Also, the procedure for soft 17 is normally written on the layout, just above the place for insurance bets. Blackjack payout odds are there on the layout most of the time too, unless it is less than 3:2, in which case they may be cute with how they display it. If there are any special sidebets or bonus payouts, they are often on the layout as well. Some of the "new" games have a flyer or something on the table too that explain some of the variations. I saw this with SuperFun21 the first time I played.
Most casinos have a color-coded system where the color of the rule card on the corner of the table will denote the minimum bet. For example, in Atlantic City this week, the place I was playing had yellow cards on the $10 tables, brown on the $15, and green on the $25. The rule card is normally sitting on the table near third base, to the dealer's right hand, near the discard tray.
That card normally also has the table rules, like whether or not you can double after split, etc. You may have to ask a clarifying question on that, as they sometimes don't say what is not allowed, just what is allowed. For example, the card might not say "Player may not doubnle after splitting pairs". Although, in most cases, if you can do something, they do advertise it. If you have any questions, just ask.
You might not want to use any of the abbreviations you see online, however. In other words, don't walk up to the dealer and ask if this is a S17 table. Ask "Do you hit soft 17?"
One other pointer I'll toss out there is to always know the hand signals or appropriate action to take with your bets and your cards. Some of this varries from place to place. For example, in Las Vegas, where I normally play SuperFun21 with surrender, the hand signal for surrendering is to draw a line with your finger behind your bet. When I played at Mohegan Sun a while back, I tried this, only to be informed by the dealer that they use only a verbal signal for surrender; and that my action with my finger might actually get me another card if one of us wasn't careful.
I have learned that some places want you to put your money behind your bet to doubnle and beside it to split. Others want it beside the original bet for both double and split; and they expect a hand signal as to which you are asking to do. If you toke by placing a bet for the dealer, some want it on the left-front of the betting spot, some on the right-front. I have now learned to ask. The first time I want to double, I'll get out my double bet and ask the dealer where do I place this to double down. Or if I want to surrender, I'll simply ask, how do I surrender?
Be aware also that the table minimums and sometimes other rules can vary from table to table, and definitely do vary, depending on the time of day. So if you hear about a great $5 table, don't be surprised if it is nowhere to be seen on Saturday night. That doesn't mean the source was wrong, just that they probably visited at a different time.
