieved by the player if they don't want them played as bets on the next spin.

Machine Games

• Do not monopolise several machines at once if the casino is busy. Other players should not have to wait to play if you can free up a machine for them and continue playing yourself.
• Take note of any 'change cups' that may have been left on seats in front of machines. This is an accepted sign that the player's taking a short temporary break, and is expecting to return with a minimum delay to continue playing that machine. Do NOT interfere. Do NOT 'nip in' to play a few sneaky turns on that machine. Find another machine that is clearly unoccupied.
• Do not leave a 'change cup' on you seat if you plan to be away for more than a few minutes – you cannot 'hold' a machine like this so you can have a dinner break!

Tipping

The rule about tipping is that there isn't a rule, which can make it a bit of a minefield for first-time visitors to a club without the benefit of an experienced member as their host. The best guidance we can offer is to use your discretion. Casino staff usually receive quite low basic pay, with tipping an accepted method of supplementing their wages. That said, you are not obliged to reward poor service. When you have received efficient, courteous service that has made your visit enjoyable, leaving a tip is widely regarded as good etiquette irrespective of your fiscal success during that visit. The size of tip is again a matter for the player's discretion, but do be generous if the service has been good and especially if you've enjoyed a handsome win.