What are the Dos and Don’ts of Craps?
Craps is among the most player friendly games on the casino floor. Although its chaotic atmosphere often scares away inexperienced gamblers, this dice game is actually one of the easiest to play in the entire casino. If you’re ready to take your chances on a roll of the dice, you’ll want to make sure you know about some simple practices that can make your experience much more enjoyable.
Do: Know the rules before you put your bet on the table.
Like most games, craps comes with a variety of tweaks from casino to casino. For example, the classic ‘Put’ bet is an option that allows players to play the pass line after the point has been established. While you’ll miss out on the come-out seven and eleven odds, casinos with odds higher than the standard 2X allow players to offset the advantage. How you play should vary based on the rules at each casino, so be sure to educate yourself before wagering.
Don’t: Avoid bucking the table.
Craps is a fun game, in part, because of the community aspect it brings. By betting with the crowd on the pass line (or don’t pass), you’ll be able to share in the wins of the other players, which is always more enjoyable. By bucking the table, or betting against the crowd, you’ll miss out on the chance to win money with everyone else, as well as open yourself up to ill-wishers, which is never a good thing. Increase your enjoyment of the social game by following the initial bets of other players.
Do: Bet the inside numbers.
Betting the inside numbers, which are five, six, eight and nine, give players a 50 percent chance of being paid on every roll. With 36 possible ways to win, few bets in the casino provide a better chance to win. Just keep in mind, however, that each toss of the dice also presents a 1 in 6 chance of losing it all. Keep your bets sound in order to capitalize on the favorable odds.
Don’t: Never play the center action.
These bets have high payoffs for a reason, as they are nearly always a bad wager. While you could get lucky and win big, the proposition bets have high house edges that make them unfavorable for players.
Do: Take (or lay) the odds.
In contrast to the proposition bets, the odds bet is one of the best in the casino. Featuring 50/50 odds, which means zero house advantage, taking odds (in the case of a pass line bet) or laying odds (in the case of a don’t pass bet) is an unbeatable option at the craps table.
Don’t: Avoid angering the dealers.
When it comes to betting on the rolls of dice, it’s never a bad idea to have good karma on your side. Keep your dealer happy by making your bets clear, and you may be rewarded with a big payout in the end. If that’s the case, remember to tip your dealer as well. Maybe that amazing luck will roll over to the next time you’re at the tables.
