Learn to Play Craps
One of the most exciting casino games. It is common to hear yelling and shouting at a craps table - you can also play this exciting casino games at an online casino.
Craps is played on a purpose-built table with two dice. The Craps table layout is divided into three areas, two side areas separated by a centre one. Each side area is the mirror reflection of the other and contains the following: Pass and Don't Pass line bets, Come and Don't Come bets, Odds bet, Place bets and Field bets. The centre area is shared by both side areas and contains the Proposition bets.
The casino crew consist of a stickman, boxman and two dealers.
The Boxman stands at the center of one side of the table and he supervises the game and takes cash collected by the dealers. Directly opposite him is the stickman, who uses a stick to push the dice to the shooter. The stickman controls the tempo of the game. He calls out the results of each roll and keeps up a continuous patter, urging players to get their bets down.
Craps Betting
Before the come out roll, all the craps players must place their first bet. You have two basic choices; placing your bet on the "pass line" or the "don't pass line." Pass line bets mean you are betting with the shooter. Don't pass line bets means you are betting with the house. The fun in craps (and the best way to win) is betting with the shooter. On the craps table, directly in front of you, place your bets on the pass line.
How to Roll the Craps Dice
The player must handle the dice with one hand only when throwing and the dice must hit the walls on the opposite end of the table. In the event that one or both dice are thrown off the table, they must be inspected (usually by the stickman) before putting them back into play.
How to Play Craps
- The craps game starts when the players place their bets and the stickman pushes the craps dice to a shooter. The shooter rolls the craps dice across the table so they hit the wall on the opposite end of the table.
- This first roll of the dice is called a "come out" roll. There are three things that can happen:
- If on the first roll, the dice come up as 7 or 11, you win. The same shooter continues to roll the dice.
- If on the first roll, the dice come up as 2, 3, or 12, you lose. This is called craps, and for good reason. The same shooter still rolls the dice.
- If on the first roll, the dice come up as anything else, 4,5,6,8,9, or 10, that is called your box point. The Dealer places a puck marked "On" above the Point number on the table.
- Now, the whole object of craps is to continue shooting the dice until you roll your box point again. But if you roll a 7 before you roll your box point, you lose. The game is over, a new shooter is picked (the next person around the table) and you start a new game.
Craps Strategy
The beauty of craps is that you can win lots of money, quickly. Here's how:
- Increase your bets only if you win. Keep your bets at the starting level you determined after a lose.
- The amount of your starting bet is called a "unit." It can be $5 or $5000. Each time you win, increase your bets in the following progression:
Pass Line Progression
- When you win your first pass line bet, you get paid one unit. Let those ride. Your second win will get you 4 units. Take 1 unit off, and let the other 3 ride. You just got back your original bet, so now you're playing with free money.
- A third win will give you 6 units, let these ride. A fourth win gives you 12 units. Now take 8 units off and let the 4 remaining ride. You now have an 8 unit profit with 4 units still on the table. If you win again, let all 8 units ride. Then take back another 8 and let the 4 ride.
- Continue in this fashion until you lose. Just remember this progression of units to bet: 1-2-3-6-4-8-4-8-repeat 4-8. Craps is a game of cycles, when you're in on a winning cycle, you need money on the table to win. But eventually, all good things come to an end, so take some profits down whenever you have more than 8 units on the table.
Numbers Progression
- This same strategy applies to bets placed on the "numbers." This is called "pressing" your bet. To press means to add the previous win to your bet. For example, you say to the dealer "place the number 9 for $5." Now the shooter rolls a 9 (before a 7), you win $7 in profit. Now say to the dealer, "Press it up." The dealer will put another $5 on the number 9, and gives you $2 in profit. So you now have $10 on the number 9. If the shooter rolls another 9, you'll win $14 in profit.
- So what do you do now? Press it up again. Another $5 will go on the number 9, and you'll receive $9 in your pocket. Let's recap; after the number 9 was rolled twice (before a 7), you have $15 still on the table riding on the number 9, plus you have $11 in your pocket. Not bad for an initial $5 bet. You can, and should, place money on all the numbers if you want to win, or at least on the 6 and 8 (you have the best odds on winning with 6's and 8's). You can see how quickly it will add up, if you get a hot shooter. Or how quickly you can lose, if the table is cold.
- An alternate to progression bets is called "flat" bets. Every time you win, you simply take the profit and let the initial bet ride. So if you place $5 on the number 9, and you win, you take the $7 profit and just keep $5 on the table. This may be safer, but if you encounter a hot shooter, you'll be missing out on some SERIOUS money.
