Joining a Table

Before Sitting Down

  • Check the table minimum and maximum posted on the placard
  • Make sure empty seats are actually available (not reserved for a returning player)
  • Some tables have “No Mid-Shoe Entry” — wait for the shuffle
  • Ask “Is this seat open?” if you’re unsure

Buying In

  • Place your cash on the table (not in the dealer’s hand — they can’t take money directly)
  • Say “Change, please” or wait for the dealer to exchange it between hands
  • The dealer will count the cash, announce the amount, and give you chips
  • Organize your chips in neat stacks in front of you

Hand Signals

Casinos require hand signals for all decisions. This is for security cameras — verbal instructions alone aren’t verifiable.

Face-Up Games (Most Common)

Don’t touch your cards in face-up games.

Decision Hand Signal
Hit Tap the table or wave toward yourself
Stand Wave your hand horizontally over your cards
Double Down Place additional chips next to (not on) your bet and hold up one finger
Split Place additional chips next to your bet and hold up two fingers (peace sign)
Surrender Draw a line behind your bet with your finger (varies by casino)

Face-Down Games (Less Common)

In face-down games, you hold your cards.

Decision Hand Signal
Hit Scrape the cards toward you on the felt
Stand Slide your cards under your chips
Double/Split Turn cards face up, then place additional chips

Chip and Bet Etiquette

Placing Bets

  • Place your bet in the betting circle before cards are dealt
  • Stack chips with the highest denomination on the bottom
  • Don’t touch your bet after cards start being dealt
  • Adding to or removing from your bet after dealing begins is forbidden

Handling Chips

  • Keep chips organized in neat stacks
  • Don’t splash chips around or throw them
  • Keep your hands away from the betting circle during play

Tipping

Tipping dealers is customary in most countries (especially the US):

How to Tip

  • Direct tip: Hand chips to the dealer after a hand
  • Bet for the dealer: Place a small chip in front of your betting circle. If you win, the dealer wins too (usually at 1:1)
  • Winning hand tip: Tip after a natural blackjack or big win

How Much

  • Low stakes ($5-25 hands): $1-5 per session is typical
  • Higher stakes: 1-5% of session profit
  • No obligation — tip what you’re comfortable with

Common Courtesy

Do:

  • Act promptly when it’s your turn
  • Know basic hand signals before sitting down
  • Be pleasant to the dealer and other players
  • Stack your chips neatly so the dealer can read your bet
  • Let the dealer handle cards and chips in face-up games

Don’t:

  • Blame other players for your losses
  • Give unsolicited advice about how someone should play
  • Slow the game by being on your phone during hands
  • Touch other players’ cards or chips
  • Argue with the dealer about rules (call the pit boss if there’s a dispute)
  • Celebrate excessively when others are losing

The “Third Base” Myth

The player at third base (last to act before the dealer) sometimes gets blamed for “taking the dealer’s bust card” or “giving the dealer a good card.”

This is mathematically false. The third base player’s decisions have zero long-term effect on other players’ results. Cards are random — taking a card is equally likely to help or hurt the dealer.

If someone blames you, politely ignore them. If someone blames another player, don’t join in.

For Online Play

Online blackjack has fewer etiquette concerns, but:

  • Play at a reasonable pace in live dealer games (other players are waiting)
  • Be polite in chat if the game has a chat feature
  • Don’t blame the dealer for bad cards — live dealers are real people