If you're planning to visit a San Diego casino or another casino elsewhere but haven't had any experience in this setting, you'll be amazed at the bright lights, exciting noises and the constant flow of people looking to win some cash. When you're ready to get into some gaming, it's important that you follow casino etiquette protocols. While every casino has a list of some of its important rules to follow, there are a number of universal unwritten rules that are important to know to avoid embarrassment or offending those around you. Here are three important rules to get you started.

Be Careful With Photos

Many casinos will allow visitors to take photos with their cameras or smartphones--after all, it's fun to document your night out to share on social media. While you should feel free to take snapshots, it's a big etiquette no-no to take shots around a gaming table. Not only will you risk annoying other guests, but you might also draw a visit from a member of the casino's security team who wants to ensure you're not using your photos to cheat the game. It's best to always check your surroundings before you snap a shot. Remember that certain rooms, such as the casino's sports book, might prohibit photography altogether.

Tipping Dealers Is Appropriate

Like with many services, it's appropriate to tip your casino dealer if you're happy with the level of service he or she provides. Unlike tipping at a restaurant, however, there's no universally accepted amount--or approach--for tipping a dealer. Some people tip a blackjack dealer, for example, throughout the game, while others tip a percentage of their winnings if lady luck smiles on them. It's acceptable to tip the dealer $1 or $2 every half hour, simply by sliding a chip in the appropriate denomination toward the dealer between games. If you choose to tip a percentage of your winnings, you can do so up to 10 percent.

Ask For Help When You Need It

It can be intimidating for a casino novice to sit down at a table game and begin playing, especially if the pace of play is considerable. There's absolutely no reason to be embarrassed about not knowing the rules and it's best to simply ask the dealer how to play. Pretending that you know what you're doing will only hold up the pace of the game--but asking for some clarification on the rules as you play shouldn't bother anyone at the table.