As someone who has been playing casino games for years, I've learned a thing or two about how to make the most of your experience. In this article, we'll cover the basics of casino etiquette, how to learn and improve at various games, and tips on when to stop and walk away.

Learning the Ropes

Before you start playing, take some time to learn the game. You can easily find tutorials online, like this blackjack tutorial or this craps tutorial. A quick Google search will also yield tons of how-to guides and advanced strategies to increase your odds. If you don't have time to research before hitting the floor, that's okay too. Look for a low-stakes table with a small minimum bet, like a $5-per-hand blackjack table (depending on the casino and the night, $10 might be the lowest you can find). Approach the table and tell the dealer that you'd like to play, but you don't know how. They'll gladly teach you, and might even show you how to play your cards right if you ask them.

Following Casino Etiquette

While you play, it's only beneficial for you to be a positive, kind, and upstanding patron – even if you're losing big time. Dealers will be nicer to you, cocktail waitresses will come around to your table more, and other players will appreciate it. I've had dealers give me advice on every hand to help me win, cocktail waitresses bring me doubles instead of single pours, and had a lot of great laughs with other players all because I wasn't a jerk. If you can't lose a little money and still be a decent person, don't play.

Some basic casino rules to follow:

• Never sit at a table unless you're going to play (no chilling and watching your buddy play).
• Wait until the hand is over before you sit at a table.
• Don't take out your phone while sitting at a table. They will yell at you.
• Don't touch your bet once you've placed it and the hand/spin/etc. has been dealt.
• Only touch your cards with one hand.
• Don't touch your winnings until the dealer has counted them out in front of you and pushed them toward you.
• Never stall the game to act like a hotshot (no blowing on dice, jumping around, or generally acting like you're doing anything even remotely important).
• Always tip your dealer regularly, either by handing them a chip and clearly saying "This is for you," or by placing a bet for them. Never try to tip them cash, chips only.
• Always tip your cocktail waitresses. I give them a $1-$5 chip every time they come around.

Knowing When to Stop

Gambling can be addictive, so you need to take precautions and know when it's time to quit. For example, free cocktails are great, but there's a reason the casino is giving them to you. Don't down too many and get reckless with your betting. Also, never chase your losses. Thinking you can suddenly get lucky again and recoup your lost money is the "gambler's fallacy." You start to believe you are due for a big win, and that you can get all your money back if you just put some more money in. Unfortunately, that's not how it works.

As soon as you're starting to have thoughts of "If I just play a little longer…", stop immediately. Lastly, avoid "gambler's conceit," which happens when you're up, playing with winnings, or on a hot streak. You start to think, "Maybe I should bet more since I'm doing so well," and "Sure, I could walk away with more than I started with, but maybe I should see this through…" Bad idea. Quit while you're ahead.

My personal rule is once I'm up 50% from what I started with, I take those chips and put them in my pocket not to be played with again. Then I play out whatever winnings I have left. If I continue to do well, I keep pocketing every 50% until my luck runs dry. With that setup, I'm always walking away with a little more than I started with – if I'm lucky.

Now you're ready to hit the floor, roll some dice, say cool things like "hit me," and have a good time. Good luck!