A casino can be a confusing place, especially if you’ve never been to one before. Usually, casinos have wide, open rooms and a lot of people who appear to know what they’re doing. You’ll see security guards, pit bosses, dealers, and cameras hanging from the ceiling. Those are all great for keeping an eye on things, but they don’t tell you much about the games themselves. In many cases, you’ll need to ask a staff member for help.

In casino etiquette, you’ll want to be polite to the dealers, but you should never tip too much. A casino dealer gets paid minimum wage, so tipping them is expected, but it’s not required. Some dealers suggest giving 10% of your net win, which is generous but not necessary. Most casinos pool tips and split them fairly.

While many casino games provide a predictable long-term advantage to the casino, some have a skill element. In these cases, a player’s decision can change the outcome. This is called advantage play, and players with sufficient skills can eliminate the long-term disadvantage. The house edge is a factor to consider when deciding what to play.

While the exact origin of the casino game is not known, it has been practiced in almost every society throughout history. From ancient Mesopotamia to Elizabethan England, gambling has been an important part of human culture.