WANNA PLAY SOME CRAPS?

Stew · **Stew**

You've seen'em! A bunch of guys & gals crowding around a large table, laughing, shouting, high-fiving and yelling strange things to two busy dealers and a stickman. They could be heard all over the casino and you probablywondered just what was going on but on closer approach you couldn't even see the table's layout for the wild crowd of participants who were causing all the commotion! You could hear the strange calls: " Horn bet, World bet, Hardways, C & E, Craps, Yo, Two way Yo, Outside numbers, inside numbers, Big Red, Field Bet, 4-3 hopping, Place six and eight,"
What are they saying? Or more to the point, what's going on?
Friends, you have just seen a craps table in the midst of a "Hot roll," the most exciting spot in a casino!
It looks and sounds like a game you'd like to play, but when you looked at an idle table the layout was
covered with curious numbers and markings that made no sense to you. It appeared much too complicated and that was before you heard all those weird calls from the excited players! I'll just bet you thought you'd never learn that game!
Cheer up, my friends, it is a very simple game, even I learned it quickly, so anyone can with some help, a little concentration and some keen observation.
If you observe a table that isn't too busy, you'll see that it's a long one with high sides. Deep inside is a layout of felt with those strange markings on it. The markings are locations and types of bets that can be made there. Pass, Don't Pass,Come, Don't come, Field, Place numbers, C&E, Craps, Any seven ,Hardways,YO, Horn,Hopping - - and more. It can be very confusing, but cheer up, friend it will all come clear with a little help, a little play, and by taking one or two bets at a time and there are some that you'll want to leave alone!
The Table and its crew:
Two "Dealers" stand behind the table, one near each end. They handle bets and payouts for players at their respective ends of the table.
The"Stickman" surprise! Holds a stick! And stands in front of the table on the player's side. No, he isn't mean, he uses the stick to move the dice so he doesn't touch them with his hands. He also controls the bets that may be made on the layout just in front of him, and "Calls" the game using colorful and sometimes funny phrases.. A gift of gab, while not a necessity for a good stickman, certainly adds to the fun of the game. At times it's the most fun thing on the table- - -(When the table is "Cold" and action is light.). However, when the action becomes " Hot" he and the others in the crew are busy and hard pressed to keep up with all those anxious players who wish to get in on the action and win!
The – unmentioned crew member - is on break. Dealer's duties are stressful and demanding so, they only work 40 minutes and then take a 20 minute break, by rotating stations.
Players stand around the table, up to eight or more, on either side of the stickman and around the ends of the table. They take turns at being " The Shooter." When a shooter goes " Seven, out!" the dice are passed clockwise, to the next player who now becomes the shooter.
In order to be the shooter, a player must have a pass or don't pass bet down. We will discuss Pass bets here ( Don't pass bets will be discussed later). By the way, PASS means WIN at the craps table. Meaning that pass bettors are betting the dice will win for the shooter and all who have Pass bets down. ( Pass bets are lost if the dice fail to win, or PASS.)
The Pass line runs all the way around each end of the table just in front of the players, so every player can reach it to put chips down for his bet. Pass line bets must be at least the"Minimum" (Minimums and maximums will be posted on the table, as well as the amount of Odds allowed.- ie: 2X, meaning 2 times your pass bet.( Or 10X, or 20X!).
When the stickman calls, " Bets down, dice are out." He pushes five dice to the shooter, who chooses two and picks up the pair, or he may pick up one die at a time - but must touch them with only ONE hand! He may put them down, turn them to the way he likes to " Set" them, rub them on the felt or many other superstitious actions, or just pick'em up and toss them to the far end of the table. The dice must hit the far end of the table. When they stop, the Stickman will call the results of the roll to assure that even those who can't see, know what the roll was and he will tell the dealers to pay- or take the Pass line bets.
This first roll is a"Comeout roll"& may or may not result in a decision (Win or lose).. Just hang on a bit longer.

Getting started:
You Buy in by putting your money on the felt -in the come box-(Along with your player's card If you so choose). You tell the dealer " Change only" Or Reds & Whites, please" or " Five on the pass line" or whatever you wish.
He/ she will put your chips on the felt near you. You then put your bets down and the rest of the chips in the racks.
( Always be sure to put your money down on the table—the dealers MUST NOT make exchanges hand to hand!!! All exchanges must be put on the table by one and picked up by the other.). The "Eye in the sky" must be able to see any exchanges. Everything is seen and recorded so it may be rerun later if necessary. Casinos keep very close checks on the dealers as well as the players. This helps us have confidence that we're not being cheated intentionally by short or incorrect payments. Of course, the Boxman is overseeing everything and calls corrections on dealer mistakes quickly.

The Game:

The basic game of craps is between a "Shooter" and the house.
After bets are made, the stickman uses that crooked stick to push five dice to the next shooter who has a pass bet down.
The shooter selects two, picks them up with ONE hand only and tosses them so they hit the far end of the table.
The stickman calls out the number that rolled and pulls the dice back to table center with his stick and waits for the dealers to collect losing bets or pay winning bets and to handle additional bets that may be made at that time..

On THAT roll , (The "Comeout"roll), one of three things can happen:
1. Shooter wins if he rolls seven or eleven.
2. Shooter loses his pass line bet if he rolls CRAPS - 2,3,or 12.
3. If any other number "Comes up" it "Establishes a point." Either of these - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 may be a point.
Dealers move a "Buck" onto that number to indicate it's now the point! The goal now is to roll that point! To win!
Additional bets may be made. By everyone who wishes to get more bets down.
*** The shooter continues to roll until he rolls the point and wins the pass line bet - - - - - OR - - - - - - - - -
or - - rolls the "Devil, Seven- and loses..... He also loses his turn with the dice.
A shooter only loses his turn with the dice when he fails to "Make" a point and rolls the dreaded "Seven, out!"

Summary: Comeout rolls win on 7 or 11, lose on craps, 2,3, or 12; or establish a "Point."
On subsequent rolls he ( and all pass bettors) wins - if the point comes, loses if seven comes –And ........................... He is said to " Seven out.". And loses his turn. Dice are then passed to the next shooter.

This is craps! Told you, it's simple! Establish a point and roll to repeat it - to win, or seven out - to lose.
While trying to establish a point on Comeout rolls, the game was made more exciting by winning on seven/eleven - -
or losing on craps 2,3,12. (The only time craps and yo mean anything is on the comeout or some certain bets.)

Seven wins on comeout, but loses once a point has been established. So,the name "Devil –Seven."

More bets:
Odds bets: Also called "Free Odds bets." or True Odds bets ( Because they are the true odds on dice.)
After a point is established you are allowed to make an additional bet on the point number by putting chips on the table " Behind" your pass line bets. When this bet wins it is paid at the true odds on the dice.
Example: winning odds bets on numbers 4 or 10 pay at 2 to1. (You win $10 to each $5, of the odds bet.).
The 5 or 9 pay at 3 to 2 odds- $15 to $10 and the 6 or 8 pay at 6 to 5 -- $6. to $5...
Odds Bets must be made in the correct amounts to enable the dealer to pay correctly. If you bet the wrong amount you will only win 1 to 1 payouts.
You place the chips on the felt for your pass line bet and for your odds bet. You may remove the odds bet at any time, but not the pass line bet, once made it remains until it's won or lost.

Pass line bettors are called "Right Bettors" or " Do Bettors" and are said to be Betting the "Right side."

Don't Pass Bets:
Don't Pass ( Or Don't Come bets) are the opposite of Pass line or Come bets!
They lose on the comeout if 7 or 11 rolls; Win if craps rolls. WIN if the shooter sevens out.
Don't Pass (and Don't come bets) are called "Don't bets," " Wrong bets" or "The Dark Side."..... Or" Betting against the dice."."Don't bets" have an advantage once a point has been established. Surviving the comeout roll or a hot shooter are the downers.
Those who bet on Don't Pass or Don't come are called " Wrong bettors," or "Dark side bettors"

Place Bets: ( Those boxes in front of the dealer for numbers 4,5,6,8,9,10.).

You put the correct amount of chips in the "Come" box on the felt and tell the dealer to "Place the --- for --- dollars."
(Any number you wish to bet on; ie, "Place the five for $10" ) The dealer puts your chips at a certain location on the box for that number. Note this location, that's the way they ( and you) keep up with who bet what. If you move, tell the dealer. ..On any bet, note the location where the dealer has YOUR chips!
The Place bet wins if that placed number comes before the seven and pays Casino odds.($9 to $5 for numbers 4 and 10, - $7. to $5 for numbers 5 & 9, 7$ to $6 for numbers 6 and 8.). The Place bet loses if the seven comes first! Again- - - Old Devil Seven!
Place bets can be taken down when you wish, by telling the dealer to "Take down my six" or which bet you wish to remove, or " Take me down" to take down all your place bets. You may also call " No Action, One Roll." To stop action for that roll, on all bets except Pass line or Come bets.
I'll list the correct multiples of place bets for place bets later.

One of the more popular systems of craps betting is to make a pass line bet, take odds after the point is established and place the six and eight. This has three bets working for you. If they start hitting you can reap some nice winnings! But they can cost you on a " Cold "Table or "Chopping" table.
Come bets:
After a point is established, the shooter or any player may make a "Come Bet" by putting chips in the "Come" box (For the minimum bet or more.) The very next roll of the dice will be a Comeout roll for this bet ! It wins on 7 / 11; loses on craps!........ Or establishes a point for this bet and the dealer moves the chips into the numbered box of that point, the bettor can "Take" odds on that bet just like a pass line bet, except he puts chips down, tells the dealer " Odds" and the chips are placed aslant on the original bet to indicate a come bet with odds. Now, this bet wins if it comes before the seven; loses if the seven comes first! When a come bet wins, the player is paid and the original bet is returned to him leaving nothing on the number that just won.
Many Come Bet players will bet the pass line, take odds, make a come bet, take odds, make another come bet and take odds. So they keep a pass line bet with odds and 2 come bets with odds working- and when one hits they make another come bet. Some players just keep making come bets so when one wins it is replaced.
The downside to come bets is that the dice have to roll the number to make it the point for that bet, and then roll it again to win!
PLACE 6 & 8 system:
• * One of the more popular systems of craps betting is to make a pass line bet, take odds after the point is established and place bet numbers six and eight. ( The six and eight being the numbers that have the best chance of winning against the seven.).
You will develop your own system as you gain experience! Have fun while you do!

Chart of bets & Odds for ODDS Bets:
ODDS BETS PAY THE TRUE ODDS:

The numbers:...Bet multiples of ...... To Win...... = ODDS

6 & 8 ............... $5.00 ...................... $6.00 ......... 6 to 5
5 & 9 ...$6.00 min.then even amts $9.00 up .......... 3 to 2
4 & 10 ..$5.00 min, then any amt. $10.00 up ........ 2 to 1

PLACE BETS pay CASINO ODDS.

Numbers ........... Bet Multiples ........... To Win ...... = ODDS
6 & 8 ................. $6.00 ................... $7.00 .......... 7 to 6
5 & 9 .................. $5.00 ................... $7.00 ............ 7 to 5
4 & 10 ..................$5.00 ................... $9.00 ............ 9 to 5
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Stew the frog...Formerly Prince.

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Brianzz · **Brianzz**

TY Stew
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W2G free since 1976
It's better to be out playing the slots than sitting at home wondering if they're hitting.

WILynn · **WILynn**

Thanks Stew. Lots of helpful information there.
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Mphs Ed · **Mphs Ed**

That was great Stew. Think I will run down and see if I learned anything.

GaPam · **GaPam**

Well done Stew! Lots of great information.
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Stew · **Stew**

Brian, Thank you! Sorry for taking so long-- I'm not too fast
These days, but some say I'm still half fast!

Lynn, Thank you also-- we still have an unfinished craps game
to complete, sometime.

Pam, thanks for your compliments! We need to play craps again.

Thanks, Memphis Ed, I hope you have lots of luck in your trial.
Welcome to the forum! I'm so glad you came!
We only played in one craps game and best I remember you beat
me in that one, so I kinda doubt that you learned much from my
rambling comments!
Just be sure you don't take on my spelling habits! Even S H I R T
has been a problem for me! But I'm learning!
Good luck,
See ya in our next craps game
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Stew the frog...Formerly Prince.

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keno1440 · **keno1440**

Thank you, Stew, for all this information. I will have to study this more and try it out next time I get the chance. You tried out my keno information, so it's only fair I try to learn to play craps.

Marcia

Stew · **Stew**

Thanks Keno, If you do try craps you might be spoiled for a long time to come. It's a great game and more exciting than most anything in a casino, IMO!
Good luck when you play!
Stew.
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LA · LA

Stew - I'm waiting for the version called "Craps for Dummies". Do you have it? lol
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Stew · **Stew**

Lisa, as I said early on-- if I can learn it anyone can! You'll catch on very quickly, I'm sure. It may take a few games, but it will all be surprisingly simple once you see that you're really not interested in making all the possible bets. The easy way ( And IMO best way) is to make two or three bets and hang on! After you are familiar with most of the bet's short comings or advantages you can expand.. but that's never necessary and often ill-advised anyway! Try a couple of games & if you have a little good luck, it just may become your game of choice. It really is an exciting game!
Thanks for reading all that stuff.

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Stew the frog...Formerly Prince.

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