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Table Games Simple craps question

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by Vimes, Aug 12, 2012.

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  1. Vimes

    Vimes Tourist

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    I plan on trying craps for the first time on my next trip after years of playing mostly blackjack. I understand the rules and general strategy but haven't actually thrown the dice yet. I plan on hitting the tables early so as not annoy anyone else and hopefully get some decent attention from a friendly dealer. My questions are mostly related to the mechanics of it (I don't know why these things stress me out).

    1. For buy-in, do I put my cash for changing in the come box or anywhere in particular? And do I include my players card with it?

    2. Same question for coloring up my huge winnings? Where do I slide my chips? Is there anyone in particular I address this to? (I'm assuming the dealers)

    3. My wife will be with me. Will the dealers (or "the house") be annoyed if I skip betting on her come-out rolls and then bet a come bet instead (so we can potentially be on different numbers and not just loaded up on one).

    4. On the odds bet for the pass line, do the chips for the odds bet straddle the line or sit just behind it.

    Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  2. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    1. It doesn't really matter as long as the dealer understands you want change - not a bet. Most people seem to toss the cash onto the "come" box. Yes, include your card. Most importantly, WAIT untill roll is over and the "hockey puck" reads "off".

    2. Make sure the dealers or boxman know what your intentions are. If you do that, placement isn't really too important. I usually put my chip right in front of me - behind the pass line - so that the next shooter can roll if he wants and not worry about hitting my massive tower o' chips.

    3. No.

    4. Behind the line.

    Best of luck!
     
  3. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Just put on a smile and be friendly. Dealers are usually pretty helpful to newbies of the game.
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  4. Scahom1

    Scahom1 Tourist

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    Try to find a table that is not jam packed with bets flying everywhere. If you find a nice quiet table, one of the dealers (should) be happy to explain all the rules, bets, and proper table etiquette.
     
  5. mjamesp

    mjamesp High-Roller

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    #1 Just drop your money with players card on top of the $$$ pretty much anywhere in the direction of the dealer. They will know what your intention is. You could ask for chips at the same time. If you stand at the rail with money and players card in-hand pretty good chance the dealer will ask if you want to buy-in when he's done with his other responsibilities.

    #2 Stack your chips in front of you behind the pass line. Ask to be colored up. A good dealer will see you start to pull your chips from the rack after a seven-out and ask if you want to color up. They may place an "Off" button on your stack for the "eye in the ski". You don't have to count your stack or put the colors all together. The dealers and box will do a count on the table. You'll get to see how they came to the total. This is a good time to tip the dealers.

    #3 Not at all. Often when I'm teaching somebody the game we'll pool are money and I"ll have them run the pass line/odds while I place the 6 and 8. Once they are done shooting we'll switch so I can then have a pass line bet and shoot myself. We'll then switch back at some point before the dice get back to us. We pull chips from the same rack and both have no problems ordering drinks from the CW. The dealers know what's happening and have no problems with it.

    Don't get to worried about being new to the game. Watch the dice and once they move from the middle of the table have your bets down and keep your hands up. Tip the dealers and they will be more than glad to help.

    Not sure where you are staying but the dealers at the Boyd properties downtown are mostly very helpful.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2012
  6. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    So, to be specific, when it's time to color up your massive winnings...

    Count your chips. Be sure you know exactly what you have.
    Place your chips behind the line on the felt in a few high stacks. Like buying in, best to do this when the puck is 'off'.
    Catch the dealers eye, push the stacks carefully a little toward him and just say "Color please."
    Dealer will say "Color coming in."
    The dealer will pass the chips to the boxman (the gruff looking suit sitting behind the racks of chips) who will restack and count them out in front of him. This can take a minute or three if the table is busy.
    The boxman will announce how much you have and tell the dealer who will count out the right amount of chips. He'll place them in front of himself for the boxman to verify.
    The dealer will push your chips toward you. You pick 'em up with a shit-eating grin and immediately lose them all on roulette. ;)
     
  7. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Oh, by the way, if you do win a packet, throw a few chips onto the layout 'for the crew'.

    I like to make a hardways bet for the crew as I leave with whatever single dollar chips I have. (I never win more than a hundred or two and tip as I go.)
     
  8. jhpa

    jhpa VIP Whale

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    You have gotten some good advice here....let me just add a word or two.

    The best time to buy in is when the puck says "off" (during the come out roll). This is a natural break in the game. (Actually, I find the time right after a point is set to be a good time as well. People tend to throw out their place bets at this point and it is also a bit of a break in the quick flow of the game.

    But sometimes, you are at a table and you want to get in and the shooter keeps rolling number after number without throwing a seven or making the point. In this case, you need to buy in without disrupting the flow of the game. I find the best way to do this is if you can take up the position right next to the dealer. You can drop you money and he can pick it up and hand it to the boxman very quickly.

    When you approach a table and want to buy in, take a second to figure out what is going on. If it is in the middle of a shooter's good run, the dice might be moving pretty quickly. DO NOT throw your money in to buy in. This will interrupt the flow of the table and is a major superstition in craps. ("The dice are getting cold!") I know it is silly, but craps is a game of superstitions and you will have a more enjoyable experience if you respect them

    If it appears that there is a slower table, still try to buy in without disrupting the shooter. As someone said - hold your cash and card in your hand and try to get the dealers eye - he will let you know a good time to drop your cash and card on the felt.

    Also, notice where the shooter is. If he is at the opposite end of the table, throwing the dice towards you, it might be a little tougher because you do not want the dice to hit the cash. If the shooter is at your end, it might be a little easier. But in any case,, don't try to buy in when the shooter has the dice. Wait until the dice are in the center of the table.

    If you are buying in at a time when the puck is not "off" , try to pick up your chips and put them on your rack as quickly as possible. Once you do, you may even want to wait until after the next roll before placing your bets. You would hate for the shooter to be ready to throw and have the table held up while you are doing all of this.
     
  9. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Good advice jhpa.

    I would add to all this a suggestion - try to find a table that is moderately busy. You don't want to be poppin' your cherry on a full-up table.

    But you also don't want to be the only shooter at the table.

    If you can find a table that is maybe 1/3 to 1/2 full, you'll learn the flow of the game a bit more. And, as the dealers pay off various bets, you'll have some time to think about your own bets and what just happened, you know, some time to take it all in and go 'let's see I had that number, it hit, I got paid $7... why did I get paid $7 again???... oh yeah, placed 6 pays $7 for $6 bet.... why did that guy get $15 and throw the dealer a white chip??? oh yeah, he had $12 on the 6, got paid $14. $15 minus $1 is $14... where the hell is my car again... I wonder if I will get some action tonight?... where's my wallet?... who's that with my daughter?!... how did I get here?... what is going on????..."
     
  10. jhpa

    jhpa VIP Whale

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    Ah yes - what goes through the mind of an ADD craps player?:cheers:
     
  11. Vimes

    Vimes Tourist

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    Thanks!

    Wow, this is all great info. Thanks so much! :nworthy:
     
  12. Terry Benedict

    Terry Benedict VIP Whale

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    You forgot "Where's the cocktail waitress?". If you mention (in a low voice, of course) to the dealer that you're "kinda new at this so tell me what I'm missing", they will be helpful.
     
  13. Its Only Money

    Its Only Money VIP Whale

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    I wish the people at Horseshoe Cleveland would follow these simple guidelines. Playing on Saturday night you couldn't get into any rhythm for this very reason. I was in the middle of a decent, all be it slow, roll and some jackhole bought into the game for 1000 in 20s. I had made 4 points and sevened out as soon as he got his chips and I got the dice. Seemed like I could never just roll 3 times in a row without some sort of stoppage.

    It was very annoying.
     
  14. Film-Noir

    Film-Noir High-Roller

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    Good Videos & Info on Craps

    Hi, Craps is soo fun, & can be the most exciting table game in then casino.

    here's a great link to wizard of odds.
    A great gaming Info/odds/rules website, realy good for starters.

    http://wizardofodds.com/video/

    Watch the youtubes on craps, great Info & well made.

    Good Luck, back up your pass line bets & have fun !
     
  15. isitvegasyet

    isitvegasyet Tourist

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    I play craps, but I am not a seasoned craps player and so the newbie experience is still fresh in my mind. Thought I'd add a couple of comments here about stuff that may be obvious to everyone else, but wasn't to me when I started.

    Hold the dice in one hand only. Once the dice are in your hand, do not pull your hand outside the perimeter of the table. I got "yelled" at for both of those the first time I played. LOL.

    And always look under the table. Last time we played craps in Vegas we found a chip and a cell phone under the table. Kept the chip (dealer told us to after we tried to give it to him) and turned in the cell phone.
     
  16. Vimes

    Vimes Tourist

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    Thanks again for all the helpful responses. I generally try to understand a table game before rushing in to play it. I've read the threads stickied here which have been very helpful as well.

    Regarding tipping, in blackjack, I'll often make a bet for the dealer at the "top" of the circle (or whatever is serving as the circle) in which you place your bets. Is there an equivalent for the odds and/or pass-line bet for the dealer? In other words, if I'm betting say $10 on the pass-line, is there a generally understood place to put another $1 or 2 for the crew? And if I put odds on, same question for that.
     
  17. mjamesp

    mjamesp High-Roller

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    For the pass line bet, I'd straddle the line closest to the dealer and let him know it was a tip. As for the odds, I'd place it next to my odds bet and let him know it's a tip. The dealer will move to it where he wants it.
     
  18. Pinny Long

    Pinny Long VIP Whale

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    MOST craps players are pretty friendly, by the way, and we are glad to give a bit of coaching/ advice to a rookie. We're not gonna explain every single thing to exhaustion, but if you see us place a weird bet you don't know or use a phrase you haven't heard, just ask us and we're glad to share.

    "Yo? What is that?"
    "It's a one time bet, hoping that 11 will come up. It pays 15 to 1."

    And if someone is friendly and open to conversation we'll just talk to them and offer a few no-brainers anyway. "Put another dollar on top of that. When the point is 9 or 5 you want an EVEN amount of money on your odds to get the best pay."

    I like helping newbies (if they're not obnoxious drunks).
     
  19. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    One other piece of advice nobody has hit for first time craps players. Play in the afternoon your first time. The table tends to be less crowded, and the players that are there tend to be playing lower (and the table limit is also lower.) This will help you find all the benefits that the other good posts have recommended.

    Also, if you're playing next to somebody who treats you poorly because you're new, simply move. Gambling is supposed to be fun -- if someone is making it not fun, there's always another table.
     
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