I am one of those people who travel to Las Vegas, Nev., for everything it has to offer but gambling.

I'm a sucker for glitzy hotel lobbies, 25,000-square-foot spas and Cirque du Soleil's latest acrobatic offering. On occasion, my significant other drags me away from the miles of window shopping to accompany him on the casino floor with my lady luck and to "roll the bones."

As a nongambler, I appreciate the energy of a good table and the thrill of the win, but my knowledge and enthusiasm stops there. To me, Baccarat is crystal and a winning hand is the sign of a perfect manicure.

For those venturing further afield than I, review these rules of gambling etiquette and avoid casino conundrums.

• View gambling as entertainment and not as a way to earn a living. The difference between the allure of Ocean's Eleven and an ocean of debt may be as thin as a poker chip. Set your budget in advance and consider leaving your ATM and credit cards behind.

• Wear a watch. Casinos deliberately don't have clocks or windows so your ability to gauge time is diminished. The later it gets, the worse your judgment may become.

• Educate yourself in advance. Many casinos offer gaming instruction at specific times of the day. As a novice, stand behind a table for a short period to observe the procedures before sitting down.

• Buy in between hands so as not to disrupt play. If you sit down during play, do so quietly and wait patiently.

• Don't flash wads of cash. Be discreet. When you buy in, place your money on the table for the dealer to pick up, not directly to him or her. Request chips in the denominations for the betting you are doing. Don't request $5 chips if you'll be placing $100 bets.

• You'll see more security cameras in a casino than at your bank. Many of the rules related to gambling are to prevent cheating. Pay very close attention to rules about touching bets after a play has begun or bending a card so as to not create any misunderstanding that could lead to ejection or worse.

• Cellphone conversations are a no-no at the tables, as is taking photos. You don't want a pit boss thinking you are casing the joint.

• Smokers should be mindful of nonsmokers. Blow smoke away from the table.

• Most casinos offer free drinks to players at the table, but drinking too much can lead to poor judgment with your money and your plays. Not to mention, drunken behavior is distracting and could lead to ejection from the casino. Also, casinos often only allow players to have one drink at a time. Don't hold up your table by finishing your beer while the server waits to hand you the next one you've just ordered.

• Be brief when taking a bathroom break or to stretch your legs. Notify your dealer and, if you like, leave your chips to hold your space or prop the back of your chair against the table. If you are playing slot machines, you may turn your coin cup upside down on the chair or on the arm, if there is one.

• Tip your dealer and cocktail server. As members of the service industry, these key people are likely earning minimum wage, and tips make up most of their income. You can tip a dealer in chips as soon as you sit down, throughout your time at the table, when you win big, once when you leave or place a bet for him or her. Win or lose, an average tip is $5 per hour. At tables with a $100 or more minimum, tips should be proportionate to your bets. Just as in a restaurant, tip less for poor or unfriendly service. Tip cocktailers a dollar or more a drink like you would at a bar. If you order nonalcoholic drinks, you still tip.

Whether you hit the slots locally or venture into a high-stakes Texas Hold 'Em tournament in Vegas, hit the jackpot by following these tips for being a gracious gambler.

Bizia Greene owns the Etiquette School of
Santa Fe. Send your comments and conundrums
to www.etiquettesantafe.com">www.etiquettesantafe.com or 988-2070.