The Rules of Blackjack Etiquette

Like most casino games, blackjack has its own rules of etiquette. It's important to know how to act at the blackjack table, otherwise you might be disrespected. Since other participants of the game are not playing against you, but against the casino dealer, the general attitude among players is usually quite friendly. Players even encourage and congratulate each other on winnings.

It is crucial to learn blackjack hand signals, as your motions are videotaped, and if there is any question as to what happened in a particular game, the video tape would have a record of your movements, but not of your speech. You should also tell the dealer what you want him to do, but you should be aware, that, for example, if you brush your cards against the table and say 'stand', the dealer will still give you another card.

After the cards are dealt, you should never touch them. You may only touch your cards if you want to increase your bet. In the case of a double or a split, you would be allowed to touch your cards, but it is important not to move them at all. It is also important to keep your hands far away from the chips. Some players try to add extra chips when they have a good hand. If the casino suspects you of cheating, they will throw you out.

If you're playing blackjack with your cards facedown, you may touch the cards with one hand only. You must keep your hand above the table at all times. If the dealer cannot see your hand, the hand will be invalidated. If you do it more than once, you may be asked to leave the casino or card room.

To place your wager, pile your chips in a single stack right in the middle of the betting circle. The ones with the highest value chips should go on the bottom of the stack.

To tip the dealer, place a chip (or a few) at the edge of the betting circle. If your wager wins, the dealer will take the winnings that are related to the chip. It's a good idea to tip the dealer once in a while.

If there is a table with just one gambler at it, be sure to ask before you join the game. Some people prefer playing without anyone else at their table.
You can keep some strategy notes around, and glance at them, but you shouldn't keep anyone waiting when it's your turn to play. If other players end up waiting for you, they will be annoyed. If you need quick strategy advice, ask the dealer. He'll always give you advice based on basic Blackjack Strategies.

Think of your blackjack techniques before the dealer turns to you. You can put out your chips for any bet increases, but if you want to split or double, let the dealer do that. Dealers don't usually like players touching the cards.

If you notice that the dealer made an error, inform him. It's pretty rare for a dealer to make a mistake, so don't accuse him right away. Instead, ask for an explanation. The dealer will be perfectly willing to explain anything that's unclear to you if you ask politely.

Never forget to count your chips! Always know how much money you're supposed to get, and make sure you've gotten it before you leave the table.

Remember that you're playing a game. There is money involved, but it's still a game. It's supposed to be fun. Do your best to make sure that you and everyone around you has a good time.