Where to get practical information on gambling in Atlantic City NJ

Factual Questions
1

I may be in Atlantic City this fall. I’ve played a state lottery and tried a slot machine, but have never played real-money table games. Is there a good source for learning the procedures and etiquette? What I’m looking for is practical information on how to buy and sell chips, get started at a table, learn specific casino or table-specific rules, track my losses/winnings, and generally not look like a complete noob or someone misbehaving. I’m not looking for general/game rulebook rules like how to play blackjack or roulette in theory.

Anyone got a good source?

2

I go to AC all the time. I can answer specific questions, if you like.

I like wizardofodds.com to understand games and some specific table rules (e.g., things you shouldn’t say or do at a certain game). There are sections on etiquette, but I’m not sure how basic it gets. That is, I don’t know if they actually cover how to get chips, etc.

I’ll cover some of your points, and some things you didn’t ask…

Get a loyalty card - Every casino has a players club. You give them your name & address. They give you a card. You then use this card when you play. The casino will track your play and award you comps (free stuff) based on your play. If you don’t get a loyalty card, there are almost no ways for the casino to comp you.

Buying chips - Go to a table with an open seat. Place your money and your loyalty card on the table. When the current betting is resolved (e.g., the hand is over and paid), the dealer will take your cash and your card. The dealer may ask you how you’d like it changed. If you’re at a $25 table and hand over $1000, you might not want all $25 chips. If you hand over $200, you’ll probably want all $25 chips and the dealer will just automatically give it to you. Don’t stress about this step. Odds are that the dealer will just give you a common breakdown and that should be sufficient for you to get started.

Making change - As you lose your money, the casino will not volunteer to change your larger chips into smaller denominations. You must ask. You do this by placing the chip(s) outside of the betting area, close to the dealer, but still in front of you (as opposed to in front of another player). Then say “change, please.” The change will be made and you will be given an opportunity to place a bet before action resumes.

Leaving the table, selling chips - When you are ready to leave, simply stack your chips. Push them towards the dealer, being careful not to place them in the betting area (lest it be thought a bet), and say “color in please.” The dealer will count down your stack and change it into the largest chips available. The change will be made and approved by you and the floor supervisor (f/k/a pit boss). Your change will be pushed to you and your former chips will be added to the dealer’s tray. Then take your chips over to the cashier (a/k/a the cage). He/She’ll exchange it for cash.

Free drinks, Tipping dealers, Tipping waitresses - Tips are appreciated and expected for both dealers and waitresses. Drinks are free, but you should give the waitress 1 or 2 $1 chips. You can get these chips the same way you make change for your larger chips. Just put up a red $5 chip and ask for $1 chips. Make the change before the waitress comes back with your drink. Don’t make her wait for you to make change, please. Tipping dealers is slightly more discretionary. It’s nice to give the dealer 1 or 2 tips an hour. Some people will only tip if they are winning. Some people tip based entirely on the service the dealer provides. Some dealers are friendly and helpful. Some are mean, cold, and mostly silent. Most fall somewhere in between. Tip what you’re comfortable with, but if you need a guideline use this one: Base your tip 1/3 on if you’re winning and 2/3 on the service provided. There’s no standard amount or percentage. $1 chips are commonly used. Avoid placing bets for the dealers, as it just reduces the value of the tip.

Don’t play craps - It’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s intimidating. You won’t know what to do, and unless you are at an empty table, the dealers can’t really explain what’s going on in a way you’d understand it.

Blackjack - I assume this is the game you want to play. It’s the game everybody understands but is afraid of etiquette. Bring a basic strategy card. Read it. Understand it. Use it at the table. Don’t touch the cards. If you don’t know the hand motions, declare your intention aloud (e.g., “stand”) and don’t move your hands around in ways that could be confused with what your intention is. You’ll pick up the simple motions just by watching other players. Most importantly, just follow the basic strategy. Try to memorize the simple cases. Don’t rely on the advice of others.

3

Go ahead and look like a noob. I’ve never seen anyone treated badly because they are new. Most dealers will be glad to help. It can be a boring job and they usually welcome the chance to help you out. Just don’t pretend to know what you are doing when you don’t.

And there is nothing wrong with watching for a bit before jumping in. Its not to hard to pick up the basics.

4

Loach has the right idea. Don’t worry about being a noob. Everyone there had a first time. Even the oldest, most experienced gamblers will probably give you advice if you ask them. If they really like gambling, odds are that they like talking about it too.

 Also, the drunker you are and the more ridiculous you look the more the staff will want you to play. Also, you'll be less nervous and worry about it less. At least this is how it went down on my 21st birthday at Harrah's in New Orleans. I won 200 bucks my first time gambling.
5

There are many good gambling books in libraries and bookstores. You could start with Gambling for Dummies.

6

You should be aware that at some tables there will be an asshole who will accuse someone of “taking the dealer’s bust card” if they use less than optimal strategy. That’s not how it works, and experienced players know better, but it will happen. Don’t let it get under your skin.

7

This is the only advice I’d disagree with. If you don’t know the hand signals you need to learn them immediately. Surveillance cameras (usually) don’t have audio feeds so visual motions are required since they are the only things that can be picked up via camera.

Make sure your signals are clear and unique. One or two fingers tapping the table for “Hit,” a full hand wave for “stand.” After a dealer’s been dealing for 8 straight hours things really start to blur so being very clear on your signals is a great help.

If you’re just learning, I would recommend trying to find a dead table (somewhere with nobody else playing, dealer is just standing there). That way the dealer can talk you through it and you can play at your own pace. I would let any incoming player know you are just a beginner. Courteous players will usually ask you before buying in.

And don’t be afraid if you screw up and the dealer has to call the floor manager to the table. Shit happens and casinos realize this. The floor’s presence is to authorize the dealer to take actions outside of normal procedure. If the casino is a dick about innocent mistakes, color up and leave. They don’t deserve your business.

If a dealer makes a mistake in the house’s favor, absolutely bring it up. You won, you deserve the money. If it’s in a player’s favor the choice is yours. Two things though: One, if the mistake is caught in due time, return the money without incident. You would want the casino to do the same. And two, bring it up NOW or NEVER. Don’t wait 15 minutes then say, “Oh well you paid that guy on a push a while back.” That is the worst of all worlds.

I think that’s a good start for your first go-round.

8

I have found that the best strategy ( and it’s green too!) for gambling is:

Insert you gambling money into an envelope.
Mail it to the casino.

This method eliminates all that unnecessary to and from traveling and eliminates carbon emissions.