The craps table

The typical craps table can seat 24 people. If the dice are hot, then that table is going to be buzzing like a live wire. The reason craps is so energized is that it’s a collective players’ game. On a good day the typical craps table runs at around 100 decisions an hour. Plus craps players have multiple bets running concomitantly. Thus your bankroll is going to be way higher than other table or slots games. And that’s because craps simply has so many betting options available for players.

Getting down to business

Many craps table have double layouts with a boxman (collects cash and supervises) at the center and a stickman (gives the shooter the dice) opposite him. The table’s center comprises boxes for proposition (1 roll) bets and there are hard-way bets too. These are more specific bets. There are dealers at the sides, taking bets and paying winners. The players cover the rest of the table.

The lingo at the craps table

• Field – a one roll bet that 1 of 7 numbers will be realized.
• Place or Buy – these are boxes marked 4, 5, Six, 8, Nine and 10. (Six and Nine are spelled so that there is no confusion to players on opposite sides of the table). Boxes 6 and 8 are the ‘Big 6’ and ‘Big 8’ bets.
• Craps – 2,3 or 12
• Boxcars – 2 sixes
• Yo, Yo-leven – 11
• C and E Craps – 11
• Snake Eyes – Two 1’s
• Little Joe – a 4 roll
• Jimmy Hicks – 6
• Skinny Dugan – a loser 7
• Skate and Donate – 8
• Center Field – 9
• Puppy Paws – Two 5s
• Natural Winner – 7 or 11 on the come-out roll

Betting and Technique

First up is the come-out roll. This is the first roll of the dice. There are Pass and Don’t Pass bets. Pass bets begin with the shooter and Don’t Pass bets are against the shooter. The shooter then tosses the dice to the opposite wall of the craps table. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11 then Don’t Pass bets lose and Pass bets win. When the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, that’s craps, and the Pass bets lose. Don’t Pass bets win on 2 or 3, but 12 is not allowed. Don’t Pass bets don’t win or lose if the come-out roll is 12.

A point is a come-out roll of any other number. When the point number is rolled again prior to the next 7, Pass bets will win and Don’t Pass bets will lose. But if a 7 comes up before the point number, Don’t Pass bets will win and Pass bets will lose. If the shooter doesn’t make the point, the dice are given to a new shooter. This goes in a clockwise direction. Field bets are for one roll bets stating that one of seven numbers will come up. They may be placed before any roll.

Bet to win

The house has a 1.41 percent edge on a Pass bet and 1.4 percent on Don’t Pass. Most players bet the Pass line. This is because they enjoy getting behind the shooter. There are come/don’t come bets – essentially the same as Pass/don’t pass except they’re placed on rolls besides the come-out.