Patacas and Hong Kong dollars, and the border timing

The Macao pataca is the currency, but Hong Kong dollars are accepted everywhere at one-to-one in shops and casinos (your change may come in patacas, which you can't spend in Hong Kong, so spend them before you leave). Ferries from Hong Kong take about an hour and run late; the bridge bus is cheaper. Weekends and mainland holidays bring crowds and queues at immigration; weekday mornings are quiet. Portuguese is co-official, but Cantonese and English will serve you.