Between the table games, the slots, and the never-ending trays of free drinks, your first visit to a casino can be overwhelming. We rounded up casino tips from experts Frank Scoblete, author of 35 books, including I Am A Card Counter: Inside the World Of Advantage-Play Blackjack!, and Susan Battaglia, casino operations manager for L’auberge Lake Charles in Louisiana, to help you prepare, whether you’re planning an excursion to a nearby gaming hub or Las Vegas casinos.

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Blackjack and roulette are two of the easiest casino games to learn.

From books to YouTube videos, there are lots of resources for learning how to play casino games. But, Scoblete warns, “beware of writers who say the math of the games is unimportant or that this or that betting system can overcome the math.”

Two of the easiest games to learn are roulette and blackjack, and you can often find learning aids at the casino itself. Battaglia notes that you can get a player tracking sheet for roulette that lays out what each bet pays, and Scoblete recommends a basic strategy card that helps you learn blackjack by telling you what to do with every hand.

Want to learn a different game? Go in the morning.

“The business levels are slow enough [in the early morning] where the dealers are happy to see you here and they have that time where they can teach you how to play,” Battaglia says. She adds that you should start with low-limit tables, as high-limit gamblers don’t have patience for novices. Check for signs on each table detailing the minimum and maximum bets.

DON’T give other players gambling advice. DO respect their personal space.

Once you’re playing, there are some definite don’ts. Battaglia's no-nos include “touching the cards on a shoe blackjack game, adding to your bet after the cards are out, [and] taking cards or dice off of the table."

If another player asks for help, Scoblete advises you to refer them to the dealer. “If the player loses you might never hear the end of it,” he says.

Nobody likes a lurker, and that’s especially true when there are large sums of money around. Whether you’re watching a table game to figure out how it’s played or drawn to the excitement of a slot payout, keep your distance.

“The key is not to be intrusive,” Scoblete says. “Don’t hang your head over someone’s shoulder at a table game and don’t stand close behind craps players.”

Keep your phone on silent.

Most casinos allow cameras on the gaming floor, but they frown upon taking photos of the staff or anyone you don’t know. As for phones, don’t hold a game up to tell your friend back home how much fun you’re having.

“If you get a phone call and [you’re] in the middle of a hand, you have to wait until the hand’s played out,” Battaglia says. “[At that point, you can] step away from the table and use your phone.”

Be a good tipper, even if you lose.

Win or lose, be sure to tip wait staff, slot attendants, and other service employees. Workers on the gaming floor typically accept cash or chips, and you can tip a dealer by placing a bet on their behalf.

Being drunk or rude can get you kicked out.

“If you’ve had too much to drink, then we ask you to go take a nap [or] get something to eat,” Battaglia says. “The last thing we want is someone who’s not coherent sitting down at a table losing money.”

Speaking of which: if luck eludes you, don’t take it out on others. Battaglia and Scoblete both say yelling at staff or other guests is a surefire way to get booted from the casino.