Mastering the Craps Table: Essential Etiquette and Smart Play
Stepping up to a craps table can be an exhilarating experience. The energy, the camaraderie, and the rapid pace of the game make it a casino favorite. However, like any social game, craps comes with its own set of unwritten rules and etiquette. Understanding these nuances is crucial for both maximizing your enjoyment and ensuring a smooth, respectful experience for everyone at the table.
The video above highlights 12 crucial etiquette tips and strategic considerations to help you navigate the vibrant world of craps. From proper money handling to betting strategies and social courtesies, knowing what not to do can significantly enhance your time at the table. Let’s delve deeper into these essential guidelines, ensuring you play like a seasoned pro and avoid common craps table mistakes.
1. Always Place Your Money on the Felt
When you arrive at the craps table, your first interaction involves exchanging cash for chips. It’s a fundamental rule that you should never hand your money directly to the dealer. Federal regulations and casino security protocols prohibit dealers from taking money directly from a player’s hand.
Instead, place your cash on the felt in the “come” area or right in front of you. The dealer will then spread it out, allowing the pit boss to clearly see the denomination for security purposes before counting it out and pushing your chips toward you. This simple act respects casino rules and maintains the integrity of the game, ensuring a seamless buy-in process.
2. Avoid Buying In Mid-Roll
Patience is a virtue, especially at the craps table. If the puck is “on” a number, it signifies that a point has been established, and the dice are actively rolling. Attempting to buy chips during an active roll will cause the game to pause while the dealers manage your transaction.
This interruption can disrupt the table’s flow and, perhaps more significantly, draw the ire of other players if the dreaded “seven-out” rolls immediately after your buy-in. The average craps roll lasts about eight and a half throws, so waiting for the puck to go “off” is typically not a long delay. If you’re eager to get into the action, consider getting your chips at the casino cage beforehand or playing a quick hand of blackjack to pass the time until the current roll concludes. Having chips in hand allows you to jump into action immediately once a new come-out roll begins.
3. Bet the Six and Eight Properly for Optimal Payouts
The 6 and 8 are arguably two of the most popular and advantageous place bets in craps due to their frequent appearance (second only to the 7). These numbers pay 7 to 6, meaning for every $6 you bet, you win $7. Understanding this payout structure is vital for maximizing your returns.
Always bet in increments of $6 on the 6 and 8. For instance, a $12 bet will pay $14, and an $18 bet will pay $21. If you bet an improper amount like $10, it should theoretically pay $11.67, but casinos always round down, so you’ll only receive $11. Similarly, a $15 bet would pay $17.50 but rounds down to $17. Over time, these small rounding differences can significantly impact your winnings, essentially costing you a dollar on every improperly sized bet. While the dealer may offer assistance or suggest increasing your bet to a proper increment, it’s always best practice to know the correct amounts yourself.
4. Never Utter the Word “Seven”
This rule stems from a deep-seated superstition among craps players, and while you may not believe in luck, it’s a courtesy to others. Once a point number is established, the majority of players at the table have bets placed on various numbers, all hoping to see their chosen number roll before a seven appears. A “seven-out” means all their “pass line” and “place” bets lose.
Therefore, calling out the word “seven” during an active roll is seen as bad luck and can quickly sour the table’s mood. Instead, use one of the many colorful nicknames for the number seven, such as “big red,” “the devil,” or “skinnies.” Even if you intend to bet on the seven (such as a Hardway 7 or a specific one-roll seven bet), using a nickname keeps the atmosphere positive and respects the collective superstition of the craps table.
5. Respect the Craps Table’s Sacred Space
Consider the craps table a hallowed ground for the dice gods, deserving of reverence and cleanliness. Keeping the table clean and tidy is paramount for smooth gameplay and player comfort. Always keep your drinks off the playing surface; most craps tables are equipped with a convenient drink shelf located just below the rail.
Similarly, if you’re a smoker, ensure your ashes do not land on the felt. These seemingly minor actions can damage the felt, create distractions, or even interfere with dice rolls. Maintaining a clean and respectful playing area contributes to a more enjoyable experience for dealers and fellow players alike, showcasing your consideration for the game’s environment.
6. Moderate Your Alcohol Consumption
Casinos offer complimentary drinks to keep players at the tables, but excessive drinking can quickly turn a fun night into a regrettable one. Consuming too much alcohol impairs judgment, leading to poor betting decisions and potentially significant losses. Furthermore, intoxicated players can become disruptive, loud, or even aggressive, creating an uncomfortable environment for everyone else.
Responsible gambling extends beyond your bankroll; it also involves knowing your limits with alcohol. Stay hydrated with water, take breaks, and recognize when you’ve had enough. A clear mind allows for better decision-making and ensures you remain a welcome presence at the craps table. Dealers and pit bosses are trained to identify and address overly intoxicated players, sometimes even cutting them off or asking them to leave.
7. Understand “Don’t” Bets: Don’t Remove Them Prematurely
“Don’t” bets, such as the Don’t Pass Line and Don’t Come bets, offer a slight advantage over the casino once the point is established, making them strategically powerful. The most challenging part of a “don’t” bet is surviving the initial come-out roll without a natural 7 or 11. Once a point is set, your advantage grows, as the 7 is the most frequent roll, and it’s what you’re betting against.
Therefore, it’s generally ill-advised to remove a “don’t” bet (often referred to as “taking it down” or calling “no action”) once the point is established, even if you dislike the specific number that has become the point. A better alternative is to hedge your bet by placing an equal amount on the number. In this scenario, the worst outcome is a push (you win one bet, lose the other), but the best outcome is your place bet wins, giving you a small profit while retaining your advantageous “don’t” bet. Removing a “don’t” bet after clearing the initial hurdle effectively gives up your hard-earned strategic edge.
8. Hands Off the Dice: Proper Handling Rules
The dice are central to the game of craps and come with strict handling rules designed to prevent cheating and maintain fairness. Always handle the dice with one hand only. Never switch hands, roll them between your fingers, or take them outside the table perimeter. Dealers are highly vigilant about dice handling and will quickly call out any infractions.
While blowing on the dice or kissing them might be cliché movie scenes, it’s considered unhygienic and unnecessary at a real table. If you’re a dice setter and like to arrange the dice before your throw, that’s perfectly acceptable, but don’t take an excessive amount of time doing so. For quick setting, remember this useful tip: opposite sides of a standard die always add up to seven. So if you see a 5, you know the 2 is on the opposite side. This knowledge helps you quickly orient the dice for your desired set, maintaining the game’s pace and avoiding delays.
9. Boycott High-Minimum Tables (Player Advocacy)
This point from the video is less about etiquette and more about player advocacy, urging a collective stand against rising table minimums. In many casinos, particularly on the East Coast, $25 minimum craps tables are becoming increasingly common, pricing out many recreational gamblers. This trend often pushes accessible $10 or $15 tables into scarcity.
The argument is that if players collectively refuse to play at these higher minimum tables, casinos will be forced to lower them to attract patrons. While high rollers might prefer $50+ tables, the proliferation of $25 minimums affects the broader craps community. By choosing to play at lower-minimum tables or even different games if only high minimums are available, players can send a message that the cost of entry is becoming too prohibitive, encouraging casinos to rethink their pricing strategies for the benefit of all.
10. Ensure Your Bets Are Placed Early
Craps is a fast-paced game, and bets need to be placed before the dice begin their journey down the table. Making late bets, especially as the shooter is preparing to throw, can disrupt the game’s rhythm and cause confusion for the dealers. Once the stickman has pushed the dice to the shooter, betting should generally conclude.
If the table is particularly busy and you’re having trouble getting the dealer’s attention for your bet, a useful tactic is to place your chips on the line between the field and the come box. This ambiguous placement forces the dealer to ask, “Whose bet is this, and what do you want?” This ensures your bet is acknowledged without causing a major delay. Remember, avoid having your hands inside the playing area once the dice are moving towards the shooter; a flying die could hit your hand, causing a re-roll and potentially incurring the wrath of superstitious players. Always confirm your verbal bets if you’ve called one out, as some tables are “no call bets” unless money is clearly on the table.
11. Don’t Be a Stiff: Always Tip Your Dealers
Dealers are an integral part of the casino experience, working long hours for often minimum wage. A significant portion of their income comes from tips, which they pool and share. Tipping is not just good karma; it’s a direct way to acknowledge their hard work and contribute to their livelihood. A well-tipped dealer often creates a more pleasant and friendly table atmosphere, enhancing everyone’s experience.
There are several ways to tip at the craps table. You can directly hand them a chip, or you can place a bet for them. For example, placing a chip “for the dealers” on the Pass Line or a specific place bet can be exciting, as they get the winnings if the bet hits. Even small tips are appreciated; the gesture matters more than the amount. Remember, while you might wish casinos paid their staff more, the current system relies on player generosity, so contribute to a positive working environment by showing your appreciation.
12. Practice Responsible Gambling: Avoid the “Walk of Shame”
Responsible gambling is perhaps the most crucial “don’t” at the craps table. This means never running out of cash and having to make the dreaded “walk of shame” to the ATM to withdraw more funds. Before you even approach the table, decide on a fixed bankroll—the absolute maximum amount of money you are willing to lose for that session. Once that money is gone, your session is over, no exceptions.
Chasing losses by continually dipping into more funds is a slippery slope that can lead to significant financial problems. If luck isn’t on your side, take a break. Walk away, have a meal, try a different game, or simply call it a day and return refreshed another time. Adhering to a strict bankroll ensures that gambling remains an entertaining hobby, not a financial burden, preventing the painful experience of an empty wallet and regret.
13. Refrain from Criticizing or Judging Other Players’ Strategies
Every player at the craps table is risking their own money, and they are free to play however they choose. Whether someone is betting on high-house-edge proposition bets, making only Pass Line wagers, or employing an unconventional system, it is not your place to critique or judge their methods. While certain bets have a higher house edge (meaning the casino has a greater advantage over time), craps is fundamentally a negative expected value (EV) game, meaning the casino ultimately wins in the long run anyway.
Short-term variance can lead to unpredictable outcomes; sometimes, the person making “bad” bets might even win more than a conservative player for a session. Focusing on others’ play distracts from your own enjoyment and contributes to a negative table atmosphere. Embrace the communal spirit of craps by cheering for the shooter and celebrating wins, regardless of how the bets were placed. Everyone is there to have fun, and respecting individual choices fosters a more welcoming and positive environment for all participants around the craps table.