Visiting a casino is an exciting prospect – an excuse to get dressed up and immerse yourself in the opulent luxury vibes while playing games and maybe even winning some money.
People go to the casino for many reasons. It could be a great place for a date night or an excuse to get your friends together for some fun – it even works for a bit of team building in a business, too.
However, if you’ve been playing online poker in Canada and this is the first time you have experienced the thrill of a live casino, you might be feeling a bit daunted by the whole thing. So here are ten top tips to make you feel more comfortable and ready for a night out, to remember.
Entrance Policy
There will be a minimum age at the casino. You will have to be at least 19 in most provinces, and some casinos will only let you in if you are over 21.
If you look young, it’s best to bring your ID so that you can prove your age – you don’t want to risk being turned away at the door.
Dress Code
Visiting a casino is a great excuse to dress up – and there is a reason people usually go all out when they are playing games. Casinos typically have a dress code of some sort, which can range from no sneakers or sportswear all the way through to black tie and ballgowns, so check out the website before you go so that you know what to expect.
If you are still deciding, aiming high is the best idea (and who doesn’t love a night out in your finest garments?)
House Rules
Some casinos operate relaxed rules, while others will be stricter. You may not be allowed to drink at the gaming tables, for example, or you might only be able to eat in the restaurant. Make sure you know the house rules so that you don’t risk making a rookie mistake.
Choose Your Budget
The idea of going to the casino is to play games – and you will need some sort of budget to make that happen. Before you go, make sure that you put together a budget that you can stick to because although you might be going to the casino with the idea of winning, you must be comfortable with the risk of losing it all, too.
Get Your Chips
In almost all cases, you will play games with chips rather than cash, so you will need to exchange your money at one of the cashier’s cages. In some casinos, you can also trade cash for chips at a table. This can help you with your budgeting, and it is recommended that you bring the money you want to use with you, as the cash machines in the building might have built-in charges for withdrawals.
Don’t Rush In
When you first enter the floor at a casino, you are likely to feel overwhelmed – the noise, the scents, the sights – they can all be a bit too much to take in, so it is a good idea to take some time to get your bearings.
Find out where the bar is, where the bathrooms are, and where different gaming tables are located in the room so that you know where you want to go first and don’t miss anything.
Choose Your Games
You might already have some experience in certain games that you’ll find in the live casino – through things like playing in an online casino, for example. Choose the games that you are most confident in to start with. Most people will go straight for the slots or the roulette wheel, for example, but you might prefer to get on with some blackjack.
Ask Questions
The staff and the croupiers are there to help you – so don’t be afraid to ask questions. The croupiers will be happy to tell you how the games work, but they won’t be able to give you tips on how to win. All the staff are there to ensure you have a great time so that you can make the most of their hospitality.
Tipping?
In some establishments, tipping staff and croupiers is the norm and will be expected, especially if you are lucky enough to land a big win. In others, you are not allowed to tip the croupiers because the casino may view it as getting an unfair advantage. To ensure that you are caught up, try and find out early what the tipping etiquette is in the casino.
Don’t Underestimate the Costs
Aside from the cash you are turning into chips, you will want to have some money available for other things. While the entertainment might be free, most casinos will have hefty bar prices, and the food will be delicious but expensive. Do not underestimate the spending you’re likely to indulge in. Some of the bigger casinos offer drinks on the house in certain circumstances (often covered by the entrance charge, for example), but this isn’t the norm.
Following these simple tips will help make visiting a casino more enjoyable and a lot less daunting.
