Roulette Etiquette
Just like most casino games, roulette players are expected to behave in a certain way. Roulette etiquette isn't just some silly formality, but rather a way for the casino to help prevent cheating and fraud.
Don't worry though, this isn't a sixteen-course meal with the queen of England! There are only a few basic things you need to learn, and when all else fails common sense, and common courtesy, will get you far.
Proper Betting
Timing is everything in roulette, especially when it comes to making a bet. Betting begins once all bets from the previous round are cleared or paid out. Once the layout is clear, the dealer will open it up for betting, and you'll have about one minute to make you wagers.
Generally you can still make wagers even after the croupier starts the ball rolling around the wheel but as the ball begins to slow down, the croupier will wave their hand over the table and say "No more bets!". Once this happens, you just have to sit tight, it's too late to make any more wagers.
If you do make another bet after this point, the croupier (or the eye in the sky) will see you! At this point you should hope that the casino just voids your bet, but they can take further action if they think you could see or predict the final result. This is known as past posting, and it is illegal most places.
Even though you only have one minute to make your wagers, if you know how you want to bet, then you've got plenty of time. Don't wait until the last second and be forced to throw your chips! If you can't reach far enough to make your wager, don't hesitate to ask a closer player to help you. It is anything but rude compared to just tossing your chips out there.
Collecting Your Winnings
So you took your time and made a lucky bet that won! Great, now calm down and keep your hands off the table. After the croupier stops the betting, you are done participating for the entire round. The croupier will mark the winning number on the table, and start by clearing all of the losing bets.
With just a little bit of patience, you can expect the croupier to pay you out in full. There are two reasons to leave the chips alone at this point. Obviously you want the croupier to see your winning bet and know exactly how much to pay you. If you just start scooping up chips, they won't appreciate it!
Also, the casino wants to make sure nobody is cheating at this point. Sneaky players have been known to pinch their losing bets (pull them off the table) or past post by making new bets or adding chips to existing, winning bets. These behaviors are illegal and by keeping your hands away from the layout, you'll avoid any suspicion.
The Croupier
The croupier's efforts drive the game, so make sure you treat them with a bit of respect. Remember that these casino employees are getting paid close to minimum wage, so if they send a winning streak your way, don't hesitate to give them a tip.
Since the croupier is the face of the casino, its easy to get frustrated with them if you are on a cold streak or if you think they made a mistake, but try to remember that most of these people are avid gamblers themselves. They might work at the casino, but most of them are cheering for you.
If you think the croupier has made a mistake, just politely bring it to their attention. For most of these potential errors, a casino employee can check out the surveillance footage with you. In the end, if you keep your cool, every error can be corrected.
Common Courtesy
We've covered most of the etiquette that relates to playing roulette, but it should go without saying that you'll want to behave in a civil way. It's fine celebrate a big win, but if you're jumping around and knocking over the people around you, you've crossed the line.
On the other end of the spectrum, getting angry over a big loss or getting into an argument with anyone is always a bad idea. Just roll with the punches and remain calm. This is probably also a good time to remind you to watch your alcohol consumption!
Online Roulette Etiquette
If you are a new roulette player and are worried about breaking table etiquette, we suggest that you start playing roulette online instead of in the casino. Online casinos will teach you how to play roulette, step by step. Plus, there are no other players at your table, so you can take as much time as you need.
Also, since the casino is on your computer, you simply cannot break any rules that would get you into trouble because the software won't let you. Playing online roulette is the easiest way to gain experience in a low pressure environment. We recommend playing at www.CherryRedCasino.com, because you can play roulette for play money and learn the ropes.
Proper roulette etiquette is extremely important, but there is more that you'll need to learn before playing. Here are some other helpful articles for new players: