Casino hotel rooms and towers
Casino hotel rooms are usually arranged in one or more towers above or beside the casino. In a large casino resort the walk from the casino hotel room to the casino floor can take several minutes, so it is worth asking which tower you are in. Casino hotels often price the same room differently by tower, floor and view.
Most casino hotels sell a standard room, a larger premium room and suites. Read the casino hotel's own room description for bed type and size rather than relying on the room name, because names differ from one casino hotel to the next.
Casino floor basics
The casino floor of a casino hotel is divided into slot machines and casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat. Many casinos also have a poker room and, where it is legal, a sportsbook. Every casino table shows its minimum and maximum bet on a sign, and those casino limits often rise in the evening.
Slot machines in most casinos pay out with a printed ticket that you redeem at a kiosk or at the casino cage. Casino chips from table games are cashed at the casino cage as well. You will need government-issued photo ID in the casino, and casinos check it.
Casino etiquette
Casino etiquette is simple. Wait for a hand or spin to finish before joining a casino table, place cash on the table rather than handing it to the casino dealer, and keep phones away from casino table games, where casinos usually restrict them. Photography is often limited on the casino floor.
Tipping casino dealers and casino cocktail servers is customary in the United States. If you are unsure of a casino rule, ask the dealer or a casino floor supervisor before you play.
Casino hotel dining
A casino hotel usually has restaurants at several price levels, from a quick casino food court or cafe to a steakhouse or chef-led dining room. Larger casino resorts may have a dozen or more casino restaurants. Reserve the casino hotel dinner you care about most before you travel.
Eating a proper meal before an evening in the casino is the easiest way to keep a clear head. Casino players club points can sometimes be spent in casino hotel restaurants.
Casino resort spa, pool and shows
Casino resorts invest heavily in what happens away from the casino. A casino resort spa, a pool deck and a theater are standard at the larger casino hotels. Pool access is normally included for casino hotel guests, while the casino resort spa may need a treatment booking or a day pass.
Check the casino resort's show schedule for your dates before you choose a casino hotel. A good casino hotel stay has a rhythm: time by the pool, dinner, a show, and a set amount of time in the casino.
Responsible casino play
Treat the casino as paid entertainment. Decide what the casino part of the trip may cost before you arrive at the casino hotel, divide it by the number of days, and stop when the day's casino budget is gone. Never use money meant for the casino hotel bill or for travel.
Casinos are designed to be absorbing, so plan breaks away from the casino floor. If gambling stops being fun, stop. Every casino can explain its self-exclusion program, and help is available in the United States at 1-800-GAMBLER.