Blackjack: Table Etiquette, Rules And Customs

Blackjack is a game whose main appeal is that of it's simplicity. This simplicity however, doesn't mean players aren't required to follow rules set by the casino and long established traditions.

These are essential for players, new and old alike, to abide by since breaking one or more of these can result to a simple warning from the dealer to expulsion from the casino, or worse.

The following are some of the rules and guidelines that players are required to follow to ensure a smooth blackjack game experience.

Touching of chips once a player has finished placing the bet is considered unethical. This action can give the wrong impression to the dealer since it is possible for a player to place extra chips into the bet when that player draws a good hand.

Placement of additional chips next to the chips already in play is required if a player is doubling down. The chips added during this period should not be placed on top of the original chips. The reason for this is because the dealer might get the impression that the player in question is adding more than the chips allowed to double down if the player mixes the two sets of chips with each other.

Hand signals are a must when players are making their play at the blackjack table. This is especially true in casinos that are crowded and noisy. The reason for this is that dealers might easily not understand what the player said, or in the case of casinos where blackjack tables are placed at close proximity with each other, dealers are prone to hearing the play at a nearby table and mistake that for the player's call.

This is why most of the time, saying "Hit me" isn't enough as this can easily be misunderstood. Plus, the dealer will be looking at the players cards most of the time, which means the dealer is less focused on what the players are communicating verbally. "Toking", which is the word for giving tips to the dealer, is not a requirement, although this is a common practice among blackjack players. Here too, rules are in place to make sure the expected outcome is produced. The process of tipping the dealer is as follows; the player places the chips that will be used to tip the dealer on the edge of the area where bets are made - the area between the dealer and the player.

Toking, in the purest sense of the word, is making a bet for the dealer. The bet includes the tip for the dealer, so if the player wins then the dealer gets the tip. If the player loses the hand, then the dealer won't get anything.

Blackjack is a game that will be made more enjoyable and rewarding for all if the rules and practices mentioned above are followed by all those involved in the game.