Sometimes, knowing your basic blackjack strategy is just as important as casino etiquette; so here’s what you should avoid, if you want to be a respected gambler.

Many gamblers like to think of themselves as professional blackjack players, but a closer look will reveal that they have no clue what they’re doing or why they’re doing it. Others simply don’t know how to behave in a casino. In any case, these annoying players are ruining the image of professional gamblers and we don’t like them.

If you’re going to play like a pro, you need to know your basic casino table manners and this includes being familiar with the rules, signs and terms, as well as behaving properly. But there are so many other annoying mistakes that even professional or semi-professional players make. Sometimes too often.

So here’s a list of things we’d like blackjack players to stop doing:

1. Deviating from basic blackjack strategy

First of all, we should get one thing out of the way: you absolutely must learn your basic blackjack strategy. Ok, not that we’ve cleared that one up, here’s another advice: study your strategy charts and practice until you don’t need to keep checking the charts anymore. Casinos do allow you to have a strategy card with you, but it’s really annoying when a player keeps checking it before making a move.

Now that you know the chart by heart, you can head to the casino.

Out first point on the list of things gamblers need to stop doing is deviating from blackjack strategy and playing a hunch. This is not so much about a player’s behavior, but about differentiating amateurs from pros. In the eye of a professional blackjack player, this is one of the worse mistakes a gambler can do. We cannot stress this enough: never deviate from the basic blackjack strategy written on your cards.

2. Losing their temper

You would think this goes without saying, right? Well… it doesn’t. Nobody likes a guy who keeps yelling, banging his fist on the table and just generally taking his anger out on whoever happens to be around him. If you can’t deal with losing, you should not be playing casino games.

The same thing goes for people who are constantly talking or being so loud that they are bothering other players. The casino is not your private playground; other players are there to have fun, just like you, so don’t ruin the experience for them.

3. Making huge bets just to show off

Betting a lot of money just to show those around you that you can afford it is not advised. Not only is this rude, but it’s also completely to your disadvantage, because you might end up losing more than you can afford. A professional blackjack player always lowers his bet when he knows he will lose a hand and increases it when he has a good chance of winning.

4. Criticizing other players’ moves

While you might feel confident enough to teach others how to play, it’s better to keep your blackjack tricks and tips to yourself. It is not your business to judge other players and to criticize their moves. How would you like it if someone kept bugging you while you’re trying to focus on your game?

Every gambler has his own style, determined by his personal background and experience and you have to accept it. You might be better or they might just be having a bad day. Either way, it’s not your problem.

5. Not knowing when to quit

This is a common mistake made by professionals and amateurs alike. Knowing when to quit is a “skill” every professional gambler needs to learn how to master. If you make frequent trips to the same casino, you’ll be noticed. And the thing with casinos is that they do let you win, but they also need you to lose every now and then.

When you’ve lost a significant amount of money over an hour’s time, it’s time to stop. It is also time to make sure that the casino staff knows about this. Next time you’re there you might be on a winning streak, and it will be easier for them to accept it, if they know you’ve lost some too.

So if you want people to take you seriously, make sure you don’t make the mistakes we mentioned in this article. Why? Because for some players, gambling is not just a game; it’s a respectable profession.