Never been before? Start here
Twenty-two answers in two groups: getting ready for your first visit, and what happens once you're through the door.
Getting ready for your first visit
What should I wear?
Whatever you'd wear to a nice café on a cold evening. Jeans are fine, boots are fine and a jumper is probably wise. Nobody's checking labels, and the heater in the foyer works hard.
Do I have to book?
It helps, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. On quiet nights you can usually just turn up, and the host will tell you honestly how long the wait might be.
Is it all right to come on my own?
More than all right. Plenty of guests do, and there's always a seat at the end of the long table for solo diners. The dealers are good at making room, and the regulars are friendly.
Where can I park?
There's street parking along Emu Bay Road and a small car park round the side lane. On busy nights, the overflow goes to the council car park a short stroll away.
Is it accessible?
The foyer and the dining terrace are step-free, with a ramp at the side door. The long room is up a gentle slope that most wheelchairs manage easily. Let Christine know and she'll meet you at the door.
How old do I need to be?
Eighteen or over for the long room, with photo ID checked at the old ticket booth. Younger guests are very welcome in the dining room, and the kids' portions of pie are popular.
Can I bring my own food or drink?
Please don't. The kitchen would be hurt. Tea, coffee, lemonade, juice and sparkling water are plentiful, and the food's all made here from scratch.
What if I've never played any of the games?
Excellent. Tell the dealer and they'll teach you from the first card. Several of our best regulars arrived knowing nothing, and a few of them now give advice at the rail, unasked.
What time should I arrive for dinner?
Any time from five. Early evening is calmest, with space to settle in, and the kitchen's at its freshest. If you're heading to the tables afterwards, aim to sit down by seven so there's time for both.
Is there somewhere to leave a coat and bag?
Yes: hooks in the foyer, a locked cupboard behind the booth for bigger bags, and the host will mind anything valuable. Please don't leave things on the chairs at the tables, where they'll get in someone's way.
Is there a quiet corner?
Yes. The dining terrace has a table by the old fire exit and the long room has a seat at each rail where it's calm. Mention it when you book and Christine will find you one.
What actually happens in there?
What happens if I just want dinner?
Then you eat dinner. The dining room's separate, and plenty of guests never go near the casino room. The kitchen is open every day from five.
What do I do with the chips?
You play with them, then hand them back when you stand up. They've no money value, you can't swap them or buy them, and they never leave the room.
Is there anything electronic in the long room?
No pokies, no gaming machines and no screens. The long room has tables only, dealt by hand, with a lamp over each. Some visitors seem almost relieved.
Is anything played online?
No. There's no website game, no app and no remote play. The games live in the long room and nowhere else, for people who are actually here.
Is there any pressure to keep playing?
None whatsoever. You can sit for one hand or the whole evening, and walk away at any moment. Nobody comments, and the dealer will simply thank you.
Can I just watch for a while?
Absolutely. There's a rail on each terrace, and plenty of guests spend their first visit leaning on it. The dealers will explain what's happening if you ask, and nobody will nudge you to sit down.
What happens when the room is full?
Christine keeps a list in the booth, and you wait in the foyer with a pot of tea and a seat by the heater. Waits are rarely longer than fifteen minutes, and she'll call your name from the bottom of the slope.
What's the honour board?
A board by the old stage door where tournament champions' names are chalked up. It's the only prize we give out, and people take it very seriously.
Do you do private evenings?
Not as a separate offer. Groups of up to ten can book the long table, and larger parties can ring and ask about joining tables together on a quiet night.
Will someone explain the building to me?
Gladly. Angus Crawford has a dozen stories about the old theatre and a ladder to the projection box he won't let you climb. The page called Years in these walls tells most of them.
Can I leave a message for the team?
Of course. Use the form on the Getting to us page or tell the host on the night. Every message is read, and every question gets an answer from a real person.