Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

In their heyday, heading to the casino was seen as a grand night out on the tiles. It was an occasion where men would dress to impress and ladies would dress to the nines.

Seen not only as a place to play games, but it was seen as the ideal place to socialise and mingle. Due to the fact that a night in the casino was seen as a really classy occasion, a respectful etiquette was quickly established and that has largely stayed in place to this day. 

Whilst a visit to an online casino where live games are housed doesn’t quite require the same level of etiquette, there are still some essential rules that those playing live casino games need to abide by. Let’s review some of these in further detail. 

Respect is essential to the dealers 

Gaming should always be seen as a fun pastime and it’s essential that when gambling, people stick to what they can afford. Winning and losing money can sometimes bring in a whole raft of emotions, but the one thing that is imperative when playing a live casino game is how people interact with the dealers. 

The dealers at a live casino can help set the mood at the table, but it is always imperative that no matter the outcome, players are always polite and courteous. Failure to treat the dealers with the respect they deserve can lead to harsh penalties with the worst offenders sometimes being suspended or even banned from playing online altogether. 

Treating the dealers in a courteous manner is often seen as any live casino’s number one rule.

Treat fellow players with respect

One of the main positives to playing live casino games is that the game can be enjoyed with players all over the world. In most cases live casino rooms have a chat functionality that enables each of the participating players to talk to one another.

Just as is the case when speaking to the dealers, the same rules apply when speaking to fellow players and these interactions should always be conducted in a positive and friendly fashion. 

If tensions were to ever arise, the online casino is often well within its rights to hand out penalties or other sanctions. The mood within live casino games should always be positive and friendly, it is up to those playing to ensure that remains the case. 

When winning don’t rub it in

It is the nature of every type of casino game that players will both win and lose.

It is always essential that players act with grace and humility as that ensures that the room remains respectful and a fun and relaxed environment to play in. 

When losing don’t lose your temper

Keeping the atmosphere respectful is always key.

One thing that can’t be tolerated is for any player to lose their temper and blame either the dealer or other players. 

Those playing in live casinos need to accept the fact that losing does happen, if it does, players need to remember to act in a courteous and kind fashion. 

When playing be present  

Live casinos can only be played when there is either a solid WiFi connection or someone is playing through their data package and ideally a connection needs to be kept strong. 

When playing a game like blackjack each player will have an allotted time where they need to act, whilst in some circumstances the other players will respect and allow the clock to run all the way down, if it is repeated time and time again, it’s only fair that some players may get annoyed. 

What is crucial is that when players are playing live casino games they are present and not doing other things. Acting and making quick decisions benefits the entire room and ensures that the atmosphere of the room remains vibrant. 

It is often something that isn’t spoken about but having a decent connection and acting in a quick and timely fashion are vital to ensuring that the etiquette of the live casino is maintained.

Make sure you understand the rules and don’t ask the dealers for advice 

In order to keep any live casino game flowing, it is important that those playing understand the rules and any nuances that the game might hold. 

Ensuring that the game is fully understood will mean that the game should flow in a quick and fluid manner and that players don’t repeatedly use their full time allowance. 

If for whatever reason somebody doesn’t understand the rules, it isn’t out of the question that some of the tables other players may offer advice, but one thing that shouldn’t be done is to ask the dealer for guidance. 

The dealers are neutral parties, they shouldn’t be seen as ambassadors or advisors to the game that they are dealing. If ever asked, a dealer should refuse to offer up any advice and any repeated asks could end up with a penalty or even lead to a player being banned. 

Don’t forget to tip 

Whilst tipping in a live casino isn’t seen as mandatory, it can be a nice thing to do.

Dealers often go well out of their way to make any casino game memorable and providing a tip as a token of their gratitude can go a long way.

Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

With the evolution of technology greatly assisting in the development of online casinos and poker sites such as PokerStars, one of the most popular and busiest areas are the Live Casino pages.

Whereas traditionally, online casinos hosted and offered games that would see players play against sophisticated bots and machines, live casino games sees players play against live dealers and croupiers. Replicating the feel of an actual casino, live casino games can be played from the comfort of a player’s home, or even on the move through various mobile devices.

With many of the best software and casino game developers seeing the future of online casinos lying in live casino games, finding out where to start can often be a daunting experience, however that’s where we can help. With plenty of choice, if you ever want to play in the live casino area on PokerStars, here is our essential starters guide.

What games are available?

The Live Casino pages on the PokerStars pages offer plenty of choice and if you are new to the page, knowing where to start can be overwhelming.

Blackjack and Roulette

The bulk of most Live Casino pages focus on Blackjack and Roulette games and there are many different options available at PokerStars. The most important thing to recognise when looking at the PokerStars Black and Roulette live casino page is taking note of the different games and themes that are available. 

Whereas there are many classic and traditional games available, there are quicker variants that can be played such as ‘Lightning Roulette’ or ‘Speed Blackjack.’ These games apply the same traditional rules of Roulette and Blackjack but operate at a much quicker pace, whilst some players will love the fast paced nature of these games, it won’t be for everyone. 

There are also games that contain specific themes which might offer a slightly different lens on traditional Roulette and Blackjack games that have been around for so long. ‘Fireball Roulette’ is a different kind of roulette that contains bonus rounds and other fun features.

With so much to choose from, make sure you take your time to find a game and variant of Blackjack and Roulette that suits your playing style. The joy of Live Casino games is that you don’t need to deposit and stake right away, you can watch the games before placing any bet. If you encounter a game that you have never seen before, it makes sense to watch the action before deciding if that game is worth playing.

Game Show games

One of the fastest rising game areas that are flooding the live casino space at online casinos all over the world are game show style games. This new breed of live casino games have quickly become some of PokerStars most popular games and every game of this genre can be found via the Game Shows tab at the top of the page on both your mobile and desktop.

Arguably the most important thing to think about when it comes to these Game Show games is that not every game is the same and in fact some are very different. As we have explained above, whereas live casino games such as Roulette and Blackjack do have many different variants, these variants are often structured around the foundations of the traditional rules of both games, game show games can sometimes contain unique rules that can take some time to become accustomed to.

One of the reasons why game show games have become popular is that in comparison to Blackjack and Roulette which have limited seating options, game show games can accommodate hundreds of players at any one time and can even see different players interact with one another.

Another huge difference between the bulk of game show games and Blackjack and Roulette is that whereas Roulette and Blackjack games reset after each hand or spin, game show games can often contain many different bonus rounds. Often these games start with a qualifying round, players could then be taken to bonus rounds where further gameplay will take place.

It is important to note that game show games can sometimes take longer than Blackjack and Roulette to play, they also might require additional staking as the game develops. Similarly to our advice for those wanting to potentially play either live Roulette or Blackjack, take your time to experience the game and see how it works, these games can be tricky to understand.

Baccarat and Poker

The other two areas that make up the PokerStars Live Casino pages are Baccarat and Poker. It is important to note that the Poker games on offer within Live Casino pages are one hand variants and not the poker games that will be offered on PokerStars dedicated poker pages.

These two game sections contain many different variations of both Baccarat and Poker, but in comparison to Roulette, Blackjack and the Game Show areas, don’t have the same number of games that can be played.

When finding the game you like, make sure you understand how the game works to ensure that you know the speed of play and rules of the table.

Finding a game that suits your wallet

With plenty of choice when it comes to PokerStars Live Casino pages, it is important that you find a game that suits your playinf wants. When it comes to choosing your table or game, every game should specify what the game or table limits are and it is essential that you choose a table that fits your limits.

When it comes to Roulette and Blackjack there are tables for those that want to play small stakes and there are tables for high rollers. At certain times of the day the Live Casino pages will be more popular than at other times. If playing during the peak hours of the evening, spaces at tables might be limited. If you look around there should be other games that have seats or availability, but bear in mind you may need to be patient before you find a seat at a table that matches your budget.

Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

It’s no secret that many in the casino industry believe that the future of online casinos very much lies in live casino games.

There are many different reasons as to why live casinos are flourishing. Traditional games such as roulette and blackjack contain many different variations and the rise of new game show games have pushed the boundaries of live casino game play to even new heights. 

Across the world, millions of players play live casino games and there are no signs that the popularity of these games are going to wane. So what are the reasons behind players turning to the world of live casino games? Let’s take a look at some of these reasons in much more detail.

Choice

One of the most obvious reasons behind the rise of live casinos is choice. Whether a casino is situated in a city centre or has a prime position on the Las Vegas Strip, the one problem all real life casinos share is that they only have a finite space to work with and they can offer up so many games. 

That problem doesn’t exist in live casinos and in most instances, if a player wants to play a game of roulette or blackjack a live casino should offer them an opportunity to do that. 

Let’s take blackjack or roulette as an example. The PokerStars live casino lobby holds almost 100 different blackjack or roulette games that can be played and there are hundreds of tables that can be accessed. Whilst at peak times, the live casino tables can be busy, on most occasions a spare seat should be found fairly easily and there shouldn’t be much waiting which can obviously happen in a real life casino space.

Variations

It is usually common that real life casinos will choose to run traditional versions of popular casino games such as roulette, blackjack, poker and baccarat – some of the super casinos may have the luxury of space which allows them to operate game variations, but usually the most popular variations of blackjack and roulette are dedicated to the live casino space.

Due to live casino games being assisted with fast and slick technology, speed can be of the essence and it isn’t surprising that people have been drawn to ‘Lightning’ and ‘Turbo’ versions of both blackjack and roulette. 

Usually offering a fast way of playing these casino favourites that simply can’t be matched within a real life casino, the new speedier versions of these games have drawn many to the live casino lobbies.

Live casinos are seen as legitimate and authentic

Online casinos have always been popular and games like blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat traditionally saw players take on the computer. Whilst all of these traditional games would have been vigorously tested for fairness, the fact that the dealer in these games was often a faceless entity, did make these traditional online games appear slightly soulless and many would question its fairness. 

Those feelings have been completely turned upside down with the rise of live casinos. Let’s take live blackjack as an example. 

When you sit down to play live blackjack you are greeted with a real life dealer and can see the packs that help constitute the deck and the physical cards themselves. With everything in front of you, any suspicions surrounding fairness are immediately banished as everything can be seen.

Social interactions help bring the hustle and bustle of a real casino to life

Real life casinos are often busy places and there is usually an atmosphere of fun that fills the air. When online casinos were first launched that was something that was obviously missing as online casino games saw players play largely on their own against a computer led dealer. Players couldn’t interact with others, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that some may have found the experience fairly soulless. All of that has been flipped on its head with the emergence of live casinos.

When playing live casino games, usually players can chat to others and in most instances it could be that these players hail from different parts of the world which can help make live casinos feel exceptionally unique. 

That feeling of the casino atmosphere that is emitted through live casino games is often one of the main reasons which makes them so popular. As technology improves and the use of AI makes having conversations with fellow players even easier to have, this is an area that should improve and should help make live casino games even more popular to play. 

Game show games have helped take casino games to the next level

One of the huge reasons behind the surge in popularity of live casino games has been the emergence and rise of game show style games.

Requiring dealers to be fun and welcoming, these games are hugely social and equally fun to play. Often usually containing several levels and several different ways to play, game show games have changed the nature of casino games and it isn’t a surprise that each year, new games are developed and released.

Live casino games thrive on interaction and the ability to house unique games that just can’t be found in a real life casino environment and that is what game show games have been able to do.

Afforded its own time and space, game show games can take its players on a journey and it isn’t surprising that those who operate gambling streams online often choose live casino games to broadcast to their followers.

There is a feeling that the type of game show games have only just scratched the surface and as these games become more embedded into casino culture, the ever evolving sophistication of these games will only help live casinos become even more popular.

Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

When you think of a real life casino, what can often set the mood and atmosphere on the casino floor are the dealers and how they interact with casino guests.

Often it is the dealers who embody the spirit and meaning of a casino brand and reflect what the casino stands for and although a live casino doesn’t allow for players and dealers to meet face to face, the interaction of dealers in a live casino space is still paramount to the experience that is offered.

Let’s take a look in more detail at the different kinds of skills that a live casino dealer needs, some of them you may not even see.

Professionalism 

At the top of any list of requirements as to what makes a great live casino dealer, one of the key fundamentals is the ability to be professional. 

Whether it’s a live casino or a real casino environment, when players encounter a dealer they expect a certain level of professionalism and it is essential that every live dealer lives up to professional standards. 

At times due to the fact that interactions are made via a chat room, players might feel they have more licence to be abusive or push the boundaries of acceptable levels of interaction. Whatever is being said, it is important that dealers don’t react personally and they remain calm. Live casinos have strict rules in place for players to adhere to and it is essential that dealers try not to take anything personally and flag any criticism to their superiors. 

In real life casino scenarios, it is the dealer that sets the tone and atmosphere of the table. It is essential that the same is true within a live casino. Live dealers should feel licensed to acknowledge any table wins, but also act in a sympathetic and professional fashion should losses occur.

Card handling skills need to be high

When you visit a real life casino it can often be mesmerising to see how skilled the dealers are when it comes to handling cards, shuffling cards and the speed in which they deal. The same needs to be true for those specialising in dealing within a live casino.

Many players turn to live tables due to the speed that blackjack and roulette games often take. In most circumstances, game play is far quicker in a live environment and it is up to the live dealers to ensure that the pace of play is kept high. In order for this to happen, live casino dealers need to have all of the skills that their real life casino counterparts have.

In order to hone their craft, dealers will often spend hours practicing their card handling skills, they possess skills that very few can match. Working in a live casino environment as a dealer can be a pressured environment, with the need for the action to be fast and flowing it is essential that the dealer has the skills to overcome any challenges and keep the gameplay moving along.

Adaptability

Live casino areas boast many different games that can be played and most live casinos offer up roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat and game show games that can be played. 

Whereas some games may need dedicated dealers who only work on that particular game, it is more likely that dealers will need to work across many different games – therefore their skills need to be adaptable. 

Different games will require different skills. For example when working on the blackjack tables, dealers will need to be quick when dealing the cards and their maths needs to be on point in order to work out who has what. When it comes to roulette speed is often the key and a dealer needs to ensure that a new game is ready to be played at the end of the timer.

Game show games require dealers to be enthusiastic and upbeat, these games can often last several minutes before the game resets.

In order to flourish across the many different games within a live casino, dealers need to work on their skills and elements of their personality to ensure that they succeed across every game. 

Rounded personalities

Arguably the most important skill that any casino dealer needs to have, is the ability to talk and adapt to different players. Due to the nature of table games, there will be occasions where emotions run high or there could even be instances where dealers need to give players the space to make decisions. 

A dealer that can interact well with the players on their table will often see the mood being lighter and can generate a fun and welcome atmosphere. However, that shouldn’t always be the default position to take.

On high roller blackjack tables, there will be occasions where players need the mental space to make tough decisions and the dealer should be able to read the room to see what levels of interaction will need to be required. Good dealers should know when to talk and when to stay in the background. 

Dealers also need to be accountable. Mistakes can happen and if a dealer does make an error, they need to hold up their hands and do their best to rectify the situation in a professional and timely fashion. 

As well as being light-hearted and bubbly there will be times where dealers need to remain firm. There could be instances where tensions boil over between players at the table and the dealer needs to ensure that a line isn’t crossed when it comes to acceptable language or behaviour. 

Dealers are in charge at the table and they need to enforce the rules and boundaries to ensure that everyone is safe and has fun. 

Throughout a shift it is likely that a dealer will need to don many hats, they need to have many layers of their personality to really thrive and excel. 

Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

A loyalty programme is a system that businesses use to reward their customers for repeated engagement. In the world of online casinos, loyalty programmes are designed to offer perks such as bonus cash, exclusive promotions, rakebacks or special rewards based on players’ activity.

It’s essentially the casino’s way of saying, “Thank you for playing – here’s a little something extra to enhance your experience!” Players usually earn points for activities like placing bets, paying tournament fees, or participating in promotions. Let’s take a look at the PokerStars programme in more detail.

What is Rakeback in the Loyalty Programme?

To understand PokerStars’ rewards system better, it helps to know what ‘rakeback’ is. The rake is a small fee charged by the casino or poker site for facilitating games, taken from each hand in cash games or added to tournament fees. Rakeback is a way of giving players a percentage of the rake they’ve paid back to them as cash or bonuses. It’s really a cashback system that uses an offset to balance the cost of playing while giving loyalty rewards.

For example, if a player adds £10 in rake during a game session and have a 20% rakeback deal, they’d receive £2 back.

Tiered Rewards & Rakeback Systems Explained

‘Stars Rewards’ is the loyalty programme operated by PokerStars, which uses a tier-based system to allow players to accumulate points. By gaining points, a player moves up a level, similar to Space Invaders or Pac-Man style levels. By moving through different levels, players can pick up perks and prizes at each stage.

Here’s How The Loyalty System Works in Practice:

• Earning Reward Points: Players accumulate points by playing games and paying rake (the small fee mentioned earlier).
• Unlocking Chests: Once enough points are earned, players unlock chests filled with prizes and rewards. These prize chests range from Blue (beginner level) to Black (elite level), with higher tiers offering bigger prizes and greater % of rakeback.

The Chest Levels in Detail in Grid Form

The loyalty system features six main Chest levels, each tied to a specific number of points and offering different rewards:

What’s Inside the Chests?

The chests contain various rewards, such as:

• Cash Rewards: Exactly what it says it is.
• Tournament Tickets: Players have access to new and exclusive game tournaments.
• Free Spins or Bonuses: Ideal for casino or slot game players.
• Personalised Rewards: Offers, perks and rewards tailored to a player’s playing style.

For High-Volume Players:

PokerStars also offers exclusive schemes for its most dedicated players:

• PokerStars Select: Rewards players who contribute £50,000 or more in rake or tournament fees annually with up to 50% rakeback in cash rewards, paid daily.
• There is PokerStars Select+ which provides players who contribute over £100,000 annually with up to 60% rakeback for select games.

Why Players Enjoy a Loyalty Programme

The tiered rewards system is well-liked for its transparency and flexibility. Whatever type of player you are the programme offers options that scale with your level of activity.

Live casino etiquette – what you should and shouldn’t do

Back in the golden age of land-based casinos, when cash was king and the only dress code was dinner suits with ties for men and cocktail dresses for women, cigarette holders were optional. The brick-and-mortar casino was the epitome of glamour and charm. A night to remember, a place to be seen.

Roll on 75 years, and times have changed; the original style of the casino experience has evolved to keep up with the changing world. Real and dynamic change started in the mid-1990s with the invention of the Internet—the Gambling Act of 2005, which later provided a comprehensive legal framework for online gambling. The change may have happened slowly for some, while others have embraced the new world order and tackled digital gaming head-on.

Twenty years since the Gambling Act came into play, the face of on-shore gaming establishments is unrecognisable, and some might say not before time. So, what’s the future of land-based casinos? How can they embrace the digital age and still offer a nostalgic experience?

The Digitalisation of Casinos

The digitalisation of gaming has made in-person gambling establishments reevaluate their formats. It’s no longer enough just to offer free drinks and snacks while playing slots; customers expect all the benefits of digitalisation with the fusion of traditional entertainment and cutting-edge technology. All the fun of the fair, but better – an HD experience with all the shortcuts. But how do the shortcuts present themselves as a bonus rather than a barrier to customer satisfaction without breaking the house budget? Here are some ways traditional casinos have got it right.

What Land-based Casinos are Doing Right

• Hybrid destinations and experiences: Giving customers all the benefits of old-school games but with a digital twist. Gamers might use VR headsets to explore themed environments while playing live dealer games, blurring the line between physical presence and immersive technology.
• Personalised player journeys: Ai dealers will instantly recoginise the player and be able to personalised gaming recommendations and implement dynamic environments that adapt to player preferences (like lighting, music, or themed atmospheres like male or female dealers), the focus will shift so each visitor feels like the experience is uniquely crafted for them.
• Cashless gambling: Many physical casinos already offer cashless play, but with a preference for crypto in some land-based establishments, the days of the iconic chip are all but over.
• Gamification of gaming: Digitalisation has accelerated the gamification of traditional games like blackjack, roulette and poker. Traditional houses must compete with online gaming sites like PokerStars, which offer an immersive experience by remapping the style of play with more lights, sound, and better payouts.
• Casinos as entertainment hubs: Ground-based gaming venues have always been entertainment hubs, but in a much smaller and less inclusive way. Today, entertainment is no longer secondary to gambling; the way we view entertainment has changed. Land-based casinos increase their revenue by offering top-class leisure activities and no longer consider them a loss leader.

The Advantages of Land-Based Casinos

What land-based establishments have over strictly online environments is the ability to pivot. To offer both an online experience in a well-designed and thought-out physical environment. It’s an advantage that in-person gambling establishments exploit to maximise profits. A land-based casino can be all things to all people, but an online gambling site can only be that, online. The integration of digital and physical elements offers players a future where casinos are more immersive, accessible, and secure than ever before.

Can Online Casinos Topple the In-Person Experience?

The battle between online and physical casinos is no longer just about convenience versus tradition; it’s a dynamic clash of experiences, technology, and human interaction. So, can online platforms dethrone the fun of stepping onto a casino floor?

The argument in favour of online play has always been about convenience; for 20 years, the ability to game without leaving home has been a winner. No travel, no waiting, just pure play in your PJs; however, times and views are changing. People want to socialise and enjoy an all-around experience that includes shoes and socks, so what can be done to ensure online gaming stays on top?

Technology makes playing online feel futuristic. A foot in the future caters to players by offering live dealer games, high-definition graphics, and interactive features that mimic real-life experiences. Bonuses and promotions sweeten the deal, creating an environment where the odds feel more favourable than ever and the lure of convenience appeals to our inherently lazy nature.

What’s Next for Casinos?

Just when you think land-based and online casino establishments can’t get any more innovative, technology proves they can – here are some gaming ideas that some underground sources say are in the pipeline to promote new game play:

• Holographic displays: Right out of Blade Runner 2049, holographic croupiers guide you through games or immersive 3d visuals provide dynamic storytelling for themed slot machines.
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs): This idea is Black Mirror-esque; an implant will allow players to control games using their thoughts. In reality, BCIs could pave the way for hands-free gaming, offering unprecedented interactivity for players with physical limitations.
• Metaverse integration: Integration is happening already; it’s possible to game in the Metaverse if you’re over 18 and have an account and enjoy that kind of experience.

The Gap Between Reality and Virtual Reality

Most of the bullet points listed above could be the future of online gaming; they are not real and may never exist. The fact is that the gap between reality and online may not require a winner. Innovations like hybrid casinos, blending physical and digital elements, could represent a harmonious balance.

Ultimately, online casinos can rival many aspects of in-person experiences through technology, but it’s less about which is better and more about what the player seeks: convenience or atmosphere, accessibility or fun.