Whether you prefer slots, blackjack, roulette or something completely different, the best thing about visiting Blue Water Resort and Casino is that you have plenty of options when it comes to placing your bets. You can bet low or bet high—there is a table or machine there to fit your needs. However, when it comes time to up the ante, so to speak, and play at the high limit tables or machines, you may feel a bit nervous. Here are five etiquette tips for high limit gaming—at Blue Water or anywhere else you may play.

• Know the Chip Colors – If you are playing a table game, you will have to deal with chips. The high limit tables mean that you will need to know several different denominations. Learn these well so that you do not have to fumble with the different colors and chips during play and slow things down. Your tablemates and the dealer will appreciate this!
• Don’t Try to Buy Chips Between Hands – The dealer is very busy in mid-hand trying to keep track of everything happening on the table. Do not confuse the issue even more by trying to buy chips. Wait until the hand is finished and then buy in. You will make the dealer and other players happier by doing this.
• Know the Game Rules – While the lower limit tables expect that new players will try to play and may need a refresher of rules, this should not be the case at a high limit table. At high limit machines, this isn’t an issue, but for your sake you will want to review the rules on the machine before you try to play.
• Don’t Criticize Other’s Play – While you may not appreciate how another chooses to play the game (and in Blackjack it CAN affect your hand), don’t criticize this play. If necessary, you can get up and move or come back later. This type of criticism is not needed and may make other feel bad.
• Tip – While tipping is optional, it is expected. Tip based on the friendliness of the dealer and how well you are doing. You’ll be more popular at the table and possibly boost your gambling “karma” if you believe in it too!

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to high-stakes gambling. However, just remember that your dealer and likely your tablemates are NOT likely to get upset with you if they can see that you are trying your best to follow proper standards for etiquette. Once you are a bit more comfortable with how to play at the high limit tables or machines, it is time to book your next trip to Blue Water Resort and Casino. We can’t wait to see you at the tables—hopefully, you’ll win big!

In most casino games, like slots, blackjack, and roulette, you play against the “house”—or the dealer/machine. It all comes down to smart play and luck. However, with certain games, like Texas Hold’em Poker for one, you are playing against other people, not the house. When you play against the other people at the table, you must consider another element in your gameplay. You will have to “read” your opponent. Not only does it matter what cards you hold, but also it matters whether you can beat the cards your opponent holds or if you can convince them to fold. The key to reading your opponent is spotting his or her tells. Here are five tips that can help you hone this important skill.

• Watch for Speed – The best players play at a consistent speed, no matter what cards they hold. However, you may be able to catch a player with a tell of playing a strong hand faster or a weak hand slower (or possibly vice versa). Pay attention to the speed at which your opponents check and bet every round and look for inconsistencies.

• Protection – One of the most common tells is the tendency to want to “protect” good hand. Look for your opponent to look to cover up a hand that is particularly good. Perhaps he or she will want to hold it closer or even cover it with a poker chip.

• Looking Back at Cards – When a player has a big hand, he or she is more likely to look back and check his or her hole cards. This is done to make sure they are “correct”. A player who keeps looking back at his cards is more likely happy with his hand than unhappy!

• Opposite Behavior – People tend to want to “act” at the table. If they are strong, they will want to act weak, and if they are weak, they will want to act strong. This is one of the classic tells—especially among people new to the game.

• Tremble – A person who has trembling hands most likely has a big hand. It might be time to fold—unless you have a monster!

The most important thing to remember about tells is that they are not a guarantee. Some players are better actors than others or are better at hiding their tells. Other players may not exhibit the classic tells and show an entirely different selection of behaviors. The best thing you can do is to spend time watching the players at your table and look for inconsistencies in their play. The moments that sway from the norm are the ones that you need to pay the most attention to—this is when the player likely has a big hand or a big bluff in the works!