Baccarat Etiquette
Baccarat is, indeed, a high class game, and like most gambling games played at tables in a casino has rules governing behavior as well as play. Some important things to remember:
- It is best to know how to play baccarat before sitting at a table. This can be done by reading about it on a website such as this one. Yet it is also wise to observe play for a while to become familiar with its flow.
- There are two kinds of tables in American play, the traditional tables are long and will seat up to 15 players. Here there are three dealers, one for announcing the points and determining when cards are to be played, and two to pay winners and collect losing bets. At these large tables, the card shoe is passed around to the players who do the dealing. At blackjack style tables, there are only seven players. The dealer does the job of all three of the dealers at the big table and also deals out the cards.
- Do not interrupt a hand during play. If you need chips or wish to bet, do so between hands.
- Tipping is not mandatory, but is rather like tipping a waitress in a restaurant. There is no norm, but one half of the average bet per hour is considered par. Though tipping will not increase your odds of winning, it may affect the attitude of the dealer and affect the perception of other players around the table.
- Dealers will very often pay winners in the highest denomination possible. It is not considered wrong to ask for lower denomination chips, but this should be done several chips at a time and only when necessary so as not to waste playing time.
- When cashing out, if you have a large number of smaller chips, trade in smaller chips for larger ones.
- Never touch the cards on the table in mini baccarat. As the cards are dealt face-up, and there is only one player hand (no matter the number of players), there is no need to touch the cards. In traditional play, there will be some card handling by the player designated as "banker".
- Once the bet is made, do not touch it or adjust it, even to straighten a pile of chips.
- Always have a positive attitude. Don't complain when you lose. If you cannot afford to lose, you should not be betting.
If you are going to dedicate your time to a classy game, try to be a class act and that means being polite!
Next Page: The History of Baccarat
